Jiaying You (Yoyo)
Specialties: Ballet, KPOP, Chinese Dance.
- Received Ph.D in dance from the University of Alberta.
- Received Master's degree in dance from the China National Academy of Arts.
- Certified teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) lever 1 & level 2.
- Worked at the Dance Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Academy of Arts.
- Participated in the organization of various competitions held by the Chinese Dancers Association, such as the "Lotus Cup" Chinese Folk-ethnic Dance Competition and the "Little Lotus" National Children's Dance Exhibition.
- Personal characteristics:
Careful and responsible teaching
Good at communicating with children
Teaching Guidelines: Gentle Perseverance
Tongtong Zhang (Ella)
Specialties: Ballet, Chinese Dance.
- Graduated from Beijing Dance Academy, majoring in dance performance and education.
- Graduated from Guangdong Dance School.
- Certified teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) lever 1 & level 2.
- Won the Gold Award for "Orchid Flower" in the Singapore International Music and Dance Competition.
- Won the first prize for choreography and performance in the 5th North China Five Provinces Dance Competition.
- Won the first prize for choreography and performance in the 12th Beijing Dance Competition.
- Led our students to participate in various international and domestic dance competitions and won first prizes, special awards and full scholarships many times since joining Yoyo School of Dancing in 2014.
- Personal characteristics:
The only way to educate is through love and setting a good example!
Jinjin Du
Specialties: Ballet, Chinese Dance.
- Graduated from Harbin Normal University, majoring in dance choreography.
- Graduated from the Chinese Dance Department of Heilongjiang Academy of Arts.
- The dances she has directed and participated in have won many national, provincial and municipal awards in China.
- She often tells students:
The process of learning dance is a process of continuous reconstruction of self-confidence. The real gain in the process is not only the skills you master, but also the confidence you gain. Learning to dance takes time, but is worth it. It is easy to give up, but it is rewarding to persevere.
Wayne Jiang
Specialties: Popping
- Has won first place in multiple street dance competitions in both China and Canada.
- Has been teaching professional Popping dance for many years in both China and Canada, and cultivated many talented Popping dancers.
- Has been invited as judge and special guest at various street dance tournaments in Canada.
- Partner of UNITE-RAY Street Dance Training Institution.
- President of the first hip-hop dance club at NAIT in Canada.
- President and Choreographer of Zhengzhou No.19 and No.47 High school in China.
- Personal characteristics:
As a street dance teacher, he is deeply passionate about his work and dedicated to helping each student discover their dance potential, master the latest dance and performance techniques, and showcase their talent and charm in dance.
Polina Petrova
Specialties: Ballet.
- Graduated from Perm State Choreographic College (Russia).
- Professional Ballet dancer, teacher, choreographer at B. Eifman Ballet Theater (Russia).
- Teaching the Vaganova Ballet Method.
- Barre Instructor Certificate, American Barre Technique®
- Certifid teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)
- Personal characteristics:
I have always been deeply passionate about the art of Ballet, and now I am dedicated to sharing this passion with those who wish to embrace it. My approach is free of pressure, but full of encouragement and enthusiasm!
Ruige Cui (Tracy)
Specialities: Ballet, Chinese Dance, Latin
- Graduated from Shandong Normal University, Conservatory of Music, majoring in Dance.
- Three years teaching experience in a large dance school (Wonderful Life). leading students in various competitions and performances, and obtained excellent results.
- Performing at the CCTV Luna New Year Festival Gala.
- Performing at the Asian Cultural Carnival.
- Participated in the recording of the best moment of CCTV 3.
- Participated in a large-scale song and dance drama performance "who doesn't say good things about my hometown".
- Personal characteristics:
If there is a miracle, it is another name for effort.
Asha Marshall
Hip Hop, Street, Dancehall, KPOP- Canadian Hip Hop Dance Champion with Fly Girlz Dance Crew.
- World Hip Hop International Dance Competition bronze medalist with Fly Girlz Dance Crew.
- Has danced, trained, taught, and choreographed in Canada, US, Spain, Africa, and China.
- Asha has participated and placed in many competitions throughout Alberta and continues to train in various styles of dance by attending classes weekly and by participating in any workshop or convention she can get her hands on. She has completed all of her workshops successfully, winning awards and scholarships from world-class choreographers who recognize her love of dance and performance.
- She wants everyone to believe that they can achieve whatever they want to achieve, as long as they’re willing and committed to believing in their dream and in doing what it takes.
- Personal characteristics:
Asha favours teaching her students how to groove first and foremost. Emphasizing the importance of moving to the beat is her passion and seeing her students feel they can call themselves dancers outside of memorized steps motivates her to continue to share street dance styles with them.
Esther Nye
Specialities: Ballet.- Graduated from the Liaoning Ballet Affiliated Dance School, majoring in Ballet.
- Certified teacher, Beijing Dance Academy.
- Highly skilled in the Vaganova Ballet Method and the Beijing Dance Academy teaching system.
