About TDS

Owner & Director

Miss Ruth-Ann Gray

DMA, IADA

The Dance Shoppe Owner & Director

Ruth-Ann has been the proud Owner and Artistic Director of The Dance Shoppe since 1994. Prior to opening the studio at the age of 19, Ruth-Ann had trained in various forms of dance including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical and Modern. Ruth-Ann received certifications with the British Association of Teachers of Dance, Canadian Dance Teachers Association, Dance Masters of America and the International Association of Dance Adjudicators. Ruth-Ann is proud of all of her students and enjoys seeing them follow their passion through performance and teaching opportunities.

Ruth-Ann loves to give back to the community where she grew up and is constantly looking for ways to do this through performance opportunities for her students in Milton. She cherishes every moment and is happy to have a job that truly is her passion!

Office Manager

Mr. Owen Gray

Office Manager

Director & Instructor

Miss Rachelle Seguin

BFA Honors in Dance, BATD, DMA, IADA, HDC

Director, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemp & Conditioning Instructor

Rachelle has been actively involved in the dance community for over 25 years. She is a well known and accomplished performer, instructor, choreographer and adjudicator. Rachelle is a graduate of York University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with Specialized Honors in Dance. This allowed her to become familiar in the areas of dance pedagogy, dance injury prevention and treatment and dance history alongside her technical dance training. She has extensive training in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop. Rachelle’s students have won countless overall awards, pageant titles and have been accepted into such prestigious dance programs as The National Ballet School of Canada, Quinte Ballet School, George Brown College and York University. Several students are now performing for various companies across Canada and the United States, on cruise lines and with the Toronto Raptors. Over the last couple years Miss. Seguin has been involved in some notable projects including being a founding member of an organization called Healthy Dancer Canada who’s mission is to be the Canadian Leader in facilitating communication and collaboration between the dance community and health professionals to enhance the health and well being of all dancers. Miss. Seguin is a registered member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance in the Stage Division and also a member of Maple Leaf Dance Masters of America Chapter #43. She is also a certified member of the International Association of Dance Adjudicators. Rachelle prides herself on providing a fun and challenging environment for students of all levels in her classroom and loves seeing the passion grow within them!

Director & Instructor

Miss Lindsey Feltoe

BFA Honours in Dance, DMA

Director, Tap & Ballet Instructor

Lindsey starting dancing at the tender age of three and has continued to pursue her passion ever since. She trained in multiple styles including jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, acro, hip hop and musical theatre at the competitive level and began teaching as a senior student. Lindsey graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors in Dance. Lindsey is also an active member of Maple Leaf Dance Masters of America Chapter #43. Throughout her career Lindsey has had the opportunity to share the stage with well known names such as Everett Smith, David Cox just to name a few. She is currently a member of a tap performance group called “What’s On Tap” with whom she performs regularly. Lindsey enjoys applying her education to teaching children of all ages. Her passion for dance allows her to provide her students with the love and appreciation she has for this art form. Lindsey hopes to continue to inspire dancers and help guide them to success. Lindsey became a part of The Dance Shoppe in Milton in 2008 and is proud to be part of such a wonderful team.

Director & Instructor

Miss Meaghan Boland

BFA, BATD

Director, Acro, Tumbling & Creative Dance Instructor

Meg Boland began dancing here at the Dance Shoppe at the age of 8. She quickly found a passion for dance, and began training in various dance styles including jazz, tap, ballet, acro-jazz, modern, lyrical, and many others. Over the years she has competed internationally and won numerous awards and scholarships. She has completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Psychology at York University, as well as obtaining her Associates certification in Acro with the B.A.T.D. As a performer, Meg has enjoyed learning and performing a variety of styles, notably including Bollywood and circus arts. Having taught students from age 2 through adult, Meg loves working with dancers of all ages, and looks forward to each day that she can step into a studio and inspire another person to move with confidence. She is so excited to be back at the Dance Shoppe!

Instructor

Miss Chelsey Banyai

Tap, Jazz, Contemporary & Conditioning Instructor

Chelsey has been dancing since the young age of 2 years old. She has trained in various styles of dance including, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre and modern. She started competing at 5 years old and continued to be apart of a competitive dance team for 13 years. She has competed at both the regional and national levels winning several awards and special awards. Chelsey graduated from Cawthra Park Secondary School from the Regional Arts Program, majoring in Dance. She was able to train with various choreographers and teachers as well as expand her knowledge on dance history, kinesiology and different styles of dance.

