MEET THE FACULTY
The following is our Sr Staff and Faculty. Soon, we will post our GENERAL STAFF, JR STAFF and even APPRENTICES! As always, XCO Sr Staff have a combination of both CURRICULAR knowledge and applied EXERCISE SCIENCE TRAINING and/or certifications. Staff are updated with Continuing Education hours/training.
EDDIE MILLER, FIS, PTS
Executive Director & Chief Instructor
Instructor-Dance, Pilates, Yoga, Martial Arts, Hula, Zumba
PRO Trainer-Fitness Instructor/Personal Training Specialists
Trainer-Physical Arts Instructors
MISSION STATEMENT – “My mission statement IS XCOMPANY, so read the ‘About’ section for details! However, why did I do this nowadays? I have kids (parents will get this)! Plus, it’s my own way of thanking my creator for my many blessings…by giving it back to others.”
EXPERIENCE – Originally forced..um, encouraged to learn Polynesian dance from his mom (a former professional Hawaiian dancer with Philippine National Dance Co.) in the 80s, Eddie literally up in a dance studio and on stage. [see 'About' page for more]
Eddie also has years of training and touring performance in Jazz, Hip Hop, Breakdance, Tap (Irish), Lyrical and Latin-based styles. In addition to his years of professional dance work, He was a Dance Captain at the 99 Pan Am Games, Choreographer for ONE Performance Collective (Wpg-Vancouver tour), Dancer for Jennifer Lopez/Richard Gere’s movie ‘Shall We Dance,’ and Director of Choreography for the 2010 MB Games.
He also holds black belt levels in Filipino Arnis (Alambra Family, Sikaran-Arnis Canada) and Chinese Kungfu/Traditional Wushu, and has weapons specialities in Stick, Knife, Swords, Staff, Spear and Flexible weaponry. As part of his continuing education, he has seminared in with Kali/JKD with MKG, Pekiti-Tersia International and Inosanto Academy. His goal is to teach kids traditional martial arts and physical culture in a non-sport entertainment/non-violent philosophy, building self-confidence and self-protection skills. Integrating his other skills with martial arts, Eddie has also done stunt work and choreography for film & live touring production projects.
He has trained in Stott Pilates (w/Pilates MB), Fitness Yoga (w/Maureen Rae, RYT) and Gymnastics Coaching 2 (NCCP/UW). Eddie is also a licenced Zumba Instructor and adds elements of his Latin and Hawaiian dance performance training to his classes.
Eddie is a canfitpro PRO TRAINER, training and developing Fitness Instructor/Personal Training Specialists, a former YMCA Canada Associate Fitness Trainer in Group, Resistance, Aquafit, and previously served on the National Committee of the Christian Dance Fellowship of Canada.
…a detailed…and really boring…professional CV is available if you really need more.
FUTURE KNOWLEDGE – In 2011 Eddie will complete his combined BA in Political Science (pre-law) and Kinesiology. He also plans to continue his Hawaiian dance studies and plans take up a traditional grappling martial art.
NADINE MUNRO-MILLER
General Manager
Instructor in Group Fitness, Yoga (Fitness), Stott Pilates & Children’s Dance
Nadine’s passion is for helping others achieve both fitness and spiritual goals. As a former traditional Latin dancer, she performed at the 99 Pan Am Games, the Hispanic Dance Theatre and helped organize for choreographers at the 2010 Manitoba Games Ceremonies. She trained as an Instructor in Iyengar Gentle Yoga under Maureen Rae (RN, E-RYT, Yoga Alliance) and in STOTT Pilates with Pilates Manitoba. Nadine is currently Program Director of XCOMPANY Physical Arts, providing dance and fitness programs to rural Manitoba families, while also offering national/international certification courses for Fitness Instructors/Personal Trainers through canfitpro, Canada’s largest fitness professional network. She was a former YMCA Group Fitness Instructor. Most importantly, she is ‘MOM’ to five beautiful children.
OUTREACH
Nadine heart has alsways been to serve others. She was a former ISCF leader, directing food drives for Winnipeg Harvest, and has organized several event outreach dinners, such as Feast for the King, during Christmas. She’s also a former simple-church host, leading home-based fellowship dinners and meetings. Her main ‘outreach’ is currently teaching both her kids and others through XCOMPANY programs.
BRETTON SELENT
Director of Urban Dance Studies
Sr Instructor/Choreographer in Hip Hop, Music, Gymnastics, XtremeDanceCombat and Physical Theatre (Stunts), trained Fitness Instructor Specialist
EXPERIENCE
Bretton is a touring performer and choreographer with ‘ONE’ Performance Collective, for its “Book of Angels” (2007), “Five Animals” (2008) and “Shadow of the dragon” (2009) productions in Manitoba and British Columbia. Other stage performances include features in “Guys & Dolls,” “Grease Lightning”, “Beauty and the Beast.” and “Sussical the Musical”. Bretton’s classes have placed gold in the several Manitoba dance festivals. He was also a choreographer for the opening/closing ceremonies for the “2010 power-smart MB Winter Games” and is director of Steinbach’s “Mo’mentum Performance Team.” Although Bretton loves teaching he is always eager to learn new street styles. Bretton is currently dancing and performing with central Canada’s top Hip Hop dance crew SIKAT” Taking first places at MB and Toronto competitions and trains with Bob “Boobjester” Vuerula of Dangerous Goods Bboy Crew.
