RIO TASIA GUILLAUME
Founder, Director, & Teacher

Rio Tasia Guillaume grew up in the Park Ridge & Niles areas of Chicago, the very location Ballet with Ms. Rio was founded over a decade later. She received her early dance training on scholarship from Larry Long and faculty at the Ruth Page Foundation before receiving her secondary education from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA.

The majority of Rio’s professional life was spent in New York City, where she performed in venues such as the New York City Center and Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater. She also held Soloist and Company Manager positions for Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theatre and choreographed for Christian Cultural Center Dance Ministry, premiering work on ABC Television Network.

Rio spent almost a decade teaching at NYC's American Youth Dance Theater, where she coached students into earning acceptance from the School of American Ballet and LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, among others. At AYDT NYC, Rio also achieved ABT® Certified, Affiliate, and Fellow Teacher Statuses having successfully presented her classes for annual ABT® Affiliate Examinations.

Outside the dance world, Rio enjoys being "Mommy" and spending time with her large multicultural family. As an avid learner who loves to explore the human mind and spirit, Rio is in constant pursuit of progress and lives to share her delight in life with whomever she encounters!

Aimee Russon

TEACHER

Ms. Aimee Russon began her dance training in Cary, IL and continued her dance education at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, receiving a BFA in modern dance. While attending the University of Utah she had the opportunity to perform works by Sidra Bell, Pamela Geber Handman, and works set by the Martha Graham dance company. While in Chicago, Aimee has participated in numerous summer intensives and dance instructor trainings with CNADM and Bellamoxi. Aimee has also had the pleasure of performing with the Modern Marvels dance company. With an immense passion for teaching, Aimee continues to teach ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, tap and creative movement to students around the Chicagoland area.

WHY  BALLET WITH MS. Rio?

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Ms. Rio’s mission is to foster holistic development of dancers in the Chicagoland area by providing
​highly-qualified, progressive, and age-appropriate ballet training in an inclusive and motivational environment.

​Our in person students come from the North West Chicago suburbs of
​Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, Wilmette and Northbrook,
​as well as the Chicago city neighborhoods of Edgebrook, Sauganash, Edison Park, & Jefferson Park.
Virtual students are welcome from wherever there is internet!

NURTURING ENVIRONMENT

Our teaching approach fosters self-confidence, personal growth, and the joy of movement in all our students.

EXCELLENT TRAINING

ABT® Certified Teachers have completed intensive training in the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum.

FAMILY FOCUSED

We value our students and their families, our prices are affordable, and we make the community a better place.

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BALLET showcase

See what makes Ballet with Ms. Rio so special!

FALL 2024
​REGISTRATION OPEN now!

All Youth Classes In Person
Adults & Private Lessons Available In Person & Online

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TESTIMONIALS

"Ms. Rio is fantastic. She remains among the all time top teachers at American Youth Dance Theater, NYC. We were sad to lose her but KNOW she will be very successful in Chicago. Rio has excellent credentials, deep pedagogical insight, an amazing work ethic and cares deeply about her students. We hope to continue to work with her in some capacity in the future."

- Natalia alonzo-brillante
Director of NYC's american youth dance theater

Read what students and parents are saying

"Ms. Rio is an excellent teacher who can successfully incorporate humor into her lessons. As her student, I have had the opportunity to attain useful feedback on my dancing while simultaneously enjoying myself."

- GABI GALCHEN

"My daughter loves Ms. Rio. Ms. Rio has been there to support her through so much in a loving and caring way. She reached out to her when her Stepfather passed away in a way she will never forget. Thank you, Ms. Rio, for being so kind. And thank you for being an amazing role model. Dance is my daughter's passion and it has given her confidence and joy. That's because of great teachers like you."

- Vicki Hubbard

"Ms. Rio choreographed my solo for an audition for the top performing arts high school in New York City. She pushed me to do my best. She is a big part of how I got in! I will miss Ms. Rio very much."

- JEAN AIELLO

“Ms. Rio has been one of the most positive influences in my daughter's life, and I am very grateful for that. She excels as a dance teacher and shares her love of dance, as well as her professionalism, enthusiasm and respect for the art of dance to her students. Most importantly though, she helped shape my daughter's character and sportsmanship qualities, and for this I am especially grateful.” 

- ZOE CUDDY

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