meet the team
Meet the Dream Team at The Kore. Bringing you only the best in certified, qualified, and fun instructors! We believe quality dance education can also be fun; as such we are always training and upgrading our teachers with new techniques. We have a heavy focus on different learning styles so every student has an equal opportunity to learn in their own unique way!
MICHELLE KORICINA
BBA Hons, Registered Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) Instructor, ADAPT, TADA, Alixa Flexibility, Aerial Arts (Aerial Hoop)
Owner / Studio Director / Instructor
Michelle takes pride in leading The Kore Dance Project as its owner/director. Her dance journey began in South Western Ontario, where she grew up competing in Tap, Jazz, and Hip Hop, with a heavy focus on Acrobatics. Seeking further growth, she moved to Toronto where she was accepted into the Commercial Dance Program at George Brown College which specialized in jazz, ballet, hip-hop, and musical theatre.
In 2014, Michelle found her way to Kelowna, where she not only completed her Bachelor's degree in Accounting at Okanagan College but also discovered a love for the city that has kept her rooted ever since.
As a certified instructor with credentials from The Acro Dance Teachers Association, ADAPT, Alixa Flexibility, and Aerial Arts, Michelle brings extra attention to proper technique and safe practices to all of her classes. Michelle is also the Owner of MVMNT Brand Rhinestones, Co-Owner of The Movement Boutique, and brings over 15 years of teaching experience and award-winning choreography to the table.
Michelle's impact extends beyond the studio, having trained students who went on to professional careers and training institutions like Ecole Nationale de Cirque. Her passion for acrobatics and circus arts is evident in her unique acro dance choreography, where she consistently pushes the limits and creates captivating performances. Michelle's commitment to excellence and innovation shows in the detail that goes into every performance put on by The Kore.
SAMARA TOCHER
BKin(ATTH), CAT(c), PBT, Registered Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) Instructor, ADAPT
Competitive Program Director / Instructor
Samara began dancing at the age of three in Hinton, Alberta and grew up in the competitive dance world. At the age of 15, her family relocated to Edmonton, Alberta where she enrolled at the Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts. Here she auditioned and was accepted into the Dance IB Program where she learned about world dance, choreography, and composition, as well as being part of the contemporary program and the invitational Dance Team. In 2005, her family relocated once again to Golden, BC and along with her mother and sister opened a competitive dance studio, Impulse Dance. The school ran successfully for seven years and Samara collected many group awards for her routines as well as multiple choreography awards.
During this time, she also began her post-secondary education at the University of Calgary. In 2011 she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a Major in Athletic Therapy. She now practices as a Certified Athletic Therapist [CAT(C)], specializing in dancers, acrobats and performing artists as well as other athletes. Samara uses her degree and knowledge in her teaching as well and has learned how to strengthen and condition dancers to decrease injuries and prevent long term strain on the body while teaching essential dance techniques in all disciplines.
Recently, Sam has opened her own Athletic Therapy Clinic – En Avant Performance & Sports Therapy. The clinic conveniently operates right inside The Kore Dance Project, and all members of The Kore will receive a 5% discount for any assessments or treatments needed!
Competitive Coordinator / Team AT / Instructor
Samara began dancing at the age of three in Hinton, Alberta and grew up in the competitive dance world. At the age of 15, her family relocated to Edmonton, Alberta where she enrolled at the Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts. Here she auditioned and was accepted into the Dance IB Program where she learned about world dance, choreography, and composition, as well as being part of the contemporary program and the invitational Dance Team. In 2005, her family relocated once again to Golden, BC and along with her mother and sister opened a competitive dance studio, Impulse Dance. The school ran successfully for seven years and Samara collected many group awards for her routines as well as multiple choreography awards.
During this time, she also began her post-secondary education at the University of Calgary. In 2011 she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a Major in Athletic Therapy. She now practices as a Certified Athletic Therapist [CAT(C)], specializing in dancers, acrobats and performing artists as well as other athletes. Samara uses her degree and knowledge in her teaching as well and has learned how to strengthen and condition dancers to decrease injuries and prevent long term strain on the body while teaching essential dance techniques in all disciplines.
Recently, Sam has opened her own Athletic Therapy Clinic – En Avant Performance & Sports Therapy. The clinic conveniently operates right inside The Kore Dance Project, and all members of The Kore will receive a 5% discount for any assessments or treatments needed!