OUTREACH
Bretton also knows what really matters. He currently is also a signed artist with “Kingdom Music” record label, working with 3 time juno nominee “Fresh IE” as his concert choreographer and as a recording artist. working with Fresh IE, Bretton helps bring encouragement to todays youth. Bretton’s involvement with “Heartstrings World Mission”, a Christian organization that works to support african orphans is still in the works.
CONTINUING KNOWLEDGE
Bretton is currently at Wellngton College of Remedial Massage Therapy to be massage therapist. He is also a member of canfitpro, training as a Fitness Instructor Specialist.
LYNDSAY DYKSTRA
XCOMPANY Director of Classical and Contemporary Dance Studies
Instructor/Choreographer in Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap & Fitness
MISSION – To teach and mentor values and dedication through dance by helping students set and meet goals. To encourage ALL her students to dance without the pressures of the competitive, self-focused ‘dance world,’ keeping dance as a true passion rather than a task or job. To mentor kids through dance rather than just teach them empty movements and meaningless choreography, teaching them that their dance can truly affect others in a positive way.
EXPERIENCE – With over 12 years of technical dance experience, Miss Lyndsay has successfully completed Ballet (Cecchetti) and Jazz (A.D.A.P.T.) exams and is just finishing her A.D.A.P.T. Teacher Course, qualifying her to enter students into dance exams. She’s a certified Physical Arts Instructor 1 and is just finishing her national certification as a Fitness Instructor (canfitpro). Having attended many dance conventions (including Triple Threat and Pulse), she’s also workshopped under renowned dancers/choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Brian Freedman, Wade Robson, and Dave Scott.
OUTREACH – Lyndsay has toured to Africa, spendind time doing street ministry in Kampla & Gulu, Uganda, working with two different missions organizations. This also included teaching dance to youth in Gulu, Uganda. Here in Canada, she was on both performance and outreach tours with XCOMPANY’s semi-professional ONE Performance Collective, which involved touring for venues from Winnipeg-Vancouver…but also outreach to Pukatawagan Reserve. She’s also a Director of Steinbach’s Mo’mentum performance team, winning several competitive awards including gold.
CONTINUING KNOWLEDGE – Lyndsay continues her training in A.D.A.P.T Jazz and Tap while also actively training in various styles of hip hop. She is just finishing her national canfitpro Fitness Instructor Specialist accrediations and hopes to train in Pilates and Zumba!
SAVANNA RAE PEERS
Instructor in Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, Cheerleading
EXPERIENCE – After taking a year off from teaching Savanna is excited to be back at XCOMPANY, and so are we! Miss Savanna has taught Jazz, Creative Movement and Ballet here for about 5 years and simply loves sharing her experience with her students. With training at institutions such as the Quinte Ballet School (ON) of Canada and Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Savanna has over 17 years of dance education, performance and competitive experience. She also was part of Thompson Rivers University Dance & Cheer team in BC. She is currently a CFL professional cheerleader with Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Blue Lightning Dance Team!
AMANDA BERNARDIN
Instructor-Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Theatre, Musical Theatre & Voice
EXPERIENCE – Miss Amanda has over 10 years of very technical dance training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Pointe. With all these skills, Miss A still can kick it in Hip Hop, Freeflow, Lyrical..and has won competition awards in all her styles of dance. She also has over 5 years of vocal training and Piano under her belt, and has combined all these talents, performing and choreographing in many productions “Leader of the Pack” (2007), “Oklahoma” (2008), “Footloose” (2009), “Hello Dolly”(2009), “Sussical” (2010), and “Bye Bye Birdie” (2010). She currently performs as a feature with XCOMPANY’s “Mo’mentum Performance Team”, touring across Manitoba.
OUTREACH – Amanda’s work with Mo’Mentum has brought her to share her meaningful dance to youth events including Soul’d in southern Manitoba, opening up for rockers, Kutless. She does inner-city tutoring, mentoring and is working on starting a dance outreach program. Amanda has done numerous volunteer outreach works such as organizing food drives, fundraising events and collecting clothing for a homeless shelter/drop in centre.
CONTINUING KNOWLEDGE – Amanda is now pursuing her Education degree (English and Theatre) at U of Winnipeg. She is also a certified Physical Arts Instructor 1 and is just finishing her accreditation as a canfitpro Fitness Instructor Specialist.