Instructors

  • Renée Rioux

    Renée Rioux

    Artistic Director

    Renée Rioux began studying ballet at a young age, and was later introduced to the Martha Graham technique of modern dance under the tutelage of Suzan Daniels, and the Luigi Jazz technique under the instruction of Harriet Gratian from DancEast, in Moncton, NB. Her career took off by studying with Les Ballet Jazz de Montréal, amongst many talented dancers and artists, including André Lucas in Jazz and Douglas Dunn in Limon. Throughout the 80s she studied with some of Canada’s founding modern dance icons including Linda Rabin and Candace Loubert from the Linda Rabin in Montreal. Renée has also worked alongside David Earl and Patricia Beatty from Toronto Dance Theatre in Toronto, and Andrea Smith, founder of DanceMakers. During her training, she began teaching at DancEncorps in Moncton, NB returning periodically to take on the position of head modern dance teacher.

    Renée danced professionally with the Paula Ross Dance Company touring BC, Ontario and Québec. She then joined the Julie West Dance Company in Ottawa and performed in the renowned “Festival International de Dance” in Montréal, and spent a month as artist in residence in France working on West’s new creation “Triad”.  Renée opened her own dance studio in Memramcook, NB, with satellite schools in Sackville, NB and Amherst, NS known as The Renée Rioux School of Dance. In 2007 she closed her schools and began working with L’Academie de Ballet Classique where she remained as the Contemporary Dance Instructor until 2016.  She continued to teach in Sackville to a small group of young dancers and women. Her adult group, along with her young dancers were the inspiration to re-open a Dance Studio in Sackville in 2014.

  • Liam Caines

    Liam Caines

    Teacher - Head Ballet Instructor

    Originally from Kingston, New Brunswick, Liam Caines recently returned to his home province after concluding his tenure with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet where he rose to the rank of Second Soloist following performing with the company for 16 seasons. Liam’s repertoire highlights includes Drosselmeier in Nutcracker, Captain Hook in Jorden Morris's Peter Pan, Hilarion in Giselle, Clergyman in Mark Godden’s Going Home Star: Truth and Reconciliation, Lion in Septime Weber’s The Wizard of Oz, Dr. Van Helsing in Mark Godden’s Dracula, and Zidler in Moulin Rouge® - The Ballet.

    In 2014, Liam was hand-picked by internationally acknowledged choreographer James Kudelka to perform the role of Lead Man in his ballet The Four Seasons. Soon after, Liam was reunited with Kudelka and had the featured role of Horse created for him in the world premier of Kudelka’s Vespers, where he partnered iconic Canadian ballerina Evelyn Hart.

    Along with the RWB Company, Liam performed Itzik Galili’s Hikarizatto and Mark Godden’s As Above, So Below before an international audience at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games Cultural Olympiad. He has also performed with Q Dance, Ballet BC, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the Manitoba Opera. He has performed throughout Canada and the United States, as well as Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Israel, China, and Japan.

    Liam began his ballet training at the age of five at Rothesay School of Ballet in Rothesay, New Brunswick, and danced in Saint John at Port City Dance Academy with Andrea Scott. Liam started his training at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division in 2003. Upon acceptance to the RWB School, Liam was the recipient of the Sheila Ross Memorial Scholarship and the Juanita Alexander Scholarship.

    Liam has been establishing himself in the Maritimes as a teacher, choreographer and coach, while still pursuing his stage career. He looks forward to sharing his love and experiences with the next generations of aspiring dancers.

  • Aiden Duguas

    Aiden Duguas

    Guest Teacher

    Aiden Dugas began dancing at Perpetual Motion in January of 2020 after being scouted from his school’s performance of “Broadway Highlights”.   

    Prior to enrolling in Perpetual Motion, Aiden’s dance experience came from performing in musicals. In May 2019, Aiden played the role of “Donkey” in “Shrek the Musical”. In December 2019, he starred in “Broadway Highlights” and was part of “Corus Line” and was a feature character named “Danny Zuko”. He also took part in a cheerleading club where he focused on flexibility, strength training and stunts. 

    In the spring of 2021 Aiden won a gold medal for his lyrical duet with Naiya Istvanffy “Incomplete” at Dance Quest Nationals in Saint John, New Brunswick. In the fall of 2021, he receives a gold medal for his first contemporary solo “For Islands Fires and Family”. He’s participated in multiple Perpetual Motion Troupe Showcases. Most recently he was featured as “the Coachman” in the production of “Pinocchio”. Aiden continues to pursue his passion for dance in Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Contemporary and is a proud member of the Perpetual Motion Elite program. 

    Aiden loves to share his passion for dance and art with his young Acro students and is looking forward to the 2022 and 2023 dance season!

