Our Alumni

Jaden Hare

Dancer

CLI Conservatory

She has been offered & accepted to attend CLI Studios "The CLI Conservatory" this fall in Easthampton, Massachuseuts. Jaden auditioned with the casting table then completed the interview process with choreographer/co-founder Teddy Forance, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry from Lady Gaga to Kelly Clarkson. Hundreds from around the world audition, but only a limited amount of dancers were selected to attend. Jaden will be training with some of the world's best dancers and world renowned choreographers in the dance industry and have the opportunity to pursue her dream to dance professionally. Cli offers up to 100 dancers from around the world to train in all styles of dance, learn about the dance industry, build personal branding, and are exposed to job opportunities/talent agencies. This next chapter of her journey dancing is truly unbelievable and will be an experience of a lifetime.

Paige Forrester

Dancer

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines 'Rhapsody of the Seas' - May 2023

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines 'Enchantment of the Seas' - 2022-2023

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines 'Majesty of The Seas' - 2019-2020

Paige began dance at the bright age of two training in all styles such as Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet and Acrobatic Gymnastics. She grew up doing competitions dance, winning multiple awards such as Senior Miss. Starpower Ottawa for three consecutive years, National Champion in 2018 and extending her training in Athens, Greece. Her dance training lead her to Canterbury High School where she trained in Ballet and Modern dance, as well was educated on dance composition. Paige furthered her dance career and became a dance teacher in 2015 teaching classes with students ages 2-15. Since then Paige has now taken her education on dance composition and began choreographing dance pieces. Paige now is currently working on her 2nd contract for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a dancer and entertainer. She is so thankful for everything Denise Smith Dance Studio has done for her to get her to where she is today.

Akira Uchida

Dancer

The dance world is no stranger to the skill and artistry of Akira Uchida. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Akira moved to Toronto at the young age of 18 and has since pursued a successful career as a dancer and choreographer. He has extensive training in jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical and ballet; as well as numerous credits both commercially and theatrically. Akira’s film and television credits include programs such as Canada’s Got Talent, Degrassi, The Next Star, The Strain, Over the Rainbow and Canada’s Smartest Person. He can be seen dancing in the Much Music promotional video for Sam Smith’s hit track “Stay With Me,” the Lifetime film, “My Daughter Must Live,” as well as many other music videos for a-list artists such as Dragonette, Young Avz and Blake McGrath.

Akira danced for the Canadian Opera Company in their rendition of “Don Quichotte” at the Four Seasons Centre and recently worked with choreographer Stacey Tookey in a workshop for an upcoming musical called “Dancer”. Akira has not only danced in, but also choreographed various music videos for artists including, Lights, The Lovelocks and Tyler Shaw. In 2015, he was awarded the Audience Choice Award at the emerging choreographer’s showcase “Fresh Blood,” hosted by the Chimera Project. In the summer of 2016, Akira was the choreographer the indie film “Jazz Hands”, which was released in September 2018.

Akira was most recently chosen to present work as a finalist at the prestigious Capezio Ace Awards in New York. He has taught at large scale conventions and workshops such as JUMP Dance Convention, 24 Seven Dance Convention and Canadian Dance Expo. Akira’s creativity as a choreographer is complimented by his passion for teaching. He continues to train, teach and choreograph throughout the Greater Toronto Area and his students have gone on to win numerous awards at various conventions and competitions. Every day, Akira Uchida continues to thrive and leave his mark on the dance world as a passionate, driven and innovative young artist.

Danny Lawn

Dancer

Danny began training at the late age of 13, and competed in Ottawa, Ontario until he was 18. Once he had graduated from highschool, Danny made the move to Toronto where he was fortunate enough to train closely with choreographers Linda Garneau, Tiffany McLean, Eryn Waltman, and Leon Blackwood. During the summer of 2008, Danny began back-up dancing for the contestants of CBC's hit summer television show, "How Do You Solve A problem Like Maria?" and soon after had the opportunity to dance for such artists as Kreesha Turner, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, and Ke$ha.

