Your Coaching Team is made up of a diverse group of dynamic individuals.  Some are professional coaches, some are experts in a specific field and others are volunteers. 

 

Camille Martens

Head Coach and Program Director
Rhythmic Gymnastics/Circus Arts/Theatre

 

For Camille's personal webpage please go to:
http://camille.rgstars.net

 

Camille founded the Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club in the fall of 1997 and the Cirque Theatre Company (Vernon) in 2010. 

 

As an athlete she was Provincial and National Champion for many years (as both a junior and senior).   She was Canada’s most medaled athlete at the 1994 Commonwealth Games winning 5 medals.  A shining star on the international circuit , Camille was Canada’s only rhythmic representative at the 1996 Olympic Games.  During this time she had exposure to the world’s best rhythmic gymnastics training centres and worked with world renowned coaches, choreographers, ballet masters and club administrators. 

 

With 24 years of rhythmic gymnastics experience under her belt, Camille’s work has touched children and adults, of recreational to international caliber.  She is a course facilitator for Gymnastics Canada, an NCCP level 3 certified coach, National level judge.  She has created and developed course curriculums and workshops.  She is the Naitonal Team Coaches Chair and a member of the Gymnastics Canada RG Program Committee.  She is consistently coaching Provincial and National Champions and Finalists and international competitors.  She has written/choreographed/directed many unique show pieces and original productions.         

 

Camille’s passion for movement, music, expression and excellence has enabled her to light a similar fire in the hearts of those she works with.  Her authentic approach to coaching, original choreography style and intrinsic vision for the future of each person who crosses her path, have been the keys to making Okanagan Rhythmics what it is today. 

 

Camille's workshops and camps for athletes, artists, caoches and parents are informative, profound and inspiring.  Her choreography for artistic gymnastics, dance groups, rhythmic gymnastics and figure skating have unique flare and shine with her captivating creative spark. 

 

To hire Camille for choreography, to speak at your event or for private workshops please contact her.  To view her personal website:

http://camille.rgstars.net

 

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Brie-Anne MacPherson
Rhythmic Gymnastics/Choreography/Circus Arts
NCCP Level 2 Coach (Currently almost done Level 3)

Head Provinicial Stream Coach (2010)
Assistant coach for Recreational and National Stream Programs

 

Brie has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She has experience in various styles of dance such as ballet, modern, hip hop, contemporary and jazz.   She has 9 years of ballet training under various teachers including Ukrainian Ballet Master Volodia Makarov. She also trained in Scottish Dancing, becoming the Novice National Aggregate Champion at age 9.


In 1996 she met Olympian Camille Martens and was introduced to Rhythmic Gymnastics. She instantly fell in love with the mixture of art, dance and sport and started training full time.  She was the first gymnast to ever compete for Okanagan Rhythmics.  In her first year she competed internationally and was a gold medalist at the Provincial Championships in the junior category.  For the next four years she trained up to 30 hours a week and qualified multiple times to the Canadian National Championships.  In her final year of gymnastics she was invited to the national team tryouts, Elite Canada.

 

At age 15 Brie decided to leave gymnastics to pursue other interests. She delved into music, playing guitar and taking vocal training. After graduating from high school with honours and a Double Dogwood in English and French she was one of only 120 students selected from around the world to attend the prestigious International Study Center at Hersmonceux Castle in England.  She also attended the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria.

 

On returning to Canada, she felt that something was missing from her life.  After visiting her former club she was reminded of her passion for rhythmic gymnastics, sport, dance and movement. She became involved and the joy and purpose that it brought inspired her to stay and join the coaching team full time.   She also decided to return to the sport competitively for the 2006-2007 season, becoming the Level 6C Senior Western Canadian Champion. 

 

Brie is currently the head coach of the Provincial team at Okanagan Rhythmics.  She also assists coaching the national level team and teaches recreational and pre-competitive athletes.  She has starred in various productions put on by the Cirque Theatre Company and Okanagan Rhythmics, most recently playing Snow White and the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.  She is completing her degree in Anthropology (with a minor in religious studies) at the University of British Columbia Okanagan.

