Meet Our Faculty
Christin Quintal
– Owner & Director I’m thrilled to welcome you to Studio to Stage Performing Arts. Opening this studio is the realization of a lifelong dream, and I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to share my love of dance and the performing arts with our community. I grew up in rural Alberta, in the small town of Calahoo, where opportunities to dance were limited. Until I was eleven, the only option available to children in our community was a weekly jazz class held upstairs in the local hockey arena. Those early experiences gave me an appreciation for just how meaningful access to the arts can be — something that continues to shape my approach to teaching today. As a young adult, I moved to Edmonton, where I discovered Irish dance and quickly fell in love with its discipline, artistry, and sense of community. I progressed through all levels of competition while also discovering a passion for teaching. Over the years, I taught Irish dance at several studios, ran my own community-based program in Sherbrooke, and taught adult classes through the City of Edmonton’s Continuing Education program. Dance also gave me the opportunity to perform throughout the Edmonton area at festivals, community celebrations, and special events. One of the highlights of my performing years was taking part in the Closing Ceremonies of the 2001 World Championships in Athletics in Edmonton — an experience I will never forget. Working with children and young people has always been an important part of my life, both inside and outside the studio. My experience has included running an in-home daycare, teaching skiing, and leading youth programs through the City of Edmonton’s Parks and Recreation department. These experiences helped shape my belief that children thrive when they feel supported, encouraged, and challenged while being given the space to develop confidence at their own pace. When my husband and I eventually made our home on beautiful Vancouver Island, I continued teaching dance. Over time, my own dance journey began to expand beyond my Irish dance roots, ultimately inspiring the vision for Studio to Stage — a place where dancers can explore different styles, discover what they love, and grow as both performers and individuals. I believe that great teachers never stop learning. Ongoing education and professional development are an important part of my approach to teaching, and I take every opportunity I can to continue expanding my knowledge — whether through teacher expos, dance conventions, workshops, competitions, or learning from other educators and professionals in the industry. Dance is always evolving, and I believe staying curious, connected, and open to new ideas allows me to continue growing as both an educator and studio director. Studio to Stage Performing Arts is a dream many years in the making. My goal is to create the kind of space I would have loved to have had growing up — welcoming, supportive, accessible, and filled with opportunities to learn, perform, and belong. Most of all, I want every dancer who walks through our doors — whether they are taking their very first class or working toward bigger performance goals — to feel that there is a place for them here. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us, both on stage and beyond.
Rachel Swanson (aka Swanson)
— Instructor
Rachel Swanson (known affectionately as Swanson) began dancing at the age of seven in Prince George, later continuing her training in the Victoria area. Her years at Royal Bay Secondary School further fostered her love of dance, theatre, and the performing arts. She went on to dance for four years with the Vancouver Island University Dance Team while pursuing her post-secondary education, focusing 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 diverse background has given her a strong technical foundation while continuing to fuel her creativity as both a dancer and instructor. Studio to Stage is very proud to congratulate Rachel on earning her Bachelor of Education from Vancouver Island University in the spring of 2026. Her background as an educator brings a unique perspective to the studio and strongly influences the way she approaches dance training. Swanson has also had significant exposure to the world of athletics, which brings another dimension to her approach to dance education. She recognizes that developing a dancer involves more than learning steps and choreography. Her classes incorporate exercises and training techniques designed to build strength, coordination, body awareness, and the physical skills that support dance technique. For Swanson, education is an important part of dance training. She wants her students to understand why they are doing something, not simply how to do it. Whether exploring the foundations of a particular technique, the character and history of a dance style, or the purpose behind a training exercise, she encourages dancers to be curious and develop a deeper understanding of their craft. Musical theatre is Swanson’s favourite style, and she brings a vibrant passion to teaching both musical theatre and contemporary. She also has a lot of fun teaching hip hop, making her a wonderfully versatile instructor. Her approach reflects an important philosophy at Studio to Stage: we aren't simply teaching dances—we're developing dancers. Through technique, education, creativity, physical training, and performance, Swanson creates an energetic and supportive environment where students can build confidence, develop their abilities, and gain a greater understanding and appreciation of both the art and athleticism of dance.
Mary Fokas —
Ballet & Jazz Instructor
Originally from Odesa, Ukraine, Mary has been dancing since the age of three, with training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and Ukrainian folk dance. She spent seven years studying at a ballet school, developing a strong foundation in classical technique, musicality, and performance. With more than 12 years of dance training and performance experience, Mary has been teaching in Canada for the past two years. Her choreography has been presented at dance competitions in Canada, giving her students the opportunity to bring their training, artistry, and confidence to the stage. Mary believes every class should bring something new. Her teaching combines strong technique with musicality, expression, and confidence, while always making room for fun and a genuine love of movement. Most importantly, Mary believes that everyone can dance. Her goal is to help each dancer discover what they are capable of, enjoy the process, build confidence, and fall in love with dance.
Aydeah Mae Moen
Instructor & Choreographer My name is Aydeah Mae Moen, and I am a 17-year-old dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Choreography is one of my favorite parts of dance, and I have been creating my own choreography for the past four years. I especially love finding new ways to use movement to tell a story and bring music to life. My very first self-choreographed solo, a contemporary piece, received an Adjudicator's Choice Award, which encouraged me to continue developing my skills as a choreographer. Contemporary is my favorite style of dance because of how many different directions it can take. It can be soft and flowing or sharp and powerful, giving dancers so many different ways to express themselves. This versatility is also one of the reasons I love choreographing contemporary pieces. I love teaching because I enjoy sharing the gift of dance with others. I have had several amazing opportunities through dance, including performing in a show and two parades at Disneyland with Dance the Magic. I have also performed at the Women of Influence Awards and in a show at Maffeo Sutton Park with the Acclaim Celtic Dancers. I also have a strong appreciation for cultural dance. As a member of the Celtic dancers group in Nanaimo, I enjoy not only learning different styles of dance but also learning about the cultures and traditions behind them. What I love most about being a dancer is that dance is such a unique way to connect with others. It gives me a place where I can express myself, share something I love, and always feel supported.
Kevin Mylrea (Consultant)
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.
