Mariah-Jane Thies Bio

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Bio

Mariah-Jane is very excited to come on board as a teacher of Soul Funktion Dance Studio for the 2010-11 teaching season. She brings with her over 25 years teaching experience in both dance and music as well as 10 years as a studio owner herself. Mariah-Jane will be bringing her skills to the RAD programme and help to launch the Modern and Burlesque programmes at Soul Funktion. She is also very keen to build the pre-school programme, including working with Moms and babies/toddlers and also to develop the adult programme.

Mariah-Jane Thies is the former owner and Artistic Director of Prism Dance Centre in Port Moody, B.C.. In June 2009 she sold Prism Dance Centre in order to pursue guest teaching opportunities and travel worldwide, including having the opportunity to work in Whistler during 2009-2010. She also has a great deal of ideas and products for the dance world that she is working on licensing and trade marking.

Mariah-Jane has been involved in music and dance since she was 8 years old. She grew up in Sidney on Vancouver Island and attended classes at a local school for three years taking ballet and tap, until at the age of 10 she sustained an ankle injury (jumping rope!) that ended her training for many years. Mariah-Jane had always been interested in music and after one year dancing, requested piano lessons from the studio accompanist. Many years later at age 15, Mariah-Jane took over as the studio accompanist from her teacher and played for ballet classes 6 days a week for 4 years, including playing for RAD exams.

Since dance was not an option while she was injured she began the band programme through school and began studying the clarinet. Mariah-Jane also performed on the flute, saxophone and percussion in jazz band and had many years in choir. Through her clarinet abilities, reaching Royal Conservatory of Music Grade X, Mariah-Jane had many opportunities to perform including performing in the inaugural year of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra, the Conservatory Wind Band and as the soloist with the Hampton Orchestra playing Weber’s Concerto at just 16 years old. She was also very active with the school musical theatre programme, performing in the pit orchestra of both “Annie” and “Fiddler on the Roof” alongside Victoria Symphony performers. The highlight of her career as a clarinetist, was being a requested member of the Canadian Youth Wind Band that toured throughout Europe right after high school graduation. During her years involved with music, Mariah-Jane also began teaching clarinet privately and worked as a music teacher at Glen-Norfolk House private school.

After all the years in the dance studio as an accompanist Mariah-Jane felt the desire to return to dance again. Mariah-Jane began to take class and to assist, as well as continuing to accompany many classes. Mariah-Jane was lucky enough to go to Parklands Secondary School in Sidney, which had a dance programme under the guidance of Gini Foley. She was able to take class every day from Grade 9-12 and make up for a lot of lost time.

At age 15 she began to study ballet and take exams with the Peninsula Dance School and obtained the lead role in the story ballet the “Countess and the Commoner”, in which she choreographed her own solos. After graduation she began studying at Sinclair Academy of Dancing in Victoria taking classes in ISTD ballet, modern and tap, as well as jazz. During this time Mariah-Jane completed the RAD courses in anatomy and dance history.

At 21, she enrolled in the dance teacher training programme at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, graduating in 1993. At college she studied ballet, jazz, modern, anatomy and kinesiology, child development and psychology, nutrition, dance history, pedagogy, composition, music analysis and drama, along with taking private voice lessons.

Upon returning back home to Victoria, Mariah-Jane began her professional teaching career and began the process to complete her RAD teacher certification. In 1994 she moved to the Lower Mainland and taught for numerous schools in the area until starting her own studio in 1999.

Mariah-Jane has developed and taught for many summers her own choreography and pedagogy course for young teachers. She trained many of her own staff members over the years. She is currently fine tuning a programme to present to the RAD to supplement their teacher training programme.

In 2000, Mariah-Jane was fortunate enough to earn a spot to study with modern master teacher Bill Evans during a summer intensive. Since that time Mariah--Jane has returned to the two-week teacher’s intensive programme in the beautiful setting of Port Townsend, Washington for 6 more summers. During the intensive, Mariah- Jane studies ballet, modern, jazz, composition, anatomy, music, Bartenieff Fundamentals and Laban Movement Anaylsis and Multiple Intelligences. In the summer of 2006, Mariah-Jane became the only instructor in Canada certified to teach the Bill Evans Modern Method, utilizing the Bartenieff Fundamentals and Laban Movement Analysis.

This summer Mariah-Jane is excited to once again be able to work with Bill Evans, attending his two week intensive in New York. Following that she is blessed enough to work with him for a third week in Texas and be part of the filming of his legendary work.

