Mariella Belleza is an accomplished dancer and teacher with a distinguished career spanning Peru and Canada. Trained at the School of the National Ballet of Peru, she has taught both classical ballet and folkloric dance in Canada and abroad. She performed professionally with the Compañía de Ballet del Teatro Municipal de Lima, and has since brought her expertise to Canadian institutions including Maritime Dance Academy, the Halifax Regional School Board, and currently, Halifax Dance. Mariella’s commitment to ongoing education and artistic development has taken her around the globe. She has trained at the American Ballet Theatre’s open class program in New York, and participated in renowned teacher seminars at Canada’s National Ballet School, Cuballet in Havana, Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver, and the International Ballet Invitational Competition for Dance Schools in Beijing, China. She holds an Advanced Teacher’s Certificate from the Society of Russian Ballet and is a recipient of the Nesta Toumine Award, recognizing her excellence in ballet instruction. In addition to her teaching, Mariella has held numerous leadership roles within Halifax Dance, including serving on the Artistic Advisory Committee (2001–2008), as Artistic Executive (2004–2008), and as répétiteur for the school’s beloved production of The Nutcracker (1998–2011).

Beyond her accomplishments in dance, Mariella also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master’s Degree in Education, reflecting her dedication to both the arts and community care.