Rheesa Schachter - Director
Kids Etc's Youth Movement Company started out in an elementary school auditorium with twelve students and has grown to over 1000 enrolments! Rheesa makes a point of personally knowing all the dancers enrolled at her school. Ms. Schachter’s background includes dance training at York University’s Faculty of Fine Arts in Toronto and over 25 years of teaching in Winnipeg.
Laurie Alston
Laurie received extensive training growing up in Edmonton, Alberta. She toured professionally as a Principle dancer with Ballet North, and performed in industrials for Calvin Klein, the Grand Opening of Casino Niagara, and Club Firestone in Florida. She also appeared as a guest singer in the TV show Day By Day, the Tokyo AKOM commercial, Berenstain Bears Christmas show and Legends Alive. Laurie has also worked numerous contracts as a lead singer and dancer in Japan at Tokyo Disney. She has also enjoyed working in the Cruise Ship industry. Laurie’s training includes Randolph School of the Arts and Metro Movement in Toronto, The Banff School of Fine Arts, Broadway Dance Center in New York and Tokyo and EDGE in L.A. Laurie enjoys meeting young dancers who continue to inspire her with their determination and love of dance!
Brianne O'Neill
Brianne has studied tap and jazz for many years. Her dynamic approach to dance creates a unique and exciting performance quality from all her dancers. A recipient of many honours and awards at Regional and National Competitions, Ms. O'Neill also teaches and choreographs for ''Sisler's Most Wanted'' dance program.
Heather Collins
Miss Heather has been involved in children's movement, dance and recreation programs for over 20 years through YMCA Canada and more recently here at Kids Etc's Youth Movement Company. She teaches our pre-school and early years dance programs where dancers of all ages enjoy her creative choreography and individualized attention. Heather is also a YMCA certified fitness trainer and personal trainer who has presented instructor training throughout the Maritimes and here in Manitoba, as well as conducting a wide variety of fitness classes. This year she will be offering adult stretch and tone classes at the studio that incorporate yoga, pilates and stretching exercises.
Bonnie Bricker
Originally from Vancouver, Ms. Bricker trained extensively in Musical Theatre.Bonnie performed in a variety of productions with the renowned Theatre Under The Stars in Vancouver, including the lead role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.Ms. Bricker was part of the Kids Etc Youth Movement Company Faculty from 1992 through 1998 and has come 'out of retirement' to once again join our team!
Erin Bricker
Erin has studied dance at Kids Etc since the age of 4.Ms. Bricker has received many awards and recognition for her performance over the years.A scholarship recipient at the Manitoba Provincial Dance Festival, Erin’s unique choreography both entertains and motivates her students.Erin is passionate about teaching and looks forward to a wonderful year!
Tammy Snell
Tammy studied dance with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and The George Randolph Theatre in Toronto.Tammy is a recipient of several gold medals in competition and has choreographed many gold and gold honour performances for the Manitoba Provincial Dance Festival.Tammy's energy and passion for dance is evident in all of her classes. Tammy joins our faculty for the 18th year!
Chisato Horikawa
Miss Chisato took her first ballet class at the age of 3 in her home town of Nara, Japan. As a teenager, Chisato moved to Tokyo to attend the Showa School of Performing Arts While enrolled at this professional school Miss Horikawa attended a one month intensive ballet program at the Royal Ballet School in London, England. After graduating from the Showa School of Performing Arts, Chisato taught rhythmic dance at the Company Bona Tearra Ballet Studio and the Showa Women's University for 3 years. Miss Chisato came to Canada to attend the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Teacher Training Program, where she was awarded her Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 both with honours. and her Associate diploma with distinction. Miss Horikawa graduated from the teacher training program with distinction in 2010.
Mizue Miller
Miss Mizue first began ballet classes at the age of 7 in Osaka, Japan. At the prompting of her teacher, she began teaching in Osaka at the age of 15. In 2006, Mizue attended the Anna Wyman School of dance in West Vancouver, while taking an English Language course. Following that, Miss Mizue began her training at Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet Teacher's training program, where she took her Intermediate, Advanced 1 & 2 Exams and ultimately graduated with Distinction receiving her Cecchetti teaching certificate.
