Faculty/Staff
Meet our lovely instructors!
Miss Alison
B.A (Hon.); A.I.S.T.D.; R.A.D. R.T.S
Miss Alison is a highly accomplished dance educator, choreographer, and performer with over 20 years of teaching experience and lifelong passion for dance. She began training at the age of four, studying Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Ballet and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D.) Modern Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre.
She holds an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from York University and continued her training at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and in England with the I.S.T.D. She is a certified R.A.D. Ballet teacher and holds I.S.T.D. Associate qualifications in Modern Theatre, and Tap, as well as an Associate Diploma in Modern Theatre.
Throughout her career, Miss Alison has taught at leading dance studios, Seneca College, and within performing arts programs across Ontario. She has successfully prepared students for R.A.D. ballet and I.S.T.D. modern theatre, tap, and jazz examinations for more than a decade, helping dancers develop strong technical foundations and confidence.
Mr. Gerard McIsaac
A double alumnus of the Canada’s National Ballet School (Professional Ballet Program/Teachers Training Program for Former Pro’s - TTPPD, Dip with Distinction), Mr. McIsaac is a highly recognized, regarded and respected Professional Dance Educator and Ballet Masterclass facilitator; and certainly, one of North Americas’ leaders within dance community at large. His vast and celebrated experience as a Professional Dance Adjudicator (28 years) at regional/national levels is to be commended and he continues to educate, inform and inspire dancers whose desire is to achieve their highest performance potential.
Mr. McIsaac has and currently is on faculty as a Resident Classical Ballet Master for competitive dance studios within the Greater Toronto area for decades, instructing students ages 4-21 years of age. He also mentors YOUTH AMERICAN GRAND PRIX and RAD SOLO SEAL participants and boasts an impressive roster of private clientele under his company - DANCE DIRECTION. Mr. McIsaac also facilitates teacher training seminars for a plethora of events, including RHEE GOLD’s DANCEIFE enterprises, and has also developed a comprehensive IN-HOUSE BALLET/DANCE EVALUATION examination program (please contact coordinate below for inquiries).
Mr. McIsaac continues to be in high demand as an Intensive and Convention facilitator and is touted as the “Canadian Ballet Guru”! He also has facilitated and choreographed for events such as, ALLEGRO BALLET FESTIVAL, CAMBODIA DANCE CHALLENGE, CANADIAN DANCE EXPO, RAD WORLD CONVENTION “EN AVANTE”, RAD USA DANCE CHALLENGE, DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA, WORLD PERFORMERS CANADA, ON THE FLOOR, FESTIVAL DU BALLET, DANCE QUEST CANADA, TNT DANCE CONVENTION, VIEW CONVENTION, THE AUDIENCE DANCE REIVALRY, IDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (where he’s choreography ranked in the top 3 in the junior division), and much more.
Mr. McIsaac’s official certifications include Diploma with Distinction-NBS Teachers Training Program for Former Pro’s (TTPPD, Dip), Mutually Recognized Teacher-The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD, MRT), Dance Masters of Canada (DMC) and International Dance Teachers Association of Great Britain (IDTA), The Society of Classical Ballet Vaganova Method (SCBVM). He was also the recipient of the 2013 CAROLE CHADWICK AWARD and 2014 SYLVIE M. MCPHEE Awards, presented by NBS ballet faculty for Outstanding Teacher Recognition.
Mr. McIsaac also boasts a very extensive professional performance career, including Broadway Musicals such as: CATS (Original Can. Cast/Nat. Tour); MISS SAIGON
(London, Eng. - West End); HOME AND AWAY THE MUSICAL, UK Tour; JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, (London, Eng. - West End); SHOWBOAT, (Toronto/US Nat. Tour/London, Eng. – West End); BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, (US Nat. Tour);
THE HANDMAID’S TALE and DEATH IN VENICE, (Canadian Opera Company); HAIRSPRAY THE MOVIE!; CANADIAN IDOL SEASON 3; Hinton Battle’s - SYNCHRONICITY (Japan Tour) which also featured Ms. Jennfier Lopez!
Mr. McIsaac’s/balletgman (his industry nickname) boundless enthusiasm, professionalism and spirited dedication to the mentoring dance community has been praised applauded from the highest level of dance educators, worldwide. He is thrilled to announce to be in the beginning stage of co-writing his life auto-biography for book release on a date to be determined and in ‘over the ballet moon’ about this iconic opportunity, and self-fulfilling venture, as another modality of his ‘MISSION TO MENTOR MANY’ vocation!
Miss Jaden
Miss Jaden has over 20 years of dance & performance experience. She trained in RAD Ballet & ISTD Modern & Tap completing her Advanced exam in Modern. She also has extensive training in jazz, lyrical & contemporary.
Most recently, Miss Jaden is certified in Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & has also completed her Alixa Flexibility courses in Module 1 & 2, certifying her in the proper techniques of stretching & flexibility.
Miss Jaden has been a dance instructor & choreographer for 10 years. Her experience includes teaching at various studios in Durham & Northumberland. She has taught in some colleges & secondary schools in the GTA. Her experience includes teaching in the UK as well as the USA. Additional experience included charity events & galas both as a performer & choreographer.
Miss Jaden loves performing, teaching, choreographing, & exploring innovative change in all genres of dance.
She is very proud, passionate, & excited to be teaching at Traditions Academy of Dance, the studio where she was well trained & fell in love with dance.
Miss Emily Gibson
Emily Gibson is a professional dancer and teacher, working in the GTA. As a young adult, she completed her Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams up to and including Advanced l. During her time in Toronto, she has also trained in performing arts at both George Brown College and The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, where she studied ballet, jazz, and modern. Throughout that time, she had the pleasure of working with artists such as Sharon Moore, Ryan Lee, Anisa Tejpar, Darryl Tracy and others. Emily is best known for her versatility as she models, acts, and performs contemporary, latin, Bollywood, ballroom, and hip hop for various dance companies in the city. She has also co-produced charity dance showcases, donating all of the proceeds to foundations such as the Sick Kid’s Foundation and Make A Wish. Her credits include PrideTO, Bravo Dance Company, Limitless Compound, Sensual Heeling, MM Entertainment, Hit and Run Productions, Liberty Entertainment, Sheertex, Cheekbone Beauty, Zootch, and BNF Dubai. With her substantial teaching experience and having choreographed for all ages throughout the GTA, Emily is excited to join the Traditions faculty.
