OUR INSTRUCTORS

3

Kristy Leigh Barbeau

Director

Teacher, Choreographer and Costume Designer

Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Stretch & Conditioning

Kristy Leigh Barbeau

Kristy Leigh began her career at Elite Dance Studio at the young age of 3. She continued dancing in Ottawa under her mother’s training where she completed her Pre-Inter ADAPT Jazz & Tap exams until she turned 16 when she moved to Toronto to further her training. She was accepted at Cardinal Carter School for the Arts and Performing Dance Arts Studio (PDA) under the direction of Danny and Lisa Poland, where she studied Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acro, Hip Hop and completed her ADAPT credentials.

Kristy Leigh became a professional dancer after graduation and moved to Tokyo, Japan to dance for Disneyland in the stage production of “Encore” a medley of Broadway shows. In 2005, she was hired by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. She danced and performed as an aerialist in shows for Royal Caribbean Productions. Kristy Leigh performed 8 contracts all over the world and was also awarded the role of Dance Captain for 3 of her contracts. One of her favourite and most memorable performances was the Broadway musical “Saturday Night Fever”.

Kristy Leigh is completing her tenth year at Elite Dance Studio and celebrates some of the following accomplishments. Since joining Elite as a teacher and choreographer, she has achieved many Overall High Score awards as well as Diamond Choreographies for her pieces. She has won several Dance-Off competitions regionally and nationally, including National Elite 6 Dance Off and Top Solo at American Dance Awards in New York City in 2019. This season, we have won Top Studio at The View Dance Challenge as well as winning the Final Showdown with the routine ‘Let’s Get Loud’ that she and her staff choreographed. 

Kristy Leigh is very passionate about her students, she loves to see their growth and achievements from year to year. She is very excited to continue her career as a director/teacher and mentor at Elite Dance Studio.

Antonia Niles

Teacher and Choreographer

Tiny Stars, Pre-Dance, Jazz, Acro, Contemporary, Stretch & Conditioning
AAC1, AAC2

Antonia Niles

Antonia began dancing at the young age of 3, joining the competitive team at the age of 6, and has never looked back! She has studied several disciplines including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, and Contemporary. Her competitive dance career included a successful completion of her graded and vocational exams, including Advanced Foundation under the R.A.D syllabus. Antonia began assisting at the age of 11 and enjoyed it so much that she knew she wanted to pursue teaching for years to come. She is now attending Carleton University in the Childhood and Youth Studies program, hoping to continue to work with children in and out of the studio atmosphere. 
 

Antonia developed her passion for dance at a very young age and continues to fuel this passion with different dance programs and intensives across the United States and Canada.  She has also been able to study under the guidance of Stacey Tookey through ‘The Protege Movement’, where she has gotten the opportunity to work with faculty such as Chantelle Good, Chantel Aguirre, Jason Parsons, Kathryn McCormick, Martha Nicols, and more. Antonia has also received invitations to dance with Talia Favia ‘Chapters’, a program based in Los Angeles, California, as well as an invitation to participate in Stacey Tookey’s year long mentorship program  ‘The Bridge Movement’. She is grateful for all the opportunities that have come her way, and cannot wait to continue developing her knowledge and share it with the dancers! 

David Lafleur

Teacher and Choreographer

Tap
A.D.A.P.T.

David Lafleur

David Lafleur is an emerging tap dancer based in the National Capital Region. At the age of 15, David met his current mentor, Ryan Foley, which is when he truly began to develop his passion for the art of tap dancing. He has since performed in various productions across Canada. Most recently, he has been selected as one of 11 dancers to further his artistic development at Jacob’s Pillow in the 2021 Tap Dance Performance Ensemble directed by Michelle Dorrance, Dormeshia and Derick Grant. In February 2020, David danced as part of the main cast in Rhythm and Sound’s all-acapella installment “Unplugged”, produced by Johnathan Morin and Cori Giannotta. In July 2019, David also opened for comedians Aba and Preach at The Just for Laughs Festival with the Montreal Swing Riot, representing tap dance. In the same month, he was featured in Toffan Rhythm Projects’ “TRI Explores the Music of Oscar Peterson”. Back home, David is devoted to sharing his love of tap dance with his community by educating, mentoring and guiding young dancers.

