TEACHERS

Certification

We will help you to realize the dream of becoming a CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR!

In only 10 months (or less) you will have the knowledge to accelerate your career and take your dancing to a whole new level. For those wanting to teach, improve their teaching, or simply to become excellent social dancer, this course helps participants raise the bar for themselves and become the best they can be.

Dance by nature creates positive energy, and we use that energy to keep the passion and fun of dance at the heart of the course. Don't wait another day to pursue this dream - call us to make an appointment and we will take it from there.

Time:	60 - 120 hours tuition
Location:	Franco Dance

For more information in how to get certificated in any level please contact us, and we will be more than happy to book an audition for you.

Qualifications available for candidates:

International Standard (CDTA) (ISTD)
International Latin (CDTA) (ISTD)
American Smooth Bronze, Silver and Gold (CDTA) (DVIDA)
American Rhythm Bronze, Silver and Gold (CDTA) (DVIDA)

Faculty Team

Melinda Franco

Melinda Franco brings her extensive background in theatre, film and television to Franco Dance. Combining her love of dance with these other media is a passion of hers, and currently she is working on the development of plays using flamenco music and dance in the storytelling. As a ballroom dance teacher she is focused strongly on expression , confidence and personality; she is as passionate in the studio as she is on stage . She encourages her students to imagine themselves performing , because in that private dream is all the boldness, strength and desire that anyone needs to become a dancer.

Victor Hugo

Victor-Hugo is a tango dancer, performer, instructor, choreographer and DJ. He has been dancing since the age of four. As an adolescent, he was trained in Gregorian chant, classical ballet and flamenco. He has had the opportunity to study with several well known tango instructors, including Brigitta Winkler.

In his teaching Victor incorporates disciplines such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the Kinetic-Art system for dancers. His classes also focus on tango as a social dance, with the added flair that comes from his artistic and performance background.

He is the host and DJ of the popular weekly Milonga Sentimental and Monthly Milonga Tango Negro.

Sofia Lascano

Sofia Lascano was born in Ecuador. In 1987, she started to dance at a very early age, and gained a solid background in aboriginal dances. In elementary and high school she did performances at different events and embassies. Sofia as any youth in South America started to dance salsa, meringue, cumbia as a teenager, In 1987 traveled to Colombia and learned to dance the Colombian salsa style.

In 2001 she decided to study professionally the different styles of salsa as Puerto Rican and Cuban.

From this Cuban it diverted into Casino Rueda. Her ex-partners today are the last champions in Australia for that type of style.

Julia Holliwell

Julia was first exposed to ballroom by her mother, who was teaching social ballroom, ballet and tap before Julia was born. As a child Julia attended her classes and drifted away from dance by her teens. Julia rediscovered it in 1998 and was teaching by 2000. As a teacher Julia places greatest focus on her students' comfort, confidence and enjoyment. Julia wants them to love their experience with dance, and to learn to have fun with it no matter who their partners are.

Radek Swiderski

I became interested in dance through my study of classical, Spanish and blues guitar, and started with Argentine Tango and the Lindy Hop. Thanks to my love of music I also want to pursue tap/jazz, hip hop and African dances. My goal with ballroom is ultimately performance, since I believe dance is the foremost mode of self expression.

Edgar Franco

Edgar is proud to represent Canada in World Dance Competitions. Over the last three years he has been working towards the World Dance title in Salsa as well as in Latin and Ballroom dancing. He has reached the finals and semifinals in both events, and after partnering up with his new partner, the year 2007 seems to be the right time for Edgar to get closer to his goal.

Donny Macphee

Picture and bio coming soon .......

