Volunteer + Information HPE (aka VIQ) has revealed the competitors for its 17th annual Dancing with the Stars Quinte (DWTSQ), the organization’s largest fundraiser.
DWTSQ returns to the Empire Theatre in Belleville on Friday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Eight couples are paired with a professional dance instructor, and they will collaborate on dance style, music, and costums unique to them.
The night will include special performances from last year’s winning team, and a dance studio exhibition.
VIQ Executive Director Brenda Snider says, “As our largest fundraiser, DWTSQ enables Volunteer + Information HPE to sustain, enhance, and expand VIQ’s programming—providing essential resources for volunteer recruitment, training, and placement. These funds also support the development of new initiatives to address emerging community needs, ensuring vital services continue to thrive. In 2024, VIQ connected over 5,500 volunteers with 298 organizations, supporting more than 300 active volunteer positions and contributing millions of dollars in human capital savings.”
2025 DWTSQ Dance Teams:
1) Samantha Foley, The Beauty Collective, The Main Character, The Scene and Rah Rah
Jonathan Geller, Vald Performance, formerly The Montreal Canadiens and The Toronto Maple Leafs
Dance Instructor: France – For the Love of Dance
2) Vicki MacDonald, St. Leonard’s Hastings Prince Edward
Jared Augustin, St. Leonard’s Hastings Prince Edward
Dance Instructor: Christian Jaehn-Kreibaum
3) Christie Swann, Pathways to Independence
Hunter Conder, Pathways to Independence
Dance Instructor: Daryl Geesey
4) Rhonda Gagne, retired from Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board Roger Phillips, Mystical Distributing
Dance Instructor: Liz Brown – Dance with Miss Liz
5) Jodi Cooper, Loyalist College/Creative Way Art Therapy and Creative Facilitation
Victor Cooper, Eighty Twenty Studio
Dance Instructor: Alicia Sewell, – Astounding Heights Dance Academy
6) Krysten Bonisteel, Sugar Mama’s Bake Shoppe Inc.
Chris Auger, Trent Valley Distributors
Dance Instructor: Krystle Humphrey
7) Hailey MacDonald, Starboard Communications
Kevin Baker, Tucker’s Bar and Grill
Dance Instructor: Amanda O’Donnell – Astounding Heights Dance Academy
8) Lisa Francis, Re/Max Quinte Ltd., Brokerage
Chris Blackburn, Safety Guys Workplace Safety Training
Dance Instructor: Janaki Lewis
The event will be hosted by Quinte Broadcasting’s Tim Durkin and Paul Ferguson of Starboard Communications.
Tickets: On sale to general public Wednesday, February 26 at 11 a.m.
Ticket purchase link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2025-dancing-with-the-stars-quinte-tickets-1254899521249?aff=oddtdtcreator
VIP Admission: $35 + fees; General Admission of $25/adult + fees; Youth (12+) $10 + fees; Child (11 & under) $5 + fees.
Website:
For more information or sponsorship opportunities – please contact Mykayla Harrison; Project and Event Manager @ 613-969-8862 or mykaylah@viq.ca
