OUR FACULTY
Experienced Teachers.
Supportive Mentors.
EDC’s faculty brings together professional experience, technical knowledge and a shared commitment to helping dancers learn with confidence. Our teachers provide thoughtful, age-appropriate instruction while encouraging every student to grow as both a dancer and a person.
FOUNDER • OWNER • ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Michelle Nicholson
Alixa Flexibility Modules 1, 2 & 3
For 15 years, Michelle has shaped Emotion Dance Company into a place where dancers can be challenged, supported and inspired. Her approach combines strong technical training with creativity, energy and a genuine investment in every student’s development.
Michelle trained extensively in jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, musical theatre and modern, attaining her Intermediate level in ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance. Her continued training has included Broadway Dance Center in New York City and The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles.
As a performer, choreographer, teacher and adjudicator, Michelle has worked throughout Canada and internationally. Her choreography has received numerous awards, and her students have continued their training and careers at respected schools, universities, companies and professional arts organizations across North America.
MEET THE TEACHING TEAM
Knowledge Dancers Can Grow With
Explore each teacher’s training, experience and areas of focus. Select “Read bio” for additional background.
Jazz • Contemporary • Hip Hop • Creative Process
Alli Robb
BFA, Performance Dance
A multidisciplinary dancer, choreographer and creative who encourages students to use movement as a tool for expression and discovery.
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Alli is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s BFA Performance Dance program, with a minor in Philosophy. Her training includes jazz, contemporary, hip hop, house, ballet, modern, tap, acro and musical theatre.
Her performance experience includes works by nationally and internationally recognized choreographers, live productions, commercial work and independent dance projects. Alli teaches and choreographs throughout Ontario and has also supported arts and movement programs within community and non-profit organizations.
Jazz • Contemporary • Lyrical • Hip Hop
Destiny Rettinger-Yantzi
Teacher • Choreographer • Performer
An enthusiastic educator who brings extensive performance experience and a strong passion for storytelling into the studio.
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Destiny began dancing at age two and has trained in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, improvisation, voice, acting, choreography and creative process.
Her professional credits include film and television projects such as The Handmaid’s Tale, The Boys, The Next Step and Nickelodeon’s Snow Day. Alongside her industry work, Destiny has taught for more than 14 years and has choreographed award-winning routines for studios throughout Ontario.
Ballet • Cecchetti Syllabus
Jaclyn Tarnoweckyj
BFA (Hons) • Associate Diploma CC-CICB • A.I.S.T.D. (CSB)
A dedicated ballet educator who brings extensive syllabus knowledge, professional training and adjudication experience to EDC dancers.
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Jaclyn completed the National Ballet School of Canada Professional Development Program and attained her Associate Cecchetti Teachers Diploma. She also holds ballet qualifications through Performing Arts Educators of Canada and has achieved her Advanced Cecchetti Diploma and RAD Advanced Certificate.
An honours BFA Dance graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University, Jaclyn is also PBT certified and a certified ballet adjudicator. She has choreographed award-winning competitive work and brings a broad range of technical knowledge to her students.
Jazz • Lyrical • Acro
Liz Morgante
BFA, Performance Dance • Alixa Flexibility Modules 1 & 2
A technically focused and encouraging teacher who helps dancers build strength, confidence and expressive performance skills.
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Liz began dancing at age three and trained competitively across multiple styles. She attained Honours in her Intermediate ballet examination through the Cecchetti Society and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Liz is also trained through AcroDance Pre-School, Acrobatic Arts Module 1 and Alixa Flexibility. Her choreography has earned high scores and overall recognition at respected Canadian competitions.
Ballet
Meredith Woodley
National Ballet School of Canada Graduate
A former professional ballet soloist who brings detailed technical knowledge and an extensive performance background to her teaching.
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Following her graduation from Canada’s National Ballet School, Meredith continued her training privately, in New York City and at the Académie Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo.
She danced professionally as a soloist with companies throughout Germany and later worked as a freelance performer with acclaimed Canadian and international choreographers. Meredith has taught as a private coach, rehearsal director and faculty member at schools throughout the GTA and the Kitchener-Waterloo-Guelph region.
Tap
Olivia Afonso
Teacher • Choreographer • Tap Artist
A tap specialist who combines strong rhythmic training, performance experience and a love of musicality in her classes.
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Olivia developed her tap training through Toronto Rhythm Initiative, the Tap Dance Centre and The Rhythm Ensemble, working with respected Canadian tap artists and studying choreography, improvisation and live music.
She has choreographed for the Canadian National Tap Dance Team, served as Captain and Head Choreographer of Guelph Tap Pak, and performed in numerous stage productions. Olivia also participated in the Toronto International Tap Dance Festival residency program in 2022 and 2024.
THE EDC APPROACH
What Families Can Expect
Knowledgeable Instruction
Teachers with meaningful education, training and industry experience.
Thoughtful Progression
Age-appropriate learning that develops technique step by step.
Supportive Mentorship
Encouragement that helps dancers grow in confidence and independence.
STUDIO SUPPORT
Lynn Freiburger
Office Administrator
Lynn brings more than 40 years of dance-industry administrative experience to EDC. Her warmth, knowledge and welcoming approach help families feel supported from their first question through every stage of the studio experience.
