For Stephanie DePiero, as soon as she could walk, she could dance, and has been dancing ever since.

As a teenager, Steph trained in jazz, tap, ballet, and hip-hop and after graduating high school, she left home in pursuit of her passion. Traveling anywhere she could get to, Steph danced at various workshops, conventions, attending intensive programs in New York and Los Angeles. Soon landing herself a new home in Toronto where she was able to make her papa extra proud by working with MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club for several seasons promoting and performing during all at home games.

Stephanie believes in the potential of a thriving entertainment scene here in Thunder Bays, through its own growing dance, music, and film blazers, and she wants to see it grow!

Her own experiences have fueled her to create her very own Thunder Bay dance companies. She leads the Army of Sass Thunder Bay team (part of a North American heels dance program that is currently taking the country by storm)! This outlet of dance speaks to Stephanie’s passion and values, providing an outlet for women of all levels of dance to come together, gain confidence and to be a part of a community of dancers that has a goal to simply inspire others.

Steph is also the director of DANCE Thunder Bay, which offers private training sessions and industry coaching, off-site entertainment services, and seasonal workshop classes with dance professionals wanting to that help in the development of young dancers.

Emma Dubinsky started dancing with Dance Dynamics Studio in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She is currently a performing artist and pursuing her dreams of being a professional dancer.

Emma has completed up to the pre-advanced jazz in her ADAPT examinations, and 9levels in tap and ballet, as well as the ADAPT teachers-revision course in Ottawa. After one year of post-secondary education at York University studying Psychology, Emma continued attending many master dance classes in Toronto, and soon after was accepted into the Commercial Dance Studies program at George Brown College. At George Brown, she trained in jazz, hip hop, ballet, modern, musical theatre, vocal, and acting. Emma trained for years with a heels company called Sensual Heeling under Kaela Faloon.

She has many stage performance experiences performing with companies such as such as the Ballet Jörgen in the Nutcracker, Hairspray with St. Ignatius High School, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pan America Games Opening Ceremony with Cirque Du Soleil, the 6th Annual HUM Awards, the Canadian Dance Awards launch, Creativiva, The MAS Fest, Makeup Forever, performing backup for vocalists and DJs at music festivals, Army of Sass Toronto, Nuit Blanche, Seneca Pulse Casino Grand Opening in New York and more.

Emma also enjoys teaching dance and choreographing. Emma taught heels classes for Army of Sass Etobicoke, Army of Sass Peel, her own hip hop classes at The Pink Studio Toronto and other drop in classes in Toronto. As well, she choreographed a music video for an up and coming Toronto artist. She is the co-creator of Next LevelWorkshop which inspires young dancers and gives them insight into being a professional. She has taught in studios and choreographed for numerous competition numbers in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, ballet, musical theatre and acro.

Paula has been dancing for 20 years with Experience Dance Studio covering many styles. A few include ballet, jazz, lyrical, theatre, and hip-hop.

She has had the honour to teach at Experience Dance Studio for 4 years, working with all levels and styles of dance. A year was spent training with Grant McEawn in musical theatre, taking on new skills and challenges.

Preforming has always been a huge passion of Paula’s and she has spent much of her time pursuing just that. She has been a back up singer for the past 7 years with the band Morning Light. As well, Paula has created her own band Foxxy and The Hounds to keep sharing the gift of performance.

At the age of 8, Nicole entered the dance world. She took classes both recreational and competitive at local dance studios Spirit of Dance as well as International Dance Academy. Nicole developed a love for hip-hop, jazz, and musical theatre.

Over the years, Nicole had the opportunity to perform and compete both locally and out of town. Nicole’s love of music also translates into a passion for singing and vocal training. Seeking an outlet that combined her love of dance with her vocal talent, Nicole joined BOUNCE Productions. She took part in many classes and local productions with BOUNCE including BOUNCE Senior Year: The Concert.

