about us

OWNER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Katie has been the owner and Artistic Director of Katie's Dance Connection since August of 2010. It was her passion at a young age to one day open a studio of her own and 14 years later her vision has grown into everything she dreamed of and more!

Teaching dance for over 20 years, with a diploma in Business Administration -Accounting, Katie combines her passion for dance and knack for business in this  leadership position. Katie is certified with both the B.A.T.D. in Modern Dance and Acrobatics as well as with the Acrobatic Arts syllabus. She has also studied Rebecca Davies RADAR TECHNIQUE Modules 1 through 6. Katie has travelled to both New York and California training with the Dance Teacher Summit and is always continuing to learn and grow in all styles of dance through conventions, workshops and online seminars to ensure her dancers are always receiving top notch dance education. 

Katie teaches and choreographs in most genres of dance and has successfully trained dancers who are now attending post-secondary dance programs, who are members of university dance teams, who are teaching dance and who have opened dance studios of their own!

Katie's choreography has been recognized throughout Ontario for well over a decade winning her numerous choreography awards beginning with Young Choreographer recognitions to top choreography of competitions. With Acro being her passion, Katie's dancers are constantly recognized for acrobatic excellence in the competition and convention scene with titlists winning top marks in the acrobatics discipline. Regardless of the style, KDC dancers shine for their work ethic and clean routines.

Katie believes dance teaches children lifelong skills such as how to be accountable, coachable and how to successfully work as a team! Katie is so excited to share her passion for dance and leadership in our fourteenth season! 

OFFICE MANAGER/INSTRUCTOR

Melissa has been with KDC since its opening! She is an essential part of the KDC family and we are so excited to welcome her back for her 14th season!

Melissa wears many hats in the studio including teaching in both the recreational and competitive programs as well as managing the studio office. She has been an important part of the lives of countless dancers who have walked through our doors.

Melissa brings a passion for technical and artistic growth.  Her energy and enthusiasm are integral parts of her teaching style. She has received many recognitions in the competitive scene including top choreography accolades for her impressive work with our Part-Time Company.

Melissa completed her Modern Dance teaching certification through B.A.T.D and has travelled to both New York City and California with the Dance Teacher Summit. Most recently, she completed her Module 1 Acrobatic Arts certification. She hopes to instil a lifelong love of dance in every student she teaches. Melissa is excited to work with the KDC dancers this season.

COMPANY BALLET DIRECTOR

A double alumnus of the Canada’s National Ballet School (Professional Ballet Program/Teachers Training Program for Former Pro’s - TTPPD, Dip with Distinction), Mr. McIsaac is a highly regarded/accredited Professional Dance Educator/Master Class Facilitator and one of Canada’s leaders within dance community at large. His vast experience as a Professional Dance Adjudicator (currently in his 25th year, at both Regional and National levels) and his unique ability to inspire dancers to achieve their highest technical and performance potential are well respected and sought after.

Mr. McIsaac is the resident ballet master for numerous competitive dance studios within the Greater Toronto area, instructing students from ages 6-18. He also mentors YOUTH AMERICAL GRAND PRIX and RAD SOLO SEAL participants, and boasts an impressive roster of private clientele under his company DANCE DIRECTION. Mr. McIsaac also facilitates a variety of teacher-training seminars and is thrilled to be Co-Director/Core Faculty member for the Canadian-based Dance Project, GRAND JETÉ! –a four-day Classical ballet immersive experience, held at Canada’s National Ballet School! He is thrilled to continue his relationship with Canada’s National Ballet School– an iconic Canadian institution that he is honored to be associated with.

Mr. McIsaac has taught Classical Ballet and Theatre Jazz at recognized institutions such as Canada’s National Ballet School and is grateful for his continued affiliation NBS. During his training at NBS, Mr. McIsaac had the privilege of been mentored by renowned Ballet Masters such as Mr. Sergiu Stefanschi, Ms. Debra Bowes, Ms. Laurel Toto (head of NBS Professional Junior Ballet Program), Ms. Teresa Randall, and Ms. Anuschka Roes (head of NBS TTP Program), among others.