In 2004, Mariah-Jane began working as an RAD mentor, working with teachers on the certification programme, observing and working with the young teachers. In 2005 Mariah-Jane was requested to become an RAD teacher’s supervisor, observing with new teachers, and reporting to the RAD on competence for certification. This role has taken her as far away as Abbotsford, White Rock and Whistler, which is how her relationship with Codi Dalen and Soul Funktion began.

From 2005-07 Mariah-Jane began taking ballet exams again for fun and danced Grade 6-8, receiving Distinction in all of the exams.

These past years Mariah- Jane has added to her busy schedule and began taking classes at Harbour Dance Centre, including jazz with Pam Quick-Rosa and ballet with Danielle Clifford and Lorieli Skinner. Mariah-Jane also participated in a modern workshop with Kokoro artist Barbara Bouget. She has also completed five musical theatre workshops including “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Hairspray” and “Grease” working with directors Jim Dobbs, Ken Overby and Leigh Torlage respectively.

Working in musical theatre again stirred up the love for the art form and encouraged Mariah-Jane to go audition for Pipedream’s production of “Sweet Charity” in the summer of 2005. She won a role as a dancer and singer and even had a few lines!. She also was asked to perform at the Applause Ovation Awards show in January 2006 with her Sweet Charity cast.

In 2007 Mariah-Jane began making trips to Seattle to study with Anne Green Gilbert, the creator of the Brain Dance. Mariah-Jane is a specialist in the teaching of Creative Dance and the Brain Dance, utilizing the Bartenieff Movement Fundamentals, of which she is certified. Mariah-Jane continues to extend her own training working most recently on learning from Keith Jeffries the principles of “4 Minute Fitness”.

In summer 2007, Mariah-Jane also joined the crew of Princess Cruises and toured Alaska, while working on board with the children. Since 2007 Mariah-Jane has continued to work for Princess and has been fortunate enough to travel the world visiting Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaco, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, St. Thomas, and Barbados! Mariah-Jane plans to continue to get away to far away lands while working on the ship and having fun with children.

In summer 2008, Mariah-Jane also began the complementary study of Brain Gym and began immediately to apply this to her teaching. She has additional courses lined up for August and September and plans to continue to the point of certification as a Brain Gym instructor.

Testimonials from Prism Dance Centre
Owned and operated from 1999-2009 by Mariah-Jane Thies, in Port Moody

Colleagues

Trevor Klushin, Colleague and Former Staff Member
I have had the privilege to work for Mariah Jane Thies as a Creative Dance Specialist. She is one of the most inspirational dance educators I have ever met. Her knowledge of the "whole working dance body" is sound, precise, and accurate. She has the ability to educate a potential dancer to become higher than they can be, with ease and confidence. It is her desire to be in the "Now" with new educational advancements in the Art of Dance that sets herself apart from others in her field. Mariah-Jane is a passionate, driven, and nurturing woman. She is a team player, and a person who truly loves what she does. I have no hesitation what so ever in recommending her for your studio or company. She is an amazing asset and will do wonders for you.

Maria Turner, Colleague and Former Staff Member
Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to join your family at Prism Dance Centre. I’ve enjoyed being a part of your dreams here and I trust that you will find your place to make them a reality!
Thanks for your passion and dedication to your philosophy. I am a much better teacher for it. Thanks for teaching me to teach!


Students

Holly Middleton, 30
I was trained at a prestigious dance school (National Ballet of Canada) in the traditional way. It was drilled into us that we had to work our bodies hard to achieve results. It is true that we achieved the desired results, but at the cost of fatigued bodies and chronic injury. Now that I have returned to dance as an adult I have come to understand that dance doesn’t have to be hard on your body and you don’t have to work as hard as I thought. Working with Mariah-Jane I have learned that the road to results can be simpler. Grace, strength, agility and virtuosity, the four things we aspire to achieve in dance, can be reached in a more efficient way. The result is muscular and energetic efficiency and less fatigue and injury. In fact, since returning to dance I have yet to get the sore, achy muscles associated with overwork. Dance is easier on my body now and much more enjoyable.

Deirdre Porrecca, 45
I look forward to the Ladies Jazz class with Mariah-Jane every week. I returned to dance after many years and have discovered that I’m still able to learn and grow. Mariah-Jane provides a supportive and non-threatening environment, and has amazing energy and a passion for dance that’s contagious.

