Annastacia Smith
Artistic Director / Studio Owner
Holding her BFA Honours in Dance from York University, Annastacia is trained and certified in RAD, CDTA, Acrobatic Arts, Cangym, PBT, and is an ADTA Acro Adjudicator.
Her teaching genres include Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Modern, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary. She holds her NCCP and AAC1 for acrobatics and gymnastics. Annastacia trained in a variety of professional programs including Canada’s National Ballet School, York University, and Mirvish Productions.
Bringing her expertise to the Quinte region for the past decade, Annastacia has guided countless students who have gone on to achieve exceptional careers in the arts as both performers and educators. Many of her students have been accepted into prestigious dance institutions, performed with renowned companies, and made significant contributions to the arts community worldwide. Annastacia’s dedication to her craft and her students' success has made her a respected and influential figure in the dance industry.
Crystal Clark
Administrative Director / Studio Owner
Crystal Clark is a seasoned studio owner and educator with over a decade of experience in dance and arts programming. She teaches
Acro and Musical Theatre and is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor and ADTA Competitive Acrobatic Adjudicator.
Her teaching focuses on safe progression,
solid fundamentals, and building confident, capable performers.
With a background in finance and business
and a Diploma in Advertising & Marketing Communications, Crystal brings both
creative and operational leadership to
Ontario Dance Academy. She oversees
day-to-day administration, family communication, and studio marketing.
As the competitive liaison, she ensures each dancer is supported technically and guides families through a positive, organized, and professional studio experience.
Diego Arvelo
Multidisciplinary Dance Educator
Diego Arvelo made history as the youngest dancer to join the Ballet of Santo Domingo at just 16 years old. During his time with the company, he toured South America and performed in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Diego continued his dance education by studying the techniques of renowned choreographers such as Bob Fosse,
Jerome Robbins, and Martha Graham.
After relocating to Canada, Diego continued his training with certifications in RAD, CDTA (Jazz and Ballet), Vaganova Ballet Technique, and the British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD). Diego has inspired the next generation of artists through his role with the St. Lawrence College Musical Theatre program where he taught jazz, partnering, and modern techniques. He now brings that international expertise to his students at ODA.
Amia Ogieva
Hip Hop & Commercial Dance Instructor
Amia studied at Wilfrid Laurier University and possesses extensive training across multiple dance disciplines including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Acro. Her passion for Hip Hop and Contemporary ignited during her studies at WLU and has since become the cornerstone of her artistic journey.
Amia is dedicated to shaping the next generation of dancers and shares her expertise as a faculty member at ODA in Belleville, as well as Canadian Dance Company and Hoofers Performing Arts. Bringing her commercial dance experience into the classroom, Amia has performed with renowned artists such as rIVerse and Tynomi Banks from Canada’s Drag Race. Most recently she had the honor of performing internationally at the opening ceremonies of The World Cup. Amia continues to work professionally while competing both nationally and internationally with her crew and studio, Keystone.
Samantha Beaudin
Multidisciplinary Dance Educator
A graduate of Canada's National Ballet School's Teacher Training Program, Miss Sam brings 20 years of experience to the classroom. She holds certifications from the Royal Academy of Dance, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and the Cecchetti Society. Her extensive education includes studies in Anatomy, Dance History, Music, Pedagogy, the NBS Curriculum, and Conditioning.
A valued member of the ODA faculty, she is recognized as an Ontario Scholar and a Specialist High Skills Major in Arts and Culture. She is dedicated to mentoring dancers in our studios with professional-level theory and technique.
Kristina McIntosh
Classical Ballet Instructor
A Theatre Arts graduate from Ryerson University, Kristina holds certifications from the Royal Academy of Dance and the Cecchetti Society of Canada. Her extensive training includes studies at the Pia Bouman School for Ballet, the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, and additional training with the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, Pittsburgh Ballet School, and Princeton Ballet School.
Kristina performed with the Paula Moreno Spanish Dance Company and has since dedicated herself to teaching. She is a pioneer of the Dancing with Parkinson’s initiative in the Quinte area. She is currently pursuing an assistant degree in Occupational and Physiotherapy to further enhance her expertise of the human body in motion.