Mr. McIsaac is also in high demand as an Intensive/Convention facilitator for established events such as CANADIAN DANCE EXPO (Teachers/Students Experience), RAD WORLD CONVENTION “EN AVANTE”, RAD USA DANCE CHALLENGE, DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA, WORLD PERFORMERS CANADA, ON THE FLOOR, ROCK THE RHYTHM, DANCE QUEST CANADA, and many more.

Certification’s include: Diploma with Distinction from the NBS Teachers Training Program for Former Professionals (TTPPD, Dip), Mutually Recognized Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD, MRT), ballet faculty member with Dance Masters of Canada (DMC) and International Dance Teachers Association of Great Britain (IDTA), and Professional Adjudicators Alliance (PAA). He was also the recipient of the 2013 CAROLE CHADWICK AWARD and 2014 SYLVIE M. MCPHEE Awards, presented by NBS ballet faculty for Outstanding Teacher Recognition.

Mr. McIsaac also boasts an extensive professional performance career including several Broadway shows..

Mr. McIsaac, or, Balletgmans’ (his industry nickname) enthusiasm and dedication to North America’s dance community has been noted and applauded from the highest level of dance educators, worldwide.

INSTRUCTOR

Sadie is a vital member of both our Part-Time and Full-Time Competitive Programs. She has been an instructor and choreographer at Katie’s Dance Connection since 2013. 

She pursued her passion for teaching after completing contracts dancing for Royal Caribbean Cruises in their entertainment department. During her time on faculty at KDC, she has been an integral part of training hundreds of dancers. Sadie’s work has been recognized throughout the years for technical execution and cleanliness and has been awarded for top choreography. Sadie continues to be up on all of the latest technique and choreography trends by attending conventions and workshops including the Dance Teacher Summit in California. Sadie is so excited to work with your dancers this season!

INSTRUCTOR

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Alyssa Petrolo is a multi-disciplinary performer, award-winning choreographer, educator and adjudicator. She attended Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts where she studied composition, ballet, Limón and Graham-based modern. Upon graduating, Alyssa received a scholarship to Shenandoah Conservatory for the Arts in Winchester, Virginia, where she continued her training in dance education and choreography. Alyssa also received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at York University in 2016 while pursuing a professional dance career in Toronto. She has performed with several Toronto-based companies including; Rutherford Movement Exchange, Jasmyn Fyffe Dance, P.O.V Dance Project, and Gadfly Dance Company. In the summer of 2019, Alyssa presented her work “Smile” at Young Creators Challenge and was invited to join the JumpStart Dance Intensive faculty. She also was a dancer in the Netflix movie “Work It”. In 2019, she toured nationally with Gadfly Dance Company directed by Apolonia Velasquez, in their production of “Klorofyl”. In January 2020, Alyssa created “Improv for The Cause”, a fundraising event for young dancers to raise money for the Australian bushfire crisis and raised over $2000 for Australian Red Cross. Alyssa has extensive teaching and choreographic experience with students of all ages and levels and has been recognized for her innovative choreography, receiving countless awards for her vision and creativity. Many of her students have gone on to pursue professional dance careers, with students training at NYU, SUNY Purchase Dance, Arts Umbrella, Toronto Metropolitan  University dance program and most notably Nederlands Dans Theater. She is an established freelance guest teacher and choreographer and is in demand at studios, intensives and workshops across Canada. Alyssa aims to inspire and motivate all those who she works with, and is dedicated to a life of education in dance and art.

COMPANY BALLET INSTRUCTOR

Bio coming soon!

