Kristen Céré

Modern Dance – Ballet

Professional dancer, choreographer and teacher for over 15 years, Kristen Cere has spent most of her career working in Europe with companies such as the Netherlands Dance Theater, the Graz Opera Ballet and choreographers from all over the world including Ohad Naharin, Jiri Kylian, Alexander Ekman, Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon.

Over the past years she has given workshops and taught classes in contemporary dance, choreography, floor work and improvisation in Europe and Canada. She presently teaches for Ballet Divertimento and le College Sainte-Anne.

Era (Iryna) Chorna

Ballet

Era trained at the National Ballet Academy in Ukraine in Vaganova style. Soon after, she joined Kharkov National Opera and Ballet theater company as a soloist, under directors Svetlana Koluvanova and Teodore Popescu. She was dancing mane roles in company’s repertoire such as Chosen Girl in “Le Sacre du printemps”, Lilac Fairy in “Sleeping Beauty” and more. After winning Second price at International Ballet Competition “Fouette Artek” in Russia, Era received scholarship to join Vienna Ballet Conservatory in the class of Professor Evelyn Terri. Right after she joined National Ballet of Austria company under director Renato Zanella, she won first place at Vienna International Ballet Competition, were she performed variations from the ballet Laurencia and Black Swan from Swan Lake.
Through her dance career, she was blessed to work with classical and contemporary choreographers such as Alla Rubina (Ukraine), Horst Muller (Germany), Vladimir Malakhov ( Austria), Renato Zanella ( Austria) and Robert Desrosiers ( Canada)
Era has been teaching and choreographing since she stopped dancing. She was invited as an international teacher in China, Ukraine, Canada and was artistic director of “New Era” Ballet school in Toronto, Canada and at Natalya Ballet school Ningbo, China. Later, her passion for Jazz music lead her to song write and sing in classical and Jazz styles as well as perform as an actress at Russian Drama theater in Toronto, Canada. She recorded two jazz albums and participated in Jazz Festivals and cultural events as a singer and dancer in Canada, USA and China.

Claudia Cutler

Modern dance

Claudia is a native of Brasil, she trained and graduated from the Conservatório Maestro Fego Camargo. Mrs. Cutler then performed various works of choreographer Nina Verchinina in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1988, she received a scholarship and attended the Ballet Arts School at Carniege Hall, NY., where she performed commercial and video works with different entertainment companies both American and Brazilian.

Claudia and her husband directed their own school in Queens NY and then Glen Rige, NJ. She has been a teacher with the New Jersey School of Ballet for the past 25 years.

Claudia has a bachelor degree in Physical Education /Psychology and holds a certification of eligibility with advance standing in Dance for the state of New Jersey.

Christine Cyr

Ballet

After graduating from the National Ballet School in 1981, Christine Cyr continued her studies under master teachers of the Paris Opera Ballet. Upon returning to Canada, she danced as a soloist for the Anna Wyman Dance Theatre in Vancouver and for the Atlantic Ballet Company in Halifax. From 1989 on, she worked training young dancers as a Guest Teacher for many schools and workshops. In 2008, she joined the staff of the École supérieure de ballet du Québec (ESBQ). During this time she rewrote the texts for the course of study of the college program and also redesigned for the ESBQ and the Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie the annual reports which are submitted to the Minister of Education. In 2010, she accepted a position in the dance program of Collège Sainte-Anne. Following her studies in history at the University of Montréal, she obtained her Masters in Art Education (specializing in dance) at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Since 2000, she has held the position of President of the board of PPS Dance. Since 2015, she has been Artistic and Educational Director of Ballet Divertimento Montréal.

Nina Galea

Improvisation

Nina is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer with roots in classical ballet and contemporary dance. She is also a singer/ songwriter/ musician and photographer. Born in Montreal, she performed, taught and toured in Europe with ‘La Troupe de Danse Pointépiénu.’She also danced with ‘Howard Richard Danse’ as well as in many multi-media events at prominent art galleriesas a solo-artist. Nina spent many years studying, researching and performing at Earthdance, improvisation sanctuary located in the forests of Massachusetts. Some of her main influences are Andrew Harwood, Martin Keogh and Susan Schell. During her 30 years of teaching contemporary dance and choreographing at Collège Jean-Eudes and Collège Sainte-Anne, Nina has passionately integrated her improvisational skills throughout her work, both in her classes and on stage.

