About Us
Our mission: To ignite passion, inspire confidence, and celebrate individuality through dance. At Studio ATL, dance is more than movement — it’s a form of self-discovery. With expert instruction, mentorship, and a culture of care, we help dancers grow both in skill and in spirit.
Our Core Values
Passion for Dance. We dance because we love it. That joy fuels every step.
Excellence in Education. Proper technique. Purposeful training. Artistic growth at every level.
Inclusivity & Respect. Every dancer is valued here. Every voice matters.
Confidence & Character. We nurture strong dancers, and even stronger people.
Community & Connection. Studio ATL is more than a studio. We’re a supportive community connected through dance.
Creativity & Expression. Be bold. Be original. Be you through every move.
Meet the Directors
At the heart of Studio ATL are three passionate directors who bring a powerful blend of experience, creativity, and heart to everything they do. Together, they have built a space where dancers are not only trained at a high level, but also nurtured, inspired, and empowered.
With decades of combined experience in teaching, choreographing, and mentoring, our directors are united by a shared vision: to provide exceptional dance education in a supportive and inclusive environment. From our tiniest ballerinas to our most seasoned competitors, they are dedicated to helping each dancer thrive both on and off the dance floor.
Their leadership is rooted in collaboration, community, and a deep love for the art of dance. At Studio ATL, it’s not just about technique — it’s about confidence, connection, and growth.
We’re so proud to have you on this journey with us.
Almitra McKenzie (A)
Director | Instructor | Choreographer
Born and raised in Toronto, Almitra McKenzie began her dance journey at the age of eight in a local studio — a spark that quickly grew into a lifelong passion. As a competitive dancer, she trained and performed across North America and went on to earn her B.A.T.D. associate certifications in Stage (Jazz & Tap), Acrobatics, Ballet, and Modern. These achievements laid the foundation for her to become not only a dynamic performer, but also a certified and versatile instructor. While pursuing her BA at the University of Western Ontario, Almitra discovered her true calling: teaching. Through her work with young dancers, she came to value the profound role educators play in shaping confidence, resilience, and artistry. For every risk taken and every goal reached, she knew she wanted to be part of that journey. As a choreographer, Almitra brings originality and heart to the stage. Her work has earned numerous accolades — including Highest Mark of the Competition, Best Choreography, and genre-specific awards — and has been showcased on major platforms like the World Hip Hop Championships in Los Angeles and The Dance Awards. Almitra is a lifelong learner, always refining her skills and staying in tune with current trends, techniques, and music. She instills her signature Consistency. Control. Confidence. in every student. They’re beautifully connected, with each one lifting the other. To be consistent, you need control — the kind of self-discipline that helps you stay focused on your goals and tune out the noise. The more you show up and put in the work, the more your confidence grows. And with confidence, you don’t just reach for the stars... you dance among them. These lessons extend far beyond the dance studio. Almitra’s students leave not only stronger dancers, but more capable and self-assured individuals, ready to carry the 3 Cs into every area of their lives.
Tierni Kessler (T)
Director | Instructor | Choreographer
Tierni Kessler is a dynamic and accomplished dance educator, choreographer, and performer who began dancing at the age of three. Training in all genres at a prestigious studio, she built a highly successful competitive dance career. Her background includes extensive training in jazz, ballet, lyrical, tap, hip hop, contemporary, acrobatics, and more. As a choreographer, Tierni’s work has received consistent acclaim across a wide range of styles, including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and open. Her choreography has earned Top Choreography of the Weekend, Highest Scoring Routine of the Competition, Overall High Scores, Special Awards, and Choreography Awards at both regional and national levels. Known for her creativity, emotional depth, and strong storytelling, Tierni’s routines leave a lasting impact on both dancers and audiences alike. Professionally, Tierni has appeared on the television series The Strain, performed in music videos, and worked as a backup dancer for recording artists. She has also trained with and assisted world-renowned choreographers, bringing a high level of industry insight and professionalism to her work. Beyond the classroom, Tierni is deeply passionate about mentorship — instilling in her dancers the values of discipline, teamwork, confidence, and self-expression. Her mission extends beyond teaching steps; she strives to cultivate artistry and inspire a lifelong love for the art of dance.
Leigh Vanderland (L)
Director | Instructor | Choreographer
Leigh Vanderland has been immersed in the world of dance since the age of six and began teaching by the time she was fifteen. With over two decades of experience, she brings a deep understanding of movement, mentorship, and magic to every class she teaches. Specializing in all genres, Leigh has a unique gift for both ends of the spectrum. She gently guides tiny ballerinas through their very first pliés and also delivers powerful, competitive senior routines that leave a lasting impression. Her choreography has earned numerous overall awards at competition, including the prestigious Junior Rhythm Cup in 2023. Her formal training includes the completion of R.A.D. ballet exams from Pre-Primary to Intermediate, earning both Highly Commended and Distinction results. What truly sets Leigh apart is her ability to see and nurture the spark in each dancer. Whether it’s the joy in a child’s eyes when they master a new step or the quiet confidence that builds through hard work and encouragement, Leigh is there for all of it — celebrating every moment. As a mom to both a junior and senior dancer, Leigh brings not only expertise but empathy. Dance isn’t just what she does. It’s who she is. Her passion, experience, and unwavering belief in the power of a positive and uplifting studio environment are at the heart of everything she brings to ATL. Leigh is deeply committed to ATL’s mission to Aspire, Train, and Lead. She believes every dancer has the potential to dream big, work hard, and become a confident leader both on and off the stage!
Irene Leung
Instructor | Choreographer
Irene Leung is a classically trained dancer and educator, with a focus on the Royal Academy of Dance ballet syllabus, Progressing Ballet Technique, contemporary dance, and conditioning. She trained at City Contemporary Dance Company’s youth program and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (as a scholarship recipient) before earning her BFA in Dance (Honours) from York University, specialising in Performance and Choreography. At York, she collaborated with renowned artists and professors like Susan Lee, Tracey Norman, and Patrick Parson, and trained under mentors including Roberto Campanella (ProArteDanza) and Megan Nadain (Dance Arts Institute). As a member of the York Dance Ensemble (2024/25), she worked under Artistic Director Syreeta Hector, alongside Jane-Alison McKinney and Emily Duckett. Now an active performer and educator, Irene dances with Toronto’s post-modern company The Parahumans while teaching ballet and contemporary across Ontario — bridging rigorous technique with experimental artistry.
