Our Faculty
Monique Salez
Owner
A mulit-talented performer/teacher, Monique is incredibly passionate about the potential for the human spirit to speak through the body in motion. A teacher of Flamenco, Efunk, Pilates Fusion & Vinyasa Yoga, Monique moves & instructs from the inside out. Awarded multiple grants from The Canada & BC Arts Councils she travels to Spain refreshing her studies with the flamenco greats. Artistic director of Raino Dance, Flamenco Rebelde & The Dream Cab Monique performs extensively: The Butchart Gardens, Symphony Splash, & Ballet Victoria’s Queen of Hearts to name a few.
Dyana Sonik-Henderson
Guest Artistic Director, Contemporary, Jazz
Dyana is a choreographer, instructor, and the Artistic Director of Broken Rhythms Dance Company. She is a staple in the local dance community with weekly classes at the iconic Raino Dance studio, Victoria Academy of Ballet, Canadian College of Performing Arts and is a popular guest choreographer/instructor at many studios across Canada. Her choreography and artistic leadership have earned national recognition, including nine Pick of the Fringe Awards, a nomination for the inaugural ProArt Regional Award, recognition as a finalist for Monday Magazine’s Best Dance Company, the LOLA Project International residency working with Gabi Beier (Berlin, Germany), and the distinction of B.C. Cultural Ambassador in recognition of her artistic excellence and commitment to community engagement. She has been invited to lecture at universities on creativity, choreography, movement research, and gender performance. Her productions have toured extensively throughout British Columbia and have been presented nationally in Halifax, Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton.
Committed to innovation, collaboration, and accessibility, Dyana continues to create multidisciplinary contemporary work while fostering meaningful artistic opportunities for emerging dancers and established professionals alike. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Sociology at the University of Victoria, where her research explored movement and the body through the intersecting lenses of gender, race, history, and ballet/contemporary dance.
Celina Moreno Medina
Chief Administrator
Celina’s journey with Raino Dance began after she moved to Victoria at the age of 18. While studying English and later completing her degree in Economics at the UVIC, she discovered Raino Dance Studio in 2014—still a student, but already deeply connected to dance, which had been her passion since childhood. Dance quickly became more than movement; it was a way to build relationships and community. After graduating, Celina worked in office administration, and by 2020—during the challenges of the pandemic—she stepped into the role of Office Manager at Raino Dance. In this position, she found a place where her professional skills and her love for dance could come together.
Alex Nicoll
Tap
Alex is a Vancouver Island artist who spent a decade performing in professional musical theatre across Western Canada. Tap has always been his first love in the dance world due to its mix of music and movement, and he spent years studying it with many different teachers. Alex moved to Victoria a little over a year ago, you may have seen him playing the title role in VOS's Sweeney Todd, or Bob Wallace in this year's White Christmas. Alex loves to share his love for tap and has taught classes for all ages. He believes in meeting students where they're at, positive reinforcement, and providing an environment where people can learn and exercise while having fun.
Miyouki Jego
Ballet
A student of The Edmonton School of Ballet professional program at the age of 14 studying musical theatre, jazz, modern, tap, character dance & choreography Miyouki’s main focus has always been ballet - RAD and Cecchetti Dance Theatre Instructor program. She has performed in ballets including The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Don Quixote, among others. Since 1999, Miyouki has been teaching & developing ballet programs at dance schools, arts centres, and recreational programs, in Western Canada. She holds a degree in Nutritional sciences from the University of Alberta and is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist.
Jill Seggie
Sass / Heels
Jill Seggie is a multidisciplinary performing artist and dance educator based in Victoria, BC. She has been dancing for over 25 years and has spent the past nine years inspiring students of all ages across Vancouver Island. Jill is passionate about building strong technical foundations while empowering dancers to embrace their individuality, confidence, and artistic expression. Known throughout Vancouver Island for her award-winning choreography and excellence in dance education, Jill is dedicated to lifelong learning. She continually pursues science-based teaching methods and professional development opportunities to create classes that are engaging, supportive, safe, and inspiring. Beyond the studio, Jill performs with Atomic Vaudeville, where she has developed her skills as a dancer, actor, vocalist, and clown. Her diverse performance career brings authenticity, creativity, and stage experience into every class, giving students valuable insight into the performing arts industry.
Whether you're stepping into heels for the first time or looking to elevate your performance quality, Jill creates an encouraging environment where dancers can challenge themselves, build confidence, and have fun.
Nikko Snow
West African Dance
What brings Nikko joy is sharing her love of dance with others! Her early exposure to dance, musical theatre, gymnastics and figure skating helped shape who she has become as an adult. With a passion for creativity, high-energy movement and self-expression, she has been especially drawn to Jazz with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and more recently, West African dance at MoonDance.
Nikko has been studying, performing and teaching with MoonDance Dynamic Arts School for 20 years. She has had the honour of working with several Guinean teachers as well as those who have studied in Guinea. The highly energetic dance form is accompanied by the rich rhythms of live drumming and the focus of the movements is joy!
She is thrilled to be invited to share West African dance and live drumming with the Raino Dance community
Amy LeClair
Hip Hop
Amy has been dancing since the age of four and has been passionate about movement, performance, and creativity ever since. After training competitively at several studios throughout Victoria, she continued her education through Harbour Dance Centre's Intensive Training Program in Vancouver.Amy teaches hip hop, jazz, tap, and is a certified acrobatics instructor. Drawing inspiration from waacking, locking, house, heels, jazz funk, modern, and contemporary, her classes are high-energy, expressive, and full of creativity. Her choreography blends strong musicality with dynamic movement, encouraging dancers to develop both confidence and their own unique style.Her performance experience includes working as a principal dancer in Perfect High starring Bella Thorne, performing alongside artists such as Nicky MacKenzie and Jesse Roper, and receiving multiple awards for her choreography.As an instructor, Amy is dedicated to creating a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment where dancers feel comfortable taking risks, expressing themselves, and celebrating their individuality. Whether students are new to hip hop or looking to grow their skills, Amy inspires them to connect with the music, challenge themselves, and discover the joy of movement.
Amy is excited to be part of the Raino Dance family and looks forward to sharing her passion for dance with the community.
Join Our Dance Family
Listen to your bodies longing to move, to express, and to connect with others in the dance.