IVDA - About Us

Since its establishment in 2005, IV Dance Academy has quickly gained recognition as an award winning, professional studio that is devoted to all that is dance.

We are passionate about dance and are committed to providing top quality training in a positive, enthusiastic, and supportive environment.

IVDA has celebrated distinctions such as Outstanding Studio & Overall Highest Studio Score. Our accredited instructors are dedicated to the art of dance & have received awards such as best choreography, most entertaining & judges choice. Our dancers have won countless scholarships, high score & overall awards including Miss Bedazzled & Destined to Succeed. They have danced under some of the hottest industry leaders from Toronto, New York & L.A. as well trained with elite companies such as L’École Nationale du Cirque. Many of them have also continued into the professional realm becoming certified instructors.

Our goal is to inspire every dancer, give them the gift of creativity, confidence & technique, and instil a love of dance that will last them a lifetime.

Miss Irene Vujic

Full Member B.A.T.D - Stage (Jazz & Tap) & Acro/Gymnastics

As a child, Irene had a tremendous interest in the arts. Irene started her training at the age of 3 at the Brampton Gymnastics Club and continued training as a gymnast until her pre-teen years.

At age 5, Irene was also playing the piano, and had joined the competitive program at Joanne Chapman School of Dance, training in jazz, acro & ballet. By age 10, not only was Irene an award winning dancer, she was also an assistant instructor in recreational classes.

When Irene joined the competitive program at The Debra Lynne School of Dance, she was training in ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre & tap; competing across Canada & USA; and working towards her teaching certification as an assistant instructor in both competitive & recreational classes. Irene was also training for her certification in professional modelling - she obtained 2 diplomas from Destinations Modeling School, one in professional children's modelling, and the other in professional pre-teen modelling. She continued modelling into her teens, appearing in several print ads, commercials & film.

By age 16, Irene obtained her first of 3 teaching certifications - Associate Member of the British Association of Teacher of Dance (B.A.T.D) in Stage (Jazz & Tap). Still an active member of the competitive team, Irene also began teaching at her studio as well as in elementary schools in the Peel District. Before graduating secondary school, Irene became a Full Member of the B.A.T.D in Stage (Jazz & Tap).

While attending McMaster University, Irene continued to be active in the dance world. She was a member of the MAC dance club as a dancer & choreographer; had taught competitive & recreational classes at a few studios in Ontario; was a workshop instructor at many studios, elementary schools & universities/colleges; and received her Full Membership with the B.A.T.D in Acrobatics/Gymnastics. She later received her Business Accounting diploma from Sheridan College.

Irene has developed into an accomplished and respected teacher/choreographer, and her passion for the performing arts lead her to open IV Dance Academy in 2005. Her students have extensive training in many dance forms and their combined talents have won numerous awards in Canada & USA including best choreography awards, highest mark of competition, best precision awards, outstanding entertainment awards, overall awards, and special awards. Irene has trained students who have won titles such as Miss Teen Bedazzled, Intermediate Elite Dance Champion at Foot Loose International Dance Competitions, Most Potential Dancer, and Destined to Succeed. Many of her students have also been asked to join & perform with extreme dance teams! Irene also professionally develops her students into certified teachers, and has done so with great success.

Irene continues her training by attending workshops & conferences that have included industry professionals such as Mia Michaels, Blake McGrath, Kenny Wormald, Bobby Newberry, Linda Garneau, Tyce Diorio, Shane Sparks, Marty Kudelka, Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo, Sonya Tayeh, Shannon Mather, Mary Murphy, Dee Caspary, Mandy Moore, Mikael Knight, Luther Brown, David Cox, Shawn Byfield, Dave Scott, Nick Bass, Faye Rauw, Cathy Duncan, Keith Banks, and many more!

Miss Irene is ecstatic about the growing recognition that IVDA has received since its establishment, and is devoted to extending her passion, dedication, and appreciation of dance to her students!

Studio Director

Competitive & Recreational Instructor

Mrs. Kristin Morriss

A.R.A.D., R.A.D. RTS, N.B.S DIP

Kristin started her dance training at the age of 4, and became a competitive dancer by age 10. Growing up Kristin trained & competed in jazz, tap, & lyrical, but chose to focus strictly on ballet because of its beauty, structure & importance to all dance forms.

Kristin has completed all her Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D) ballet examinations. This includes children’s examinations from Grades 1 through 8, as well as her vocational examinations from Intermediate Foundation through Advanced 2 (formerly Pre-Elementary to Advanced), receiving exemplary marks in each.