Chelsey has graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. Throughout her university career she continued her love for dance on the Laurier University dance team where she competed in the styles of jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary and hip hop. She was also the dance team captain for the team organizing practices and competitions, as well as choreographing the jazz, lyrical and hip-hop dances. During her time on the dance team she has organized and lead workshops at different studios around the community. Chelsey is excited and looking forward to sharing her love and passion for dance with her students.

She is thrilled to be a member of The Dance Shoppe Team!

Instructor

Mr George Absi

Lyrical, Hip Hop, Jazz & Production Instructor

Pursuant to his long time love for the arts, George has been a professional dancer and choreographer for over 15 years. He has been training in all genres of dance – Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap and Contemporary. He was born and raised in Ottawa, ON where he did most of his training which includes A.D.A.P.T and R.A.D. He first landed a job working for Carnival Cruise Lines. shortly after that he danced for International Artist PSY, Deborah Cox, Kreesha Turner, Fefe Dobson, Aleesia and Classified, to name a few.

George performed and appeared on several television shows and commercials; he appeared on Once Upon A Time, Handmaid’s Tale, Shitt’s Creek, Breakfast Television, “Threads” a short film as a news anchor, and just recently appeared on PBS Kids, Let’s Go Luna as “Hakim” a principal role. He appeared on Cineplex commercials and Tim Horton’s Web Commercials. He also performed in a world wide TV broadcast for The 2015 Pan Am Opening Ceremonies with Cirque Du Soleil and The 2015 Pan Am Closing Ceremonies both for 50,000 plus audience.

George is currently the Artistic Director and Choreographer of T.D.C Entertainment catering to main event functions and corporate events such as Illuminute, The Luminato Festival, The Teddy Bear and The Bell Celebrity Gala.

In late 2016 George made his debut in the theatre with the musical Beauty And The Beast, in Halifax, NS. Soon after, George traveled to Kamloops, BC and Aquarius Theatre in Hamilton, ON to perform a role in Mamma Mia, where he also acted as Dance Captain and Assistant Choreographer. He also played the role of Jimmy and ensemble with the musical Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Sleeping Beauty The Panto, the role of Buttons in the musical Newsies. This year he will play the role of one of the angels and dance captain for the regional premiere of the musical Kinky Boots with Drayton Entertainment.

You can catch George teaching drop in classes at various dance studios in the downtown Toronto area. George believes that with hard work and determination you can conquer anything in life.

Instructor

Miss Michelle Galati

Jazz, Acro & Tumbling Instructor

Michelle is no stranger to the competitive world of dance. She started competeing at the age of 5 and won numerouse awards,titles and scholarships across Canada and the United States. Michelle started working as a professional Dancer/Actor and singer some of her Theatre credits are dancing along side Karen Cain in “Robin Hood”, “The Lion King”, “Cats”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”,”Grease”,”Oliver” and was principal dancer at the Statford fesival in “Daun Jaun”. Some of her film and T.V credits include Confessiions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Honey, and the Oscar award winning movie ‘Chicago’. Michelle Has also danced/toured with the Spice Girls, katie Lang, Lionel Richie,Tweet and Li’l Bow Wow to name a few. Michelle has been Teaching Dance for over 15 years and loves watching the growth in all the kids she has come across. Michelle is thrilled to be returning to The Dance Shoppe and is looking forward to an amazing year!

Instructor

Miss Julia Carnevale

Hip Hop Instructor

Julia Carnevale has been a part of the dance community for over 30 years.  She has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, acrobatics, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, break-dance, Latin, ballroom and many more.  As a professional dancer, instructor and choreographer, she places extreme value on versatility and believes dancers should embrace as many styles of dance possible.

Julia’s passion and excellence of dance can be seen both on and off screen. Some of her many dance credits include the films “Honey”, featuring Jessica Alba, “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” featuring Lindsay Lohan, along with other independent film productions.  She also carries an impressive list of video and live performances for Aaron Carter, Jully Black, Jamie Fox, Flo Rida, Lady Gaga, and several other Canadian artists. Julia most recently travelled around the world dancing for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.  That amazing journey allowed her the opportunity to work with some of the best dancers and choreographers worldwide. The culmination of all her experiences has contributed to her well rounded curriculum of dance and made her the positive, outgoing and enthusiastic teacher she is with an ability to inspire her classroom.

