Archives: Instructors

We Move Instructors

Anastasiya Balabanova

Anastasiya Balabanova

Qualifications

  • 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training (2019, Semperviva Yoga College in Vancouver)
  • 100 hour Foundations of Maya Yoga Teacher Training (2021, online with Nicki Doane)
  • Yoga Alliance Member
  • Zumba Basics 1 & 2

Performance and Training Highlights

  • 7 years of Classical Ballet
  • Participated in a variety of fitness & dance classes while living in Germany, Mexico City and Vancouver

Anastasiya's 3 Favourite Things:

  1. Dancing with my kiddos
  2. Mexico
  3. Dark chocolate

What inspired me to teach?

My teachers. I believe that if everyone did yoga – the world would be a much better place.

Why do I teach?

I love sharing my passion with others, I learn with my students, and I enjoy the energy of like-minded people. When my kids were very little it was challenging to find a way to practice yoga at home, so I hope that Yoga with ME and Family Yoga classes will help mamas out there find a space and community to practice their yoga.

What do I teach?

  • Yoga with Me!
  • Family Yoga
  • Yoga All Levels

Fun Fact

I have lived in 5 countries and speak 4 languages

Angela Achtemichuk

Angela Achtemichuk

Qualifications

 
  •  Zumba Basic Level 1
  • Zumba Basic Level 2
  • Zumba Kids Junior
  • ADAPT Jazz/Tap Dance teach Junior and Pre-Inter
  • First Aid and CPR C

Performance and Training Highlights

  •        Owned/operated The Joyous Dance, a dance studio in Martensville, for 5 years

  • Instructing dance and fitness in Saskatchewan for 12 years at various studios as well as running own classes/self-contracting

  • Member of Stiletto Vibe Dance Company, dancing in charity and business performances in the Saskatoon community

  • Danced competitively and recreationally in a variety of genres in many adult groups as well as taken some Jazz dance examinations to keep up with technique

  • Attended Dance Teacher Summit in NYC in 2015 and Long Beach in 2016, taking classes from many highly acclaimed Dance Professionals

  • Volunteered leading Zumba warm-ups for various Charities including CIBC Breast Cancer for the Cure, SK Kidney Foundation & Walk for Tourettes

  • A part of Team Diabetes – raising money for the cause & participating in a ½ marathon (Scotland) and a 10 km (Iceland)

Angela's 3 Favorite Things:

  1. The relaxing and content feeling that comes from participating in movement

  2. Travel

  3. Family- crafting and baking with my son and hanging out in nature with the fam jam

What inspired me to teach?

When I was in Grade 1 I knew I wanted to be a Dance teacher. My parents initially enrolled me in skating which I decided I didn’t love but am but am forever grateful they experimented with me and had me try dance. I fell in love and knew that a dancer was part of who I am. I am so grateful that I now get to share my passion with others for a living!

Why do I teach?

I teach because I absolutely LOVE to move and enjoy connecting with others through movement/strive to make a difference in their lives through sharing that passion. Ultimately, I find it tons of fun and it’s a way for me to go with the flow/not take myself too seriously!

What do I teach?

Parented Strength & Tumbling and Zumba

Fun Fact

I love patterns! Most of my workout pants will have a funky pattern on them.

Ashley Climenhaga

Ashley Climenhega

Qualifications

  • Zumba Basic 1 & 2, Zumba Gold, Zumba Toning, Zumbatomic , Zumba Core, Zumba Glutes, Zumba in the Circuit
  • Beachbody: PiYo Live & Insanity Live
  • Yogafit Levels 1, 2, & Prenatal
  • Antigravity Fundamentals
  • Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association: Theory and Group Land Fitness
  • Bachelor of Science Kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan
  • Registered Nurse
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan
  • CPR and First Aid (HCP- health care provider)
  • Royal Conservatory of Music- Piano Grade 9

Performance and Training Highlights

    • Volunteering/Teaching at Bust A Move fundraiser in Saskatoon
    • Has worked in Labor & Delivery (Maternal Services) as a RN since 2014 and has a passion for prenatal and postpartum clients
    • Prior experience teaching dance
    • Has worked with many clients in reaching their personal fitness goals as well as rehabilitating injuries

Ashley's 3 Favorite Things:

  1. My kiddos and husband-to-be
  2. The beach
  3. Chocolate

What inspired me to teach?

