Faculty
In Studio Faculty
Kate Kernaghan
Director, In Studio
Kate Kernaghan is the Director of The National Ballet of Canada's In Studio. She has led the programme since its inception in 2013, transforming it into a beacon of success and innovation in just over a decade. A distinguished graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, she is also a certified Fletcher Pilates® instructor, CanFit Pro Personal Trainer, certified yoga teacher and a breathwork facilitator. Kate is a highly respected member of the dance and fitness community who is deeply committed to her students. Her classes are renowned for their vibrant energy and thoughtful guidance. As a teacher, director and facilitator she is dedicated to creating inspiring and transformational experiences for all In Studio participants.
Johanna Bergfeldt
Johanna was born in Sweden and trained at the Royal Swedish Ballet School. She has an extensive performance background beginning with Östgötabaletten in Sweden, Norrdans, and Barents Dance Ensemble. She came to Canada in 2000 and was a dancer with Toronto Dance Theatre for six years. Johanna has been nominated three times for a Dora Mavor Moore Award. She teaches regularly at Canada’s National Ballet School, GMD, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre and Toronto Dance Theatre, as well as teaching Pilates at Riverdale Pilates.
Ellen Bull
Eleanor received her professional training at Canada's National Ballet School. Upon graduation, Eleanor began her professional career dancing with Pacific Northwest Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre before returning to Canada where she danced with Les Grands Ballet Canadiens and Canada's Ballet Jörgen. Ellen received her Teacher Training Certification through Canada's National Ballet School as a former professional with distinction. Eleanor is passionate about providing students with strong technique and instilling a genuine joy of movement.
Sarahi Cardenas
Sarahi was born in Mexico and started her dance training at the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico and completed a year at The Rock School of Dance Education in Philadelphia. She gained professional experience dancing in many classical ballets like Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadère, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker, to name a few. Sarahí is currently a part of the Faculty at George Brown College, York University and founded The Fifth dance studio in 2019.
Anna Elena
Originally from France, Anna Elena had a performing career starting with National Opera of Bordeaux under the artistic direction of Charles Jude where she danced mostly classics from the classical and neoclassical repertoire. Anna went on to Landestheater in Linz, Austria, where she danced more contemporary works. She also performed in several ballets and operas with the Marseille Opera House as well as Paris Opera Ballet. Anna has held a teaching diploma (Diplôme d'État) since 2005 and she built on her teaching experience at the Conservatory of the 5th and the 17th district in Paris. Since moving to Toronto, Anna has been teaching at George Brown Dance, In Studio and I.D.A school in Mississauga.
Eric Hall
Eric has danced professionally with companies across Canada, including Ballet Kelowna, Ballet Victoria, and Suddenly Dance Theatre in British Columbia, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal in Quebec, Ballet Jörgen and Opera Atelier. Eric has had the pleasure of teaching at various schools such as the Ballet Victoria Conservatory, Victoria Academy of Ballet, Metro Movement, Extension Method, the Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance and now excitingly at In Studio! Eric incorporates his knowledge from his Massage Therapy studies, and approaches ballet from an anatomical perspective. He is known for creating musically inclined and movement-oriented classes.
Candice Helm
Candice received her professional training at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Professional Division and Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program. She has Fellowship standing with the Cecchetti Society of Canada and has an extensive background in music, working as a ballet accompanist and teaching Music for Dancers and Teachers. Candice has taught for York University, Ryerson University, University of Toronto’s Hart House, Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and Metro Movement. Candice also regularly teaches children’s classes and is invited to adjudicate and guest teach across Canada.
Dayton Hill
Dayton was a company member of the Atelier Ballet and is currently a faculty member at Canada’s National Ballet School. He has performed throughout Canada and internationally with Opera Atelier and Ballet Jörgen. He began his dance training in London, Ontario, pursuing his Vaganova and RAD ballet training before auditioning for and attending the Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School. Dayton is excited to bring his reputation of steady, demanding and technically challenging classes to In Studio.
Wendy Holt
Wendy trained at the Royal Ballet School in London, England. She holds the Royal Ballet School Teaching Diploma and has been both an Associate and Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance since 1990. She travels internationally as an Examiner and CPD Tutor for the RAD and teaches ballet classes in the GTA.
Tanya Howard
Tanya 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. Tanya retired from dancing professionally in 2023 and looks forward to being a part of In Studio and sharing her love of dance with the students.