Haley Simpson

Teacher

Ballet & Acro
R.A.D & AAC1

Hayley Simpson

As a student, Haley was always drawn to the grace, precision, and storytelling of ballet; not surprisingly, she went on to complete the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance, a 2-year program that includes coursework on topics such as ballet technique and progressions, childhood development, and injury prevention. She has also completed the ADAPT teacher training school, held annually over three summers, and the Acrobatic Arts (Module 1) certification. In addition, she has achieved her Grade I and II teacher’s certificates from Dance Masters of America, held at the University of Buffalo. She has continued to grow as a teacher through numerous professional development courses and conferences with Canada’s National Ballet School, the Royal Academy of Dance, and the Society of Russian Ballet. One of her greatest joys is teaching the younger grades, ensuring that each student establishes a strong technical foundation that will serve them well as they progress in their dance training – and she is so pleased to be able to do just that here at Elite.

Jordana Karam

Teacher

Technique & Ballet

Jordana Karam

Jordana began dancing at the age of 3, dedicating 15 years to mastering various dance styles. She graduated from Canterbury High School with a Fine Arts Certificate, Distinction in Dance. She now attends the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. 

In her formative years, Jordana took the ADAPT Jazz and Tap exams, and also trained at Canada’s National Ballet School in the Pre-Professional Summer Program in 2017 & 2018. She recently completed her RAD Advanced 1 Ballet Exam with Distinction, demonstrating her love for ballet.

Some of Jordana’s other dance accomplishments include: American Dance Awards “Elite 6 Solo Champion”, two-time National Title Winner in both the Teen &  Senior divisions, as well as being crowned the 2024 National Title Winner at The View Dance Challenge. In September 2024 Jordana represented Canada at the ICU PanAM Championships; where her team received a bronze medal. Jordana is also the proud recipient of Elite’s prestigious Gail MacMurray Memorial Award.

Jordana’s professional experience includes dancing with the Mini Pops Kids on their concert tour here in Ottawa, and appearing in their 2018 “Girls Like You” music video.

Off the stage, Jordana is a core ambassador for SOL dance conventions, and CDA in class. She has also modeled for Hamilton’s Theatrical Dance Catalogue, appeared in The View Dance Challenge Promotional material, and iDANCE magazine. 

As a teacher, and with her love for the artistry in dance, Jordana is excited to share her knowledge and inspire the next generation at Elite Dance Studio.

Kayla Van Gaal

Teacher and Choreographer

Pre Dance, Jazz & Stretch

Kayla Van Gaal

Kayla began dancing at Elite at the age of 2; she competed in Elites competitive program between the ages of 4 and 18. Elite Dance Studio has been a major part of her life since the day she was born.

She trained in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary and Hip Hop. She began her teaching career as an assistant in Royal Academy of Dance ballet classes. Since 2015 Kayla has been a teacher at Elite teaching various disciplines including pre dance; part time competitive jazz, lyrical, and musical theatre; and stretch and technique for both full time and part time competitive students.

Kayla is very dedicated to Elite and is excited to continue to work with such a devoted and passionate team. 

 

Lorraine Barbeau

Teacher and Choreographer

 Technique
A.D.A.P.T.

Lorraine Barbeau

Lorraine began her training in dance and baton twirling with Elite Dance Studio, formerly known as the World Champion Gail-ettes, at a young age. She competed and performed in different cities around Canada, the United States and Europe. She owned and operated a dance studio in Ottawa and brings over 45 years of experience to the industry. She has distinguished herself as a teacher, choreographer, adjudicator and mentor.

 

Lorraine has expanded her teaching abilities by attending numerous dance conventions throughout Canada and the U.S. with renowned teacher/trainers such as Brian and Faye Foley. She continues to develop her skills with coaches such as Rebecca Davies from Australia and others.

Many of her students have won Overall High Score Awards including National Dance –Off competitions. Lorraine is proud to say that she has won choreography awards and has had students place in the Dancer of the Year with the well-known American Dance Awards, CanDance and Shine competitions. Students have gone on to seek professional careers in touring companies, theater companies, productions such as “Encore” in Tokyo Disney, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Project Phoenix Dance.

