SHAWN BYFIELD
Dance Choreographer, Energetic Instructor,
Vibrant Performer, Dessert Lover

SHAWN BYFIELD has the distinction of receiving a Dora Award for his expert dance choreography in award winning musical "i think i can". As well, Byfield had the honour of being nominated for a Gemini Award. He is a veteran of TV & film; an internationally renowned tap dance & hip hop dance instructor; Co- Director of Thrive! Entertainment; and Director of Funk Factory, Canada's National Tap Dance Ensemble.

A resident of Toronto, Shawn Byfield has taught master classes literally from coast to coast in Canada, and overseas in Israel, Scotland and England. Having taught thousands of students of all ages over the past 15 years, Shawn offers a wide range of inspiring and challenging dance classes and workshops for beginner adults to professional dancers in Toronto.

A few of his film and TV credits include roles in: HAIRSPRAY, Blues Brothers 2000, Taal, Bojangles, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, The Music Man, Death To Smoochie, The Ladies Man, The Juno Awards, Slings & Arrows, Royal Canadian Air Farce, Instant Star; including commercials for The Bay, Got Milk, Rogers Video, Zellers, Much Vibe, Rogers On Demand, McDonalds, Honda, Molson Canadian, and Joe Fresh.

Media has featured Byfield in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, Now Magazine, Eye Weekly, Toronto Sun, Canadian Living Magazine, CBC Radio, CFRB 1010, Much Music, CBC Television and Breakfast Television. Resume on IMDB

He travels often as a teacher and dance choreographer across the country. Past students of Shawn have gone on to work with such artists as Britney Spears, Aaron Carter and Janet Jackson, and have appeared in hit television shows such as So You Think You Can Dance. Many have become respected dance professionals in film, television, cruise ships and music theatre.

When he's away for other professional work, Shawn Byfield brings in top guest instructors and dance choreographers to provide absolutely the most positive, encouraging and fun hip hop and tap dance classes the city has to offer. www.ShawnByfield.com | BLOG

Since her first stage performance at the age of two, JENNA WILSON fell in love with the world of entertainment and hasn't looked back since.

While completing her degree in Communication Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, Jenna received the university's "Lifetime Achievement Award" for her outstanding contribution to student volunteerism including her role as Artistic Director of "Fashion 'N Motion" a major student production involving hundreds of dancers, entertainers and support staff.

Most recently, as a Recruitment Co-ordinator with Mosaic’s Talent Acquisition Team in Toronto, some of the accounts Jenna works on include Labatt, Rogers, Sunoco and Proctor & Gamble where she assembles promotional representatives for high profile marketing campaigns across Canada.

An accomplished dancer and performer herself, Jenna has appeared in an MTV music video with David Michael Anthony as well as numerous appearances on ABC's Showstoppers American Dance Championships and CTV's Miss Oktoberfest Pageant.

While growing up in Kitchener-Waterloo, Jenna trained extensively in tap, Jazz, ballet and Lyrical at Bojangles Art of Dance where, as a member of the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Dance Companies, she competed throughout the United States and Canada and later shared her love of dance as an instructor and programme consultant for children’s, Adult’s and Senior's groups throughout the community.

As Shawn’s Executive Assistant, Jenna is thrilled to work with students and clients, and can't wait to use her creativity, enthusiasm and love of dance to bring new and innovative ideas to the organization. Let the excitement begin… Let’s dance!

Click here to contact Jenna Wilson

CHRIS JAMES
THE Expert Video Guy with Crazy Ideas

CHRIS JAMES is the executive producer of Grey Area Productions. He is very honored to be at the head of THE Shawn Byfield's Video productions.

Chris is a recent grad of the Toronto Film School, and has been in video production since childhood. Ever since elementary school when he first laid eyes on a video camera, he's been highlighting what makes this world amazing. "A wise man once said, if you are going to shine a light in this world, shine it on beauty. I took that to heart." Being part of Shawn Byfield's campaign is no exception.

Growing up, dance was second nature to Chris. Hearing music and not dancing was almost inconceivable. He learned to dance by watching others. "I like to say that Usher was my dance teacher, because I'd watch his videos and play them back in slow motion and learn from the master." Eventually he got scouted to be in the Infusion fashion show in London Ontario, and that lead to more performances, and finally to Thrive! Dance where he met THE Shawn Byfield.

Being part of Shawn's campaign to make the world better through dance is very important to Chris, because it combines his two great loves. No one can be unhappy while dancing, it's the quickest way to go from 0 to 60 in no time flat. The sooner the world knows, the better. They must know. "If I can inspire one...JUST ONE person to dance by doing this, I'd know I was truly making this world a better place".

- Andrew "Chris" James
Executive Producer, Grey Area Productions
www.GreyAProductions.com