Cynthia Macedo
Cynthia is a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School and a former soloist dancer with The National Ballet of Canada. As a soloist with the National Ballet, she worked with many directors and choreographers such as Erik Bruhn, Rudolph Nureyev and Natalia Makarova, among others. Cynthia has over 30 years of teaching experience. She is currently a full time instructor at George Brown Dance, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen and a teacher at numerous studios throughout Toronto.
Alyson Miller
Born in New Brunswick, Alyson discovered their love for dance at an early age and received comprehensive training in various dance styles, including ballet (Vaganova), contemporary, jazz and modern. In 2011, Alyson moved to Toronto to further her training at George Brown College where they earned their diploma in Dance Performance. Upon graduation Alyson was offered a mentorship with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen. Alyson is now a sought after guest teacher/adjudicator and is a faculty member at In Studio, The School of Cadence Ballet, City Dance Corps and Barrebelle fitness studio.
Kevin Pugh
Kevin is a highly admired teacher in the Toronto dance community. Kevin was a dancer with The National Ballet of Canada for 13 years, seven of those years in which he danced as a Principal Dancer. Kevin took his highly applauded success as a featured performer and transformed it into a successful career as a ballet teacher.
Tatiana Tchernova
Tatiana is a faculty member at Canada's National Ballet School, and company class teacher at The National Ballet of Canada. She was a Principal Dancer with The National Ballet Company of Uzbekistan where she performed lead roles in Swan Lake, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and many others. Tatiana completed a master’s degree at the Moscow Institute of Dramatic and Fine Arts and attended the Paris Opéra Ballet School programme at New York University. As a Guest Teacher, Tatiana has worked with the National Ballet of Korea, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Finnish National Ballet, among others.
Alejandra Valienteale
Alejandra is a professional performer, instructor, adjudicator and choreographer who specializes in Ballet, Floor Barre and Competitive Ballet Choreography. With 35 years of extensive experience performing and teaching, Alejandra graduated from The National Ballet School in Mexico City and went on to receive her teaching certificates from The Royal Academy of Dance, Vaganova, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Associated, Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and Cecchetti. Alejandra is committed to sharing her knowledge to help all generations of dancers to understand the value of ballet technique through their dance journey.
Tomoe Yamasaki
Tomoe Yamasaki is a former ballet dancer with over 20 years of experience teaching and coaching in Japan and Canada. In 2014 Tomoe completed her Fletcher Pilates® Professional Teacher training, making her among the most experienced Fletcher Pilates® teachers in the industry. Tomoe still actively coaches and teaches ballet dancers on a regular basis in Toronto, as well as annually in her workshops throughout Japan.
Summer Dance Intensive Faculty
Kate Kernaghan
Director, In Studio
Kate Kernaghan is the Director of The National Ballet of Canada's In Studio. She has led the programme since its inception in 2013, transforming it into a beacon of success and innovation in just over a decade. A distinguished graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, she is also a certified Fletcher Pilates® instructor, CanFit Pro Personal Trainer, certified yoga teacher and a breathwork facilitator. Kate is a highly respected member of the dance and fitness community who is deeply committed to her students. Her classes are renowned for their vibrant energy and thoughtful guidance. As a teacher, director and facilitator she is dedicated to creating inspiring and transformational experiences for all In Studio participants.
Johanna Bergfelt
Contemporary
Johanna was born in Sweden and trained at the Royal Swedish Ballet School. She has an extensive performance background beginning with Östgötabaletten in Sweden, Norrdans, and Barents Dance Ensemble. She came to Canada in 2000 and was a dancer with Toronto Dance Theatre for six years. Johanna has been nominated three times for a Dora Mavor Moore Award. She teaches regularly at Canada’s National Ballet School, GMD, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre and Toronto Dance Theatre, as well as teaching Pilates at Riverdale Pilates.
Shavar Blackwood
Hip Hop
Shavar has taught for many organizations such as Canada’s National Ballet School, City Dance Corps and OIP Dance Centre, among others. He has choreographed for events with SickKids Canada, Toronto’s Choreographers’ Ball, Bazaar, Fever, TDSB Martin Luther King Remembrance Day celebration at Roy Thompson Hall and was the winner of Manifesto Dance Competition. Most recently, Shavar has been the lead choreographer for The Toronto Raptors Northside Crew.
Larkin Miller
Ballet, Pointe, Repertoire
Megan Nadain
Modern
Megan Nadain, from North Vancouver, British Columbia, is a Toronto-based dancer, choreographer and dance educator. She is a graduate of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, for which she received scholarships from the school, the Hnatyshyn Foundation and the BC Arts Council. Megan is a faculty member at the School of Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre and she directs the Core Apprentices for the CCDT Company. She also teaches and rehearsal directs at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre and teaches in several high schools in Toronto.
