A graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School Dance Program, Laurie Raymond has trained in Jazz, Tap, R.A.D. and Cecchetti ballet, modern and ISTD National.

Laurie performed professionally for many years, and has had the honour of dancing with Me’irim Dance Company, Dance Co.2, and tap performances with William Orlowski. She has also been featured in music videos by Alanis Morissette, Beverley Mahood, and several specials for the CBC.

 

In 1991 Laurie founded PBJ Dance Projects, a professional contemporary dance company that toured and performed in a variety of theatres and festivals to great critical acclaim. Following in 1997, Laurie created a vibrant “young company” featuring youth dancers working with professional choreographers. The PBJ Young Company lives on as the Pre Professional Program, here at CCDC.

 

Laurie’s extensive experience and multi-disciplined training fuels her fresh, open-minded approach to teaching dance. Laurie not only directs the operations at CCDC, she teaches a full class schedule to all age ranges in tap and modern. She is also concurrently teaching jazz dance to the Music Theatre Majors at Etobicoke School of The Arts in the Toronto District School Board. Her past teaching experiences include numerous workshops at private studios and public schools throughout Ontario. As a choreographer, she has set works on students at Unionville Secondary School, Mayfield Secondary School, Etobicoke School of The Arts, Cardinal Carter, and Earl Haig Secondary School.

 

Finally, Laurie’s commitment to the children she teaches extends beyond the studio. Over CCDC’s 17 years of operation, she has pursued a community-focused plan whereby CCDC dancers can be found performing and volunteering at a variety of local community events, and her Pre Professional Program dancers have launched several community-positive fundraising initiatives to support their work at the studio. CCDC, previously located in the heart of dance in the Junction, now calls St. Clair West / the stockyards its home.