OUR CO-FOUNDERS

Four friends with one vision.

Stephanie Thompson

Andrea Thompson

Heather Renzella

Sylvia

van Helden

In 2009, four friends, Stephanie, Heather, Andrea and Sylvia decided to form their own dance company. While they all had dance backgrounds, they we also working professionals who longed for a creative, supportive and collaborative space to dance, teach, choreograph and perform.

Their vision was unique, as there were limited options for non-professional dancers to still pursue their passion on and off the stage with high performance quality. Since then, Momentum Dance Toronto has exceeded their wildest dreams. MDT has become an integral part of the Toronto dance community, with a focus in inclusivity and creative expression while showcasing immense talent on the stage.

click their headshot to see their bios!

THE EXECUTIVE

Kathryn Barban

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Kathryn’s passion for dance began as a student at the Harrison School of Dance in her hometown in New Hampshire. After graduating high school, she attended Western University where she began a seven-year hiatus from dancing. It wasn’t until after graduating, moving to Toronto, and attending drop-in classes throughout the city that she realized how much she had been missing dance and craved the opportunity to once again perform. After being introduced to Momentum through a close friend, she was thrilled to join the company in its second season and has been hooked ever since!

Outside the dance studio, she is the head of marketing for a fintech company. Kathryn loves the creative outlet and the community of fellow dancers that MDT has created. She is honoured to continue as an executive member in MDT's eleventh season.

Kristen Wagner

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Kristen began dancing when she was 6 years old, and joined a competitive dance team at age 8, which quickly became her second family. Her love for dance continued throughout high school, where she began to teach recreational classes, and in university as a member of the dance team. After obtaining her degree in forensic science at Trent University, she moved back to Toronto and began working as a genetic technologist. She was eager to find an outlet to continue her passion for dance, and was ecstatic when she was accepted as a member of Momentum!