Josh Nitkin
Jazz
Josh is a graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and holds certification with PAA (Professional Adjudicators Alliance), BATD (British Association of Teachers of Dancing) and PAEC (Performing Arts Educators of Canada) in Tap, Jazz and Urban with which he helped develop the syllabus. Josh has 30 years of training and performance in Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Modern, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and more. With the benefit of his 20 years of teaching experience, Josh’s students have gone on to win numerous overall awards and have garnered choreography awards as well.
Jenna Shortt
Jazz
With 14 years of competitive dance training in various styles ranging in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Lyrical and more, Jenna’s passion for dance lead to an all-around love of the arts and soon after she began acting and singing. She graduated from her performing arts high school with honours and took a leap of faith to pursue her dreams as a professional dancer. Since moving to Toronto, Jenna has been a part of Hot in Heels Canada for four seasons and has toured North America with The Pulse Dance Experience. Jenna was chosen to be a member of the Raptors Northside Crew for the last two seasons.
Alejandra Valienteale
Ballet, Repertoire, Pointe
Alejandra is a professional performer, instructor, adjudicator and choreographer who specializes in Ballet, Floor Barre and Competitive Ballet Choreography. With 35 years of extensive experience performing and teaching, Alejandra graduated from The National Ballet School in Mexico City and went on to receive her teaching certificates from The Royal Academy of Dance, Vaganova, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Associated, Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and Cecchetti. Alejandra is committed to sharing her knowledge to help all generations of dancers to understand the value of ballet technique through their dance journey.
Tene Ward
Ballet, Pointe, Repertoire
Adult Dance Intensive Faculty
Kate Kernaghan
Director, In Studio
Kate Kernaghan is the Director of The National Ballet of Canada's In Studio. She has led the programme since its inception in 2013, transforming it into a beacon of success and innovation in just over a decade. A distinguished graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, she is also a certified Fletcher Pilates® instructor, CanFit Pro Personal Trainer, certified yoga teacher and a breathwork facilitator. Kate is a highly respected member of the dance and fitness community who is deeply committed to her students. Her classes are renowned for their vibrant energy and thoughtful guidance. As a teacher, director and facilitator she is dedicated to creating inspiring and transformational experiences for all In Studio participants.
Johanna Bergfeldt
Johanna was born in Sweden and trained at the Royal Swedish Ballet School. She has an extensive performance background beginning with Östgötabaletten in Sweden, Norrdans, and Barents Dance Ensemble. She came to Canada in 2000 and was a dancer with Toronto Dance Theatre for six years. Johanna has been nominated three times for a Dora Mavor Moore Award. She teaches regularly at Canada’s National Ballet School, GMD, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre and Toronto Dance Theatre, as well as teaching Pilates at Riverdale Pilates.
Ellen Bull
Eleanor received her professional training at Canada's National Ballet School. Upon graduation, Eleanor began her professional career dancing with Pacific Northwest Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre before returning to Canada where she danced with Les Grands Ballet Canadiens and Canada's Ballet Jörgen. Ellen received her Teacher Training Certification through Canada's National Ballet School as a former professional with distinction. Eleanor is passionate about providing students with strong technique and instilling a genuine joy of movement.
Sarahi Cardenas
Sarahi was born in Mexico and started her dance training at the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico and completed a year at The Rock School of Dance Education in Philadelphia. She gained professional experience dancing in many classical ballets like Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadère, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker, to name a few. Sarahí is currently a part of the Faculty at George Brown College, York University and founded The Fifth dance studio in 2019.
Anna Elena
Originally from France, Anna Elena had a performing career starting with National Opera of Bordeaux under the artistic direction of Charles Jude where she danced mostly classics from the classical and neoclassical repertoire. Anna went on to Landestheater in Linz, Austria, where she danced more contemporary works. She also performed in several ballets and operas with the Marseille Opera House as well as Paris Opera Ballet. Anna has held a teaching diploma (Diplôme d'État) since 2005 and she built on her teaching experience at the Conservatory of the 5th and the 17th district in Paris. Since moving to Toronto, Anna has been teaching at George Brown Dance, In Studio and I.D.A school in Mississauga.
Eric Hall
Eric has danced professionally with companies across Canada, including Ballet Kelowna, Ballet Victoria, and Suddenly Dance Theatre in British Columbia, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal in Quebec, Ballet Jörgen and Opera Atelier. Eric has had the pleasure of teaching at various schools such as the Ballet Victoria Conservatory, Victoria Academy of Ballet, Metro Movement, Extension Method, the Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance and now excitingly at In Studio! Eric incorporates his knowledge from his Massage Therapy studies, and approaches ballet from an anatomical perspective. He is known for creating musically inclined and movement-oriented classes.
