OUR TEAM

ANDREA DOUGLAS

FOUNDER DIRECTOR

Andrea is a dancer, educator, choreographer, and arts administrator. She received her training in the RAD syllabus, Horton, Graham, Limón, and Afro-Cuban Modern techniques, as well as Caribbean Folk, Latin, and West African dance at the Guyana National School of Dance, the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (Jamaica), York University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, and the University of Toronto.

Andrea is a former lead dancer with the Guyana National Dance Company and a member of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica. She trained with legendary Caribbean instructors including Astor Johnson of Trinidad, Eduardo Rivera of Cuba, and Rex Nettleford of Jamaica. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education, a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Teacher Certification), and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance Ethnology.

In September 1993, Andrea founded the Children and Youth Dance Theatre (CYDT) as a community-based dance program. For over 30 years, she has shared the joy of dance with children living in underserved communities such as Jane and Finch, Scarborough, and Lawrence Heights. An avid advocate for Arts in Education and Integrated Arts as a Differentiated Instruction process, Andrea has inspired and empowered young dancers throughout her career as a teacher and administrator with the Toronto District School Board.

Andrea has facilitated lecture demonstrations, workshops, and presentations both locally and internationally. Her international conference presentations include: Caribbean & Contemporary Movement Improvisation, Masquerade Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Dance and the Caribbean Child, and Dancing Beyond All Odds.

She has received numerous awards for her mentorship, leadership, and consistent contributions to Caribbean festivals, community initiatives, youth development, and the preservation of Guyana’s cultural heritage. Andrea is also the proud recipient of one of Canada’s most prestigious Black awards—the BBPA Harry Jerome Award of Excellence in the Arts.

SHANIECE PHILLIPS

RECREATIONAL INSTRUCTOR(HIP HOP)

Shaniece is a dancer and choreographer from Rexdale who has built her career around a deep connection to dance and its cultural roots. Inspired by her older sister’s hip hop classes, music videos, and her Jamaican heritage, she views dance as a living, breathing art form that extends far beyond the walls of polished studios.

She has trained for well over a decade, specializing in Hip Hop and Dancehall in Toronto. Her training includes programs such as Vibe with George Jones and Culture Shock Toronto, where she went on to serve as Artistic Director from 2019–2022. Her teaching at City Dance Corps and Gotta Dance reflects her philosophy that dance is deeply rooted in history, community, and celebration.

Shaniece’s professional credits include working with Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka, CeCe Peniston, Haviah Mighty, Sexyy Redd, Drake, and more. She has also performed at major shows in Toronto such as Fever After Dark and Dusk Dances. As a member of Culture Shock Toronto since 2015, she has performed on stages in Ottawa, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Chicago. She is now the Artistic Director of Culture Shock Toronto’s adult troupe.

Beyond performance and choreography, Shaniece has a strong background in community service, youth mentorship, and arts education through organizations such as Vibe Arts, Arts Etobicoke, and the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Guelph-Humber and is currently training as an Expressive Arts Therapist at the Create Institute in Toronto.

Her mission is to inspire others to discover the transformative power of dance—whether on grand stages or in local studios. Rooted in hip hop and dancehall, she strives to share the true essence of dance, honor those who came before her, and acknowledge the powerful role that art plays in fostering change, healing, and community.

SHELLY ANN MCLEOD

COMPETITIVE INSTRUCTOR (AFRO-CARIBBEAN)

Shelly Ann was born on the beautiful twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago into a family deeply rooted in the theatre arts. She began formal dance training at age 11 with Les Enfants Dance Company and went on to represent Trinidad and Tobago at various dance festivals across the Caribbean, where she was also invited to teach classes for dancers ranging from beginner to advanced.

In 2004, Shelly Ann was awarded a scholarship from the University of the West Indies to study Dance and Dance Education. Her passion for dance later led her to Toronto, where in 2006 she received another scholarship from COBA (Collective of Black Artists). There, she underwent intensive training in their Professional Apprenticeship Program and went on to become a full-time company member, faculty instructor, spokesperson, and board liaison for company dancers.

