OUR INSTRUCTORS
MS. JESSICA CANINO
Owner | Artistic Director Ballet, Hip Hop, and Lyrical Teacher
Mrs. Jessica began her ballet training at the age of two, and continued her training with Susana Prieto at age 12. From 2001 through 2010, she had the honor of performing along side dancers from the New York City ballet, who appeared as a guest artists in the full-length production of the Nutcracker. In her years as a performer, Jessica has performed many classical as well as contemporary works, including the Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, Copelia, and Paquita. Along with her training in classical ballet, Jessica joined a prominent local hip-hop company that performed in various highly visible events throughout South Florida.
Jessica has been instructing dance since the age of 15. At 20, she established an after-school dance program at St. Gregory the Great Catholic School. After five years of continuous growth and success, Jessica opened the doors to Creative Dance Studio where she hopes to continue enabling her students to express themselves through the art of dance. She has dedicated herself not only to training students in classical ballet and hip hop, but also inspiring a passion for dancing in each child.
Jessica is a proponent of continuing education, and graduated with a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship in 2014. She has been featured in the Dance Studio Life Magazine article 'A Brain for Business', where she was profiled for pursuing an MBA and utilizing the skills and knowledge she learned in school and at business seminars.
MS. DANIELLE MOORE
Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Hip-hop,
Ballroom, Musical Theater and Tap
Danielle Moore is a highly trained dancer, instructor, choreographer and model with more than 30 years of experience in dance and the arts. Danielle grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and took her first dance class at the age of three. She is a well-rounded and gifted dancer who was trained in all styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip-hop, ballroom, musical theater and tap. Throughout her modeling and dance career, she has been featured in numerous production shows, commercials, music videos, online advertising, live concert performances and magazines, including choreographing opening acts for major recording artists and TV/Media. Danielle was also under contract with Norwegian Cruise Lines where she travelled the Caribbean and Europe performing nightly in multiple broadway productions such as Fosse, Vegas Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, and Sealegs Goes Hollywood.. just to name a few. Danielle has worked in the development and production of various themed production performances, casinos and large grand openings showcased in multiple states and worldwide and is also the Co-Creator of the “Sexy Six”. She was awarded an award from the IAAPA foundation for her choreography and production for a major theme park show.
She has been involved for over 15 years in development and management of dance studios, competitive solos/duets/trios and dance groups, choreographing and training students from ages 4 years old to professionals and has been the recipient of various national dance and choreography recognition awards, she is the former owner of Moore Dance Company. Danielle currently instructs and choreographs at dance studios and dance conventions all around South Florida, USA and Internationally. She was also the Artistic Director for Millennium Dance Complex Miami’s pre-professional company, teaching and choreographing all styles of dance. You’ll also find her choreography onboard RCCL and DCL, she has worked with Royal Caribbean Cruise lines and Disney Cruise Lines choreographing and directing the development of produced theme shows on the ships. She graduated valedictorian from Aveda Institute. Modeling for multiple clothing boutiques and entertainment companies. The founder of S.W.A.T. Stiletto Workout and Athletic Training. A dance workout class that fuses fitness with dance choreography in heels!
Danielle is a motivator and an educator who is truly passionate when it comes to sharing her artistry and love for dance, with and at any level. Positivity, wisdom, strength and courage. The growth of every dancer she works with is what inspires her the most!
MS. EMILY TARALLO
Musical Theater Teacher
Ms. Emily has been teaching and choreographing dance for over ten years. She is an extremely versatile professional performer and has been on practically every stage in South Florida! Favorite credits include the Wick Theatre, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Slowburn Theatre Co., Actors Playhouse, and MNM Theatre Co at the Kravis Center. She trained as a top competitive dancer from the age of 8 and has acquired many styles, experiences, techniques, and movement qualities that she loves bringing into the dance room today. Classically trained in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, ballet, tap, and hip hop - she loves to intertwine it all! Ms. Emily is so grateful to be teaching at Creative Dance and is looking forward to an excellent year of dance!