  • Naiya Itsvanffy

    Naiya Itsvanffy

    Guest Teacher

    Naiya started dancing when they were six and joined Perpetual Motion Dance Studio Inc.’s Junior Troupe program when they were eight. Over their many years at the studio, Naiya performed in multiple shows and productions namely Alice a Dance Tale and Pinocchio taking on lead roles such as the music box dancer and Jiminy Cricket. Additionally, they have had the exciting opportunity of competing in various dance competitions such as 5678 Showtime, Millennium Dance, and Dance Quest Nationals bringing home gold medals and special mentions.

    In 2019, Naiya was chosen to participate in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Summer Program, one of only two individuals accepted from the Province of New Brunswick and were recipients of a $2000.00 scholarship. Naiya was also invited to join the World Performers of Canada Dance Team in 2023.

    Naiya started as an assistant teacher for the Creative Movement program and moved on to teach Mini, Novice, Junior, and Senior troupe levels in jazz and lyrical. Naiya is now a proud member of the Elite Troupe Program and is thrilled to be able to continue to share their passion with younger dancers.

  • Simone Cameron

    Simone Cameron

    Guest Teacher

    Simone's admiration for dance began at the age of seven when she enrolled in a leisure hip hop class at perpetual motion dance studio. She had been inspired by the first ever production of Alice in Wonderland. After a year of the leisure program, she joined the novice troupe, starting with Jazz and Ballet. As she moved up in troupe, she began studying hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, ballet, acro and Bollywood. She eventually joined the elite troupe in 2020, reaching her goal since the age of seven.

    At age 12, she was cast as the hare in the production of Alice in Wonderland. This was her first lead role. Working with the older dancers, she became inspired to reach their level. In 2022 she was cast as Stromboli in the production of Pinocchio. In 2023 she was cast as Pinocchio, the lead role, and after many hours of practice and hard work, she performed in the final production.

    Since joining perpetual motion dance studio, Simone has had the chance to work with many professional choreographers and teachers such as Phil Orsano in 2019, Amy Rahey Isabo LeBlanc, Alyson Miller, and more. These teachers and choreographers offered training and perspectives in different styles, helping to create a more well-rounded dancer.

    Simone began her journey in teaching at age 13, in September of 2019 when she first assisted a Junior Ballet class taught by Bethany Baert. Assisting in this class, she was able to study the techniques of teaching and learn how to give and demonstrate corrections. In 2021, she assisted a leisure hip hop class, taught by Claire Reinsborough-Wadden and taught her first class at the 2021 senior intensive in January. She taught a contemporary class and a jazz class. From there, she taught jazz classes at the 2021 Junior intensive in August. She was offered a job as a part time teacher for the dance year of 2021 - 2022 in August which she gratefully accepted. She choreographed an intermediate novice jazz piece for the competition Dance Quest, that went on to win a special award.

    Simone’s goal in teaching is to teach proper techniques and performing while also incorporating life lessons such as goal setting and expressing oneself through artistry. She adores both dancing and teaching and is always excited to meet new dancers and help them achieve their goals while also having fun in dance class.

  • Averi Slashinsky

    Averi Slashinsky

    Teacher - Jazz

    Averi has been dancing since 2015 and has spent 8 years dancing with the PMDS troupe. She is part of the Elite dance troupe and her favourite dance styles are lyrical and jazz. She was “Alice” in the 2024 production of Alice in Wonderland and continues to love expressing herself through dance. She has taught Mini Troupe jazz, lyrical and ballet.  Averi is currently entering her grade 12 year at École Mathieu-Martin. 

  • Brielle Minor

    Brielle Minor

    Teacher - Creative Movement

    Brielle first showed her interest in dance at a very young age, she started dancing at age 3 under the instruction of Evelyne Germain. At age 4 she started her journey dancing at Perpetual Motion Dance Studio in the leisure program. The following year she joined troupe, dancing Ballet Lyrical and Jazz. She is now a part of the Elite troupe program. 

    Brielle has participated in all Alice and Pinocchio productions, she played the role of the Parrot in the 2024 production of Alice In Wonderland. Brielle had begun competing when she was six at 5678 showtime and Dance Quest Nationals. She has danced all styles of dance but has taken special interest in Contemporary and Jazz.

    At age 13 Brielle began assistant teaching Junior ballet classes. From there Brielle is now the teacher for the creative movement program and hopes to create an exciting and welcoming beginning to our young dancers as they start their dance journey at PMDS. 