 

Why Brie Loves to Coach:

Coaching as been the most challenging and rewarding thing I have ever done. To be a good coach you have to look at the athlete in a holistic manner, not ignoring any part of them. Every athlete you work with can require a different approach and this allows me to use every part of myself in my work.   I love getting to know kids and how they learn so I can help them achieve their goals.  Helping kids discover new things about themselves and what they are capable of brings me so much joy.  I love finding new and creative ways of explaining complex ideas to different age groups.

 

The analytical side of me loves the detail in sport; perfecting every part of the body to create flawless execution.  The artistic side of me loves helping the athletes to express their inner feelings and develop performances that can move peoples’ hearts. One of my passions is choreography and I love introducing the athletes to different ideas about styles of movement.  

 

My participation in gymnastics gave me so many life skills that have helped me to become the person I am today and I feel not only fortunate but also a sense of obligation to help other children get everything that I got out of sport: The discipline, the passion, the work ethic, the organizational skills, the traveling skills, the confidence, the self awareness, the friends and the joy.

 

What Brie Hopes for her Athletes:

·         I hope for my athletes to find the joy in physical activity and learn how to care for their bodies.

·         I hope for my athletes to feel confident in their bodies and in their hearts. I want them to feel kinaesthetically aware so that whatever physical activity they may participate in in their lives, they will feel sure of themselves.  I also want them to feel confident enough in their minds and their hearts to trust themselves and their feelings and do what is right for them.  I hope they can learn how to look inwards and develop self awareness.

·         I hope for my athletes to understand the strength of their own spirit.  I want them to understand what it means to follow at dream, to set goals, to work hard and to persevere.

·         I hope for my athletes to leave with skills and knowledge that can help them if they decide to pursue sport or art as a career.  I want them to be able to easily transition into dancing, circus, coaching, choreography or any other discipline that may interest them. 

·         I hope for my athletes that the gym is a safe haven. It is a place where they know they are loved, where they can try new things without fear of embarrassment and where they are not afraid to fail.  I hope they make friends who can last a lifetime.

·         I hope for my athletes to always look back on their time in gymnastics as a positive experience.

 

Random Facts about Brie:

Favourite Apparatus: Hoop and Clubs

Places she has travelled: England, Scotland, Wales, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan

Hobbies: Drawing, Painting, Writing

Pets: Two Guinea Pigs named Neuf and Huit.

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Madeleine Shaw
Rhythmic Gymnastics/Choreography/Circus Arts
NCCP Level 2 Coach
Head Recreational and Pre-Competitive Coach (2010)
Assistant coach for Provincial and National Stream Programs

 

When Madeleine was 9 years old she wrote in her journal:  “Dear Diary. I think I was put on this earth to find a sport and go all the way with it. All the way to the gold medal.”  [Fear not; Madeleine’s sense of purposeful living has since become much more global in scope.] 

 

After trying everything from swimming to karate, Madeleine decided at the ripe ol’ age of 10 that “the sport” was to be rhythmic gymnastics.  When she declared her intentions at the dinner table, her family responded:  “That’s great, Maddie!  You should call Camille and ask if she is starting a club.”  Which is exactly what she did.  By the time Okanagan Rhythmics was founded a year later, Madeleine informed her family she’d like to begin her competitive career at the National Stream level, a commitment that required 5 days of training per week, 4 of which began at six in the morning.  “That’s great, Maddie!  You get yourself ready in the morning and wake us up when you are ready to get in the car.”  And that is, more or less, how the next six years of her life unfolded.  Throughout her gymnastics career, “That’s great, Maddie!” enabled her to compete at four National Championships, three Elite Canada’s, numerous invitationals in North America, and internationally sanctioned events in the Czech Republic and Cyprus. 

 

After finishing her competitive gymnastics career, Madeleine’s family continued to respond with “That’s great, Maddie!” when she elected to complete her undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of Victoria and take off on independent backpacking trips throughout Asia (2005, 2009), Europe (2006), South America (2008), and the Pacific (2009).  They were equally excited for her when she moved to New Zealand for six months (2009) and was able to cross off two items on her long bucket list: bungee jumping the second highest jump in the world and ice climbing.  She attributes all the rich experiences of her 24-years to the undying enthusiasm and support of her family.  She considers herself very lucky.