Instructor

Miss Olivia Afonso

Jazz & Tap Instructor

Olivia Afonso grew up dancing at The Dance Shoppe. She trained in all genres but always had a passion for tap. She has been attending The Toronto Rhythm Initiative every summer, joined the Tap Dance Centre and is a part of the pre professional division of the Rhythm Ensemble directed by Julliana Kelly. She has been on the Canadian national tap dance team four times for dancing and choreographing, and has been on the World Performers dance team once for tap. She has had the opportunity to do many performances which include, “ Everything Is Copacetic ”( Allison Toffan, and Julliana Kelly) , “ The Night Shift” ( Dianne Montgomery ) , “ECTC” (Kim Chalovich), “ Rhythm And Sound Cinqopation ” (Cori Giannotta and Johnny Morin) and the TRI Shows (Julliana Kelly, and Allison Toffan). From TRI, The Tap Dance Centre, and The Rhythm Ensemble she has been able to work with many professional tap dancers from all around North America. She has had the opportunity to work with Mackenzie Greenwall, Sarah Savelli, Ryan Foley, Johnny Morin, Joseph Wiggan, Matthew Clarke, and Travis Knights.

Instructor

Miss Blair Vandenheuvel

Conditioning, Jazz & Contemporary Instructor

Bio coming soon

Instructor

Miss Marlie Tsiapalis

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop & Musical Theatre Instructor

Marlie Tsiapalis grew up in the dance community, where she trained in several styles including jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tap, and pointe. Having dedicated 17 years to dance, Marlie believes everybody deserves a creative outlet like dance, no matter their age, ability, or gender. etc.

Both in and out of the dance world, Marlie has received numerous awards for her hard work and dedication. At the studio she grew up at, she was given the title of Dance Captain, where she and her team won numerous awards throughout the competition season. She recently graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor’s of Kinesiology. In her four years at Laurier, she was a part of the incredibly successful competitive dance team. Within these four years on the team, Marlie was a team bonding executive member, as well as an award-winning choreographer.

Through teaching at several studios, and having danced with a large part of the dance community, Marlie has worked with a magnitude of professionals in various styles. Through positions such as teaching, working with individuals with disabilities, and more, Marlie has an expansive history of working with individuals of all abilities, aged 2-22. Her immeasurable passion for dance can be seen in her teaching, and she hopes to spread that passion to those that she is lucky enough to teach.

Instructor

Miss Lilly Petru

RAD Ballet Instructor

Lilly began her career in dance at the Revue Theater Deva, Romania. She brings to us over 18 years of dancing professionally as well as teaching and choreography. Lilly has a College Degree in Classical and Contemporary Dance from the Popular School of Arts in Arad, Romania. Her teaching experience incorporates diverse disciplines of dance, from ages 3 to adults for the past 18 years. Lilly is known for her artistic integrity, enthusiasm and professionalism. A lifelong learner who is passionate about professional development. She holds the Teaching Certificate of the Royal Academy of Dance and she is a registered teacher of the RAD. Adaptable to a variety of environments while achieving excellent educational results.

Miss Lilly is committed to art of teaching classical ballet and passionate about working with her students to find the learning style that is best suited them. Miss Lilly is an astute and particular instructor always striving for excellence in her students whether for performance, an examination or presentation class. A registered R.A.D. teachers, Miss Lilly has had an exceptional career working in conjunction with this world renowned standardized testing process. Her candidates have had and continue to have exceptional results. Miss Lilly is looking forward to teaching and inspiring a love of Ballet in all her students.

Instructor

Mr. Gerard McIsaac

RAD Ballet Instructor

A double alumnus of the Canada’s National Ballet School (Professional Ballet Program/Teachers Training Program for Former Pro’s – TTPPD, Dip with Distinction), Mr. McIsaac is a highly regarded/accredited Professional Dance Educator/Master Class Facilitator and one of North Americas’ leaders within dance community at large. His vast experience as a Professional Dance Adjudicator (over 25years, at both Regional and National levels) and his unique ability to inspire dancers to achieve their highest technical and performance potential are well respected, and eagerly sought after.

Mr. McIsaac is the Resident Classical/Contemporary Ballet Master for numerous competitive dance studios within the Greater Toronto area, instructing students from ages 6-19. He also mentors YOUTH AMERICAL GRAND PRIX and RAD SOLO SEAL participants and boasts an impressive roster of private clientele under his company – DANCE DIRECTION. Mr. McIsaac also facilitates a variety of Teacher-Training seminars and has developed his own IN-HOUSE BALLET/DANCE EVALUATION examination program – implemented by many Dance Institutions at this time (please contact coordinate below for inquiries)!