Rebecca Funari
Multidisciplinary Dance Educator
Rebecca holds a Certificate in the Arts and embarked on her dance journey at the School of Performing Arts in Winnipeg. Her passion for dance led her to Belleville where she further honed her skills in Ballet through the QBSC professional training program. As a certified member of the Cecchetti Society of Canada, Rebecca’s commitment to the art form is evident in her rigorous training and ongoing contributions to the dance community.
Rebecca’s path from an aspiring dancer to an accomplished professional underscores her deep dedication and expertise. Her journey is a testament to her perseverance and love for dance. With a blend of technical skill and heartfelt passion, Rebecca remains a prominent figure in the dance world and continually motivates those around her at Ontario Dance Academy.
Terry Brooks
ODA Art Facilitator
Terry holds a B.A. Hons Degree in Art and Design from Leeds Polytechnic, an Art Teacher’s Certificate from Leeds University, and a BSW Degree from Ipswich College of Further Education. Before emigrating to Canada in 1990, he worked in the U.K. in the fields of Education and Social Work. After arriving in Ontario, he worked for the Children’s Aid Society for twenty years before retiring. He is a practicing artist, photographer, and musician. He is also a member of the Brighton Arts and Culture Council where he has been involved in staging musical concerts and art shows since 2010.
Dhruvi Shukla
Bharatanatyam Instructor
Dhruvi Shukla is a passionate Bharatanatyam instructor whose journey began in the cultural hub of Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Under the mentorship of Shri Bela Rajput and Shri Shiva Pillai, she pursued rigorous training and achieved her Visharad degree (Bachelor in Bharatanatyam) in 2018 through the Bruhad Gujarat Board. Dhruvi is proud to lead the Quinte region’s only authentic Bharatanatyam program exclusively at Ontario Dance Academy. She is committed to honoring the roots of this 2,000-year-old art form while sharing its elegance and discipline with a new generation.
With over 15 years of experience, Dhruvi has mastered the three core pillars of the art: Nritta (technical rhythmic geometry), Nritya (expressive dance using Mudras and Abhinaya), and Natya (dramatic storytelling). She believes in the power of movement to tell timeless stories and provides ODA students with a deep understanding of rhythm, emotion, and cultural history.
ACCOMPANISTS
Tibor Csaszar
Tom Dietzel
Ongoing Mentorships
Ontario Dance Academy is privileged to maintain an ongoing training partnership with many highly sought-after industry professionals. These instructors are seasoned experts who actively engage in both Canadian and International dance circuits. We are privileged to offer their expertise to our dancers on a regular basis.
David Houle
David Houle is a distinguished multidisciplinary artist celebrated for his internationally acclaimed career. Trained at the National Ballet of Canada and the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, David has left an indelible mark on the industry. His career highlights include starring roles in Cirque Du Soleil's iconic productions such as Sonor, Viaggio, and WOW The Vegas Spectacular.
His dynamic talent extends to aerialist performances in shows like Come Fly With Me and Sequins and Feathers. He also performed the role of Angel in the Tony Award-Winning musical Kinky Boots where he collaborated closely with Cyndi Lauper. Recently appointed Managing Director for a major cruise line, David oversees singer workshops, conducts dancer auditions, and manages international artistic operations.
Gizella Witkowsky
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Gizella Witkowsky graduated from the National Ballet School and joined the National Ballet of Canada in 1975. She enjoyed an illustrious 20-year career with the company where she performed lead roles in all major classical ballets. She has worked with many world-renowned choreographers and had the honour of performing with some of the world’s greatest dancers. Ms. Witkowsky also has extensive experience in theatre and dance productions both in Canada and abroad. She has taught master classes at numerous Ontario dance festivals and continues to help develop and inspire future generations in the world of arts.
Gerard McIsaac
A double alumnus of Canada’s National Ballet School, Mr. McIsaac is a highly regarded and accredited Professional Dance Educator Master. His certifications include a Diploma with Distinction from the NBS Teachers Training Program for Former Professionals. He is a Mutually Recognized Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, a ballet faculty member with Dance Masters of Canada and the International Dance Teachers Association of Great Britain, and a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance.