Sylviane Junod

Force & Flex

Sylviane Junod had her professional career mainly in the United States where she danced in New York with the New York City Ballet, Kozlov and Friends and Karol Armitage, among others, as well as the Sarasota Ballet in Florida. After a career ending injury, she taught ballet for several years. Following this, she became certified in the Gymnastique sur table T.C.P. method where she could explore and deepen her knowledge of the body in movement from a physiological and anatomical point of view. Since 2005, Sylviane has taught classes in “Force and Flex” in Ballet Divertimento’s Dance-Study program.

Carole Lanctôt

Ballet

Carol Lanctôt, AD, CSC (Associate Diploma, Cecchetti Society of Canada) has over 40 years of teaching experience: adult ballet, creative dance for children, exams in Cecchetti, and floor barre as well as performing in Ballet Ouest’s production of ”Nutcracker”.

Mme Lanctôt has studied with Seda Zaré, le centre professional de la danse de Montréal (diploma in Anatomie Pratique- Floor Barre); Natasha Izbinsky, Vaganova Method; and workshops at National Ballet School of Canada, École supérieure de ballet du Québec, Oleg Briansky (Bournonville, Vaganova & Balanchine methods).

She has taught at École supérieure de ballet du Québec, Conservatoire de la danse de Montréal, l’école FACE, Studio Bizz, Collège Jean-Eudes and Studio de ballet Carol Lanctôt. She joined Ballet Divertimento in 2017.

Sylvia McCaughey

Modern dance

Sylvia is a Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher based here in Montreal. She started her training at Ballet Ouest de Montreal and continued her dance studies at the collegial level Professional Training program at Ballet Divertimento. With a passion for interdisciplinary art, she simultaneously completed her DEC in “Arts, Letters and Communications” at John Abbott College. Sylvia then completed her studies at Copenhagen Contemporary Dance School in the post-graduate program.

While pursuing her professional dance career in Montreal, Sylvia teaches various levels of Ballet and Contemporary dance.

Eric J. Miles

Modern dance

A member of BJM (Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal) for 17 years, Eric J. Miles has performed frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. He has worked with such world-renowned choreographers as Crystal Pite, Aszure Barton, Mia Michaels, Debra Brown (Cirque du Soleil), and Ulysses Dove (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater). As a visiting professor, Eric J. Miles has taught master classes in contemporary jazz and modern techniques in Canada and abroad. His choreographic works have become part of the repertoire of major companies including BJM (Montreal), Arts Umbrella (Vancouver), Wright State University (Ohio), Vineland Regional Dance Company ( New Jersey ) and the Domaine Forget (Charlevoix) . He joined the Ballet Divertimento faculty in 2009.

Owen Montague

Ballet

In addition to the National Ballet of Canada, Owen Montague had an international career as principal dancer with such prestigious companies as Netherlands Dance Theatre, Aterballeto, Ballet BC and Alberta Ballet. He has received many awards including two bronze medals at the first International Ballet competition in Jackson Mississippi, USA and a silver medal at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow, USSR. Owen Montague also received a bursary from the Canada Arts Council and the Peter Dwyer Scholarship. For the last 15 years, Owen has worked as an independent artist and has explored his interest in choreography, photography and costume design for motion and artistic production. He returns to Canada after 6 years as an associate professor of the department of dance and music, at the Kobe Jogakuin College of Japan. Today, Owen Montague is Senior Professor of the Professional Program and Choreographer in Residence at Ballet Divertimento in Montreal.

