About Us
The Morée School of Dance has been training Kitchener-Waterloo’s dancers since 1980!
Our Story
The studio was founded by Cora Black and her sister Eva Dombrowsky in 1980. Both sisters trained at Ewalds Academy of Dance in Kitchener. There was a passion for dance in the family as their mother, Maria Kraushaar, was a ballroom competitor and teacher. After arriving in Canada, Maria chose to perform as “Marie Morée”. When choosing a suitable name for their dance school it seemed only fitting to call it “Morée School of Dance”.
In 1981 Miss Cora graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Dance and performed in the Music Man at Huron County Playhouse under the direction of Alan Lund a legendary Canadian Director.
Moree School of Dance first opened its doors on King Street in Kitchener where the Kitchener City Hall currently stands. Later that year the musical Cats had its Broadway premier and went to be the longest running show in history. After three years Morée relocated down the street into an old bank and used the bank Vaults as music stations which was ideal for ensuring the records wouldn’t skip!
In 1985, the billboard number one album “Footloose” was released and Morée “kicked off their Sunday shoes” on 44 Queen Street where we served our clients for over 20 years. Our new location was on the third floor with huge New York style studios, hardwood sprung floors and a fire escape just like the one in “West Side Story.”
In 2004 we opened our doors at a new home in Waterloo at 139 Union Street. Previously a Scotia Bank, this new building brought it’s own charm, great parking and of course another vault!
In 2005 Miss Michelle followed in her mothers’ footsteps and graduated from the Ryerson University Dance program with honours and began a professional dance career. In 2008 after completing her time in the Mirvish show Dirty Dancing at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Miss Michelle joined Miss Cora as assistant director.
Since 2010, the same year both of our men and women’s hockey team won gold at the Olympics, Morée has had the most exciting part of the studio’s journey so far. We currently serve our families at the newest, largest and most well equipped facility we have ever provided at 105 Randall Drive, Waterloo!
Now with over 38 years of experience Miss Cora, Miss Michelle and our excellent faculty continue growing and developing the studio. Morée offers award winning tasteful choreography, while maintaining strong family values. As always, we are dedicated to provide our students with strong technical training while inspiring a true appreciation of the arts.
Come join us as we train exceptional dancers and mold the future of dance at Morée School of Dance, “Our home away from home”.
At Morée, you’ll find a family atmosphere built on support, encouragement and respect for one another. We encourage our students to develop their dance style and technique to their full potential, no matter their age or dance experience. A high standard of excellence is demonstrated through our professional teaching, low student to teacher class ratios and a strong focus on proper technique. Classes are specifically designed to increase technical skill, stamina, and discipline appropriate for the student’s age and level. Our aim is to develop an appreciation for the performing arts in a positive atmosphere where students learn valuable life skills, build happy memories and lifelong friendships.
FACULTY
Cora Black – Artistic Director
Cora has been the proud owner and director of Morée School of Dance since she established the school in 1980. Having trained at Ewald Academy of Dance, Cora went on to perform professionally and receive an Honours Bachelor of Science Dance degree from the University of Waterloo. Professional highlights include: dancing for President Reagan, an original company member of the Black Walnut Ballet and a chore dancer for the amazingly talented Alan Lund. Cora is a certified teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance and the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. She has won numerous choreography awards and has created works for the Daffodil Tea, a local cancer charity event for 10 years. Cora is been a mentor to her students and has trained numerous dancers who have become professional dancers, teachers and studio owners; Natalie Sebastian, Brian Hill, Cindy Windsor, Michelle Hillier, Chrissy Palmer (Conrad), Patricia Frasier, Chris Wilson, Lisa Collins, Sharon Booth, Lori Karges, Karen Bender, Heidi Bricknell, Beth Cornwall, Jennifer Fell, Andrea Burns, Holly Linkert, Kelly Aarts (MacGregor), Jeanine Henderson, Michelle Tracz (Black), Emily Lehan, Erin Cardey, Mistyna Wilcock, Kate Moffett and Meaghan Silva.
