The Flying Dance Company is very proud of its experienced and friendly group of instructors who facilitate our dance programs for the public and for various businesses and events in the area.

Nicholas "Nico" Muthui (Director, Instructor)

Nico owes his first taste of Salsa to a friend who took him dancing in Toronto in 1994. They went early in the evening to take a lesson, and being the cocky African who could hold his own on the dance floor, he wondered what some guy would teach him that he did not already know. He soon found out that it takes more than just moving your hips to get by on a Salsa dance floor. Loving a challenge, he has endeavored to be the best dancer he could be. Along the way, he was humbled and learnt that dancing communicates in ways one could never imagine. The connection, openness and honesty that two people portray on a dance floor while dancing showcase a beautiful piece of art work. Nico has been known to say "No matter how good you think you are, there is always someone somewhere who can teach you something new, whether there are at your level, above or below. For me, a smile always creeps up on my face when I discover a different way of dancing or teaching other than what I already know. I will always be a student of dance."

And a student he remains. Since then, he has taken workshops with some of the top Salsa instructors in the world as they travel around the country. He has also explored other the dance styles like Argentine Tango, Rumba, Cha Cha and the Waltz. Nico believes that one can only become a better dancer and Instructor by trying to grow beyond your comfort zones, so he continuously tries to do that.

Since 2001 when he founded the FDC, Nico has worked at sharing his love for Salsa to all those around him. He's done that first as a DJ at a weekly social event in Guelph, (where he resides). He then started teaching dance classes in 2004 after he quit his job to focus on his growing company. Nico believes that music (any music) plays an important role in bringing together a community.

With that in mind, he started hosting "Salsa In The Park (now called Dancing In The Park -DITP)", a one day event where music and different Latin dance styles are performed and danced to by everyone in the community. It's a free event where everyone (whether their can dance or not) are welcome for a day of fun and relaxation. Nico wanted everyone, especially his students to share their love of dance with their family and friends in an open area during the day.

In 2007, the Flying Dance Company opened its first studio in Guelph and has since been sharing its love for dance with everyone. It has been a great journey and Nico looks forward to sharing his dream with everyone, especially those he love.

Melissa Sikkes (Studio Manager, Instructor)

Melissa was born and raised in the City of Guelph. Melissa is from Dutch and Spanish descent which she believes is where her love of Salsa Dancing originated. Melissa's interest in dancing began twenty three years ago when she was five years old. Melissa expressed that she has loved dancing since the day she could walk. Melissa began her dance career by taking classes in ballet at Anna Marie Oliver School of Dance in Guelph when she was five. She spent one year in ballet and then began taking jazz classes when she discovered that she preferred faster dance steps and took jazz classes for twelve years. At this time Melissa decided to dedicate her time and love of dance by becoming involved in her high school cheerleading team where she helped choreograph the routines used in competitions. After completing high school Melissa attended the University of Guelph completing a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree majoring in Family and Social Relations. At the University of Guelph Melissa continued her dance career by taking Ballroom Dance classes and also pursued her interests in health and athletics by becoming a Certified Personal Trainer in April of 2004. Once completing University Melissa realized how much she missed being in the dance studio on a regular basis and decided to return to dance by attending classes at Grand River Dance Academy in Fergus, Ontario. At this studio Melissa took classes in Pointe Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz and her first classes in Salsa with the Professional Salsa Instructor Eddie Rivera. GRDA was however not where Melissa's love of Salsa began as she has embraced her Spanish culture and passion for Salsa dancing since she was young. Melissa has currently been dancing Salsa for three years and has been training many hours a week to continue her love of learning this style of dance. Melissa believes that dancing is where her heart lies and is something she is very passionate about. Since joining the Flying Dance Company Melissa stated that she "realizes that this is where she belongs," and although she currently spends her days working full time as a Certified Child and Youth Counselor, counseling Youth in trouble with the law she feels she could spend every day teaching and learning dance.

Lindsay Quayle (Salsa)

Lindsay moved to Guelph in the fall of 2003. She started learning Salsa at that time, taking classes at the University and also with instructors from Toronto. She has attended six Salsa Congresses to date, in both Montreal and Toronto, where she attended workshops given by elite instructors from all over the world. Lindsay has also been expanding her dance horizons recently, taking classes in both Argentine Tango and Swing.

Lindsay has been teaching for four years with the Flying Dance Company, both assisting and leading classes. In addition to teaching, Lindsay has also performed at several events in the past five years. She performed at Salsa In The Park in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008, at the Guelph Muliticultural Festival in 2006, 2007 and 2008, at the Strictly Rhythm Dance Acadamy annual dance recital in 2006, in addition to numerous parties and events hosted by the Flying Dance Company.

Goldie Sherman (African)

Goldie is an eclectic artist of clay, voice, theatre and dance. Her studies and travels have taken her to Asia, Africa, Latin America, the USA and Europe. As a result of her varied experience Goldie has developed a course of creative movement in relation to Africa Rhythm. It's structured to access and express the creative spirit within us all as well as improving co-ordination, grounding, balance, gaining greater strength and flexibility, increasing awareness and overall energy. Goldie's infectious enthusiasm helps participants to let go of self imposed limitations and an opportunity to dance from our hearts.