  • Chloe Bourque

    Chloe Bourque

    Hip Hop, Acro

    Chloé Bourque began dancing at the age of two at “l’Académie de Ballet Classique et de Danses Modernes” (ABCDM) in Dieppe, New Brunswick. At the age of 9, she joined the Youth Theatre troupe, after being inspired by her biggest role model, her older sister. This is where she seriously began training in ballet/pointe, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary/lyrical/modern, acro, and step dancing. The Youth Theatre program allowed her to perform in numerous Nutcracker presentations at the Capitol Theatre where she was given many lead roles. She performed in multiple community events and small music videos by growing artists. She also competed in various competitions where she won many special awards, top marks and was invited in the 2024 odyssey finals at Dance Quest with her open small group where they won runner up in the group pieces category.
     
    At the age of 11, Chloé started demonstrating in the ABCDM leisure program, this is where her passion for teaching grew. Since the age of 14, she has been teaching and assisting ballet, hip-hop, step dancing, and Broadway jazz. She also has her first aid certificate CPR/AED-C, since 2021. 
     
    Chloé has been thought by many professional and talented dancers such as Emily Chiasson, Jennifer Mendoza, Giulia Tripoli, Alexandre Francoeur, Addie Chan, Mike Song, Bryan Gephart, Cole Krumrei, Nathalie Scott, Alyson Miller, Katherine Bourgeois, Mélina Saintil and many more. These mentors have inspired her to become the dancer and teacher she is today. They have inspired her and made her passion and love for dance grow. She hopes to inspire and show her love for dance to these young dancers as they did for her.

  • Clara Tranquilla

    Clara Tranquilla

    Teacher - Jazz, Contemporary

    Clara’s admiration of dance began at the age of 4 while living in Newfoundland, where she was first introduced to the sport. She joined PMDS in 2015 after moving to Sackville. Since then, she has been part of “Alice, A Dance Tale”, “Pinocchio”, and many Christmas Demos, as well as participating in competitions such as DanceQuest and 5678 Showtime. She has experience teaching Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary. This year, in her grad year of high school, she is teaching Jazz and Contemporary.

  • Elliot Miller

    Elliot Miller

    Ballet, Jazz

    Elliot started her dance journey when she was only 5 years old and has danced all the way up through until this passing year when she graduated from high school! Dancing has always been a passion of hers and she is excited to share her love of dance with the dancers.

  • Isabelle Ettinger

    Isabelle Ettinger

    Teacher - Barre Conditioning

    Isabelle Ettinger began dancing at the age of four, participating in local recreation classes. Later, her passion for dance blossomed as she was introduced to Perpetual Motion Dance Studio at ten years old. The next years were spent traveling back and forth over the Nova Scotia / New Brunswick border to participate in troupe training in ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, and modern.

    After moving home from university, she had the chance to teach dance at a new studio in her hometown, Sweet Pea School of Dance. Supporting young dancers in the debut year at SPSD was reminiscent of the fond memories she has from her early days at PMDS.

    Isabelle found her passion in teaching and fitness instruction, becoming certified in Barre Above technique in 2024.

  • Jasmine Bourque

    Jasmine Bourque

    Teacher - Ballet, Lyrical

    Jasmine began her dance journey at the age of three and has adored it ever since. When she turned eleven, she joined the Youth Theatre troupe at l’Académie de Ballet Classique et de Danses Modernes (ABCDM) and trained in ballet/pointe, hip hop, jazz, contemporary/lyrical/modern, and step dancing. Through the Youth Theatre program, she had the opportunity to perform in numerous Nutcracker presentations at the Capitol Theatre, participate in local community events, and compete in various dance competitions. To add, since 2022, she has been dancing with the professional troupe at ABCDM known as the Elites, where she continues to showcase her love for dance.

    From the age of fourteen, Jasmine has been teaching dancers of all levels in many different dance styles. She aims to guide her students by helping them grow and express themselves through movements. Additionally, Jasmine's passion for teaching extends beyond the dance studio. She has been a swimming instructor at the Dieppe Aquatic Center since 2019 and is presently pursuing her fourth year of a bachelor’s degree at l’Université de Moncton, focusing on secondary education with a major in history and a minor in English.

  • Kate Smith

    Kate Smith

    Teacher - Ballet

    Kate started her dance journey when she was three and a half at the Academy of Classical Ballet and Modern Dances. She was a member of the Academy’s Youth Theatre troupe for seven years and trained in ballet/pointe, jazz, lyrical, hip hop and contemporary. Her time at the Academy allowed her to work with excellent teachers including Jennifer Mendoza, Emily Chiasson and many others. Kate had many roles over her six years in the Academy’s annual production of The Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre, participated in multiple competitions, and other community events. 

    Kate has taught ballet and jazz and can’t wait to share her love of dance with the Perpetual Motion Dance Studio students!

