Our Exceptional Dance Instructors

At Fouetté Academy of Dance, we believe that the quality of instruction is paramount in nurturing the talents and aspirations of our students. Our team of exceptional dance instructors brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to the art of dance. We take pride in introducing you to the educators who will inspire and guide you on your dance journey.

Our instructors are not just educators; they are mentors, motivators, and role models who are committed to the growth and success of each student. Their passion for dance shines through in every class, inspiring students to reach their fullest potential.

Veronika Bah

Owner & Artistic Director

Veronika, Owner and Artistic Director of the Fouetté Academy of Dance. She is a multi-disciplined educator who has been involved in dance all her life and has trained and inspired countless students, from recreational to pre-professional, throughout her 20-year career in dance education. Veronika is a Lifetime Member of The Canadian Dance Teacher Association (CDTA), fully certified in Acrobatic Arts, and a proud member of the Russian Classical Ballet Association (Vaganova Method) (RCBA).

Starting dancing at a very young age, Veronika trained at the National Ballet Academy (Vaganova System) and finished University of Art with a major in teaching and choreography. During this time, she was professionally trained in a variety of disciplines including ballet, pointe, classical variation, jazz, modern/contemporary, and partnering. Veronika performed on stage with international principal dance superstars from the Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, the New York City Ballet, and other international guest artists.

Throughout her extensive teaching career, Veronika’s students have always excelled on stage and in class through annual examinations, and her students and choreography have won multiple prestigious scholarships, awards, and overalls at various competitions and conventions throughout Canada and abroad. Veronika knows what it takes to develop a dancer from the inside-out, and how important it is to nurture their passion as well as to develop a strong technique. She continues to expand her knowledge and training by attending a variety of professional development programs, to continue to grow as a teacher and artist. Veronika believes that education and growth should be a life-long pursuit and she hopes to inspire, nurture, and encourage all dancers to reach their full potential and follow their passion.

Sammy Grano

Competitive Director

Sammy Grano, born and raised in Sudbury Ontario, Canada, began her dance training at the age of three. She was trained under the direction of Maegan Fram at Project Dance, where she developed an appreciation for a variety of dance styles. Sammy has worked with many renown choreographers such as Tiffany McLachlan, Shirlene Quigley, Shanna Cipressi, Mindy Conto, and more. In 2017, Sammy graduated from Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester Program in New York City and has since moved to Toronto Ontario where she received a diploma in Business Marketing and is working as an instructor and choreographer in the dance industry.  Sammy is now the Competitive Director at Fouetté Academy of Dance. She is a nationwide choreographer, teaching at multiple summer intensives and guest choreography! Sammy is not only a dancer but a triple threat, she has studied theatre and on-camera work, along with vocal technique classes which have made her a versatile performer. Some of Sammy’s credits include performing in the 9/11 memorial performance of “Table of Silence” (Buglisi Dance Theatre), dancing in “Country Crush” movie, acting role in “Dearly Not So Departed” short film, and has been featured in many local productions. Sammy is excited to be working with Fouette Academy of Dance for another dance season and cannot wait to share her love of performing with her students!

Dakota Walker

Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Born in Tillsonburg and raised in the GTA, this award winning dancer began his craft at the age of 3. He has trained in many prominent programs including the National Ballet school of Canada, The Alexander Mackenzie school of ARTs dance program, and Vlad’s Dance Company. During his time with Vlad’s, Mr. Walker won the title of Male dancer of the year in 2013 at the American Dance Awards national finals. Mr. Walker’s most prominent styles of dance include Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Acrobatics, and Partnering. His wide range has lead him to great opportunities such as his time with Royal Caribbean cruise lines. He now teaches full time and is greatly to be able to share his knowledge with his students.

Kaleriya Azov

Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Dancing since the age of 4, Kaleriya has carried on her passion for dance ever since! She first started to gain her creativity and flexibility in rhythmic gymnastics, when she then decided that dance was her ultimate passion. With this, she advanced to be trained in a variety of styles including: acro, tumbling, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, modern, jazz funk, and street jazz, as well as cultural styles such as dancehall, afrobeats, and soca.
 
Kaleriya has choreographed for and been a part of various performances in the GTA, concerts and music videos. She also continues to attend specialized competitions, seminars, and workshops to ensure that she always comes with fresh ideas and methods for her classes. Her dedicated work has granted her multiple Choreography and Leadership awards that she is thankful for. In addition, she is a certified Adjudicator with ADTA and is certified with Acrobatic Arts.
 
 As a strong believer in education, Kaleriya is currently fulfilling her last year of teacher’s college at York University where she hopes to continue to inspire and motivate students. She has taught students ranging from ages 18 months to adult on a recreational, competitive, and performance level and always tries to bring creative + challenging ideas forward to promote growth!

