Welcome to RCBS
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
RCBS was built on the premise of Community. We provide quality dance instruction in a safe, welcoming and friendly environment. Our aim is to bring the Arts to those who do not have easy access, in the Russell/Embrun area, and beyond.
Our Story
Founded in 2015 by Tricia Bouvier-Harps, then under the direction of Cass Marks since 2024, Russell Children's Ballet School has grown beyond just being "That Ballet School". The teachers that Tricia trusted her students to are still teaching at RCBS, and are joined by Student Teachers who have been trained by RCBS staff. From Ballet, Tap and Jazz, the offering at RCBS has grown to include Hip Hop, Modern/Contemporary, Pilates and soon to include Musical Theatre!
We look forward to continuing Tricia's vision and grow with the needs of the community.
Meet The Team
Teachers
Miss Cass is excited to be back teaching for another year! She has been teaching for a really long time, and finds the studio to be her truly happy place, no matter where in the world she is teaching/dancing!
Cass Marks - RAD-RTS, CBTS, Silver Swans
Owner/Director
An A.D.A.P.T. certified teacher with 26 years of experience across Jazz, Tap, RAD Ballet, Hip Hop, and Contemporary, Theresa brings a deep knowledge of technique and history to her classes. Originally from Ottawa, she now balances her career in healthcare with her lifelong passion for guiding future generations to fall in love with dance
Theresa Ramsarup - ADAPT​
Jazz/Tap Director
​Tracy Mitchell is a former professional ballerina who holds a Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) as well as a Theatre Dance degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. She performed in The Nutcracker with the Ontario Ballet, danced in various corps de ballet roles with Theater Pforzeheim's ballet company in Germany, and appeared in several commercial promotions. A fully registered RAD teacher for over 20 years, Tracy is also an RAD AsTA Approved Tutor, and has coached for several professional theatre and dance productions including Miss Saigon and Ballet Jörgen’s The Nutcracker.
Tracy Mitchell - RAD-RTS, PBT, Pilates
Teacher
Began dancing at the age of three in the UK and holds a degree in the Art and Teaching of Ballet from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance in London, where she received her Licentiate of the R.A.D. Philippa has over 27 years of teaching and choreography experience in the UK and Canada. Passionate about continued professional development, Miss Philippa has undertaken training with the Royal Academy of Dance, The Royal Ballet School and Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and is also a certified Silver Swan and Progressing Ballet Technique instructor. She is dedicated to inspiring dancers through strong technical training, creativity and a lifelong love of dance. Miss Philippa is also the founder and artistic director of Russell Children's Ballet Company (RCBC), entering her 4th season with enthusiasm.
Philippa Twigg - RAD-RTS, PBT, LRAD, BA (Hons)
Artistic Director &
Founder Russell Children's Ballet Company
Coming soon...
Lina Di Iorio
Teacher
Student and Junior Teachers
Coming soon...
Miss Promise
Student Teacher
Miss Abi has been dancing with RCBS for over a decade. She is currently studying the RAD Intermediate and Grade 8 syllabus as well as Senior Tap and Intermediate Jazz. She has participated in both RCBC and the RCBS Performance Team since they were founded. Over the last 5 years, Miss Abi has been assisting in Jazz, Tap ,Hip-hop, and Ballet classes throughout the school year, and has taught weeklong camps during the summer. She is overjoyed to have this opportunity to step up into the role of a teacher in the 2026-2027 season!
Miss Abi
Student Teacher
Coming soon...
Miss Danika
Junior Teacher
Coming soon...
Miss Abby
Student Teacher
Miss Chloe is a "Founding RCBS Student", starting in her little pink leotard when the studio opened in 2015. She now has twelve years of ballet training plus several years of jazz, tap, and hip hop.
She loves helping younger dancers find their passion and has six years of assisting across many levels and styles.
Chloe has represented RCBS in professional productions across Ottawa and Gatineau, including Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker with Ballet Jörgen for 2 years, and The Nutcracker with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.
She has been receiving impressive marks in her dance training, earning three Distinctions so far. She is currently studying Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop, and performing in RCBS’s winter productions.
Miss Chloe
Student Teacher
Assistants
Miss Averie
Miss Isabelle
Miss Penelope
Miss Charity
Miss Zoe
Miss Leona
Miss Sophie
Miss Abi
Miss Katie
Miss Lauren
Miss Elizabeth
Miss Lysandra
Facility
With over 4000 sq ft of space, RCBS has 3 studios with Sprung floors, a lobby for parents to sit and catch up, space for the dancers to do homework and have a snack between classes as well as 3 spacious change rooms.