Our Faculty

 

Michelle Nicholson

Artistic Director/Founder

Alixa Flexibility Module 1, 2 & 3

Michelle is an enthusiastic teacher, choreographer, performer and adjudicator who celebrates dance through her innovation and inspiration! Michelle's dance career began at the early age of three where she trained under the direction of Margo Hartley at Bojangles Art of Dance in Kitchener, Ontario. Training in jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, musical theatre and modern, she attended one of Canada's most prestigious schools. Michelle attained her Intermediate levl in ballet from the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD). She went on to receive extensive training in New York City at Broadway Dance Center from well known teachers such as Mia Michaels, Ray Leeper, Wes Veldink, Sheila Barker, David Marques and Michele Assaf. In addition, Michelle frequently attended The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles to continue her dance training. Michelle has worked and performed with various dance companies and artists including Helix Dance Project: “Hotel”, directed and choreographed by Linda Garneau, Bell Mobility Celebrity Gala: “Chicago”, The Wes Veldink Movement: “Walking Through Walls”, directed and choreographed by Wes Veldink, The Honey Kats Gala, K-OS “Superstar” music video, Under Construction & Company: choreographed by Sheila Barker and Brian Thomas and with the well known boys group N'SYNC. As well, Michelle danced alongside Stacey Tookey in Broadway a Tropea: choreographed by Terry Beeman, A.C Ciulla and Michele Assaf in Tropea, Italy. Michelle enjoys staying active in the dance world by teaching, choreographing and adjudicating for numerous studios and organizations throughout Canada. She has been recognized for her innovative choreography, receiving countless awards for her creativity, conception and overall vision. Michelle is sought after as a choreographer and has choreographed for hair, fashion and comedy shows and for charity events including Megan's Walk. Michelle's students have gone on to dance across the continent. They have actively taken to the stage performing for various companies, festivals and schools from The Julliard School in New York City and New World School of the Arts in Miami to Toronto Dance Theatre, The National Ballet of Canada, Miami City Ballet, Ate9 dANCEcOMPANY, The Joffrey Ballet, Ryerson University, Compagnie Marie Chouinard, SUNY Purchase Dance Conservatory, The Randolph Academy, Point Park Conservatory, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and The Conteur Academy in Toronto to name a few. Michelle shares her joy for dance by striving to inspire young dancers with her passion and energy. She has brought her love for dancing on the stage into the classroom and enjoys sharing her knowledge with all dancers. Michelle's desire to teach and motivate has lead her to open her own studio and she is thrilled to introduce Emotion Dance Company, Guelph's new premier studio! Emotion Dance Company offers only the best in dance instruction and looks forward to bringing out the best in your child while challenging them to be better than themselves.

Alli Robb

BFA, Performance Dance

Alli Robb is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto and around Ontario. She is a dancer, choreographer, teacher and creative, who believes in the arts as a powerful avenue for self-discovery and expression. She is a 2023 graduate of the Toronto Metropolitan University BFA Performance Dance Program, with a minor in Philosophy. Alli primarily trains in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, jazz funk, house, ballet, modern, tap, acro and musical theatre.

Throughout her career, Miss Robb has performed works by world-renowned choreographers including L.A.’s Keone and Mari Madrid, Australia’s Stephanie Lake Company, Jesse Obremski from Gibney Company, Alyssa Martin and Rock Bottom Movement, and Hanna Kiel of Human Body Expression. Most recently, Alli has danced for Nina Li in the Studio 6 Vol. 3 Showcase, for Aimee Yoncé Shennel from Season 4 of Canada’s Drag Race in the Toronto Pride Drag Ball, and in Impetus Movement Dance Company’s show “HOPE” by Dawson Lloyd. Alli was also recently in a 2024 DoorDash Commercial, performed in a remount of “Light-Print” by Obremski, in Fall For Dance North 2023, and was choreographer and cinematographer for a short film for CAMH’s Workman Arts Program, entitled “Tracings,” directed and performed by Aysia Tse. This August, Alli was the choreographer, director and creative producer of a 40-minute dance piece entitled “RAM” which premiered at the 2024 London Fringe Festival.

