Our dedicated, qualified and inspiring instructors will guide each student to reach their potential!
Certified and member of DEA (Dance Educators of America), DMA (Dance Masters of America), certified dance instructor with Dance and Gym USA and a proud graduate & member the PAA (Professional Adjudicators Alliance).
Monica Christina Gottardo is the founder and leader of Master Dance Academy. Her state of the art facility opened in September of 2016. She brings her knowledge and best experiences as an accomplished dance educator, mentor, director, and award-winning choreographer to MDA. Her outlook and guiding principle for her dance academy are based on providing a professional atmosphere, fostering childhood development and nurturing sheer enjoyment of dance.
Monica graduated from Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts with honours in 2002 majoring in Dance. Monica has been dancing since the age of three. She has studied with some of the most well-known dance instructors/master choreographers as well as professional schools throughout Canada and the United States. Monica trained and taught at various schools dedicated to the arts in her later years as a dance professional/Choreographer. Her training has led her to dance professionally performing for the professional baseball league The Toronto Blue Jays!
Prior to opening her dance academy in 2016, Monica taught dance for 12 years as a freelance dance choreographer. She has been named a top choreographer in the industry and throughout dance competitions. Monica’s passion for teaching and love for kids led her to open her dance studio/company.
Tracey Chamberlain is the acting director for Master Dance Academy and owner of Beyond Dance Consulting, an avid Canadian company committed to helping dance studio owners. In this role, she provides information and inspiration to create, define, and evolve dance studio’s business aspirations.
Tring Park School for the Performing Arts is a full-time boarding school in the UK where Tracey’s dance education began. Here she was able to perform with the English National Ballet in the Nutcracker for 3 years. After graduating Tracey’s career as a professional dancer took her around the world for over 13 years. In addition, her off stage work has been praised by Princess Cruises as a Company Performance Manager and Consultant for over 10 years.
For 19 years Tracey has been a member of the Associate Imperial Society Teachers of Dance (AISTD) in Tap and Modern. Furthermore, she has her Teaching Associate Certificate in Cecchetti Ballet and is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor. Her incredible teaching experience expands to teaching professional performers where she managed entire production shows to teaching young beginner students.
After gaining certification with The International Association of Professions Career College - Business Consultant, she has worked in dance studios across the GTA consulting, training and providing administrative support.
She enjoys sharing her understanding and knowledge of dance with students & parents giving them the best experience here at MDA!
Choreographer, dance educator and Artistic Director, Kathryn Miles is an independent artist crafting a diverse career that draws on her experience in dance, music, theatre, film, and design.
Kathryn’s work spans live performances, film and video. She is Co-Artistic Director and Producer of the renowned show, Toronto’s Original Choreographer’s Ball, host to the industries top choreographers and performers. Kathryn curated the Urban Stage at Panamania for the 2015 Pan Am Games and has created and performed in works for Fashion Cares, FiDA:Toronto Fringe Festival, Celebrate Toronto Street Festival, Villa Charities Venetian Ball, and several independent projects in fashion, music, and theatre. She was an invited guest choreographer for Toronto based contemporary Company Ace Dance Theatre’s inaugural show.
A Bachelor of Arts Graduate from the York University Dance Program specializing in choreography and performance, Kathryn formally trained at Randolph School for the Arts. She is currently completing her teacher training to become a Strala Yoga guide. Kathryn teaches throughout the GTA and held the Artistic Director position at DanzArts Toronto from 2012-2017. She continues to receive recognition and accolades for compelling choreography and excellence in training dancers. She is passionate about arts education and collaborating with youth, emerging and professional artists.
For over 15 years, George Absi has diverged himself into the world of Performing Arts. A few credits include, Once Upon A Time on ABC, Beauty And The Beast at Neptune Theatre, Mamma Mia / Dance Captain / Assistant Choreographer Theatre Aquarius, Schitt's Creek on Netflix, Handmaid's Tale on Hulu, Much Music Awards and Let's Go Luna on PBS kids.