Mr. McIsaac is also in high demand as an Intensive/Convention facilitator and is the “go to guy” for established events such as VIEW DANCE CHALLENGE CONVENTION, CAMBODIA DANCE CHALLENGE, CANADIAN DANCE EXPO (Teachers/Students Experience), RAD WORLD CONVENTION “EN AVANTE”, RAD USA DANCE CHALLENGE, DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA, WORLD PERFORMERS CANADA, ON THE FLOOR, ROCK THE RHYTHM, DANCE QUEST CANADA, and more.

Certifications include Diploma with Distinction from the NBS Teachers Training Program for Former Professionals (TTPPD, Dip), Mutually Recognized Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD, MRT), ballet faculty member with Dance Masters of Canada (DMC) and International Dance Teachers Association of Great Britain (IDTA), and Professional Adjudicators Alliance (PAA).  He was also the recipient of the 2013 CAROLE CHADWICK AWARD and 2014 SYLVIE M. MCPHEE Awards, presented by NBS ballet faculty for Outstanding Teacher Recognition.

Mr. McIsaac also boasts an Extensive Professional Performance career, including Broadway Musicals such as: CATS, Mr. Mistoffelees (Original Can. Cast/Nat. Tour); MISS SAIGON, Dragon Acrobat & Ensemble (London, Eng. – West End); HOME AND AWAY THE MUSICAL, UK Tour; JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Napthali (London, Eng. – West End); SHOWBOAT, Assistant Dance Captain/Ensemble (Toronto/US Nat. Tour/London, Eng. – West End); BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, LeFou (US Nat. Tour); THE HANDMAID’S TALE and DEATH IN VENICE, Dance Ensemble (Canadian Opera Company); HAIRSPRAY THE MOVIE!, Dance Ensemble; CANADIAN IDOL SEASON 3, Ensemble; SYNCHRONICITY, with Jennifer Lopez, Dance Ensemble (Japan Tour).

Mr. McIsaac, or balletgman’s (his industry nickname) BOUNDLESS Enthusiasm and Dedication to the dance community has been noted and applauded from the highest level of dance educators, Worldwide.

Instructor

Miss Jen Carter

Hip Hop Instructor

Jen Carter began dancing at the age of 10 in Peterborough, Ontario. She trained competitively with Premiere Studio of Dance until the age of 18, where she trained in hiphop, jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, tap and pointe. It wasn’t until age 13 that Jen recognized her great passion for urban dance, and decided she wanted to further a career in the dance industry.

She then went on to participate in the Integrated Arts Dance Program at Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School, where she found her love of teaching and choreographing. Through out her high school journey she was presented with many opportunities including: competing in Hurley Walk the Walk in California, dancing on the Rick Mercer Report, and 2 trips to New York City to train at Broadway Dance Centre and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She is now a member of the Toronto Dance Community after moving in September 2015. After all of her years of training, Jen is proud to have the experience from being a backup dancer to being casted in music videos.

Fall of 2012 is when Jen’s teaching journey began. Her first opportunity was given to her at her home studio, where she began teaching ballet, jazz and tap to kids ages 3-5. Over the years her love for urban dance took the lead and she was hired to choreograph at several studios. Jen now teaches workshops for high school students, choreographs for 7 competitive teams, guest choreographs across Canada and teaches drop in classes around the GTA.

Jen graduated from Centennial College’s Dance Performance Program in 2017, where she was offered a job teaching immediately after completion of the program. Jen was a member of Millennium Dance Complex Toronto’s incredible faculty in the short time it was open, as well as a choreographer for World Performers Canada. Currently, Jen is working with World Performers Canada and Five Star Dance Company on pieces of choreography to be performed in both Spain and Mexico while teaching and choreographing across Canada. Jen is extremely grateful to teach and work alongside such inspiring educators. Jen has found that it is very important to take inspiration from everything and everyone around her as her goal has always been to inspire and touch those she comes in contact with. She looks forward to continuing her growth as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and person through her hard work and dedication to her craft.

Instructor

Miss Megan Bagusoski

Jazz & Contemporary Instructor

Megan Bagusoski’s love for dance and choreographing all started at The Dance Shoppe Ltd. where she began taking ballet, acro and jazz classes. Throughout the years she eventually evolved into a variety of other styles, yet she has always had the most passion and love for contemporary, jazz and hip-hop.

