Make An Impact: Challenge Yourself

Samantha Schleese is a dance artist, choreographer, educator, adjudicator, and Co-Artistic Director of SaMel Tanz. She holds a BFA in Dance from York University and a Master’s in Performance Dance from the University of Chichester, with more than 25 years of experience across contemporary, hip hop, and commercial dance.

Samantha trained in hip hop under Lenny Len and Flavorshop from 2011 and is a longtime member of the all-female hip hop crew DEUCEnDIP, performing at Pride, Unity Festival, Canada’s Walk of Fame Festival, WE Day, and more. In 2018, she performed with SaMel Tanz at Breakin’ Convention, the internationally recognized festival of hip hop dance theatre. Additional performance credits include the Pan Am Games, Samsung, Bud Light Sensation, IÖGO, and CP24 Breakfast Television.

As Co-Founder of SaMel Tanz, Samantha has created and presented work across Canada, including the company’s full-length production CHAMPIONESS, presented by DanceWorks at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre and most recently at the Festival of New Dance in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Her work blends contemporary dance with hip hop and other movement forms while exploring identity, mental health, resilience, and connection.

Having grown up as a competitive dancer, Samantha has spent more than a decade teaching, choreographing, and adjudicating dancers across Canada. Her approach celebrates strong technique alongside musicality, groove, individuality, artistry, and authentic performance, encouraging dancers to take risks and discover their own artistic voice.