Question 1

Liana Bellissimo

Accepted Answer

Liana Bellissimo is a professional dance artist based out of Toronto. She began her training with The Society of Russian Ballet and the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre. In 2014, Liana graduated with honours from Ryerson University earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance. Since graduating, she has gone on to perform professionally with the Canadian Opera Company, ProArteDanza Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Creole, Alysa Pires Dance Projects and Creativiva.
 
Liana was also a cast dancer in Season 3 and 4 of the hit TV series Reign, in the Hallmark Channel film A Nutcracker Christmas, and most recently, Star Trek: Discovery. She has appeared in music videos for artists such as Feist, The Tenors, Scott Helman and Andrew Briol.
 
Liana co-founded ACE Dance Theatre- a professional contemporary dance company based out of Toronto and The Ballet Lab- a comprehensive summer training program devoted to technical excellence.
 
Furthermore, Liana is a certified Pilates teacher, along with a certified teacher of the ballet fitness program The Extension Method, and JOGA- a yoga program designed specifically for professional athletes.
 
She holds her teaching certification with The Society of Russian Ballet and is an in-demand ballet teacher throughout the GTA.

Question 2

Tara Pillon

Accepted Answer

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Tara Pillon is a professional dancer, choreographer, and dance & movement educator. She graduated with honours from Ryerson University, where she received a BFA in Performance Dance. Tara has performed professionally with Ballet Creole, Gadfly, emiMOTION, Human Body Expression, Avinoam Silverman Dance, and Creativiva.
 
Tara has performed in events such as the JOGA x Reebok Fashion show for Toronto Women's Fashion Week, the Pan Am Games opening ceremonies, WeDay, and TedX Toronto. She has also performed in festivals such as Dance Ontario, Dance Made in Canada, and TUDS.
 
Tara has choreographed for events including the Italian Contemporary Film Festival, Dance Ontario, New Blue Festival, Ricarda's Grand Opening, and the Allstate Honor Ring Banquet. Tara recently choreographed for The Tenors’ Christmas music video - Santa's Wish.
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Tara was the ballet teacher at Toronto's own, Millennium Dance Complex and the Conteur Academy. She is currently the ballet instructor for Intrepid Dance Company's post-secondary program.
 
Tara received her Certificate for Russian Ballet Pedagogy in Amsterdam, Netherlands and is a member of the Professional Adjudicator's Alliance. Tara is also a certified Yoga Instructor.
 
Tara is an in-demand teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator throughout the GTA.

