Who we are
DDP opened its doors in the fall of 1999 and was established by directors Lori Karges & Sue MacDonald who share over 50 years of experience in providing quality dance training. With 20 years under their belt, DDP continues to be a prominent dance studio locally as well as across Canada, USA & Europe. Lori & Sue have assembled an inspirational, supportive faculty of the finest teachers in this area, who are dedicated to sharing the art of dance through teaching. They are the heart and soul of our DDP family …
Sue MacDonald
Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director
Since founding the studio, Sue has had the opportunity to work with so many incredible and talented students. Her choreography has won her and the studio several awards, and has taken her all over Canada, the US, the UK and Europe. Through it all, she remains ever grateful to all of the students and their family and friends, for their dedication to dance, and for the opportunity to influence the next generation of dancers. She’s constantly amazed by the hard work, passion, and focus she sees every day in the studio and in the students that walk through the doors. Sue hopes that the next 20 years will bring success and joy to each member of the DDP family – here’s to the next 20!
Lori Karges
Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director
Many of her former students are now working in highly established studios internationally and across Canada, as well as in stage productions, professional touring companies, and on cruise ships. Many are also working as choreographers, something she’s very proud of. She has also been a highly sought-after judge and workshop instructor and has completed exams in ballet, tap and jazz.
Though her years of teaching dance, Lori has become more and more passionate about tap and the challenges it provides her dancers. She’s built a strong tap program at DDP and wants to encourage each student to give tap a try.
Lori is thrilled that she’s able to celebrate 20 years with DDP and is looking forward to many years ahead.
Stacey Schnarr
Jazz & Lyrical teacher/choreographer
Stacey Schnarr is no stranger to the world of competitive dance. She completed the majority of her dance training at Joanne Chapman School of Dance in Toronto and competed in several dance forms for over 12 years winning numerous overalls, scholarships and titles. Stacey also completed all of her R.A.D Ballet Exams up to the Advanced level, achieving commended, and has earned her teaching certification in both jazz and tap from the B.A.T.D. For the past 22 years, Stacey has been sharing her love of dance with students at studios across Ontario, the last 19 of which have been spent as a competitive instructor here at DDP. Stacey is also a member of the Ontario College of Teachers and is employed as a secondary school business and dance teacher. Stacey loves to judge and has done so for several dance competitions throughout Canada. Stacey is proud to be DDP’s longest-standing employee and enjoys sharing her passion for dance with all the students she teaches on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Jill Jutzi
Jazz teacher/choreographer
Natalie Hayes
Street Style, Lyrical & Jazz teacher/choreographer
Natalie’s love and passion for dance continue to grow. Being able to share her knowledge with her students, while watching them grow and succeed is extremely rewarding. Natalie has won numerous awards for her choreography at regional and national competitions for both her solo and group work. Striving to provide a strong technical background for her students along with creative choreography, Natalie has her amazing students to thank for her success. Their extremely hard work, dedication and passion for dance continues to be an inspiration year after year. Natalie is extremely proud and privileged to be able to teach the art of dance.
Allie Forte
Tap, Jazz & Lyrical teacher/choreographer
Sheena Gosse
Kids Program & Hip Hop teacher/choreographer
Sheena has been dancing since the age of 7, and trained extensively in all styles of dance. She started training with Miss Sue and Miss Lori at 15, and has been competed all ofer Canada and the United States, including a competition at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Sheena has been teaching at Davenport Dance Project since the very beginning, and she is so thrilled to be a part of the 20th season of DDP. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys watching her 3 daughters dance and preform for Team DDP!
Jennie Pappas
Lyrical and Contemporary teacher/choreographer
Kelsie Schnarr
Office Staff
Kelsie Schnarr has always loved dance. She grew up taking dance classes throughout her childhood. It wasn’t until Kelsie discovered the world of ballroom dance that she truly fell in love with the art. She has been training and teaching professional dance for the past 8 years. In 2016 Kelsie decided to go back to school for Early Childhood Education and is currently working at a local daycare. She works in the studio office and is ready to help any student or parent with questions or concerns. Kelsie loves being a part of our DDP family!
Kim Knapp
Office Staff
Rebecca Petrosino
Office Staff and substitute teacher
Rebecca Petrosino began dancing at Davenport Dance Project at the age of three. Since then she has performed in theatre productions such as Annie Jr., Celtics on Broadway, and Booby Trap. She has competed at the IDO Tap Dance Championship in Germany representing Team Canada in 2011 and 2013. Today Rebecca attends University of Waterloo in the Arts and Business Program as a Theatre and Performance Major. She is thrilled to be a part of the DDP family.