 

Along with gymnastics, the most impactful undertaking thus far has been her experiences working with people with special needs.  Her summer positions at Easter Seals Camps for Children with Disabilities (2006, 2007, 2008) led her to various volunteer opportunities including Victoria’s Just For Kicks Soccer Program For Kids with Disabilities and the Okanagan’s Community Recreational Initiatives Society.  Madeleine spent this past December volunteering at the Indonesian National School for the Deaf in Bali, Indonesia.

 

Madeleine is a big advocate of sport as a tool for development for people of all abilities.  Her coaching (read: life) style is always full out and fun.  She puts a lot of energy into each class and expects her athletes to do the same.  It is her goal that every athlete arrives excited to learn, work, and grow in a team setting.  She aims to teach the value of a positive attitude and a strong work ethic.  Be forewarned, however: as the athletes of the 2008/2009 competitive season can attest, Madeleine is a big fan of strength and cardio training.  J

 

Madeleine is excited to be back for the 2010/2011 season and looks forward to working with each athlete to achieve their personal best.  Why?  Because, for her, that's great.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tammy Andreotti
NCCP Level 3 Artistic Gymnastics Coach
NCCP Level 1 Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach
Tubling/Acro/Artistic Specialist

Tammy got invovled with our team when her daughter started training in our rhtyhmic gymnastics program (fall 2009).  She led some tumbling and artistic gymnastics sessions leading up to our fall show (2009) and will be leading our team in terms of acro/artistic/tumbling skills, working with our General Gymnastics Classes, our Cirque Camp and more!

 

- Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, University of Calgary 1998

- National Level Coach, NCCP 3 certified- 25 years of coaching at National Stream and High Performance level in Artistic Gymnastics.

- Canada Winter Games Coach for Alberta 2007

- Recipient of Choreography Award for Canada in Artistic Floor Exercise

- Founder of www.happyfitmoms.com

 

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Gilian Kilgour
Ballet/Pilates/Gyrotonics Instructor  

 

Having completed Stott Pilates Mat Certification to Advanced level in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Gilian went on to certify in Reformer and CCB  in Winnipeg. Mat instruction includes working with small apparatus such as Flex Band, Fitness Circle, Toning Ball, Foam Roller, Bosu, Wedge and more.

 Gilian teaches all levels, including private instruction, semi privates, group classes and more with a keen eye. Challenging her clients to work their bodies to maximum potential while making sure they are executing correct form and technique. This comes from a background of over 25 years teaching and studying Dance (Ballet & Contemporary), Anatomy, Physiology and Body Mechanics.

 Trained in Cecchetti Ballet , she completed her Advanced and Finale Diploma as a dancer and Licentiate as a teacher. She danced Professionally with P.A.C.T. Ballet in South Africa and operated her own Dance Studios both in South Africa and on Vancouver Island for over 20 years. Since retiring from dance Gilian has been a full-time Stott Pilates instructor in Mat, Reformer and CCB.

Gilian is also Certified in Gyrotonic the new Mind Body exercise becoming popular with the Stars , Dancers and Athletes

Due to her unique teaching background, Gilian’s classes are extremely popular.

 

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Rylee Haubrich
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Pre NCCP Level 1 Coach

Assistant pre-competitive and recreational coach

 

Rylee started rhythmic gymnastics when she was 5 years old.  Starting at recreational and progressively moving her way up to national stream, Rylee loved every minute of it.  It wasn’t just the sport that she loved; it was the traveling, fitness, health, discipline and friendships that also kept the spark alive in her.  She has attended various local, national, and international competitions.  As a junior Rylee was Provincial and Western Canadian Champion.  Her potential and commitment were recognized and when international opportunity was presented Rylee rose to the challenge becoming a finalist in Europe at the International Csepel Cup in Budapest, Hungary and the overall champion at the Copa Pan Americana in San Salvador, El Salvador.  International attention gave way to further opportunity and in March of 2009 she was selected to be a part of the national team senior group.  During this journey she trained in Ontario and in Marbella, Spain and competed at World Cup events in Pesaro, Italy and Minsk, Belarus.  Rylee’s outstanding amateur career culminated in a fantastic finish, as she led the Canadian team to a 15th place finish at the World Championships in Mie, Japan.