Joseph Hersco

Joseph Hersco who's more commonly known as J-Rebel within the b-boy community has been dancing since the age of fifteen. He is a member from an up and coming Canadian B-Boy Crew known as Supernaturalz Crew. His complex footwork and natural flow has set him apart from many other dancers. His footwork is a true testament to the legacy of Supernaturalz Crew, whose members have been known for having unique styles. Many of his accomplishments include, Battle of the Year 2004, UK Championships 2004, Semi Finalist in City vs City (1 on 1 battle), Out for Fame Finals (New York 2002) and currently holds the world record for world's longest B-Boy circle. J-Rebel grew up in Lawrence Heights Community know as "The Jungle"; as the area was set up like an urban jungle with a chaotic environment from architecture to the people who embodied wild spirits due to social-economics and politics. He was from a family of five where every day was a battle i.e. for food, attention and respect amongst his siblings. Because he was raised by a single parent mother on welfare, there was rarely anyone around to guide him and he quickly became vulnerable to the ills of his neighbourhood (drugs, gangs etc). At the age of sixteen Joseph decided that he wanted to take breakdancing more seriously. In the beginning he taught himself the basics by mimicking dancers in videos such as ‘breaker delight’ featuring REDMAN, and watching an unedited underground video of Supernaturalz. It was only when he joined Supernaturalz Crew, his skills and appreciation for breakdancing elevated to a new level. He is now an active mentor in many housing projects where he teaches the art of B-Boying to many youth at risk.

Anzhelika Kasparova

Anzhelika Kasparova First of all I want to say my favorite quotation 'God respects us when we work but loves us when we dance'

My passion for dancing has been through all my life. According to my mother she will tell you that 'My daughter start dancing before she did her first step and at 2 years she danced as ABBA'. My mother has an accent like I do so it sounds even more romantic when she tells you the story.

My experience of 8 years dancing classical and traditional dance as professional dancer back in Russia helps me a lot to understand and feel ballroom style. In addition, I have to say that I can dance Hip-Hop and Cardio, combined with Fitness and Arabic dance I can bring down the beats.

Moreover, I have traveled a lot and on top of that have my Master degree in International Business in United Kingdom which gives me knowledge to understand different cultures and views to this complex industry like the dancing industry.

Finally, I have to say that it is never too late to start dancing and make your dreams come true. I hope my brief description of what I feel about dancing will inspire you to join our great team and bring more enjoyment and wonderful time in your life.

Christal Derry-Francis

Christal Derry-Francis has ardently pursued the arts of song, music, dance and other forms of self expression since her childhood. She has been choreographing, composing and performing ever since then. Her passion for the rhythm and energy of Latin Dancing, particularly Salsa was cultivated in her native Trinidad and enriched by the diversity of the Toronto Salsa scene. Her desire is to share her love of dance with anyone who wishes to shed their inhibitions and in so doing let their true selves shine.

Natalia Torres

Natalia Torres began at the age of 5 when she was introduced to ballet lessons in Ecuador until the age of 7. After arriving in Canada she decided that she wanted to remain in ballet and one day she was asked to help the ballet teacher with the smaller kids at the school where she was dancing. She was curious about Salsa and decided to take classes in 2001. Since then she was determined that this is what she had passion for and was willing to invest her time, energy and effort in. Natalia has been performing with many institutions, groups, dance companies, and has taught and performed in the most prestigious dance stages and clubs in the city and abroad. After pursuing her career as an Architectural Technologist Natalia realized that she has a strong passion for dancing and soon enough she was on her feet ready to dance again. She decided that it was time to give what she had learned all these years. She joined Franco Dance Studios to finally become an instructor in Ballroom and Latin Dancing that she always wanted to be. Natalia's unique and distinct style, plus her warm personality and dance background make her someone you'll want to learn from. All you have to do is come down to the Franco Dance Studios!

Lisa Messina

I have to thank a past, reoccurring leg injury for the inspiration to move through life with focus and ease.

As a working, professional dancer, I have learned that patience is the key to change. Developing a deeper relationship with the entire neuromuscular system will empower us to do so, therefore improving the quality of how we function through life. Overtime, using the Pilates method, we can experience an increase in strength, flexibility, and endurance regardless the size of our demands.

