Faculty

Christine Campbell - Director/CDTA Licentiate/Acrobatic Arts/Alixa Flexibility/PBT/PCT/ADE/RSD/RSM/RSA

Christine began dancing ballet at the age of 3 and quickly developed her love of dance. From there she began adding classes in tap and jazz. By the time she reached her teens she was fully engrossed with a full range of disciplines including modern, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theatre.

Christine has been teaching dance throughout various dance studios in Southern Ontario since 1999, and has been running her own studio since the summer of 2008.

Students she has taught over the past twenty years have received various recognitions such as, winning competitive overalls at Dance Attack, Starbeat, Starcatchers, Luv 2 Dance, Entertain Us, I Love Dance, Broadway Dreams, Kiwanis, Rhythm, Dance Canada, Ontario Dance Challenge, Bedazzled, Inspire, Kick It Up, Terpsichore/Dance Starz and Champions, and many choreography awards. Many of her students have also won the titles Jr. & Sr. Sweetheart/Hearthrob, Runner Up Miss Mini and Miss Dance Canada, along with numerous special awards and scholarships.

Christine also strongly believes in the importance of being an Exam based studio, and many of her students have successfully completed their Ballet, Jazz, and Tap exams, receiving the highest achievement of an Honours grade.

Many of the Ballare dancers have had the opportunity to perform in New York City, Los Angelas, Las Vegas, on Tiny Talent Time, in a Flash Mob, for the Hamilton Honey Badgers, and of course, be an opening act for the Blake McGrath Concert, here in Toronto, Ontario.

Christine is a Licentiate member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Associate member Modern. She also has her AAC1 membership with Acrobatic Arts, her Level Two with Alixa Flexibilty, and her Progressing Ballet & Contemporary Technique certification. Christine also has her International Dance Teaching Standards, Level One, and is a proud certified member with CLI studios in LA. Always continuing to educate herself, she has attended workshops and classes in Canada and the United States. Some choreographers Christine has worked with recently are Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore, Nick Lazzarini, Kenny Wormald, Teddy Forance, and Chaz Buzan. Christine also enjoys choreographing numbers in major productions and has worked on "A Night of Broadway" in Mississauga, ON, Keeping Time School of Dance "The Nutcracker" in Barrie, ON, Brantford Collegiate Institute's production of "Oklahoma", and Ballare Studio Dances recent productions of “Annie Jr.”, "Fame Jr.", Ballare on Broadway", and “Disney’s Cinderella Kids”.

Christine is currently a member of the Professional Adjudicator’s Alliance and A.C.E. , and continues her love of dance judging competitions.

Our Team

Column

Amelia Licatalosi - Tap & Musical Theatre - Alixa Flexibility/RSD/RSM

Amelia’s dance career began at the young age of 5 when she was enrolled in dance class. Since then, she has continued to train in various styles including ballet, jazz, production and theatre. Amelia’s true passion lies in tap, which she has trained in at a competitive level for many years. Amelia has strong musical comprehension, having studied piano through The Royal Conservatory of Music and uses this to her advantage in her tap choreography.

By day, Amelia is a certified teacher with the Ontario College of Teachers and works as a teacher with the HWCDSB. She is a graduate of McMaster University and Brock University. Amelia also completed her Dance Additional Qualification at York University, which enables her to bring her passion for the arts to school environments.

Amelia has been teaching at Ballare Studio Dance since 2011 and joined The Dance Ability Movement (a program designed to bring dance to students of all abilities) as an instructor in 2015. Her students and choreography have been recognized at various competitions, receiving numerous awards and accolades throughout the years. In 2021, Amelia also took on the role of Social Media Director at Ballare Studio Dance, managing the social media platforms and creating all the online advertisements.

Amelia is a very patient and creative teacher and enjoys working with young children. She is continually learning and growing as a teacher, attending many workshops and training classes. In 2018, she attended Dance Attack Teacher Expo and has recently attended the CDTA teacher training program. Amelia is a CDTA Pre-Associate in Tap and has her credentials in Level Two with Alixa Flexibility. She is also a certified member with CLI studios in LA. In 2022, Amelia was awarded the title of Diamond Winner at the Hamilton Community News Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Dance Instructor. Amelia is looking forward to her twelfth season at Ballare Studio Dance!