Marisa Pauloni

Ballet

Initially trained at the ÉSBQ, Marisa completed her studies at the Rosella Hightower International Dance Center in Monte Carlo before joining the “Jeune Ballet International” in France. Her eleven years dancing for Les Grands Ballets Candiens saw her artistry evolve in both classical and contemporary works. She retired in 2010 to pursue other aspects of dance. She worked notably as the ballet mistress for the internationally renowned “Lalala Human Steps” and was named assistant to the artistic director Gradimir Pankov of Les Grands Ballets for its Nutcracker productions.
Since this time, Marisa has devoted her time to teaching and obtained an AEC diploma in collaboration with the Cegep du Vieux-Montréal et the École Superieure de ballet du Québec. She is regularly invited as a guest teacher throughout Quebec and elsewhere. In the fall of 1028, Marisa joined Ballet Divertimento to teach in the Dance-study program.

Liliana Pérez Jaramillo

Ballet

Born in Cali, Colombia, Liliana is completing her academic artistic baccalaureate at the Incolballet ballet school. She studied methodology with Clara Carranco of the National Ballet of Cuba and became a teacher at Incolballet. Liliana will be part of the Ballet de Cali company as a soloist ballerina under the auspices of Alicia Alonso. After having danced in France, Cuba, and the United States, she took part in several international competitions and won the silver medal at the VIII International Ballet Competition in Trujillo, Peru.

In Canada Liliana dances with the Alberta Ballet company in Calgary. Currently she teaches ballet at the Divertimento school in Montreal.

Zack Tang

Modern dance

Originally from Houston, Texas, Zack Tang holds a diploma from The High School for Performing and Visual Arts (07). Upon receiving his BFA from The Juilliard School, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, Zack won the Hector Zaraspe Prize for choreography. He has worked with choreographers Victor Quijada, Peter Chu, Alexander Ekman, Stijn Celis, Larry Kegwin, Mark Morris, and Darrell Grand Moltrie, Andrew Skeels, and has performed works by José Limón, Anthony Tudor, Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, and Bronislava Nijinska. In 2012, Zack was listed in Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch”. Before joining RUBBERBANDance Group, he spent two years with Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet. During his time in Montreal, Zack has been casted as a guest artist for events and advertisements for Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloize, Street Parade, Aldo, Running Leap Pictures, and Andrew Skeels. This is Zack’s sixth season with RUBBERBANDance Group.

Chantal Desgroseilliers

Modern Dance

After many years studying Ballet, Chantal discovered the Humphrey Limón principles in the 90s. She has taught modern dance based on those principles since 1997. She attended her first Limón workshop for teachers in NY in 2009. Deeply involved in the professional dance milieu in Montreal, she continues to deepen her understanding and the teaching of the Limón Technique at the Limón Institute (NY) on a regular basis. Every year since 2013, she has hosted the renowned « Limón workshop for teachers » in Montreal.
Chantal teaches at L’Espace du Mouvement where she acts also as artistic and general director, as well as at Collège Jean-Eudes (Option danse). She is a guest teacher and rehearsal director, for many private schools and professional companies (École Nationale de Cirque, Compagnie Aurée Danse Création, compagnie Zogma). She has worked throughout her career with many dance professionals, most notably: Alan Danielson (Limón Institute, NY), Roxane D’Orléans Juste (Limón Dance Cie, NY), Darryl Tracy (Toronto), Marc Boivin (Montreal), Priscilla Guy (Montreal) et Manuel Roque (Montreal).

Fabrice Maufrais

Ballet

Fabrice trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School. He danced with the Nantes Opera Ballet and Scottish Ballet where he danced a wide range of soloist and principal roles from the classical and contemporary repertoire.

Fabrice originally taught at the Dance School of Scotland and at the English National Ballet School. This academic year he joined the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland faculty after spending the past 10 years in Canada as the pedagogical director of the École Supérieure de Ballet du Quebec. He has also worked internationally as a guest teacher in Japan, Australia and France.

He was presented with the Dame Beryl Grey Award in 1998 by the Royal Academy of Dance through gaining the highest mark in the RAD teaching qualification.

