At Dance Fusion we take pride in offering all of dancers the most current and diverse faculty around.
Whether you are a new once a week dancer, or a dancer who is training towards a professional career, you will receive the same level of professionalism, integrity and value from our staff. All of our staff work with both Recreational and Competitive classes alike.
Parents of our youngest dancers can rest assured that these classes are only taught by our most senior staff members, including the studio owner.
At Df all of our faculty teach with a PURPOSE, strong PRIORITIES and a proven PROCESS that works!
Whether you are a new once a week dancer, or a dancer who is training towards a professional career, you will receive the same level of professionalism, integrity and value from our staff. All of our staff work with both Recreational and Competitive classes alike.
Parents of our youngest dancers can rest assured that these classes are only taught by our most senior staff members, including the studio owner.
At Df all of our faculty teach with a PURPOSE, strong PRIORITIES and a proven PROCESS that works!
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Robin Bleasdale - Owner & Artistic Director
Robin completed her outstanding competitive dance career at Bojangles Dance Arts before going on to graduate from York University with a BFA Hon. in Dance, with a concentration in pedagogy and choreography. She now teaches as a working certified member of B.A.T.D., R.A.D., and the Canadian Artists Scholars Association. In the past she has worked as a Program Advisor for the Toronto District School Board and an Artistic Program Director for the City of Toronto Arts Programs. Robin danced professionally for several years before deciding to fulfill her lifelong dream of opening her very own dance studio. She danced for the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Rock (Rockettes) as well as several commercial jobs and various promotional work around the city. Her work now includes serving as a choreographer for the 2014 World Pride Campaign, the 2008 Toronto Olympic Bid Committee, and having her work featured on several television programs. Her outstanding choreography has won her students countless International Awards and she has been named the 2012, 2014 and 2016 Headliners US National Choreographer of the Year. Robin is also active in the world of dance writing, and now enthusiastically writes for several publications and websites, sharing her experiences and knowledge of the dance industry. Robin continues to work passionately as an in demand teacher, choreographer and adjudicator throughout North America as a member of the Professionals Adjudicators Alliance. She is proud to be able to share her love of dance with the next generation of dancers! Follow Robin on social media, @dancedirector! |
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Gina Kim - Ballet Director & Teacher
Born in Edmonton Alberta, Gina Kim moved to Ontario and started her dancing career at the age of six. Ms. Kim has diverse training in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern, musical theatre, hip-hop, National dance and Korean traditional folk dance. Ms. Kim received Honors in numerous C.D.T.A tap and jazz exams, Advanced Cecchetti ballet exams, Advanced RAD ballet exams and Advanced I.S.T.D National dance exams. Ms. Kim was a competitive dancer since the age of six, receiving several awards and scholarships at local, national and various competitions across North America. After twelve years of competing, Ms. Kim is now a certified adjudicator in association with I.A.D.A. Greater accomplished credentials include: Teaching Diploma and certificate from Canada's National Ballet School, Associates in The Cecchetti Society of Canada, Royal Academy of Dance, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Dance Masters of America and Canadian Dance Teachers Association. Ms. Kim attends master classes and workshops in Toronto, Buffalo, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Japan, Korea and Winnipeg. Her performance experience includes Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with Quinte Ballet School, The Nutcracker and Les Syphideswith The National Ballet School, The Beach Boys, Guys N' Dolls, Bye-Bye Birdie, Grease, Chicago and Westside Story. After graduating with her BFA Honors in Dance from York University, Ms. Kim furthered her education at Canada’s National Ballet School, and joined the teaching staff in the Associates Program in 2006. |
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Kylie Thompson - Teacher & Choreographer
