At the Rotary Centre for the Arts, meaningful arts education begins with passionate instructors who create welcoming, engaging, and inspiring learning environments for our community. One of those incredible instructors is Charmaine Miron, whose background in performing arts, improvisation, and children’s entertainment brings energy, creativity, and connection to our Arts Discovery School Program and Arts Blast Camps.
“What I love about teaching at the RCA,” she says, “is how much they support the artist-instructors in teaching their craft.”
Specializing in the art of clowning and improvisation, Charmaine teaches a style of performance rooted in play, laughter, spontaneity, and creative expression. Through her workshops, participants are encouraged to explore imagination without fear of judgement, helping children build communication skills, adaptability, collaboration, and confidence through artistic exploration.
Where It All Began
Charmaine began her theatrical journey in London, Ontario in 1999, where she developed her craft through work with a variety of organizations and mentors in the world of improvisation and children’s entertainment. One of these organizations was Fools for Health, a charity that brought humour and light entertainment to hospitals, retirement homes, and nursing homes throughout the region. She remained involved with the organization for twelve years before eventually moving to Kelowna.
Charmaine, known by her stage name Trixie the Clown, co-founded the Okanagan-based company Silly of the Valley in 2013, where she began teaching workshops in clowning, character development, and improvisation. More recently, she has also been teaching introductory music classes throughout the community.
What makes Charmaine’s approach unique is her focus on heart-centred, character-based improvisation rather than traditional gags or comedic routines. “The one thing I bring that is completely unique,” Charmaine shares, “is me! We all have a ‘me’ to bring and mine happens to be a ham and wears a red nose.” Through this lens, she encourages participants to approach the world with curiosity, openness, and joy.
The Art of Clowning and Improv
For Charmaine, improvisation and make-believe are more than performance tools, they are opportunities for growth. “Make-believe is one of the earliest games humans play,” she explains. “It’s a safe way to try new things without attachment or judgement. As we get older, we forget how to let go and play.”
By creating spaces where participants feel comfortable experimenting, making mistakes, and expressing themselves freely, programs like these help nurture important life skills. Imaginative play supports problem-solving, communication, emotional development, and creative thinking, all while helping participants build meaningful connections with others.
Through a gradual building of self-confidence and trust, Charmaine hopes to help participants discover self-expression, resilience, and joy through performance. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple game to begin.
School Programs and Summer Camps
Community members can experience Charmaine’s teaching through several programs at the RCA. As part of the Arts Discovery School Program, students are introduced to the fundamentals of clowning, comedy, character development, and improvisation through engaging, hands-on sessions tailored to support classroom learning.
Charmaine will also be a featured instructor in several of our upcoming Arts Blast Camps, including Imagination Station, Creative Kindness, and Messy Masterpieces. Designed for children ages 5–12, Arts Blast Camps combine visual and performing arts activities in a fun, supportive environment where creativity and exploration are encouraged every day. At the end of each week, campers share what they have learned during a relaxed performance on the Mary Irwin Theatre stage for friends and family.
Learn more about these programs and the impact of arts education in our impact story, The Importance of Early Access to Arts Education.
Quality Arts Education and Community Impact
Instructors like Charmaine reflect the depth of talent, care, and creativity that shape arts education at the RCA. Alongside her extensive performance background, Charmaine regularly participates in professional development opportunities, including training sessions led by UBCO’s Centre for Teaching and Learning, helping ensure high-quality educational experiences for participants of all ages.
Programs like Arts Discovery and Arts Blast Camps do more than teach artistic skills. They create opportunities for young people to build relationships, explore self-expression, strengthen communication, and experience the value of creativity in their everyday lives. Through instructors like Charmaine, the RCA continues to foster welcoming spaces where imagination, learning, and community connection can thrive together.
