Koryn MacArthur B.Soc.Sc. Fellow and Life Member B.A.T.D.
Owner/ Artistic Director, Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Koryn began her 24 year professional dance and television career at age 8. As a child and teenager she performed on the television shows “Come Dance With Me”, “Dansons” and “Teen Machine” on the CTV, CHRO and Skyline Television Networks for 7 years.
In her 20’s she was a 4 year member of the CFL (Canadian Football League)’s Ottawa Rough Rider Sun Girls. In 2004 Miss Koryn danced as a member of the CFL Ottawa Alumni Dance Team (under the direction of Ann Holtz).
In 1992, as an undergraduate student, Miss Koryn created the University of Ottawa Dance Team and helped expand the University of Ottawa Dance Program for over 10 years (1991-2002).
In 1997 & 1998 Miss Koryn was the choreographer, a dancer and was the Magician’s assistant in the Department of National Defence (DND)’s CanCon Show Tours (Canadian Contingent of the United Nations) for Canadian, American and British diplomats and military personnel stationed in Bosnia, Herzegovina.
Miss Koryn’s students have performed throughout North America, Overseas and in the Caribbean. From 2010-2015 Miss Koryn was a guest teacher at the National Ballet School “Endanza” in Santo Domingo, DR. Her students had the opportunity to dance in the International Dance Festival “EDANCO” in Santo Domingo representing Canada for 5 wonderful years.
Miss Koryn’s dancers have been chosen annually to compete for and have won North American dance scholarships with the B.A.T.D. (British Association of Teachers of Dancing) and more recently, also, for the Freestyle (Hip Hop) Scholarships in Glasgow, Scotland. They have gone on to represent Canada in ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop in England and Scotland for International Scholarships.
Miss Koryn’s dancers have worked with the Radio City Rockettes & the Pennsylvania Ballet and worked for Complexions Contemporary Ballet in NYC, the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak and the Ottawa RedBlacks Dance and Cheer Team. Miss Koryn’s greatest title to date is that of “Mom” to two beautiful humans who also share the love of dance.
Ann Holtz
Recital Producer, Teacher & Choreographer
Born and raised in Ottawa, Miss Ann has been deeply involved in the realm of dance and entertainment business for over 45 years. She owned and operated one of Ottawa’s most reputable dance institutions “Holtz Studio of Dance”. Miss Ann has taught Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater, fitness and stretch classes for all ages. She also produces Pique’s annual year-end dance productions.
Miss Ann continues to prepare students for dance competitions. A renowned choreographer, she has produced and directed dance routines for banquets, conventions, fashion and industrial shows with companies like GM Canada, Merck Frosst Drug Company, The Hudson Bay, Northern Telecom, Paul Mitchell International and The United Way to name a few. Miss Ann has choreographed for the Orpheus Musical Theatre the Savoy Society of Ottawa on such musicals as Annie, Applause, No No Nanette, Grease, Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury. Miss Ann was the choreographer for the Seaforth Harmony Kings for two years in Seaforth Ontario. A men’s acappella chorus singing 4-part harmony in the barbershop style.
Over the years, Miss Ann was a guest teacher for the Ottawa Board of Education, the Ontario Separate School Board, Canterbury High School Arts Program and Canadore College in North Bay. She has adjudicated for many dance and talent competitions in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Memphis Tennessee such as American Dance Awards, Terpsichore, Kiwanis Dance Festivals, Star Search USA and Star Talent.
Miss Ann enjoyed ten seasons as coach and choreographer for the Canadian Football League Ottawa Rough Rider Dance and Cheerleading Squad. The dance team performed at all Ottawa home games and appeared at numerous events during Grey Cup Week across Canada. She was also director of several Ottawa CFL halftime shows with some consisting of a hundred members. She was asked to be part of a committee for the new CFL Ottawa Football Team VIP event at the 100 Grey Cup and for the official launch of the new “Redblacks” team name and logo.
Miss Ann continues to inspire and educate students both in the dance and fitness industry.
Amy Pappin
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Amy’s bio to follow.
Ashley MacArthur M.B.A.T.D. PBT Level 3
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Ashley’s bio to follow.
Brelene Laskoski
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Bre was born in Calgary, AB and raised in Ottawa, ON. She began dancing at age 14 while attending Canterbury Arts High School, and later joined the competitive team at Leeming Danceworks Inc. After graduating, she moved to Toronto to pursue a career as an independent artist.
