Built on a promise to push boundaries and redefine excellence.
OUR VISION
FORWARD Dance Academy is a prestigious dance school located in Ottawa, Ontario.
At FORWARD, we provide all our dancers with innovative, first-class training in a fully equipped facility. Our highly experienced and passionate instructors inspire and encourage students of all levels to develop their technique and build their confidence.
By offering specialized instruction in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, acrobatics, and contemporary dance, we produce exceptional dancers who gain the foundational skills to become outstanding teachers, choreographers, and professionals. We believe in educating our students on the importance of being a team and building confidence in themselves and in their teammates.
Focused on helping students reach their full potential, we give dancers the proper tools, guidance, and support they need to move FORWARD and achieve their dreams.
We’re always looking FORWARD.
Training for the Three Cs
That’s why our training equips students with the skills they need to pursue a dance career in any of the following industries.
Competitive Industry, Commercial industry, & Company industry.
We believe in educating our students on the importance of being a team and building confidence in themselves and in their teammates.
DIRECTOR
Amanda Pietrantonio
Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Amanda has possessed a love for teaching from a very young age. She began her dance journey at the age of 3, where she trained in all disciplines. Having developed a comprehensive dance skill set, Amanda successfully completed the Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams and the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers exams in jazz and tap.
While she was training, Amanda began assisting with dance classes. She was only 12 years old at the time, but even from these early days, she knew it was her passion to mentor young students in the studio and nurture them to become skilled, experienced, and confident dancers.
In 2012, Amanda was recruited to advance her career as a teacher and choreographer in Toronto. Since then, she has had the opportunity to share her love for teaching at several elite studios in the Greater Toronto Area and has received many prestigious awards and overalls for her choreography regionally and nationally.
From her first days as a dance student to her current career as a teacher and choreographer, dance has truly been Amanda’s greatest passion. It’s no surprise, then, that being able to share this passion with children in the studio brings her tremendous joy.
DIRECTOR
Robert DeOliveira
Having danced for numerous international artists, Robert brings over 15 years of industry experience to FORWARD Dance Academy. Born in Toronto, Ontario, he started dancing at the age of 5 and self trained himself by watching music videos and learning choreography. At age 11 he enrolled in dance classes and then started training under choreographers Leon Blackwood, Luther Brown and some of Toronto's veteran dancers/Choreographer's.
Specializing in hip hop, Robert has performed with such well-known celebrities as Ariana Grande, PSY, Down With Webster, Victoria Duffield, Keshia Chante, and Blake McGrath to name a few. He has also had the opportunity to open for Destiny's Child at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC.
Based on his talent and expertise, Robert has had the opportunity to assist choreographer Luther Brown on several projects, including a Ford commercial, the 2015 Pan Am Games with Cirque du Soleil, and Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance Canada. His professional credits include YTV’s The Next Star, Alvin The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Disney’s Camp Rock 2, Disney's Zombies and most recently Netflix's "Work It". In addition, he was casted in the 2012 Monsters of Hip Hop show in Los Angeles and has trained at prestigious studios such as: Millennium Dance Complex LA, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, Movement Lifestyle and Broadway Dance Center in New York City.
A skilled and energetic teacher, Robert’s documented dance classes have been widely discussed online and recognized by several artists, such as Ciara, Jo’zzy, Jovi Rockwell, and Electrik Red. He has also shared his passion for dance throughout Canada by teaching workshops and classes in cities across the country. On a mission to develop students into poised and unstoppable dancers, he teaches students of all ages to push the limits and be the best they can be.
office manager
Linda Pietrantonio
Why move FORWARD with us >> T.E.A.M
The Teachers
All of our educators are experienced and passionate individuals, dedicated to implementing the highest quality of training to their students. Take your first steps, or master your artistry with our industry-leading teachers.
The Experience
Every day at FORWARD is an experience. We believe in training our dancers to be the best they can be by giving them every opportunity possible. Whether it be in-house training, convention classes, or weekend long competitions, we pride ourselves in giving every dancer an unforgettable experience to be cherished for a lifetime.
The Atmosphere
Our intent is to create a home away from home for all of our dancers. We encourage our dancers to be supportive and respectful of everyone inside and outside of our facility. Our intentions are to train dancers of all levels to become disciplined and respectful, with positive and motivating tactics.
The Memories
Whether it be your first pair of dance shoes, or your last year of competing, the memories you make stay with you for a lifetime. With motivating and supportive teachers, remarkable experiences and a positive and safe atmosphere, the memories and friendships you build are unforgettable and that’s what makes FORWARD Dance Academy the perfect inimitable TEAM.