Michelle Tracz – Assistant Director
Michelle is a professional dancer and teacher. Originally from Waterloo, Michelle trained at Morée School of Dance completing both her RAD grade 8 award and Advanced 1 exams. She then went on to graduate with honours from the Ryerson University Theatre Dance Program and also earned the Dean’s Award for her graduating class. In 2005 Michelle was chosen by the Toronto Star as “One of the top graduating dancers to watch.” Recent stage credits include: Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage (Mirvish) at the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto where she understudied the Lead Role of Baby, Mrs. Schumacher and was a female swing! Sweet Charity (Huron County Playhouse), Robin Hood (St. Jacobs Country Playhouse), Jane Ashton in Brigadoon (Drayton Festival Theatre), Ensemble/Dance Captain in Highschool Musical (St. Jacobs Country Playhouse), Gertie in Oklahoma (Capitol Theatre), Aladdin (St. Jacob’s Country Playhouse), The Mikado and Oklahoma! (Huron Country Playhouse). Michelle is also an accomplished choreographer and director. Recent projects include: High School Musical PEP Squad Director (Drayton Entertainment), Organ and Dance Fusion Concert (First United Church), The Departure (McMaster University), 3 Days (Moe-tion Picture Productions), Parahumans Dance Theatre (Premiere Dance Theatre) and Best of Broadway (Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Productions). She can also be seen playing “Pipa” on the children’s television show 4 Square which airs on Treehouse Television. Michelle has completed her teaching certification for the ADAPT syllabus. She has won numerous choreography, judge’s choice and overall awards. Although Michelle adores the stage, her passion is equally met in the studio teaching, choreographing and building relationships with her students!
Mike Tracz
Mike is a professional dancer, singer, actor and teacher, and has performed on stages throughout the world. He specializes in teaching Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Acro and Musical Theatre. Mike has adjudicated all across Canada from Alberta to Nova Scotia, while also teaching many workshops and master classes. He is a founding member of the Acro Dance Adjudicator certification program. Mike has performed for over 20 years. Select performance credits include six seasons at The Stratford Festival of Canada (Crazy For You, Hello Dolly, The Tempest, Guys & Dolls, Anything Goes, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, The King & I, The Beaux’ Stratagem, and The Threepenny Opera), the 2008/2009 North American Tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Closing Ceremonies of the 2015 Pan Am Games at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Drayton Entertainment (Dance Legends, Guys & Dolls, Sweet Charity, Peter Pan, Brigadoon, Evita, Me & My Girl, Crazy For You, Cats, Miss Saigon, Aladdin, The Mikado, Oklahoma!, Robin Hood), Theatre Aquarius (Peter Pan, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!), The Canadian Opera Company (War & Peace), Stage West (70’s Fever), Tokyo Disneyland, Dancers for life (Toronto), Royal Carribean Cruise Lines (Dance Captain), Celebrity Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Paramount Wonderland, A Grand Night for Stratford, and the 18th annual Guelph Dance Festival. Film & Television credits include Eloise at the Plaza (Disney), In the Tall Grass (Netflix), Star Trek Discovery, Murdoch Mysteries, Poe (ABC), Hollywood Bollywood, Superstar, Prisoner of Love, Billy Madison, The Gemini Awards, Rick Mercer Report (CBC), BravoFact!, Food Network, Morenaga (Japan).
Mistyna Woodhouse
Mistyna is a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer. Originally from Waterloo, Mistyna trained at Morée School of Dance completing her RAD Advanced 1 exam. She then went to graduate with honours BA in dance from San Francisco State University, where she also earned the top performance award for her graduating class. While in San Francisco, Mistyna was a part of University Dance Theatre, where she was selected to perform as a soloist at the American College Dance Festival. She was also chosen to apprentice along side Oberlin Dance Company in performing Brenda Way’s repertoire piece ‘Investigating Grace’. Mistyna has danced with Call it Art under the direction of Kyle Limin, and worked with other distinguished choreographers such as; Brenda Way, Cathleen McCarthy, Mark Foreigner, Susan Whipp, Wendy Diamond.
Lexi Wong
Lexi grew up dancing at Morée training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical/Contemporary and Acro. She’s completed numerous RAD ballet exams, highlights include achieving Distinction in Advanced 2 and dancing for the Solo Seal award. After graduating High School, Lexi trained for one year in the professional ballet training program at the Oakville School of Classical Ballet. There she performed soloist roles in Giselle and The Nutcracker and was a member of the corps in performances of Serenade and La Fille Mal Gardée. Lexi is currently attending the University of Waterloo studying Mechanical Engineering and is a member of the UW Dance Company on the Jazz/Lyrical, Acro and Ballet teams. Lexi has always loved the supportive and hardworking environment the teachers at Morée provide and is excited to now be on the other side helping to shape and grow the next generation of Morée dancers.
FACILITY
- Over 5000 square feet
- Excellent parking and door to door drop off for parents
- Three large studio’s with sprung floors, Rosco rubber finish, 19 foot ceilings, supported/free standing barres, 5 foot mirrors throughout and tumbling mats
- Well ventilated rooms with full roll up door in the largest studio
- Ample viewing areas for each studio
- Lunch and Homework Room
- Spacious Lounge for Parents
- Main floor dressing rooms for both girls and boys
- Beautiful Waterloo location close to the St. Jacob’s Market, Conestoga Mall and other amenities
- Quick access off the expressway from anywhere in the Tri-Cities