Candice Helm
Candice received her professional training at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Professional Division and Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program. She has Fellowship standing with the Cecchetti Society of Canada and has an extensive background in music, working as a ballet accompanist and teaching Music for Dancers and Teachers. Candice has taught for York University, Ryerson University, University of Toronto’s Hart House, Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and Metro Movement. Candice also regularly teaches children’s classes and is invited to adjudicate and guest teach across Canada.
Dayton Hill
Dayton was a company member of the Atelier Ballet and is currently a faculty member at Canada’s National Ballet School. He has performed throughout Canada and internationally with Opera Atelier and Ballet Jörgen. He began his dance training in London, Ontario, pursuing his Vaganova and RAD ballet training before auditioning for and attending the Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School. Dayton is excited to bring his reputation of steady, demanding and technically challenging classes to In Studio.
Wendy Holt
Wendy trained at the Royal Ballet School in London, England. She holds the Royal Ballet School Teaching Diploma and has been both an Associate and Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance since 1990. She travels internationally as an Examiner and CPD Tutor for the RAD and teaches ballet classes in the GTA.
Tanya Howard
Tanya 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. Tanya retired from dancing professionally in 2023 and looks forward to being a part of In Studio and sharing her love of dance with the students.
Cynthia Macedo
Cynthia is a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School and a former soloist dancer with The National Ballet of Canada. As a soloist with the National Ballet, she worked with many directors and choreographers such as Erik Bruhn, Rudolph Nureyev and Natalia Makarova, among others. Cynthia has over 30 years of teaching experience. She is currently a full time instructor at George Brown Dance, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen and a teacher at numerous studios throughout Toronto.
Alyson Miller
Born in New Brunswick, Alyson discovered their love for dance at an early age and received comprehensive training in various dance styles, including ballet (Vaganova), contemporary, jazz and modern. In 2011, Alyson moved to Toronto to further her training at George Brown College where they earned their diploma in Dance Performance. Upon graduation Alyson was offered a mentorship with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen. Alyson is now a sought after guest teacher/adjudicator and is a faculty member at In Studio, The School of Cadence Ballet, City Dance Corps and Barrebelle fitness studio.
Kevin Pugh
Kevin is a highly admired teacher in the Toronto dance community. Kevin was a dancer with The National Ballet of Canada for 13 years, seven of those years in which he danced as a Principal Dancer. Kevin took his highly applauded success as a featured performer and transformed it into a successful career as a ballet teacher.
Tatiana Tchernova
Tatiana is a faculty member at Canada's National Ballet School, and company class teacher at The National Ballet of Canada. She was a Principal Dancer with The National Ballet Company of Uzbekistan where she performed lead roles in Swan Lake, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and many others. Tatiana completed a master’s degree at the Moscow Institute of Dramatic and Fine Arts and attended the Paris Opéra Ballet School programme at New York University. As a Guest Teacher, Tatiana has worked with the National Ballet of Korea, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Finnish National Ballet, among others.
Alejandra Valiente
Alejandra is a professional performer, instructor, adjudicator and choreographer who specializes in Ballet, Floor Barre and Competitive Ballet Choreography. With 35 years of extensive experience performing and teaching, Alejandra graduated from The National Ballet School in Mexico City and went on to receive her teaching certificates from The Royal Academy of Dance, Vaganova, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Associated, Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and Cecchetti. Alejandra is committed to sharing her knowledge to help all generations of dancers to understand the value of ballet technique through their dance journey.
Tomoe Yamasaki
Tomoe Yamasaki is a former ballet dancer with over 20 years of experience teaching and coaching in Japan and Canada. In 2014 Tomoe completed her Fletcher Pilates® Professional Teacher training, making her among the most experienced Fletcher Pilates® teachers in the industry. Tomoe still actively coaches and teaches ballet dancers on a regular basis in Toronto, as well as annually in her workshops throughout Japan.
Kahlil Calder
Kahlil Calder is a renowned classical ballet coach and choreographer, celebrated for his exceptional expertise and dynamic approach. As a professional dancer, Kahlil has graced the stages of Alberta Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada and Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, taking on leading roles that captivated audiences. His diverse performance background includes touring Europe in musicals, dancing for Cirque du Soleil, and performing in Disney’s The Lion King in Toronto.
A recent graduate of the Professional Teachers Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School, Kahlil now serves on the faculty, where his influence and knowledge continue to inspire and shape the future of dance.
