about us
We’re a highly collaborative and supportive team, coming together on every project to ensure our students get the very best result.
Meet Our Team
Leah Moen - Director/Owner
Leah started at the age of two in Calgary. She fell in love with ballet early on and didn’t branch to other genres until she was around ten years old and fell in love with all forms of dance. Leah choreographed a solo for a fellow dancer at the tender age of thirteen and knew immediately that she wanted to become a teacher. Leah began her teaching career as a Junior Teacher in Fort McMurray at the age of fifteen and worked her way through to level 8 Al Gilbert Tap, Cecchetti Junior Ballet Graded Teacher course and completed close to fifteen different teacher training workshops as in Edmonton, Calgary, Arizona, California, New York and online. Leah opened her own studio in 2012 (as The Dance Studio Oliver) and still has a huge passion for passing her knowledge on, even as she continues to learn, to future generations. “I believe all it takes to be a “dancer” is a love for moving to music and the willingness to give it all you got in every class”
At Rise we believe a strong technical base will allow dancers to teach their full potential while ensuring they can dance their whole lives with strong, flexible, healthy bodies and minds
Julie Brash R.A.D R.T.S.
Julie brings over 30 years of teaching experience to Rise Dance Academy. She is a qualified Royal Academy of Dance Ballet Teacher, having completed the 3 years RAD certification program and 4 years with Mrs. Florence Skinner R.A.D. R.T.S. who was a tutor for the RAD. Julie ran her own school of dance in the lower mainland for 20 years before moving to the Okanagan in late 2019, where she also was Artistic Director of The Flow Dance Ensemble of Delta Society children’s dance company. Julie has also completed her Progressing Ballet Technique teacher’s training and Acrobatique Levels 1 to 3 teacher training.
To teach one but be constantly learning
Karmyn Mainland
As a dancer, Karmyn has always been drawn to explore movement through rhythm and sound. As a teacher, she strives to share that passion within the genre of Tap Dance. Teaching since 2013 in the wonderful community of Oliver, having taken part in the Al Gilbert teacher training workshop in 2013. Karmyn greatly values a safe and fun environment for kids of all ages to explore the art of tap dance, including adults who return every year. She is most excited for this next chapter at Rise Dance Academy.
Sandra Tanemura
Sandra began her journey into dance when she was only four years old, studying Ballet, jazz, and Tap in Prince George, BC from 1982 to 1994. In 1985 Sandra discovered the art of Middle eastern Bellydance, she was nine years of age. This transformed her passion for movement into not only learning the moves but also understanding and appreciating the cultural and historical importance behind ethnic dance/ art forms. In 2008 Sandra opened the Zahirah Dance Studio and this grew very quickly to the largest middle eastern dance studio in Northern BC with over 200 students province wide. Sandra believes that her classes encourage every “BODY” to attend. She prides herself on having fun and fit classes that all levels of dancer will enjoy from beginner to advance.
Zahirah means shiny ladies in Arabic so come and shine at Rise Dance Academy
Tetiana Sierak
Tetiana has been involved in hip-hop since 2014, and has been teaching since 2018. Tetiana is from Ukraine, where she had her own studio for 5 years. Why did she choose hip-hop? Everything is based on your own feelings. “In this style, I feel comfortable and free.” There are no special limits on how to dance – there is self-expression, knowledge transfer, development and success of the students, respect and work – the main priorities. Music and the desire to become better inspire Tetiana to develop in dance.
Jamie MacNeill
Since a very young age Jamie has been actively involved in the performing arts. She has been dancing since the age of 8 and has trained in jazz, ballet, tap, musical theatre, lyrical and contemporary. Along with dance, Jamie also has taken instruction in singing and acting. She began teaching dance in 2012 while obtaining her B. Sc. in Biological Science from the University of Calgary and participating in numerous choirs and performances along the way as both a performer and choreographer. She also spent 3 seasons as a member of “EDJE Dance Theatre” -a contemporary dance company based out of Calgary. Since moving to the Okanagan Jamie is grateful to be able to continue following her passions including winemaking, baking and of course, dancing! She is thrilled to be a part of the RISE community and can’t wait to share her experience and passion for performing with you all this season.
Kayla Barisoff
Kayla is a junior teacher at Rise Dance Academy and has been dancing since 2012. She started as a teaching assisting when she was eleven and from there my passion for working with children blossomed. Kayla started as a Junior Teacher with full responsibilities in 2021 and I is currently enrolled on a teacher training program through the studio. Kayla’s love of dance is evident to all who know her and she is very excited to see what this year brings
Rise Dance Academy has an amazing team of hard working professionals. We look forward to meeting you and yours
Leah Moen