Burlington

Owner

Allain Lupien

Owner

CAEA, ACTRA, CID, MLDMA
Owner & Director

Allain Lupien is recognized internationally for his amazing versatility as a choreographer and a life-changing teacher.”At the young age of 22, my mother was stricken with polio and decided that one day she would walk again and she vowed that all of her children would dance. I was eight when my mother said she was enrolling me in dance lessons. What I told her was “Absolutely not” and I reasoned that the kids would make fun of me at school, however I was very keen on karate. As you can assume, fighting that battle was futile and I’ve thanked her for it everyday since.”

As a student, Allain studied and competed in Jazz, Tap and Ballet until the age of 19, when he began teaching and performing. As a young choreographer, his forte was definitely creative entertainment, routines that captivated his audience with new concepts bringing them to their feet. Allain soon became a member of the Canadian Actors Equity Association and Dance Masters of America. He and his wife Dawn (also dance partner for many years) opened Canadian Dance Company in 1985. Under his direction, CDC has won the highest awards in the major dance competitions in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. His Choreography represented Team Canada in the World IDO Dance Championships in 2005 and achieved the highest medal standings for Canada to date.

His training has produced many professionals in dance over 25 years, who have performed in films such as Hairspray the major motion picture, Broadway Musicals like Cats, Mama Mia, and Contact as well as professional ballet companies like the National Ballet of Canada and attend the best schools such as Julliard, The National Ballet Of Canada and Pointe Park and become some of the best choreographers and teachers on the circuit today. Allain’s greatest strength is in his ability to inspire dancers of any age and of all talent levels. His classes drive students to reach their full potential. As a result, he has been responsible for helping some of the finest dancers in the industry achieve their dreams.

Although he has acquired many titles, the one that suits him most would be “Professional Mentor”.

Lindsay Watkins

Owner/Director

Shawn Watkins

Owner

Veronica Lincoln

Artistic Director

Veronica Lincoln

Artistic Director

Veronica Lincoln is a dynamic and versatile performer, educator, and artistic leader. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), where she trained extensively in a wide range of dance styles. While actively performing, Veronica also worked as a news writer and office administrator for The Dance Current, Canada’s leading dance magazine, and contributed to marketing and sales for Mirvish Productions—Canada’s largest commercial theatre company.

Veronica’s technical foundation is rooted in successful examinations with the Cecchetti Society of Canada, the Royal Academy of Dance, and the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. She is also certified with Acrobatic Arts and Alixa Flexibility. In addition to her classical training, she has pursued advanced tap education through the American Tap Dance Foundation and continues to deepen her artistry through ongoing professional development.

A well-rounded artist, Veronica has studied acting and voice with some of Canada’s most respected coaches and has competed in all major dance disciplines. Her performance credits span stage, screen, and commercial work, with highlights including Gameshow: The Musical (Best of Fringe), When Love is Not Enough (The Hallmark Channel), Taekwondo (Walk Off the Earth), Dance Ontario Weekend, Women in Dance, The Junction Comedy Festival, Virgin Mobile campaigns, and numerous productions with the beloved company, What’s On TAP!

Beyond the stage, Veronica is deeply committed to youth empowerment, having completed extensive training in youth work and mental health. She is a passionate advocate for fostering strong leadership, resilience, and self-confidence in young dancers.

Currently, Veronica serves as the Artistic Director of Canadian Dance Company’s Burlington location, where she brings her passion, experience, and creative vision to inspire the next generation of artists. She is most at home in the studio, sharing her knowledge and heart with her students.

Allison Adams

Andrea Pito

Ashley Earl

Ashley Earl

Ashley Earl is a dynamic performer, choreographer, and adjudicator whose career extends across multiple
dance disciplines and stages across Canada. With extensive training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop,
Lyrical, Musical Theatre, and Acro, Ashley has earned numerous choreography awards and accolades for
her innovative work and dedication to the art of dance.

A graduate of the Sheridan College Performing Arts Program and the St. Lawrence College Music
Theatre Performance Program, Ashley has performed and choreographed throughout Ontario. She began
her professional career in 2007, earning her Equity card with her role in The Sunshine Boys at the
Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque. Her favourite stage credits include Matron “Mama” Morton
in Chicago and Sheila Bryant in A Chorus Line. She has also choreographed beloved productions such as
Annie Jr., Peter Pan, Tweed the Musical, and Godspell.

Ashley’s choreography has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Brampton Bloom Award
for Best Choreography for Annie Jr. She holds her Associate Membership in Jazz through CDTA,
Associate Membership in Stage through BATD, and her Module Two certification in Acrobatics Arts.

Previously, Ashley co-owned and operated The Dance Challenge, a successful workshop and scholarship
event series that ran throughout the GTA. The events mimicked real auditions, offering dancers
opportunities to push their limits, gain professional insight, and earn scholarships for their talent and
growth.

For nine years, Ashley was part of Ballare Performing Arts in Woodbridge, serving as Artistic Director
for five of those years while overseeing the competitive team.

Dedicated to lifelong learning, Ashley continues to expand her expertise by attending professional
workshops and training programs. Her passion lies in inspiring the next generation of dancers to challenge
themselves, embrace their artistry, and continually reach for the next level.

Lineen Doung

Hip Hop Instructor

Lineen began dancing in high school taking a high school dance course where he studied the basics of ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop.
In high school he grew an interest in hip hop self taught himself how to isolate his body, wave and pop by looking up tutorials on the internet. Freestyling was
his first form of dance in the field of hip hop. In 2005 he really began to take interest in hip hop choreography where he auditioned for the McMaster dance company. He was named assistant artistic director in his second year of being in the company and choreographed many award winning routines and placed top 3 at many competitions throughout his university career.

Lineen has come a long way since university, he has worked with many choreographers; Luther Brown, Leon Blackwood, Shavar Blackwood, Lenny Dela Pena, Romeo Cassellas, Natalie Nesterenko, Tre Armstrong and many more. He has done work for Rogers, Sony, shops at don mills, and many conventions! Lineen has
danced for Shawn Mendes, Kreesha Turner, the General, EOS, Troy, Lights, and most recently Trish; where he performed at the America’s Next Top Model fashion show as a backup dancer. He has choreographed the TB show, Rich Bride Poor Bride and was also highlighted on So You Think You Can Dance Canada where he made finals week! He has also choreographed for a contestant in the Miss Perfect 10 pageant and is a featured dancer in Kreesha Turner’s music video Bounce with Me and in the video Toes by Lights.

Currently, Lineen is part of the Original Gentlemen all male dance crew which has competed all over Toronto and is now going to UK to represent Toronto and Canada at the UK's hip hop championships! The O.G is taking the industry by storm and performing everywhere, becoming a crowd favorite. Lineen also has a dance company called DARK (Dance and Rhythm Konnexxions) where he hosts charity events, dance training programs, and much more.

Lineen is also an aspired choreographer and is an emerging artist showing his vision on stage and allowing his imagination become reality by training the dancers more than just how to dance. He is growing everyday and is all about bringing the community together!

Mariano Glizzi Abarca

Studio Manager