Originally from Barrie, Ontario and now working and residing in Toronto, Kylie has been training in various styles of dance for over twenty years. Her passion for music and movement is undeniable. Her multi-faceted background includes extensive training in ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance, jazz, tap, modern, musical theatre, contemporary/improvisation, yoga and more recently hip hop, house, and jazz-funk. Kylie is a founder of Toronto’s Point of View Dance Project, a contemporary company that she co-directs and co-choreographs with partner Amy Adams. In August 2014 the company completed a series of commissioned performances at the Canadian National Exhibition, as part of an urban art instalment entitled Sketch. They then went on to produce their first full-length show Wireless Connection in November 2014. Ms. Thompson continually seeks to diversify and strengthen her training as a working dancer and teacher. In 2015 she travelled overseas to Italy to train with renowned Gaga method teacher Keren Rosenberg at the OpnFlr choreographic intensive, as well as completing workshops at the Impulsetanz International Festival in Vienna. Within Canada she has been fortunate to train extensively with Linda Garneau, Apolonia Velasquez & Ofilio Portillo, Leon Blackwood, Leah Totten, Alvin Collantes, Gigi Torres and many more. As a dancer, she has performed at numerous showcases in and out of Toronto, including Toronto Original Choreographer’s Ball, Short Dances, Contact, ScotiaBank Nuit Blanche, Toronto PRIDE, and with DARK Dance Company at Monsters of Hip hop in Washington, DC. She has performed with Gadfly Dance Company in their 2015 show UNBXBL. She was a principal dancer in Canadian Rapper Classified’s music video “Pay Day” and also in the Airplane Boys’ video for “Write My Song”. She has staged her own work at ABA Entertainment's The Bazaar, the Two Worlds Apart showcase, and Fever After Dark in Toronto. Kylie is also now working as an adjudicator at various youth competitions across Canada. She is proud to be part of various teaching faculties early in her career; including faculty of the Toronto Dance Project, Sean Boutilier’s Academy, Dance Fusion, as well as teaching professional level open classes at the Rightfoot Studio and Underground Dance Centre. She has taught the B.A.T.D. Convention and recently became a faculty member with Dance Attack Workshops. Kylie aims to inspire and motivate all those who she works with, and is dedicated to a life of making her passion her career. Find out more at www.kyliethompson.ca |
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Kate Hanson - Teacher & Choreographer
Kate was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta where her dance career started at an early age and accelerated in her high school years, while attending the School of the Arts at Central Memorial High School. While growing up, she was able to successfully complete all levels in the A.D.A.P.T and R.A.D Exam syllabuses. Upon relocating to Toronto to pursue her professional dance career she attended the George Brown Commercial Dance Studies Program where she studied dance, theatre performance, acting, and singing. She has since deepened her understanding of contemporary dance; studying different theories presented by such artists as William Forsythe, Justine Reeve and Eric Franklin. She has had the privilege to train under such respected artists as Megan Lawson, Faye Rauw, Siona Jackson, Derek Sangster, and Jason Stroh. She is currently a faculty member at Dance Fusion, where her students have received high standings at International level competitions, and where her choreographic repertoire has earned her numerous awards including the 2014 Headliners Nationals Co-Choreographer of the Year. Kate has gained a reputation as a respected dancer and teacher in Toronto and surrounding area, becoming well known for her unique and quirky choreographic style. She is currently working with P.O.V Dance Project as an Improvisational Coach, and has been involved in various showcases in Toronto including Talent Defined, Toronto’s Original Choreographers Ball, and the Bazaar. Kate is thrilled to bring her creative talents to share with the next generation of dancers here at Dance Fusion! |
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Karly Bon - Teacher & Choreographer
