OUR TEACHERS
ROXY TORPEDO (she/her)
Roxy has been part of the Montreal Burlesque community for 12 years now in different ways. As a performer, a host, a producer and a teacher. She joins her knowledge of the performing arts and her communication skills to teach her vision of the art of burlesque. Having lived in larger and smaller bodies throughout her career she offers high energy classes that adapt to most bodies with a touch of humour and a lot sass.
Photo by Julie Soto
IG @roxytorpedo
THE LADY JOSEPHINE (she/they)
Josephine grew up a trained dancer and studied in mime and theatre before diving into burlesque. She toured North America to learn from her burlesque idols and taught her first workshops alongside her mentor, BonBon Bombay, in 2012. Josephine's passion is to dissect the art of the tease in a way that is systematic and easy to understand. She is a classically trained dancer who is actively engaged with creating space for all levels and body types. Their teaching style is rooted in the hyper-femininity of strip club dance and vintage burlesque.
Photo by Julie Soto
Website: https://theladyjosephine.com/
CRIMSON DUCHESS (she/her)
As a training actress, Crimson Duchess has been a performing artist since childhood. Through her theatrical productions, her musicals and the circus art, she also followed and taught numerous dance formations in different styles. The art of Burlesque, allowing her to combine her many passions, seemed perfect! She now produces many Burlesque shows in Montreal and immerses her audience in various universes she loves so much to create. Her limitless imagination makes her a creative performer with explosive expressions! Dive with her in her reveries, you can only have fun!
MALINKA MOLOTOV (she/her)
A 2022 Arabesque graduate and a rising star of the burlesque scene, Malinka Molotov captivates with her unforgettable stage presence and explosive performances. With a rich range from classical to neo-burlesque, from comedy to scorching sensuality, Malinka is a force to be reckoned with. She regularly performs at some of Montreal’s legendary burlesque venues, including the Wiggle room, Le Lion d’or, and Café Cleopatre. Malinka has headlined shows in Toronto at Buddies in bad times theatre and has danced at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. In 2024, she was invited to perform at Studio TD at Place des Arts as part of the Bagel Burlesque Expo. Known for her narrative-driven acts, her shows often explore themes of liberation and rebellion. Malinka approaches teaching burlesque as a form of somatic therapy. Through her provocative humor and dedication to the art of burlesque, Malinka will guide you through a transformation that is not only scenic but also deeply intimate.
My teaching style treats performance as somatic therapy, rooted in body acceptance, authenticity, and personal power, with a focus on storytelling and comedy, while striving to create a safer and more inclusive space for all gender expressions and bodies—knowing that safety and inclusion are always evolving practices.
IG @malinkamolotov
MADROSE (she/her)
Originating from Val D’Or, QC, Madrose has been a Montreal based performer for the last 11 years and had risen as an international Artist.
Gliding gracefully around the globe (Hollywood, Prague, New-Orleans, New York, Berlin, Vancouver etc..) And was invited to performed at the most pretigious event in the industry; The Burlesque Hall of Fame (2024), in Las Vegas in the "Movers, Shakers and Innovators" showcase!
Madrose is extremely passionate about the artform of Burlesque, and that passion transcend through her teaching! Kindhearted and inclusive, she loves to take students on this wonderful journey and watch them bloom, while adapting her class to make sure everyone feels confortable to shine in their own way!
IG @madroseburlesque
https://decadencedivine.wixsite.com/mariedoroftei
MINA MINOU (She/Her)
Mina Minou, a queer Iranian-American performer with 10 years of experience known for her creative character work, her sensual movements, and her deconstructive politics. With over 15 years of experience as a practicing witch and over 10 years of experience facilitating growing containers for vulnerable bodies and marginalized voices, Mina believes in working towards solidarity, joy, and expression in all avenues.
IG @ghost_magick
GINA GELATO (She/her)
Gina is a burlesque artist, producer, and teacher who lives and breathes the art of playful sensuality. Gina’s work and passions revolve around coaching, wellness, sex positivity, and human-centred design. She is also working on a research-creation Masters that explores online censorship of sex workers in digital spaces, working alongside the community to reimagine and propose safe and inclusive social media futures.
Gina recognizes that her participation in burlesque as both an artist and educator requires continuous reflection and a commitment to decolonization work given burlesque’s history and roots. As such, her classes encourage unlearning through exercises, history lessons, and resource-sharing.
In her classes, Gina is committed to creating a physically accessible and welcoming space for all bodies, genders, and abilities. She adapts movements and choreography as needed to ensure everyone can participate comfortably and confidently, expressing their own unique identity. Her classes prioritize feeling good over perfect technique, so that you leave class feeling hot and unstoppable.
With an adaptable, energetic, and joyful teaching style that’s full of heart, Gina’s classes invite you to connect with your confidence, creativity, and sensuality — on your own terms.
IG @gina_gelato
FREYA MOON (she/her)
Freya Moon is a burlesque performer and teacher who blends glamour, kindness, and rebellion. A proud member of the lesbian community, Freya creates learning spaces where gender expression, body diversity, and individual identities are celebrated in all their forms. With a bachelor's degree in dance and a yoga teaching certification, Freya is experienced in adapting her classes to suit all bodies, mobilities, and lived experiences. Their teaching style is deeply inclusive, flexible, and empowerment-focused — everyone is welcome to move, shine, and express themselves. Drawing from contemporary dance, jazz, and theatrical striptease, Freya Moon invites you to dance freely, boldly, and with love.
MISS KINKY KARMA (she/her)
Miss Kinky Karma, a burlesque artist since 2019, designs beginner-friendly teaser classes—ideal for anyone curious about burlesque but unsure where to begin—where story drives the choreography, gender-neutral cues keep instruction inclusive, and straightforward, adaptable moves allow everybody to celebrate its own expression of feminine strength.
IG @miss.kinkykarma
EVA VON LIPS (she/her)
Éva Von Lips discovered Burlesque in 2010, finding it a powerful means of expression that blends seduction, creativity, and empowerment. Since 2012, this Franco-Guinean artist has performed regularly on stages in Sherbrooke and Montreal. One of her favorite styles? The languid slow burn! She also produces numerous shows in the Eastern Townships, with a deep desire to contribute to the emergence and expansion of Burlesque in her adopted region.
In 2014, she began teaching the art of Burlesque, drawing on her Bachelor's degree in Education to offer a caring and compassionate pedagogy. Using a relaxed approach, she uses humor and authenticity to demystify dance and allow her students to "get out of their heads and into their bodies," thus giving themselves permission to celebrate their sensuality in a safe and inclusive setting.
IG @evavonlips
MINNIE BLOOM (She/her)
Minnie began her burlesque and dance journey at Arabesque in 2022. A beginner in dance, she loves exploring different types of flexibility and floorwork movements. A PhD candidate in art history, Minnie has extensive experience in art curation and university teaching. She is particularly interested in the artistic practices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and environmental issues..
IG @@jasmine.wip
DORIAN TENSION (they/them)
Dorian has been dancing since he was little, exploring several styles over the years. In 2023, he discovered burlesque at the Arabesque school—an instant love affair. The stage quickly became a means of expression and freedom for Dorian, where the body and gender identities are celebrated with sensuality and pride.
Freedom of expression, kindness, and above all, fun are values Dorian prioritizes during his artistic explorations. His primary goal is to ensure that the class space is conducive to learning adapted to the needs and interests of each student.
IG dorian.tension