I grew up competitively dancing and continued to do so until age 21.  I graduated from the U of S in 2008, and found something was missing in my new “adult’ life.  I actually attended one of Kelly’s Zumba classes, fell in love with the style and knew that was going to be my next step for my fitness to continue on.  I found Zumba was a nice fit between my dancing background and my newly acquired knowledge from my Kinesiology degree.  After entering the world of teaching, my curiosity began to grow and I continued taking more trainings.    

Why do I teach?

  • I love teaching because it pushes me to do my best while trying to push others to do their best as well!

What do I teach?

  • Zumba, Zumba Toning,  Conditioning, Prenatal yoga, Postpartum classes

Fun Fact

Both my kids are named after people in my family- Amy Jean is named after my maternal Grandma and my fiance’s paternal Grandma; Edward Jordan is named after a long line of Edward’s and my brother.

Cailey McCulloch

Cailey McCulloch

Qualifications

  • Zumba® Basic 1
  • Zumba® Basic 2
  • Zumba® Toning
  • Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association Certifications Theory Group, Land Fitness and Pre and Post Natal Fitness
  • Insanity® Live
  • Pound® Rockout Work out
  • First Aid and CPR C
  • Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance Associate Certificate
  • Bachelor of Education and Arts degrees – University of Saskatchewan
  • Master of Education – University of Saskatchewan

Performance and Training Highlights

  • Professional Highland dancer for many years: performed and competed in Highland Dance across Scotland, Japan, Disneyworld, Disneyland Paris, and western Canada
  • Completed Sea Wheeze Half Marathon August 2014
  • Completed two triathlons and one duathlon Spring 2016
  • Successfully reached the summit of Machu Picchu via 3 day hike July 2017

Cailey’s 3 Favorite Things:

  1. Family and friends

  2. Physical activity, especially anything with rhythm and dance

  3. A day at the lake

What inspired me to teach?

I taught highland dance for five years throughout high school and university. As my professional dance days came to a close I needed to feed my dance soul in new ways and thus I found Zumba®. I am inspired by the joy I feel from participants in all classes. I get to share the fun, challenge and exhilaration of a good workout with all who come to class.

Why do I teach?

I love making physical activity accessible to all people regardless of their age, or ability. The beat of the music and the beating of our hearts unites us all!

What do I teach?

Low intensity, prenatal and postnatal classes.

Fun Fact

My dog-walking attire can be highly questionable – I have been know to wear my housecoat and rubber boots around the block to walk my furry friend Willis.

Chloe Jackson-Kotko

Chloe Jackson-Kotko

Qualifications

  • Pound® Pro Fitness Training
  • Generation Pound® Fitness Training
  • Gymnastics Foundations Streamlined Artistic Course
  • Gymnastics Foundations Streamlined Active Start Course
  • RAD Intermediate Ballet Exam 
  • CDTA Elementary Tap and Jazz Exams
  • Currently a Massage Therapy student

Performance and Training Highlights

  • 10 years of Dance training and performing with the Tisdale Dance Center and Melfort Dance Center
  • Managed my own business called “Let’s Get Moving” to teach Pound fitness in my hometown during high school
  • Created my own Music and movement classes to incorporate dance, music and simple instruments for the same business
  • First Pound instructor in the Tisdale area

Chloe's 3 Favorite Things:

  1. Being at the lake
  2. Music
  3. Mountains and Disney

What inspired me to teach?

I have been in dance from a young age and started assisting dance in middle school. I have always loved children, as well as looked up to my dance teachers. Teaching is a fun occupation that keeps me active and involved in the things I love!

Why do I teach?

I love dance, fitness and the community that surrounds it. I also love the feeling of sharing something I love with others and the energy it creates!!

What do I teach?

I am certified to teach Pound®, Generation Pound®, and recreational Gymnastics (including active start ages). I also have experience teaching dance and movement classes.

Fun Fact

I would eat ice cream everyday if I could!

