Nice to meet you!

At Ballet Etobicoke, we pride ourselves on having a team of highly qualified and dedicated teachers who are passionate about nurturing each student’s potential. Their friendly and approachable nature creates a welcoming environment where every learner feels valued and supported. With a blend of expertise and kindness, our educators inspire curiosity and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.


  • Artistic Director & Teacher

    Rowen is a BFA Honors graduate from York University and a certified RAD ballet teacher from The National Ballet School of Canada. Originally from Guelph, Ontario Rowen has trained in modern forms including Graham and Limon, contemporary, and various ballet technique forms including RAD, Cecchetti, and Vaganova. Rowen has had the opportunity to perform with Janet Johnson’s Portal Dance Company in the 2021 Guelph Dance Festival, Antonin Rioche at the 2023 b12 festival in Berlin, Germany, and FLOCK’s work at Orsolina 28 in Italy 2024. Rowen has recently taken over as Artistic Director at Ballet Etobicoke and works to instil a welcoming and encouraging love of ballet in each of her students. She is also a teacher at Swansea School of Dance in Toronto where she teaches ballet, lyrical, modern and contemporary as well as choreographs for competition. Now, Rowen calls Toronto home and works as a teacher, performer, and choreographer. 


  • Teacher & Administrator

    Born and raised in Bolivia, Sara started her dance training in various styles at the age of 4 at CAP Escuela de Danza located in her hometown. Throughout her training, she attended multiple workshops and master classes, including the American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive in Texas. After moving to Toronto, she completed three years of the Dance program at York University, and then joined the Teacher Training Program at the National Ballet School of Canada. As a recent graduate, she now has her Registered Teaching Status with the Royal Academy of Dance, and has completed multiple exams, including Cecchetti, National dances with the ISTD, and RAD. Her skills in performing, choreographing, and teaching have given her opportunities to teach a wide range of ages and levels at NBS, from 5 year olds to adults. Sara hopes to create a safe learning space where students can explore their own identity and abilities through movement, technique, and artistry.

     


  • Teacher

    Hilary Guswiler is from Copenhagen, Denmark and trained at the Royal Danish Ballet School. She graduated into the company in 2006, first as an apprentice and then later as corps de ballet, and danced there for 14 years. Hilary has danced in most of the classical repertoire and had principal roles in Swan Lake, A Folk’s Tale, Serenade, The Concert and Apollo and soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Lady of the Chamelia’s, Napoli, La Bayadere, and many more. Hilary also represented The Royal Danish Ballet at the 2009 International Erik Bruhn competition in Toronto. 

    Outside of dancing, Hilary is a certified Basi pilates instructor!

  • Pianist

    Zane Shihadeh is a ballet accompanist, performing pianist, and composer studying at the renowned Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto. As an accompanist, his career has brought him from studying with Craig Wingrove at the Musicians Mentorship program at Canada’s National Ballet School to playing regularly at several ballet studios including Ballet Etobicoke and In Studio at the National Ballet of Canada. While having a wide range of repertoire at his disposal, he is always happy to improvise and collaborate with ballet teachers and dancers.