She attended Etobicoke School of the Arts for all four years of high school as a dance major where she began her training in Modern dance forms. Throughout the years she has gotten great opportunities to travel and be invited to worldwide dance teams, such as The World Performers Team, where she traveled to Portugal in 2019 and again in Spain in 2022 to represent Canada. She has additionally performed at the Hip Hop World Championships in Denmark 2017.

She is now currently a student at York University enrolled in the Dance Program to get her BFA degree in hopes to both perform and choreograph for dancers/companies. Ever since she can remember she has always been dancing and creating. As a former student at the studio she is ecstatic to deepen her knowledge of teaching and see the stories she wishes to tell through dance and her students on the stage.

Instructor

Miss Adele Power

Jazz & Lyrical Instructor

Adele’s expansive theater education spans 20+years. Her love for ‘everything stage’ began at a young age and continues to evolve. She is represented as an actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer by Glickman-Alexander Talent. Her education includes: Mayfield School of the Arts, Toronto Dance Theater ( professional division ), Sheridan College ( Musical Theater performance grad), and AMAW (Toronto’s prestigious film and television school )as a continuing
student . Adele also holds a BA from the University of Toronto, and is certified with the R.A.D. Adele has been on Faculty at Center Stage School of the Arts for 10 years, and sets choreography, and offers workshops all over the GTA.

Adele has a stellar reputation as an adjudicator, and works for many elite competitions like, The View, Fever, Move Dance Challenge, and Be Dance to name a few. Adele’s choreography has won countless awards over the years including many “best choreography of the weekend” on the competitive platform. Adele’s work has won many medals at the world level with World Performers. Her work has also been seen at Fever after Dark, York University’s ‘25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee,’ Theater Glendon’s ‘Dark Lady’, and Dancing For Dogs. Adele has worked with Colombia’s professional Samba Company. Her performance resume includes: 2 seasons with Toronto Argonaut Dance Team, ‘My Fair Lady’ Thousand Islands Playhouse, Amber Holt (lead) in The Kneeling Goddess, Lindsey (lead) in
Happy Family, Racheal ( lead) workshop production of ‘Scoring a Hit’. At Sheridan Adele was appointed dance captain on many projects. She was the lead in a contemporary dance show, supporting lead (Nickie) in ‘Sweet Charity’, and recipient of the ‘Actor of the Year’ award. Most recently Adele has been seen on the screen in commercials like: Manulife, Restylane, Buzzfeed, Mucho Burrito, Tim Hortons, Auction Ottawa, Aviva Insurance, and Humira.
Her tv credits include Fear thy Neighbor, Ghost Writer, Untold stories of the ER, The New Eden, and The Jamestown Massacre. Adele can add director/choreographer to her resume after taking on fashion shows as a new adventure. She works closely with the BIA in Collingwood, her hometown putting on many sold out shows!

Adele remains active in her training both as a dancer, and TV actor and she is very active in the audition circuit. Adele is a positive and compassionate lady and undoubtedly an expert in her field.

Instructor

Miss Ashley Earl

Acro & Creative Dance Instructor

Ashley Earl has an impressive portfolio which spans choreography, teaching, performing and adjudicating at many different competitions. Her extensive training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet (RAD), Hip Hop, Lyrical, Music Theatre and Acro have won her numerous choreography awards across Canada!

Since graduating from the Sheridan College Performing Arts Program, and the St. Lawrence College Music Theatre Performance Program, Ashley has taught at many studios across Ontario, and done a vast array of performing and choreography. In the summer of 2007, Ashley landed her first professional role in “The Sunshine Boys” with The Thousand Island Playhouse in Gananoque. Other favourite roles have included Matron Mama Morton in “Chicago” and Sheila Bryant in “A Chorus Line”. Ashley has choreographed such shows as “Annie Jr”, “Peter Pan”, “Tweed the musical” and “Godspell”. Her Choreography has won her
many awards including a Brampton Bloom award for Best Choreography for Annie Jr. Ashley holds her Associate Membership in Jazz through CDTA, Associate Membership in Stage through BATD, and Her Module Two through Acrobatic Arts.

Ashley previously Co Owned a successful Workshop called The Dance Challenge. Classes ran like an audition and scholarships were given out at the end of the day. During this time her and her partner ran six successful events throughout the GTA, pushing dancers to excel in all disciplines and giving them tips for the professional world.

Most recently, Ashley has taught and choreographed at Ballare Performing Arts in Woodbridge for 9 years, 5 of which she was the Artistic Director.

Ashley continues to further her dance and teaching practice by attending workshops. Her hopes are to remain current and relevant in the ever-changing dance world, and to continue to inspire her students to always strive for the next level.