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. 

Aiyana Baird (she/her)

Recreational Instructor & Head Camp Counsellor

Pre-Dance, Hip Hop, Jazz, Acro

Aiyana has been dancing since the age of 2 and has trained exclusively under Brittany Brooks & Emily Stickl throughout her dance journey. With over 12 years of Competitive dance experience, she has earned numerous overall awards and accolades, specializing in Tumbling, Hip Hop & Musical Theatre.

Aiyana is not only a gifted performer but also a well-loved instructor at the studio. Her energy, passion and connection with students make every class feel special. As our head camp counsellor, she brings leadership, creativity and heart to everything she does.

She has further enriched her training by attending multiple workshops with top industry professionals, continuously pushing herself to grow both as a dancer and educator. Aiyana believes every dancer should feel seen, valued and inspired at the studio. To her, each and every class should feel like magic- and she works hard to make that a reality for her 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 & Acrobatic 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. 

Allie Martin (she/her)

Instructor- Recreational Instructor
KinderAcro, Acro, Jazz,

Allie is an accomplished dance educator whose journey began as a highly talented competitive dancer for 10+ years. Throughout their dance career, Allie earned numerous overall titles, special awards and prestigious judges’ choice recognitions- each a testament to their dedication, artistry and exceptional technical ability.

Allie trained full-time under the guidance of studio Directors and choreographers Brittany Brooks & Emily Stickl, whose mentorship helped shape a strong foundation in both performance and discipline. Committed to continuous growth, Allie also took part in an array of master classes and workshops, learning from some well respected voices in the dance industry.

Now a passionate and inspiring teacher, Allie brings both Competitive excellence and deep-rooted training to their students, instilling in them not only technique and versatility, but also a love for dance that lasts a lifetime.

Kelly Cober (she/her)

Office Administrator

Miss Kelly will be leading the administrative side of things here at Brooks Academy of Dance this year! She brings with her years of experience in administration, organization and professional development. Originally from Hamilton, Kelly completed her post secondary education becoming a massage therapist and esthetician. After successfully working in and running her own business in this field for 10+ years, Kelly made the difficult decision to close her business and relocate with her husband and daughter to Langton in 2015 in order to be closer to her family. Now in her daily life, Kelly works as an HR professional for Marwood International here in Tillsonburg.

Miss Kelly has been part of the BAD family for the past 9 years along with her daughter Danica. Danica joined our recreational force when she was 4 years old and was invited to join our BAD competitive team at the age of 5. The rest as they say, is history!

Sophia VanTroost (she/her)

Instructor- Competitive & Recreational Instructor

Acrobatics, Lyrical, Contemporary, Stretch & Strength/Turns & Jumps

Sophia is a passionate and talented dancer whose love for the art form shines through in everything she does. Now in her second year of teaching, her bright smile and infectious energy light up every room she enters, creating a welcoming and inspiring environment for all her students.

Throughout her Competitive dance career, Sophia earned countless overall awards, special recognitions and scholarships, even receiving the incredible honour of being invited to represent Canada with World Performers. She has trained extensively with world-renowned choreographers and taken classes from some of the industry’s leading professionals, always striving to grow both as a dancer and educator.

Sophia believes that dance has a place in everyone’s life- regardless of age or experience- and she is passionate about helping each student discover their own love for movement. She looks forward to sharing her joy, knowledge and creativity with every dancer she teaches.