Question 3

Past & Present Faculty

Accepted Answer

RION TAYLOR - Rion Taylor established his roots in dance through the hip-hop culture of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Nurtured by Bad Taste Cru, he joined Battalions Crew in 2013 and competed throughout the UK and Europe. Training under Akram Khan with the National Youth Dance Company inspired him to continue his exploration at London Contemporary Dance School, where he worked with Hofesh Shechter, Dane Hurst, and Punch Drunk, among other artists. At the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, he performed with the James Cousins Company in Rosalind, which won an award for Best Moments of the Festival. Moving to Montreal in 2018 to work with RUBBERBAND, he has continued to represent the company performing throughout Canada, USA and internationally, as well as recently taking on the role of Artistic Coordinator. Rion has been working closely with Jessica Muszynski since 2020, establishing himself alongside the emerging choreographer as a dancer, performing in festivals within Québec.
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JERA WOLFE - Born in Toronto, Canada, Dora winner Jera Wolfe is a choreographer and performer of Métis heritage. Jera is the official Canadian choreographer for NBS's Sharing Dance Day 2020 and the Ontario Ambassador for International Dance Day 2020. His captivating choreography has awarded him the 2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Original Choreography for Trace. He has demonstrated an impressive repertoire of works presented by the Canadian Stage, Fall For Dance North, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Festival des arts de Saint-Sauveur, Danse Danse, and Jacob's Pillow. His recent works include Bare choreographed at Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Trace by Red Sky Performance, and Arise for Canada's National Ballet School, Embers for Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, and Reliance for School of Performance and Ryerson University. Jera graduated from Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and, since 2016, returned to the company to create new works each year. Aside from choreography, Jera has also performed in many dance performances including, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, who we are in the dark as part of the Holland Dance Festival.
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ROBERT GLUMBEK - Upon graduation from Bytom State Ballet School in Poland, Robert Glumbek joined The Great Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Warsaw as a soloist. After immigrating to Canada he worked as a dancer for a number of Canadian companies and later joined Mannheim Ballett, Germany as a dancer and ballet master. He has worked as an independent artist and choreographer since returning to Canada and is currently the Artistic Associate for ProArteDanza and faculty member of Toronto Metropolitan University. Robert has choreographed numerous acclaimed works for companies around the world. He was a finalist in the Hanover and Stuttgart Choreographic Competitions, recipient of the Now Magazine Best Dancer, K.M. Hunter Artist Award and Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award. Glumbek is a four-time Dora Mavor Moore nominee, and co-recipient winner with Robert Campanella. Most recently, Glumbek was nominated and twice presented the Jan Kiepura best choreographer award for his work with the Szczecin Ballet, Poland.
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KELLY SHAW - Kelly Shaw is a BFA honours graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Performance Dance program, and recipient of the 2018 Jack McAllister award. She is a Tkarón:to/Toronto-based free-lance dance artist collaborating and performing with ProArte Danza, Human Body Expression, Citadel + Compagnie, Guillaume Cote (Cote Danse), Alysa Pires Dance Projects, Echo Chamber Choir, Helix Dance Project, Gadfly, TOES for Dance, Transcendance Project and was a 2010 and 2018 Dora Mavor Moore nominee. She has been a part of Lighthouse Immersive, Dance Ontario Weekend, Festival International de DansEncore, Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur, Toronto Fringe Festival, Capezio ACE awards, Dance Matters and Hit and Run Productions. Kelly is also an educator and choreographer across the country, as well as a certified Pilates and Barre fitness instructor.
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ALYSSA ALLEN - (Anne Plamondon Repertoire) we are excited to share that the brilliant Alyssa Allen will be teaching Anne Plamondon Repertoire at THE BALLET LAB 2026 SUMMER INTENSIVE.  Alyssa Allen is a contemporary dancer and educator based between Montréal and Los Angeles. With a strong foundation rooted in both the competitive dance world and Vaganova training, Alyssa brings a dynamic and versatile approach to movement, with a particular passion for improvisation and contemporary technique. Her career spans both commercial and concert dance. She has performed in music videos and award shows, and choreographed a national campaign for Gap. Alyssa holds a BFA from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, where she had the opportunity to train with renowned artists including William Forsythe.  She went on to join Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, where she spent three seasons performing acclaimed repertoire by choreographers such as Crystal Pite, Jiří Kylián, and Ohad Naharin. She later joined Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, touring internationally and performing extensively for two years. Most recently, Alyssa has been working closely with choreographer Anne Plamondon. Alongside her performance career, she is a dedicated educator, teaching dancers of all levels—from beginners to professionals—at studios and intensives across North America and Europe.

