OTTAWA CONVENTION
November 14 – 15
Nepean Sportsplex
Address: 1701 Woodroffe Ave, Nepean, ON K2G 1W2
Phone: (613) 580-2828
TEACHING FACULTY
Megan Caines – Jazz
Megan Caines is a passionate performer born and raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario. She has trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, acrobatics, partnering, contemporary, hip hop, ballroom, freestyle, tumbling, choreography, musical theatre, acting. Megan has won numerous awards including 1st – Runner up Senior Soloist at The Dance Awards in Florida and was also asked to represent Dancer Palooza as a member of the Beat Squad in Los Angeles. Megan has been featured as an Actress/Dancer/Singer in many TV shows and movies such as “The Next Step”, “Backstage”, “Degrassi”, “Star Trek”, “What We Do In The Shadows”, “Magical Christmas Ornament”, “Disney Zombies 2”, “Disney Zombies 3” and Season 1 & 2 of “Ginny and Georgia”. Megan has worked at the Stratford Festival and in those 10 months she starred Gracie Shinn in the “Music Man”, performed “The Shining People of Leonard Cohen” at the PAL Event, took part in “The Lab Track” and also helped workshop the Romeo and Juliet Remix. Megan performed 42 shows as a Dancer/Magician’s Assistant on “The Illusionists, Live from Broadway”. Megan has also danced for artists including Paloma Faith, Birdie and Stress while touring with “Art On Ice” in Switzerland.
This performer has been in many promotional events including “The Nut Cracker” for MAC Cosmetics and “Welcoming Spring” for the Eaton Centre. She also teaches judges, and shares her knowledge with young dancers across Canada. She has taught at many Conventions including Dance Canada, CREO, iDance, Artys Dance, Impact Dance Challenge and more.
Megan is a certified personal trainer and barre instructor. She created her own 4 Week Fitness Challenge eBook called “Elevate your Game” to help dancers cross train and get in their best shape. Megan continues to dance, act, sing and teach and is excited to grow as an artist and reach new goals in this upcoming year.
Jenna Shortt – Hip Hop
Jenna Shortt’s journey in dance began at just four years old, and she hasn’t stopped moving since. With over 14 years of competitive experience, she is classically trained in tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical, contemporary, and beyond, building a strong technical foundation and a fearless artistic voice.
Driven by ambition, Jenna moved to Toronto to pursue a professional career in commercial dance, where she quickly made her mark. She toured across the United States as an Elite Protege member of Pulse Dance Convention and further refined her craft in Los Angeles under the mentorship of renowned choreographer Rhapsody James.
Her dynamic performance style led her to dance for three seasons with the Toronto Raptors Northside Dance Crew, electrifying arenas and captivating thousands of fans. Jenna has also appeared on screen in music videos for Drake and Shawn Desman, expanding her presence in the global entertainment industry.
Most recently, Jenna completed her first nationwide tour on Shawn Desman’s Back to Life tour and continued performing with him internationally this summer in Germany. With unmatched passion, versatility, and stage presence, Jenna Shortt continues to rise; bringing power, precision, and heart to every performance. Her story is one of dedication, resilience, and an unstoppable love for dance.
Julio Fuentes – Jazz Funk
Julio – born in the Philippines, now based in Toronto – is a performer, educator, and creative with over 20 years of experience in his craft. His work ranges from dance companies across North America and Asia to Canadian musical theatre and syndicated tv series and feature films. Recently, he has also began work as a dance, movement, and performance coach specializing in working with performance artists.
Select performance credits: Prison Dancer (Citadel, NAC – Sterling Award recipient for Outstanding Lead Performance), Mamma Mia (Citadel, Arts Club, Stage West), In The Heights, Beauty & The Beast (Arts Club), Matilda (MTC, Citadel, Arts Club), The Little Prince (Theatre Calgary, world premiere), Into The Woods (Talk Is Free Theatre), The Little Mermaid (Align Entertainment).
Select choreography credits: Tao Of The World (choreographer, assistant director – Stratford, world premiere), Footloose (choreographer, assistant director – Mayfield), Wizard Of Oz (Citadel Theatre), Bring It On (Globe Theatre, Canadian premiere), The Frogs (Talk Is Free Theatre), Heathers (Theatre Sheridan), Grease (Mayfield), Prison Dancer (Citadel, NAC – Sterling Award recipient for Outstanding Choreography), Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol (Arts Club), 2021 guest movement director (Shaw Festival).
TV / Film: Riverdale (dancer – CW), Schmigadoon! season 1 & 2 (ensemble – AppleTV+), Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (assistant choreographer – Paramount+).
Julio believes in the mandate of representation and is proud to be a Filipino immigrant working professionally in Canadian entertainment. Follow Julio @juliofuentes (Instagram), @aynakojulio (TikTok).
Jodi McFadden – Broadway
Originally from Waterloo Ontario, Jodi credits much of her career to her early training at Bojangles Dance Arts and competing all over Canada and the US.
Other opportunities for training included Dance Masters of America (DMA), NYC Dance Alliance, Tremaine Dance Convention (LA), Showstoppers (USA), Broadway Dance Centre (NYC), Edge Performing Arts Center (LA) and Millennium Dance Complex (LA), and her ballet exams which she completed with The Royal Academy of Ballet.
