Ballet Montreal Performing Arts School

Danielle Raffoul: Ballet & contemporary teacher
Born in Montreal, Danielle started dancing as early as four years old. She trained for a decade under the direction of Paula Urrutia, focussing primarily on ballet while continuing to pursue various dance disciplines, learning from Veronica Felisi and others. 
Upon graduation, Danielle moved to Austria to join Europaballett, where she danced as a company member for three years. She then danced in the Phantôme of the Opera in Vienna for several years.
Danielle is thrilled to be a part of her dance home’s faculty. She hopes to help our aspiring dancers gain confidence in their technique and help them marry it with their artistry and musicality.

Danielle Raffoul: Professeure de ballet & contemporain
Originaire de Montréal, Danielle a commencé la danse dès l’âge de quatre ans. Elle s’est formée pendant dix ans sous la direction de Paula Urrutia, en se consacrant principalement au ballet classique, tout en poursuivant sa formation dans diverses disciplines de danse auprès de Veronica Felisi et d’autres professeurs.
À la fin de sa formation, Danielle s’est installée en Autriche pour rejoindre Europaballett, où elle a été membre de la compagnie pendant trois ans. Elle a ensuite dansé pendant plusieurs années dans la production de Le Fantôme de l’Opéraà Vienne.
Danielle est ravie de faire partie de l’équipe pédagogique de son école de danse d’origine. Elle souhaite aider nos jeunes danseurs à développer une solide confiance en leur technique, tout en leur permettant de l’allier à leur sens artistique et à leur musicalité.

Stéphanie Tanguay: Ballet Teacher & Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) teacher
Stéphanie began her professional dance training at the Conservatoire de Danse de Montréal where she studied: ballet, pointes, repertoire, pas de deux, character, modern, jazz, tap, flamenco and african dance.
Passionate about ballet, she continued her studies with Paula Urrutia in various schools such as Ballet Montreal Performing Arts School and has completed her Advanced I exam in the prestigious Cecchetti method.
In 2007, Stéphanie had the chance to dance in Ballet Ouest production of the Nutcracker and performed numerous shows on tour with the company.
While taking teacher’s training courses with Paula Urrutia, in preparation for the Cecchetti teacher certificate, Stéphanie has discovered a great passion for teaching. Since 2011, she has been teaching creative movement, pre-ballet, ballet and pointes to students of all ages in recreational and competitive studios around the Montreal region.
After completing her Cecchetti Associate certificate, she continues to take teacher’s training courses and workshops regularly. Additionally, Stéphanie is a certified teacher of Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT).
Stéphanie is thrilled to be part of Ballet Montreal’s faculty and excited to share her passion with her students!

Keita Youssef Bellali, soloist with the Paris Opera Ballet, will be a guest teacher at our summer intensive this August!
Keita grew up in Montreal, Canada, and trained at Ballet Montreal Performing Arts School under the direction of Paula Urrutia before completing his training at the Paris Opera Ballet School.
Following his graduation, Bellali was offered a permanent position as a dancer with the Paris Opera Ballet. His time with the company has given him the opportunity to perform in a wide array of ballets, including works by Rudolf Noureev, George Balanchine, Roland Petit, Harald Lander, Bournonville, and other esteemed choreographers. Notably, he contributed to Pierre Lacotte’s world premiere production of “Le Rouge et le Noir” and has showcased his versatility in contemporary pieces by Crystal Pite and Wayne McGregor.
Keita is deeply committed to sharing the knowledge and experience he has gained throughout his time in France. He takes immense pleasure in sharing the intricacies and foundational elements of the French Ballet technique to aspiring dancers.

Veronica Felisi: Ballet teacher & Jazz teacher
Originally from Italy, Veronica began her professional training at the Open Dance Center in Milan. After studying various types of styles: ballet, pas de deux, modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, flamenco and acrobatic, she obtained her dancing and teaching diploma at the age of 17.
Veronica continued her studies in Madrid (Spain), attending the Escuela Victor Ullate and the Escuela de Ballet Carmina Ocana.
With a strong professional dance career in Europe, the United States and Canada, Veronica has extensive stage experience in fields as diverse as entertainment, musical comedy and television. She worked in various environments such as theatre, television, casinos, entertainment parks and cruise ships.
She took part in many musical reviews, production shows and operas around the world. She has held the position of dance captain in some of the productions that she has worked for.
Veronica is an incredible dance teacher whose passion, dedication, and encouragement help every student grow in confidence and excel in their dancing.

Paula Urrutia: Artistic Director, vocational program and Junior company ballet teacher.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Paula studied ballet at the National Ballet School in Argentina, graduating from its 10 year program as a professional dancer with full teaching qualifications.
Paula danced with the National Ballet Company in Tucuman, Argentina. She then moved to Canada to perform with the Kokoro Dance company and the Vancouver Dance Theatre, followed by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, L’Opera de Montreal, and Les Ballets Contemporains de Montreal. She was also a principal dancer with Ballet Ouest for several years.
Throughout her career, Paula had the opportunity to perform soloist and leading roles from classical repertoire: Coppelia, Raymonda, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, la Bayadere, Carmen, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, la Fille Mal Gardee, the Nutcracker, among many others.
Throughout her teaching career, Paula has successfully prepared many students for professional dance careers. Her former students have gone on to perform with prestigious companies including the Paris Opera Ballet, the Czech National Ballet, the English National Ballet, the Sibiu Ballet Theatre, and more.

We are thrilled to announce that Edgar Zendejas will be joining the Ballet Montreal Faculty as the permanent contemporary teacher!
Edgar was born in Mexico and had an accomplished dance career in the United States and Canada. He danced in several amazing companies, such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Giordano Jazz Dance and Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal.
Edgar is a highly acclaimed choreographer and has received many awards for his works which led to choreographic commissions in Mexico and the United States.
We are very excited for this new addition to our school and for Edgar to share his knowledge and talents with our students!

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Nous sommes ravis d’annoncer qu’Edgar Zendejas se joint à l’équipe pédagogique de Ballet Montréal à titre de professeur permanent de danse contemporaine!
Originaire du Mexique, Edgar a mené une brillante carrière de danseur aux États-Unis et au Canada. Il a dansé au sein de compagnies de renom, notamment Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Giordano Jazz Dance et Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal.
Chorégraphe hautement reconnu, Edgar a reçu de nombreuses distinctions pour ses créations, ce qui lui a valu des commandes chorégraphiques au Mexique et aux États-Unis.
Nous sommes très heureux de l’accueillir au sein de notre école et avons hâte qu’il partage son savoir, son expérience et son immense talent avec nos élèves!