ALLISON WIDDIS
BFA Hons. In Dance, PBT
Costume Coordinator & Rentals / Instructor
Dance has been a passion of Allison’s from a very young age. Throughout her youth, Allison competed all throughout Canada and the US bringing home many titles and scholarships along her way. From the young age of 15, Allison began self choreographing and competing solos and being recognized for her innovative and impactful choreography. Allison went on to further her dance education at York University and earned herself a B.F.A honors in Dance degree. She studied for 4 years intensely in the styles and concepts of Ballet, Modern, Jazz, African, Choreography, Improvisation, Pedagogy, and Performance under some of Canada’s most reputable teachers such as Susan Lee, Helen Jones, Julia Sasso, and Candice Helm. All while continuing her training at York, Allison performed in many showcases throughout Toronto including Toronto Dance Bizarre, Smile for a Cause, and Arts for Healing.
After graduating from York University, Allison has gone on to teach and choreograph at many studios throughout Ontario and British Columbia and continues to be recognized for her unique and powerful choreography. Students of hers have won many scholarships and workshops and have been invited to prestigious dance education facilities throughout Canada including National Ballet of Canada, Ballet Jorgen, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, National Circus School, and Harbour Dance. Allison is certified with Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) levels 1-3 and is a member of Professional Adjudicators Alliance.
Allison is incredibly grateful for her experiences in the dance industry and would love to continue to encourage young dancers to follow their goals and dreams.
ROCHELLE OTT
BMgmt, PBT, Certified and Qualified Aerial Arts Teacher for Aerial Hoop and Aerial Silks
Recreational Program Coordinator / Instructor
Rochelle has been passionate about dance and performing her entire life. She started out as a competitive gymnast for many years before starting Acro sport and later moving full time into the dance world with a high performance competitive group.
Rochelle started teaching dance while attending university. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with honours with a Bachelor of Management. Rochelle is also a Certified and Qualified Aerial Arts Teacher for Aerial Hoop and Aerial Silks as well as Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT).
Rochelle is excited to share her passion for dance with the students of The Kore Dance Project.
Recreational Coordinator & Instructor
Rochelle has been passionate about dance and performing her entire life. She started out as a competitive gymnast for many years before starting Acro sport and later moving full time into the dance world with a high performance competitive group.
Rochelle started teaching dance while attending university. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with honours with a Bachelor of Management. Rochelle is a Certified and Qualified Aerial Arts Teacher for Aerial Hoop and Aerial Silks
Rochelle is excited to share her passion for dance with the students of the Kore Dance Project.
ANITA OTT
Office Manager / Instructor
Anita’s passion for sports is evident as her vision to provide the community with quality programming in an exciting, dynamic, healthy and positive environment is a priority.
She has coached gymnastics since 2001 and is Certified Level 2 in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Level 1 Trampoline and Activestart (preschool) through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). She was the Preschool and Recreational Program Coordinator for many years prior to taking on a manager’s position for 12 years at a local gymnastics centre.
In her spare time, Anita enjoys being active by swimming, biking, and hiking. Spending time with her family is important, and she loves to travel and explore the world!
REBECCA SOIL
MSW RSW, Alixa Flexibility
Instructor
Rebecca was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, where she started dancing at the age of three. Rebecca joined the competitive team at her dance studio, Danceology, at the age of six and has been dancing ever since! In high school, Rebecca attended Claude Watson School for the Arts where she studied ballet and modern. After high school, Rebecca attended Queen’s University in Ontario, where she joined and competed on the Queen’s competitive Pom team for four years.
Rebecca has completed her Masters of Social Work at UBCO, focusing on work with children. Rebecca loves to work and dance with children and is very excited to be teaching at The Kore Dance Project again this year!
Instructor
Rebecca was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, where she started dancing at the age of three. Rebecca joined the competitive team at her dance studio, Danceology, at the age of six and has been dancing ever since! In high school, Rebecca attended Claude Watson School for the Arts where she studied ballet and modern. After high school, Rebecca attended Queen’s University in Ontario, where she joined and competed on the Queen’s competitive Pom team for four years.
Rebecca has completed her Masters of Social Work at UBCO, focusing on work with children. Rebecca loves to work and dance with children and is very excited to be teaching at The Kore Dance Project this year!
LARISSA CAMPBELL
Instructor / Office Admin
Larissa began her dance and performance career in London, England at the age of 4 and has trained in Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Heels, Lyrical, Contemporary, Commercial, and Musical Theatre throughout Europe and North America. Larissa received her Commercial Dance Diploma through Pineapple Dance
Studio and the London Theatre School, she also holds her 200hr yoga certification. Larissa had the privilege at the young age of 18 to travel to California and dance for Disneyland.
