Meet our Educators
Amanda Nuttall- Director
Amanda grew up as a competitive dancer in Winnipeg, Manitoba; and trained extensively on scholarship at the Edge Performing Arts Centre in Los Angeles. Over the past decade, Amanda has worked as a dancer, performer, and choreographer in Toronto’s performing arts industries. Most notably, Amanda has choreographed dance numbers for national commercial campaigns and several equity house musicals across Toronto and Eastern Canada.
Amanda brings to Groundwork Dance Studio 30+ years of dance training and 19 years of dance instruction in various styles such as Jazz, Acrobatics, Tap, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Hip-hop Aerial Silks, and Ballet. She is a graduate of the Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto. Amanda is also a certified instructor with the Acro Dance Teacher’s Association of Canada, Rhythm Works Integrated Dance, Acrobatic Arts, as well as a founding member of and certified Acro Dance Adjudicator.
Finally, Amanda is a proud member of Youth Protection Advocates in Dance.
Shaye Firer- Ballet
Shaye Firer was born in Cape Town, South Africa and began ballet lessons at age three. At age twelve, Shaye auditioned for, and was accepted into, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division, where she trained for another six years. Upon completion of the ballet program at RWB, Shaye joined the trainee program with American Repertory Ballet in Princeton, New Jersey. After a year as a trainee, Shaye was offered a company position. As a company member with American Repertory Ballet, Shaye performed various principal, lead, and soloist roles by many diverse choreographers including Kirk Peterson, José Limón, Gerald Arpino, Paul Taylor, Douglas Martin, Mary Barton, and Septime Webre. Some of the roles she performed include the Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, and Dewdrop Fairy in The Nutcracker; Swanhilda in Coppélia; The Chosen One in Douglas Martin’s Rite of Spring and Titania in his A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Doe/Duchess in Kirk Peterson’s Beauty and the Beast. While working as a professional ballet dancer, Shaye also had the opportunity to spread her love of dance by teaching with American Repertory Ballet’s affiliate school, Princeton Ballet School. Here, she taught a variety of different ages and levels, from beginner to advanced, for over nine years. She loves sharing the joys of dance with her students and watching them learn, grow, and find ways they can express themselves through the wonderful art of dance.
Jonel Fabro- Hiphop
Jonel Fabro aka Joe Fresh is a seasoned dancer and instructor with 20 years of experience in the dance community. Forced into dance by his older sister through organizing the original cast of Sikat, a local choreography dance company, Joe Fresh initially honed his skills in competition dance. However, after being exposed to the dynamic world of freestyle at World of Dance Chicago in 2011, he shifted his focus to freestyle dance.
With a passion for sharing his knowledge, Joe Fresh teaches movement awareness and musicality classes tailored for dancers of all levels. His mission is to empower students with the confidence to take their dancing beyond the studio – whether it’s at a party, competition, or battle.
Through his teaching, he fosters a supportive environment that encourages creativity, self-expression, and a deep love for dance.”
Bboy Majo-
Break Dancing
Majo, aka Bboy Majo / DJ MaJuice, is a Winnipeg-based bboy and DJ with 15+ years of experience in the dance community. From battles in the Philippines to founding local training sessions in Manitoba, he’s dedicated to uplifting others through breaking and music. As a community leader, event organizer, and mentor, Majo continues to create spaces where dancers can grow, train, and thrive. A proud member of GAGO crew and MBA (Manitoba Breaking Alliance) organizer.
Emma Pfaff-Acro, Jazz, Ballet/Jazz, Lyrical
Emma has been dancing since she was five and spent years as a competitive dancer before switching gears to help teach classes. After finding her place at Groundwork Dance Studio, she’s loved bringing her experience, and some fresh ideas to every class she teaches. Emma has worked with kids for years and is currently in school to become an elementary teacher. She’s all about creating a fun, supportive space where dancers can grow and feel confident.
Stephanie Okabe-Hiphop, Pom, Jazz
Stephanie is a certified teacher and the Dance director at Kelvin High School. She has over 20+ years of dance & cheerleading experience and currently runs the largest high school Pom program in the province. Stephanie has trained extensively in hip-hop and jazz. She also cheered professionally for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Sarah Pfaff-Assistant- Ballet, Tap, Rhythm Works
Sarah has been dancing since the age of 3 and is currently dancing competitively. There isn’t a day where she isn’t involved in something dance-related, whether that’s teaching a group of students at her former elementary school during the lunch hour, rehearsing with the Oak Park High School Dance Company, spending evenings and weekends working on her own craft, or assisting classes at Groundwork Dance Studio.
Dance has always been a major part of Sarah’s life, and she’s excited to continue sharing her love for the art with the next generation of dancers!
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and running her small business, Cornelia Street Studio. @cornelia_street_studio
Ezri Schafer- Assistant-Pom, Acro, Jazz
Ezri has been immersed in dance her whole life, learning from her mother and training in a wide range of styles. Her background spans mordern, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre-and now she dances on both the Pom and KDC teams at Kelvin High School. Ezri is passionate about sharing her love of dance and is so grateful to be a part of this amazing studio and team!
Erica Mcbey
Erica has been dancing since the age of three, developing her skills through both competitive dance and participation on her school dance teams throughout middle and high school. With a passion for working with children, she loves helping young dancers reach their creative goals while fostering a safe, supportive, and fun environment. A recent high school graduate, Erica is excited to continue growing as an instructor and plans to pursue a career in the child development field.
A Message From Amanda
Thank you for visiting our site and for your interest in giving your child the gift of dance. It’s the gift that will nurture their creativity, give them confidence, and most importantly, happiness. That is exactly what I wish for my two girls, and that is why Groundwork was created. See you in the studio!
“Before you can think out of the box, you have to start with a box”
— Twyla Tharp