Jess Ortaleza.

Jess Ortaleza is a multi-hyphenate creative based in Toronto, ON.

With over 17 years of multi-disciplinary training, Jess found her calling for teaching and creating safe environments for self-discovery and expression early on in her pre-professional career. Her training background includes: Ballet, Contemporary, Floorwork, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, and House.

Jess attended York University for Dance Choreography and Performance, and Political Science. While studying, she co-directed York’s Hip Hop Dance team I.E Crew - leading them to place top 3 at post-secondary level dance competitions in Ontario (Bring Your Own Beat Dance Competition). With this, Jess also had the honour to adjudicate post-secondary dance competitions in Ontario (Reach Dance Competition).

Select Dancer and Actor TV/Film credits include: Work It (Netflix), Walmart, Skymed TV Series, TSN Sportsnet, General Motors, Chynna Lewis, and Finger Eleven to name a few. She’s also had the opportunity to perform in commercial industry shows such as Choreographer’s Ball, Fever After Dark, and Aybrid’s” DNA Decoded”, as well as internationally with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Jess has had the pleasure to teach across Canada for classes, workshops, and competition choreography. She strives to have students walk away with something new, and most importantly feel empowered.