Our team.
City Dance Corps faculty are professional dance instructors with extensive background, training, and accreditation in dance.
Tina Nico
Studio Director
Sara Winter
Youth Program Coordinator
Victoria DeRose
Youth Program Administrative Assistant
Ashley Maia
Groove Crew, Director
Esra Leia
Ballet Program Coordinator
TORONTO FACULTY
Amanda Arruda
Tap​
Amanda began dancing at the age of three at the Ontario School of Ballet, training in ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics, hip-hop, lyrical, and contemporary, as well as a knowledge of ballroom and Latin dance styles. From a young age, she had a true passion for tap dance, competing with many tap solos. For over twelve years, she danced competitively as a member of the Trillium Dance Company, and was in Tap! Dance Company at the Tap Dance Centre. Amanda grew up studying the RAD ballet foundations as well as ADAPT tap and jazz. She continued dancing for a few years after graduation to complete her ballet and tap exams to the highest levels. She graduated from the dance arts program at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts as well as completed her certification in ADAPT’s jazz and tap Teacher Training Program. She has taught and choreographed several pieces at multiple competitive and recreational dance studios throughout her teaching career. Amanda graduated from the fashion design program at George Brown and currently works full-time as manager and head designer at a children’s dance costume company. She is very excited to continue her dance journey and to share her knowledge, passion, and overall love for dance.
Ashley Maia
Tiny Groovers, Tiny Twirlers, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap
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Ashley Maia has been dancing since the age of five and grew up as a competitive dancer at the Ontario School of Ballet, where she completed all Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) examinations up to the Advanced levels. During her competitive years, she participated in prestigious events such as the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and the RAD Dance Challenge, further showcasing her technical skill and artistry. A graduate of Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts, Ashley went on to train at The Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and has since developed a versatile background in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop. Her performance experience includes working with international artist Mickael Carreira and appearing in projects and shows across Toronto with respected choreographers and companies such as Leon Blackwood, Tatiana Parker, and Kode Red. In addition to her performance career, Ashley is a certified Senior Pointe Shoe Specialist at Danceshoppe, a role that supports young and emerging dancers. She continues to pursue professional development to bring high-quality, inspiring instruction to every class she teaches.
Esra Leia
RAD Ballet/ Ballet Program Coordinator
Ballet, RAD Ballet
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From a young age, Esra has been passionate about sharing her love for dance with others. With a background in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary dance, she has had the opportunity to perform recreationally and competitively for over a decade. Esra studied ballet throughout her childhood and adolescence through the Royal Academy of Dance, completing all the graded and vocational examinations up to Solo Seal. After training at the Ontario School of Ballet and Related Arts for 10 years, she began her studies at Ryerson University in the Early Childhood Studies program. Esra simultaneously completed the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies programme through the Royal Academy of Dance and is a certified ballet teacher with the RAD. She has been entering her students in RAD examinations for over five years, with consistent success across all levels. In addition to exam preparation, Esra has played a key role in growing and developing the ballet programme, helping to expand both its size and standard over the years. The combination of these two programs has shaped Esra’s philosophy of teaching; through inclusion and differentiated instruction, her goal is to create a playful and safe atmosphere for children to physically explore their bodies and express their emotions.
Krystalia Hatzinakos
Parent n Tot, Dance Athletics, Ballet, Contemporary
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Krystalia began dancing at the London School of Dance at the age of three, engaging in dance examinations and competitions over the span of thirteen years. Krystalia completed Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams up to the Advanced 2 level. She also completed jazz, tap, and acro exams with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing, earning the associate teaching exam certificates for tap and jazz styles. Alongside her technical training, Krystalia attended Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts where she expanded her performance experience in contemporary and musical theatre. Krystalia holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology and Physical Education from the University of Toronto, adding knowledge of mobility, strength, and conditioning exercise to her repertoire. Furthering her education, Krystalia is currently completing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. While completing her degree, Krystalia has had opportunities to work and volunteer in a variety of rehabilitative healthcare settings, assisting physiotherapists and occupational therapists in providing care to clients and families. Here, she has facilitated adapted movement-based programming for populations with diverse abilities, learning effective ways to foster inclusive spaces for people of varying ages and skill levels. Krystalia prioritizes the fun and enjoyment of her students while valuing inclusivity by taking an individualized approach to teaching. She strives to empower, motivate, and support students as they work towards achieving their personal goals.