In December of 2008, Danny appeared as a company dancer in Helix Dance Project's annual contemporary production entitled "RAIN: life in full bloom". In 2009, he made it to the Top 14 spot on CTV's season 2 of "So You Think You Can Dance Canada" and then spent the following two year assisting Stacey Tookey, Mia Michaels, Blake McGrath, Sean Cheesman and Luther Brown on Season 3 and 4. After the show, he had the chance to work closely with Blake McGrath on his new music video "The Night", as well as Shawn Desman's "Shiver" music video and Keisha Chante's "Table Dancer" music video. He then went on tour with Blake McGrath promoting his new album, "TIME TO MOVE" and filmed three new feature films entitled "Frenemies", "Make Your Move 3D" and "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure". Danny spent a year travelling and assisting Mia Michaels at JUMP Dance Convention and various other projects before moving on to assist at NUVO Dance Convention. He is now teaching and setting choreography at various studios across the country and training the kids at Club Dance Studio in Phoenix, Arizona.

Deirdre Barnes

Dancer

Deirdre Barnes is a professional dancer from Ottawa, Canada. She started her career performing in Las Vegas with world renowned entertainment company: Cirque du Soleil in their show Criss Angel Believe. Since moving to Los Angeles Deirdre has worked extensively in film and TV. She has been featured on Dancing With The Stars, Disney: Descendants, the Ellen Show, Glee, Shake it Up, The Voice, Black Eyed Peas-Ubisoft, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance and multiple award shows. She has also danced alongside artists such as: Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, Nick Jonas, Gwen Stefani, Backstreet Boys, Incubus, Pitbull, Jlo and Gloria Estefan. Deirdre has toured the globe alongside Justin Bieber and was featured in his “Believe” film and dance instructional DVD. She is co-choreographer for ground-breaking synchronized swimming entertainment company: Aqualillies and has choreographed for Cody Simpson, Jake Paul, Empire of the Sun world tour, Betty Who’s: New Now Next Awards performance and Alli Simpson. Most recently, Deirdre completed a 2 year residency performing alongside Britney Spears in her hit show: “Piece Of Me.”

Eoghan Dillon

Dancer

Eoghan Dillon was born in County Tyrone, Ireland. At the age of four, he moved to Canada, where he began dancing at the age of 12. In 2012, Mr. Dillon received a full scholarship to study at the Ailey School in New York City, where he studied under many prestigious professionals.

Eoghan is currently a company member, assistant rehearsal director, and Educational Coordinator with Parsons Dance in NYC, an internationally renowned touring contemporary dance company.

Under the direction of David Parsons, he has worked one on one with choreographers Robert Battle, Kate Skarpetowska, Trey McIntyre, and Ephrat Asherie. Eoghan has toured, taught, and choreographed all over the United States and Europe and most Recently he has been commissioned to set works on Parsons Dance, METDance, and Dark Circles Contemporary Dance Company. Eoghan has been featured in international marketing publications, most notably the GAP's "Dress Normal" Campaign and maintains teaching positions at the Flow40 Touring Dance Convention as well as The Broadway Dance Center in New York City.

Chris Stuewe

Dancer

Good Morning America: LMFAO & ICONA POP, New York Young Choreographers Festival, Broadway Dance Center Promotional Video and Showcase

Olivia Boyer

Dancer

Conteur Contemporoary Dance Academy, Toronto

Melissa-Chayer

Dancer

Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario - Melissa Chayer moved to Toronto, ON once graduating high school to pursue her passion for dance. Through her extensive training in Contemporary, Jazz, Modern, and Ballet, Melissa was fortunate enough to work with very knowledgeable teachers at a young age. Shortly, after arriving in Toronto, ON Melissa was given the opportunity to perform in The 2015 Pan Am Games under the direction of Paul Becker and Jeff Dimitriou. The most memorable moment being her performance as back up to Canadian artist Serena Ryder. Once the show was complete Melissa decided to strengthen her training further by attending the post-secondary program: The Conteur Academy. Within the two-year program, she had the pleasure of studying under the cultivating teachers: Ryan Lee, Dani Matte, Eryn Waltman, Colleen Snell, Kelly Shaw, and many more. The Academy has provided her with many performance opportunities such as a site-specific performance with the company Frog in Hand directed by Colleen Snell and Conteur Academies show Fill in the Blanks directed by Eryn Waltman. Melissanow uses her vast experiences and passions to teach dance to both, younger and older generations across Ontario.