Chapter 38
DANCE MASTERS OF CANADA
A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CERTIFIED DANCE EDUCATORS
CONVENTION FACULTY
Dance Masters of Canada is pleased to welcome the following faculty to our 2024 Convention.
John "Comix" Barrella
Street Dance Educator, Choreographer, Performer, Consultant & Company Director
John Barrella is a distinguished figure in the dance community, with a primary focus on street dance culture. A versatile artist, he employs techniques rooted in Locking, Popping, B-boy, and Hip Hop. Notably featured in music videos such as "Get Away" by Alissia and “HSKT” by Tenin, John's portfolio extends to high-profile events like Tedx: Chaos, halftime shows for the NY Knicks, and the NYC Breakers’ Battle of the Boroughs reunion.
As a renowned choreographer, John's work resonates on the international stage. His unique movement approach has left an indelible mark on dancers in numerous schools, programs, and teams globally. At the age of 14, he embarked on his dance journey at the "School of the Arts” in East Brunswick, NJ, where he honed his skills in modern dance and Ballet. John's early training also encompassed human anatomy, improvisational techniques, childhood education, choreography composition, musical theatre, and theatre.
From his teenage years, John immersed himself in Hip Hop under various artists and became an integral part of the WildStyle dance company, mastering core Hip Hop techniques and exploring additional genres like house dance, waacking, and dancehall. Continuing his education, John remains under the tutelage of master and pioneering hip-hop artists, with notable influences including Tom Mckie, Spex, Brian Green, Bev Brown, Jazzy J, Sekou, Pavan Thimmiah, and more.
As the owner/director of the dance company "Redef" since 2007, John's artistic vision comes to life in performances across NJ, NY, and Philadelphia. His comedy-based work, "Stupid Humans," offers satirical takes on the performing arts through live shows and dance films. Beyond directing the company, John serves as an adjunct professor for Hip Hop at Rider University, contributes to various arts boards, presents at numerous conventions, and appears in dance education facilities internationally to train both students and teachers.
In recent years, John has pioneered “The Comix Method”, a program training teachers globally in hip-hop terminology, technique, and educational practices. Applied in classrooms worldwide, this program reflects John's unique instructional method. His classes and events aim to instill aspiring dancers with the fundamentals of street and Hip Hop dance, promoting both freestyle artistry and mastery of choreography. John's overarching goal is to inspire individuals to become artists and creatively challenge themselves, fostering positive growth both within and beyond the realm of dance.
IDA GERASOLO
Creator and founder of I.D.A. International Dance Arts
Ida Gerasolo is the owner and Artistic Director of I.D.A. International Dance Academy, which is celebrating its 11th year of operation. It is through the success of her school and students where I.D.A. International Dance Arts was established. With a deep history in pedagogical education and training, Ida holds a BFA in Dance and Dance Kinesiology with Honours from York University, Teacher Training Diploma from Canada’s National Ballet school, and holds her associate teaching qualification with the Cecchetti Society and The Royal Academy of Dance. She also trained under the Vaganova method for most of her life, and its Ida’s versatility and understanding of the many different ballet techniques that have made her such a renowned and respected Ballet teacher. She has guest taught throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Her caring nature for all her students and understanding of their individual needs continues to inspire Ida to continue doing what she is doing.
Georgi DiRocco
Movement Educator & Choreographer
Georgi DiRocco is a movement educator and choreographer based in Toronto, Ontario. Originally from Ottawa, she grew up as a competitive dancer, known for her unique movement quality and undeniable passion for dance. After graduating from an arts high school, Georgi trained at the Conteur Academy. Since then, she has worked as a freelance performer, teacher, and choreographer across Canada and Mexico.
Currently, Georgi calls Elite Danceworx in Markham, Ontario, her home, where she teaches full time. Recently, she has delved deeply into Pilates, yoga, and holistic wellness, integrating these elements into her teaching approach. “My passion is fostering connection and community through dance. There’s nothing I love more than truly seeing my students and connecting with their souls. I strive to leave my ego at the door, encouraging my students to do the same, and to create an open, welcoming space where dancers can express their true selves. I lead with kindness, gratitude, patience and love. As a choreographer, my goal is to create from an authentic place—pushing boundaries, taking risks, and valuing the balance between artistry and strong
technical execution.”
DAVID COX
Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer, Performer, Adjudicator
David Cox has been dancing since the age of 2, as he was brought into this world by a musical family. His father a Motown artist and his mother a dance teacher. At 13 he made his first trip to NYC on scholarship and that would change his life forever.
Studying with some of the best dancers in the world he began to realize that tap dance was his passion not forgetting his extensive training in jazz, ballet and modern. Since becoming a professional he has gone on to perform for and at the following: YTV Achievement Award Winner 1999 Dance Category, 'Bojangles' the Showtime movie starring Gregory Hines, the international sensation 'STOMP', Juno Awards, Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver Jazz Festival, The Duke Ellington Society, Save The Last Dance pt2, talked Tap and Tapped with Shelagh Rogers (Sounds Like Canada CBC Radio 1) , Bravo Fact 'The Hoofers Club', Dance Arts Vancouver & Judith Marcuse Projects (ICE: Beyond Cool, FIRE… Where There's Smoke, and EARTH=HOME), ADIDAS, Pro Arte Danza's The Jazz Cracker, Ballet Creole's Soulful Messiah, Ruckus Co Prod's Ricochet, LKTYP's "i think i can" (Dora Award Winner), Hoofers House Harlem NYC. Numerous corporate functions include former T.O Mayor David Miller's Inaugural Ball, Coca Cola, Hit N Run Productions and has performed for the speaker of the house, and His Majesty King Charles to name a few.
David has been on MTV Canada as a choreographer and dancer for "MTV Live: Dancing with the Hosts" and Much Music's Black History Month. He has shared his passion with the world as a featured performer in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies and is a sought after adjudicator and teacher across North America. A Dora Award Nominee for Best Ensamble in the “Tap Dance Legacy Concert” (summer 2022) as well as a featured performer at the Toronto International Tap Festival. He is regular faculty at the Tap Dance Centre in Mississauga among other surrounding area studios. His happy go lucky and energetic attitude is contagious to those around him, and urges others to pick up a tap and discover the music they can make. Here's to the 2nd Balcony...Keep it Copasetic!
MARTHA HART
Dance Artist, Choreographer, Educator
Martha Hart is a Dora-nominated dance artist, choreographer and educator based in Tkaronto/Toronto. She is a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School, Palucca Schule Dresden, L’ecole Superieure du Ballet de Quebec, and Arts Umbrella Dance.
After an engagement with the Dresden Semperoper Ballet in Germany, she returned to Canada in 2010 and has since worked with Cote Danse, Human Body Expression, TranscenDance Project, Aeris Korper, Ace Dance Theatre, The Garage, Hit & Run Dance Productions, Mascall Dance, Broadbent Sisters,Project20 in Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto.
From 2015-2016 she toured Mexico, Spain and Italy as a member of the Metamorphosis Dance Collective directed by Iratxe Ansa and Igor Bacovich and produced Metamorphosis Method Workshops in Toronto from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, she founded hART dance to act as a collaborative umbrella for her choreographic endeavours. Her work has been featured in the music video ‘Mutual Friend’ by Canadian artist Jessey Reyez, Stackt Market, Nuit Blanch and “Oasis” (a short film through the Canadian Film Centre). Martha is excitedly working to provide more opportunities for the Toronto Dance Community and build connections across all artistic mediums.