Mikayla Madronich - Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Acro, & Hip Hop - PBT/Acrobatic Arts

Mikayla grew up dancing in Hamilton Ontario, where she quickly discovered it was her passion. She began competing at the age of 5, which opened up so many opportunities for her as a dancer. As a teenager Mikayla had won scholarships letting her perform and take classes from Top Industry Professionals in LA, Vegas, and New York, where she danced in concept videos, a live show at the Minskoff Theater in NYC, and in Times Square. Growing up she completed all of her CDTA Ballet Exams, and trained at Zacada Circus on Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop, and Trapeze. After graduating she continued her training as a CLI trainee, where she was directed under her mentor, Teddy Forance. Mikayla then attended Intrepid Dance Company learning from Choreographers such as Derek Piquette, and Mitchell Jackson, and graduated in 2022. Mikayla has also had the opportunity to assist the well known choreographer Mitchell Jackson. She performed on Canada’s Got Talent Season 1 as a contestant with Intrepid Dance Company, she danced as an opening act for Blake Mcgraths Live Promo Tour, Back Up danced for REVE, and Local Toronto artist Nadia Stone, and danced in multiple music videos. On top of her love for performing she found a drive for Choreography, she first started choreographing competitive routines at the age of 16 and has since been awarded multiple choreography awards, and concept awards for her routines. Aside from the competitive industry Mikayla has choreographed Concept videos, Event performances, and multiple routines for a Nadia Stone virtual concert. She is Certified with “International Dance Teaching Standards”, “Progressing Ballet Technique”, “Acrobatic Arts”, and is a “Canadian Dance Teacher Association” Pre-Associate in Ballet.

Madeline Madronich - Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acro, Lyrical - Alixa Flexibility/PBT/Acrobatic Arts

Maddie has been dancing since she was 6 years old and competing since she was 8. She began her education at Dynamic Dancers followed by Ballare Studio Dance and has since completed ballet and jazz exams through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA). Maddie started assisting at the age of 12 and has been teaching at multiple studios throughout southwestern Ontario for the past 6 years.

With her passion for teaching and determination she continues to expand her knowledge and build her teaching ability through a number of training courses and workshops. Attending the Toronto Teacher’s Expo and completing the level one CDTA teacher training in 2018 were two of the ways Maddie has expanded her knowledge. She is certified in Acrobatic Arts level 1, Alixa Flexibility Level One, Progressing Ballet Technique, and a Pre-Assocaite member in Ballet with the CDTA.

NICOLE BACHELLIER - Ballet & Pilates - AISTD/RAD/TDIP/RTS

Nicole Bachellier has studied dance for over 50 years and has been teaching Classical Ballet, Modern Jazz(Luigi), Lyrical, Contemporary,Modern, National Folk Dance, Character,Natural Movement and Tap for over 30 years.Nicole also specializes in Pilates, Floor Barre and Body Conditioning/Stretch and Strength classes and has devoted considerable time to injury prevention, and physical rehabilitation.

Nicole is a 30+ year fully registered teaching member with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) (England) holding both the Teachers Certificate and the Teaching Diploma (Distinction on the Vocational Grades specialization). Nicole holds the Dance History Diploma obtained through the RAD and York University, and the Anatomy Diploma obtained through the RAD and Waterloo University in addition to Music Theory and Child Development.Nicole has been a tutor and mentor for the RAD for 10+ years assisting teacher trainees enrolled in the CBTS degree programs.

Nicole has spent many years studying music theory and instrumentation and incorporates that into her teachings. Nicole is also well versed in the ISTD Imperial Ballet, (ISTD) Cecchetti ballet and the Russian Vaganova training methods.

Nicole works with young dancers up to advanced as well as adults and seniors.
Her specialties include training the young dancer, beginner to advanced pointe work, specific training for male dancers, character classes, classical and contemporary ballet choreography, exam preparation, competition, beginner adult classes and senior’s classes.

Nicole firmly believes in instilling a strong sense of musicality and creativity as well as introducing fundamental technique from the very beginning and as such enjoys working with all ages and abilities.

