Founder & Artistic Director

Gilly Chaplin was born in San Francisco and received her early training at The Royal Academy of Dance in London, England. In 1976, she received a full scholarship to study at the renowned National Academy of Dance in Illinois. By 1980, she moved to New York to continue her professional dance training at American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem. She later returned to Illinois to dance with The National Ballet of Illinois. She has also performed with The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pennsylvania Ballet Company.

Her energy, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit lead to the founding of The Woodbridge School of Dance (WSD) (formerly The Ballet School of Woodbridge) in 1983. The school, now in its 29th year, is known within the dance and business community for its high standard of excellence in the teaching and training of young people in an array of dance forms. She holds her advanced teacher certificate with the Society of Russian Ballet and is a member of its national executive committee.

Previously, The Woodbridge School of Dance received the Vaughan Business Achievement Award for Product Quality and Quality of Service. As a thriving innovative and core cultural centre in Vaughan, WSD is widely regarded for its commitment and dedication to its students, parents and the art of dance. WSD also takes great pride in its professional and courteous customer services while maintaining a warm and nurturing work environment. The school continues to live up to its promise of excellence in the field of dance training and dance program creation.