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ZSAKIRA DEL COL - Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Zsakira Del Col is a professional dance artist and educator. She grew up training in various styles from the age of 8, and has continued to tirelessly advance her craft over the years. An alumna of Victoria School of the Arts, Zsakira holds an International Baccalaureate Diploma in dance. Focusing on the composition, performance and analysis of dance, this diploma provides her with a keen eye and in-depth understanding of choreography and movement.  Zsakira later moved to Toronto, Ontario to continue her training at The Conteur Academy, where she graduated at the top of her class. During her time at The Academy, she expanded upon her training in Contemporary, Ballet, Floor Work, Modern, Partnering, Pointe and Improvisation. This has led Zsakira to work alongside Eryn Waltman, the Artistic Director, as her assistant.  Since graduation, Zsakira has performed in Human Body Expression’s Resonance, ACE Dance Theatre’s SHIFT, and at Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur as part of a triple program in their 2020 season. She has worked with choreographers such as Alysa Pires (Choreographic Associate National Ballet of Canada), Allen Kaeja (Kaeja d’Dance), and Robert Glumbek (ProArte Danza). She was recently nominated for a 2020 Dora Mavor Moore Award for her ensemble work in Resonance.  Zsakira’s love for dance is carried over into the passion she has for teaching, and sharing her vast wealth of knowledge with the students. Throughout her teaching career, Zsakira has been highly commended for her contemporary training, and awarded numerous choreography awards; including Top Choreography of the Weekend, at various competitions. A detail-oriented mind, she focuses on training dancers to be technically excellent in all facets of dance, while expanding their artistry and celebrating their individuality.
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JONATAN DIAZ - Jonatan Díaz began his classical dance training in Barcelona, studying at Company&Company with José Manuel Rodríguez and Esmeralda Maycas, and later at Studio Isadora under Enric Castany. In 2004, he was accepted into the prestigious John Cranko School in Stuttgart, where he trained under the direction of Tadeusz Matacz, with Pyotr
Pestov as his mentor.  He launched his professional career with the National Ballet of Ireland (Dublin), performing principal roles in both classical and neoclassical productions. He then spent four seasons with the Víctor Ullate Ballet in Madrid, dancing soloist roles in works by Víctor Ullate and Eduardo Lao. Later, he joined Ángel Corella’s Corella Ballet, where he performed soloist and principal roles in choreographies by Ángel Corella, Christopher Wheeldon, Stanton Welch, Clark Tippet, Twyla Tharp, among others. His international touring credits span Europe (Italy, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland), the Americas (United States, Mexico, and Colombia), and North Africa (Morocco and Egypt). His repertoire includes Swan Lake, Raymonda, Coppélia, Bruch Violin Concerto, Clear, and String Sextet, among others. As an educator, he has served as teacher, jury member, and coach for AEDA training programs, and has been invited to teach in Switzerland, Portugal, and at numerous conservatories across Spain. He is currently Head of Professional Training at Studio Isadora and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Pedagogy at the María de Ávila Conservatory in Madrid.
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LISA ROBINSON - A native of Mount Gambier, Australia, Lisa Robinson studied at The Australian Ballet School (Vaganova method) and with Ballet Master, Philip Balmain Beamish in Italy. Prior to her studies at the Australian Ballet school, Lisa trained at a local dance studio in her hometown and completed her Royal Academy of Dance Advanced Ballet examination, as well as studied jazz and tap.  She joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1998 and became a Second Soloist in 2003.  Ms. Robinson danced featured roles in There, below, The Four Temperaments, the second detail, La Sylphide and The Nutcracker. Her repertoire also includes Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Serenade and Swan Lake. She created roles in James Kudelka’s An Italian Straw Hat, Cinderella and The Contract (The Pied Piper). Ms. Robinson also performed the role of Polina in the North American premiere of John Neumeier’s The Seagull. Now entering her 25th year with the company, Ms. Robinson retired from dancing in 2010 and has worked in the Education and Community Engagement Department, and is the Senior Manager of Education and Community Engagement for the National Ballet.  Ms. Robinson regularly teaches classes and hosts performances for many of the company’s education programs. Ms. Robinson also teaches at competitive dance studios in surrounding areas of Toronto, and has been invited to teach Master Classes, adjudicates and coaches privately.  Ms. Robinson is thrilled and excited to share her passion and dedication to the art form with many aspiring young students. 
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TIFFANY MCLACHLAN - Tiffany McLachlan is the former owner and director of a very successful and innovative studio called Tiffany’s Dance Elite in Hamilton, Ontario.  She trained extensively in all areas of dance across the U.S and Canada.  She resided in Los Angeles while on a one-year dance scholarship at Tremaine Dance Centre. Many of Tiffany’s students have exploded onto the dance scene.  These trained professionals have been fortunate to work with some of the hottest artists in the industry including Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Brittany Spears.  The list continues with Jennifer Lopez, Aaron Carter, Kevin Federline and most recently, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Cirque de Soleil and Taylor Swift.  Her students can be recognized on hit television shows and feature films such as: So You Think You Can Dance, Star Search, Life with Derek, Dance Life, Chicago, Rent, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, La La Land and A Star Is Born.  Tiffany is in demand in the television and industrial world as well. She has choreographed for shows such as: The Gemini Awards, Fashion Cares (Aids Benefit) featuring Lionel Ritchie and Geri Halliwell, Wella Hair Show, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Mac Cosmetics, the Royal Bank of Canada, Bloch Dancewear and ‘Verb.atim’ for Helix Dance Project. Tiffany was also honored to work on the Canadian Screen Awards and most recently, choreograph for the new hit show Revolution. Tiffany also recently led Team Canada to win the Gold medal at the Commonwealth Cup Dance Championships in Sun City, South Africa. Tiffany travels across North America teaching master classes. Recognized for her originality and outstanding technical abilities, she is very passionate about the art and expression of dance. Tiffany recently graduated with an Honours Degree in Psychology with York University. She is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.