Rachelle Clinch (Belly Dancing)

Rachelle was first entranced with Belly Dancing after seeing a drum solo performance on television as a young child. This fascination developed into a love affair later in life after deciding to learn the dance form on her own in 2005. She was self-taught for one year in American Tribal Fusion style and Egyptian Raks Sharqi before training with Ishra in Guelph in 2006 and 2007. She joined the performance troupe Invoke Tress Dance Theatre (under the direction of Ishra) in 2007 and now also teaches for the Flying Dance Company.

Lorraine Bruce-Allen (Belly Dancing)

Lorraine can remember few times in her life when dance was not a part of it. She grew up in Montreal and trained in Classical Ballet for 10 years. She moved to Guelph to attend university and took classes in Modern and Jazz, and became a member of the University Performing Troupe. After graduating she was one of the initial dancers of the Burton Dance Ensemble, founded by Sarah-Jane Burton.

After seeing a performance by Arabesque Dance Company in Toronto, Lorraine's full attention was drawn to Raks Sharqi, classical Egyptian Belly Dance. She immediately enrolled in classes and over time became a member of the local troupe, Halawa, directed by Hiba Al Kinani. She currently dances with Invoke-tress Dance Theatre, directed by Ishra.

Lorraine is continually learning and her current passion is for a contemporary style of North American fusion of Belly Dance, American Tribal System (ATS). She is very excited about becoming part of the Flying Dance Company and is looking forward to expanding her horizons even more.

Jackie Stackelberg (Instructor and Office Assistant)

Jackie has been passionate about dance since high school but had limited opportunities to dance as an adult. She was invited to take a beginner Salsa lesson and has been hooked on Latin Dance ever since, through Melissa & Nico's instruction. Jackie is ever striving to learn and improve.

Jackie loves performing and has been involved in several performances in the last 2 years. She performed at Dancing In The Park & Guelph Multicultural Festival in 2007 & 2008. She attended the Toronto Salsa Congress in 2007 where she attended workshops instructed by top salsa dancers from around the world.

She has been involved with Flying Dance Company since 2005. She teaches Cardio Latin Dance and is also Administrator for Flying Dance Company.

Ryan Sikkes (Salsa Dance Assistant)

Ryan began dancing Salsa under the instruction of Melissa and Nico in May of 2008. Ryan displays passion and dedication through his many hours of classes and aspires to be a great Salsa Dancer. Ryan has supported the Dance Company in Community Events such as the Multicultural Festival, John Galt Day and Dancing In The Park 2008.

Cassandra Fox (Belly Dance Fusion)

Cassandra's family moved from Jamaica to Canada over 30 years ago. As a result of her Jamaican background, Cassandra has grown up with Reggae, Soca, Calypso and Dancehall music. At the age of 4 she took Ballet lessons and years later when she attended the University of Guelph, she watched a video clip of the Lebanese belly dancer Maya Abi Saad. In Abi, she found herself falling in love with the art of Belly Dance. Cassandra also recognized the similarities that Belly Dancing shared with many of the Caribbean styles. With these thoughts in mind, she dived into the art and has been studying it ever since. While not in school in the summer, she teaches Belly Dancing at the Avalon Spa at Christie's Mill located in Muskoka.

Silvia Espino De Kleer

Silvia was born & raised in Apizaco, a small town 2 hrs south from Mexico City. She was 5 when she was introduced to Ballet, Mexican Folk Dance & Flamenco. After 8 yrs of study, she decided to dedicate her time to her true passion, "Flamenco Dancing". While completing her Master's Degree in Organizational Development, she joined the teachers & professional dancers of Martin Cruz Academy of Spanish Dance. She also came to Canada as an exchange Student at York University and took classes with Esmeralda Enrique in Toronto. With Esmeralda, she learned some new techniques & became a professional Classical Spanish Dancer, playing the castanets & dancing to pieces such as Carmen and Las Bodas de Luis Alonso. When she returned to Mexico, she kept dancing with Patricia Ibarra, Martin Cruz, Soledad Fuentes, Patricia Linares & Raul Salcedo. Silvia had been teaching Flamenco for nine years before she joined the Flying Dance Company. She has taught in Toronto and London Ontario, and has performed in various Multicultural Festivals including Kitchener/Waterloo and Guelph.

Mark Zilio

Mark was born in Guelph on December 21 1989. In 2003 a close friend prompted Mark to join him for lesions at Strictly Rhythm Dance Academy. Very quickly Mark found a passion for Hip-Hop and then transferred to John F Ross CVI, where he started choreographing with his peers for his first dance recital. He continued to attend Strictly Rhythm for two years, performing in there recitals at the "River Run Center," before transferring to Backstage Dance academy to get a taste of Completive level Hip-Hop.

After a year of competition Mark returned to Strictly Rhythm, with a new set of goals and a better understanding of what he wanted in a dance career.

He immediately sought out and attended multiple Break dancing workshops from groups such as "Solid State," and "Manifesto" until finally Mark started practicing with a group known at the time as "New Era Crew." Eventually "New Era Crew" joined with them and the "U of G B-Boys" to form the "Royal City Rockers."

Today Mark Zilio, is a dance student at Strictly Rhythm, a member of the "Royal City Rockers" and the youngest instructor at the "Flying Dance Company." He plans to soon attend "Gorge Brown College" in Toronto to get more dance certification, and better his portfolio for the future.