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Matricks Acro Faculty
MEET THE TEAM
Michelle Hernandez
Co-Founder & Head Instructor
Michelle is a skilled and accomplished Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach, recognized and certified by the National Coaching Certification Program. Additionally, she holds a certification as an Acro Instructor from Acro Dance Teachers Association & Acrobatic Arts. Michelle has undergone competitive training in various dance forms including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop. Furthermore, she possesses national-level training as a Rhythmic Gymnast.
Michelle's involvement extends beyond coaching and training, as she also excels in choreographing performances for prominent sports teams such as the Toronto Marlies and the Toronto Argonauts. Her dedication to the gymnastics community is evident through her role as a certified Meet Director for Gymnastics Ontario, where she has successfully hosted provincial-wide competitions for seven years at Woodbridge Academy of Gymnastics along with managing their Recreational & Competitive Team for 7 years.
An esteemed founding member of ADA (Acro Dance Adjudication), Michelle has gone the extra mile to obtain her Acro Dance Adjudication Certification, showcasing her commitment to excellence in this field. Currently, she holds the position of Acro Director at a dance studio and teaches Acro across the GTA.
Michelle is also a distinguished Co-Founder of Matricks Acro Inc. & The Acro Company, which stands as Canada's Leading Acro Intensive & Training Program. Alongside her other accomplishments, this role underscores her significant contributions to the world of acrobatics and gymnastics training in Canada.
Monica Sorbara
Co-Founder & Head Instructor
Monica Sorbara is a highly accomplished dancer and performer with a diverse background in various dance styles. She received competitive level training in acrobatics, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, tap, and hip-hop, showcasing her versatility as a dancer. Her dedication to her craft led her to pursue higher education at Toronto Metropolitan University Performance Dance program, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
Professionally, Monica has had the privilege of being a member of prestigious dance teams such as the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak and the Toronto Blue Jays J FORCE team. Her talent has been showcased in various notable events including the JOGA x Reebok Fashion show for Toronto Women’s Fashion Week, the Pan Am games opening ceremony, David Foster Gala, WeDay, and performances with Creativiva. Additionally, she has showcased her skills in film and television commercials for Nikon and Peloton.
Beyond performance, Monica is an exceptional instructor, specializing in competitive Acro dance, and her choreography has garnered awards. Her influence extends into the sports realm, where she excels in choreographing guest performances for prominent teams like the Toronto Marlies and the Toronto Argonauts.
Monica's commitment to professional development is evident through her certifications from the Acro Dance Teachers Association and Acrobatic Arts. She is also recognized as a Founding Member of ADA (Acro Dance Adjudicators), further solidifying her standing in the dance community.
Additionally, Monica is a distinguished co-founder of Matricks Acro Inc. & The Acro Company, which are regarded as Canada's Leading Acro Intensive & Training Program. Her dedication to holistic health and wellness is demonstrated by her certification as an Animal Flow instructor, along with her ongoing studies in personal training, nutrition, youth fitness, and performance enhancement. This comprehensive approach reflects Monica's commitment to fostering physical and artistic growth in both herself and those she teaches and collaborates with.
Emily Pisani
Head Instructor
Emily started dancing when she was just three years old and competed with The Dance Corps full time competitive team for 13 years. She has been training in acro specifically for the past 15 years. Emily attended the dance program at Iona Catholic Secondary School for all four years of high-school and is now studying business in the University of Toronto’s Rotman Commerce program. She has done half time performances at both Toronto Marlies and Toronto Argonauts games. Emily first started with Matricks Acro by being awarded Top Acrobat at Canada's Leading Acro intensive. Emily has been teaching for three years and is excited to continue sharing her passion of dance with the next generation of dancers. Emily is certified through Acrobatic Arts Teacher Certification Program.
Alexandra Gualdieri
Head Instructor
Alex began her dance journey when she was only three years old and started competing with JCB Danceworks on the competitive team until she was 17. She has specifically been training in acro for the past 16 years . Alex attended the dance program at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School for all four years of high school. She has since gone to Dalhousie University to study a BSc in psychology while also competing with her schools dance team the Dalhousie Black and Gold. She has performed in half times at both Toronto Marlies and Toronto Argonauts games. Alex has been teaching for 5 years & is certified with Acrobatic Arts Certification Program. She cannot wait to continue sharing her passion for dance and acro with the next generation of dancers.