Victoria DeRose
Dance Athletics, Jazz Combo, Ballet, Tap, Tiny Tappers, Tiny Twirlers
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Victoria began dancing at the age of three at the Ontario School of Ballet and Related Arts, training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Pointe, Hip Hop, and Lyrical, while also exploring Contemporary, Street Jazz, and Musical Theatre. At six years old, she began competing with the Trillium Dance Company and continued for over a decade. Throughout her training, Victoria studied the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet syllabus as well as the ADAPT Jazz and Tap syllabus, building a strong technical foundation. She graduated from Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts, where she specialized in the dance program with a focus on Ballet and Modern dance. During her time there, she also choreographed for Cardinal Carter’s dance productions, including In the Making (2021).
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Victoria is now in her final year at Toronto Metropolitan University, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies with a minor in Disability Studies. Passionate about fostering creativity and confidence in young dancers, Victoria is thrilled to share her love of dance while creating a safe and inclusive space for children to learn, have fun, and express themselves.
Sanjana Tekaram
Hip Hop, YPC
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Sanjana Tekaram is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher who strives to impact the dance community positively. Her training in hip-hop, commercial, dancehall, ballet, jazz, funk styles, and contemporary contribute to her versatility. Her creativity and artistry transcend as she continues to innovate through the process of creating new works. She is hardworking, dependable, reliable, and eager to explore new avenues.
Born in Toronto she grew up with a passion for the arts which later transferred to dance. Beginning self-taught in her teenage years, Sanjana began training in street dance styles such as hip-hop, dancehall, and popping. She then attended Centennial College’s Dance Performance Program where she trained in various styles such as contemporary, ballet, commercial, acrobatics, jazz, and cultural styles.
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With a passion for teaching, Sanjana strives to create a positive learning environment where students of diverse backgrounds can be positively challenged. Her knowledge of dance and the industry brings relevant information to the classroom and helps develop dancers in ways that create longevity as a mover.
Sage Bernstein-Cord
Jazz, YPC
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Sage has been dancing since age two and has extensive training in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, and street styles. She graduated as a Dance Major in the Claude Watson Arts Program at Earl Haig Secondary School and is in her third year in the Performance Dance Program (BFA) at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has performed with companies in Toronto including Kode Red Dance Company and Unapologetic Dance Collective, and in Toronto showcases with choreographers Christopher Knowles and Kennedy Elder.
While Sage continues to build her career as a dancer, she also teaches dancers of all ages at various dance studios across the city, both at the recreational and competitive levels. Teaching brings Sage an indescribable amount of joy and fulfillment. She loves to share her love for dance with others and hopes that her energetic and imaginative approach sparks creativity and engagement with her students.
Sage is thrilled to be a faculty member at City Dance Corps; a studio that has played an integral role in her dance journey!
Tina Nico
Studio Director
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Tina Nico is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of City Dance Corps, one of Toronto, Canada’s leading dance schools. As a choreographer, Tina has worked on productions like North America’s Dirty Dancing, Instant Beauty Pageant on E!, HGTV’s Home Heist, CBC’s Fashion File, a number of music videos and short films, and also choreographed Nelly Furtado’s Mi Plan World Tour.
Specializing in Jazz, Pop, and Latin Dance, Tina has been featured in several TV shows and publications like MuchMusic, CBC’s Living in Toronto, Elle Magazine, Dolce Magazine, Sun TV, Omni 1’s Here and Now, and her work with the City Dance Corps has been featured on Splice TV’s Three Takes, City TV’s Breakfast Television, Real Life on CTS, and the National Post.
As a performer and instructor, Tina has taught all over the world. From Bermuda to Shanghai, she toured internationally with her Salsa company, and once led one of the largest group Salsa dances with 2,500 people in an attempt to break three Guinness World Records. Her latest work can be seen across Canada as she choreographed the national ad campaign for CBC Gem. As a mom, dancer, and entrepreneur, Tina understands the needs and concerns of parents and children, while also fostering a supportive, creative, holistic and fun dance program where each kid shines!
