Born in Nottingham, England, Ellie attended the Rollo Academy of Performing Arts, achieving her Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) examinations at all levels in Ballet, Modern Theatre and Tap including her Associate Teaching Qualification (AISTD) in the three dance styles. She also gained her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) major examinations up to Advanced 2 level and became an Associate of the RAD (ARAD). Ellie went on to win a 3 year scholarship to the Masters Performing Arts College in London, England, where she trained in all varying dance styles, singing and drama. Upon graduating in 2005, Ellie began her successful...
Our Instructors
Woodwinds, Piano
Jake Koffman (Owner/Director)
Jake Koffman, born in Toronto, is part of the next generation of musicians and educators dedicated to the preservation, the integrity, and the evolution of jazz music. Born into Canadian music royalty, Jake grew up admiring the accomplishments of two grandfathers who were musicians inducted into the Order Of Canada. On his mother’s side is Victor Feldbrill, who conducted the Toronto and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras, among many others, and to whom the Toronto Star referred as “an indispensable cog in the city’s musical machinery.” On his father’s side is one of the most prominent voices in Canadian jazz history, reedman...
Piano & Vocal Lessons
Brendan Swanson
Brendan Swanson’s first language is piano. Born in Alberta, currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Brendan has been immersed in music since infancy. Showing an early talent for piano, he quickly progressed to RCM Grade 10 by age 12 and then studied jazz piano at 15. Since relocating to Toronto, he has graduated from the Humber College Bachelor of Applied Music program and has performed internationally and recorded with the group YAMANTAKA//SONIC TITAN which has been nominated for a Juno, twice shortlisted for the Polaris Prize and won Best Soundtrack at the Canadian Video Game Awards. His arrangement and performance work...
Acro and Jazz
Courtney Nurnberger
Miss Courtney is a multi-disciplinary choreographer and dance educator based in Toronto & the GTA. Her life’s purpose is to share her passion for the performing arts with students of all ages. From Tap to Acro, Courtney is trained in all styles and grew up competing across Canada and the United States! After years of training as a competitive dancer, Courtney received an advanced diploma in “Child and Youth Work” in order to further skills as an arts educator. Upon graduation, Courtney travelled to various dance studios teaching on a volunteer basis in order to gain experience and further her...
Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Vharay started dancing at age 3. She has taught, choreographed and performed across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Currently she teaches children of all ages competitive and recreational dance in Toronto and the GTA. Her intensive dance background includes: R.A.D. Ballet (advanced level), CDTA Tap (Gold Star level), jazz, lyrical, modern, acrobatics, hip-hop, voice, and musical theatre. She is also an advanced level graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts Triple Threat Program. Recent credits include: Fashion Cares Toronto (live stage performances), Much Music Video Awards Live Shows (with the American rock...
Ballet & Tap
Kelsey Lacombe
Kelsey is a Toronto-based actor, singer, dancer and educator originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She holds a Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance from Sheridan College and has performed all across Canada. Growing up in Winnipeg, Kelsey trained competitively in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre and hip hop at the Shelley Shearer School of Dance. Eventually, she began teaching and fell in love with sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with the younger generation. After moving to Ontario and completing her degree in 2016, she began teaching across the GTA. Some of Kelsey’s favourite theatre credits include: Cinderella, Beauty and the...
Guitar, Bass, Piano & Ukulele Lessons
Torrie Seager
Born in Sarnia, Ontario, Torrie Seager relocated to Toronto to pursue a career in music. While enrolled in the Humber College Jazz program Torrie studied with and was mentored by Canada’s top Jazz musicians including Pat Labarbera, Ted Quinlan, and David Occhipinti. After completing his studies Torrie began working as a sideman while fronting his own ensembles. Torrie’s sideman credits include contributions to artists like Johnny Alexander, Evren, Lewis Moorman, Ogguere, Dr. Draw, Os Trophies, The Human Rights, Vivienne Wilder, and The Gordon Hyland Group. Since 2012 Torrie has been a key member of the dream pop trio, Hush Pup. Hush Pup has released two EP’s, Darlene and Waterwings, and has done three cross-Canada tour. Torrie also joined the group of Canadian composer Erik Colin Ross in September 2016 and will be involved in performances and recordings with that ensemble. Torrie teaches guitar, bass, piano, and ukulele at all levels in every genre.
Piano & Vocal Lessons
Natalie Julien
Natalie Julien is a theatre/screen artist & musician. She started studying classical music from a very young age & studied musical theatre as her post secondary focus. When she is not performing, she runs Little Rebels baby music & development classes, group theatre classes and private voice & piano lessons. She has over ten years of teaching experience in various settings with people of all ages, backgrounds & experience.
Her classes are fun, engaging and focusing not just on building a strong and healthy instrument, but working on confidence and self-esteem through music and performing. So excited to be here at Koffman amongst well celebrated musicians!
Piano & Vocal Lessons
Danae Olano
Toronto based pianist, composer and arranger Danae Olano is originally from Cuba. Her career
began to blossom while studying at the University of Arts in Havana. Her music is influenced by
the Afro-Cuban music tradition, Classical music, Jazz, Brazilian rhythms, and more. She
focuses on the legacy of the great Cuban pianists as well as the Masters of Jazz. Winner of two
Juno Awards and Grammy Nominated, Miss Olano holds multiple classical piano awards such as
Musicalia and UNEAC. She is a versatile pianist, founding member of the all-female band “Jane
Bunnett and Maqueque”, she also collaborates with other musicians in the city having the
opportunity to learn new styles of music and enrich her own. She has performed in some of the
world’s most prestigious jazz clubs, including Birdland, Blue Note and Bimhuis as well as in
leading festivals such as the Monterrey, Newport and Saratoga Jazz Festivals in addition to Jazz
al Parque in Bogota. Olano not only writes music for her band, but she also collaborates with visual
artists and has recently been awarded Best Original Soundtrack by the Capital Film Festival in
Madrid for her collaboration on the experimental short film “Sunlight Around the Corner: The
Golden Sparrow”.
Vocal, Musical Theatre
Andra Henderson
Andra Henderson has been an active performer and educator for over a decade. She majored in vocal music at the highly acclaimed high school Cardinal Carter Academy For The Arts, and graduated with an additional music diploma for her training in musical theatre, opera, jazz, and choral music. She then completed her Bachelors of Music at Humber College. An avid singer of many genres, Andra performs regularly throughout Toronto. An actor as well, she has trained and performed comedic improv at The Second City, and has been involved in a variety of community theatre productions. She was also the creator and...