My journey began with Pilates master Miriane Taylor. I continue alongside this totally inspiring individual to gain more knowledge and skill in hopes of sharing the principals of healthy living with you.

Lukas Press "kokus"

I have been studying and performing dance since I was six years old in my native Poland and Israel. I have appeared numerous times on television have had the opportunity to Audition for Michael Jackson when he visited Israel in 1994.

Upon arriving in Toronto over a few years ago I have kept up with studying various dances forms and currently teach group and private instruction. I have volunteered my dance instruction at the YMCA, also in some senior’s residences. Moreover, I have taught creative movement to children at private function & workshop.

I continue to be inspired greatly by many styles of dance and creative movement.

I believe in my love of dance and in creative movement and truly wish to continue to learning, sharing and teaching dance to persons of all ages.

Raymond Ichtiandras Urniezius

Raymond Ichtiandras Urniezius was born in Lithuania, his dance career started when he was only 4 years old. And at the age of 9 he knew already that dancing was his life. He got a Diploma from M.K. Ciurlionis High Art School (now Academy) of Choreography and Ballet. As a ballet dancer he took part in a lot of performances at Opera and Ballet theaters in Lithuania and Moscow. As the years went by he became interested in ballroom and cabaret dancing. Ichtiandras had very excited learning experiences and has worked in the past with great champions in ballroom in Lithuania and Europe, and he has kept close relationships with a lot of those great champions. He is open minded, excellent understanding and creativity in his choreographies. He has worked as a choreographer and performer in Lithuania, Romania, Poland, Russia, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates.

Here, in Toronto, he is the Dance Director of the Lithuanian Folk Dance group “Atzalynas” He has a lot of dance experience, he has fun teaching, but more importantly his patience with his students is remarkable. So let’s have some fun!

Márcio Mendes

Márcio Mendes was born in the Northern Amazonian city of Macapá, state of Amapá in Brazil. He spent his formative years in the neighboring city of Belém. At the age of seventeen, Márcio began studying Capoeira with the internationally renowned Capoeira Master, Antônio Bezerra dos Santos, the first man to bring Capoeira to the state of Pará. Márcio excelled at the art, and within a few years, Mestre Bezerra allowed him to serve as his assistant at the University of Pará. By the age of twenty, Márcio was encouraged to lead his own Capoeira classes at the University, and he decided to dedicate his life to the practice and teaching of the art form. In 1999, Márcio travelled across Western Europe, performing Capoeira and leading numerous workshops throughout France, Portugal and Spain. He then moved to Canada and opened a Capoeira school named “Muiraquitã Capoeira”. Today Marcio is also teaching Capoeira at University of Toronto, YMCA, he is a member of Ache Brasil, and recently has founded Shango Capoeira where he teaches classes. In addition Marcio is the Vice-President of the National Capoeira Association of Canada and director of the Adimula Cultural Center to promote African and Nigeria Culture.

Andrew Jacome

Born and raised in Toronto, Andrew Jacome began dancing very early on in life. Though he started with traditional Portuguese folk dancing, he discovered ballroom dancing in his early teens through his parents' involvement. Since then, his mild interest has cultivated into a strong passion in dance, with a strong lean towards the smooth dances of the Waltz and Foxtrot. When teaching, he enjoys placing an emphasis on the grace, comfort, and poise that comes with ballroom dance, crediting those traits to his developments as a dancer and as a person. Most importantly, however, is the fun and excitement that comes through dancing, and hopes his students take away a similar experience.

Rebecca Kranias

Rebecca is a certified kripalu yoga teacher. She has been teaching for 6 years in Canada and the United Kingdom. She has taught yoga to youth, adults and seniors. She has taught yoga mostly in health clubs and yoga studios. Her approach is gentle yet provides a challenge for students.

Linda Burges

Picture and Bio coming soon…

Dancing is like dreaming with your feet!
-Constanze