Our Story
The Story of Vive Movement
Vive Movement was born from a deep desire to bring joyful, accessible movement to the heart of Kimberley. While recovering from her fourth major surgery—feeling isolated post-COVID and longing for real connection—Diana found herself spending quiet hours on her yoga mat at home. In one of those still moments, a vision took root: a movement collective grounded in creativity, community, and healing. The seed for Vive Movement was planted.
A while later, Diana and Laurence crossed paths in a post-pandemic ballet class. They instantly connected over their shared passion for dance, creative expression, and community care. Not long after, they met Stéphanie in one of her incredible yoga classes, and a fast friendship blossomed. All three founding members are fluently bilingual and deeply committed to supporting the French language and culture in Kimberley. Together, they began nurturing what would become Vive Movement.
The name Vive Movement draws inspiration from the French verb vivre, “to live.” Pronounced "Veeeeve", it reflects our intention to help people fully inhabit their bodies through movement, presence, and joy.
In June 2023, Vive Movement officially launched at Tanglefoot Training Centre with a small offering of yoga, adult dance (ballet and contemporary), and creative dance classes for kids. The community’s response was immediate and enthusiastic. A vibrant group of movers began to gather, and by September 2025—due to growing class sizes and the need for a larger space—we moved to Centre 64.
As we continue to grow, we remain rooted in our founding vision: to make movement meaningful, joyful, and accessible.
Our Mission
Vive Movement is dedicated to providing a creative, safe, and authentic space to students by promoting a love of movement & healthy self-expression. We aim to build a sense of community and integrity by moving, dancing, and creating together in a meaningful way.
Founders
Diana Dearden
Diana has always loved ballet. Growing up in Cranbrook/Fort Steele, she began dancing in the 1990s and trained at the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver during her grade 10 year. After injuries led her to step away from dance, she shifted her focus to other interests, such as travel and French language studies. Diana holds a BA in History and a Master’s in Adult Education with a focus on literacy. She has been teaching at the College of the Rockies since 2012. Diana lives in Kimberley, BC, with her family and has been teaching adult ballet for over a decade. A founding member of Vive Movement, Diana believes ballet is a unique art form that can be enjoyed by everyone. She will be training with the Royal Academy of Dance in October 2025 to become licensed in offering the Silver Swan program, specially designed for people over the age of 55.
Stéphanie Ducharme-Rivest
Stéphanie first encountered yoga in 2011, during a pivotal time in her life while living in Labrador, NL. She quickly became immersed in the practice, exploring various yoga traditions and connecting with practitioners worldwide. In 2018, a transformative trip to sacred sites in India deepened her practice and inspired her to pursue teacher training. In 2019, Stéphanie completed her 200-Hour yoga certification while living in Fernie, BC. She also practices Usui Reiki, which she integrates into her teaching. Stéphanie lives in Kimberley, BC, with her family. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering and is currently completing her MBA. A founding member of Vive Movement, Stéphanie’s blend of scientific knowledge and passion for yoga inspires a balanced, creative practice that welcomes all.
Laurence Rondeau-L’Écuyer
Laurence is a Montreal native, dancer, choreographer, and educator with a commitment to arts education. She holds two bachelor’s degrees—one in Dance Interpretation and another in Dance Education (K-12)—and recently completed a master’s degree in education. Laurence has spent much of her career in the private education sector, creating and teaching dance programs for students aged 3-18. After completing her Dance Interpretation studies, she became active in Quebec’s professional dance scene, co-founding the dance collective “Danse To Go” in Montreal in 2013. Now based in Kimberley, BC, Laurence is passionate about promoting French culture and the arts within education. She is a founding member of Vive Movement and aims to make contemporary dance accessible to all.