She has worked with many different dance companies including the On Pointe Training Program, Luki Dance Productions, Army of Sass, Dipp Dance, Evolve Arts Collective, and New Vintage Theatre. After spending a few years travelling across North America working with some of LA’s top Dancers and Choreographers, Larissa is now settled into the Okanagan and hopes to pass along her passion for movement!
DEMI KOUWENHOVEN
RAD
RAD Exam Prep
Demi fell in love with dance at the age of 4 and has been dancing ever since. Dancing has been central to her life because she loves the muscle training, the emotional release, playing a character, the discipline, and working together with other artists to make a thing of creativity and beauty. Demi spent one year as a dancer and choreographer in a pre-professional company before starting and obtaining a certificate in Dance Teaching through the Royal Academy of Dance.
She also coaches competitive cheerleading at RSS and in all-star for the past ten years and her team has attended numerous international and local competitions performing routines consisting of cheer, jumps, tumbling, dance, and stunts. Now Demi currently has her Registered Teaching Status with the RAD and enjoys helping dancers achieve success in RAD class awards and exams.
Demi believes that teaching is as much about formal instruction as it is about helping people grow as individuals and she loves to encourage confidence in her students and give them tools that will help them beyond the dance studio.
Instructor
Larissa Began her dance and performance career in London, England at the age of 4 and has trained in Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Heels, Lyrical, Contemporary, Commercial, and Musical Theatre throughout Europe and North America. Larissa received her Commercial Dance Diploma through Pineapple Dance Studio and the London Theatre School, she also holds her 200hr yoga certification. Larissa had the privilege at the young age of 18 to travel to California and dance for Disneyland.
She has worked with many different dance companies including the On Pointe Training Program, Luki Dance Productions, Army of Sass, Dipp Dance, Evolve Arts Collective, and New Vintage Theatre. After spending a few years travelling across North America working with some of LA’s top Dancers and Choreographers, Larissa is now settled into the Okanagan and hopes to pass along her passion for movement!
KEZA FAKAUA
Instructor
Keza has always had a love for dance and performance. Alongside her Polynesian heritage, she has been immersed in cultural dance since she was a toddler. At the age of seven, she started her dance training with the Royal Academy of Ballet. Over the years, she explored the genre of lyrical dance. After eight years of intensive ballet classes and exams, she auditioned and got accepted into the intermediate hip-hop crew, Rthm Ground.
She soon fell in love with this style of hip-hop, the creativity and movement of urban dance, and all that hip-hop had to offer. She started to focus more energy on her new passion for hip-hop while still keeping up with ballet and other genres of dance including; contemporary, modern, flamenco, acro, and jazz. During her first two years on this hip hop crew, they competed in the World Of Dance, Edmonton for two years in a row, as well as competing around the Okanagan region.
She has continued training and taking additional classes in Vancouver, taught and substituted for hip hop teachers at different studios, choreographed and taught workshops for intermediate and advanced levels, and took classes in Australia; Sydney, Perth and travelled to Germany for Urban Dance Camp training under international, world-class choreographers and dancers. She is passionate about hip-hop and infuses her love for dance and culture into a dynamic fusion of hip-hop.
JORDAN GIVEN
Student Teacher / Office
Jordan began dancing at the age of two and started competing at six. When Jordan was nine she explored other opportunities and tried competitive cheerleading for four years and a year of sport acro before joining the Competitive Dance Force at The Kore.
Jordan continues to share her passion for dance competing at The Kore as well as competing with Team Canada at the IDO World Championships in 2023. She is excited to share her passion for dance with younger students at The Kore Dance Project.
Student Teacher
Jordan began dancing at the age of two and started competing at six. When Jordan was nine she explored other opportunities and tried competitive cheerleading for four years and a year of sport acro before joining the Competitive Dance Force at The Kore.
Jordan continues to share her passion for dance competing at The Kore as well as competing with Team Canada at the IDO World Championships in 2023. She is excited to share her passion for dance with younger students at The Kore Dance Project.
Hip Hop Choreographer
Quincy Pipella is a recognized dancer & choreographer from Edmonton, Alberta. She started dancing at Sandra Gray School Of Dance from the age of 4 to 18 and trained in many styles including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Pointe, Modern/Contemporary and last but not least, Hip-Hop. Her love for Hip-Hop started in 2008. She soon after found interest in choreography in 2011 at Victoria School Of The Arts while she was taking their Dance 30 Composition IB program. Since then, Quincy has won many Hip-Hop awards and scholarships and has performed and taught for a variety of different Hip-Hop crews. The most recent crew she has been a part of since 2014 – NXG Company.