Alli teaches and choreographs for various studios and schools around the GTA, including Emotion Dance Company, The Dance Movement, Dimensions in Dance, and The Travelling Stage. She has done work at several non-profits teaching dance, including University Settlement in Toronto, and Hutton House in London, supporting adults with disabilities. Miss Robb is a CREO Dance Movement Workshop Faculty member, teaching Creative Process, Partnering and Floorwork. Alli has choreographed routines for Western University’s INmotion Dance Team as well as Toronto Metropolitan University’s TMU Dance Pak, and has competed on both the TMU Dance Pak and UHHU, TMU’s competitive hip hop team. In the coming months, Alli will be performing in Night/Shift through The Citadel, Creative Directing for CREO’s upcoming show, and completing her Master Practitioner of Holistic Art Therapy Certification. Alli has an aptitude for unpacking the human experience. She is eager to continue sharing her artistic voice and passion for dance with this community!

Destiny Rettinger-Yantzi

Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Destiny has always had a love for performing, whether it be dancing, singing or acting. She started dancing at the age of 2 and from there has studied, trained and competed in many genres. Destiny's passion for the performing arts has included training in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, improvisation, voice, multiple areas of acting practices and studies that concentrated on creative process and choreography.

Early in her career she signed with modeling agencies in Canada and abroad. She since then has also signed with Amanda Rosenthal agency and has been in various films and television shows for dancing and acting such as, Handmaid's Tale, The Boys, The Next Step and much more. Her latest role is a supporting lead named Mason in the movie Snowday on Nickelodeon and paramount plus.

Other than her life in the industry, Destiny is a very enthusiastic and dedicated teacher that has been teaching for 14 years. Being able to share the love of dance but also choreograph many overall winning pieces for various studios in Ontario. Destiny's hope is to keep sharing her passion for the craft we love to call dance and to keep inspiring her EDC students each and every day!

Jaclyn Tarnoweckyj

BFA (Hons) Theatre/Dance

Associate Diploma CC-CICB, A.I.S.T.D. (CSB)

PBT Certified, P.A.E.C. Full Membership (Ballet)

I.A.D.A./P.A.A. (Certified Adjudicator) – Ballet

Jaclyn is an enthusiastic performer, choreographer and dedicated teacher. Jaclyn began her career in Toronto and throughout her training she was able to study all genres of dance. She received extensive training from many teachers such as Glenn Gilmore, Sheona Bell, Jane Wooding, Sean Boutilier, Nadia Potts, Carol Anderson, Robert Desrosie and Vicky St. Denys.

Jaclyn attended the prestigious National Ballet School of Canada Professional Development Program where she attained her Associate Cecchetti Teachers Diploma (A.I.S.T.D.). In addition she holds her Performing Arts Educators of Canada (P.A.E.C.) in ballet. As a performer Jaclyn has achieved her Advanced Cecchetti Diploma and her RAD Advanced Certificate. She is an adjudicator with I.A.D.A. (International Academy of Dance Adjudicators) and P.A.A. (Performing Adjudicator's Alliance). Jaclyn is also an honours graduate from Ryerson Polytechnic University where she attained her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance.

Jaclyn has choreographed many overall award winning competitive pieces for various studios in Ontario. She had the opportunity to choreograph for Miss Teen Canada 2008.  Her student was able to win her talent and title as Miss Teen Canada International 2008.

Jaclyn brings a vast range of dance knowledge and training to Emotion Dance Company. Her passion for dance exceeds limits and it is here at EDC she is able to share her love of dance.

Liz Morgante

BFA, Performance Dance

Alixa Flexibility Module 1 & 2 AcroDance Pre-School & Acrobatic Arts Module 1

Dance has been a part of Ms.Liz’s life since the early age of 3 when she first began her training. Growing up as a competitive dancer Liz trained in all styles of dance. She attained Honors for her Intermediate ballet exam through the Cecchetti Society. Liz has completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Performance Dance at Ryerson University. Sharing her knowledge, technical background and love of dance her choreography has led her students to various high scores and overall standings at Canada's most reputable competitions. Liz aims to inspire her students through her passion of dance.

