Slava Doval
Slava is a passionate performer and teacher who infuses her globally minded movements with grace and presence. Her experience with Ballet, HipHop, Folkloric and Contemporary all inform her choreography and her unique approach to finding the common thread in many styles.
Doval is an adventurous lifelong dancer who continues to study and perform dance internationally and locally. Doval was honoured to be the 2018 Cultural Ambassador for the City of Nelson, given to her in recognition of her excellence in the field of dance. Since 2015-2019 she was the Dance Sector Representative for the Cultural Development Committee of the City of Nelson. She is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher and a Kaeja Elevations Certified Teacher.
NOW HIRING
Looking for new team members! Send your resume to slavdadancefusion@gmail.com
Ava Jinjoe
Ava Jinjoe trained in classical ballet from a young age, and uses that discipline to bring a unique blend of technical precision and artistic flair to class. Fostering a love for dance while nurturing each student’s potential. She has attended and been accepted to numerous dance programs from Kootenay Dance Works in Rossland where she started, to prestigious schools such as Arts Umbrella, Houston Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Jorgen. With a career marked by passion, dedication, and a profound love for the art of dance, Ava is excited to join the Dance Fusion.
Fabiola Gascon
Fabiola Gascon is a professional dancer & performer originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. At an early age, she started with gymnastics and eventually found dance, taking Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet and Capoeira (which became fundamental for her training). This led her to eventually teach many styles in studios and private schools in Guadalajara.
Fabiola has also been involved in major dance productions such as The International Cancun Dance contest in November 2015 where she won Gold medal, performed as an aerialist and contemporary dancer in Daran un Grito Espectacular, was part of the cast with Noir Dance Company for the production of the Cumbre de Negocios at the Instituto Cultural Cabañas well known for collaborating with the National Philharmonic of Guadalajara, as well as becoming one of the dancers for dance runway presenting the 2016 line of clothes for Nike in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Her journey in dance has also led her to be part of important contemporary companies such as Punto y Aparte directed by Emanuel Gaitan.
Currently in Canada, Fabiola joined the company LFS (Latin Fusion Salsa), a touring company that participated in festivals in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, BC. Fabiola is now local to Nelson and continues to be a passionate advocate for the arts as she is still teaching and is a growing artist as she continues to perform, teach, choreograph, and study the art of dance.
Hilary Shanklin
Hilary Shanklin received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). She’s had the opportunity to work with incredible teachers & choreographers from The National Ballet of Canada, Kaeja d’Dance, and Toronto Dance Theatre and choreographer Hanna Kiel of “Human Body Expressions.” Hilary’s had the honour of performing at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony, numerous works at Dance Ontario’s Dance Weekend, and on Disney channel’s “The Next Step” pilot episode. Hilary’s passions have always been in dance and movement, as well as teaching. And is currently working to pursue a Bachelor of Education.
Michaela Reichenbach
Michaela Reichenbach was a Toronto based dancer, instructor and choreographer, before moving to Beautiful BC . In 2015, Michaela received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ryerson University Performance Dance program, and since has been performing and teaching. In 2020 received her 200 hour Yoga Teaching Certificate.
Michaela has had the opportunity to train under mentors from companies including The National Ballet of Canada , Toronto Dance Theatre, Cirque du Soleil and more. She has also hand the privilege of working with multiple Toronto based choreographers such as Alysa Pires (Toronto Fringe Festival), etc, who inspired her to follow her long time goal of becoming a dance instructor.
Michaela’s love for dance has given her the opportunity to dance all over the world. Michaela was invited to train and perform at Springboard Danse Montreal where she was fortunate enough to perform works by Alexander Ekman (Sweden) and Loud Hound Movement (NYC)). Michaela also traveled to Greece to perform as a dancer/actor and most recently in 2017 traveled to Dubai to perform Aladdin with Creativiva Company.
Jodie Michelle
Michaela Reichenbach was a Toronto based dancer, instructor and choreographer, before moving to Beautiful BC . In 2015, Michaela received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ryerson University Performance Dance program, and since has been performing and teaching. In 2020 received her 200 hour Yoga Teaching Certificate.
Michaela has had the opportunity to train under mentors from companies including The National Ballet of Canada , Toronto Dance Theatre, Cirque du Soleil and more. She has also hand the privilege of working with multiple Toronto based choreographers such as Alysa Pires (Toronto Fringe Festival), etc, who inspired her to follow her long time goal of becoming a dance instructor.
Michaela’s love for dance has given her the opportunity to dance all over the world. Michaela was invited to train and perform at Springboard Danse Montreal where she was fortunate enough to perform works by Alexander Ekman (Sweden) and Loud Hound Movement (NYC)). Michaela also traveled to Greece to perform as a dancer/actor and most recently in 2017 traveled to Dubai to perform Aladdin with Creativiva Company.