Kristin is a graduate of the National Ballet Schools’ (N.B.S) Teacher Training Program, where she not only obtained a diploma from the N.B.S in the teaching of ballet; she also acquired her Teaching Certificate from the R.A.D giving her registered teacher status. In addition to her ballet training at the N.B.S, Kristin also studied anatomy, body conditioning, dance history, modern dance, music, art history, and pedagogy (the study of how to teach).

Kristin has taught both recreationally & competitively at different studios across Ontario. She has put many students through ballet examinations, both children’s Graded and Vocational with great success. In addition to her students being successful in ballet examinations, Kristin’s students have won numerous awards in competitions, including best choreography, overall & special awards.

Kristin projects her passion & love of dance to all her students, and encourages them to always strive for their maximum potential.

Competitive & Recreational Instructor

Miss Amber McCloskey

Full Member B.A.T.D. - Stage (Jazz & Tap)

Amber began dancing at the age of 4, and became a competitive dancer by the age of 6. She is well trained in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre & hip hop, and Amber is a Full Member of the B.A.T.D. in Stage (Jazz & Tap).

Amber’s talents as a competitive dancer have won her numerous awards including overall & special awards across Canada & USA. She was also the head dance choreographer for Richview Collegiate Institutes’ annual fashion & talent show.

Amber is a student of Ryerson Polytechnic University, studying the arts, with a minor in marketing.

Even with her busy university & teaching schedule, Amber is still continues her dance training by attend workshops whose faculty has included Shane Sparks, Blake McGrath, Kenny Wormald, Bobby Newberry, Shawn Byfeild, Mandy Moore, Marty Kudelka, Keith Murry, Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo, Sonya Tayeh, and Shannon Mather.

Amber teaches both recreationally & competitively and her competitive students have won numerous awards including overalls & special awards.

Competitive & Recreational Instructor

Mrs. Tania Cristello - Valente

Full Member B.A.T.D. - Stage (Jazz & Tap)

Tania began her dance training at the age of 4 and entered the competitive program by age 5. Her dance disciplines then included ballet, jazz , musical theatre & tap, while later gaining an interest in lyrical & hip hop.

Tania began working towards instructor certification as an assistant instructor when she was 14 while still avidly competing in various dance competitions across North America, winning numerous awards.

Tania completed her assistant & teacher training to become a Full Member of the B.A.T.D. in Stage (Jazz & Tap), and has taught ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and stretch & technique classes at the recreational & competitive levels for over 10 years. She has taught several dance programs for the City Of Mississauga.

Tania continues her training by attending workshops whose faculty has included Shane Sparks, Blake McGrath, Kenny Wormald, Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo, Sonya Tayeh, Shannon Mather, and Bobby Newberry.

Competitive & Recreational Instructor

Miss Carling Robertson

Full Member B.A.T.D - Stage (Jazz & Tap) & Acro/Gymnastics

Carling began dancing at the age of 3, and was competitively dancing by age 6.

She has extensive training in acro, tap, jazz, lyrical & ballet, and is a Member of the B.A.T.D. in both Acro/Gymnastics and Stage (Tap & Jazz).

As a competitive dancer, Carling has attended numerous competitions in North America, winning many overall & special awards, including 1^st place overall for her acro solo.

In 2006, Carling was asked to be a member of Foot Looses' Extreme Dance Team.

Carling was a student at York University, and has graduated with a degree in Kinesiology.

She was a member of the York Dance Team and has performed at various university events.

In addition to volunteering for a variety of community events, Carling has also completed a Leadership Program, becoming a facilitator at several leadership camps and continues her dance training by attending workshops & conferences.

Competitive & Recreational Instructor

Miss Sarah Rickaby

Associate Member B.A.T.D - Stage (Jazz & Tap) & Acro/Gymnastics

Sarah Rickaby has been dancing since was 7 years of age. After her first lesson, she immediately fell in love with this art form and has been dancing since that time!

Sarah is a recreational teacher and is certified as an Associate Member of the B.A.T.D. in Acrobatics/Gymnastics & Stage (Jazz and Tap).

By the age of 8, Sarah was in a competitive dance program. She has won various awards including “Miss Teen Bedazzled” 2007 and 2009, “Destined to Succeed” award at Dance Canada Competition, “Top Soloist” at Star Catchers dance competition, chosen as part of the “Foot Loose International Dance Championships' Extreme Team” in 2006 and several other overall awards. She has also won “Be Discovered” dance scholarships to Los Angeles and New York.

