Dance Lessons By Rio Tasia Guillaume
About
I teach students out of the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum, which offers the perfect balance of dance training between the lackadaisical recreational model and the pressurized competitive model. Your children will develop the skills necessary to realize their full individual potential, whether their future goals and dreams include a career in dance or not. They will achieve strong technique and discipline, develop a positive self image, and as a result take pride in their accomplishments!
Areas of expertise include:
ABT® National Training Curriculum: Levels Primary - Five
Classical Forms: Ballet, Pointe, and Variations
Fitness Forms: Body Ballet® and Dance Cardio
Choreographic Work: Classical and Contemporary
Other: Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Talent Show Prep, Audition Prep, Orchesis, Poms, Cheerleaders, and more!
To sign up for Group Lessons:
Online: http://nilesfitness.maxgalaxy.net/BrowseActivities.aspx and Click "FC-Youth Specialty"
Call: 847-588-8400
Visit: The Niles Family Fitness Center at 987 Civic Center Drive, Niles, IL 60714
To sign up for Private Lessons:
Email: [email protected]
A bit more about me:
I am a dedicated dance educator and performer with a strong background in ballet, contemporary, and fitness instruction. I have graced the stages of New York City Center and Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater as a soloist and company manager for Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theatre, and have performed guest roles with artists such as Jessica Taylor and DAMAGEDANCE, as well as the Christian Cultural Center Dance Ministry. My teaching expertise in the ABT® National Training Curriculum and choreographic work for children have been highlighted at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Haiti's Restavek Freedom Foundation, and New York City's American Youth Dance Theater. I currently serve on faculty at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Dance Academy of Libertyville, and Ballet Theatre of Illinois, and direct all ballet classes at the Niles Family Fitness Center.
My mission is to foster holistic development of young dancers in the Chicagoland area by providing highly-qualified, progressive, and age-appropriate dance training in an inclusive and motivational environment.
Testimonials:
“Ms. Rio started teaching me when I was 7 years old. I am twelve now and I could no be the dancer I am today without her. She knows each individual student’s strengths and weakness and works with us to accomplish the goal of making the weakness into a strength. She makes sure we know why we do each individual combination and how that affects our body. In one class we learn so much, whether it's just corrections or anatomy about the body. Her teaching style is fun but we are still disciplined and attentive during class. She wants us to be the best dancers we can be. And teaches us what goes behind the scenes to be a professional dancer. I feel so fortunate to have had Ms. Rio as my teacher because she cares about all of us as a dancer and as a person.” -Isabella Sparrow
“Ms. Rio has been one of the most positive influences in my daughter's life, and I am very grateful for that. She excels as a dance teacher and shares her love of dance, as well as her professionalism, enthusiasm and respect for the art of dance to her students. Most importantly though, she helped shape my daughter's character and sportsmanship qualities, and for this I am especially grateful.” -Zoe Cuddy
To learn more, visit www.dancerio.com.
I love developing meaningful relationships with my students, in which I can become a positive role model for them not just in dance, but in life. When my students grow to know and trust me, and work hard using the tools that have been given them, I receive the benefit of witnessing them blossom into their greatest potential!
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, I assess what level new students are likely to be by asking their age, which genres of dance they have taken before, how many years they have been dancing (if at all), and where they have studied dance. Then I teach a class plan based off of the responses to these questions. I tend to lean towards to simpler side, especially from the beginning, as it is easier to progress forward, rather than backpedal.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I hold a B.A. in Dance and a Minor in Business Management from Point Park University. I have also successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level Five of the ABT® National Training Curriculum, attained ABT® Affiliate Teacher status in 2011, and achieved ABT® NTC Fellow Status in 2016 for having successfully presented my students for more than three consecutive sessions of annual exams. Early training was received from the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance, American Ballet Theatre, Milwaukee Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Privates (1 student)
**Take $10 off per lesson when you book your own studio!
30 mins: $40 or 4 for $140
45 mins: $50 or 4 for $170
60 mins: $60 or 4 for $200
75 mins: $70 or 4 for $230
90 mins: $80 or 4 for $260
Co-Privates (2 students)
**Take $5 off per lesson per person when you book your own studio!
30 mins: $20 or 4 for $75
45 mins: $30 or 4 for $110
60 mins: $40 or 4 for $145
75 mins: $50 or 4 for $180
90 mins: $60 or 4 for $215
Group (3 or more students)
30 mins: $15 or 4 for $40
45 mins: $20 or 4 for $50
60 mins: $25 or 4 for $60
75 mins: $30 or 4 for $70
90 mins: $35 or 4 for $80
How did you get started teaching?
I began teaching at a schools in the Pittsburgh area, including at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, while attending Point Park University as a dance major. I shortly stayed in Chicago after graduating, where I taught master classes at various locations. I then moved to New York City, and spent 9 years teaching at American Youth Dance Theater in Manhattan.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students of all levels, beginner through advanced, some with aspirations to become professional dancers, and some not. I have also worked with ages between 2.5 years through adults in their 60s.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Check that instructor's background information. What is his or her teaching philosophy? Talk to him or her over the phone to get a sense of that person's character. Anyone can look good over the internet, but you want to be sure they're the same in real life!