 

Rylee strongly believes in doing what you love to be happy.  She enjoys snowboarding, being in nature, swimming and spending time with the people she loves. She is currently in her last year of high school and is enjoying every last minute of it.   

 

She loves working with all ages of kids and is excited to be coaching; hoping that kids will feel the same bliss and joy she felt when she was training and that ultimately they learn a lot from her.

 

“Rhythmic Gymnastics has played an essential role in my intellectual, physical, athletic, artistic, and spiritual development. The benefits I have gleaned from my years of dedication and commitment to RG have equipped me with confidence, strength and development that will serve me as I move positively forward towards a bright, happy, and fulfilling future."


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Christina Cuglietta
Past Fitness leader and current guest coach

 

Christina was born and raised in the Okanagan and is thrilled to be back where her artistic journey began.  Trained primarily as a classical musician and rhythmic gymnast, Christina entered the theatre world at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria BC and graduated in 2008.  She holds her Grade 10 Royal Conservatory of music certificates in both piano and violin, and enriched certificate in Performing Arts and is certified in a variety of fitness programs including Zumba and Zumbatomic (Zumba Kids). 

 

Christina believes that voice/sound, story and movement are one and that memorable performances are achieved when these three elements come together to create one product.  Upon cohesive joining of these performance foundations the physical, spiritual and emotional benefits to the performer and spectators alike are endless and truly define why we engage in our respective art forms. 

Christina has returned to the Okanagan in hopes of sharing this philosophy through coaching, performing and producing professional theatre works in our community.  Currently she instructs Latin dance and fitness, does professional theatre work throughout BC and manages the group fitness programs at Ladies World Health and Fitness.

 

Christina loves working with kids and adults alike and is especially excited to work with the Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club.  "Rhythmic gymnastics and Camille have played a huge role in shaping the performer and coach I am today.  I looks forward to sharing some of myself with these performers/athletes."   

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Rachel Martens
Circus Arts/Clowning/Drama/Yoga
Fulltime for the 2006-2007 season
Guest coach and artistic consultant (current)
NCCP level 1

Rachel Martens is a dynamic performer, coach and teacher.  The excellence and diversity of her training and awareness benefit athletes of all levels and backgrounds from beginner to elite. After graduating with honours from the BFA Acting Conservatory Program, at the University of Alberta, she performed in over 30 professional productions in theatre and circus.  Rachel has studied clowning with Jan Henderson and Francine Cote, specializing in animation and creation at the Quebec Circus School.  She has worked for and performed with many world class companies including Cirque Du Soleil.  Rachel combines her extensive dance training in numerous styles: ballet, jazz, modern, and contact improvisation, with her skills as a musician (voice and piano - 12 years of study in each).  She is a certified RG NCCP Coach and is certified by the Yoga Alliance on Canada as an Instructor.  She is also a personal trainer and regenerative nutrition consultant.  She has studied with numerous masters of meditation, Qui Gong and Yoga including Sri K. Pattabi Jois in Mysore, India.  

 

She facilitates athlete development in many areas including breath and alignment awareness, focusing, goal setting, overcoming obstacles, discipline, confidence, flexibility, core strength, expression, dance, drama, movement, yoga and nutrition.

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Brianna Darwin
RG and Circus Arts: Aerial Hoops/Contortion/Diabolo/Spinning Plates/Aerial Silks  (guest coach)

Like several Okanagan rhythmic gymnasts, Brianna has applied her skills and talents to her latest passion: Circus Arts.  She comes to us this summer from L'Ecole Nationale de Cirque to share her expertise, skills and experiences.  She will be working at our Cirque Camp and at our Dream Camp 2010.

 

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