MEET OUR AWARD WINNING FACULTY
QUALITY INSTRUCTION DONE WITH CARE
We do our best to make sure that all students receive the best possible dance training. To do this, we have made it a priority to have a teaching faculty that is highly qualified in terms of teaching, dance experience, and training. At BOSS Dance Academy, it is our priority to ensure that our teaching faculty is qualified, certified, experienced, and accomplished as dancers and teachers. We also have teachers and choreographers that have a wealth of experience as professionals in the dance industry, and they are most happy to pass on their knowledge and artistry to the next generation of dancers.
BRETTON SELENT, RMT, FIS, PT | DIRECTOR OF URBAN STUDIES
(HIP HOP, BREAKDANCE, STAGE COMBAT, THEATRE, MUSICAL THEATRE, FILM )
Bretton’s dance training did not start in a studio but with the Hip Hop community in Winnipeg. Training, performing, and battling with some of Canada’s top crews such as Dangerous Goods (bboy crew), Sikat (choreography crew), and currently with B.O.S.S. Dance Crew (freestyle/choreography crew) as Co Director alongside Genie Baffoe.
His training has taken him all the way to Toronto and New York at the Broadway Dance Centre. He currently is a Dancer and Choreographer for B.O.S.S. Dance Team (WPG).
Bretton was a touring performer and choreographer with ‘ONE’ Performance Collective, for its “Book of Angels” (2007), “Five Animals” (2008) and “Shadow of the Dragon” (2009) productions in Central and Western Canada.
Bretton’s award winning choreography has been seen taking golds and gold honours year after year at various dance festivals and competitions. Bretton is a Choreographer of the year nominee. He has worked with Juno Award winner Fresh IE and “Kingdom Music Record Label” as their concert choreographer. Places like “MTYP”, Opening Ceremonies MB Games, Fringe Festival, WE DAY and dozens of high schools around MB are just some of the other places he has worked with.
Bretton is also the founder of Manitoba’s largest open-style hip hop battle, “Heat the Streetz”, which brings out dancers from all over Canada and the United States and crowds of 2000.
Bretton holds his diploma of RMT and Exercise Science from Wellington College, and certifications in Personal Training and Fitness Instructor Specialist through
canfitpro.
“A good teacher is one who is first a student them self.”
- Bretton Selent
LYNDSAY SELENT, A.D.A.P.T., FIS | DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL STUDIES
(JAZZ, TAP, CONTEMPORARY, BALLET, HIP HOP)
With over 20 years of technical dance experience, Miss Lyndsay has successfully completed Ballet (Cecchetti) and Jazz (ADAPT) exams. She is a certified ADAPT Jazz and Tap teacher, qualifying her to enter students into dance exams and she has has completed her national certification as a Fitness Instructor (canfitpro).
Having attended many dance conventions, she’s also
work-shopped under renowned dancers/choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Brian Freedman, Wade Robson, and Dave Scott. Lyndsay's work has been seen winning several competitive awards including gold and gold honours.
Lyndsay currently trains with B.O.S.S. Dance Team (WPG), where she has competed in Toronto and many other Hip Hop competitions in Canada. She has also trained in New York at the Broadway Dance Centre in several styles.
Lyndsay has toured to Africa, spending time doing street ministry in Kampala and Gulu, Uganda, working with two different missions organizations. This also included teaching dance to youth in Gulu, Uganda. Here in Canada, she was on both performance and outreach tours with ONE Performance Collective, which involved touring for venues from Winnipeg to Vancouver, but also outreach to Pukatawagan Reserve.
Lyndsay's mission is to teach and mentor values and dedication through dance by helping students set and meet goals. To encourage ALL of her students to dance without the pressures of the competitive, self-focused ‘dance world,’ keeping dance as a true passion rather than a task or job. To mentor kids through dance rather than just teach them empty movements and meaningless choreography, teaching them that their dance can truly affect others in a positive way.
CHRIS KITCHEN | DIRECTOR OF THEATRICAL STUDIES
(THEATRE, MUSICAL THEATRE, STAGE COMBAT, MAGIC, CIRCUS, IMPROV, PHYSICAL THEATRE (clowning/miming)
The BASEMENT THEATRE is excited to be joining forces with BOSS Dance Academy to continue to provide opportunities for young performers to grow in Manitoba.
Instructor/Director, Christopher Kitchen has over 30 years of experience in many forms of the Theatre Arts and is classified as a Theatre Artist with the Province of Manitoba and with the Manitoba Arts Network. His broad training has allowed him to incorporate his work within the community and in the schools and seminars/workshops across Western Canada.
Christopher has written numerous scripts that have been performed across the province and has developed his own career on stage, in television, and in movies. His experience as a Director and Instructor have been used to develop new programs in locations that have never had opportunities before. Chris Kitchen is a master of many theatre based art forms including physical theatre, musical theatre, stage combat, magic, and clowning. His expertise in Theatre Arts is magnified with his added professional career of all aspects of running a show.
Chris is a trained lighting technician, sound technician, and emcee. He has been a huge part and friend of BOSS Dance Academy for many years, helping keep our yearly recital at a professional level. After 10 years of supporting BDA in the background, he is finally where he belongs - front and centre as a powerhouse and local instructor with BOSS Dance Academy.