Crystal Toth

Crystal Toth

Qualifications

  • Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association: Theory, Group land fitness, Older adult, Aquatics, and Pre/Postnatal
  • YMCA: Group choreogrpahy, Group strength, Individual conditioning, Group cycle, and Group aquatics
  • Canfitpro PTS – personal training specialist
  • 200 hour Yoga Instructor (Pre/Postnatal and Older Adult)
  • Forever … in Motion
  • Zumba®: Basics 1 & 2, Toning, Gold, Gold Toning, Aqua, Sentao, Kids & Kids Jr., Step, Core, Glutes, and Burst
  • TRX® certification
  • Pound® Rockout Workout
  • First Aid & CPR C
  • Bachelor of Sports and Recreation Studies: Therapeutic Recreation major, Kinesiology minor, Psychology minor – University of Regina

Performance and Training Highlights

  • Presenter on the benefits of physical activity at the Symposium of Learning for Older Adults
  • Presenter on adaptive physical activity for the SK Brain Injury Association
  • Developed adaptive physical activity programming for SARBI (Saskatchewan Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured)
  • Volunteer instructor for Zumbathon for a Cure
  • Developed an adaptive physical activity program in collaboration with YMCA of Regina and Sask Abilities
  • Presenter for the YMCA of Regina fitness instructor annual re-certification
  • Planning Committee Chairperson for the 2015 SaskFit Conference
  • Performer Liaison for the first annual Saskatchewan Salsa & Bachata Congress
  • Previous performer with Danza Morena Latin Dance Academy ladies dance team
  • Over 30 years of dance experience

Crystal's 3 Favorite Things:

1. Her daughter and husband 
2. Getting a coffee and walking threw a book store
3. Going for a walk alone, with a friend or a family member

What inspired me to teach?

I have danced since I was 5 years old.  When I hear music, my body automatically wants to move, and when I discovered Zumba fitness over 9 years ago my joy of dance mixed with my interest in the health industry moved me to obtain my Zumba license.  Since then I continued my journey by building my education through certifications and then obtaining my bachelor’s degree. My own personal journey with health, and seeing the outcomes of those I connect with, continues to inspire me daily to continue learning and teaching.

Why do I teach?

Whether I am working with a group or with an individual, I love connecting with people.  I love seeing how participants and clients grow and develop through movement. I love seeing how movement can help people mentally and physically.  I love supporting individuals through movement, and making movement accessible to everyone.

What do I teach?

You’ll see Crystal teaching Zumba, Toning, Conditioning, Pound, Older adult classes, Move with Me, Workout w Me, and Yoga and Stretch classes

Fun Fact

I use music as a medium in creating my fitness classes.  I also LOVE to use buttercream as a medium as a form of creating in baking cakes, cupcakes, and cakepops!  Ask Kelly, we all know she loves a good cupcake 😉

Elissa Houk

Elissa Houk

Qualifications

  • Zumba® Basic 1
  • Zumba® Basic 2
  • Zumba® Gold
  • Zumba® in the circuit
  • Pound® Rockout Work out
  • BA in Contemporary Dance from the University of Calgary
  • Certified Pilates instructor
  • First Aid and HCP CPR
  • Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Saskatchewan

Performance and Training Highlights

  • Has performed and presented contemporary dance pieces throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan
  • Traveled to Poland for training in contemporary dance and physical theatre
  • Over 15 years experience in teaching and choreography
  • Over 30 years of dance training

Elissa’s 3 Favorite Things:

  1. Zumba® with friends
  2. A good book with hot chocolate and her dog curled up on her lap
  3. Christmas!!!

What inspired me to teach?

I have always loved dance and music. As an adult after moving on from dance as a full-time commitment, I found I still craved movement but that I was happier when I was moving to music. The inspiration to teach came from the desire to share the happiness I experienced while working out with Kelly and dancing my way back to fitness.

Why do I teach?

I teach because it makes me feel good and because the group of people working out in front of me is always so dedicated and enthusiastic!

What do I teach?

I mostly teach Zumba® but also teach Pound® from time to time and I have also been known to dabble in teaching some conditioning classes.

Fun Fact

I wish I could decorate for Christmas from November until March. All winter long should be Christmas time!

