Faculty
Meet the instructors, mentors, and artists helping District 905 dancers inspire, create, and belong.
Experienced. Supportive. Performance-Focused.
Our faculty is committed to developing confident, disciplined, expressive dancers through quality instruction, mentorship, and a positive studio culture.
Samantha Ippolito
Artistic Director
A.B.A.T.D. , BFA (Hons), PAA
Focus: Choreography, competitive training, technique, performance development
Samantha combines award-winning choreography with a supportive approach to training, helping dancers build confidence, refine their technique, and grow as performers.
Read full bio
Samantha Ippolito is an award-winning choreographer, educator, and the Artistic Director of District 905 Dance Studio. A former competitive dancer, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours degree in Dance from York University and is a certified teacher with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing.
Recognized for her innovative choreography, technical excellence, and ability to inspire dancers of all ages, Samantha has earned numerous Overall High Score and Choreography Awards at competitions across Canada. She also serves as a Choreographer and Rehearsal Director for World Performers Canada, preparing dancers to represent Canada on the international stage.
Passionate about developing well-rounded dancers, Samantha strives to create a positive, challenging, and supportive environment where every student can build confidence, reach their potential, and develop a lifelong love of dance.
Madison Dedora
Dance Educator / Choreographer
P.A.E.C
Focus: Acro, tumbling, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, technique, choreography
With over 15 years of teaching and choreography experience, Madison helps dancers develop strong technique, versatility, and confidence in a challenging and supportive classroom.
Read full bio
Madison Dedora began dancing at the age of three and entered the competitive dance world at six, earning numerous overall awards, scholarships, and special judges’ awards across Canada and the United States.
With over 15 years of experience in dance education and choreography, Madison is known for developing confident, versatile, and technically strong dancers. She has taught and choreographed extensively in acro, tumbling, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and technique, working with dancers from recreational levels to elite competitive performers.
Madison is certified through Performing Arts Educators of Canada and is committed to ongoing professional development in dance education, choreography, athlete development, and safe training practices. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes strong technique, artistry, work ethic, personal growth, and helping dancers feel challenged, supported, and empowered both on and off the stage.
Nicole Meglio
Dance Educator & Choreographer
P.A.E.C Kinder, ADE Acro, ADE Jazz, ADE Tap, Acrobatic Arts Module 1
Focus: Acro, Jazz, Tap, Technical Development, Strength-based training
Nicole brings extensive competitive experience and a passion for artistic and athletic development to her teaching, creating an inclusive environment where dancers can grow.
Read full bio
Nicole Meglio developed a strong technical foundation through extensive training in a wide range of dance styles. Over a 12-year competitive career, she performed with an award-winning team at national and international levels, including opportunities with Five Star Dance Company in Mayan Riviera, Mexico, and World Performers Canada in Dublin, Ireland.
Passionate about both artistic and athletic development, Nicole is committed to continuous learning and has a growing focus on strength training to support her students’ technical progress. Her choreographic work has earned top scores, choreography awards, and special recognition.
Nicole has completed full teacher certification through Artistic Dance Educators under Joanne Chapman in tap, jazz, and acro, and has also earned credentials through Acrobatic Arts. Her experience working with children with special needs strengthens her commitment to creating a positive, inclusive, and safe environment for all students.
Sam Martin
Dance Educator
Focus: Recreational dance, Competitive Training, Foundational Technique
Sam brings international performance experience and a patient, encouraging teaching style to the classroom, helping young dancers build technique, confidence, and a love of dance.
Read full bio
Sam discovered her passion for dance at a young age and has dedicated the past 16 years to training, including 10 years in competitive dance. She has trained in a variety of styles, performed with award-winning competitive teams, and competed at regional, national, and international events, including representing Team Canada in Braga, Portugal.
She has also performed with Five Star Dance Company, a pre-professional performance group that travelled to the Mayan Riviera, and once again represented Canada in the summer of 2026 at the Dance World Cup in Dublin, Ireland.
With experience assisting, mentoring, and teaching young dancers, Sam is passionate about helping students build confidence, technique, and a love for dance in a positive and encouraging environment. Her work in Applied Behaviour Analysis, supporting children and individuals with diverse needs and abilities, further shapes her patient, compassionate, and inclusive teaching style.
Kelly Hobbs
Dance Educator
BFA
Focus: Ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, performance, technique, confidence-building
After nearly eight years performing at sea with Princess Cruises, Kelly brings professional stage experience, strong technical training, and a passion for developing confident, versatile dancers.
Read full bio
Miss Kelly began dancing at the age of two and entered the competitive dance world at just five years old. Throughout her training, she earned numerous special awards, overall placements, titles, judges’ choice awards, and was featured in Dance Spirit Magazine at age 10.
Kelly attended Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts before earning her BFA in Dance from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia, where she studied ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, musical theatre, kinesiology, and dance teaching methods. During university, she performed with faculty dance companies at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Peridance Center in New York City, receiving awards for both dance excellence and leadership.
Kelly began her professional career with Princess Cruises as a cast dancer, performing in full-length theatrical productions around the world before being promoted to Cast Manager/Dancer. After nearly eight years performing and travelling the world at sea, she brings a wealth of professional experience, strong technical training, and artistry to the classroom.
Passionate about empowering dancers to become confident, versatile performers, Miss Kelly is thrilled to be part of the inaugural season at District 905 Dance Studio.
Train With District 905
Whether your dancer is just starting out or ready for the competitive stage, our faculty is here to help them grow with confidence, discipline, and passion.