Nicole Luccisano

Nicole Luccisano is a professional dancer and teacher based in Ontario, Canada. Nicole is trained in Acro, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, and has training and examination work in Cecchetti Ballet. Nicole has additionally obtained a Guinness World Record, having achieved the most aerials completed in one minute in December of 2020.

She pursued her post-secondary education at McMaster University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours in 2025. Throughout her academic journey, she continued to develop her artistry and technique, balancing rigorous studies with her dedication to dance.

Nicole’s performance experience includes roles in several full-length dance productions. In 2022, she was featured in Brooke Gilmour’s show Come On, Dreamer, and most recently, she performed in Solar Fusion (2024), a full-length showcase directed by Tyler Hutchings and Taylor Collis.

Nicole is passionate about both performance and education, and she continues share her passion with dancers across Canada. She is excited to continue her craft and inspire the next generation of dancers at EDC with her unique knowledge and artistry!

Meredith Woodley

Born and raised in Toronto, ON, Meredith graduated from the National Ballet School of Canada. Upon graduation, she furthered her dance education by studying privately with Arnold Spohr (founding Artistic Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet), and taking classes in New York City with master teachers such as David Howard, Finis Jhung, and Gelsey Kirkland, as well as a summer intensive at the Académie Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo, where she was taught by Alex Ursuliak, former Director of the John Cranko Schule (Stuttgart).

Meredith then danced professionally as a Soloist in several dance companies throughout Germany, performing in original works by some of Europe’s most notable dance makers.

Upon her return to Toronto, Meredith worked as a freelance dancer in a wide variety of projects with acclaimed choreographers Matjash Mrozewski, Roberto Campanella, Robert Desrosiers, Kevin O’Day, and world-renowned artist Tino Seghal, among others.

Meredith also took some time away from dance to pursue other endeavours, working as an Art Director on Film and Television productions, including the Oscar-winning production “Room”.

As a teacher, Meredith has worked as a private coach and rehearsal director, and for various schools in the GTA, including Randolph School of the Arts and Dance Teq (Kevin Pugh). She currently lives in Guelph with her family, and teaches in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Guelph region. She can’t wait to share her love of dance with the inspiring community at EDC!

Olivia Afonso

Olivia Afonso grew up dancing at her local dance studio, training in all styles but always had a passion for tap. By attending Toronto Rhythm Initiative, training at the Tap Dance Center, and being apart of The Rhythm Ensemble she has been able to work with many amazing Canadian tap dancers such as Juliana Kelly, Allison Toffan, Jonathan Morin, Ryan Foley, Cori Giannotta, Dianne Montgomery, and more, learning advanced choreography, improvisation, and how to work with live music. 

Olivia has been able to develop her choreography and teaching style over the years by teaching all styles of dance, specializing in tap. She has also had the opportunity to do some choreography for the Canadian National Tap Dance team as well as be the Captain and Head Choreographer of her university tap team, Guelph Tap Pak. 

She has had the opportunity to be apart of many performances such as “Rhythm and Sound: [Cinq]opation” and “Rhythm and Sound: Revamped” (Cori Giannotta and Jonathan Morin), as well as “Explorations in Sound” (The Rhythm Ensemble). She was also apart of the Toronto International Tap Dance Festival’s residency program in 2022 and 2024 learning historical Leon Collins repertoire from Dianne Walker, performing in the show “Between Two Di’s”, and learning new and historical work from Brenda Bufalino, performing in the show “Genesis”. Olivia

Lynn Freiburger

Office Administrator

Lynn easily steps into the role of Administrative Director at Emotion Dance Company as she has been involved in the dance industry for over 30 years. She was an integral part of the administration and reception at Bojangles Art of Dance for 17 years. Lynn has a way of putting everyone at ease with her warm heart and inviting demeanour. She has been nominated Woman of the Year by the Sertoma Club for her countless hours of work during the Christmas Miracle. Lynn enjoys volunteering her time at Out of the Cold, an outreach service for the homeless of Kitchener Waterloo

Lynn is no stranger to working with children as she is a grandmother to 5 beautiful children and enjoys spending her free time making them muffins, cookies and carrot cake ! She brings a wealth of knowledge to Emotion Dance Company and is thrilled to share her passion with the parents and students.