Karly started dancing at the age of five and dance has become her passion ever since. She finished her RAD Advanced 2 Ballet Exam and is a former Miss Dance Titleholder. She is a versatile dancer who has heavily trained both competitively and professionally in ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, house, waacking, latin, modern, and jazz funk. Her professional career started as an assistant to Breanne Wasylenko and Caroline Torti, as well as for their company Collective Elite Entertainment. Working with such passionate and talented dancers and choreographers in Toronto has inspired her to train in all styles and gain experience in all avenues of the dance industry. Karly can be seen dancing in various TV/Film roles for networks including Disney, Netflix, FOX, YTV Nickelodeon, and Slice Televison. She has recently performed in “Fame” La Comédie Musicale with Just For Laugh’s company as a triple threat (dancing, singing, and acting) choreographed by Steve Bolton. Karly has performed for Blake McGrath in the “I am Blake McGrath” Promo Tour, “Aja 9’ for Radio Disney, and was a lead dancer in “Really Big World” in concert. Karly has trained extensively with Apolonia Velasquez and Ofilio Portillo, and has had the opportunity to perform and tour with their company, “Gadfly." She has taken part in the Girls Club training program under Tamina Pollock Paris, as well as Shavar Blackwood’s professional training program Eye Candy/The Male Initiative. Karly has had the opportunity to dance in Christina Digiuseppe’s piece in the 2015 Long Beach Capezio Ace Awards, and both of Transcendance Company’s productions of “Eve of St.George.” Karly has also performed in Shavar Blackwood’s production of Euphoria and The TMI 5 Year Anniversary Gala, World of Dance Toronto, Hit The Floor, On The Floor Sick Kids Gala, Scott Fordham’s productions of “Limitless,” as well as Toronto Original Choreographer’s Ball, and Fever after Dark. Her passion and determination is what motivates her as she continues to persevere to pursue all of her goals. |
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Samantha Schleese - Teacher & Choreographer
Samantha Schleese is a Toronto based, professional dance artist trained in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, Salsa, Latin, and even American Ballroom Styles. With over 15 years of dance experience, Samantha is not only an avid dancer in the community but also teaches and choreographs works across Canada and throughout the GTA. Samantha has danced and toured throughout the UK with MAP Dance Company. There, she has worked under such artists as Saju Hari, Kiera Martin, Detta Howe, Yael Flexor, Lila Dance, Matteo Fargion and the late great Nigel Charnock (DV8). During her tour, Samantha completed her Masters in Performance Dance specializing in Contemporary dance. Samantha has also completed BFA in Dance from York University alongside dancing with the YorkU Hip Hop Team Stylewize (Lineen Doung). Upon her return to Toronto, Samantha is now a part of an all female Hip Hop crew DEUCEnDIP. With the crew, Samantha has danced for events such as Pride, Unity, Unplugged and Canada’s Walk of Fame Festivals, WEDAY, Bazaar, and TeenzFav Music Awards and much more. Other credits include, Samsung, Mirror Awards (Lenny Len), Rusk Hair Show (Edz Gyamfi), Bud light Sensation Concert (Rogers Centre, Shawn Bracke), IOGO, and CP24 Breakfast Television (Ryan Scheel). She also made appearances in music videos by WEDAY “We Turn it Up,” Craig Stickland “Be My Queen”, Mustiboy “Caro”, and The Airplane Boys “Some Say”. Samantha has also recently performed at the Harbourfront Centre working under Bageshree Vase in a fusion piece of Kathak, Contemporary and Hip Hop titled, “Paratopia.” Samantha continues to work and train to establish her craft specializing in Hip Hop and Contemporary dance. Samantha also works with ABS crew training in Gymnastics and performing a fusion of Circus and Hip Hop performances from time to time. Samantha has recently established her own Contemporary dance company fusing her versatile background in collaboration with Melissa Hart. They will be premiering their first show this coming October at DanceMakers. |
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Miha Matevzik - Hip Hop Teacher
