The Dance Theatre Studio

M.J. has had a multi-faceted career working as a performer, music director and accompanist. She has performed with Stage West Mississauga, Disney Cruise Line, the Orillia Sunshine Festival, and Paramount Canada’s Wonderland to name a few and can also be seen in various TV commercials. As a music director and accompanist she has been involved in productions at the Toronto Fringe Festival, Curtain Call Players, Scarborough Music Theatre, and Etobicoke Music Theatre. Favourite experiences include Curtain Call’s “Annie Get Your Gun”, and “Postcards from the Heart” seen at the Toronto Fringe Festival. She has worked as a vocal coach and accompanist both privately and at the Randolph Academy, the Royal Conservatory of Music, Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts, and select schools in the TDSB.

Karla Jang works as a professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. She has worked in many theatres across the country from the Stratford Festival to the Princess of Wales. Stage productions include, Mamma Mia!, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The King and I, and West Side Story. Film credits include The Pacifier, and Once Upon a Mattress with Carol Burnett. After exploring different forms of therapy for several dance related injuries, she turned to yoga and has never looked back. A graduate of the Downward Dog Teacher Training Program, Karla has been practicing Ashtanga yoga for 7 years. She enjoys teaching and guiding people through yoga practices and believes that through yoga people can heal in many ways; emotionally, physically, and mentally. Karla’s extensive background in dance offers a unique perspective towards yoga. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and her approach is intelligent and fun.

Lilia Leon is a passionate dance artist working in the fields of dance performance, education and choreography. Ms. Leon grew up in Mexico City where she trained extensively in ballet (Royal Academy of Dance), and jazz. Her growing interest in modern dance brought her to Toronto in 2001. She obtained a B.A. in Dance from York University in 2004, and subsequently enrolled in the Professional Training Program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Upon graduation from the School of TDT, in 2006 Ms. Leon joined MataDanZe, a dance-theatre collective whose mission is to empower women and their communities through movement and activism. She is involved with MataDanZe as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. Ms. Leon has deepened her love for dance by sharing it with others through teaching. She has taught ballet, creative movement and contemporary dance to children, youth and adults at different schools and studios in Toronto since 2006, including: YMCA- GTA, Ontario School of Ballet and Martha Hicks School of Ballet. Most recently she taught Express Dance, a dance program developed by Kaeja d’ Dance, at the Toronto District School Board. Looking to deepen her understanding of ballet, which gave her the discipline and passion that have fueled her career, Ms. Leon is studying to become a Royal Academy of Dance- Certified Teacher.

Best known as creator and founder of the mom-and-baby dance craze, “Salsa Babies®”, mom-entrepreneur Jennifer Torres combined her passion for dance with her desire to be home with her kids. Jennifer’s unique classes including Salsa Tots® and Salsa Kids®, have little ones shaking maracas in classes across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Jennifer has appeared on numerous television and radio shows including “The Mom Show”, “Breakfast Television”, and “Entertainment Tonight Canada”. Awarded an entrance scholarship to the York University Department of Fine Arts years ago, she enjoyed courses in drama and dance, but like many of us, did not follow a straight career path. Eventually, she ended up with degrees in psychology and international marketing, but her love of dance keeps bringing her back to working with children. Jennifer is thrilled to return to teaching “Mini Hip Hop” at the Dance Theatre Studio.

In dance and in life, Kareem tackles each obstacle he has faced with a positive attitude and tons of energy. With a dance career that spans over 18 years, Byfield has repeatedly managed to push the limits of dance through his choreography and exceptional teaching style. He founded the company, GNS Dance, in order to provide his students with classes and shows of the highest caliber. Show credits include “Solitude of my Mind” “I Can’t Wait” “The 4th Creation” “Physical Graffiti” “Must be the Shoes” and “Say Something!” Byfield is always pursuing different projects to help inspire and keep the arts strong in the GTA! A choreographer and performer with boundless potential! Emerging as one of the youngest dance company owners in the GTA at the age of 20, Byfield is definitely someone who has made an incredible mark in the dance industry. Alongside with his business partners, Byfield is Co-Owner of JKS Entertainment; a company that will bring a new vision into the entertainment scene.

Eva is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts. She has recently moved from Saskatchewan where she and her siblings ran a performing arts company, writing and performing shows involving music, dance, acro and drama, touring mainly throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta as well as a tour through Manitoba and Ontario. She has taught gymnastics, various types of dance, musical theatre and music in both Saskatchewan and Alberta to all ages and is excited to be in Toronto and work with the students here.