Business Details
22 Years
experience
Your Premier Dance School in Toronto
Established in 2004, Shall We Dance Studio has become a premier destination for dance education in Toronto. Led by Maria Elent, a Canadian National Ballroom Champion with over 19 years of studio management experience, our team of certified instructors brings global expertise to every lesson. Each instructor holds credentials from the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, ensuring the highest standards of training. We specialize in personalized attention through private lessons and group classes spanning 10 dance styles, including ballroom, Latin, hip hop, and ballet. Our welcoming environment accommodates students of all ages, from toddlers to adults, fostering both technical mastery and artistic expression. With flexible scheduling options and a proven track record of preparing students for competitions and special events, we combine professional instruction with a family-like atmosphere.Our instructors' accolades include North American championships, European titles, and decades of teaching experience across multiple continents. The studio's commitment to quality is reflected in our students' success stories, from wedding dance transformations to competitive achievements. We maintain small class sizes (4-6 students) to ensure individualized feedback while offering 45-minute sessions tailored to each learner's pace. This combination of expertise, personalized attention, and diverse programming has made us a trusted name in dance education for over two decades.
Services
Wedding Dance Lessons
Ballroom Dancing
Latin Dance Classes
Hip Hop Instruction
Ballet Lessons
Private Dance Coaching
Group Dance Classes
Kids Dance Programs
Online Dance Lessons
Competition Training
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- Certified instructors with championship-level expertise
- Personalized attention in small group classes (4-6 students)
- 10+ dance styles including wedding-specific choreography
- 20+ years combined teaching experience among lead instructors
- Flexible scheduling for private lessons and group classes
Associations and certifications
- Canadian Dance Teachers Association
What people say
Excellent instructors
Welcoming atmosphere
Personal touch
Memorable wedding dance
Family-friendly environment
Services
Wedding Dance Lessons
Custom choreography for wedding couples focuses on comfort and confidence. Instructors create personalized routines that match your chosen music and style preferences. Lessons accommodate both partners, with flexible scheduling options available Monday through Saturday by appointment.
Ballroom Dancing
Learn traditional ballroom styles including waltz, tango, and foxtrot. Classes emphasize proper technique, partner connection, and rhythm development. Both group and private options available for all skill levels from beginner to advanced dancers.
Latin Dance Classes
Master Latin styles like salsa, cha-cha, and samba with expert instructors. Classes focus on hip movement, timing, and authentic styling. Available in group settings (4-6 students) or private lessons for personalized attention.
Private Dance Lessons
Tailored 45-minute sessions with professional instructors let you learn at your own pace. Available Monday-Saturday by appointment, these lessons accommodate individual goals and schedules for both recreational and competitive dancers.
Kids Dance Programs
Structured programs for ages 3-18 include ballet, hip hop, and Latin styles. Group classes held at set times weekly, with performance opportunities available. Private lessons also offered for focused skill development in a fun, encouraging environment.
People
Maria Elent
Founder and Director
Canadian National Ballroom Champion with 19 years of studio leadership. Holds Master's Degree in Arts from St. Petersburg State University. Combines championship expertise with educational excellence to create welcoming learning environment.
Ivan Lebedev
Lead Instructor
Professional 10 Dance Finalist and Canadian Professional Standard Dance Vice-Champion. Brings Russian dance tradition to instruction while making complex techniques accessible to students of all skill levels through personalized teaching methods.
Carlos Olavide
Dance Instructor
Latin dance specialist with decade of teaching experience. Transforms technical instruction into engaging sessions that blend Venezuelan and Peruvian cultural influences with competitive dance precision for both children and adults.
Olha Malynovska
Dance Instructor
Versatile instructor teaching ballet to hip hop with Ukrainian dance heritage. Creates dynamic classes that combine technical mastery with creative expression, making complex choreography accessible and enjoyable for diverse age groups.
Gleb Golovachev
Dance Instructor
10 Dance Ballroom and Latin European Champion recognized as North American rising star. Connects with students through patient instruction that balances technical excellence with fun, personalized learning experiences for all ages.
Questions
Is there a free sample dance lesson available?
Yes, we offer a 30-minute sample class at no charge to experience our teaching style and facilities.
How do you prepare couples for wedding dances?
Our instructors create customized choreography focusing on comfort and confidence, with flexible scheduling to perfect routines before your special day.
What dance styles are available for adults?
We offer ballroom, Latin, hip hop, ballet, and more, with both group classes and private lessons tailored to adult learners' needs.
Are there performance opportunities for students?
Yes, our instructors regularly prepare students for competitions and special events, with many achieving recognition in local and national contests.
What age groups do you teach?
We offer programs for toddlers (ages 3-6), children, teens, and adults, with age-appropriate instruction methods and class structures.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Kyle Chin
Jun 25, 2019
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My fiancee and I had a tremendous experience working with Shall we Dance to create our first dance routine. At first, we were nervous coming in with no dance experience. But after our first lesson, we started feeling much more comfortable with each lesson.
Val is a phenominal instructor. In 2 months, he was able to teach us the steps in how to dance rhumba, create an awesome first dance routine with our song choice, and help us polish up our routine each week. Our first dance turned out phenominal, and our guests were really amazed with our routine. Not withstanding his experience, Val is also
Val is a phenominal instructor. In 2 months, he was able to teach us the steps in how to dance rhumba, create an awesome first dance routine with our song choice, and help us polish up our routine each week. Our first dance turned out phenominal, and our guests were really amazed with our routine. Not withstanding his experience, Val is also
Sonia Bruzzese Dantas
Nov 18, 2018
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My fiancee and I were so fortunate to meet and work with Yvan our fantastic dance instructor! He is so creative and extremely patient. We initially signed up to learn a routine for our wedding and are now continuing with other dance lessons as we are so impressed with how much Yvan has taught us. The staff at Shall We Dance are extremely professional and so much fun!
Daniela Boeri
Aug 06, 2017
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My finance and I took classes at the studio for our first wedding dance. Both of us were very nervous and we did not have any previous dance experience. Our instructor, Maria, was amazing and really helped us come up with a routine that fit our personality and was special for our day. Maria worked with our song and filmed us throughout the lessons so we could practice on our own time as well. Her attention to detail really helped us with our technique and in the end we felt comfortable and really happy to perform our dance for the wedding.Highly recommend!
Melinda Brunato
Jun 26, 2017
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My fiance and I are taking lessons here for our first dance at our wedding. We have no prior dance experience what so ever. We started these lessons as pre-begginers with basically no skill. After about 5 lessons we are now actually able to dance together. Our dance instructor is Maria, she is an amazing teacher. She has made us feel so comfortable and at home with our lessons. The dance studio is nice and open and has a very inviting atmosphere. Not only are we learning to dance, but also how to carry ourselves and feel confident. I would recommend this dance studio to anyone who is looking to
