Ashley Burton Rantala

Ashley Burton Rantala is a master dance educator, cultural leader, and mother of two, with over 30 years of experience shaping artists through the discipline and artistry of movement. She has built a distinguished international career as a choreographer, adjudicator, lecturer, and arts juror, working across North America and Europe. Her dance practice is rooted at the intersection of performance and pedagogy, where movement, awareness, and intention align. Ashley holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, and a Bachelor of Education from York University. She completed her DanceAbility teacher certification in Rome, Italy, under the direction of Founder, Alito Alessi, deepening her commitment to inclusive and socially engaged movement practices. She has served as a lecturer and jury member for the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts. Ashley is the Founder of Dancer’s Den Inc. and Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Burton Family Foundation, advancing arts education and creative communities across the Sudbury region. Through the Foundation, she supports emerging artists, expands access to creative programs, and fosters sustainable cultural growth that enriches the local community.