the ballet lab
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
LIANA BELLISSIMO
Liana Bellissimo is a professional dance artist based out of Toronto. She began her training with The Society of Russian Ballet and the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre. In 2014, Liana graduated with honours from Ryerson University earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance. Since graduating, she has gone on to perform professionally with the Canadian Opera Company, ProArteDanza Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Creole, Alysa Pires Dance Projects and Creativiva.
Liana was also a cast dancer in Season 3 and 4 of the hit TV series Reign, in the Hallmark Channel film A Nutcracker Christmas, and most recently, Star Trek: Discovery. She has appeared in music videos for artists such as Feist, The Tenors, Scott Helman and Andrew Briol.
Liana co-founded ACE Dance Theatre- a professional contemporary dance company based out of Toronto and The Ballet Lab- a comprehensive summer training program devoted to technical excellence.
Furthermore, Liana is a certified Pilates teacher, along with a certified teacher of the ballet fitness program The Extension Method, and JOGA- a yoga program designed specifically for professional athletes.
She holds her teaching certification with The Society of Russian Ballet and is an in-demand ballet teacher throughout the GTA.
TARA PILLON
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Tara Pillon is a professional dancer, choreographer, and dance & movement educator. She graduated with honours from Ryerson University, where she received a BFA in Performance Dance. Tara has performed professionally with Ballet Creole, Gadfly, emiMOTION, Human Body Expression, Avinoam Silverman Dance, and Creativiva.
Tara has performed in events such as the JOGA x Reebok Fashion show for Toronto Women's Fashion Week, the Pan Am Games opening ceremonies, WeDay, and TedX Toronto. She has also performed in festivals such as Dance Ontario, Dance Made in Canada, and TUDS.
Tara has choreographed for events including the Italian Contemporary Film Festival, Dance Ontario, New Blue Festival, Ricarda's Grand Opening, and the Allstate Honor Ring Banquet. Tara recently choreographed for The Tenors’ Christmas music video - Santa's Wish.
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Tara was the ballet teacher at Toronto's own, Millennium Dance Complex and the Conteur Academy. She is currently the ballet instructor for Intrepid Dance Company's post-secondary program.
Tara received her Certificate for Russian Ballet Pedagogy in Amsterdam, Netherlands and is a member of the Professional Adjudicator's Alliance. Tara is also a certified Yoga Instructor.
Tara is an in-demand teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator throughout the GTA.