INSTRUCTOR

Ms Ang is one of our recreational teachers. She’s been a part of KDC for the past 5 years and is an amazing asset to our recreational program. On top of being a mom of 2, Ms Ang is also a Registered Early Childhood Educator and her love for her dancers shows in her work. She’s always had a passion for helping children grow and giving them the guidance to see their fullest potential. Ms Ang is so thankful she gets the opportunity to pass on her passion for the art of dance and can’t wait to make new memories with our KDC family this season!

INSTRUCTOR

Elizabeth is KDC Alumni with assisting and teaching experience in both recreational and competitive classes for many years alongside Katie. A recent graduate with a very impressive competitive dance career, Miss Liz is a special young woman with a passion for dance and a positive energy like no other! Currently Miss. Liz is attending York University in the Concurrent Bachelor of Education and the Fine Arts Dance program. She is certified under the Acrobatic Arts Syllabus and is trained in Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical,  Acro, Ballet, Hip-Hop and Tap. Miss. Liz is so excited to dance with all of our young dancers and we are so lucky to have her!

INSTRUCTOR

Miss Enya will be both instructing and running the front desk during recreational classes. Miss Enya is a KDC alumni with over 13 years of competitive dance experience in jazz, tap, acro, ballet, hip hop, contemporary and lyrical. After her years of training, Enya pursued post-secondary goals and recently graduated from Durham College where she earned a Diploma in Business Marketing. Enya also recently completed her certification with Acrobatic Arts this summer when she came home to KDC and instructed in various parts of our summer programming. Enya is super excited to share her love for dance with the KDC Dancers!

INSTRUCTOR

A 2022 KDC grad who is excited to start her new journey, Miss Katelyn brings 16 years of dance training as well as many years of assisting experience alongside the KDC Faculty. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and passion with our dancers as she continues to assist alongside Katie

INSTRUCTOR

Lily is a KDC graduate/alumni with 17 years of dance training in which they also assisted KDC dancers for several years. Lily performed all styles of dance throughout her many years on stage, but found a special love for Contemporary and Hip-Hop. She is currently enrolled in Graphic Design at Durham College following her passion for the arts, and continuing to dance every chance she gets! Lily is so excited to be back in the studio, and is looking forward to being inspired by the new generation of KDC dancers!

INSTRUCTOR

Taya has been a part of KDC since our third season. Starting as one of the youngest members of our competitive team, Taya found her passion for dance from the very start. Her work ethic, eagerness to please, dedication and passion met with her natural knack for dance led her to many years of success within the competitive dance scene. Her accolades and achievements continue to grow as she is still an integral member of our Senior Company here at the studio. Taya has countless years of assisting experience where she has worked very closely with the staff at KDC. Being trained at our studio since the beginning, Taya really understands the culture of our studio and the quality that is expected in our programming. She has a natural ability to encourage our youngest dancers who adore her.  She is excited to add a few classes of her own as well as continue to flourish in our assistant program here at the studio. Taya can’t wait to meet all of the smiling faces on Saturday mornings!

INSTRUCTOR

Laura is a former competitive dancer with an early childhood education background. Her passion for dance and music, matched with her warm, vibrant, magnetic personality, makes her a perfect addition to the KDC faculty. Laura is welcomed back after a maternity leave but has remained immersed in the studio as a busy mom of three beautiful dancers.

Laura can’t wait to take on the 8-week class sessions and is so excited to be back in the studio!

INSTRUCTOR

Bio Coming Soon!

PART-TIME OPERATIONS MANAGER

As a former dancer and mom of a competitive dancer, Thanuja joins the studio to merge her professional expertise and passion for dance as our part-time operations manager. With her extensive background in client management and business development as well as her understanding of the intricacies of studio life, Thanuja is excited to help build on our studio culture and ensure that all dancers have an enjoyable experience.

Thanuja is a mom of 2 kids and 3 fur-babies. Thanuja loves the outdoors, hiking and travelling with her loving husband. She is active in the animal rescue community with a special love for rescuing cats.

Thanuja is looking forward to meeting dancers and families of KDC this season!