Instagram @emily_tarallo
MR. MIRAJ LAWSON
Hip Hop Teacher
Mr. Lawson was born in Georgia, but raised in Miami. Miraj began his dance training on the streets of Atlanta. Never fearing away from competition, Miraj sought out to battle anyone that was willing. This helped to develop his freestyle skills as a dancer, while broadening his perspective as a choreographer. Miraj soon moved to Miami and was accepted into New World Performing Arts High School for Musical Theater. Continuing from there, Miraj expanded his career by dancing as a back up dancer for artist such as Jamie Foxx, Flo Rida, Katy Perry, and Jason Derulo, where he also did choreography. Miraj was also in a few major movies such as Stomp The Yard featuring Chris Brown, and an up and coming film, Dance Like Me featuring Shane Sparks and Paula Abdul. Miraj currently teaches at several of South Florida's most elite dance schools where he has choreographed several award winning hip hop numbers. Miraj is currently signed with Atlantic Records as an R&B recording artist. Miraj's credits include a wide variety of artists such as Jamie Foxx, Katy Perry, Disney, ABC, Fusion, Telemundo, Miami Heat, Flo Rida, Jason Derulo, and Pretty Ricky.
MRS. MELISSA JAMES BONTA
Tap Teacher
Melissa began her dance training at The Dancexchange at the age of 11. She was known as a “studio kid” being at the studio six days a week being trained in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, modern, lyrical, hip-hop and African under the instruction of Linda Rogers Albritton, Yayi Faretta, Ursino Del Valle, Annalisia Simone and Zedric Bembry of hip hop company Live in Color just to name a few. Melissa was a Senior Performing Group member competing in local and regional competitions winning various awards and performed at numerous venues. She was also a teacher’s assistant during this time. She continued her dance studies through college while teaching at various dance studios, and performing professionally with the Millennium Dancers Dance Company. She has also performed at Disney and Universal Studios and University of Miami’s halftime shows. In addition, she has performed and choreographed for Ft. Lauderdale by the Sea’s Christmas Tree Lighting for several years. She continues to teach all ages and levels at various studios as well as schools and in addition, choreographs pieces for competitions while placing a strong emphasis on discipline and character development as well as dance technique. Melissa graduated from Florida International University with her B.S in Journalism and Mass Communications, but has made dance instruction her full time career.
MRS. ALEXA OLIVIER
Lyrical/Contemporary Teacher
Alexa Olivier was born and raised in South Florida. She graduated from Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts as a Dance Major. After graduating, she received certification from Alvin Ailey as a Beginner to Advanced Horton Modern Teacher. She became a Certified Rollology Instructor and a Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She is trained in Contemporary, Hip Hop, Contemporary Fusion, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Pointe, Jazz Funk and some Ballroom. She has had top level training all over the US and abroad at many intensives, countless conventions and hundreds of master classes. Some of her more extensive training was by attending Hubbard Street Dance Summer Intensive Chicago and LA, Axis Connect New York, Peridance New York Summer Intensive, Generation IV, Complexions, Chapters and MSA’s The Camp. She recently was chosen as the Intercontinental Hotel Miami Skyline Dancer of the Year for 2019.
Alexa has taught and currently teaches dance at many studios all over South Florida. She teaches Contemporary, Contemporary Fusion, Jazz Funk, Modern and Hip Hop. She continues to choreograph solos, group dances and produces award winning choreography. She is trained in concert dance as well as commercial dance. She loves to share her combination of both in her choreography. In her classes she like to promote finding dancers unique voices as Artists through movement by giving them a safe place to explore. Her choreography can be described as challenging, intricate, and a fast-paced fusion of the many diverse styles she is trained in. She likes to bring her choreography to life through videos. She is a lead contemporary choreographer for concept videos produced by World of Dance in Miami. She also choreographs for Loud Live Productions which creates immersive shows. She has danced in music videos and many concept videos. She was an Assistant for Force Dance Tour for two years, a True Performer for Intrigue Dance Convention, and has won many scholarships and awards over the years. Alexa looks forward to continuing her journey as a Professional Dancer and Choreographer. She is represented by Go2Talent LA and Tae Talent, Miami.