About Ms. Alina
Originally from Constanta, Romania, Ms. Alina has been dancing her entire life while traveling the globe (55 different countries!).
She studied at the National College of Arts “Regina Maria” in Constanta and graduated with her Certificate of Vocational Proficiency as a Professional Dancer acquiring choreography knowledge. In Romania she was taught and trained to teach the Russian Vaganova Ballet method. After completing her studies, Alina started her professional dancing career at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet “Oleg Danovski” and performed in various operas and ballet performances such as Traviata, Aida, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty and La Fille Mal Gardee. She then branched out to take her talents all over the globe.
Starting in 2000, Alina performed different styles of dance at the Huis Ten Bosch – Amusement Park in Japan. From there she was contracted by the National Theatre of Operetta and Musical “Ion Dacian” where she toured both Germany and Austria. Furthermore, Alina spent quite some time on various luxury cruise ships such as The Queen Mary II, Carnival Fantasy, and Carnival Inspiration where she performed and taught a variety of different dance styles such as ballet, contemporary, Broadway, and ballroom.
Alina now calls Kingston home and resides here with her husband Mat and her daughter (and tiny dancer) Caleesi.
Alina is proud to say she has become an Affiliate Teacher of the Society of Classical Ballet. She loves to share her passion for technique and artistry through the Vaganova Ballet Syllabus. She has been awarded certification to bring into classes another well known program, Progressing Ballet Technique.
She can’t wait to pass on her knowledge, professional experience and passion for dance to new generations of young, aspiring dancers.
Meet the Instructors
Ms. Kathryn
Kathryn began dancing at the age of 7 and quickly fell in love with the art form. She trained exclusively in Jazz, Tap and Ballet and began assisting dance at age 13 and teaching dance at age 16.
Kathryn pursued dance through her higher education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
She went on to dance abroad in Italy with a contemporary study abroad program and then spent 2 seasons as a Toronto Argonauts Cheerleader before moving to New York City where she lived and trained for a year.
Upon her return to Toronto, always eager to further her dance education, Kathryn received her teacher’s certification in Jazz and Tap through ADAPT, in acro through Acrobatic Arts and became certified as an Affiliate Teacher with the Society of Classical Ballet.
Kathryn opened her own dance studio just outside of Toronto in 2008 and operated it for 12 years. Here she trained and prepared numerous students who successfully participated in and passed their SRB Ballet exams from the pre-primary through to Intermediate levels.
After welcoming her daughter in 2019 and moving to Kingston in 2021, Kathryn is now very excited to resume her original passion, teaching dance at Alina Ballerina and introducing the joy, beauty, and numerous benefits of the art of ballet to a new generation of children.
Ms. Sarah
Sarah started dancing when she was 6 years old and trained in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and hip hop. Sarah started teaching when she was 16 and enjoyed choreographing dance pieces for completions and her studio’s year end recitals. Sarah joined her university dance team during her first year, then continued to teach dance for her home studio, summer camps and for a community musical theatre company.
Since moving to Kingston to complete her Master’s in occupational therapy at Queens, Sarah has continued to take dance classes through Queen’s Dance Club and Kingston School of Dance.
Sarah has a passion for teaching children which she brings when teaching dance. She is excited to teach at Alina Ballerina and share her love of dance.
Ms. Alanna
Alannah was born in Ajax, Ont and raised all throughout Durham Region. She began to dance at the early age of three. Alannah learned ballet, tap, and jazz at a studio in Pickering and Scarborough.
Continuing with her training, she later learned hip-hop, lyrical, and contemporary. She was recognized for her hip-hop when she auditioned for Thrive! Entertainment, a professional hip-hop company in Toronto; which she was in for four years. Alannah took part as a tap dancer in the Cavalcade of Lights in Toronto, as well as danced in numerous shows for charity. Alannah has trained with several choreographers, such as Mia Michaels, Shawn Byfield, Faye Rauw, and many more. Alannah began to assist tiny tots and beginner class in her early teens. This is where she found her love for teaching.
Alannah enjoys finding new ways to make her students think outside the box. She enjoys the energy and passion in which she shares with her students. Alannah encourages everyone to enjoy the music and feel the passion of dance.
“Some say even to walk is a dance.”-Lilli-Alice Baxter