Chantal Almeida is a passionate dance educator, visionary leader, and proud owner of CDA Dance Inc., where she has been shaping dancers’ lives for over two decades. Believing in teaching the whole child, Miss Chantal’s kind and empathetic approach fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel safe to take risks, explore their individuality, and grow at their own pace. She celebrates each dancer’s unique journey, empowering them to become not only strong performers, but also expressive, resilient, and confident individuals.
Chantal’s love for dance began in her parents’ basement, where she first taught her sister and friends. She trained at the Jennifer Morton School of Dance in Richmond Hill, where her mother sought a studio with a strong ballet foundation. After her family moved to Newmarket, Chantal explored local studios but missed the family feel she had experienced growing up. At just 11 years old, she knew she wanted to one day create a welcoming environment where all dancers could learn and experience the love of dance.
In her final year of high school, she danced with Vlad’s Dance Company, and immediately after graduation, she boldly signed the lease for her first 3,000 sq. ft. studio space on Harry Walker Parkway in Newmarket. From those humble beginnings, Chantal has grown CDA into a thriving hub for dancers of all ages and abilities, first in Newmarket for 22 years and now in Aurora, where she lives with her husband and two children.
Chantal’s commitment to her community is unwavering. She has been invited to speak at high school career events, inspiring hundreds of students with her entrepreneurial success story. Always seeking growth, she furthered her education by earning a Certificate in Business Management from the prestigious Schulich School of Business, York University, in 2022. She was recognized as a finalist for Young Professional of the Year with the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce in 2017 and proudly won the award in 2018.
She is also a member of the Society of Classical Ballet, where she enters dancers into exams and attends the annual seminar. In addition, she is certified in Jazz, Acro, and Tap with the Performing Arts Educator of Canada (PAEC) and fully certified with Acrobatic Arts.
Under her leadership, CDA has flourished into an award-winning studio, with both its dancers and faculty earning recognition across competitive and recreational programs. CDA has also been voted Top Choice Dance Studio in Newmarket/Aurora for seven consecutive years, a testament to the strong relationships, outstanding training, and joyful community that Chantal has built.
Her vision remains clear: to create a space where all dancers feel happy, comfortable, and inspired to grow. For Miss Chantal, the greatest reward is seeing the smiles of her students and families each day. With her unwavering dedication, she looks forward to continuing to share the joy of dance with generations to come.