Instructors

I’ve been dancing in my room, den and everywhere all my life but I started dancing at a studio when I was around 8 or 9. I started with musical theatre and fell in love with dance, then kept adding more styles each year. I love all things dance and music, and love teaching and people. I started dancing a little later than most people and was less flexible than most as well. 

I want to teach kids to find their style and to love it. It took me a while to understand I didn’t need to be flexible to have fun in dance so I want to show kids they can have fun too. I started helping out with the studio right before covid and gradually helped out more. Right now I’m helping with multiple classes and connecting with the kids.

Michelle Ariss is certified with the Canadian Dancesport Federation as a Ballroom & Latin Dance Instructor Certified to teach waltz, foxtrot, quickstep, Vienesse Waltz, Tango, Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive and Paso Doble.

Michelle started ballroom dancing in 1995 as a way to get herself out of the house. It was not very long before she started noticing positive changes in herself.

Michelle owned and operated and was head instructor at Ballroom Class Dance Studio in Guelph from 2011 until August 2021. As dance has evolved over the past decade so has Michelle.

Michelle now teaches all of these popular social dances ( west coast swing, hustle, bachata, salsa, argentine tango, merengue) alongside her international ballroom dances.

Over the years Michelle has also taught and choreographed many 1st dances for the Bride and Groom to be. Michelle has retired from Studio ownership but continues to pass on her knowledge and love of dance part time proving again and again that if you have 2 left feet she is sure to find your right!

Jenni has been practicing yoga for the past 10 years. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and certifications. Jenni is a graduate of DevaTree school of yoga. She has completed her 200hr Cross-disciplinary yoga teacher training, and her 100hr children's yoga teacher training. She is also certified in yoga for anxiety, depression and PTSD, as well as a certified meditation teacher.

In the hectic "always on" world she is honored to help students love and respect all aspects of themselves,  increase their self-confidence, promote their creativity and self expression, and give them the tools to self regulate and relax.

I’ve been dancing as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are of me dancing in my living room and listening to music from my ipod. I didn’t actually start dancing at a studio until I was 10, which is a lot later than most. However, I’m a quick learner and was quickly invited to join the competitive team. 

Then the pandemic happened and I was no longer able to compete; so, I went back to dancing in my living room. I've always loved working with kids and when I was asked to work at WPDC I was super excited. It combined two of my favourite things, working with kids and dancing. I love being able to help kids learn the art of dance.

Miss Lyla fell in love with dance, performing and being on stage at the age of 3. She was a competitive dancer at Infinity Dance and specialized in contemporary, lyrical, jazz and acro.

She has completed exams in ballet and acro.  Lyla’s future dream is to be a school teacher, so to be able to mesh her two passions together is so exciting for her. She is looking forward to sharing her love of dance with young children and to see them express themselves through movement.