Instructors

Mijka Hooper, RAD RTS
Co-Owner/Director
Instructor for Ballet, Jazz and Acro
Mijka began her training at the age of 5 in gymnastics.  She competed at the Provincial level, and was the "Tyro C" Overall Provincial Champion in 1986.  Her dance training began at the old age of 16, when she attended The Ballet Jorgen Summer School in Toronto.  She continued in Dance at Ryerson University, where she graduated with honors in 1994.  During this time, Mijka worked with renowned dancers/teachers/choreographers such as Nadia Potts, Stelio Calagias, Yuri Ng, Timothy Spain, and Danny Grossman, to name a few.  Mijka was awarded the Raymond Clarke Scholarship for a post-grad year, where she completed the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certification with Distinction.  She also holds the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Diploma, which includes Anatomy and History.  She is the only RAD teacher with these qualifications in the Grey-Bruce area.

Mijka taught ballet and jazz at Vince Parrell's Dance Centre in Toronto, performed extensively at the Ryerson Theatre, at Roy Thomson Hall, and on the TV network TSN.  

Upon returning to her home town, Mijka and husband Bob opened DanceMakers.  The studio has been in operation for over 14 years.  Some of Mijka's former students have attended dance & theatre programs at Ryerson University, York University, The National Ballet of Canada, Randolph Academy of Performing Arts, and Quinte Ballet School.  Mijka was awarded The Sun Times Business Woman of the year title in 2004.  Her dancers have competed in Italy where they placed 3rd out of 1000 dancers, and have travelled to New York City (twice) to attend classes at Steps on Broadway and New York City Ballet.

Most recently, with the expansion of DanceMakers Gymnastics, Mijka has obtained her NCCP Level 2 Gymnastics coach certification, NCCP Level 1 Trampoline certification, Risk Management through Gymnastics Ontario, and has current First-Aid and CPR.

Bob Hooper
Co-Owner, Fitness Consulting
Bob began competing and coaching running in high school.  At age 14, he placed 2nd at the US National Cross Country Championships in Pittsburgh.  Throughout his high school years he used his spare time to teach phys. ed. to the developmentally challenged program at OSCVI and won the National Principal's Award for his efforts.  Later he attended the University of Toronto graduating with an honors Physical and Health Education degree with an English Specialist.  During this time he competed nationally as a member of the University of Toronto Varsity Team where he was a two time All Canadian.  Later with the Reebok World Team and The Toronto Olympic Club he competed across North America.  Bob then graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Western Sydney, Australia.  While in Australia, Bob was the head of technical support and consulting for the New Balance shoe company.  From there he went on to manage a chain of sporting goods stores in Sydney.  Upon returning home to Owen Sound he helped establish DanceMakers with his wife Mijka.  Later he developed a private training institute called SportMakers.  A short time after that he and Mijka built SportMakers Fitness and Training Centre where pro athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts train side by side.  Some of Bob's athletes include NHL hockey players, two world champions, numerous provincial and NCAA champions, as well as recreational athletes that are training hard for their next personal best.

With the expansion of their facility into gymnastics, Bob has now expanded his coaching credentials to include Level 1 NCCP gymnastics certification to help out the little guys whenever needed as well as assisting the seniors.

Most recently Bob has been the guest speaker at numerous functions in the sporting and business world. 

Ashley Hamilton
Adult Hip Hop Instructor, Gymnastics Coach

Ashley moved back to Owen Sound in 2009 after completing her post-secondary education. She graduated with Honours from the University of Guelph in 2008 with a B.A.Sc degree in Child, Youth and Family Studies. She then continued her education at Brock University and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Education Degree at the Primary/Junior level. Ashley is an Ontario Ceritified Teacher and she is also a registered ECE. She is currently an Occasional Teacher for the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board.

Ashley has been with DanceMakers since they first opened their doors in 1994. She has over 18 years of dance experience in Jazz and Ballet with Mijka Hooper. During the past 18 years, Ashley has also had the opportunity to take dance instruction in Ballet, Jazz, and Lyrical from the New York City Ballet, and Steps on Broadway in New York.

Upon returning home to Owen Sound, Ashley was delighted when she was asked to join the coaching staff at DanceMakers. It was an opportunity for her to use her knowledge and experience working with children and youth of all ages, and her 18 years of dance experience. Ashley is a NCCP Level 1 Artisic Gymnastics Coach and a NCCP Level 1 Trampoline Coach. She has also completed Risk Management through Gymnastics Ontario.