Melanie Hedden-Perron Artistic Director Tap, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Ballroom Melanie is the owner and director of Rising Star Performing Arts Studio in Waterdown, Ontario. Melanie has been performing and teaching for over 34 years and brings with her an extensive knowledge of the Performing Arts. A graduate of the theatre program at Sheridan College she has studied dance with teachers as diverse as Roland and Romaine, Brian Foley, Luigi, Jerry Ames, Gus Giordano, Charles Kelly and many more. As an actor Melanie has appeared in plays and musicals ranging from The Diary of Anne Frank to No, No, Nanette. In 1986 she toured with The June Sweeney Dancers and was a featured performer at Expo '86. Melanie also has performed in nightclub revues and industrial shows. Melanie has been honoured at the regional level with top production, overall novice group, top group, as well as special awards for her innovative musical theatre choreography; Her Musical theatre students have won National Novice title winner, second runner up and 3rd overall duet/trio. As well at the Canadian National Dance Championships her students placed 1st overall soloist and 3rd overall duet/trio. She has also won several choreography awards. Under Melanie's direction Rising Star has won awards for their Spirit, by demonstrating sportsmanship and commitment to their craft. Rising Star was also nominated as Flamborough's Outstanding Business. Melanie is an associate member of the C.D.T.A., D.E.A. and is a certified fitness instructor. Because of her enthusiasm and positive outlook Melanie is in demand as an adjudicator for dance competitions and has judged for Flashdance Productions, C.N.DC., Dancefest, Starstep and Terpsichore.

Jennifer Partington E.C.E. Creative Movement, Children's Tap, Children's Jazz Jennifer began her dance training with Rising Star in 1987. Jennifer is a specialist in the teaching of pre-school age children. She is a graduate of the E.C.E. program at Sheridan College in Oakville and also has her degree in child Life Studies from McMaster University in Hamilton. She created the unique Creative Movement program at Rising Star, which focuses on the needs of the young child through dance instruction. Jennifer's love of working with children provides them with a comfortable working environment where they are encouraged to explore movement. Jennifer instills in all of her students a love of dance, which helps them to develop self-esteem and confidence. Jennifer has also studied Creative Movements techniques with the National Ballet School of Canada.

Georene Perron-Cea Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Ballet Georene made her stage debut at age 2 as Pebbles Flintstone and has never looked back. Georene is a "Triple Threat" performer: an actor, singer and dancer. Georene has had the honour of twice representing Canada at the World Dance Championships in Riesa, Germany. In 2002 she competed at The World Tap-Team Championships and along with her fellow Canadian Team members won a Silver Medal and also a sixth place for her duet. In 2002 her tap solo was selected as 1st overall to represent Canada at the worlds and she won a bronze medal with the Show-dance team and a silver medal with the tap team. Georene has won countless awards at many prestigious competitions, including "Footloose", "Dancefest" and "C.N.D.C. Nationals". Georene has appeared in a video with the Boomtang Boys and was a featured dancer in the movie "The Hero." She will next be seen in the movie "Honey" starring Jessica Alba. Georene is pursuing a professional career as a dance educator and has also studied at Toronto's, Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts.

Audrey Tan RAD RTS Ballet, Pointe Audrey has been dancing since she was three. Her training began in Singapore and continued in Canada when her family moved here when she was 9. After completing an Honors Bachelor of science degree at the University of Waterloo, she returned to her love of ballet. She is a full member and holds her teaching certificate with the Royal Academy of Dance. Many of Audrey's students have received distinction on their ballet exams and have also been selected to attend The National Ballet School of Canada's summer program. Audrey has also won overall awards for her ballet groups.

Nicole Bachellier A.I.S.T.D. R.A.D. R.T.S.T.Dip Ballet, Pointe Nicole has over 35 years experience. Her students have been accepted into such prestigious schools as National Ballet, Royal Winnipeg, York, Ryerson and Concordia University. Ms. Bachellier also holds the Dance History diploma obtained through the RAD and York University as well as the Anatomy Diploma obtained through the RAD and Waterloo University. She is a registered teacher with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (England) and obtained her Advanced Modern, National and Associate Diplomas with Distinction. Ms. Bachellier has taught and entered students in all levels with the RAD/ISTD with outstanding achievements.

Laura Hunt Acro Laura was a provincial gymnast for 6 years. She started coaching gymnastics in 2005. She is currently coaching a competitive group at Burlington Gymnastics Club. She is a qualified judge and has her NCCP level 2. Laura is completing grade 12 and plans to attend University next year to pursue her teaching career.

Shelby Johnson Tap, Lyrical, Jazz Shelby began dancing at the early age of 2, competing in many competitions in Canada and the US. She has won numerous awards and titles such as Miss Petite Superstar, Miss Junior Starstep, Miss Teen Dancer of the Year, and Senior Overall Champion. Shelby has studied and performed choreography by Blake McGrath, Tabitha and Napolean Dumo, Mia Michaels, Sonya Tayeh, Stephen “Twitch” Boss, Kenny Womald, Benji and Lacey Schwimmer, Annie Wood, Siona Jackson, Lisa Collins, Everett Smith, and David Cox. Shelby has also worked from an early age doing commercials, music videos, television series and on the big screen. We are excited on bringing Shelby onboard with her enormous talent and youthful energy and enthusiasm.

Glenn Langton Guitar (Acoustic/Electric), Bass Guitar, Drums Glenn Langton is a self taught multi instrumentalist who plays; Guitar Bass, Guitar, Sings and plays drums/percussion. He is also a graduate of the Recording Arts Program of Canada where he graduated top of his class in recording engineering and production techniques. Glenn's philosophy regarding learning to play music is that it must be fun or the student (particularly the young) will not feel encouraged to continue. He states that "Many times I have heard people say that they wanted to learn how to play, but hours of endless scales and dry theory lessons killed the urge and they dropped it" Learning the basics, and then playing songs which utilize those basics right away, will encourage the student to move forward by giving them a measure of success that they can readily see. As they progress with their mechanical skills ( Picking and Fingering ), Ear Training, Chord Charts, Tab Reading and Practical Theory will be added to the curriculum. Giving the Novice all the skills they need to become as good a musician as they choose to become.

Shane Glabb Vocal, Piano, Flute Having been very active on the Niagara and Toronto music scenes, Shane is very pleased to be teaching at Rising Star. Last season he appeared as the tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah, a performance which he will repeat this coming season. He also appeared in N'otte d'amore, an opera gala given in tribute to the late Luciano Pavarotti, and as Gerald in Delibes Lakme with Summer Opera Lyric Theatre. This season he will be singing with Opera In Concert in numerous productions. Having studied music in both Canada and the United States, Shane focused his studies on voice at an early age. Under the tutelage of Polish-American mezzo-soprano Genia Las he has specialized in the the Bel Canto technique. Shane has appeared as a soloist in both Canada and the United States and has sung with the chorus of Opera Ontario. He is currently the tenor soloist at St. Thomas More Church in Niagara Falls.

Philip C. Perron Office Mgr. Music Program Director Phil has an extensive history and education in the Visual Arts. He has been a professional photographer, videographer, and video editor for over 25 years. Phil also directs the yearly Showcase's that Rising Star produces each June. Rising Star's website is kept up to date by Philip also. Along with that he also does music editing for the competition routines and the recreational program. He enjoys in his spare time, painting, photography, reading, surfing the web and spending as much time as he can with his two grown children.