Miss Bre attended The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, where she had the opportunity to train and work with renowned artists such as Ryan Lee, Jasmyn Fyffe, Danni Grossman, Jen Dallas, Darryl Tracy, and more. Her training spans a wide range of styles including ballet, jazz, Graham, Horton, Limón, contemporary, gymnastics and improvisation.
Miss Bre has choreographed numerous solos, duets/trios, and group pieces for competitions, school and personal projects, and professional showcases including Choreographer’s Ball Toronto, Fever After Dark, and Young Creators Challenge, Let the Elephants Dance, “Escapade” produced by Signature Dance Inc, and (In)sight.
Miss Bre is also a dance educator. She teaches across various studios in the Ottawa area, as well as guest teaching in Ottawa, Toronto, and Calgary. She is certified in Alixa Flexibility level 5 and level 1 Progressing Ballet Technique. She has a diverse range which includes Contemporary, Modern, flexibility, conditioning, Acrobatics, Ballet and Jazz.
Diane Greer B.Soc.Sc. B.ED. OCT Jr/Int/Sr. Life Member B.A.T.D.
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Diane has been dancing for over 40 years and trained at the Cumbrae School of Dancing in jazz, ballet, tap and hip hop. Miss Diane’s professional BATD certification is in Jazz/Stage Branch. She completed the Ministry of Ontario Intensive Dance qualifications, Part 1, through the University of Toronto, in ballet, jazz, modern, folk/ethnic, and social dance. Miss Diane has taught jazz dance; Jazz and Stretch classes at a number of studios before joining Pique Dance Studio International. She has also taught high school dance classes with various schools in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (Jazz and Hip Hop). Miss Diane has 7 years of training in both light and heavy shoe forms of Irish Dance. Presently, Miss Diane loves being an Occasional Teacher at Canterbury High School in the Dance Dept and teaching at Pique Dance Studio International.
Deborah Gutierrez
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Debi’s bio to follow.
Kayla DaSilva A.B.A.T.D.
Teacher, Choreographer & Recital Assistant
Miss Kayla’s bio to follow.
Kay O’Shea
Seamstress & Upstairs Office
Miss Kay’s bio to follow.
Kristine Quarrington
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Kristine’s bio to follow.
Lauren Monlezun B.A. B.ED
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Lauren grew up dancing at Pique and was a member on the competitive team, where she developed a love for performing. She went on to compete with the Trent University Dance Team and later pursued her passion for entertainment by making magic at Walt Disney World. Now, an elementary school teacher, Miss Lauren is thrilled to return to Pique, where her own dance journey began. Miss Lauren strives to continue nurturing creativity and confidence building in the next generation of Pique dancers.
Meika Medeiros A.B.A.T.D.
Miss Meika’s bio to follow.
Sami Kelly
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Sami’s bio to follow.
Sarah Bourada-Ralph
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Sarah’s bio to follow.
Stephanie Leyland B.PE, M.ED
Teacher & Choreographer
Miss Stephanie began dancing at the age of 3 training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop. She has completed A.D.A.P.T. jazz and tap exams up to the Advanced level and has also completed R.A.D ballet exams up to the Advanced I level. She has competed at both the regional and national level receiving numerous awards and dancer of the year titles.
Miss Stephanie studied at Ryerson University in the Performance Dance Program for 2.5 years, where she trained with Nadia Potts, Karen Duplisea and Vicki St. Denys. While in Toronto, she mentored with Shawn Byfield, who allowed her to explore her love for tap. She then went on to complete her bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education at Queen’s University where she was also a part of the Queen’s Competitive Dance Team. During her time at Queen’s, Miss Stephanie choreographed the tap small group, which was recognized for overall awards at competition.
She pursued her passion for teaching by completing both her bachelors and masters of education degree at the University of Ottawa. Miss Stephanie graduated with qualifications in the junior/intermediate division, and obtained the necessary qualifications to teach at the senior division, upon graduating. Although qualified to teach in all subject areas from grades 4-12, and her area of specialization being physical and health education and dance at the secondary level, Miss Stephanie has taken on a role as a co-operative education teacher to ensure that each student learns in a way that helps them develop to their fullest potential through real world work experience. Outside of work, Miss Stephanie teaches spin twice a week at Elevate Spin and enthusiastically embraces the commitment of marathon training and the race itself.
Miss Stephanie has a strong passion for leading a healthy, active lifestyle, which shines through in her approach to teaching. She hopes to instill confidence and competence within each student she has within her class. Miss Stephanie is very excited and eager to share her love of dance with her students in a positive and welcoming environment.