Our Inspiring

Dance Team

Meet the dedicated instructors of Pora Dance Academy, where passion and expertise come together to inspire dancers at every level. Our talented team is committed to guiding you on your dance journey with personalized attention and a love for the art.

Elizabeth O’Keefe

Director & Ballet Teacher

  • Licentiate, Canadian Dance Teachers Association.
  • Former Graduate, Cristina Pora Classical Dance Academy.
  • George Brown College – Professional Dance Training Program.
  • Soloist – Ontario Ballet Theatre

Elizabeth O’Keefe

Director & Ballet Teacher

Elizabeth began her ballet training in the Vaganova Method, at the age of 6, at the Cristina Pora Classical Dance Academy where she was trained by former Ballerinas Cristina Pora, Shirley Tetreau and Ballet Master Max Ratevosian. Before graduating from the school, Elizabeth was principal dancer in many school productions, under the staging of Max Ratevosian. She performed such lead roles as Kitri in “Don Quixote”, Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake”, Gulnara in “Le Corsair” & Carmen in “Carmen”, just to name a few. Elizabeth performed as a Guest Artist with the Hamilton Dance Company and was also asked to perform for the International Olympic Committee at the Toronto Olympic Bid. She continued her training at George Brown College; Professional Dance Training Program where she studied Kinesiology, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Vocal, Acting & Music. There she was asked to train with onsite Ballet Company Ballet Jorgen and understudy as needed. At the age of 20 Elizabeth performed as a Soloist as well as Corps de Ballet with The Ontario Ballet Theatre. She has also trained at The Broadway Dance Centre in New York City, NY.

At a young age Elizabeth was asked to assist her teacher, Cristina Pora, with the younger children in their ballet classes. This is when Elizabeth found her love for teaching. Through years of training from Cristina Pora, Elizabeth is now a Licentiate Member with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and a Ballet Teacher, Choreographer and Director of the Cristina Pora Classical Dance Academy. She continues her Teacher Training with workshops through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association as well as Canada’s National Ballet School.

Cristina Pora Balaceanu

Founder & Artistic Advisor

  • Graduate – State Ballet School, Bucharest, Romania.
  • Former Ballerina – National Opera Bucharest, Romania.
  • Winner of the Mississauga Arts Council MARTY AWARD – Established Performing Arts
  • Life Member – Canadian Dance Teachers Association.

Cristina Pora Balaceanu

Founder & Artistic Advisor

Cristina Pora began her ballet studies in the Russian Vaganova method at the State Ballet School in Bucharest, Romania.  During her senior year of training, she was chosen to represent Romania, in the Junior Division at the famous International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria in 1966.  This was the same year and competition where the famous Mikhail Baryshnikov won the Gold Medal.

As one of the top students of her graduating class, Miss Pora was awarded a full scholarship to study at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow where such famous teachers as Marina T. Semionava and Raisa Struchkova played an important role in her development.

After returning from Moscow, she joined the National Opera Bucharest (Romania), where she danced many solo roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Les Sylphides and Sleeping Beauty.

Miss Pora has performed in various European cities including Athens, Belgrade, Madrid, Milan and Paris.  At La Scala, Milan, Miss Pora was coached by John Field, a noted dancer and teacher, formerly of the Royal Ballet in England.  In Italy, she also performed as a soloist with the Comapgnia Italiana di Balleto.

On coming to Canada, Miss Pora found her own school the Cristina Pora Classical Ballet School in Mississauga in 1975.  As a full member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (C.D.T.A), she was also appointed as a member of the Ballet Committee of the Ontario Branch C.D.T.A and Examiner for its ballet examinations. She has also attended 3 years of pedagogue courses at the National Ballet School Teacher Training program in Toronto.

