Staff

The professional faculty at Performing Dance Arts is headed by Danny Poland, and is excited about the Fall schedule of courses. With hard work and dedication to teaching and the love of dance, our teachers have set a standard of excellence for every student to follow. Some of the staff are nationally known, and just as important - some are local heros. This faculty makes up what Performing Dance Arts is today.

Dance Masters of America, A.D.A.P.T., A.C.T.R.A., and EQUITY is a native of Toronto. He danced professionally all across the U.S. and in Canada doing many shows such as “Funny Girl”, “H.M.S. Pinafore”, “Mame”, Music Man”, and “Annie”. Danny also performed regularly on many television shows such as “Wayne and Schuster”, Tommy Hunter”, Juno Awards”, “Genie Awards”, “ACTRA Awards”, Canada Day on Parliament Hill”, and “DuMaurier Search for the Stars” to name just a few. He toured with Patsy Gallant, Alberta ‘75 and many Industrial conventions. You may have seen him in the movies “Heavenly Bodies” or “Loose Screws”. Danny has also received numerous choreography awards and was most proud to receive “The Sherry Gold Memorial Award for Excellence in Choreography” at the American Dance Awards. Danny adjudicates and is in high demand as a Master Class teacher all over Canada and the U.S. He is also very busy choreographing many live fashion shows such as the Promenade and Eaton Centre and live industrials for “ Mark Kay”, Polaris” and Princess Cruise Lines”. Most recently he choreographed “Evita” at the St. Lawrence Centre.

Dance Masters of America, A.D.A.P.T., A.C.T.R.A. Lisa grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where she trained on all facets of dance, She then moved to Toronto to dance professionally and eventually married her dance partner.
Lisa’smlive musical credits include “42nd Street” (Canadian Tour), “Annie”, Barbie and the Rockers”, “An Evening at La Cage”, and “Gotta Dance” at Canada’s Wonderland. She has performed in numerous industrial shows in San Francisco, Orlando, Boca Raton, Nashville (Opryland), Puerto Rico and all across Canada. She has also performed on many television shows such as “Super Dave Osborne”, “The Kids In The Hall”, “Friday The 13th”, “The NHL Awards”, the “George Fox Specials”, Veronique Belliveau Specials”, and “Canada Day on Parliament Hill”. She has dance with such stars as “Alanis Morrisette”, Deborah Cox”, Lisa Lougheed”, Vanity”. You may also recognize Lisa from many television commercials for “McDonald’s”, “American Express”, “Sprite”, Mr. Big”, Ontario Tourism” and Canadian Airlines” to name just a few. She has also featured on many music videos and the movies Death Wish 5” and “Car 54 - Where Are You?”. Lisa also choreographed a special promotional video for the movie “Look Who’s talking Now” and was the assistant audition choreographer for Disney.

Ashley Noce is a graduate of Performing Dance Arts of Toronto having studied in Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Hip Hop. She is an active teacher and choreographer in Canada having produced award winning competitive routines at many competitions. She has also been a teacher at several adapt workshops across Canada.
Ashley has had many professional shows such as, Dancing in the GM show, Toronto Raptors half time show, Loreal Industrial show, worked on both Regent Holiday and Carnival Cruise lines, and has performed in several industrials across Canada and the United States. Ashley is in constant demand as a guest teacher and choreographer across Canada.

Crystal has trained regularly in many areas such as gymnastics, figure skating, vocal, acting and dance. She pursued extensive training in dance, specializing in Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theatre, Ballet and has been studying Latin & Ballroom Dance for the past four years. Professionally, Crystal has received the 2004 “Innovation In Dance Award,” “Judge’s Choice Award”, the 2005 “Choreography Award, the 2006 “Overall Entertainment Award,” “Judges Choice Award” and “Choreography Award.” Crystal performed at stages such as: the FORUM at Ontario Place, the “International Showplace” Stage and the “Kingswood Music Theatre” at Paramount Canada’s Wonderland. Her credits include JOEÉ at HOT RUSH (103.5 fm) @ Paramount Canada’s Wonderland and London, “Sick Kids Telethon” International T.V. Show, a televised Christmas Special for C.F.M.T., Miss Italia, “Bikini Village” Fashion Show and Guest Teaching and Choreographing throughout Ontario. Her music video credits include Gloria Gaynor, V.I.P. and Sarah Pacheco. Crystal is also Founder of her newest engagement, the establishment of the entertainment company, “Alves Productions.” As a previous student of Performing Dance Arts, Crystal is thrilled to be a part of the faculty.

Jordan Francis (a.k.a. Jman) showed signs of talent at a very young age. He did various print jobs and commercials as a child and caught the attention of directors and photographers. At the age of seven he landed the role of the mischievous Shuggie on an episode of Real Kids Real Adventures he took a break from television and went on to do live shows including Ross Pettys Peter Pan (Elgin theatre) and the leading role of Simba in Disneys The Lion King, where he really fell in love with performing live. He recently wrote a song for a local rapper that will be featured in a an upcoming feature film How She Moves and will later be listed on the movies soundtrack. Jordan has also won various awards and scholarships for his dancing across Canada and the U.S. , his dancing has landed him roles in movies such as Honey. starring Jessica Alba and Missy Elliott and Music Man starring Mathew Broderick. Jordan is also a well known voice actor his voice can be heard on the Kids WB, The learning Channel(TLC) and most recently Teletoon where he will be going on to his third season recording the voice of Jamie James in the hit series show Carl Squared. The Sky is the limit for this very talented young man. At age 16 he is already accomplished so much. singer/songwriter/dancer/actor/rapper and choreographer.

Mikeal's credits include performances featuring such stars as Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Shirley MacLaine, Regis Philbin, & the Backstreet Boys. He has worked creatively with numerous companies such as Disney, Nike, Adidas, Redkin, Dreamworks, Universal, as well as television & commercial work for 7-Up, Buena Vista Studios, Amoco & the Superbowl Halftime Spectacular. In addition to teaching in such places as Panama, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada & the US., Mikeal has donated his time & talents to many charity organizations including Artistic Carnival-Miami. Headress Ball-Orlando, Equity fights AIDS-NY, & Fashion Cares Toronto.

Ben has an abundance of energy and enthusiasm! He has been dancing, performing, and teaching for many years and has won numerous high score and overall awards throughout North America. He is a very dedicated teacher who enjoys sharing his love of dance with his students. His students have won many top awards in all fields of dance. Ben teaches Ballroom and Latin dance. Everything from the Elegant Waltz and Fox Trot, to Swing and the Hot and Spicy Salsa. Ben has trained with the renowned judge and host of ‘Dancing at the Palais’, Mr. Allan Arsmby; as well as the Canadian Ballroom 10 dance champion, Mr. Claude Crevier. Ben was also a part of and trained with the group ‘Strictly Salsa’, focusing on salsa influenced from different parts of the world. Such as New York, LA, and Puerto Rico.