Our Team
Get to know a few members of our talented team!
** FUNKY FEET TEAM MEMBERS COMING SOON**
Livia Avrith
President & Founder
Livia has always had a passion for dance and a genuine love for children. After graduating with a BA in Sociology, Livia continued her studies and received a certificate in HR, both from Concordia University. In 2001 Livia combined her passions and created Funky Feet, a dance program where the main goal is to help empower children and build their confidence through dance. The Funky Feet dance program has been and continues to be extremely successful and after 14 years of classes running in schools, daycares, private homes and other various locations her dream of opening up a Studio came to reality. In 2015 The Studio by Funky Feet opened. A large facility with 5 studios offering specialized classes for parent and tots, dance, parties and events as well as special needs dance.
Warren Suissa
Co-Founder
Warren has always had a passion for dance and a genuine love for children. After graduating with an MBA, In 2001 Warren & Livia combined their passions and created Funky Feet, a dance program where the main goal is to help empower children and build their confidence through dance. The Funky Feet dance program has been and continues to be extremely successful and after 14 years of classes running in schools, daycares, private homes and other various locations their dreams of opening up a Studio came to reality. In 2015 The Studio by Funky Feet opened. A large facility with 5 studios offering specialized classes for parent and tots, dance, parties and events as well as special needs dance.
Ariadne - Dance Teacher
Ariadne is a student at John Abbott College and the CO-VP at the John Abbott Dance Club. She has participated in musicals and dance shows since she was 3 years old. Hip-Hop is her main dance style but she has trained for contemporary at the Elite Dance Academy. She teaches Hip-Hop dance workshops at her school and is also part of a dance crew outside of school. She loves being around children because their high levels of energy boosts her up! Not only does she teach children how to dance, she also helps them raise their self esteem! She is very happy to be a part of the Funky Feet family as they promote everything she stands for in dance.
Alicia - Dance Teacher
Alicia Martineau is a ballet and contemporary dancer. She began her professional training after attending Royal Winnipeg Ballet. This was then followed at Ballet Montreal Performing Arts School where Alicia trained under the direction of Paula Urrutia. While at Ballet Montreal, Alicia was a junior company member where she performed in ballets like Eddy Toussaint’s Nutcracker, La Bayadère, Don Quixote, le Corsaire and Coppelia as a corps member and soloist. She has also completed her first major examination in Cecchetti. Alicia is currently a student at McGill University where she is majoring in Psychology and minoring in both behavioural science and the environment. Alicia is excited to share her love of dance and witness growth in young children’s love for movement.
Alessia - Dance Teacher
Alessia has been dancing since she was 7 years old. Throughout her experience of dance classes she has experimented with various styles: hip hop, ballet-jazz, tap, contemporary and modern. At John Abbot college she was the co-vp of the dance club which allowed her to help dancers be born, evolve and excel, as she did so herself. Being very comfortable dealing with kids from an early age, she has come to understand that it is utterly important to build a relationship of trust so that they can feel in their element. Here, at Funky Feet, she is utterly happy to be a part of a team who put their heart into bringing joy through dance.
Salena - Dance Teacher
Salena is a classical dancer, primarily trained in Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary, at Ballet Ouest de Montreal. She’s performed in Ballet Ouest’s Nutcracker productions for over a decade, dancing roles ranging from Mouse to Pre-Core de Ballet Mints, as well as competing on competition teams. She was previously a Dance Specialist at McGill Conservatory Day Camp for several summers, and at the YMCA-Concordia Fine Arts Day Camp this past summer. She is excited to teach dance to the kids at Funky Feet!
Ruby - Dance Teacher
Ruby has been dancing, singing and acting since the age of 3. She was in the Dance-Étude program at John Rennie High School, where she had the opportunity to train under Ballet Ouest de Montreal everyday for 5 years. She is currently at John Abbott College where she continues her schooling in the ALC Theatre program. Ruby has also been teaching dance since the age of 15 and she loves to challenge the kids while ensuring they have a great time in each and every class. As it is Ruby’s first year teaching at The Studio she is very excited to pass along all the training she has received over the last 15 years!
Melissa - Dance Teacher
Melissa has been teaching dance in British Columbia for eight years and in Montreal for the past two years, with classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap. Her professional training took place in New York City at The Ailey School and Peridance Capezio Center, where she focused on ballet, modern, and contemporary at both schools. Melissa is now very pleased to be entering her final year in Concordia's Contemporary Dance program, which brings her closer to a career in Dance Movement Therapy. Melissa is also certified in Simonson Technique: a safe, organic approach to movement for all levels and abilities. Melissa continues to share her passion for dance and community spirit with Funky Feet!