Miha started his dancing career relatively late at the age of 17, but due to his hard work and love for dance, he quickly became one of the leading dancers in one of the oldest and biggest dance school’s in Slovenia - Kazina. Starting out with jazz, he quickly found his true passion in hip hop but continued to train in other styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary. His dancing has allowed him to travel to Los Angeles (Millennium, Edge, Debbie Reynolds), New York (BDC), London (Pineapple, Studio 68), Denmark (TheHipDrop), Germany, and Italy, to train with some of the most renowned choreographers in the world. In his first years of dancing he attended various national and international competitions with great success, competing in solo, couples, small groups and formations. He soon replaced competitions with TV and theatre performances. He danced and choreographed for many of Slovenia’s most popular singers and performers, including Anika Horvat, Zlatko, Alya, and Špela Grošelj. He also had lead roles in two of the biggest street dance shows in the city (“Hip Hop Fest” and “Let’s make a show”), and performed on live television in the Eurovision Song Contest and Miss Universe Pageant. In 2010 his group ‘Allthat’ competed in the first season of Slovenia’s Got Talent, where they competed in the finals to a crowd of 6000 people. Miha wanted to pass on his experiences to young dancers, and began teaching in his dance school, choreographing competitions routines, and preparing students to compete as World Finalists. Miha decided to move his career to London in 2010, and has since had the chance to perform alongside artists such as Rihanna, Mariah Carey, and Bella Vida. He was chosen as one of 80 professional dancers in the London Olympic Opening Ceremonies in 2012, and has also choreographed for stage and television, including ‘Attitude Magazine’ Awards Show and ‘Let’s Dance for Comic Relief’ on BBC. Miha continues to share his passion for choreography and teaching with aspiring and professional dancers that attend his weekly classes, and is in high demand as a guest teacher all over Europe (Slovenia, Croatia, Gran Canaria, Luxembourg, England, Ireland). He taught regular classes at London’s Studio 68 and Pineapple Dance Studios. He is also a regular adjudicator at the UDO Streetdance Competitions, and has judged young dancers and performers at Regional, National and World levels in Germany, Scotland and the UK. In March 2014, Miha moved to Toronto, and recently performed on the Much Music Video Awards with ‘Kaisza’. He currently teaches at Toronto’s newest professional studio, The Underground Dance Centre, and his classes offer an emphasis on musicality and athleticism, as well as a feel good atmosphere that always leaves students wanting more. |
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Sydney Temple - Teacher & ChoreographerSydney is a Toronto based dance artist, teacher and choreographer. She began dancing at the age of three and it has been a strong focal point in her life ever since. Sydney trained as a competitive dancer with Dance Fusion Company and then moved on to earn her BFA in Performance Dance with distinction from Ryerson University, under the direction of Vicki St. Denys. While studying at Ryerson, Sydney worked with many renowned teachers and choreographers in the dance community such as Robert Glumbek, Allen Kaeja, Hannah Kiel, William Yong, Apolonia Velasquez, and Kate Hilliard.
Upon graduation, Sydney has worked on multiple choreographic endeavours including being the lead choreographer for 2019 Fringe show Ghosted: The Musical. Currently Sydney is working on a solo project with Toronto based company Lofty Goal, set to premiere in 2021. She is also expanding her teaching outside of dance; earning her Pilates Instructor Certification with Mindful Movement Centre. |
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Savanah Mustelier - Teacher & Choreographer
Savanah started her dance career at the age of five as a competitive dancer at Dance Fusion and has been here ever since. She has had the honor of winning several regional title jackets, national awards and scholarships at competitions in Canada and the US. Savanah is trained in numerous styles of dance such as ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip hop and acro, achieving her B.A.T.D exams in jazz, tap and ballet and just recently her Intermediate Cecchetti exam. She has had the opportunity to dance in So You Think You Can Dance Cloverleaf Energy Zone, Ivivva Athletic Wear commercial, Bizarre Dance Showcase – Kylie Thompson, Choreographer, Night at the Monikier – Alvin Collantes, Director and Two Worlds Apart Charity Showcase. Savanah graduated in 2014 from the Company Program and went on to continue her passion for dance at Conteur Dance Academy in Toronto where she is currently in her second year. Conteur is a 2 year professional contemporary dance program directed by Eryn Waltman. Savanah is excited to share her love for dance with all the Dance Fusion students, where she first loved to dance! |
