Archives: Instructors

We Move Instructors

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.

Jennifer Cyrenne

Jennifer Cyrenne

Qualifications

  •  Coming soon

Performance and Training Highlights

  • Bio coming soon
  •  

Jen's 3 Favorite Things:

  1. Self care/Me time

  2. Iced coffee

  3. Family and listening to music

What inspired me to teach?

Why do I teach?

What do I teach?

I will be assisting some classes this Fall

Fun Fact
I laugh at everything

Katlin Zarry

Katlin Zarry

Qualifications

  • AcroDance Pre School- Acrobatic Arts
  • Basic to Pre-Inter Tumbling (Gymnastics, Acrobatics, Dance) – Laurie Shillinglaw
  • Music Together®
  • Tips and Tricks for Dancers and Gymnasts- YasminDan Null
  • Youth Gymnastics training – Meg Harris
  • Stretching Exercises for Gymnasts – Perfect 10 PT
  • Gymnastics for Children- Amy Eggleston
  • CCOA (Optometric assistant certification)
  • St.John Ambulance OHS Standard First Aid, CPR-C, and WHMIS

Performance and Training Highlights

  •  6 years of training through Prairie Ribbons Rhythmic
  • 4 years at Ian Martens guitar studio

Katlin's 3 Favorite Things:

  1.  My family
  2.  Travelling
  3.  Cooking and baking

What inspired me to teach?

I loved taking Music Together classes with my son and want to share the joy of Music with other families.

Why do I teach?

I teach because I love to see families enjoy making Music together. Watching little ones learn and participating brings me so much joy!

What do I teach?

Music Together® and the Kids Tumbling classes!

Fun Fact

I am a busy mother to an active 4 year old!

Kelly Duncalfe

Kelly Duncalfe

Qualifications

    • Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association: Theory and Group land Fitness
    • Canfitpro – FIS – Fitness Instructor Specialist
    • Zumba®: Basics 1 & 2, Gold, Toning, Gold- Toning, Aqua, Sentao, Core, Glutes, Zumbini™, Kids Jr.
    • Royal Conservatory of Music- Voice Grade 6
    • Music Together™ Mixed ages
    • AntiGravity® Fundamentals 1&2 & Just Kids
    • Body Training Systems (MOSSA): Group Core, Group Power and Group Centergy
    • First Aid and CPR C
    • Joos Yoga- 200 Hour- Yoga Alliance
    • Namaskar Yoga: Teaching Basic Asanas
    • Yogafit- Prenatal Certification
    • Qualified TRX® Trainer
    • Fitness Kickboxing Canada Inc. – Fitness Kickboxing Specialist
    • Booty Barre®
    • Beach body: Insanity® Live & PiYo® Live
    • Pound® Rock out Work out
    • Kettlebell AMPD®
    • Jessie Mundell- Postnatal Fitness Specialist
    • Fit4two: Pre and Postnatal Fitness Specialist
    • Julie Weibe: Female Athletes, Piston Science, Pelvic Floor Piston- Foundation for Fitness
    • The Female Athlete- Level 1- Antony Lo
    • KO8 Academy- Functional Movement Certification

    • SNATCH: A Female-Inclusive Approach to Kettlebell Training

Performance and Training Highlights

  • Performed as a Dancer and Dance Captain for over five years with Royal Caribbean International: Performed in Alaska, Belize, Bermuda, Caymen Islands, Eastern Canada, Eastern and Western Caribbean, France, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Spain, Turkey, and United States to name a few
  • Nominated for a Women of Distinction Award in Health and Wellness 2014
  • Zumba® Fitness presenter at PIRS Conference 2011, 2014
  • Zumba® Fitness presenter at SHR Recreation Therapists & Programmers Conference 2011
  • Zumba® Fitness presenter at Saskfit 2010 & 2012 & 2014 oZumba® Fitness presenter at Girls in Motion 2010 & 2012 & 2014
  • Zumba® Fitness presenter at Relay for Life 2011 & 2013 oDanced in a Live taping of Zumba® Fitness volume Zin 29 & 35
  • Was named lululemon athletica Saskatoon ambassador for 2012-2014
  • Was a dancer and illusionist with David Haines Magic, Laraf Magic, and Brian Michael’s Magic and Illusion
  • Graduated with a Performing Arts certification from Sheridan College, Oakville, ON.
  • Danced with the Professional Division of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg, MN. and Alberta School of Ballet, Calgary, AB.
  • Kelly has organized and run Zumbathon®’s with 100% of the funds raised being donated for: Pink Warrior Foundation, Kids Sport, Lung Association, Relay for life, Bust a Move Saskatoon and many local charities and fundraisers

Kelly’s 3 Favorite Things:

  1. My kids and my family

  2. Maui

  3. The energy at the end of a fabulous class

What inspired me to teach?