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TANYA EVIDENTE - Tanya Evidente is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Performance at The Creative School. She is an instructor of classical and contemporary ballet technique and serves as a rehearsal director in the dance program.
Tanya began her dance training at the Toronto Dance Theatre and received her formal ballet training at Canada’s National Ballet School and Prodanza in Havana, Cuba. She danced professionally with national and international ballet companies; La Joven Guardia, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Ballet Ciutat de Barcelona, Ballet Jörgen and the National Ballet of Canada. Throughout her professional career, Tanya has performed in major classical and contemporary ballets by world renowned choreographers and has worked closely with international rehearsal répétiteurs from various parts of the world.  Tanya holds an MA in Dance from York University. Her research is centred on classical and contemporary ballet practice and theory. She has co-authored and published articles for Oxford University Press, The Dance Current Magazine and has presented in various conferences in Canada and the United States. She has served on the board of the World Dance Alliance Americas and is a member of the board of Côté Danse.

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ARSENIO ANDRADE - Born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Arsenio started Classical Ballet at age 7 and subsequently decided to become a Modern Dancer. After years of study and performance, he was invited in 1995 to Jamaica to join the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (NDTC), under the artistic direction of Professor Rex Nettleford. Arsenio has toured with the NDTC to the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. He has also choreographed major works for the Company – “Congo Laye” and “Dimensions”, performed on international tours, “Fusion”, “Footprints”, “My Prayer”; in 2007, “Out of Many” and in 2008, “Asi Somos” and “Intervalos”. He was also a member of Danza Teatro del Caribe, Cuba, where his work “My Prayer” was mounted and remains in their active repertoire. He was invited to choreograph for the Opening Ceremony of the ICC and the Cricket World Cup in 2007. A natural exponent of the dances of his Cuban heritage, Arsenio also teaches and performs the social dance forms – salsa and meringue.
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TANYA HOWARD - Tanya Howard was born in Uitenhage, South Africa and trained at The National School of the Arts in South Africa and Canada’s National Ballet School. She joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1998 and was promoted to First Soloist in 2007. A charismatic artist with a stunning stage presence, Howard shone equally in contemporary works, experimental new productions as well as legacy ballets.  In addition to enchanting audiences in the many roles she has danced, Howard is leaving an indelible mark on such roles as the Lilac Fairy in Rudolf Nureyev’s The Sleeping Beauty and the Snow Queen in James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker.  In 2016, Howard was awarded the David Tory Award and in 2011, was awarded the William Marrié Award for Dramatic Excellence for her portrayal of the Queen of Hearts in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. 
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NICOLE PILLON - Nicole Pillon, Certified RAD RTS and TTP (DIP). Nicole Pillon is an alumnus of Canada’s National Ballet School (Teacher Training Program), where she received her teaching diploma. She holds a BFA in Dance from York University and her registered teachers status from the Royal Academy of Dance. She has also completed the Advanced 1 ISTD National and Advanced 1 Cecchetti exams and comes with a wealth of knowledge and expertise.  Nicole is an in-demand ballet teacher across the GTA and we are always grateful to have her share her expertise with the dancers at THE BALLET LAB.

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JESSICA JOY MUSZYNSKI - (Brandon Alley- Crystal Pite/ Kidd Pivot Repertoire) Jessica Joy Muszynski is a Canadian dancer and choreographer originally from Burnaby, B.C., where she trained in ballet at the Richmond Academy of Dance before moving to Calgary in 2012. In May 2019, she earned a BFA in dance from the University of Southern California, performing in excerpts of works by William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, and Victor Quijada. After graduation, Jessica starred in a music video by the band half•alive, which received over two million views. She danced with Aszure Barton & Artists during the creation process of the company’s work, Where There’s Form. Jessica moved to Montreal to dance with RUBBERBAND in 2019.

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BELLA TAGLE - Bio Coming Soon

the ballet lab

Devoted to Technical Excellence

Built for dancers who are ready to reach their full potential

Vaughan Training Labs

Summer Intensive

Toronto Technique Lab

Waterloo Technique Lab

We are devoted to technical and artistic excellence

SUMMER INTENSIVE

What makes The Ballet Lab different

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Meet your teachers

Liana Bellissimo

Tara Pillon

Past & Present Faculty

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to bring to each class?

Do I need props and do you have suggested alternatives if I don't have any?

What if I do not have pointe shoes or if I have never danced on pointe?

How & when can I use my Scholarship?

How can I join the Junior ACES?

Can I get a refund?

The Body Lab

Training that supports your dancer