Curtis Good
Hey, I’m Curtis Good – a dance enthusiast who lives for the rhythm of music and the art of movement. With a deep love for both Hip Hop’s infectious energy and contemporary dance’s emotional storytelling, I’m here to guide you on a journey of self-expression. Let’s dance, let loose, and discover the incredible ways we can communicate through the language of movement. Join me, and let’s groove together!
Emily Honegger
Honegger began her dance career studying and performing in Montreal. After graduating from L’École de danse contemporaine in 2005, Emily pursued training in dance styles such as Bgirling (breakdance), house, and popping. She trained at Studio Sweatshop under the mentorship of the “Solid State” Crew as well as many other accomplished street dancers in Montreal, New York and Los Angeles. Her extensive training in ballet, martial arts, contemporary dance, contact improvisation and freestyle hip hop forms influence and inform Emily’s movement style.
Emily danced for various Montreal-based dance companies such as Bouge de Là, Cirque Eloize, Rubberband Dance, Human Playground, and created works for stage and film with choreographic collaborator Geneviève Gagné with their collective Floor Rider & Tonik. She has also collaborated with musical acts such as Urban Science Brass Band as a freestyle performer, and alongside her husband and life partner, musician FRASE, touring around Canada and Europe. Improvisation is an important through-line in Emily’s work, and this comes out in her approach to teaching movement.
Since 2020, Emily’s career transitioned towards the study and practice of Osteopathy. This lens on the human body allows for a deeper and more subtle understanding of body mechanics and anatomy. She looks forward to blending an approach of wellness and health with her dance practice as she shares her movement experience.
Acacia Schachte
Acacia Schachte is a dynamic and creative force in the world of dance, known for her deep curiosity, spiritual exploration, and commitment to artistic development. Raised in Vancouver, Acacia’s journey began at Arts Umbrella under the mentorship of Artemis Gordon, where she quickly became immersed in the foundations of her craft.
In 1999, she joined Ballet BC, where she danced for seven years in productions by iconic choreographers including Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, and Twyla Tharp. Her talent and versatility led her to New York in 2006, where she danced with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet. Over the next eight seasons, Acacia worked alongside some of the most influential voices in contemporary dance, including Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, Hofesh Shechter, Jacopo Godani, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.
Acacia’s career continued to evolve across Europe, where she collaborated with Stuttgart Ballet as an assistant choreographer for The Firebird by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, she performed at the Munich Opera Festival and with Eastman. In 2016, she was invited to join the Royal Ballet of Flanders under the directorship of Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, further expanding her repertoire with works by Akram Khan, Pina Bausch, Martha Graham, and as assistant choreographer for Sidi Larbi. As a rehearsal assistant and stager, Acacia has brought the works of Cherkaoui to companies across the globe, including the National Ballet of Portugal, Geneva Ballet, and Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.
A respected voice in the dance community, Acacia has also contributed to various film and video projects, including Emily Blunt’s dance double for The Adjustment Bureau, appearing in Anton Corbijn’s music video for Depeche Mode’s In Your Room, and collaborating with brands like Givenchy and Elle Korea.
In addition to her performance career, Acacia remains passionate about choreography and mentorship. She continues to explore her own creative vision, while sharing her knowledge and experience through workshops and masterclasses at prestigious institutions such as Royal Ballet of Flanders, Korea National University, NYC Dance Alliance, Jacob’s Pillow, Ballet Kelowna and Arts Umbrella.
Always eager to explore new artistic frontiers, Acacia’s practice is guided by a deep sense of curiosity, both within her craft and in her spiritual journey, allowing her to constantly evolve as an artist and human being.
Sammy Jade
Originally from Toronto, Sammy Jade is a teacher, multi-disciplinary healing artist and performer. She was introduced to the love of Hip Hop by watching her older cousins groove to breaks & beats. Growing up, Hip Hop wasn’t taught in formal classes yet. Music videos were her instructors, basement floors were her studio space, and cyphers were just another way to hang out with friends. In school, organically, Sammy’s dance crew and step team made choreographies to perform for her peers at lunch, in the hallways and onstage. As a young adult she continued to street dance as a form of self-expression, sharing this love for Hip Hop culture, naturally learning party moves at underground events. Sammy Jade’s credits include Luminato Festival, Kultura, Hysteria Festival, LadyFest Toronto, as well as venues such as the Roy Thompson Hall and The Rogers Centre, in Toronto. She has toured across Quebec, performing at venues like L’impérial, Le Cercle, in Québec City, as well as Club Soda in Montreal for POP Montréal. In 2008, Sammy Jade participated in Pierre Maraval’s photo exhibition, Toronto’s Mille Femme, a tribute to 1,000 artistic, creative, and inspiring women from Toronto and their protégés, who embody the passion and heritage of the city. Sammy Jade is honoured to share her love of street dance styles with Slava’s DanceFusion Studio.