Mark Gomez
Mark is a former member of Sisler’s Most Wanted. He started his dance training at the age of 15. A natural mover, Mark has studied hip hop, jazz, lyrical, ballet and contemporary. He has taught as a guest instructor at various studios across the city and recently, Mark held a dance workshop for the SMD foundation. Mark is a great inspiration to both his contemporaries and his students.
Taylor Smith
Taylor has been dancing at Kids Etc almost since the day she was born! She continues to study jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, hip hop, musical theatre and ballet.Taylor has received many gold and gold honours awards at dance competitions over the years, and has been the recipient of dance scholarships from the Manitoba Provincial Dance Festival, LADF and CNDC. Taylor was also chosen by for two consecutive years as a Hall of Fame All Star!Taylor’s energetic approach to classes make it fun, not just for the dancers but for the parents as well!
Jessica Smith
Jessica began her training at Kids Etc at the young age of 2! Miss Jessica has studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, musical theatre and hip hop. Jessica competed in the World Dance Championship where she placed in the top 8 dancers for lyrical and ballet solos. An inductee in the Hall of Fame, Jessica was also chosen as an All Star for two years in a row. Miss Jessica recently completed her Intermediate Cecchetti ballet exam. Jessica is thrilled to share her passion for dance with her students!
Ana Heuthorst
Ana began her dance training at Kids Etc at the age of three. Since that time she has studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, musical theatre and hip hop. Ana has won numerous awards for her dance performances over the years and successfully completed many Cecchetti ballet exams. Her strong technical training is enhanced by her emotional interpretation of music and grace. Ana is eager to share her love of dance with a new generation of dancers and is looking forward to teaching her students this year.
Marissa Rykiss
Marissa has been part of the Kids Etc Youth Movement Company competitive team for over 10 years! Throughout her dance training, Marissa has studied jazz, ballet, modern, lyrical and hip hop. Ms. Rykiss has received many awards at both Regional and National competitions.Marissa is a talented and passionate performer and is ecstatic to be able to share that with her students!
Ashley Rea
Originally from Lethbridge, Alberta, Ashley has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical. Miss Ashley has received numerous awards for her dance performances over the years. Her high-energy and focused teaching style will inspire young dancers. Ashley is enthusiastic about beginning her year with her students!
Emily Rea
Emily has been dancing for 13 years. Throughout her dance career, Emily has studied ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop. Emily has been part of the Kids Etc Youth Movement Company competitive dance team since moving to Winnipeg from Lethbridge, Alberta 5 years ago. A recipient of many awards at Regional and National Competitions Miss Rea is eager to begin this season!
Jasmin Spence
Jasmin has been dancing for 15 years! Throughout her career, Jasmin has studied jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical and hip hop. Ms Spence has been the recipient of many Gold and Gold Honours Awards at both Regional and National Competitions.Jasmin works as a childcare provider during the day and is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with her students!
Madison Spence
Madison has been part of the Kids Etc Youth Movement Company competitive dance team for 10 years! Ms. Spence has studied jazz, ballet, lyrical, tap, modern and hip hop. Madison has successfully competed at both Regional and National competitions as well as at the World Cup competition hosted by Canada in Niagara Falls! After assisting senior teachers for the last number of years, Madison is delighted to be joining the Kids Etc Faculty.
Brittany Silverstein
Since the age of three Brittany's love of dance has been evident. Since that time she has studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern and hip hop at Kids Etc's Youth Movement Company. Brittany has won numerous awards for her dance performances over the years and this past summer Brittany competed in and placed in the Maccabiah Games in New York in both lyrical dance and hip hop. Brittany is eager to share her love of dance with her students this year and is looking forward to the start of classes.
Amber Plante
Amber joined Kids Etc four years ago, and continues to study jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, hip hop, musical theatre and ballet. Amber has received many gold and gold honors awards at dance competitions over the years. Amber’s enthusiasm and love for dance is brought to her classes.