Heather Hataley

Heather Hataley

Qualifications

  • Music Together®
  • Acrobatic Arts Certified
  • SPRA Older Adult Fitness
  • Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association Fitness Theory and Group Fitness
  • Jessie Mundell- Postnatal Fitness Specialist
  • Royal Academy of Dance Advanced II Ballet Examination Certificate
  • Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association Advanced Tap Examination Certificate (High Honours)
  • Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 10 Piano (First Class Honours)
  • Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 8 Flute (First Class Honours)
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English with a Minor in History – University of Saskatchewan

Performance and Training Highlights

  • Experience choreographing with Persephone Theatre, Cornerstone Theatre, Saskatoon Summer Players
  • Performer at WE Day Saskatoon
  • Company member and guest choreographer for Abiding Lines Dance Company
  • Performed as Beth in Little Women and as Lucy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown with Saskatoon Summer Players
  • 7 years experience teaching dance (La Danse School of Dance Arts, Davidson Dance Club)
  • 11 years singing with the Saskatoon Children’s Choir, including 6 years of touring to Hong Kong, China, Austria, Czech Republic, and across Canada
  • Self-published first novel

Heather’s 3 Favorite Things:

  1. Dance and music!
  2. Reading old books
  3. Travelling with friends and family

What inspired me to teach?

I wanted to be able to find a way to keep moving and dancing even after finishing training at the dance studio. Becoming a fitness and music instructor was a way I could keep in touch with those passions.

Why do I teach?

I teach because it allows me to stay in shape and continue doing what I love. It also feels amazing to see how what we teach creates a positive impact on someone else’s life.

What do I teach?

I teach Music Together®, Move with Me, Work Out with Me, and Dance Fitness, although you can sometimes see me subbing other classes at the studio.

Fun Fact

I hate oranges and I feel awkward every time someone finds out because that’s apparently a weird thing to hate.

Ileana Dawoud

Ileana Dawoud

Qualifications

    • Music Together® Mixed Ages
    • CELTA Certified ESL Teacher
    • Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio
    • Ravinia Steans Institute Soprano Fellowship
    • Chautauqua Institute Soprano Fellowship
    • Tanglewood Music Center Soprano Fellowship
    • University of Toronto Opera Diploma
    • University of Manitoba Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance

Performance and Training Highlights

  • Various roles in various Operas in Canada, USA & Europe
  • Nominated by the Canadian Opera Company to compete in the Stella Maris Vocal Competition 
  • 2nd Place in the Christina & Louis Quilico Awards
  • Awards from the New York District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Sullivan Foundation & Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques
  • 1st Prize in Voice at the FCMF National Music Festival

Ileana's 3 Favorite Things:

  1. Spending time with family

  2. Travelling

  3. Meeting new people

What inspired me to teach?

I come from a family of educators. My parents, brother, aunts, uncles and cousins are all educators in some capacity. It is embedded in our family and seeing the contribution teachers make to our society in bringing up our next generation inspired me to teach and make a contribution of my own.

Why do I teach?

This quote encapsulates why I teach:
I would teach children
music, physics, and
philosophy; but most
importantly music, for
the patterns in music
and all the arts are the
keys to learning.
– Plato

What do I teach?

Music Together®

Fun Fact

I am mom to Gabriel & Sabrin who have both taken Music Together since they were born. I was a professional opera singer who performed around the world. I am a reality TV junkie!

Jen Walters

Jen Walters

Qualifications

  •  SPRA: Theory and Group Land Fitness

Performance and Training Highlights

  • Tap & Jazz- Donna Charney School of Dance & La Danse (1980-1998)
  • Latin Dance- Danza Morena Latin Dance Academy (2017-2019)
  • Performed at the Saskatchewan Salsa and Bachata Congress (2018-2019)

Jen's 3 Favorite Things:

  1. My kids

  2. Shoes- High heels in particular

  3. My Zumba family

What inspired me to teach?

I love music and dancing!

Why do I teach?

Zumba plays a significant role in both my physical and mental health. It is my escape to where I think about nothing but getting my groove on and feeling the positive energy from a great group of people. Seeing their smiling faces makes it even better!

What do I teach?

Zumba®

Fun Fact
I have participated in every one of Kelly's Zumba sessions since she started teaching over 12 years ago. I have passed on my love of Zumba to my daughter/Zumba bestie, Averi, who has been attending classes with me for the past 6 years.