George is currently the Artistic Director and Choreographer of T.D.C Entertainment catering to corporate and main event functions which include Samsung Dundas Square Illuminite, Honda, West Jest, Bell Celebrity Gala and short film, threads.
Bri is a dancer and choreographer from a small town in southern British Columbia, Canada, but is now based out of Toronto. Bri got her start as a competitive dancer which exposed her to many genres and sparking her love for movement. Bri has received many awards during her years as a competitive dancer such as overall highest scoring solos and adjudicators choice dancer awards. At these events, she has also received many awards for her solo choreography. She has been able to train across Canada and the U.S learning from the industries best. Bri is a driven and passionate choreographer and performer.
Her career has consisted of several Live performances such as The Rotary International Conference, performing for 25000 people and several charity events. Bri has also been featured on a local TV show called, The Seen showcasing her ability for Hip Hop dance, choreographed by Jessika Dobie. Bri has had the opportunity to train under Jesselee Santos, Kenzie Crosley as well as Samm Price.
Shane says his biggest accomplishment to date is making SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA’s Top 22. “Making Season 4’s Top 22 has showed me that hard work does pay off and I can do anything I put my mind to,” said Shane. Shane says he loves travelling and is extremely into fashion.
Gustavo began his ballet training at the age of 11 at the Provincial School of Arts in La Habana, Cuba, and graduated in 2007 under the direction of Romona de Saá. During this time he received a bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Havana in both 2004 & 2005, and in 2007 received bronze in the first edition of National Competition UNEAC.
After graduating, Gustavo began his career with the National Ballet of Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso as a corps de ballet member and was promoted to Coryphaeus (junior soloist) 2 years later. Here Gustavo has performed major roles including Alain in La Fille Mal Gardée, and the Mouse King in The Nutcracker, as well as classical productions including Don Quixote, Giselle, Coppélia, Cinderella, Napoli, and The Sleeping Beauty, and Balanchine. He has had the privilege of working with Goyo Montero and Victor Ullate among others.
From 2011-2018 Gustavo has performed soloist and principal roles with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen including Blue Bird in The Sleeping Beauty, Jester and Pas de Troix in Swan Lake, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Dimitry in Anastasia, Caviller in The Nutcracker, as well as contemporary works from Robert Derosiers.
Camille Stone, a former champion and teacher of the World-renowned Butler Fearon O'Connor academy, will be teaching the Irish dance program. Camille began Irish dancing at the age of 10 and excelled to champion level, where she travelled the World to compete and medal at International competitions, in Ireland, Britain, and the USA. She continues to perform alongside Irish bands and musical talent, including Dr.Draw, one of Toronto's best touring fiddlers, and Canadian Beatbox champion, Scott Jackson. Camille looks forward to training the next generation of Irish dance performers.
Colin comes to MDA from his hometown, Saint John, New Brunswick where he has studied at numerous dance institutions throughout the province. His recent move to Toronto has allowed him to continued to train in jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, and jazz funk. During his time as a competitive dancer, Colin received many acknowledgments, awards, and scholarships at various dance workshops and competitions throughout Atlantic Canada and the United States, such as top overall solo for his own choreography. His interest in dance lead to completing a Bachelor of Recreation and Sport Studies with a concentration in Management and becoming certified through the National Coaching Certification Program. Colin also has a Bachelor Education with a focus on Physical Education, which has allowed him to refine his skills as a Dance Teacher. Colin actively works to create a safe and encouraging environment where students are given the tools to express themselves through creativity and to grow to their fullest potential. With Colin's knowledge for the human body and dance, this helps to create a positive learning environment for his students to excel in dance and understand how their bodies move and create.
Master Guest Instructors
This Canadian-born superstar danced and worked alongside some of the biggest recording icons in the world.
Melissa has been dancing for most of her life. She has danced with the Milwaukee Ballet Company, LA Opera, Long Beach Ballet and Helios Dance Theater. A highlight for Melissa was performing “Le Coeur Illumine” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
She became a household name when she earned a spot as one of the Top 20 dancers on So You Think You Can Dance Canada. She then went on to star opposite Justin Chatwin in the feature film, Funkytown.
