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ABOUT US

MOVMNT Collective is a community designed to provide dance artists with the tools and support they need to build sustainable careers and make a meaningful impact through their artistic practice.
 

Whether you are just starting out on your journey or are exploring new professional pathways, our goal is to help you reach your goals.

MOVMNT Faculty

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From left to right: Faith Jade, Lyza Manalo, Leah Totten, Ashley Cole-Daley

Artistic Director - Leah Totten

Leah Totten is a choreographer, educator, creative director, and producer with over sixteen years of experience across commercial performance, live production, and artist development.
 

She is the Founder and Artistic Director of MOVMNT Collective, a Toronto-based mentorship and performance company advancing emerging professional dancers and choreographers through artistic creation and career development. Over the years, she has conceived and produced eleven full-length productions, creating immersive, concept-driven stage works that bridge commercial vocabulary and theatrical storytelling.
 

Her commercial work includes five years as Resident Choreographer and Co-Creative Director for Mini Pop Kids, where she choreographed three North American concert tours, performances at Amazon headquarters, and numerous music videos amassing millions of views. She has also choreographed for Pharrell Williams’ Untitled project and performed alongside artists including Kiesza. In addition to her stage and screen work, she has led creative direction for major corporate and philanthropic events, including Canada’s largest gala in support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.
 

Leah served as a Commercial Dance Professor at Centennial College for seven years and holds a postgraduate certificate in Arts Management. She has taught and created with hundreds of dancers and studios across North America and Europe, experience that informs her work as a mentor and career strategist for artists internationally.
 

She encourages her students to move with purpose, cultivate passion behind their craft, and develop the confidence to pave their own path within the industry.

Core Faculty - Faith Jade 

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Faith Jade is an educator, dance artist, adjudicator and choreographer in Toronto, Ontario. She is an accomplished performer and continues to work as a commercial dancer across the GTA. Faith Jade has over 10 years of teaching experience and her knowledge as a dance artist and educator is supported by a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Education (BFA), a Bachelor of Education (BEd), and a Master of Education (MEd). 

 

Faith Jade’s passion for arts education and Black liberation through the arts stems from a desire to use her gift of creation to facilitate and hold space for underrepresented voices. As a Black dance artist, her own struggles with racism and identity have led her to recognize the need for affirming, excellence-driven spaces and opportunities in order to elevate arts education within her sphere of influence. 

 

Faith Jade is the Founder and Artistic Director of For The Culture Co. (@forthecultureco_) which was created to elevate dance education and center black influences in dance. It is the company's goal to pay homage to the pioneers of Afro-diasporic dance and culture by educating and empowering dancers to be knowledgeable stewards of the culture for future generations. Faith Jade is also the current commercial dance professor with Centennial College’s Commercial Dance Program.

Core Faculty - Lyza Manalo

Lyza Manalo (she/her) is a Filipina artist based in Toronto, ON. She has been passionate about dance since the age of three and has trained in multiple styles including Heels, Commercial, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Lyrical/Contemporary. In 2015, she discovered the Heels community and trained under Kaela Faloon with Sensual Heeling Company, while also learning from artists such as Galen Hooks, Kira Harper, and Aisha Francis.
 

Lyza was featured as an Emerging Artist Choreographer under the MOVMNT Collective and has now moved up to a Faculty role for the past 3 seasons. She is the founder of Bevel Bootcamp, a preprofessional Heels and Commercial dance training program - now in its seventh season. Her work blends technical precision with proud femininity, pushing artistic boundaries beyond stylistic boxes.
 

As a teacher, Lyza focuses on strong technique, empathy, and connection within her classes. Her choreography aims to captivate audiences through honest performance and movement led by emotion, always grounded in the human experience.

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Core Faculty - Ashley Cole-Daley

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Ashley is a 26-year-old dancer, videographer, and educator based in Toronto, with 18 years of experience in dance and just over 3 in videography. Her foundation is rooted in street dance styles such as hip-hop, clowning, and stepping, which were introduced to her at a young age. During her years in high school, Ashley delved into technical dance forms such as contemporary, jazz, and ballet, which facilitated her transition into college. In addition to her dance career, Ashley’s passion extends to capturing moments behind the camera, capturing behind-the-scenes moments to full conceptualized visuals.
 

Ashley currently teach intermediate commercial choreography classes at Run the Flex dance studio and is a faculty member with the MOVMNT Collective. Ashley maintains a commitment to continuous learning by attending classes. Ashley is always on the lookout for opportunities to share her love of dance and videography with others.

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