Annelies Stegen, 43
I had danced until my early twenties, but like many young dancers, other priorities in life like schooling, building a career and starting a family demanded more of my time. I never dreamed that I would ever set foot on a stage and actually dance again! It took me several years of watching the adults perform at my children's dance recitals to realize that dance can be a lifelong pursuit. Mariah-Jane offered me an opportunity to explore and fulfill my love for dance and performing again in a supportive, yet challenging environment. Mariah-Jane helped me to relearn and develop dance movements in an intelligent manner that is sensitive to minimizing risk of strain and injuries that can often affect dancers. Thank you Mariah-Jane!

Leah Starcevich, 25
Having danced since I was a child, I had always been taught that dance was hard work and if you weren't squeezing & clenching your muscles while lifting at the same time, you weren't doing it right. Since my first class with Mariah-Jane, I have had a complete 180 degree turn around in terms of how I approach my dancing, and movement in general. Once Mariah-Jane asked me 'how squeezing my muscles help me move more freely', something clicked - ever since then I have improved immensely not only in dance, but also in how I carry myself. I now know that if I'm in pain, I'm not doing it right! Mariah-Jane takes a more holistic approach to dance, and she understands how the body is meant to move and introduces a fresh approach to dance that makes you remember why you started dancing in the first place. My muscles have never been happier.

Maria Turner, 21
Mariah-Jane is a wonderfully gifted teacher, with much attention to detail. She understands the importance of having accurate knowledge of the inner workings of the body and is gifted in her way of explaining concepts (such as “how to turn out” or “how to stretch your leg”) with great clarity. Her method of teaching strives to find true harmony between the demands of dance on the body and the anatomical capability of the body itself, which varies from individual to individual. Instead of forcing the body, Mariah-Jane understands how to help her students to allow themselves to dance, and to truly express who they are.

Joyce Johnson, 63
You have been an amazing support to me in the last year. I have really appreciated your lightness of being.

Catherine Ho, 42
It has been a privilege to have met you and become your student. You have taught me to feel good in my “imperfect” body. I love every movement I make now.

Catrina Jensen, 15
I’m so happy that I got to spend so many years with you! You taught me so much about musical theatre, dance, confidence and life in general.
You’ve always been there for me as I was growing up. You accepted one of my closest friends into your dancing family so quickly and taught her a lot of self confidence. You are an amazing person and the strongest lady I know. Thank you for many great amazing years.


Rebecca Jensen, 18
You are one of the best teachers in my life. You taught me everything from pointing my toes, perfect posture and practicing articulation until I bit my own tongue! You showed me how to express myself through my voice and body; and how to walk down a crowded street with my head held high in confidence. Without you I wouldn’t have ever been able to bellow out the vowels to a song in front of a class.

Silvina Lanusse, 13
Mariah-Jane, it is a bittersweet goodbye. I have had an amazing year! I’ve taken risks, danced “big”, and learned how to give more soul to my dance.

Amanda Cummings, 14
Thanks for everything! Dancing has really changed me! I feel so alive when I dance, it is like I turn into a different person. I want to thank you so much for that. I will never ever forget you, I promise. I’ve really changed as a person. I have much more confidence, self esteem and self-worth and that’s all because of you.


Sophia Biedka, 13
You are an awesome teacher! Thank you so much for all the great fun and amazing years together. You’ve taught me so much about dancing; and not all about technique. I’ve learned that just because the people around me are hiding back in their shell, it doesn’t mean that I have to hold back too. And you taught me to go out of my comfort zone, even though it might be a struggle, but I now know that after it is over with I can do so much more.

Parents

Diane Sirkia, psychologist
My two and a half year old daughter had her first "Brain Dance" lesson with Mariah-Jane Thies last week. I was very impressed with how easily she warmed up to the teacher, other children, and the movements being taught. Not only did she find the class easy to follow, she also had a lot of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her laughter and seeing her eager eyes search for me to confirm her pride. This is not just another toddler class; this is the start of a journey into a world where she can experience movement and dance in a positive way with new friends and her family.

Teresa Jensen, Daycare Owner
Thank you for being those to help raise my girls properly! I really appreciate that you have always been there to give them encouragement and maybe a bit of a push now and then. You have helped them grow from little girls into happy, healthy and self-confident young women.

Mind-Body Connection-
Movement Therapy Student
Rosalind Newson:

Mariah-Jane's idea for a theraputic movement session fit hand in hand for a time of recovery after my father's death. She understood my thoughts and emotions immediately. Mariah-Jane taught me about envisioning breathing as a cleansing method for the body. The "one on one" sessions were high on my list of tools taking me on a path to a fresh new life of optimism and strength. Since Mariah-Jane has incorporated these movements into her own life for the purposes of breaking out of old patterns and moving on, she is a logical choice to teach these methods. I will never forget the sessions and will put them into my daily life in my new home.