Sara Winter
Youth Program Coordinator ​
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Sara went to professional ballet school at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet,but where she really got the most meaningful training was at her local dance school. Sara has performed all over North America, in London’s West End, and on Broadway, in shows like: Anything Goes, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Anne Of Green Gables (Diana), The Phantom Of The Opera (Meg), Show Boat (Kim), Forever Swing and The Music Man. She’s worked as a choreographer at Canadian Stage (Les Belles Soeurs, Heaven) and other regional theatres in Ontario. Before the COVID pandemic, Sara founded The Children’s Musical Theatre Project, a performance-based musical theatre project focused on the creative process of building full-scale musicals. She is passionate about helping kids to build confidence through dance and theatre skills, and she is grateful for the community at City Dance Corps.
Emma Graham
Tiny Twirlers, Dance Athletics
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Emma is an enthusiastic and passionate youth professional, with over 20 years combined experience training and teaching dance, in a variety of styles. She is born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area, and is influenced by her experiences as a competitive dancer, Youth
Programs Professional, Dance Instructor and keen learner of life.
Emma began dancing at the age of 3, first competing shortly thereafter, training in RAD ballet, jazz, tap, acro, lyrical and hip hop. Her passion for training and performance continued as she went to compete for Team Canada at Internation Dance Organization Worlds in 2014, achieving great success with her team. She then attended Wilfrid Laurier University, competing with the Varsity Competitive Dance Team for her four years at school, in jazz, lyrical, acro, open and contemporary. Emma demonstrated her many years of technical foundation and performance quality, while learning from new young talent in the choreography world.
Emma has continued to grow her presence and skill in the dance industry, working for several years as a recreational and competitive instructor, for all ages, in jazz, tap, acro, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop. Emma brings extensive experience from her professional career in youth service work and recreation programs to create dance spaces that are dynamic, engaging and filled with connection. Incorporating past and current music, using a variety of skill progression drills, giving students creative team challenges, and presenting fresh choreography, coupled with her training in nearly every competitive style of dance, Emma is an extremely well-rounded instructor.
Emma’s natural energy and ability to connect with students supports building dance spaces that are rooted in community and connection. Emma is thrilled to bring her skillset, experience, enthusiasm and passion for dance instruction and choreography to City Dance Corps, and foster opportunities for dancers to feel welcomed, challenged, seen and celebrated.
Alena Song
Hip Hop ​
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Alena Song is a hip hop dancer and instructor who began her dance journey in 2006. She has trained in hip hop, performed with dance teams, and worked as a backup dancer. Her training has taken her to international dance camps, including Street Dance Kemp in the Czech Republic and Urban Dance Camp in Germany, where she learned from internationally recognized dancers and choreographers.
From 2011 to 2014, Alena founded and led a university hip hop dance studio, teaching students and creating choreography for performances. Now based in Toronto, she continues to train in hip hop and popping, participates in freestyle battles, and trains with Footnotes.
Alena believes in teaching students how to dance, not just how to follow choreography. Her classes focus on hip hop foundations and musicality while encouraging students to explore movement, build confidence, and express their individuality. Above all, she strives to create a positive and supportive environment where students can learn, grow, and genuinely enjoy dance.
Isabella Cafarelli
Tiny Twirlers, Tiny Stars. Musical Theatre ​
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Isabella is excited to bring her experience in childcare and dance to City Dance Corps, with a readiness to foster engaging environments for young dancers to play, express themselves, and find joy in movement. She began dancing at the age of seven and trained in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre styles at the Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance in Etobicoke.
She graduated from Father John Redmond’s Regional Arts Program as a Dance Major, where she developed her technical, creative, and performance skills through intensive training and collaborative choreography opportunities with her cohort. While studying at McMaster University, Isabella continued to pursue her passion for dance and musical theatre through the recreational dance team and local theatre productions. Recent credits include Anastasia, Heathers, and A Chorus Line. She remains committed to continuing her professional development, actively seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge of early childhood dance education and approaches to teaching with the Performing Arts Educators of Canada.
