Faculty

Our faculty consists of highly qualified individuals with a passion for dance. We are proud of our staff and look forward to providing you with the best dance education possible.  

Brittany Brooks (she/her)

Studio Director, DMA, Member of DMC Chapter #38, Acrobatic Arts Certified
Tap, Jazz, Acro, Lyrical, Contemporary, Turns & Jumps, Stretch & Strength, Tumbling

Competitive Choreographer

Brittany’s love for dance was evident at a young age. Trained in many forms growing up, it wasn’t long until she entered the Competitive dance world. Her successful Competitive career allowed Brittany to train with top choreographers and take Master Classes from highly recognized individuals in the dance industry.

When her Competitive career came to an end, Brittany decided that her passion in life was dance and that she wanted to provide children the same opportunity she was lucky enough to have growing up. This is when Brooks Academy of Dance was born. In 2010, the doors opened with a firm belief that students deserve to have fun, make friends and be active with quality dance education. Brittany then pursued education with Dance Masters of America successfully passing exams in Tap, Jazz & Modern and became a member of DMC Chapter #38 in 2017. She is also currently working on becoming a member of the Professional Adjudicator’s Alliance and plans to begin education with Acrobatic Arts.

Brittany's students have been extremely successful in the Competitive dance world. Her students have competed at a National level and have earned awards with their technical training. Her choreography has also been recognized at multiple competitions by dance professionals, even winning Best Choreography of the Competition.

She firmly believes that dance is more than just dance. The studio is a place where every student should feel safe, a place where they are free from judgment to express themselves. Watching her students not only become technically trained, beautiful dancers but also upstanding citizens in society who are compassionate and independent young adults, makes her feel a powerful sense of pride. 

Taylor Blanco (she/her)

Recreational & Competitive Instructor

Hip Hop, Jazz

Hi, I’m Miss Taylor!

Dance has been a huge part of my life for the past 17 years, beginning when I first stepped into BAD at just four years old. Over the years, dance has become so much more than a passion—it has been a place where I’ve grown, challenged myself, built lasting friendships, and discovered the importance of confidence and self-expression.

Throughout my competitive dance career, I was fortunate to receive numerous scholarships, special awards, and category wins. While I have loved many styles of dance, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre have always held a special place in my heart. My years of training and performing have given me a deep appreciation for the discipline, creativity, and joy that dance can bring.

In addition to my dance background, I have completed my training and am a licensed aesthetician. My experience in the beauty and wellness field has further strengthened my passion for helping others feel confident, comfortable, and proud of who they are.

Outside of the studio, I’m newly married and enjoying this exciting new chapter of life with my husband. I love spending time with family and friends, creating memories, and, of course, continuing to share my love of dance with those around me.

As an instructor, my goal is to create a fun, positive, and welcoming environment where every child feels comfortable being themselves while learning and growing as a dancer. I believe dance is about so much more than learning steps—it’s about building confidence, expressing yourself, making friends, developing discipline, and, most importantly, having fun.

I’m so excited to share my love of dance with the next generation of dancers. I can’t wait to dance, laugh, learn, and make wonderful memories with all of my students!

Emily Stickl (Brooks) (she/her)

Assistant Studio Director, DMA
Tap, Jazz, Acro, Lyrical, Contemporary Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Turns & Jumps, Stretch & Strength, Tumbling

Competitive Choreographer

Emily has been engaged and active in the dance industry for two decades now. Whether it be competing in multiple competitions or cultivating her keen knowledge and skill in various dance disciplines within her students, Emily has never lost her passion for dance. In fact, she's furthered her knowledge by becoming DMA certified. Internationally, she has completed master classes in Hip Hop in both Baltimore, Maryland as well as Buffalo, New York. 

Emily uses dance as an outlet to feel free and creative. Not only does she take an extreme amount of pride in watching her students develop into well trained technical dancers, but Emily also feels a powerful sense of gratitude as they grow into unique and confident individuals through dance.

Sydnie Thibodeau (she/her)

Ballet, Competitive & Recreational Instructor

Ms. Sydnie is a dedicated and passionate dance instructor. Starting dance at the age of two, over the years she honed her skills and expertise in dance through extensive training and commitment. Sydnie achieved her RAD Advanced 2 certification and successfully completed her Level 6 Acrobatic Arts exam. Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous courses and workshops, learning from a diverse array of examiners and professional coaches to continually enhance her knowledge. Today, Sydnie proudly serves as a fully registered Acrobatic Arts instructor, where she inspires and motives the next generation of dancers, sharing her love for movement and performance!

Emma Peixoto (she/her)

Ballet Instructor, RAD
Competitive & Recreational Choreographer

Over the course of 19 years of dance training, 7 of those years being competitive training and pre-professional training, Miss Emma earned numerous awards and judges’ accolades for work individually as well as with her teammates. Miss Emma has successfully completed her R.A.D. Ballet exams from Grade 2 to Grade 8 as well as the vocational levels from Intermediate Foundations to Advanced 1, while continuing to work on the completion of her Advanced 2. She also completed her I.S.T.D. exams from Intermediate Foundations up to Advanced 1 in Modern Theatre – Jazz as well as levels of Jazz Awards (Gold, Silver and Bronze) through the I.S.T.D.

