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.
VICTORIA EXCONDE, SPP, BA DANCE | INSTRUCTOR
(BALLET, JAZZ, MODERN, CONTEMPORARY, THEATRE JAZZ, HIP HOP)
Victoria started dancing with her high school’s dance troupe, Sisler’s Most Wanted. Since then, she has graduated the Junior and Senior Professional Program at The School of Contemporary Dancers and has received her BA Honours in dance from the University of Winnipeg.
She has trained in Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Theatre Jazz, and Hip Hop. She currently trains with Nafro Dance Productions, B.O.S.S. Dance Team, and the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Cheer & Dance Team. She is also a choreographer for Recycled Talent Productions and Winnipeg Glee Club.
Victoria is a seasoned vet when it comes to the performance arts and competitive level dance. Competing with B.O.S.S. Dance Team in Toronto and many other Hip Hop and studio competitions in North America.
She loves sharing her knowledge of dance with her students while providing them with a positive and safe environment.
Joining BOSS Dance Academy in 2018, Victoria is a heavy hitter in the industry bringing top quality technical training and instruction from Winnipeg to Steinbach.
KADRI NEUFELD, A.D.A.P.T. | INSTRUCTOR
(BALLET, JAZZ, TAP, LYRICAL, CONTEMPORARY, HIP HOP)
With over 12 years of dance training in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, Kadri is no stranger to the art form. Kadri has successfully completed exams in Jazz (ADAPT), Tap (Al Gilbert), and Ballet (Cecchetti), making her a force to be reckoned with. She is a certified ADAPT Jazz and Tap instructor after completing her three year ADAPT Instructor Training Program in Toronto. This certification qualifies Kadri to successfully prepare students to enter into Jazz and Tap exams.
Kadri’s dance career has taken her on many trips across Canada and the United States, training with choreographers like Travis Wall, Sonya Tayeh, Stacey Tookey, and other So You Think You Can Dance alumni.
Kadri is a competitive dancer competing in various competitions across North America. Selected through iDance convention to receive a Paris Summer dance scholarship through SDF productions and 5678 Showtime, Kadri went on to train in Paris with top choreographers and teachers from around the world. The following year she received an invitation to partake in a reunion tour in Barcelona, Spain with the same companies.
As Kadri’s career took off, she fell in love with Hip Hop and the culture it brings. She later joined B.O.S.S. Dance Team in 2017, directed By Genie Baffoe and Bretton Selent, where she performed in their Artist Within Show, WE DAY, and competed all across Canada.
We are so excited Kadri has joined the BOSS family on another level. First with B.O.S.S. Dance Team and now with it’s studios!
(JIVE, CHA CHA, RUMBA, SAMBA, WALTZ, QUICK STEP, FOXTROT, VIENEZE WALTZ, SALSA, BACHATA)
Jedi started dancing at the age of eight at RWB where he studied Ballet, Tap, and Jazz until the age of 13. From there, he went to Ted Motykas Dance Studio and started a whole new chapter in dance. Jedi studied everything Latin and Ballroom and started performing at different events. He placed third with his partner in Jive at his first competition.
Jedi started teaching classes when he was 19, and even had his own kids class on Saturday mornings, teaching both Latin and Ballroom dances. He participated in a huge fundraising event in Winnipeg called, "Dancing With the Celebrities" for four years as a pro dancer, which raised money for Winnipeg with disabilities. When he was 21, he started training in Salsa styles at Ted's, and fell in love with the fast rhythms and music. Jedi joined the Bollywood DAK PAK at the age of 25 and performed with the group at Salsa at the Forks and other events in Winnipeg. When he was 28, he joined RHR (Regan Hirose and Harold Rancano; 2X Pro Cabaret-Bachata champions). Jedi started competing at different congresses throughout Canada, winning many competitions and heats. He placed fifth in the world for his mens Salsa solo at the World Latin Dance Cup in Miami.
