Dance instructors of JDI - Professional and Experienced

JESSICA JARDINE

STUDIO DIRECTOR,

COMPETITIVE INSTRUCTOR

Jessica has always had a passion for dance and has been involved in the dance industry for over 25 years. Trained in jazz, tap, ballet, acro, hip-hop, lyrical and musical theatre, she has competed since the age of six winning numerous overall awards and scholarships across Canada and the United States. She studied under the RAD and BATD where she completed the grades and major exams and is a fully certified BATD member (stage branch). Jessica has been teaching dance in the Brampton area since the early age of sixteen and after being recognized for her talents as a choreographer, she decided to open JDI in 2002. Over the years Jessica’s students have achieved major success winning countless overall awards, top marks, titles, judges choice awards such as most potential and scholarships to work with the industries leading choreographers and compete all over the world. Jessica has also been recognized with numerous outstanding choreography awards for her work along with top discipline awards, top studio awards and top score of the competition.

Many of her students have gone on to dance at the National Ballet of Canada, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, with the Toronto Argonauts and the Toronto Raptors, performed in various cruise lines, and appeared on television shows such as the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Many have also gone on to be dance instructors themselves. Jessica is also an adjudicator allowing her to pass on her knowledge and experience to many other students in the dance industry. Her goal is to continue to achieve excellence in an environment that is positive and nuturing with all of the students at JDI.

JENNIFER TUGHAN

Jen started dancing at the age of three training in jazz, ballet, lyrical and hip hop and has been teaching for over 20 years. She competed across Canada and the US winning various overall and adjudicators choice awards, having the opportunity to dance on large stages such as the Rogers Centre and the CNE. Entering her 22nd season with JDI, Jen is passionate in sharing her love of dance with her students. She believes in instilling hard working values in her students and is so proud when they see their hard work pays off. Jen is always looking for new innovative ways to engage her young students and help them reach their maximum potential. Throughout her career, her work has won countless overall awards and adjudicators choice awards. Her students have been crowned title winners, rookie of the year, most potential and Dance off Champions. Jen continues to take workshops to keep learning new and innovative ways to teach her students. She enjoys challenging her students to reach their max potential, and help foster their love of dance.

THERESA HARRON

Theresa began dancing at the age of five and was eager to join the JDI team when it first opened. She was trained under Jessica Jardine in numerous styles of dance and with her natural abilities and dedication to dance, she soon began assisting and instructing competitive and recreational classes. This will be Theresa’s 20th season as a JDI instructor, teaching contemporary, lyrical and hip hop. She has produced many award-winning routines and is often recognized for her unique and innovative choreography. Many of Theresa's group and solo/duet/trio routines have placed in overall awards at various competitions around the GTA. Her students have also won numerous awards such as the "Face of Fever" and “Mr. Junior Dancer of the Year”. Theresa's students have also been recognized with "Most Potential" awards as well as receiving stand out awards and scholarships for workshops worldwide to work with the industries finest. Many of Theresa’s routines have been awarded top marks, qualifying and placing in dance offs and finals of local competitions. Theresa continues to share her love for dance and is looking forward to another successful season with the JDI family.

CHANTAL DROLET

Chantal Drolet is a graduate of the National Ballet School's Teacher Training Program and holds Associate levels from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) in the Cecchetti method and in National Dance (Honours) and a Full Membership in Ballet of Performing Arts Educators of Canada (PAEC).

Beginning her dance training in Quebec City, her passion for dance took her through successful performances and examinations. Leveraging 30 years of training and experience, an enthusiastic and detailed approach to teaching, she focuses on creating a positive and rewarding learning environment for her students. With her passionate love of dance, she inspires numerous students to continuously grow as dancers. Chantal also believes that dance, as a fitness activity for adults, provides increased health and an ability to cope with the stresses of everyday life.

TENYSHA HENRIQUES-POWELL

Tenysha has been dancing since the age of 6 and has trained in various styles including Ballet, Jazz, Acro, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Contemporary and more. Her love for dance has pushed her to pursue opportunities to perform all throughout Canada and the U.S. She most recently has had the honor of performing at Toronto's original Choreographers Ball. Tenysha has engaged in professional cheerleading and was part of Lady A's dance team for the Brampton A's inaugural season in the NBL. She is also a former cheerleader for the Toronto Argonauts Football club. She has had the opportunity to represent Toronto on and off the field and has performed with the likes of Kardinal Official, Karl Wolf, Dru and Maestro Fresh Wes. She has also appeared in music videos, and has taken a hand in choreographing for a local Toronto artist. As a dancer she was often recognized for her "Amazing Stage Presence" and was deemed to have the "Total Package". Tenysha was presented with scholarships to work with the industries top choreographers and has been awarded Highest Overall Scores as well as Most Potential Dancer awards. Tenysha has always had an appreciation for the art of dance and a passion for performing and enjoys sharing her knowledge and love for dance with her students. Many have received special and overall awards as well as adjudicator's choice awards, and she looks forward to seeing continued growth in all of her students.

MELISSA LOMBARDI

Dance has been a part of Melissa’s life since the young age of 3. She has extensive training and competitive background in a wide range of styles, including, ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, musical theatre and contemporary. She has completed her Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) classical ballet examinations in Pre-Primary to Grade 5 and certified as an Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teacher (ADAPT) in Jazz and Tap. At the age of 16, Melissa started teaching as an assistant, feel in love with it, and then at the age of 19 went on to become a teacher with a musical theatre company for 10 years. In those 10 years she had the opportunity to teach young artists this beautiful dance artform and also choreograph musicals such as, “The Little Mermaid Jr.”, “Peter Pan”, “Shrek Jr.” and “Beauty and the Beast Jr.”, to name a few. Melissa then went on into the dance world herself and started taking classes again and joined a dance collective. In that time, she had the opportunity to grow her knowledge for dance, train, choreograph and performed on stage, a feeling that she loves so much. As an alumni dancer from JDI, Melissa is very excited to be teaching the young dancers at JDI and is thrilled to be sharing her love and passion for dance with all of her students.

DANIELLE BRUCE

Dani started dancing at the age of three and began her full time competitive training at the age of six in jazz, tap, ballet, acro, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary. Within her training she completed her RAD exams up to the advanced foundation level. Dani joined the JDI team in 2016 and instantly felt at home. She has won many overall and dance off awards including VIP Tap Soloist and additionally has had the experience to learn from professionals such as Bizzy Boom, David Cox and Twitch.

After becoming a JDI alumni in 2020, Dani went forth to obtain an Honours Degree, majoring in language and child studies. Dani has stayed within the dance community by teaching various styles of dance and gymnastics at different organizations and continues to dance wherever possible with drop-in classes and workshops. Dani has always strived to choreograph and create and has always known she would find her way back to dance. Her return to JDI has now embraced that missing piece. Dani is proud and looking forward to being a part of JDI’s upcoming season, and can’t wait to be a part of her students experiences with Dance.