Nicole is a registered teacher of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing(ISTD)(London, England) where she received Distinction on all of the Vocational Modern Theatre, Jazz, National Folk and Associate examinations.

Nicole’s multiple teaching certifications across several genres allows her to develop specific classes focussing on the technique of jumps, turns, extensions, adage, floor work, musicality, style, history and injury prevention.

Nicole has been mentoring prospective teachers for 20+ years in Jazz, Modern, Tap, Contemporary, Ballet, National and Pilates/Flexibility/. Nicole provides teacher training classes for those looking to enhance their knowledge and proficiency to pursue certifications through various dance and fitness associations.Genre specific pedagogy, anatomy, biomechanics, injury prevention, music theory, dance history, learning processes and choreography are among the different topics covered in detail.

Nicole has trained with many highly acclaimed teachers and international examiners in all disciplines and has successfully entered students into RAD/ISTD examinations.Her students have been accepted into various post secondary institutions among them (the National Ballet School, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Ryerson University Dance Program, York University Dance Program and Concordia Contemporary Dance Program) Nicole has been choreographing multi genre dances for competitions (winning overalls, special awards and choreography awards)as well as creating original story ballets for her students and many of these dancers have also gone on to pursue successful teaching careers.

Nicole continues with professional development and is proactive in researching injury prevention and rehabilitation and developing new techniques to meet the needs of her students and clients. Nicole has worked with athletes, gymnasts, figure skaters, synchronized swimmers as well as recreational, competitive and professional dancers from the ages 2 to Advanced.

Nicole devotes her expertise full time in sharing her passion and commitment to the world of dance paying particular attention in ensuring dancers of any ability are training anatomically correctly by educating them on the mechanics of movement to ensure a long healthy active career in dance whether it is recreationally or professionally.

Nicole has built long lasting relationships with her students and their families over the last 30+ years and combines the artistry and discipline of dance with thoughtful, engaging classes that provide life long skills and an appreciation of the art of dance.

Nicole has owned and operated her own schools previously as well as being a freelance teacher and trainer.Nicole is excited to share her passion for Dance with everyone in her classes.

Sarah Zinga - Jazz & Ballet

Sarah began dancing at the age of 3 at Steps Performing Arts Centre and quickly developed a passion for the art. She started competing at age 5 in a variety of styles, including jazz, acro, ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, and hip hop. Through her dedication and hard work, Sarah has earned awards and scholarships from competitions such as Starcatchers Dance Competition, Inspire Dance Challenge, Starbeat Dance Champions, Dance Fest, and Kick It Up Dance Competition. At 12 years old, she began assisting classes and quickly discovered a passion for teaching. Sarah loves working with dancers of all ages and helping them grow their confidence and love for dance.

Emma Aitas - Jazz, Acro, Hip Hop, Lyrical - RSD/RSM/Acrobatic Arts

Emma has been dancing since the age of 2 and started dancing with Ballare at age 6. She started competing at the age of 10. Emma has competed in styles such as jazz, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, heels, and musical theatre. Over the years, Emma has attended numerous different workshops and classes to further her training. She has received multiple special awards for her solos and a scholarship from Five Star Dance Company to dance in Mexico. She also danced in the Nutcracker as the Snowflakes and Spanish Dolls. Emma plans to continue her training as a teacher with Ballare.

Shay Thornberry - Jazz & Hip Hop - RSD/RSM

Emily Ashenden - Ballet & Jazz

Emily’s dance career started at 3 years old in creative movement class. Quickly starting to add various styles of dance training as she grew up including jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, acro, musical theatre, modern, and open.
She grew up dancing recreationally, then competitively at Xpressions Creative Dance. Emily recently graduated with psychology from Brock University. While at Brock, she danced competitively for the first two years and recreationally for the last two years.
While completing her last year, Emily taught the beginner/intermmediate jazz group of 21 people for Brock Dance which won her teacher of the year award for the club. During this time, she also taught jazz, lyrical, and hip hop at 2 studios in the Niagara Region (Niagara Dance and Fitness Studio and PEAK Dance Company).
She has taken 2 years off dance to finish up some part time studies at Brock and to start her career related to her degree. Emily is currently working at day as a daycare teacher but is excited about getting back into the dance scene on top of this after what feels like too long of a break.