Jodi spent years performing at The Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada, where she was the recipient of two Tyrone Guthrie Awards for exceptional merit in theatre.
A few other theatre favorites include the role of an evil stepsister in Stratford’s Into the Woods, Fosse’s Cabaret at Stage West and the role of Velma Kelly in Drayton Entertainment’s production of Chicago.
Jodi was also in the North American Stage Premiere of Dirty Dancing, was an assistant choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance Canada and danced alongside Catherine Zeta- Jones in the Academy Award Winning Movie; Chicago.
In 2010, Jodi moved to NYC to work with Julie Taymor and U2’s Bono and the Edge, in Broadway’s Spider-Man:Turn off the Dark where she performed her understudy role of the Ultimate Spider-Villain; Arachne. Her other broadway credits include The Band’s Visit where she covered the Oscar Award Winning role of Dina and Moulin Rouge where she performed her understudy role of Nini dancing in the iconic dance scene El Tango Roxanne.
Most recently Jodi co- created a NYC immersive theatre show with creators of Sleep No More called Life and Trust and is currently apart of the very early workshops for two new upcoming Broadway productions; Black Swan and Queen of Versailles starring Kristen Chenoweth.
Jodi is a graduate of NYC’s William Esper Acting Studio and is a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) helping young dancers learn how to regulate their nervous systems so that they can access their beautiful authentic selves.
Michael Prince – Contemporary
Michael Prince (he/him) is a driven, passionate and versatile artist raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario. He began his training at the age of 2 within his family-owned, award winning studio Vlad’s Dance Company. Growing up in this environment helped him develop many skills and traits that became integral to the professional he is today. Work ethic, creativity and positive energy are at the core of his values which makes him a powerful force in any creative process. He trained in an abundance of styles including hip hop, ballet, contemporary, jazz, partnering, waving, breaking, ballroom, tap, modern, tutting, popping, freestyle, choreography, musical theatre, acting and modelling. His love for the arts, experience in multiple industries and professional attitude defines his work. Michael has won numerous awards as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. At the age of 15 he won “Young Choreographer of the Year“ as the youngest recipient of the award at “American Dance Awards”. After years of continued success with his choreographic work in the competitive dance space across North America he eventually contributed his creative expertise when Vlad’s Dance Company won “Studio Of The Year” at the Dance awards in both 2017 and 2019. In 2018 he won “Senior Male Best Dancer “ at The Dance Awards. That following year he toured with Jump Dance Convention, Nuvo Dance Convention, 24/7 Dance Convention and The Dance Awards as a demonstrator and guest performer. Most recently he’s won numerous choreography awards at the Dance Awards including Best Hip Hop Studio, Best Senior Performance and Best Lyrical Performance. He’s also represented “Dancer Palooza” beat squad in Los Angeles as both guest performer and assistant choreographer. Michael has been featured as a Dancer/Actor in various movies and television shows including Disney Channel’s “Zombies 2”, “Zombies 3”, “Bring It On: Cheer or Die”, “Sneakerella”, “The Next Step”, “World Of Dance” and a Netflix original film “Feel The Beat”. He also has a passion for stage and has been a part of multiple theatre productions and contemporary shows. In 2019 he choreographed his very own show entitled “In An Instant” in Toronto which sold out in minutes. That summer he performed in Los Angeles as a guest soloist in Kirsten Russell’s show “Contrary To Popular Belief”. Michael has also worked with award winning Stratford Festival as part of a select team workshopping “Romeo & Juliet”. He’s also been a part of 11 productions with non profit organization “Bridge To Artists” which has been creating critically acclaimed shows in Canada for over a decade. Michael has been featured in music videos for Ukiyo “Friends”, Velvet Code “Mary Offered Ladybugs and Love Yous”, and choreographed for upcoming artist Ose in her music video “Fazed”. He’s also choreographed for Immersion Room television/movie studios and OTF Sick Kids Gala. Michael continues to work on his craft and evolve as a dancer, actor and choreographer. He is hungry to connect and share his passion with other artists in any future opportunities to come.
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Entry for one Junior student at Ottawa Location. Morning warm ups. 10 classes including one Scholarship class. Presentation and Awards Ceremony to follow.
If you received a Partial Scholarship from a Dance Canada Competition location, please email us at dancecanadaconvention@gmail.com before registering online. -
Entry for one Senior student at Ottawa Location. Morning warm ups. 10 classes including one Scholarship class. Presentation and Awards Ceremony to follow.
If you received a Partial Scholarship from a Dance Canada Competition location, please email us at dancecanadaconvention@gmail.com before registering online. -
Entry for one Teacher at Ottawa Location. Two Classes (Saturday Evening) -
For those wishing to sit and watch all classes at the Ottawa Location. In and out privileges apply. Also includes entry to the ‘Showcase and Awards Presentation.’ -
For teachers wishing to sit and watch all classes at Ottawa Location. In and out privileges apply. Also includes entry to the ‘Showcase and Awards Presentation.’
You must be on the current teaching faculty of your studio to purchase and use Teacher - Observer Passes. To purchase a teacher pass, you must have dancers from your studio registered to participate in the Convention.