Directors 

Rhonda Baker (she/her) is a Lieutenant Governor MasterWorks Arts Award Winner (2016) for her contribution and performance in an ensemble work called Canvas 5 x 5 and was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award in 2014. She is a current board member at The Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists- East Chapter, an alum of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (2009), and her dance training history includes the Martha Graham technique, Gaga Movement Language, Countertechnique, and Axis Syllabus.

Rhonda earned her B.A., with Specialized Honours in Psychology from York University in 2022 and throughout her studies acquired a concentration in counselling and mental health. Rhonda’s thesis examined associations between early life stress, caregiver responsiveness, and child language development, and was completed under the supervision of Dr. Lara Pierce at the Pierce Experience and Development Lab.

Rhonda Baker was elected in 2016/2017 and became Treasurer in 2018/2019.

Stephanie Mitro is an established industry professional, choreographer and dance teacher based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is devoted to educating and mentoring young artists across Canada and abroad. Her pre-professional training originated in Ontario - focusing on modern, contemporary, ballet and jazz.

Stephanie is a proud graduate of Ryerson University touting a BFA Degree (Theatre Performance Dance), and has also completed her RAD and BATD Highland examinations with impressive notability. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Pre-Professional Program, DECIDEDLY JAZZ DANCEWORKS, and has performed for numerous dance companies on the West and East Coast’s. Stephanie has had the privilege to work with numerous well-known North American choreographers, via both company and commercial dance industry projects. 

Stephanie is also the co-founder of the Halifax modern, contemporary, jazz company - VOTIVE DANCE – and her company thrives on performing across Canada in a variety of touring shows and festivals. She has participated in many exploration projects across the country. She has performed in commercial work and numerous original choreographic works, including: Wish, Desire, Vow (Atlantic Fringe Festival); Short Stories (Atlantic Fringe Festival); In Pursuit, East Meets West, Shedding Suffixes, Proven Lands (Nextfest, Atlantic Dance Festival, Soulocentric); Natural Forces, Perspective (Connection Dance Works); and Homeplace (collaboration with Pier 21), to name a few. 

As a sought out choreographer, her work has been showcased by a plethora of dance companies, pre-professional/professional performance groups, arts schools and dance festivals. She has also been the recipient of numerous awards for her choreographic and artistic visions. 

Stephanie Mitro was elected in 2019/2020.

Suma Nair Growing up in the Middle East, Suma Nair was initiated into the study of the Indian classical dance form of bharatanatyam under the training of Sujatha Suresh. She continues to practice, teach and perform the style.

Suma is the Assistant Artistic Director of Sampradaya Dance Creations.  She holds an MFA in Dance Choreography from York University and was awarded the Susan Crocker and John Hunkin Scholarship in Fine Arts for 2014-2015. Her works include Kindred (2016), Transcendence (2016) and a remount of the work “Howzat” for Sampradaya Dance Creations (2017). Suma draws upon her training as an Indian Classical dancer to create the foundation to explore new forms of dance expression that combine Indian Classical and Contemporary styles. 

She also holds a Master’s in Business Management and Mass Communications and with her experience in Event Management and Public Relations, Suma Nair blends her existing skill sets with a career in the performing arts. 

She has also received training in documentary filmmaking from Algonquin College, Ottawa and was selected as a part of three-member film crew to work with the NGO Save The Children in Haiti, post the earthquake in 2010