Instructors

Sexy Hop, Reggaeton Performance Group Adina a.k.a. Sessylee Kurvz // transgenic_ladybug @ hotmail.com

Adina started as a UTDC dance student in 2004. Teaching Reggaeton for UTDC since 2007, Sexy Hop (sexy urban hip hop) and House dance since 2011. Her dance background includes Latin, Bellydancing, Reggaeton, Hip Hop, House, DanceHall, Jazz, and many more. As a performer and choreographer, Adina has been part of numerous shows including the U of T Festival of Dance and the UTDC Movida Boat Cruise. Outside of UTDC, Adina founded hip hop crew Femme Mystique, was part of Bella Divas, and trained with OIP Dance Company as a pre-pro dancer. 2012 has inspired for new beginnings where Adina will be teaching Beginners Salsa Fundamentals and Reggaeton with P.O.S.E. Dance and working towards her goal of becoming a Zumba instructor.

Contemporary Dance Adrienne Yang // adrienne.yang @ utoronto.ca

Adrienne Yang has experience in hip hop, contact, Chinese, and modern dance, starting classes when she was eight years old. First trained at the Toronto Chinese Dance Company, she developed an unmistakable passion for contemporary and lyrical dance, which accelerated during her high school years as she was chosen to be Dance head at Havergal College. Adrienne’s forte is in choreography, having choreographed multiple works for a dance prayers, Chinese New Year celebrations, end-of-year show at her high school, as well as the Festival of Dance with Denny in Hip Hop at UTDC this past year.

Salsa Beginner, Bachata Beginner Christina Sugiharto // tina.sugiharto @ gmail.com

Blues Danielle

Hip Hop Denny Lam // lam.denny @ gmail.com

Denny grew up in Toronto and his love for dance all began in the comfort of his home. Self-taught in the first two years of his dancing career, he is now driven to expand and refine his technique. He is familiar with many dance styles including salsa, reggaeton, and breakdance. However, his preferred style is hip hop. Since joining UTDC in 2005, he has gained a vast amount of knowledge and experience in dance. While currently majoring in Psychology at UofT, he will continue to work hard to achieve his goals.

Salsa Beginner, Salsa Intermediate DJ Short // daaku @ gmail.com

Salsa Beginner, Bachata Beginner Jackson Xing // jackson.jx @ gmail.com

Cha Cha, Salsa Advance J P

JP’s dance journey started in 2003 when he attended University of Toronto and joined the UTDC and UTDSC (University of Toronto Dance Club and University of Toronto Dance Sport Club) where he was exposed to different forms of dance including salsa and ballroom (both international and latin). He then continued taking classes at the Pollock Dance Studio and further extended his ballroom dance training. In 2005, salsa dancing marked a turning point in JP’s life when he started teaching and performing at UofT Dance Club. He then continued his training and joined several performance teams and professional groups in Toronto including Rumbon, Mambo Tribe, United Salseros, Los Salsomanos, and Ifreestyle. JP was also part of the semi-pro team of City Dance Corps in 2010 where he learned other forms of dance including hip-hop, house, hustle, afro-cuban, tango, and jazz. JP has been performing locally and internationally and has attended several Salsa Conventions in the world including Puerto Rico, New York, San Francisco, Montreal, Chicago, and Bermuda. He continues to teach students at University of Toronto and shares his passion, enthusiasm, and encourage their confidence on stage and on the dance floor.

Zouk Junyan

Junyan is a long time teacher/performer from Montreal. Many of his students have gone on to become performers and teachers. His focus in dance is on deep partner connection while maintaining a whimsical style.

Popping Phil Xue // philxue814 @ gmail.com

Phil is in third year life science studying pathobiology. His hobbies including dancing, magic, swimming, coin collecting and etc. Started dancing last year with UTDC and Rocsaut hip-hop group. He loves breakdancing because it’s so diffcult but also very rewarding. He is also taking lessons in various other styles in UTDC for fun.

Bollywood Romilla Gomes

Samba/Rumba Sarah Gray // sarah.anne.gray @ gmail.com

After a childhood filled with gymnastics and rugby, inspired by Baby’s final performance in ‘Dirty Dancing,’ Sarah gave up rugby in high school to jump into the world of ballroom dancing. She quickly decided this was the love of her life and started a dancing career that moved her from her native Ottawa to Montreal, then to Germany. After nine years of doing shows, competitions and taking lessons from top coaches around the world, she has now she has settled in Toronto to pursue a PHD in clinical psychology. She is excited to share her passion and commitment to teaching with fellow students in Toronto.