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.
Joshua Lamb is a Canadian dancer, actor and singer known for his role in Isabelle Dances Into The Spotlight. He is a member of Canadian band The Revel Boys featured on CTV’s The Launch.Joshua Lamb is an actor, known for The Next Step (2013), Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight (2014) and The Launch (2018).
Bio to Follow ...
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.
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.
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.
Nicole began training Rhythmic Gymnastics at the age of 5. Nicole not only competed but was training with the top RG athletes in Ontario.
over the past two years she has studied Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Acrobatics at Master Dance Academy from 2016-2018 and competed with Master Performing Troupe (MPT) .
Nicole has a rare yet special gift to connect to each child individually bringing out the highest potential that the dancer has when it comes to reaching each set goal for the class and for the season. Nicole has been an amazing stretch coach /instructor continuing to be a role model and leader for MDA's younger students and company members . She is a valued asset to our team.
Her experience working with children at MDA over the past year has given her added insight into working with children , continuing to learn from them as they learn from her. This season, Nicole will start her teaching apprenticeship as a student teacher under the mentorship of Monica Gottardo.
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.
