The Dance Pointe Approach
At Dance Pointe Toronto, we offer a family oriented environment with educational and fun-filled classes to all of our students. Dance can play a huge role in the development of your child's confidence, health and overall happiness. This is why we put our focus on growing happy and healthy dancers!
Meet Your Instructors!
Machaela Croft
Owner & Co-Artistic Director
B.F.A Spec. Hons. , S.R.B Assoc. , Alixa Flexibility
Machaela is a Toronto based educator, choreographer and performer. She completed her competitive career of 12 years before continuing her dance education at York University. Machaela graduated in 2014 receiving a BFA Specialized Honours degree in Dance with a concentration on kinesiology, choreography and performance.
Machaela is proud to say she has recently become an Associate Member of the Society of Russian Ballet. She loves to share her passion for technique and artistry through the Vaganova Ballet Syllabus and exam work. She continues to train with the best choreographers in the industry furthering her technique and choreographic style. She believes this has helped her create unique and current competitive choreography for her students.
Alongside her training, Machaela has completed an editorial internship at The Dance Current Magazine here in Toronto. She has had the opportunity to be a part of a unique production in Dawson City, Yukon performing a variety of diverse dance forms including can-can, jazz, tap and ariel work. Machaela continues to perform professionally in Toronto’s dance scene, dancing consistently as a company member in TDC Entertainment. Machaela is beyond thrilled to fulfill her dream of opening her very own studio. She is proud to be able to share her passion of dance with the next generation of dancers.
Miles Gosse
Instructor & Co-Artistic Director
B.F.A Spec. Hons. , B.Ed.
Miles Gosse is a dance artist based in Toronto, Ontario. A diverse performer, choreographer, and educator, Miles began his training at Wexford Collegiate School of the Arts studying in the Musical Theatre training program, later specializing in performance dance and contemporary techniques. He continued his dance training at York University where he graduated from the BFA Specialized Honours Dance program as well as earning his Concurrent BEd.
Professionally, Miles danced in works by Michael Caldwell, Alison Daley, Jesse Dell, Marie Lambin, Tracey Norman and The Garage Dance Collective. Miles has performed in the 60x60 Dance Festival, Nuit Blache (Toronto), Fringe Festivals (Toronto, Montreal, and Hamilton), the New Music Festival through U of T as well as Canadian Music Week. Miles' choreography has been presented in the Body Break series curated by Brandy Leary (Anandam Dance Theatre), Edge of the Sky Theatre Productions, New Blue Dance Festival, Randolph College for the Performing Arts and for acclaimed Toronto Fringe shows "WILD/WALLED" (2017) and "in threes" (2018). Miles is Co-Artistic Director and founding member of Toronto Dance Collective Half Second Echo. He teaches at Stagecoach Theatre Arts (Toronto East), Dance Pointe Toronto, Seneca College and is a guest artist at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts.
Justine Comfort
Acro Instructor & Choreographer
B.F.A Spec. Hons. , B. Sc Hons. Kinesiology & Health Science
Justine Comfort is an independent dance artist based in Toronto. She is a graduate of York University where she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Specialized Honours in Dance and a Disciplinary Certificate in Dance Science. Upon graduation she received the Dance Scholars Award for her outstanding work in both practical and theoretical dance research. As a student Justine performed in works by artists such as Julia Sasso, Christopher House, Terrill Maguire, Trisha Brown, Carol Anderson, Robert Glumbek and Holly Small. Since graduating Justine has had the privilege of interpreting works by Julia Aplin, Susie Burpee, Jesse Dell, John Ottmann, Hanna Kiel, Forcier Stage Works, Rock Bottom Movement, Alison Daley and Tracey Norman. Justine is one of the founding members and artistic directors of Toronto contemporary dance collective, Half Second Echo.
As a dance educator Justine began teaching Acro at Expressions Dance Company in 2007. Since graduating University Justine has broadened her teaching to include many other styles of dance and conditioning at several dance schools in the GTA. She is certified to teach both Conditioning with Imagery for Dancers and Limón Modern Technique at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. In addition to teaching and performing Justine is currently completing her Bachelor of Science with Specialized Honours in Kinesiology at York University. Justine is so excited to be joining the Dance Pointe team and to share her love and passion for dance with the students at Dance Pointe Toronto!