As a member of the distinguished Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers, A.D.A.P.T., several of her students have achieved the highest grades on their dance assessments. Lorraine’s positive and upbeat teaching style has made her an excellent motivator and admired by all her students. She is proud of all her students and looks forward to another season with Elite Dance Studio

Noella Price

Teacher

Jazz, Stretch & Conditioning, Acro & Hip Hop

Noella Price

Noella has been dancing since age 3 and performing on stage since age 6.  She has won numerous titles over her 12 years in the competitive circuit, not only as a soloist, but as a valued member of the Elite team.  She has studied a variety of disciplines including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary and Acrobatics. Over the years, Noella has been able to hone an organic quality when presenting all types of dance.  It is as though various choreographic styles and disciplines are all easily embodied and nothing ever seems like a bad fit on her.  She is both an articulate dancer as well as an exuberant one.  
Noella graduated from the Dance Program at Canterbury High School in 2022 and has been teaching at Elite ever since. She loves teaching all styles of dance but finds her home with jazz and acro. She is proud to be a part of the EDS teaching staff and looks forward to watching the next generation of dancers emerge.

Rachel Cornejo

Teacher

Tiny Stars, Ballet, ZUMBA

Rachel Cornejo

Rachel’s love of dance began at a young age and she began to take classes before age 3. Training in RAD Ballet until the age of 13, she branched into jazz, hip-hop, musical theatre and contemporary dance in her teen years.

After high school she was accepted into all dance programs she applied to, but decided on training at George Brown College in Toronto. Learning alongside the Ballet Jorgen Company members she graduated with an award of distinction and her Performance Dance Diploma. Rachel continued her dance studies with the International Dance Teachers Association and Dance Educators International to recieve two teaching certificates. She also has her CanFitPro Fitness Specialist training, her Zumba accreditation, Acrobatic Arts Certification, PilatyCore Certificate and her Conditioning with Imagery for Dancers Level 1.

Rachel is thrilled to be a part of the Elite team for her second year and brings her love of movement and artistry to every class.

Rosely McLeod

Teacher

Pre Dance, Ballet & Adult Classes

Rosely McLeod

Rosely started dancing Ballet back in Cuba, her homeland when she was 4 years old. She quickly fell in love with dance and decided to give The National Ballet School a try. At 8, she knew this was what she wanted to do for life, and at 9 she was fortunate enough to be selected for the Academy. During Rosely’s years of studies, I was able to share the stage with amazing Ballet and Dance Companies and this made her dream grow even bigger. She started participating in National and International Festivals and Competitions and when she graduated from High School and got her Bachelor in Arts – Ballet & Traditional Dances, from The National Ballet School she was ready to test her skills as a dancer and teacher and keep building Rosely’s experience in other dance styles as well.
 
Rosely started dancing and teaching for America Musical Theatre (AMT) just when she was 18 and got her first contract abroad just 2 months after she started in the company. Her performance in Finland and Sweden was a wake-up call that she wanted and could do more. Rosely started training with acting and singing classes with the Company’s school and that same year, she was promoted as Principal Dancer and Program Chair of the AMT Training Program. She kept gaining experience and expanding my knowledge going back and forth for consecutive years to Finland, Sweden, Belgium and China. In China, she saw a huge opportunity for my career and stablished there for 7 years. She studied Mandarin for a year, and got certified by the Beijing Dance Academy, created my company and used it to co-found a Training Center for children that cover everything, from school subjects to sports, art and entertainment lessons. We branched the Art and Entertainment Center and stepped up as the Ballet & Artistic Director and Consultant of such. Now, in Canada Rosely have got certifications in Advertising and Marketing & Fashion Design with an active dance teacher career at Society Performers Academy USA and collaboration experience with Harvest Yoga, Lindsay Dance Studio as Ballet, Ballet Fitness, Barre Instructor and Latin Dance teacher. Rosely can’t wait for her first year here at Elite. 

Sarah Mousseau

Teacher and Choreographer

Pre-Dance, Tap

Sarah Mousseau

Sarah has been a part of the Elite family for 36 years. She has trained in the disciplines of Jazz, Tap, and Ballet. Her passion for dance grows with each passing year. Sarah joined the Elite teaching staff in 1996. She currently teaches tap to recreational, pre-competitive, and competitive students. Sarah has choreographed numerous high scoring solos and group routines. She has a diploma in Early Childhood Education, an honours degree in Child Studies, a Bachelor of Education, and a specialist in primary and junior mathematics. Her passion for teaching extends beyond the studio and into the classroom, where she is currently a Primary school teacher with the Ottawa Catholic School Board. 

 

Victoria Caminiti

Teacher and Choreographer

Tap & Lyrical

Victoria Caminiti

More information to come. 

Zaria Fontaine

Choreographer

Tap & Jazz

Zaria Fontaine

More information to come.