  • Keiara Legere

    Keiara Legere

    Teacher - Ballet

    Keiara has been dancing since she was 8 years old with Perpetual Motion. She began with a hip-hop leisure program and quickly fell in love with the sport. Soon after, she added jazz, tap, and ballet to her training and joined the novice troupe. She immediately developed a passion for contemporary and lyrical styles. Keiara worked hard to perfect her technical skills and was eventually advanced to a senior ballet class while still in the junior troupe. In 2022, she was thrilled to begin pointe lessons, training to become more proficient in the style. At the Dance Quest Nationals in 2023, she competed in a pointe solo, performing Paquita, and won a silver medal. This year marks Keiara's third year teaching ballet, and she is beyond excited to start the new dance season.

  • Marissa Lefurgey

    Marissa Lefurgey

    Teacher - Jazz

    Marissa began dancing at the age of three at the Atlantic Dance Academy in Amherst. She danced the role of Clara in the Academy’s production of the Nutcracker when she was 12 years old. She then continued her training at Perpetual Motion until she graduated from high school. The most notable moment from her time at PMDS was dancing the lead role in PMDS’s first production of Pinnochio. She began her teaching career at PMDS and has since continued to teach dance at Mount Allison. She is currently the Captain of the Mount Allison Dance Team, as well as the technique, halftime and jazz coach. This year she will be teaching jazz to the Seniors and Elites at PMDS. She is so excited to share her love for dance!

  • Mylah Melanson

    Mylah Melanson

    Teacher - Jazz

    Mylah has been dancing for nearly 10 years. It is one of her greatest passions and favorite way to spend her time. At the age of 5 Mylah started her dance journey with Perpetual Motion Dance Studio. Since then, she has been dancing, teaching, and growing as part of the studio. She loves all styles of dance, a couple of her favorites being contemporary and jazz. Mylah is creative, driven, artistic, and motivated, and she can’t wait to keep growing, dancing, and teaching as she gets older.

  • Paige McLellan

    Paige McLellan

    Teacher - Jazz, Acro

    Paige started dancing at the age of thirteen taking a leisure acro class at Perpetual Motion Dance Studio. She quickly found her passion for dance and was inspired by the others in her acro class to join the troupe program. In January of 2018 Paige joined troupe taking classes in contemporary, ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and lyrical. 

    In 2020 Paige became an assistant teacher, assisting in creative movement, hip hop, jazz, and lyrical. She now teaches jazz, and the leisure acro program. Paige loves teaching as much as she loves dancing, she makes sure her classes are a safe space for her dancers as well as helps them reach their goals as a dancer.

  • Terry Du

    Terry Du

    Teacher - Breakdancing

    FaithOne began b-boying in 2000 in Hazelton British Columbia. After graduating from high school in 2002 he moved to Newmarket Ontario where he was introduced to the Toronto breaking scene. A few years later FaithOne decided to venture off to the east coast finding himself in Moncton New Brunswick where he shortly became affiliated with a local rap artist Nayles and becoming a member of Floor Elements Crew. FaithOne began competing in the Atlantic breaking scene 2008 where he and his partner B-Boy Method journeyed all over Atlantic Canada competing against dancers far and wide from 2008 - 2011 placing Top 3 in almost every competition. His knowledge of the dance comes from teachers and well respected pioneers such as Crazy Legs, Y-Not, Poe One, Mr. Wiggles, Frost, Profo-Won, Lynx, Crazy Smooth, Kid Glyde, Puzzles, and Lenny Len just to name a few. Currently FaithOne can be found judging local breaking battles, or volunteering with youth programs and teaching fundamental breaking classes at varies dance school all over the greater Moncton area. Also with the strength of Pascal Ross-Marquette “DJ Metaphyzik” also a member of Floor Elements Crew  together he hopes to continue to bring hip hop culture and elements properly into schools and communities to better educate the masses on the importance of the culture and its roots.

  • Kristen Wood

    Kristen Wood

    Assistant Teacher - Creative Movement, Ballet

    Kristen began dancing at the age of 8 in the leisure program at PMDS in ballet and acro. In 2019 Kristen moved into PMDS troupe and began competing in Dance Quest Nationals that same year. Kristen has performed in Alice, Pinocchio and Dance Quest Nationals in solos, duos, small and large group pieces in many styles, including Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Acro, and Musical Theater. Kristen's favorite styles are Pointe/Ballet, and Musical Theater, but she enjoys any opportunity to dance. Kristen is active in many activities including volunteering with youth, horseback riding, Karate, painting, drawing, guiding, acting, and spending time with her twin brother and her many animals, but the studio is her ultimate "Happy Place".  Kristen seems to have endless energy when it comes to dance and spends every spare moment dancing and choreographing. She loves sharing her passion with youth of all ages but has a particular soft spot for creative movement and early Ballet. Kristen hopes to inspire young dancers to find the strength and confidence to express themselves through dance.