I got very bored working out on treadmills and typical gym equipment, which lead me to have no motivation to work out at a gym. I knew I could not be the only one, so I took a Zumba® training while on vacation from dancing on Royal Caribbean Cruise ships. After teaching a few classes I knew this could be a great transition from the dance world to fitness. Since then every training, certification, or course has come from my continuous desire to learn, teach, and help others.

Why do I teach?

I teach because I love it!  I love inspiring others and being a positive influence (does not matter how big or small) to others. 

What do I teach?

Everything We Move offers

Fun Fact

I do not know what to say…..so my son says, “I love purple!” (that is a fact). My daughter says, “I make everyday a happy day for her” (Yah mom win!…I’ll take it since I am sure it will change as she gets older). My staff say “I talk about Pelvic Floor every day” (also a fact)…

Kylie Besse

Kylie Besse

Qualifications

  • Preschool Ballet and Tap teacher
  • 15 years of Dance training 
  • High school graduate

Performance and Training Highlights

  •  

    • Travelled across Canada for competitions
    • Performed for Harlem Globe Trotters
    • Travelled to Las Vegas for Tremaine Dance Conventions
    • Performed with RiderFlo for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
    • Travelled to Kelowna for the Crystal Classic Grand Championships

Kylie's 3 Favorite Things:

  1. Road trips
  2. Surfing
  3. Warm weather

What inspired me to teach?

I had always looked up to my teachers at dance and had always loved being at dance. I would always pretend to be a teacher at family gatherings, at the age of 6. I had always planned on teaching, as soon as I started co-teaching I knew that teaching would be my thing.

Why do I teach?

  • I have always enjoyed being with children and adding a positive piece to everyone’s day.

What do I teach?

  • Ballet/Jazz and Hip Hop

Fun Fact

I don’t like bread, weird right?!

Laura Cey

Laura Cey

Qualifications

  • Zumba ® Basic 1
  • Zumba ®Gold
  • Zumba® in the circuit
  • Insanity Live
  • First Aid and CPR C
  • Certified Personal Trainer
  • Bachelor of Science Kinesiology (Distinction)

Performance and Training Highlights

  • Dancer at Gran Bahia Principe Resorts in the Mayan Riviera ; Performed aerial silks, aerial hoop and mastil as well
  • Has 14 years of experience teaching dance throughout Saskatchewan
  • Performed as a dancer in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen for Lev Jackson
  • Performed as dancer/aerialist in India for numerous music videos, movies, award shows and commercials
  • Performed as dancer/Aerialist for Do Portugal Circus in Panama & Costa Rica
  • Performed as a dancer for Moshi Moshi Bollywood and events all around Singapore
  • Performed and competed throughout North America including: Saskatchewan, Alberta and Las Vegas
  • Company member of Stiletto Vibe Dance; Some performances include: Huskies football games, Relay for Life, Zumba® for lung, Bridal shows and Downtown sidewalk sale
  • Dancer in Geordie Gescha’s Love Pirates music video
  • Aerial Performer at the 2016 Mayor’s Cultural Gala & Halo Galo (2015 & 2016)

Laura’s 3 Favorite Things:

  • Dance
  • Family & friends
  • Traveling

What inspired me to teach?

I started taking Zumba® with Kelly and coming from a dance back ground, I instantly fell in love with it. I knew I wanted to start sharing my love of Zumba® with the world! I haven’t looked back since.

Why do I teach?

I teach because I have a passion for fitness and every time I teach it puts a smile on my face. I love seeing everyone have fun and work toge ther in accomplishing their fitness goals.

What do I teach?

I teach Older Adult Zumba®, Adult Dance, Ballet/Jazz and Hip-Hop. 

You will also find me subbing around the studio 🙂

Fun Fact

I pretty much run off of Tim Horton’s #lifesavers

Lea McKay

Lea McKay

Qualifications

  • Certified Yoga Teacher 200 hours (Hot Yoga on 20th)
  • Certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher
  • Certified Labor and Birth Doula (Doula Canada)

Performance and Training Highlights

  •  

Lea's 3 Favorite Things:

  1. My family

  2. Horses

  3. Discovering new places

What inspired me to teach?

The amazing teachers I had when I first started practicing Yoga.

Why do I teach?

I teach Yoga because it makes people feel good and I especially love when someone starts reaching a certain goal, like a trickier pose for example. I also love the connection with the students and I always try to make people smile during class with a joke or two.

What do I teach?

Yoga (Hot Yoga, Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Prenatal)

Fun Fact

I have over 50 indoor plants in my house.