Sarah constantly trains in various genres of dance, such as ballet, pointe, jazz, acro, modern, tap, hip hop, musical theatre and lyrical/contemporary. In addition, she has attended several dance workshops including Coastal Dance Rage, Jump Dance Convention and Candance Convention. She has worked with various faculty members and choreographers such as Meaghan McGrath, Blake McGrath, Shannon Mathers, Mia Micheals, Stacey Tookey, Mandy Moore, Kenny Wormald and others.

In addition to dance, Sarah has been involved in gymnastics camps since she was 10 years of age to improve her acrobatic and gymnastic techniques. In the summer 2010, she attended a Cirque du Soliel camp in Montreal for two weeks. This camp was held at L’École Nationale du Cirque where the aspects of strength and flexibility were improved.

Sarah attends Cawthra Park Secondary School in the arts program for dance. She is also a member of the exclusive dance company “Repertoire” at her school. Sarah travelled to New York for dance this past year with the “Repertoire” company performing at various locations. During this trip, she participated in dance classes at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Steps Dance Place. She looks forward to a Miami trip for dance this year.

Recreational Instructor

Miss Jessica Pasqua

Associate Member B.A.T.D - Stage (Jazz & Tap) & Acro/Gymnastics

Jessica began her dancing career at the age of 3 in an introduction to dance class, consisting of tap and jazz. By the age of 6, she was asked to begin dancing competitively, leading her to begin training firstly in ballet, and then in acro, lyrical, musical theatre, and pointe.

Upon beginning competition, Jessica also began taking her R.A.D. ballet exams. She has completed her exams from Primary to Advanced 1 with tremendous success. She is currently working towards her Advanced 2 exam.

Not only does Jessica dance, she has also been figure skating for just as long as she’s been dancing. Although she trains much more heavily in dance, she still keeps up her figure skating and works hard at it.

Even with her very busy schedule, Jessica still manages to be an honour roll student. She currently attends Mayfield Secondary School and is a part of the dance program. She is very involved in the dance program and has auditioned and been chosen for several extra dance roles including the lead role of Clara in the school’s production of the Nutcracker in Grade 9. She was also chosen to be a member of Mayfield’s dance company Breathe in Grade’s 9 through 11.

Jessica’s love for dance has driven her to become a certified dance instructor. She is an Associate Member of the B.A.T.D. in Acrobatics/Gymnastics & Stage (Jazz & Tap). On top of that, Jessica has also completed her NCCP Foundations Introduction Course in order to begin certifying her as a gymnastics coach.

Jessica is still an active member of IVDA, participating in many competitions across Canada and winning several special and overall awards. She also attends many workshops including choreographers such as Blake McGrath, Kenny Wormald, Bobby Newberry, Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo, Sonya Tayeh, Shannon Mather, Mary Murphy, Dee Caspary, Mandy Moore, Mikael Knight, David Cox, Shawn Byfield, Cathy Duncan, and Everett Smith.

Recreational Instructor

Miss Elyssia Giancola

Associate Member B.A.T.D - Jazz

Elyssia began dancing at the age of 3, with classes in ballet and jazz. By the age of 13, she was dancing competitively and had added musical theatre, lyrical, hip hop, tap and pointe to her training. At that time, she also became an assistant instructor in recreational classes.

Elyssia has completed ballet exams from Pre-primary to Grade 6, as well as Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate. She has also danced at benefits for organizations such as Peel Children’s Aid Society and From a Mother’s Heart.

Elyssia has always had a passion for the performing arts, and is currently a student in the Drama Program at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School. She has appeared in various school plays and musicals such as Joseph, Fame and Guys and Dolls, cast in both major and minor roles. In addition to her work onstage, Elyssia has also written and directed several original works, and has received awards for both acting and directing.

From a very young age, Elyssia has took piano and voice lessons, and has achieved First Class Honours or higher in both practical and theory exams. Academically, she has achieved much success, receiving many awards, including the highest average in her grade. Elyssia hopes to pursue musical theatre in the future.

At the age of 16, Elyssia obtained her first certification of Associate Member of the B.A.T.D. in Jazz. She is still an active member of IVDA’s competitive team, and has received various awards at competitions across Ontario. She also is currently training for her Associate Stage (tap & jazz) certification.

Elyssia has attended several workshops with such faculty as Mike Wittmers, Joy Spears, Hollywood, Vincent Noiseaux, Scott Fordham and Jody Dombrowsky.

Recreational Instructor