Heartfelt Testimonials

5/5
All my children did dance lessons here. The teachers are excellent and they try to be very accommodating with schedules and skill levels. The owner, Miss Elizabeth, grew up dancing here and she is an absolute wonderful person
Shannon McCarthy
5/5
Ms. Elisabeth O’Keefe is not only super nice and professional, but she also creates a welcoming environment where my daughter feels inspired. Her passion for dance is infectious. My daughter loves her so much and is always excited for her next class
Nan Zhou
5/5
The ballet training at this academy is exceptionally refined, offering a level of sophistication that stands out among surrounding studios. Few can match the academy's dedication to nurturing high-quality ballet dancers, ensuring each student achieves their fullest potential.
Maddie Torchia
5/5
This academy is truly a hidden gem, providing exceptional teaching environment that makes every session special. We absolutely love the end-of-year recital performances, which beautifully showcase the students' progress, and my daughter eagerly looks forward to each class with great enthusiasm and joy.
Victoria Hughes

Max Ratevosian

Ballet Teacher

Max Ratevosian

Ballet Teacher

  • Graduate – Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia.
  • State University of Lunacharsky G.I.T.I.S. in Moscow – Degree of Ballet Master, Teacher and Choreographer.
  • Former Principal Dancer – Ballet Master Moscow State Ballet Theatre.
  • Former Teacher – National Ballet School of Canada. &  L’Ecole Supérieure de Danse du Québec.

Tori Emmons

Jazz, Tap & Lyrical Teacher

Tori Emmons

Jazz, Tap & Lyrical Teacher

  • George Brown College, Dance Performance.
  • Trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. 
  • Teacher and Choreographer throughout the GTA.

Avery Dupuis

Jazz, Tap & Lyrical Teacher

Avery Dupuis

Jazz, Tap & Lyrical Teacher

  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – MA Musical Theatre Performance 
  • Randolph College for the Performing Arts – BA Musical Theatre Performance
  • Progressive Ballet Training (ongoing certification).
  • Dance Lecturer – Royal Conservatoire of Scotland BA and MA Musical Theatre Performance
  • Dance Captain/Roz Keith – 9to5 the Musical – Edinburgh Fringe Festival – August 2016 Dance Captain/Georgina Hendricks – Curtains the Musical – Toronto Fringe Festival.

Michelle Hubert

Modern Teacher

Michelle Hubert

Modern Teacher

  • Trained at the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre – Professional Division 
  • Full member – Canadian Dance Teachers Association.
  • Fully certified in Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT)
  • 3rd year Dance Masters of America, Teacher Training Course
  • Performance experience includes: Bravo Dance Videos; Moving Pictures Festival; Hamilton Dance
  • Company – dancer and Co-Artistic Director, Parahumans Dance Company.
  • Former Graduate, Cristina Pora Classical Dance Academy.

Sophia Lajkosz

Ballet Teacher

Sophia Lajkosz

Ballet Teacher

  • Accepted to and attended American Ballet Theatre, Alberta Ballet School, 
  • Kirov Ballet Academy & Quinte Ballet School
  • Graduate – Cristina Pora Classical Dance Academy
  • Toronto Metropolitan University- Bachelor of Fine Arts- Performance Dance

Daria Djordjic

Jazz & Lyrical Teacher

Daria Djordjic

Jazz & Lyrical Teacher

  • Trained in Modern, Ballet, Tap & Lyrical.  
  • Trained in Folk Dancing – Academy of Serbian Folk Dancing. 
  • Graduate, Cristina Pora Classical Dance Academy.

Erika Samman

Flamenco Teacher

Erika Samman

Flamenco Teacher

  • Trained at the Academy of Spanish Dance in Toronto. 
  • Graduate, Cristina Pora Classical Dance Academy.
  • Performs at Cultural Events throughout the GTA.

Mayah Foo

Hip Hop Teacher

Mayah Foo

Hip Hop Teacher

  • Graduate, Cristina Pora Classical Dance Academy
  • Graduate, Cawthra Park Regional Arts Program, Major: Dance