ANGEL DI MARTINO PALLADINO
Head Instructor
Angel is an ambitious dancer and dance teacher from Maple, Ontario. She is a versatile performer who is competitively trained in acrobatics, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and tap. She attended Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts where she trained specifically in modern and ballet. She successfully graduated from the Arts Program with Ontario Scholar and a Four Year Honour Roll award. Angel has achieved numerous awards as a soloist, including Top 10 Senior Female Best Dancer at The Dance Awards. Angel has participated in many professional shows including “Come On, Dreamer”, directed by Brooke Gilmour. She has also performed in 3 shows with the professional dance company, “Bridge to Artists”, where she has been able to improve her artistry as a dancer. Angel began teaching dance in 2019 and acrobatics in 2021. Angel is certified through Acrobatic Arts Certification Program. She has found a passion for sharing her knowledge and loves watching her students thrive!
Nicole Garrett
Head Instructor
From choreography to performance, Nicky has spent the previous 25 years of her life happily immersed in the world of dance. Nicky has studied extensively in various genres, including acro, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, pointe, ballet and hip-hop. Nicky specializes in teaching acro and contemporary, & is often sought out as a guest teacher for workshops and intensives in these
genres. Nicky pursues all opportunities to enrich her knowledge and skill in the art of dance. Throughout her teaching career, Nicky has acquired numerous credentials, including: Acro-Dance Teacher’s Association, Progressing Ballet Technique, Adapt Teacher’s Training School, and membership to the Professional Adjudicator’s Alliance. Nicky has a wide variety of performance and choreographic experience. Highlights of her performance experience include a guest appearance on a Carnival Cruise Line, a Waterloo Choreographer’s Ball, and a Toronto Raptor’s basketball game. Nicky additionally preformed as an actress for Busy Bees Parties from 2013-2017. Fascinated with the creation of movement, Nicky has choreographed professionally in the studio setting for several years, consistently acquiring overall awards for her students at competition. Other recent choreographic endeavours include wedding choreography, choreography for London’s 2019 Fringe Festival show “Say Nothing” and for NLC Dance Company’s 2022 show “Exhale”. Today, Nicky is continuing to indulge in her passion for dance as an adjudicator, freelance choreographer and guest teacher throughout the tri-cities & GTA. Additionally, Nicky is a choreographer and instructor for the following organizations: Evolve Dance Centre in Kitchener, Flex Dance Company in Baden, and C.O.R.E. Dance Project in Paris. Nicky is the owner of Learn 2 Dance and the Breaking Boundaries Movement.
Kendra Perry
Head Instructor
Kendra has had a love for Acro for over 19 years. Her experience in teaching and assisting students began in 2002 with dance classes of various disciplines. She was trained competitively in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Acro. Kendra has won many awards in Ontario and the USA, receiving overall, special and choreography awards for her routines at dancecompetitions, as well as being the choreographer for productions such as “Dear Edwina” and “Alice in Wonderland” by Kempenfelt Community Players. Most recently, she was a featured speaker on a panel for the Acro Dance Teachers Association seminar “Icons ofAcro”. Kendra is a highly sought after dancer, performing for Weddings, Bravado, Pink Floyd ‘The Wall’ Tribute Concert, and at Pearson International Airport for International Dance Day. She has enjoyed training students at Simcoe Dance Academy, Barrie Parks and Recreation, Northern Stars Gymnastics, Moving Art Centre for the Performing Arts, Next Generation Dance Company and North Point Skating Academy. Upon graduation in June 2009, she received two scholarships; one for her excellent contribution in dance and the other for the highestmark in dance. Kendra holds her Acrobatic Arts, Alixa Flexibility, Progressing Ballet Technique and Premiere Master ADTA Certifications as well as being an NCCP Level 2 Gymnastics Coach, Level 1 Trampoline Coach and member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance. Kendra has also completed her Advanced 2 RAD Ballet exam and was granted ARAD status. Her most recent achievement gained her the title NASM-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer).Kendra is always expanding her knowledge to be able to bring her best into the industry and to her students. She is thrilled to share her love and passion for Acro with the athletes of Matricks Acro Inc.!
