Society of Classical Ballet Vaganova method S.T.T., Open World Dance Foundation Vaganova’s Teacher Certificate, P.B.T. Level 1

Clare graduated from the Comprehensive Professional Development Program at Maple Leaf School of Russian Ballet in 2018 after studying extensively in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Choreography and Character dance. Clare has had the opportunity to study under luminaries such as Irina Kolpkova (student of A.Vaganova, ABT ballet mistress), Evgenia Obratzova (Prima Ballerina Bolshoi, Mariinsky), and Daria Klimentova (English National Ballet) amongst many others.

She received her first formal teacher training through the Open World Dance Foundation in Riga, Latvia in 2017 but continues to expand her teaching knowledge. Additionally, she is a member of The Society of Classical Ballet Vaganova Method and certified in Level 1 of Progressing Ballet Technique. She has performed internationally, most recently dancing with Ballet De Catalunya in Spain for the 2022-2023 season.

Clare has performed principal and soloist roles in  productions such as: The Nutcracker, Don Quioxte, Coppelia, and Pas De Quatre. In addition to her live performance work, Clare can be found in numerous films including the series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.

Taisiia attended the Serge Lifar Kyiv Municipal Academy of Dance obtaining her Master’s diploma in choreography.

Upon graduation, she was offered a job with Kyiv Municipal Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet where she toured more than sixteen different countries. Her most notable role was performing the principal role of ‘Kitri’ in Don Quixote.

She is delighted to be a part of the Maple Leaf Dance Community and bring her wealth of knowledge to share with students of all ages.

Helena has been dancing most of her life. She trained in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) achieving distinction on her Intermediate exam before discovering the Russian methods. She continues to dance and she loves to be challenged by the art form.

Helena has had the opportunity to attend workshops with Pina Bausch Modern Tanz Theater in Wuppertal Germany as well as the Artistic Director of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.

She is excited to join the faculty at Maple Leaf and share her love of dance with her students of all ages.

Niamh Perrins is a Canadian-born dancer and choreographer originally from Nova Scotia, and currently a Company Artist with Ballet Victoria. At age 13, she was accepted into the Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz Trainee Program in New York City, where she also starred as a lead in the Joffrey Elite TV series. She later began her pre-professional ballet training at the Colburn Dance Academy under the mentorship of Jenifer Ringer, James Fayette, and Silas Farley. Niamh went on to perform with Ballet Tucson, where she was a company member for three years, as well as with the Chautauqua Institution. Her extensive stage repertoire includes principal and soloist roles in Giselle (Frankenstein), Nutcracker, Paquita, and Sum Stravisky, among others. In addition to her live performance work, she has appeared in several film and media projects, including a lead role in an Apple AirPods commercial and soloist roles in multiple Colburn-produced dance films.

Beyond performance, Niamh has cultivated a strong presence as a teacher and choreographer. She held instructional roles at DansWest, the Colburn School, and Tanya’s Dance Studio. A passionate and dedicated educator, she deeply loves sharing her knowledge and helping young dancers grow both technically and artistically. Her early promise was recognized with honors such as the Nova Scotia Talent Trust Foundation Scholarships and the Robert George Jackson Award. With a professional background that spans classical ballet, contemporary work, and commercial dance, she brings versatility, artistry, and leadership to every role she undertakes. 

Kathleen Holmes is a graduate of the Performing Arts/Dance Centre of Tennessee.  Upon graduation, Kathleen joined the Tennessee Festival Ballet, directed by David and Anna-Marie Holmes. As a member of the corps de ballet, immediately embarking upon a three-state tour in a full-scale production of Swan Lake.  During the 27-performance tour her exceptional lyrical qualities soon became apparent and she was elevated to Demi-Soloist. 

The following year Kathleen appeared in Canada with the Banff Fine Arts Concert Group under Arnold Spohr, Artistic Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.  This was followed by a tour to Europe where she was coached by Bolshoi’s star dancers Ekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev.  She there appeared in the Italian Internationale Di Danza of the Nervi Festival.

Kathleen accepted a soloist position with Ballet Hawaii where she was featured in the Nutcracker.

Rejoining the Tennessee Festival Ballet as a soloist, the following year, Kathleen toured extensively in the productions of:  Swan Lake, La Bayadere – Kingdom of the Shades, Beauty and the Beast, The Nutcracker, Peter and the Wolf, Don Quixote Suite, Etudes, Graduation Ball, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. Along with full-length productions she performed classic Russian miniatures and pas de deux from:  La Corsaire, Gluck Melody, and Spring Waters.

At the request of the Ohio Arts Council, David and Kathleen created the Ballet Theatre Ohio. She not only staged and rehearsed the company, but also starred in:  Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Laurencia, Peter and the Wolf, Petrushka and Coppelia.  Also, during this time period, they expanded and launched another company in Columbus Ohio – Columbus Festival Ballet.  There Kathleen also staged, rehearsed and starred in the Firebird and Paquita. 

Kathleen has been fortunate to have worked under some of the great ballet personalities of our time.  These have included among others:  Anna-Marie and David Holmes, Violette Verdy, Erik Bruhn, Yvette Chauvire, Ekaterina Maximova, Vladimir Vasiliev. With these influences and the Vaganova Syllabus of her original training, Kathleen has developed into an exceptionally fine teacher as well as a performing artist.  Although equally at home teaching advance and professional levels, she enjoys working with children.  She has the teacher’s gift of capturing a child’s imagination and directing it toward achievement.

Kathleen has been teaching ballet for over 30 years.  She has taught in numerous schools, summer intensive workshops and companies from Coast to Coast in the United States and Canada. She has coached all levels of dancers, gymnasts, and even ice-skaters – bringing out the students’ best qualities, and always with a glorious sense of humour.  She has an exceptional quality of making hard work enjoyable.

  In 2012 David and Kathleen formed a new organization – Coasting Along Theatre Society.  CATS was the producer of the Coast’s own highly acclaimed and beloved Nutcracker.  This production was professionally produced and not only included the talent of the Coast, but with their connections in the professional dance world, they brough guest artists from all over the globe to share their talent and knowledge with the cast.

When David passed away in 2013, Kathleen and their two girls decided to stay on the Coast. She was on the staff with the Coast Academy of Dance and continued on as the Artistic Director of Coasting Along Theatre Society, which brought the professionally produced Nutcracker to the Coast for 8 years.

During Covid, Kathleen decided to return home to East Tennessee to help take care of her Father who was fighting Cancer (he passed away in March 2022), and her mother.  She has embraced this time, and has generously made time to teach summer intensive workshops, master classes and guest classes.  Her true passion – teaching, seems to follow her.

Now Kathleen is returning to Canda – this time to Victoria!  Stay tuned as the adventure continues