- Contributed as a performer to professional productions such as "The Sleeping Beauty", "Swan Lake", "The Nutcracker", and others.
- Actively participated in several key performances and recording projects, including: Liaoning Ballet anniversary performance and Ballet Coming to Campus series activities, etc.
- Proficient in the choreography and performance of classical ballet productions and various dance works.
- Rich teaching experience. Successfully guided students through the selection exams for various professional dance schools in China. Developed customized teaching plans based on individual student needs, significantly enhancing their technical skills and artistic expression.
- Personal characteristics:
Every dance movement witnesses your progress, where patience and effort unlock success. I encourage students to embrace their uniqueness and find their brilliance.
Danni Bai
Specialties: Yoga, Physique Selective Training - Swan Neck, Ab lines.
- Studied with yoga masters in India and Canada.
- Holds a North American Yoga Teacher License and is a member of the International Yoga Alliance.
- Has been teaching yoga in Edmonton since 2011.
- Integrates Eastern and Western yoga concepts.
- Teaches traditional yoga breathing, asanas, yoga chants and relaxation meditation.
Melodie Wong
Specialities: Chinese Dance.
- Currently studying at University of Alberta in BEd Elementary.
- Been dancing with Yoyo School of Dancing for 10+ years
- Teaching and TA experience of 5+ years.
- 2020: Received Gold in Solo dances at Dance Power.
- 2019: Received First Place in Solo dances at Peak International Dance Championship.
- 2019: Received First Place, Special Award “All Eyes On You” in Solo dances at Fever International Dance Championship.
- 2018: Received First Place in Solo dances at Peak International Dance Championship.
- 2018: Received First Place in Solo dances at Fever International Dance Championship.
- 2017: Received Gold in group dances at Dance Power.
Vian Kwok
Specialities: Chinese Dance, Gymnastics.
- More than 10 years of dance and gymnastics learning experience.
- Two years of experience in teaching gymnastics and teaching assistant, and one year of experience in teaching dance and teaching assistant.
- In 2024, Shiny Dancers International Dance Championship won High Silver award for Chinese Dance solo dance, High Gold award for Chinese Dance group dance.
- In 2023, Shiny Dancers International Dance Championship won High Gold award for Chinese Dance solo dance, High Silver award for Chinese Dance group dance.
- In 2023, Dance Power Dance Competition won the gold award for Chinese Dance solo dance.
- In 2023, Evolve Dance Competition won the Platinum award for Chinese Dance solo dance, silver award for Chinese Dance group dance.
- In 2023, Fever Dance Championships won a Medal for Chinese Dance solo dance, silver award for Chinese Dance group dance.
- In 2022, Shiny Dancers International Dance Championship won the First Prize for group dance.
- In 2019, The Bangkok Gymnastics Moose Game Invitational Meet won first place on vault and third place overall for team.
- In 2018, The Bangkok Gymnastics Moose Game Invitational Meet won overall champion, as well as for team.
- In 2016, HK Inter-Primary Schools Gymnastics Competition 2016-2017 won fourth place on vault
- In 2013, South Horizons Residents Club. Gymnastics Invitation Tournament won overall champion and the “Outstanding award”.
- In 2012, South Horizons Residents Club Gymnastics Invitation Tournament won overall champion.
- Personal characteristics:
Dance should be pure and strong.
Linlin Wang
Specialities: Chinese Dance.
- Graduated from Shenyang Conservatory of Music, majoring in dance education.
- Graduated from Guangdong Dance School.
- Led students to participate in various dance competitions and won first prizes and gold awards.
- Received the Sostar China Taoli Cup Excellent Instructor title.
Carol Yuen
Administrative Officer- Studied dance at the Hong Kong Folk Dance Troupe from 1985 to 1991. Participated in many dances choreographed by the famous Hong Kong choreographer, Mr. Sze Kam Hui, including "Flying Horse", "Blessing", "Snow Lotus", "The Bride", etc.
- Over 35 years’ experience in administrative and secretarial field.
- Worked at Hester & Hester CPA, Edmonton as the Personal Assistant to Partner from 2018 to 2020.
- Worked at APM Immigration Services Inc., Edmonton as a Personal Assistant from 2017 to 2018.
- Received Advanced Diploma in Accounting - The University of Hong Kong in 2009.
- Received Certificate in Office Administration - The University of Hong Kong in 1997.
- Received Executive Secretarial Studies Certificate - Norton Institute of English Commerce & Computer in 1989.
- Personal characteristics:
Treat everyone and everything with care.
Never give up the love of dancing!
Taozi/Chelsea
New media planning and publicity- Graduated from Harbin Normal University majoring in English Education and Chinese as a foreign language.
- At least six years of experience as a journalist and editor of a local Edmonton newspaper.
- Worked as a Chinese teaching assistant at Edmonton Public Schools for more than four years.
- More than six years of working experience in administrative management.
- Strong teamwork skills, reliable, responsible and has a positive attitude.
- Personal characteristics:
Education is such magic. You never know when you inadvertently plant a seed which will grow in people's hearts, take root, and blossom.