Isabella hopes to foster a love of dance in her students while building confidence, encouraging self-expression, and nurturing creativity.
OAKVILLE FACULTY
Daria Lomangino
Ballet, Tiny Twirlers, Contemporary
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Daria has trained in classical ballet since the age of three, with a focus on the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and American Ballet Theatre (ABT) syllabi. She completed all of the RAD vocational exams, and in May 2023, she performed as a candidate for the 2023 spring Solo Seal Examination in Canada. She then graduated from the Oakville School of Classical Ballet’s conservatory training program in June 2023, where she performed soloist and Corps de Ballet roles. She is also proficient in Contemporary and Modern dance, trained up to the Advanced One level in Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Modern Theatre, and currently pursues Contemporary dance professionally. She has trained with established Contemporary dance schools for intensives such as Pro Arte Danza and Dance Arts Institute (formerly School of TDT) and has performed Contemporary choreography by esteemed choreographers including Roberto Campanella, Robert Glumbek and Jera Wolfe. Daria is a dedicated and passionate teacher whose emphasis for her students is developing artistry alongside technique. She strives to create a welcoming environment for her students to learn and mature into capable, thoughtful and engaged dancers.
Sayan Lochan
Dance Athletics​
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Sayan began dancing recreationally at the age of two and quickly developed a love for performing, soon transitioning into competitive dance where she trained and competed in a wide range of styles, achieving overall awards for excellence in performance. Her training includes ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap, and acro, with a strong foundation in ballet through the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet, where she successfully completed advanced levels of certification.
Alongside her technical training, Sayan has developed the skills to teach across multiple styles, giving her the versatility to support dancers at many different stages of their training. She is passionate about creating a positive and challenging learning environment where dancers feel motivated to grow. Her philosophy focuses on building strong, confident dancers who are able to express themselves with passion and freedom.
Sayan continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing professional development and advanced training opportunities, always seeking new ways to inspire her students and share her love of dance.
Jay Villoria
Hip Hop ​​​​
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Jay Viloria is a hip hop dancer, choreographer, and coach with over 15 years of experience. He’s represented Canada at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, performed and competed internationally, and brought his craft to music videos, live shows, and Netflix productions — including stunt work for the screen. Known for blending hip hop, choreography, and stunts into a powerful and authentic movement style, Jay is dedicated to training the next generation of dancers to move with confidence, discipline, and individuality both in and out of the dance studio.
Yuki Akogi
Tiny Groovers, Hip Hop ​
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Yuki grew up dancing in Oakville, where she discovered her passion for dance and began
pursuing it professionally. She trained at The Ailey School in New York City, graduating with a
professional dance education, and had the privilege of performing in Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater’s Memoria and Revelations at renowned venues including New York City Center
and the Apollo Theater.
After returning to Toronto, Yuki continued her professional career as a dancer, performing with
independent companies and in events such as Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. She also developed her
passion for teaching and choreography, working with studios throughout the GTA.
Yuki later joined Disney Cruise Line as a Main Stage performer and was an original cast
member aboard the Disney Wish, performing in its opening productions of Seas the Adventure
and The Little Mermaid. Today, Yuki continues to share her passion and experience through
teaching and choreography, working with dancers of various ages and levels throughout the
GTA.
Sydney Brown
Tiny Stars
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From putting on plays in her living room for an audience of stuffed animals and family members, to performing in sold-out theatres across Canada, Sydney has been a performer for as long as she can remember.
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Sydney’s dance journey began in her hometown in Alberta, where she trained for over a decade in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary. Alongside her dance training, Sydney has pursued extensive vocal and acting training and is a recent graduate of Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program, where she received comprehensive training as a triple-threat performer.
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Alongside performing, Sydney’s greatest passion is sharing the magic of theatre with the next generation of artists. She has experience teaching dance and theatre to children ages 2–13 and co-created/facilitated the first community theatre camp for children in her hometown.
As a teacher, Sydney strives to create a welcoming, encouraging, and joyful environment where every student feels comfortable expressing themselves and discovering their own creativity. She believes the arts can help children develop lifelong skills in confidence, self-expression, teamwork, and storytelling—and, most importantly, that every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy of theatre.