OUR MISSION
To provide a top quality dance competition experience where participants are inspired to achieve excellence and are recognized for their dedication to hard work, in a rewarding and fun environment while enhancing their OnStage presence in a positive atmosphere.
Rhonda Bignucolo
With 9 years corporate Human Resources business experience in the High-Tech Industry, at Cognos and IBM, Rhonda gained a strong foundation for business management. Rhonda holds a Small Business Management Diploma, along with an Event Planning Certification and has always had the drive and vision to run a small business.
Rhonda’s passion for dance throughout childhood motivated her to take classes in all dance disciplines and become a member and certified teacher with The British Association of Teachers of Dancing (in ballet and jazz) in 1997. Although she enjoyed her chosen career path Rhonda continued with her dance roots and has enjoyed teaching dance and doing freelance choreography.
With her enthusiastic personality, business background and prior competition experience, both as a dancer and teacher, Rhonda is committed to making OnStage Dance Competition, a memorable and rewarding experience.
Melanie McNamara
Melanie has been a Dance Educator for over 24 years. As a former Artistic Director of her own dance studio, as well as a Fellow member and qualified instructor with The British Association of Teachers of Dancing, she has always believed it important for students to develop a strong technical foundation. As an instructor she trained dancers at the competitive, recreational and professional levels. Melanie continued with her own dance education by attending countless teaching seminars and workshops throughout Canada and the United States, to ensure that her students were always benefiting from the latest teaching techniques. Melanie has over 10 years of adjudication experience. Her judging style is positive and enthusiastic. Melanie feels that it is important for dancers to receive well-rounded critiques, which include examples of how to improve their technique and performance.
After graduating from a three-year Business Marketing program, Melanie owned and operated all aspects of a well organized and successful dance studio for 17 years. Her high energy and entrepreneurial passion led her to the development of OnStage, which evolved over her many years of competition experience, as Studio Director, Dance Instructor and Adjudicator.
Together with her professionalism and positive energy, as well as her experience as a dance educator and small business owner, Melanie is dedicated to bringing you a competition where all participants are encouraged to make new friends, support one another, and continue to strive to reach new goals.