Through her training in dance and singing Nicole was able to develop her technique as well as her confidence on stage! Nicole is incredibly excited to be a part of Army of Sass Thunder Bay! She looks forward to continuing her training in the heels style. Nicole can’t wait to help empower and encourage other women to pursue their passion for dance!

Kassandra joined the dance world at the age of 4. She has danced at local studios Fay Gleeson and Spirit of Dance training in styles such as Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Ballet and many more. She traveled for dance competitions and performances. Her favourite being Dance the World Disney Parade in Orlando Florida.

She took a break from dance to focus on her education. Kassandra has graduated from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and has moved to Confederation College for Business Marketing and George Brown College for Social Media Marketing courses.

She knew that she was missing something in her life and that’s when she came to us. Army of Sass fit well with her love for other people and passion for dance.

She loves making new friends from the program and being on stage is her favourite place. Kassandra is excited to see Army of Sass grow and looks forward to improving her dance skills in heels!

Shannon was born and raised in Thunder Bay and lives with her husband and dog Finn. She joined AOS in the winter of 2017 at the age of 36, having never danced before in her life, proving you are never to old to follow your dreams!

Shortly after joining, she took on the role of Fundraising and Event coordinator. In this role, she books events on behalf of AOS Thunder Bay, organizes community outreach and volunteer opportunities, and manages the fundraising aspect of our stage shows.

Shannon is very passionate about giving back to the community and is proud to be able to carry that enthusiasm over from her professional life to her involvement with AOS.

Lisa-Marie was born and raised in Thunder Bay. She was a happy go lucky little girl with so many dreams and aspirations.

Throughout her life, Lisa-Marie has been driven by her imagination and creativity towards the arts. Particularly to music, dance and dress up. She loved to perform in front of a mirror and often for others.

In the meantime, life happened; and in the midst of being a busy stay at home wife and mom of boys for nearly 9 years, Lisa-Marie got lost in what she really wanted in life.

Lisa-Marie decided that it was time to embark on something for herself! She was drawn to a dance group by the name of Army of Sass-Thunder Bay via Social Media. She went to a Army of Sass Stage Performance and was instantly mesmerized by the dancing and music. She registered during intermission and remembers how incredibly nervous she felt not knowing what she was signing up for. Lisa-Marie then attended her first few Sass Classes and felt a sense of belonging and fellowship.

With no previous dance training, Lisa-Marie’s determination has been to strive towards small dance goals and work within what Army of Sass embodies. In a short year she has gained confidence, developed mental and physical strength along with meeting like minded individuals whom all inspire and build each other up. Dancing has opened up the opportunity for Lisa-Marie to step onto a stage and perform in front of a live audience of which was a great sense of accomplishment for her.  Army of Sass has also given Lisa-Marie the chance to be involved in her community through volunteer programs and community events held throughout the year.

Today Lisa-Marie has emerged from being “just a stay at home mom” to a confident woman whom is proud to be apart of Army of Sass Thunder Bay and has recently became a Certified Travel Consultant.
From the dance studio to the living room or office, if a song is on, you know Lisa-Marie is tapping her feet and grooving to the tune.

At 4 years old, Steph began taking dance classes at Northwestern Ontario Dance Centre. Later on, moving to Fay Gleeson Dance Centre to dance competitively until she was 17. Steph left dance behind to attend college and pursue a career in the engineering technologist field.

After a decade away from dance classes and stage performances, Steph came across a Facebook post, a video from Army of Sass Thunder Bay. Having not danced for so long, she initially thought she wouldn’t be able to keep up. So instead of taking a class, she bought tickets to a show, The Grinch! There was a little sass destiny in the room that night as Steph ended up seated next to future fellow assistant, Lisa-Marie McLean! Lisa talked about how she was going to sign up as soon as she got home. Steph thought, if she can take the leap then so can I. She signed up for a session before ever trying a sass class.

Getting to dance again brought Steph to Army of Sass but, the positive effect on all areas of her life is what has made her a regular face at class.
Steph is grateful to be able to help pass on those positives effects to the next lady or gent as part of the AOS Thunder Bay team.