Faculty
Emily Noton
Emily Bio
Emily is a ballet and contemporary dance artist originally from Edmonton, where she started her career
with Citie Ballet (now Ballet Edmonton). She holds a B.A., an M.A. in Kinesiology/Dance Pedagogy,
has Cecchetti teacher training, and is certified from the American Ballet Theatre’s teacher training
program in New York. In New York she performed with graham-based Saba Dance Theatre and LiNK
Contemporary Jazz Dance Company, and in Philadelphia with the Rebecca Davis Dance Company.
Internationally she has worked with several ballet schools in Japan, taught at Broadway Dance Centre
New York, Broadway Dance Centre Tokyo, and Harbour Dance Centre in Vancouver. In addition to
ballet and contemporary stage seasons, Emily has worked commercially with artists like Zach
Galifianakis, has modeled for the well-known dance photographer Lois Greenfield, has been sponsored
by Bloch and Sansha dancewear, and has also worked in the film industry as a dance coach for actors.
Emily is known for her impeccable technique and musicality, and is passionate about the pursuit of
physical training in dance; recently, Emily has been a core faculty member of Harbour Dance Centre in
Vancouver and has been adjudicating across North America. In Alberta she has been working with Ballet
Edmonton, the Alberta Ballet School, the U of A, MacEwan University, mentoring artists for NextFest,
and is the Program Director of Edmonton Dance Theatre.
Emily is a ballet and contemporary dance artist originally from Edmonton, where she started her career
with Citie Ballet (now Ballet Edmonton). She holds a B.A., an M.A. in Kinesiology/Dance Pedagogy,
has Cecchetti teacher training, and is certified from the American Ballet Theatre’s teacher training
program in New York. In New York she performed with graham-based Saba Dance Theatre and LiNK
Contemporary Jazz Dance Company, and in Philadelphia with the Rebecca Davis Dance Company.
Internationally she has worked with several ballet schools in Japan, taught at Broadway Dance Centre
New York, Broadway Dance Centre Tokyo, and Harbour Dance Centre in Vancouver. In addition to
ballet and contemporary stage seasons, Emily has worked commercially with artists like Zach
Galifianakis, has modeled for the well-known dance photographer Lois Greenfield, has been sponsored
by Bloch and Sansha dancewear, and has also worked in the film industry as a dance coach for actors.
Emily is known for her impeccable technique and musicality, and is passionate about the pursuit of
physical training in dance; recently, Emily has been a core faculty member of Harbour Dance Centre in
Vancouver and has been adjudicating across North America. In Alberta she has been working with Ballet
Edmonton, the Alberta Ballet School, the U of A, MacEwan University, mentoring artists for NextFest,
and is the Program Director of Edmonton Dance Theatre.
Jake W Hastey
Jake Bio
Jake W Hastey has been called “startlingly creative, prolific, and spirited” by the Edmonton Journal. He is the founder and director of Toy Guns Dance Theatre where he has created nine full length dance theatre productions that have received audience and critical acclaim. With a diverse background ranging from classical ballet and opera to contemporary theatre and clown Jake has trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, University of Alberta, King’s University, American Ballet Theatre (NYC), as well as privately with amazing artists and directors across Canada including Evelyn Hart and Arnold Spohr.
With a passion for accessible public art Jake has conceived of and been instrumental in the development and launch of many major art projects and programs. He received national media coverage for his Graffiti Art House project in 2014 and was the creative force behind the creation of Dancing in the Park Edmonton’s free outdoor dance festival 2016-present. Jake is a three time Mayor’s Awards for the Arts nominee, recipient of the Telus Courage To Innovate Award, two time recipient of the Arnold Spohr Scholarship for dance, a Sterling Award nominated director, and recipient of the Best Director award at the Edmonton International Film Festival 2014.
Jake W Hastey has been called “startlingly creative, prolific, and spirited” by the Edmonton Journal. He is the founder and director of Toy Guns Dance Theatre where he has created nine full length dance theatre productions that have received audience and critical acclaim. With a diverse background ranging from classical ballet and opera to contemporary theatre and clown Jake has trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, University of Alberta, King’s University, American Ballet Theatre (NYC), as well as privately with amazing artists and directors across Canada including Evelyn Hart and Arnold Spohr.
With a passion for accessible public art Jake has conceived of and been instrumental in the development and launch of many major art projects and programs. He received national media coverage for his Graffiti Art House project in 2014 and was the creative force behind the creation of Dancing in the Park Edmonton’s free outdoor dance festival 2016-present. Jake is a three time Mayor’s Awards for the Arts nominee, recipient of the Telus Courage To Innovate Award, two time recipient of the Arnold Spohr Scholarship for dance, a Sterling Award nominated director, and recipient of the Best Director award at the Edmonton International Film Festival 2014.