Her achievements have been recognized by her community: in 2007, she was honored by her alma mater, La Romaine Roman Catholic Primary School, for her outstanding contributions to the community through arts and culture. Expanding her teaching career, Shelly Ann joined Seneca College at York University Campus as a Dance and Movement Professor in August 2016, and became a Movement Professor at Toronto Film School in January 2018. She currently serves as the Dance Educator at Emery Collegiate Institute.

Shelly Ann has also been part of major productions, including Obeah Opera, which she performed at the Luminato Festival and Fall for Dance North in 2019, and most recently toured with across South Africa (July–August 2024) with Asah Productions.

In addition to dance, Shelly Ann is a singer, songwriter, and musician. She began singing at age four in her Sunday school choir, quickly becoming lead singer and later a soloist. At 13, she composed and performed her first Calypso, winning school competitions nationwide. She also wrote and composed music for family members who went on to win their school Calypso competitions. A multi-talented artist, she plays steel pan and various percussion instruments.

Beyond the arts, Shelly Ann is the founder and owner of Shhhhh Designz Body Bar, a natural and organic skincare line. Her mission is to educate others on the importance of skincare using natural ingredients, encouraging people to love and enjoy the skin they are in.

GEMMA ST. HILL

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Gemma is a Registered Practical Nurse with a BA in Health Administration and a certificate in Childcare Assistance. Her passion for helping others and supporting families has always guided her career. While she doesn’t come from a dance background, her children’s love for dance brought her to CYDT,giving her a deep appreciation for the studio’s role in nurturing young dancers. Gemma is excited to join the team as Administrative Assistant where she looks forward to working closely with parents, students, and staff to support the smooth running of the studio.

CHERISE SOLOMON

COMPETITIVE INSTRUCTOR: HIP HOP

I’m passionate about inspiring dancers to embrace their individuality and express their unique style through the culture of Hip Hop and a variety of street styles. I have over five years of experience teaching Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, and street styles to children and adults in both recreational and competitive settings. I have experience teaching at summer intensives, where I understand the importance of balancing creative exploration with a focused, rigorous pace to help dancers grow in a short amount of time. I also have more than three years of experience choreographing for competitive teams, and I strive to create age-appropriate routines that showcase each dancer’s strengths. My teaching journey began in 2016 at So Dance Studios in Scarborough under the mentorship of Owner and Artistic Director Melissa Nascimento-So, whom I met while training in the Pre Professional Program at City Dance Corps in 2014. Since then, I’ve continued my development through workshops such as Dance Teacher Expo and Street Dance Canada, and I’ve expanded my training by studying in New York City. There, I trained with pioneers in the styles of Locking, Waacking, House, and Hip Hop, with the goal of teaching authentically and passing on culturally grounded knowledge to my students. With this foundation, I’ve designed classes, exercises, and activities that make learning Hip Hop rich, fun, and educational. My approach explores the social context from which these styles emerged, encourages freestyle exploration, and helps dancers develop confidence in their grooves and individuality.

TAELOR COLEMAN

(DEPT. HEAD - COMPETITIVE PROGRAM)

Taelor is a passionate performer and teacher dedicated to her craft. She received her formal dance training at the Children and Youth Dance Theatre, where she studied a diverse range of dance genres including ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, West African, and Afro-Caribbean. She has since completed her Honours Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Dance.

Taelor’s passion for performance has led her to compete at renowned local competitions while proudly representing Canada at international dance conferences such as the International Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival in Scotland and the 14th & 15th Annual CARIFESTA (Caribbean Festival of the Arts) in Trinidad and Barbados. She has also performed professionally with two of Canada’s esteemed Black dance companies, Ballet Creole and Ronald Taylor Dance, contributing to several major projects.

In addition to performing, Taelor has embraced the opportunity to teach aspiring dancers between the ages of 3 and 15. Her dedication to her craft is evident in her ongoing commitment to rigorous training as she continues to refine her skills, technique, and creativity, inspiring the next generation of dancers.