Jaymie Bradford
Head Instructor
Jaymie Bradford is a graduate of The University of Western Ontario in Kinesiology and Sports Management. Planning to continue her passion for inspiring and educatingstudents, Jaymie is currently completing the Bachelor of Education program at Brock University.She began dancing at a young age and trained competitively for a number of years inthe styles of Acro, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Lyrical. Following experience working alongside award winning choreographers and instructors, she began teaching and choreographing numerous dance styles with a specialization in acrobatics. She has been instructing across Ontario for the last 7 years.Jaymie has been fortunate to have been given the opportunity to dance and perform for different groups across Canada. Most notably she was a member of the London Lightning Dance Pak where she performed at events hosted by the National Basketball League of Canada.
Yasmina Granic
Head Instructor
With 13 years of extensive dance training, including 8 years dedicated to Latin ballroom, Yasmina Granic has established herself as a versatile and accomplished dancer. Her journey includes experience working alongside choreographers Jade Whitney and Holly Ryder Robinson as their assistant.
Yasmina Granic has left her mark on the entertainment industry through notable performances on Netflix productions such as "Feel the Beat" and "The Next Step" showcasing her exceptional talent and commitment to the art of dance.
In addition to her dance expertise, Yasmina Granic is STOTT trained for both Mat and Reformer Pilates, demonstrating a holistic approach to physical fitness. Currently on the path to full certification, she seamlessly integrates Pilates principles into her dance practice, enhancing strength, flexibility, and overall performance. Yasmina is dedicated to creating a positive environment where children can explore their creativity and love for movement.
Jayden Lau
Assistant Instructor
Jayden is a competitive dancer, training in acrobatics, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop. From Toronto, Ontario, Jayden has been competitively dancing for 12 years now and has gone on to place in the Top 10 Senior Male Best Dancer at The Dance Awards. He began teaching and assisting with Matricks Acro Inc, finding a new passion for nurturing the next generation of Acrobats.
Tearrah Beals
Head Instructor
Tearrah began her dance career at the age of 3. She trained in Ballet, Acrobatics, Hip-Hop, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Modern, in which she competed in both Canada and the United States. As well as being an accomplished teacher, Tearrah’s professional dance career has seen her appear in Music Videos, Television Shows and Concerts. Her credits include; opening for the Bruno Mars 24k Magic World Tour in both Toronto and Montrèal, a feature in one of Massari’s music videos, and has danced for artists such as Omi- at the MMVA’S, Dean Brody durning a Grey Cup half time show, Hedley and Bow Wow. She has also filmed for Bella Dancerella. Tearrah is a graduate of Interior Decorating at Humbers North Campus and during this time was apart of Humber Dance Company where she competed against multiple colleges and universities. She also attended Mayfield secondary school where she obtained her RAP certificate. Tearrah is experienced in Sports Entertainment as well. In 2013, she landed a spot on the Toronto Argonauts Cheerleading team, where over the course of 5 years, was given the opportunity to become one of the captains, trainers and choreographers. The Argos Cheerleading team provided Tearrah with a lot of opportunities, including attending Pro Action Dance in Las Vegas and performing at 3 Grey Cup events in Toronto, Winnipeg and Ottawa. She has also cheered for the NBL in 2015 and the GT20 cricket tournament in 2019. For the past 2 years she has also gotten the opportunity to choreograph and perform at the Boots and Hearts music festival. With 15 years of teaching experience, she continues to grow as a dancer and teacher. She is excited to share her knowledge and is passionate about instilling a love of dance and acrobatics in young individuals, as well as technique and strength for long-term benefits.
LeShaun Bernett
Head Instructor
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LeShaun Bernett’s journey in dance began at four, fueled by a passion and natural talent that inspired him to explore a variety of styles. His acrobatic path started at 14 at Theatre Dance Academy under Acro Alliance’s guidance, where he quickly earned top honors, including the highest acro mark of the competition. LeShaun’s acrobatic expertise even led to an opportunity to represent the Acro Dance Teachers Association as a demonstrator, flying to Calgary to appear in their tutorial videos.
A recent Health Science graduate from uOttawa, LeShaun made a strong impact on the Gee Gees Dance Team as Assistant Captain, a choreographer, and Team MVP, bringing leadership and artistry to his team. Now attending the University of Toronto, he competes on their dance team, continuing his dedication to excellence.
Professionally, LeShaun has performed at high-profile events like the Much Music Video Awards (MMVAs) and Treehouse’s RollPlay Live! and appeared in a short dance film. These experiences, combined with his teaching roles, have shaped his commitment to the next generation of dancers. Today, LeShaun shares his knowledge and passion at studios and beyond, inspiring young dancers to reach their own potential.
Looking to join our team?
Contact info@matricksacro.com