Mindy Conto

Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Mindy Conto, a native of North Bay, Ontario, discovered her love of dance at the age of ten. She immersed herself in training and studying all dance disciplines with dedication and enthusiasm, and is devoted to encouraging the same energy and commitment in her students. She is an accomplished performer, instructor and choreographer who brings passion, creativity and inspiration to dancers across North America. As a teacher, Mindy strives to unlock the potential in each dancer, and to provide them with the critical skills and practices to support their success. Her intensive workshops have included a summer programme on audition and show preparation for dancers, and a full week master workshop hosted in Greece.   Mindy's talent and professionalism has taken her all over the globe, and she has had the opportunity to dance with some of the world's most popular artists. Mindy has danced back up at the MMVAs with Hedley, PSY, Kardinal Offishall Featuring Akon, Hilary Duff and Bow Wow. Her extensive list of touring and stage performances include Destiny’s Child, Aaron Carter, Shawn Desman, Carly Rae Jepsen, Fefe Dobson, Aleesia, Shiloh, Eva Avila, Suzie McNeil, Dave Armstrong & Redroche featuring H boogie, Kreesha Turner, and Neil Young.  Mindy performed in Massari's World Tour, travelling across the Mediterranean Sea and the west of India. In 2010, Mindy expanded her artistic horizons by performing in the MUSCAT 2 nd annual Asian Beach Games in Oman, showcasing her versatility and enthusiasm for hip hop dancing. She also trained for many years in the USA, focusing on her technique and style landing herself a limited spot and stage credit in LA’s Choreographer's Ball (Carnival 2006).  In addition to performing in several commercials for Esquire & Movado Watches, Mindy appeared in the feature film "Honey", starring Jessica Alba, in the ESPN drama television series "Playmakers" with Omar Gooding, and as a featured dancer in Hedley's Lose Control music video. Mindy has won numerous awards for her innovative choreography in many national competitions, and as former dance captain of the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak, she has crafted several routines for the NBA and for other major sporting teams across Canada. Recently, she had the chance to offer her incredible talents in support of an important cause by contributing choreography to a spectacular fundraising Gala event for the ChildLife Department at the Toronto SickKids Hospital. Mindy was selected for an elite team of adjudicators that toured Australia, providing valuable critiques and judging several hundreds of dancers during their competitive dance season down under, and was interviewed about her adjudication expertise and accomplishments in dancetrain magazine.  Mindy knows that perseverance, dedication and hard work are key to achieving one’s dance dream.

Africa Wagg

Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Africa Wagg (she/her) is a dancer, freelance choreographer and dance educator based in Toronto, Ontario. Africa is recognized for her ability to lead with confidence and empathy, striving for student inclusivity and enthusiasm in all dance spaces. Recently graduating with a BFA (with distinction) in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University (formally Ryerson), Africa is excited and determined to kick start her career. Following graduation, Africa was accepted and is currently enrolled in a Master’s of Arts Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies program at York University. Africa grew up in Orillia, Ontario and was involved in dance from the age of 2, training in all styles but specializing in Contemporary, Lyrical and Jazz. As a dancer, Africa has achieved many overall awards, scholarships, and invitations to training programs across Canada and USA. During her university experience, she had the privilege of working alongside prestigious choreographers such as Guillaume Cotė, Vicki St. Denys, Tanya Évidente, Louis Laberge-Cotė, and many more. Africa has immense teaching and choreographic experience with students of all ages and levels and has been recognized for her fresh and quirky choreography, receiving numerous awards for her creativity and connection with the students. As an emerging freelance choreographer, Africa is in demand at various studios, intensives and workshops across Ontario. As her career begins to flourish, Africa is dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe and welcoming place to grow as artists, while promoting love and passion for the artform.

Alexis Anderson

Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Alexis Anderson began her passion for arts at the young age of 4 as a competitive gymnast in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. By the age of 12, Alexis transitioned into competitive dance under the artistic direction of Amanda Tessier at Extreme Dance Studio. With her love for life, hard work ethic, and eager to succeed, Alexis quickly became invested in her art and began crafting her own choreographic work at Sudbury Secondary School. Alexis has been awarded and recognized at regional and national competitions for her acrobatic skills involving contortion, balance, and prop work; since then, Alexis has developed the utmost passion for acrobatic arts. Upon her departure from her small hometown, Alexis branched into the Dance Performance Program at Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario. She trained at a professional level and gained insightful education in dance education while closely studying dance history, anatomy, and choreography.

Alexis has worked for respected choreographers in various performances for creators such as: Patricia Ferlizi (Lady Luck Productions), Lineen Doung (Big Tease Hair Champions), Lauren Lyn (Army of Sass), Leon Blackwood (Army of Sass), Kiana Smith (Army of Sass), and more.

As an active member of the dance community, Alexis has been has completed her certification programs with Dance Educators International to continue her educational training as a teacher. Alexis continues to train across the Greater Toronto Area by attending classes and training with working professionals to continuously stay current and refreshed. As a teacher and choreographer at multiple dance studios, Alexis has been recognized with choreographic awards, overalls, special awards and teacher scholarships.

Alexis has a strong desire to pursue dance as her way of life, she thrives by helping a younger generation of dancers discover their voice through the art of dance. In doing this, she has co-developed a dance competition entitled Destiny Dance & has successfully launched her first convention “Tourography” working alongside, Amanda Cleghorn, Jeff Dimitriou, Hollywood Jade, Caroline Torti & her partner in business, Lineen Doung. Alexis looks forward too many creative projects ahead.

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