TAHANI FANTE-COLEMAN

STUDIO MNGR. (COMPETITIVE INSTRUCTOR: BALLET, JAZZ, LYRICAL, ACRO, CONTEMPORY)

Ms. Tahani Fante-Coleman is a dedicated dance instructor with over 13 years of experience teaching both recreational and competitive dance. Her background spans all levels—from early childhood to advanced and pre-professional dancers. She specializes in building strong technical foundations in acro, ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre, and tap.

Tahani is certified through the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) and Acrobatic Arts. While she appreciates and respects all genres of dance, she has a special passion for acro, contemporary, hip hop, and jazz.

She has choreographed numerous award-winning pieces for competitive teams, assisted in managing showcases, and gained experience teaching in studios, stadiums, and camp settings—giving her a well-rounded perspective on dance education and performance. Tahani combines structure and discipline with encouragement and creativity, helping students build confidence, refine technique, and develop teamwork skills.

Committed to lifelong learning, Tahani continues to expand her knowledge as an educator while sharing her love of dance with her students. She values the creativity, freedom, and health benefits that dance provides and places strong emphasis on inclusivity. Guided by her belief that “every kind of body can dance,” Tahani is passionate about making dance accessible to all, ensuring every student can experience the joy and liberation of movement.

HANNAH JEAN

RECREATIONAL INSTRUCTOR –(Acro, Hip hop)

Miss Hannah has been dancing in the Durham Region since the age of three. She trained as a competitive dancer in a wide variety of styles, including ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, contemporary, hip hop, acrobatics, and tap.

After her competitive years, Hannah furthered her dance education at George Brown College, completing the Dance Performance Preparation Program. There, she received advanced training in ballet, pointe, acting, vocals, hip hop, jazz, and modern dance, working under the guidance of renowned choreographers and instructors such as Cynthia Macedo, Derek Sangster, Heidi Lange, Ryan Kelly, and many others.

Hannah has successfully completed examinations through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and is a certified teacher with the Associate Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT).

With a profound love for teaching and a natural ability to connect with children and teens, Hannah thrives on collaboration and continuous learning. She is committed to creating an engaging, inclusive, and supportive learning environment, aiming to inspire and empower her students while fostering creativity, personal growth, and community development through her work with the Children and Youth Dance Theatre (CYDT).

DENA BRISSETT

JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR (RECREATIONAL PROGRAM: CREATIVE MOVEMENT & PRE PREMIRE JAZZ

Déna Brissett's dance journey began at the age of five, a passion that was nurtured through her formal training at the Pickering School of Ballet. Her diverse background in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop has given her a well-rounded understanding of dance as an art form. Déna brings not only technical skill but also valuable performance experience to our studio, having graced stages at various events across Ontario, including the prestigious Harry Jerome Awards and performances alongside Canada’s own Ajani Hastings. This rich background as a performer allows her to deeply connect with her students, as she intimately understands both the excitement and challenges of learning to dance.

Déna is deeply committed to the CYDT mission of fostering social and physical development through dance. Her primary objective in every class is to build strong minds and bodies, using the joy of movement to shape confidence, creativity, and self-esteem in her young students. She believes a positive and supportive classroom is the ideal stage for children to discover their own potential. This philosophy aligns perfectly with CYDT”s collective motivation, of empowering each child to "always strive for your own excellence" within a fun and nurturing environment. She is excited to be nurtured by her mentor Ms Dee.

Beyond the dance studio, Déna is currently pursuing a degree in Paralegal Studies. This path uniquely complements her role as an instructor; the discipline, attention to detail, and structured thinking required in her legal studies directly translate into her organized and purposeful class planning. Conversely, the creativity, empathy, and ability to connect with young minds that she is required to cultivate as a dance instructor will enhance her capacity for understanding and communication in her paralegal work. She is looking forward to ensuring the young aspiring in her care receive a foundational experience that is both professionally structured and joyfully creative.