She has been able to travel and learn from world-renowned choreographers in LA, Seattle, New York, the UK, Vancouver and Toronto to name a few and has trained in numerous street styles from local and international pioneers. Quincy specializes in teaching foundational art forms, such as Dancehall and Vogue. Although, she teaches other styles as well – Even heels.
Her dance, choreography, competition and performance credits include: Netflix – Dancer in “Julie And The Phantoms” directed by Kenny Ortega, Dancer/Singer in “Riverdale” Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Nelly, Ace Hood, Kirko Bangz, Hip Hop International 2014, World Of Dance LA 2015 (1st Place) World Of Dance Edmonton 2017 (1st Place) World Of Dance Vegas 2018 (1st place) All with NXG Company directed by Alexander Chung – And is now a Co-Director of NXG Company, Dancer Palooza Los Angeles 2019, Choreographer and dancer for Ford Car Commercials (2017, 2019), “One Championship” Singapore, 1st place Champion at “50 Shades of Colour Kiki Ball (Vogue Femme)– Calgary 2019, Carnival Cruise Lines, “Funktion” Boston, and Performances at “Club Jete” and “Carnival” (Los Angeles) First Place “Artist Emerge” Dance competition solo Champion – 2017.
Along with choreographing and performing, Quincy is also a very passionate instructor. Studios she has taught at include – The Kore Dance Studio, Amanda’s Academy of Dance, Shelley’s Dance Company, Ill FX (Calgary) Studio 604 and The Studio North (Vancouver) and The Underground Dance Centre (Toronto). She absolutely loves the personal connection with all of her students and looks for creative and innovative ways to challenge them physically & mentally within every class she teaches. Overall, she wishes to share not only dance steps but also a variety of other amazing benefits dance has to offer such as mental, cultural and social that her students can use in everyday life..
Instructor
Laura began her dance training at Creator’s Arts Centre studying RAD Ballet, Jazz and Modern. Laura furthered her training, post-secondary, with Steven Wynn at Dance Ad Deum in Texas, Bill Wade at Inlet Dance Theatre in Ohio, and Rob Kitsos, Megan Walker-Straight, Marla Eist and Judith Gary at the Simon Fraser University Contemporary Dance Program in Vancouver. Laura is also a certified instructor with the Acro Dance Teachers Association and has certifications in Alixa Flexibility and Sugarfoot Dance Therapy.
Laura is a graduate of the Human Service Worker Program and has worked with children and adults with diverse abilities for over 20 years. She is the founder of CAC’s Dance for Diverse Abilities program which creates innovative opportunities for children and adults who need support/modifications for traditional dance training. Laura has also taught dance through the Parkinson Rec Centre’s Adaptive program and Cool Arts Program.
Laura’s passion is making dance fun, challenging and accessible to everybody, brain and personality and helping others find their own expression in movement.
Testimonials
“We love our dance family! Owner Michelle is very kind and accommodating, the teachers are friendly and knowledgeable, and the other students are fun and supportive. Highly recommend The Kore Dance Project!”
Stephanie M
“My daughter is going on her second year at The Kore and LOVES everything about it! The teachers are fantastic (talented AND kind, not something you find everywhere) As a parent I love it as well;the parents, teachers, and kids are all easy to get along with, very welcoming and drama free, everyone is happy to be there, it’s such a great dance family! Besides being a great environment it was only my daughter’s first year dancing last year and she won numerous first place medals and trophies at competitions, the instruction they receive is top notch.”
Carly V.
ADDRESS & OFFICE HOURS
100-2340 Hwy 97N
Kelowna BC V1X 4H8
Monday: 3–7 PM
Tuesday: 3–7 PM
Wednesday: 3–7 PM
Thursday: 3–7 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday: Closed
Hours may be affected by summer and school holidays.
About
The Kore Dance Project is one of the leading dance institutions in Kelowna BC. Established in 2016, we exist to entertain, teach, and inspire people in our community through the power of unsurpassed dance classes, educated instructors, creative minds, and innovative lessons that make us the Okanagan’s premier dance and entertainment company.
Office Hours
Monday: 3–7 PM
Tuesday: 3–7 PM
Wednesday: 3–7 PM
Thursday: 3–7 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday: Closed
ADDRESS: 100-2340 Hwy 97N
Kelowna BC V1X 4H8
Email: info@thekoredanceproject.com
Telephone: (250) 712-2202
@ Copyright 2024 - The Kore Dance Project - All rights reserved