Miss Emma attended several summer ballet intensive programs including Canada’s Ballet Jorgen, and Quinte Ballet School. Expanding her dance education, Miss Emma also attended regular ballet private coaching classes at the National Ballet School under the tutelage of Gerard McIsaac, as well as private coaching with Mercedes Bernardez and Sarah Koekkoek at the National Ballet Of Canada.

Miss Emma had been cast as part of Canada’s Ballet Jorgen’s Local Participants Program in their productions of The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition in 2015 and 2017; Sleeping Beauty in 2016; and Coppelia in 2019. Miss Emma also auditioned for, and was cast for a number of roles, in Hamilton City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker in 2016, under the artistic direction of Max Ratevosian and Melania Pawliw.
Miss Emma auditioned for, and was successfully placed on, World Performers Canada’s national team for the international Dance World Cup, 2020, in the genre of Ballet.

As a pre-professional dancer, Miss Emma relocated to Toronto, temporarily, for school at George Brown College for the full-time Performance Program which was a joint program that included full-time dance at Canada’s Ballet Jorgen. She is in her final year in the joint Bachelor of Arts Dance Education program with the Royal Academy of Dance and University of Bath to continue her educational journey with dance and aid her in becoming a fully certified instructor with the R.A.D.

Miss Emma continues to train regularly, taking technique classes in the genres of Ballet and Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary.

Paige Matthews (she/her)

Instructor & Competitive Choreographer

Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Stretch & Strength, Turns & Jumps, Acro

Paige has been dancing since the age of 2 and starting competing at age 5. She has trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop and Lyrical. Paige has competed all over Canada and the United States and worked with many world renowned choreographers like Mia Michaels , Blake McGrath and Travis Wall. 

Paige has obtained her R.A.D exam certificates up to the Pre L level. She continually finds ways to improve and update her dance and teaching credentials through certifications and workshops. She loves sharing her passion of dance and movement with her students. Paige is excited to join the BAD family. 

When not in the studio , you can find Paige with her Springer Spaniel, Oscar on the trails or curled up with a strong cup of coffee and a good book. 

Taya Walters (she/her)

Recreational Instructor
KinderAcro, Pre-Dance, Summer Camp Leader

Hi, I’m Miss Taya!

Dance has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started dancing at Brooks Academy of Dance when I was just three years old, where I have had the opportunity to train under Brittany and Emily Stickl (Brooks). Over the years, dance has become so much more than just an activity to me it has been a place where I’ve grown, challenged myself, built confidence, and created so many amazing memories.

Three years ago, I began my competitive dance career, which has given me the opportunity to perform and grow as a dancer. Throughout my competitive journey, I have been fortunate to receive several awards at competitions.

I am incredibly passionate about dance and love everything it brings into my life. I especially enjoy working with younger dancers and watching them learn, grow, and gain confidence. Being able to share my love of dance with kids is something I truly enjoy.

I hope to continue to grow as a dancer and instructor. I am excited to help the new generation of dancers find their passion just like I did!

Kelly Cober (she/her)

Office Administrator

As the BAD Office Administrator, Miss Kelly brings a unique mix of business experience, organization, creativity and, most importantly, a lot of love for her BAD family!

Originally from Hamilton, Kelly completed her post-secondary education as a Licensed Massage Therapist and Esthetician. After working in the industry and successfully running her own business for more than 10 years, Kelly made the exciting (and somewhat bittersweet!) decision to close her business and move with her husband and daughter to Langton in 2015 to be closer to her family.

Today, Kelly works professionally as an HR Business Partner with the corporate head offices of Tirecraft Ontario in Ingersoll. Here, she puts her passion for people, process, organization and problem-solving to work every day. At BAD, she brings those same skills to the studio—keeping things organized & working behind the scenes to make sure all the little details that keep our studio running smoothly are taken care of!

Kelly is proud to have watched BAD grow over the years and is excited to continue being part of the studio community, supporting our dancers, families and the incredible BAD team every step of the way.

Miss Kelly isn’t just part of the BAD team—she’s been part of the BAD family for more than 11 years! Her daughter, Danica, joined our recreational program at the age of four and was invited to join the BAD competitive team at age five, a passion that she continues to pursue today!  

When she’s not working at her professional HR job or at the studio, you’ll most likely find Miss Kelly spending time with her family and friends, enjoying the great outdoors while camping, hanging out with the family Doberman, Riggs, or taking on yet another project that she probably didn’t need to start—but couldn’t resist!

From dance mom to Office Administrator, Miss Kelly truly believes that once you’re part of the BAD family… you’re always part of the BAD family!