Our Instructors
Magdalene Miller
Magdalene teaches Belly Dancing and Rhythm & Movement
Magdalene has found healing from movement in Middle Eastern and Oriental dance, popularly known as bellydance. She loves to share this experience with others by performing, dancing in community, and teaching. As a nurse and Ayurvedic counselor, Magdalene brings a wealth of knowledge about the human body, yoga, breathwork, and meditative practice to her dance and her classroom. She seeks to spark joy in her community by encouraging movement and bringing music appreciation to everyone she meets. Magdalene can be found dancing with her online community and in the beautiful Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
Magdalene is also the owner and director of MagdaleneMoves. You can reserve a place and pay for upcoming classes by viewing: https://www.magdalenemoves.com/
Daisy McCoy
Daisy teaches Circle Dance
Daisy discovered Circle Dance about 20 years ago and it’s been a part of her life ever since. Over time her commitment as a participant strengthened and eventually prompted her to become a Circle Dance leader when her group suddenly needed someone to step into that role. Daisy emphasizes that Circle Dance is not about perfection; it’s about a sense of connection to yourself, others and the sheer joyfulness of experiencing music and movement.
Daisy has lived in the Northeast Kingdom for 30 years. She is a retired mathematics professor at Lyndon State College (now officially VT State University). She enjoys rigorous hiking, and happy to be involved with the Kingdom Community Services food shelf and meal offerings. Daisy also leads Circle Dance at Neskaya Movement Arts Center in Franconia, NH. You can learn more about their many offerings at: https://neskaya.com/about/
Elizabeth Mahnker
Elizabeth teaches Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Contemporary Dance to many area children and teens throughout the year. She also holds periodic Adult Beginner Ballet classes.
As the owner and artistic director of Kingdom Community Ballet (formerly VT Tiny Toes Ballet), Elizabeth focuses on fundamentals of ballet techniques, applying these to contemporary and jazz techniques as well as classical ballet. Elizabeth believes that dancing is for everyone and that it is one of the most crucial art forms to keep alive. She has had opportunities to work closely with Lyndon Institute’s dance program, Creative Edge Dance Studio, and has led after school programs with Kingdom East School District. Within her work at Tiny Toes Ballet Elizabeth has been able to create many works for performance including “The Nutcracker” and various Spring Recitals.
You can learn more about Kingdom Community Ballet at: https://www.facebook.com/kingdomcommunityballet/
Ollie Sozinova
Ollie teaches Vinyasa Yoga
Ollie loves all things fitness, but is particularly drawn to yoga because she believes that yoga is for everyone, and every BODY. She believes that it is more than a work out, it’s a life style and a way to self-healing. Ollie’s Vinyasa Yoga incorporates principles of alignment with power flows and bliss energy.
Ollie began dancing at the age of 3 in her native country of Russia. She discovered yoga when she was 18 and has been practicing ever since then. She moved to the US in 2009, and completed a 200 hr yoga teacher training in 2016 in South Burlington. In 2017, after a visit to the Northeast Kingdom, she fell in love with the area and decided to move here.
Kristine Olson – NEW Location!
Kristine teaches Pilates at her own studio now, located at 347 Emerson Falls Rd in St. Johnsbury, VT. Please click on the link below to be directed to her website.
Kristine believes passionately in the power of the Pilates Method, a system of more than 500 exercises developed by Mr. Joseph Pilates to bring the body back into balance. She discovered the Pilates Method while pursuing a B.F.A. in Dance Performance & Choreography at the University of Montana, Missoula. After graduating college, she found The Pilates Center of Boulder, Colorado where she completed the 1,000 hour Advanced Teacher Training Program in 2009.
In the twelve years since completing her program, Kristine has: received a certification in Redcord Active Corrective Exercise; become a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) from the National Pilates Certification Program; joined the Pilates Method Alliance; attended the annual Pilates Method Alliance conference; graduated from The Pilates Center Master’s Program and become a Licensed Teacher Trainer for The Pilates Center. She is a teacher of students, as well as teachers, from novice to advanced, who are curious to explore and understand their bodies through the Pilates Method.
You can learn more about Kristine and Centerpoint Pilates by viewing her website at: https://www.centerpointpilatesnek.com
Arcelie Reyes
Arcelie lead the Small Saplings group sessions & Teaches SHiNE Dance Fitness.
Arcelie is enamored with all things birth-related. She has supported babies/toddlers and their parents/caregivers as a certified lactation counselor and La Leche League Leacher (2010-2020). In 2015 Arcelie became a certified Birth & Postpartum doula, supporting birthing families in both hospital/birthing centers and out-of-hospital settings. Other relevant trainings/workshops she has pursued include Gena Kirby Rebozo Connection method, BWI Babywearing Instructor, and Spinning Babies. Arcelie misses her baby wearing days and she’s always happy to help with a little one. Most days you can find Arcelie shuttling her 3 children between school and soccer practices or games, or walking in the woods with her dogs. She also loves all dance movement. You can learn more about Arcelie at: http://www.arceliereyes.com/home.html
Diane Matthews
Diane teaches SHiNE Dance Fitness
Diane has a lifetime love of VT’s northeast Kingdom, the arts and humanities. She believes in nurturing the music within, and that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. When she isn’t busy with Creative Healing & Fitness, she works as a licensed nurse practitioner APRN and looks forward to time spent with her family, friends, and her lovable mutt Matilda.
Location and Directions
518 Main Street Lyndonville, Vermont 802.626.4202 info@creativehealingandfitness.com