Amélie Rajotte

Modern Dance

Amélie Rajotte holds a degree in choreography from the Conservatoire National de Région de Grenoble in France. She then went on to perform with many leading choreographers, dancers and teachers in Paris. In 2006 she obtained a Diplôme d’État (state qualification) in contemporary dance pedagogy from the CEFEDEM, Normandy. She is trained in Laban movement analysis and Bartenieff fundamentals, and studied experiential anatomy with Trisha Bauman at the Centre National de la danse de Pantin in Paris. In Quebec she studied choreography at UQAM. Amélie has taught at Ballet Divertimento and Collège de Montréal since 2007 while also pursuing a career as a dancer, performer and choreographer.

Neil Sochasky

Modern Dance – Ballet anatomy

Neil Sochasky discovered contemporary dance via philosophy, and studied dance science at York University under Dr. Donna Krasnow MSc PhD. Immersing himself in anatomy and somatic studies, he developed uncommon abilities for analysis and synthesis which have enabled him to overcome major injuries and pursue parallel careers in multiple fields. His approach to technique applies to classical, modern and contemporary dance, and artists often call upon him to resolve persistent injuries. He has taught anatomy at the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal and at the École supérieure de ballet du Québec.

Michael Watts

Modern Dance

Michael Watts is an international artist based in Montreal who’s worked as a dancer, choreographer and artistic coach. A former soccer player; he started his independent learning in Toronto and quickly moved to Montreal to continue training in different contemporary forms of movement, including forms of floorwork and improvisation. He toured internationally with Dave St.Pierre, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, T.r.a.s.h. Dance/Performance Group, Dana Gingras, and also performed locally for Dorian Nuskind-Oder. Along with his career path as a dancer and choreographer he has been a guest teacher internationally and within Canada, notably at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp, l’École Supérieur de Ballet du Québec, Ballet Divertimento, Training Society of Vancouver, Circuit-Est Centre Chorégraphique, EnPiste, TransFormation Danse, Danse à la Carte and more. Michael has also become a new creative face in the Montreal circus scene, and is a regular collaborator with The National Circus School of Canada, and more recently with Les 7 Doigts de la Main. This year he will be presenting work at the CIRCa Festival of Contemporary Circus.

Salvador Chavajay

Pianist

Salvador Chavajay began his piano studies at the Guatemala City Conservatory, and then went on to do his Master’s degree at the Stansilao Giamantonio Conservatory in Italy.

Since his arrival in Montréal he has worked with several teachers, most notably, Suzanne Goyette of the Conservatoire of Montreal, Manieli Pirzaded and Felipe Verdugo at the Université de Montréal.

In parallel with his studies, Salvador had participated as both pianist and as a principal actor in three short films selected for more that 50 festivals around the world. He was awarded “Best Actor” for the film “Anything For The Ones We Love at the Quetzalcoatl Indigenous International Film Festival in Mexico. At present, he is writing arrangements for classical piano and Rap in Tzutujil, his native mother tongue.

Charles Dallaire

Pianist

Dr. Dallaire has followed a double career as a pianist and as a clarinettist.

As a pianist, he has played for the most important studios in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver (Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the ESDQ, the School of Ballet in Ottawa and for Kay Armstrong)  He was also “on staff” at the School of Dance – Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia.

As a clarinettist, he has been a member of several orchestras in Canada, Australia and Hungary, as well as Kuwait.  Chamber music holds a special place in his heart and allows him to achieve his most personal expression. A successful teacher of wind instruments; his students have performed in many music festivals throughout Europe, Japan and Kuwait.

In the dance studio, his vast repertoire adds an extra quality of inspiration in movement and artistic expression.

Tom Mennier

Pianist

Tom Mennier is a keyboardist, teacher, performer, arranger, composer and producer. The list of international artists he has played and recorded with includes Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Martha Wainwright, Emmylou Harris, Antony Hegarty, JC Hopkins, Amy Moses, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson. He has worked with the National Theatre School of Canada, Segal Centre, Charlottetown Festival, Banff Centre and contributed to many film projects. He currently divides his time between recording, production, composition and teaching.