MIRANDA "Storm" FERRIS | INSTRUCTOR, DIRECTOR BOSS CREW
(HIP HOP, CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ)
Miranda started her dance career at the age of two, training in styles such as Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary / Lyrical, and Salsa.
She has been dancing and choreographing with BOSS Crew since its creation.
At the age of 19 she packed her bags and moved to California to pursue her dance career. She continued her training with Movement Lifestyle in North Hollywood, California, training under choreographers like Brian Friedman and Tucker Barkley. Miranda also taught in high schools and for high level competitive crews around LA.
Returning to Canada in 2023, Miranda returned once again to BOSS Crew, this time as one of its choreographers and Co-Directors.
Miranda’s love for how dance can make you feel free is evident in her choreography and teaching.
Welcome back home Storm.
(BALLET, ACRO, MODERN, JAZZ)
Jasmine was born into dance. Starting at the age of three, she spent almost every waking moment practising, improving, and learning every form of dance that she could. From Ballet and Jazz, Hip Hop and Polynesian, to Baton, Modern, and Acro. Her commitment to the Art form included performance and competition teams that took her to major wins and opportunities. Some highlights include numerous 1st place standings, invitations to the World Cup, and on-field Halftime Show performances at the San Diego and Miami Bowl Games.
Jasmine has used her high energy, passion, and positivity with students at studios, and workshops in Manitoba and British Columbia. She is the dance coordinator for The Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy, where she has the privilege of inspiring young immigrants to pursue dance in their new home country. In Vancouver, Jasmine was the dance leader for the Intellectual Disabilities Society, providing meaningful dance experiences to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Jasmine is looking forward to working with the students and staff of BOSS Dance Academy!
PAIGE BULACHOWSKI | INSTRUCTOR
(HIP HOP, BALLET, TAP, JAZZ)
Miss Paige started dance when she was five years old and ever since, there has been no stopping her. Training with BOSS Dance Academy for over 10 years and completing her BOSS Instructor training program, Paige is a home grown Portage BOSS!
Paige has competed at many high level competitions receiving high awards and gold honours recognition. She has danced with BOSS Dance Crew, BOSS Dance Academy’s semi-professional Hip Hop crew since 2022. Paige has proven that with dedication and perseverance to your art form, the sky is the limit!
Paige is excited to pass on love of dance and the community we have here at BOSS to the next generation of dancers, creators, and movers. Just like her BOSS teachers did for her over the years.
(HIP HOP, BALLET, CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ, CHALLENGERS)
Starting dance at a young age Haydyn quickly fell in love with the art form, dancing and training in styles like Hip Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary. Haydyn’s dance career has taken her to many dance competitions placing top marks and coming home with many first place awards. She is a current member of BOSS Dance Academy’s top competitive crew “BOSS CREW” run and directed by Genie Baffoe, Brett Selent, and Storm Ferris. She has trained with industry professionals like Afternoon (Montreal) and Dizzy Lock (Montreal).
Haydyn has completed her two year instructor training program with BOSS Dance Academy and is excited to share her love of dance to the next generation of future dancers, teachers, and creators!
HELENE LUCKO | INSTRUCTOR, DIRECTOR OF UKRAINIAN DANCE STUDIES
Helene Lucko has been actively involved in the Ukrainian community throughout her life. While living in Winnipeg, Helene received her initial dance instruction at the Ukrainian National Federation (UNF) School of Dance.
She joined the Orlan Ukrainian Folk Ensemble in the late 70’s under the direction of Dr. Taras Babick. As a member until 1991, Helene had the opportunity tour much of rural Manitoba as well as other parts of North America and the Orient.
She has been the instructor, choreographer and spokesperson for the Portage Vesna Ukrainian Dancers since 1993 and Director since 2020.
With a long dance history in Portage La Prairie it only makes sense that in 2025 PVUD, under the direction of Helene has joined BOSS Dance Academy.
Welcome to the BOSS family!
(UKRAINIAN)
Aaron was part of the AUUC, Association of United Ukrainian Canadians, attached to the Ivan Franko Manor in Winnipeg for about 14 years. While part of the Yunist Dance Ensemble he performed during Folklarama and also had the privilege of being involved in the 100th anniversary of Alberta and Saskatchewan joining confederation. This celebration was known as Festival. Festival was performed in Regina in 2005 in front of 2000 people and filmed by Global Televison.
Aaron is excited to re-kindle his love of dance by instructing along side the amazing faculty and families at BOSS Dance Academy!
ELIZABETH MANDAZIUK | INSTRUCTOR
(UKRAINIAN)
Elizabeth Mandziuk has been a part of the Ukrainian dance world since she was 5 years old. She spent 12 years with the Sandy Lake Shevchenko Dance Ensemble, 1 year with the Zoloto Dance Ensemble and has helped with Portage Vesna for almost a decade. She has danced at competitions in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, for Queen Elizabeth at her Golden Jubilee and at Folklorama.
Liz has worked with a variety of instructors, learning a variety of regional styles and techniques. She also has experience helping with costumes.
Liz has been assisting with the Portage Vesna dancers for the past decade and is excited to continue her dance career with BOSS Dance Academy, the new home of the Portage Vesna Ukrainian Dancers.