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 Bergfelt, a native of Sweden, graduated from The Royal Swedish Ballet School in 1989. Since coming to Canada in 2000, Johanna has taught at many places in the city, ranging from beginner classes to professional classes. Apart from teaching, Johanna performs, and rehearsal directs for various choreographers and companies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Caroline Niklas-Gordon
Caroline has a dance performance diploma from George Brown College and holds a teaching certificate from The Royal Academy of Dance. She has taught ballet and contemporary dance extensively over the last 27 years. She is proud to be on faculty at The Railpath Arts Centre, Canada's National Ballet School and In Studio.
Larkin Miller
Shaakir Muhammad
Emerson Dayton
Albjon Gjorllaku
Erica Lall
Tiffany Mosher
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Tiffany trained at Canada's National Ballet School and The School of The Hamburg Ballet. She joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1999 and was promoted to Second Soloist in 2013. Tiffany excelled in both the classical and contemporary repertoire with her charming stage presence and comedic flair. In 2020, Tiffany retired from dancing and pursued a degree from the University of Toronto. She is excited to be back in the studio sharing her love and knowledge of ballet.
Riho Dantow
Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Riho began ballet at age three and trained extensively in Kyoto, performing lead roles in productions such as The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. In 2015, she received the Uiro Prize at the National Ballet Competition in Nagoya before continuing her training in New York City from 2016 to 2017. After moving to Toronto in 2018, she performed principal roles with Toronto International Ballet Theatre, including The Nutcracker. Riho is the founder of Ogata Ballet School and a faculty member at The Fifth Dance and is also a founding member of Prix du Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Ritsumeikan University and is certified in Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT).
Yuichiro Inoue
Yuichiro Inoue is a choreographer, dancer and teacher who performed for 18 years with Toronto Dance Theatre. Originally from Japan and a graduate of the John Cranko Ballet School in Stuttgart, Yuichiro spent nine years with German companies before moving to Toronto in 2004. He completed RAD certification and the Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School and has taught at leading institutions in Canada and Japan, including Toronto Dance Theatre, Ballet Jörgen and Canada’s National Ballet School. His work has earned numerous accolades, including a choreography award at the Hiroshima International Dance Competition, multiple Dora nominations and a Johanna Metcalf Award nomination. Yuichiro currently teaches at York University, George Brown College and Pia Bouman Ballet School and his students have gone on to programs such as Nederlands Dance Theater and Canada’s National Ballet School.
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 Bergfelt, a native of Sweden, graduated from The Royal Swedish Ballet School in 1989. Since coming to Canada in 2000, Johanna has taught at many places in the city, ranging from beginner classes to professional classes. Apart from teaching, Johanna performs, and rehearsal directs for various choreographers and companies.
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 Valiente
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 Bergfelt, a native of Sweden, graduated from The Royal Swedish Ballet School in 1989. Since coming to Canada in 2000, Johanna has taught at many places in the city, ranging from beginner classes to professional classes. Apart from teaching, Johanna performs, and rehearsal directs for various choreographers and companies.
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.
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.
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.
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.