Jedi now teaches everything from the Waltz and Jive to Salsa and Bachata at Ted Motykas and BOSS Dance Academy. He also teaches private lessons and choreographs wedding routines! Jedi has also had the pleasure of working along side many talented choreographers in Winnipeg who have worked so hard at perfecting their own craft:
-Genie Baffoe of B.O.S.S. Dance Crew
-Layrissa Semchyshyn of Slavik Ukrainian Dancers
-Bernadette Shum at Institute of Dance
-Frank Ferlaino at Institute of Dance
-Pedro, Flamenco Instructor
I have had an amazing journey through dance so far, and I hope to continue sharing my love and passion for dance to all ages, and to keep growing as a dancer. - Jedi Baker
Starting her dance career in 2010 at the Steinbach Arts Centre, Danni quickly realized her passion for Hip Hop dance. She quickly progressed under the direction and training of B.O.S.S. Dance Team member, Bretton Selent, taking numerous gold awards and highest marks in the many studio and Hip Hop choreography competitions she competed in.
Danni has completed her three year instructor training under BOSS Dance Academy, where her choreography has placed gold in various competitions. She has worked as a camp dance instructor at Manitoba Pioneer Camp Ministry from 2017-2019. She has also taught students at South Oaks School, Green Valley School, and Southwood School Steinbach.
Danni is a heavy hitter when it comes to Hip Hop choreography, but her greatest passion is freestyle. Danni’s training in the Hip Hop style eventually led to her ability to compete in many freestyle battles where she quickly made a name for herself all over Manitoba. Competing in battles like Down Town Moves, Beat Make-Us Dance, Dance for MS, and the hand selected 16 best, Who’s The Illest, where she competed as the youngest battler in Who’s The Illest history. Danni also took the title of back to back champion at Heat the Streetz, quickly making her a crowd favourite in South Eastern Manitoba.
Danni’s passion for dance is strongly mixed with her passion for caring for others. In 2018, Danni choreographed and lead a performance team to Haiti as part of a missionary group. Danni is a goal setter and is always looking for ways to push herself and others around her to the next level. With her eyes fixed on becoming a member of B.O.S.S. Dance Team, there is nothing stopping this next level dancer!
“I like teaching others because I love to pass down the things that I have learned, push and watch students grow, watch the choreography and concepts I create come to life, and inspire others while building the community of Hip Hop.” - Danni Cole
(IRISH, BALLET)
Ashley Wolfe has been dancing for over three decades now, with an 18 year Ballet background and a 20+ year background in Irish dance. She has also expanded her dance career, becoming a Dance Adjudicator with the Winnipeg Music Festival. She looks at all aspects when it comes to dance, the emotional, mental, physical, and spirituality of where dance comes from.
Born knock kneed, bow legged, pigeon toed, and hyperextended, Ashley started ballet at the age of two as a medical recommendation. She went through a painful process of knee braces and specialized orthopaedic shoes to correct hip placement and alignment.
Ashley went on to become a Folklorama dancer with the Brady Academy at the Celtic Ireland Pavilion, 1995-2005.
She is currently attending U of M, working on Canadian History and Native Studies Majors with her sights set on social work.
Ashley now heads up the Irish program with BOSS DANCE ACADEMY. She is a powerhouse in the dance world and we are so excited to have her as part of the team!
Dance became more than just a physical exercise after I began Irish dancing. I was able to connect to my Irish cultural roots, and it became an emotional, spiritual, and mental journey, helping me through a pretty rough childhood and adolescence. - Ashley Wolfe
(STAGE COMBAT, BBOYING)
Starting his training at the age of eight under B.O.S.S. Dance Team member, Bretton Selent, Julian quickly found his passion for dance and performing arts.
Over the years, Julian has continued his training in Hip Hop, Urban Choreography, Bboying, and Stage Combat.
Being no stranger to the world of performance and competitions, Julian has claimed numerous golds and high marks at many competitions and festivals around Manitoba. With lots of choreography competitions under his belt, Julian then stepped into the world of Hip Hop freestyle, competing in numerous battles in Manitoba.
Julian’s passion for the art of Stage Combat has grown over the years. Having the ability to create something and see it come to life on stage is one of the best parts of the job.
It is Julian’s goal to share his knowledge with his students and cultivate a positive environment in which students can learn, build confidence, and develop a respect for the art form. Teaching non-violence through the use of combat arts.