Michelle is the owner and director of Micki's Dance Connection. As a former Canadian National Elite Gymnast, Michelle heads up the acro/gymnastics program. Michelle trained and competed many years under the direction of Don and Bonita Rope at the Cambridge Kips Gymnastic Club. As well as being a former gymnast and gymnastics coach, Michelle is also a Registered Nurse and Fitness Instructor. Michelle's own daughters have been competitive dancers at Micki's Dance Connection for many years and share a love of dance and the joy of helping others accomplish their goals. Michelle's experience and talent helps set Micki's apart from other studios.
Michelle Long
Vicki Fletcher
The competitive team is led by Vicki, an accomplished teacher and choreographer with years of competitive dancing experience. As a competitive judge and member of Dance Masters of America Chapter 43, Vicki continues to attend and teach at workshops throughout Ontario. Many of Vicki's dancers have been recipients of scholarships and have won many titles. A number of her students have gone on to pursue their own careers in dance and theatre.
Vicki is an amazing dance teacher whose enthusiasm and positive instructional style is loved by all of her students!
Cintia Hamer
Cintia is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance holding the R.A.D Teachers Diploma with distinction. As well, she holds the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance for both Advanced Modern and National certificates. Cintia's past education involves the successful Honors in Dance as a graduates of Ryerson University. Teaching for over 25 years, Cintia has entered many students and all have landed exams with great results. Before owning and operating her own studio for 8 years, she danced professionally with the Atlantic Ballet Company and City Ballet Company of Toronto. During her tenures she toured North America and Bermuda, was seen on television commercials and other dance venues. Cintia has extensive experience choreographing for many Dance Competitions, Festivals and Theatre Companies.
Heather Cook
As an important member of our staff, Heather is our receptionist here at Micki's that keeps us all organized and the studio running smoothly. Heather handles many administrative duties as well as always lending a helpful hand to all staff and students.
Jennifer Semiwolos
Jennifer has been teaching dance to children of all ages and abilities for over 15 years. Jennifer has a diploma in Early Childhood Education as well as being a graduate of Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School.
Her boundless energy allows her to take on the pre-school program, competitive and recreational classes. Jennifer's love of dance combined with her enjoyment of working with children of all ages makes her an exceptional dance instructor
Michelle Liota
Michelle Liota was first certified with the Canadian Dance Teacher's Association and then with the Preforming Arts Educators of Canada. She has taught tap and jazz in the GTA, Hamilton and now Brantford area for over 20 years. While once owning her own studio for many years, adjudicating and receiving many choreography awards, one of the highlights of her career was to be invited to a master class with the late, great Gregory Hines. Michelle's choreography and dancers has been seen on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Canadian Juno Awards and CHTV's Mothers Day Telethons. Michelle likes to spread her love of dance and expertise to the students at Micki's.
Natalie Petrella
Heads up our hip hop and musical theatre program at Micki's Dance Connection. Over the last 23 years, she has studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, musical theatre, and hiphop. Some of her credits include being choreographer for the Toronto Blue Jays' Jay Cru, dance captain for Jay Cru, dance captain for the Toronto Phantoms' Q107 Phantasy Girlz, a featured performance for the Toronto Raptors' Dance Pak, and performances with MPI. Her television and film credits include the HBO movie In His Father's Shoes, and the music video for Sky's Some Kinda Wonderful. Natalie was a member of Team Canada in 2000, in Germany, for the World Showdance Championships, and in 2002, in Toronto, for the World Jazz Championships. Natalie has been teaching and choreographing for 12 years, and takes pride in her students' hard work and dynamite performances. Competition time is like Christmas to Natalie; there's nothing like the smell of hairspray at 6am!
