Justina Aveyard
Justina Aveyard trained at McCarthy School of Dance since age 4. Justina has trained in many genres of dance including classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, acro, musical theatre, horton and graham, taking all of her exams from primary to advanced. Throughout her competitive dance career Justina has won numerous awards and scholarships, also winning multiple national and world titles. As a member of the Canadian National Dance Team Justina won gold in 2010 & 2011 World Cup Ballet Soloist and silver and bronze medals in the 2010-2012 World Championships in Jazz and Modern solos, along with many other group medals.Justina is currently pursuing her professional dance career having performed in many countries around the globe. She is now a second year student in the Professional Division of the internationally renowned modern dance company Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. She was recently asked to perform in a special gala in front of guests such as Mikhail Barishnykov and was also selected to work with Frank Augustyn of the National Ballet of Canada to perform as one of his soloists in a showcase. Justina has also been chosen to participate in intensives with the National Ballet of Canada, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet. Justina can be seen in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
Katie Allen
Katie Allen loves to dance and teach at McCarthy School of Dance. She has been training at MSD since age 3, studying Ballet/Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Acro, Hip-Hop, and Musical Theatre all at the competitive level. Katie also enjoyed being a member of the Canadian National Dance Team from 2010-2016 whereby she won various Gold, Silver, and Bronze trophies in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Modern dances in Germany and Poland. Between the World Dance Championships and her regular classes, Katie would assist and teach the Broadway Kids Summer Camps at MSD. Katie has participated in many workshops to improve her understanding of dance and enhance her teaching skills. She has also performed with Canada's Ballet Jörgen in the production of Sleeping Beauty. Katie has had the privilege of dancing under the tutelage of Matthew Clark, Breanna WIllis, and Kathrine McCarthy, all renowned Team Canada choreographers and Judges for the International Dance Organization. Recently, Katie received Honours in the CDTA Advanced Classical Ballet exam, and participated in the CDTA Teacher development course. Katie is very excited to be teaching again at MSD this year.
Melissa Truman
Melissa Truman is a dancer, educator, and choreographer based in Southern Ontario. Following a 10 year long competitive career where Melissa twice won World Championship titles, as well as multiple scholarship and overall awards, she attended York University to study dance. Melissa graduated Cum Laude in 2014, earning a BFA with Honours in Dance, focusing on dance pedagogy and somatic practices. It was at York that Melissa developed her passion for dance education, leading her to become an Associate with the Society of Russian Ballet and a certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor. Melissa has recently expanded into dance therapy, and is working with a therapist to develop a course for kids. In addition to teaching, Melissa has performed professionally, most notably working with Cirque du Soleil choreographer Debra Brown for Panamania in 2015. Melissa is the co-founder of Forma Contemporary Dance with her sister Stephanie, and is a dance adjudicator, which she loves because it allows her to connect with students and be a positive voice in the dance industry.