Meet Our Faculty
Christin Quintal – Owner & Director
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I’m thrilled to welcome you to Studio to Stage Performing Arts. Opening this studio has been a lifelong dream, and I’m so grateful to finally share it with our community.
I grew up in rural Alberta, in the small town of Calahoo, where opportunities for dance were rare. Until I was eleven, the only option for children in our town was a weekly jazz class held upstairs in the local hockey arena. That early experience gave me an appreciation for how important access to the arts can be — something that continues to inspire me today.
After completing college, I moved to Edmonton and discovered Irish dance. I enjoyed the discipline and artistry, and I worked my way through all levels of competition. Along the way, I had the privilege of teaching Irish dance at several studios, running my own community program in Sherbrooke, and even leading adult classes through the City of Edmonton’s Continuing Education program. I was fortunate to enjoy many performance opportunities during this time — the highlight being performing in the closing ceremonies of the 2001 World Championships in Athletics.
When my husband and I eventually made our home on beautiful Vancouver Island, I continued teaching, though I soon realized Nanaimo didn’t have much of an Irish dance community. Even so, my love of teaching and sharing dance never faded. In addition to dance, I have always loved working with children — from running an in-home daycare to teaching skiing and leading youth programs with the City of Edmonton’s Parks and Recreation.
Just as I encourage my students to keep growing in their dance journeys, I am committed to my own continued education. I am currently studying ballet, jazz, lyrical, and modern, expanding both my technique and my teaching.
Founding Studio to Stage is the realization of a dream many years in the making. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive, and inspiring space where dancers of all ages can grow, express themselves, and discover their potential. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us — both on stage and beyond.
Kevin Mylrea
Kevin Mylrea is a versatile and accomplished dancer, actor, and performer with an extensive career spanning film, television, live performance, and music videos. Standing at 5’11” with a commanding stage presence, Kevin has become a sought-after artist in both commercial and theatrical productions.
On screen, Kevin has appeared in major productions such as Welcome to Chippendales, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Riverdale, Starstruck: A Cinderella Story, Descendants 3, and The Lizzie McGuire Movie. His work includes collaborations with some of the industry’s most recognized choreographers, including Michael Rooney, Kenny Ortega, Teresa Espinosa, and NappyTabs.
In the world of live performance, Kevin has graced stages internationally, including as a Principal Dancer for Shania Twain’s Let’s Go Las Vegas residency, a featured performer in Cirque du Soleil’s LOVE, and a company member in Cirque du Soleil’s Toruk. He has also toured with The Bodyguard: National Tour, Bad Boys of Dance, Musical Acts with Paul McCartney, and Royal Caribbean’s original cast productions.
Kevin’s dynamic versatility extends to music videos, with credits alongside Meghan Trainor, She & Him featuring Zooey Deschanel, Courtney Act, Paulina Rubio, and Rob Cantor.
Trained extensively in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip hop, and ballroom, Kevin has studied at top institutions including Steps Dance Studio (Toronto), Edge Performing Arts Center (Los Angeles), Broadway Dance Center (New York), and Goh Ballet Academy (Vancouver). His vocal training with Matthew Smedal has further broadened his performance range.
In addition to his performance career, Kevin is highly skilled in partnering, dance adjudication, tumbling, acrobatics, modeling, and aerial harness work. His breadth of experience and dedication to the craft make him a dynamic force in the performing arts, seamlessly bridging commercial entertainment with theatrical artistry.
Jillian Norman
Jillian Norman began her dance training at some of Canada’s most respected schools, including Goh Ballet, Arts Umbrella, and Pacific Dance Arts. She continued to expand her artistry through programs at Scotiabank Dance Centre, Ballet Lounge, and Harbour Dance Centre, developing a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary styles.
Alongside her extensive dance background, Jillian is a 500-hour certified yoga instructor, an ISSA Personal Trainer, and holds certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). These qualifications allow her to bring a holistic, body-aware approach to her teaching, supporting her students in building both technical strength and artistry.
At Studio to Stage, Jillian teaches Ballet, Pointe, and Adult classes, and is especially passionate about guiding adult dancers as they develop the technique and confidence needed to explore pointe work. Known for her supportive and encouraging approach, she creates a classroom environment where dancers of all ages feel empowered to grow, challenge themselves, and enjoy the art of dance.
Rachel Swanson (aka Swanson)
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Rachel Swanson (known affectionately as Swanson) began dancing at the age of seven in Prince George, later continuing her training in Victoria from ages thirteen to eighteen. While pursuing her education degree, she danced for four years with the Vancouver Island University Dance Team, where she focused on theatre jazz, hip hop, and contemporary.
With experience in both performance and competition, Rachel has participated in a variety of local events in Nanaimo and has competed at multiple Star Talent finals. Her background across styles gives her a strong technical foundation while fueling her creativity as both a dancer and instructor.
Swanson’s favorite style is musical theatre, and she brings a vibrant passion for teaching both musical theatre and contemporary. She also has a lot of fun teaching hip hop, making her a truly versatile instructor. No matter the class, Rachel is dedicated to creating a supportive and energetic environment where dancers can grow in confidence, express themselves, and build strong technique.