Melissa Truman
Ballet Instructor & Choreographer
B.F.A Hons. , S.R.B Assoc, Acrobatic Arts
Melissa Truman is a dancer, educator, and choreographer based in Southern Ontario. Following a 10 year long competitive career where Melissa twice won World Championship titles, as well as multiple scholarship and overall awards, she attended York University to study dance. Melissa graduated Cum Laude in 2014, earning a BFA with Honours in Dance, focusing on dance pedagogy and somatic practices. It was at York that Melissa developed her passion for dance education, leading her to become an Associate with the Society of Russian Ballet and a certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor. Melissa has recently expanded into dance therapy, and is working with a therapist to develop a course for kids. In addition to teaching, Melissa has performed professionally, most notably working with Cirque du Soleil choreographer Debra Brown for Panamania in 2015. Melissa is the co-founder of Forma Contemporary Dance with her sister Stephanie, and is taking on a new role as a dance adjudicator, which she loves because it allows her to connect with students and be a positive voice in the dance industry. Melissa is so excited to be joining the Dance Pointe Team!
Serena Henriquez
Dance Instructor & Choreographer
Serena Henriquez has been dancing since the age of 2. She began her dance journey in “pre-dance” at Toronto Dance Industry and continued to study more styles as she progressed through the next 15 years of her competitive dance career. At the age of 12, Serena became an assistant teacher and continued to do so until the age of 17. To expand her knowledge in dance she attended multiple conventions and competitions every year to experience new styles and challenge herself. In 2018 Serena was accepted onto the Canadian National Tap Team, and competed at the International Dance Organization’s (IDO) World Tap Championships, bringing home two medals for Canada. She is trained extensively in all styles of dance but developed a love for tap at the age of 11 and quickly changed her main focus of study. As Serena moves onto to her post secondary education she continues to train extensively under some of Canada’s highest recognized tap dancers and choreographers. Serena recently completed the Tap Dance Centres syllabus by Kim Chalovich, a new syllabus to keep her knowledge in tap current and will be returning to the Canadian National Tap Team this year.
In her classes, students can expect a fun energetic class that creates the building blocks for strong dance technique and a passion to continue exploring new styles! Serena is very excited to be joining the Dance Pointe team and is looking forward to seeing what the year will bring!
Jean Balallo
Dance Instructor & Choreographer
Jean is a dancer and performer who started at the age of 3. She trained under numerous teachers in a variety of disciplines, specializing in Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary. She is also proficient in Tap, Ballet, Acrobatics, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. Growing up she competed in several competitions, but her commitment to dance is also embraced by attending dance conventions and further becoming an assistant at her studio. After graduating from high school, her commitment to establishing herself as a performer grew greatly as she joined a professional dance company that specializes in Heels, Hip Hop and Jazz funk. She further travelled to Los Angeles to take her passion to new heights and broaden her knowledge. In this development, Jean has trained with many famous choreographers such as Dexter Carr, Hamilton Evans, Michal Hendzel and more.
Outside of dance, Jean is entering her 4th year of Kinesiology at York University with hopes of becoming a physical therapist that specializes in working with dancers.
As one of the newest editions to the Dance Pointe Faculty, Jean is very excited to share her passion for dance with others. She hopes to inspire the young dancers and create a positive and fun environment that each of her students can look forward to every week!
Kylie Thompson
Hip Hop Instructor & Choreographer
Kylie Thompson (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary performer, creator and educator residing in Toronto, Ontario, her credits including the Barenaked Ladies, the Garage, Gadfly Dance Company, TIFF, Hit and Run Productions, Dance: Made in Canada Festival, Toronto Fringe and more. She considers herself an ally to the BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ communities and is committed to ongoing education, conversation and action towards equality and de-colonization of Western Dance practices.
Find her on instagram: @kyliethompsoncreative.
Mircel Cortés
Dance Instructor & Choreographer
Mircel Cortés started her dance journey at the age of three in recreational classes. She developed a passion for dance and trained in a variety of disciplines, including acro, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, ballet and aerial silks and hoop.
At the age of thirteen Mircel was awarded a scholarship to train at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago, Illinois. Mircel discovered her love for contemporary floor work during her residency at Mandala Dance Company in Rome, Italy. Mircel has had the privilege of interpreting works by Ido Tadmor, Paola Sorressa, Victor Alexander, Dolores Long, Guillermo Naranjo, Jorge Guerrero and Edith Barrágan.
Mircel is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts with Specialized Honours in Dance
at York University. She makes her official teaching debut this year with Dance Pointe Toronto. She is excited to share her passion for dance with her students and team members!
Hurry, Classes are Limited!
With small class sizes, they tend to fill up fast. You can register online to reserve your spot right away!