Cadence Dance Academy

Karina brings to Cadence Dance Academy over a decade of experience in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern & folk, with a specialty in Latin and Ballroom dance. Competing in "10-dance" for several years consisted of mastering all dances: Cha-cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Jive, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz & Quickstep. Prior to winning the National Championships and representing Canada in the World Championships, Karina trained extensively with professionals from many different countries and genres of dance. Karina performs regularly at local and international Salsa Congresses and events. She also shares her passion of dance with her love for children; teaching all genres of dance at local community centres.

Andrea Hanak: Artistic Director

Andrea Hanak has been dancing, teaching, and choreographing salsa since 2005. Her passion for dance has been apparent from an early age. Andrea has been invited to train and perform in various countries and congresses including New York, Miami, Barcelona, Montreal, Chicago, and Los Angeles. She has learned from some of the best instructors in the salsa world, such as Eddie Torres, Santo Rico, Frankie Martinez, Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow, Ahtoy Won Pat Borja, and Griselle Ponce. Andrea’s main focus lies in creating and performing creative routines under Cadence Dance Academy where she infuses salsa and other dance styles, as well as teaching her unique styling for ladies.

Ana Valencia was born and raised in Medellin Colombia and moved to Canada in 2000. She has trained in gymnastics and has danced with Los Salsomanos, Salsa Team Canada and RS Divas. She has appeared as a dancer in films such as Death to Smoochy and The Tuxedo. Ana has traveled and performed in San Juan (Puerto Rico), Detroit (USA), Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Winnipeg (Canada). Ana’s resilience and passion to dance continues to drive her to perform with Cadence Dance Academy.

Angelo's love and appreciation for music began at a very young age. He has received extensive training by Jennifer Aucoin, Clifton Stennett, Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlow, and Nelson Flores, as well as Cadence Dance Academy. Within his well-rounded training in Latin dance, Angelo specializes in Bachata and Latin Hustle. Whether one-on-one or in classes, Angelo genuinely enjoys sharing his passion for dance while both teaching and learning from others.

At the age of 5, Esther joined the Academy of Ballet and Jazz where she excelled in ballet en pointe and performed in various stage productions. She then joined Viva Dance at the age of 13 where she learned all ten styles of Ballroom Dance and later went on to competing across North America and becoming one of Canada's top Ballroom Dancers by placing 2nd at the Canadian Open Ballroom Dancing Championships in 1998. Several years later, she joined DLM where she took Hip Hop and Jazz and soon began performing in various music videos and commercials. She later joined the Los Salsomanos Dance Company where she continued to grow as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. As a school teacher, Esther continues to inspire young dancers through her own school dance club. Today, her love of salsa has brought her to Cadence Dance Academy where she continues to perform and share her passion for dance with others.

As a long-time lover of dance and music, Christine is no stranger to the arts. While working fulltime as a professional freelance makeup artist, Christine also supports Cadence Dance Academy in various ways, including administration. With an Hon. B.A. in English Literature from the University of Toronto and a professional Makeup Artist certificate from George Brown College, Christine balances her skills and interests while working with Cadence Dance Academy. When she’s not making the Cadence ladies look their best on stage, she's organizing behind the scenes to help make things run as smoothly as possible.

Steven Lopez

Bio coming soon.

Kathy Dondish

Kathy has trained in rhythmic gymnastics as a child, that is where her passion for dance has started. She was introduced to the Latin dancing scene in 2008 and has since competed and performed at numerous events.