Tri-City Dance Centre

Shannon spent her early years of training in the Vancouver area, studying Royal Academy of Dance Ballet (Primary through Advanced) Jazz, Musical Theatre and Voice. She went on to study with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, York University Dance Department in Toronto, and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

Shannon also has experience in the Vagonava and Cecchetti styles of Ballet, Martha Graham Modern, Benesh Notation, and Educational Psychology. Shannon holds the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate, in which she received a mark of Distinction, and the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Diploma specializing in Anatomy and Dance History. Shannon continues her studies alongside some of the best Ballet Teachers in the World each summer in New York City, including Finis Jhung, David Howard and Jo Rowan.Shannon is also a Ballet member of the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association.

She has been teaching locally for the past 26 years and currently mentors and supervises in the RAD's Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies. As a teacher, her students have been accepted to and studied at some of the best schools in the world, including:  Alberta Ballet * American Ballet Theatre (ABT) *Ballet Austin *Ballet B.C. * Ballet Magnificat *Boston Ballet * Broadway Theatre Project * The Banff Centre for the Arts * Les Grands Ballets Canadians * Hartford Ballet * Illinois Ballet * Joffrey Ballet * Louisville Ballet * Miami City Ballet * The National Ballet of Canada * North Carolina Dance Theatre * Oregon Ballet Theatre * Orlando Ballet Theatre * Pacific Northwest Ballet School * Princess Cruise Lines * Royal City Musical Theatre * Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines * The Royal Winnipeg Ballet * Tokyo Disney * Washington Ballet * Theatre Under the Stars * Toronto Dance Theatre * Okanagan Summer Dance Intensive

Ryan trained locally in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical Jazz, Musical Theatre and Ballet. She was a member of the Grizzlies Dance Team since it's inception, and was also a principal dancer with "Fusion Dance Company".

She has trained up to the R.A.D. intermediate level in ballet and achieved the Gold Star in C.D.T.A. Tap. Ryan has performed all over the world-from Las Vegas to Japan, including many public venues throughout B.C.

She trained under master teacher Belinda Sobie, as well as Jocelyn Peden, Shannon Stewardson and Margaret Derksen. Ryan is the Assistant Director of Tri-City Dance Centre and co-director of the Intermediate Professional Program.

She has been teaching at Tri-City Dance Centre for the past twenty years, and is a registered A.I.D.T. Tap teacher. 

Kayla has over 20 years of dance and acting experience. She started dancing at the age of 6 and has trained in Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Modern, Musical Theatre and Ballet. In her younger years, Kayla successfully competed in Festivals and Dance Competitions, attended Okanagan Summer School of the Arts, and performed in several plays and musicals including Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, and Bye Bye Birdie.

Following high school, Kayla attended both Victoria Motion Picture School and then the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  It was during her years in L.A. that Kayla was offered a dance teaching job at La Salle High School. It was there that she discovered her love for teaching and choreographing. After graduating from AADA with her Associate of Arts Degree, Kayla decided to continue her dance studies at various dance studios in the area and attended Glendale Community College where she was a member of their Dance Company.

Upon returning to the Vancouver area 6 years ago, Kayla has been teaching and choreographing at various studios, elementary and high schools. Many of her students and choreography have received numerous awards at local dance festivals and competitions. Most recently Kayla has choreographed a high school production of RENT, as well as being the director and choreographer for the children’s musical, The Mad Adventures of Mr Toad. Kayla’s immense passion and love of performing has her continuing her own training while sharing this love with her students and the community.

Sarah Brewer Clowes is a master teacher with a career spanning the continent as well as a time period of over 38 years. She is also a dancer, choreographer, adjudicator and personal movement expert. Sarah is a proud mother, a podcaster and workshop creator/leader on the importance of Injury Prevention through Health Maintenance and Anatomical Basics. 
Sarah’s performing career began at the Munich Ballet in Germany over 30 years ago and included dancing with the Northwest Florida Ballet, Banff Festival Ballet and the Vancouver Opera.

Her independent performing career encompasses most of her professional life and allowed her the privilege of working with such luminaries as Crystal Pite, David Earle, Wen Wei Wang, Cori Caulfield, Amber Funk Barton, Sylvain Senez and Gioconda Barbuto to name a few. She choreographs for both amateur and professional dancers and loves the explorative process of creating with artists. Sarah has also had the pleasure of adjudicating dance festivals all over Western Canada, including 3 Provincial festivals in B.C.

As a teacher, Sarah’s passion lies in creating space and potential for each and every dancer to discover their own path to movement clarity, both in physical health and in technical individuality. Her methods involve an emphasis on anatomical knowledge, personal expression and love of self-discovery. 

Sarah is highly respected for her extensive anatomical knowledge and creation of workshops that assist in maintaining dancer’s physical and mental health. She is also the creator of “Sarah’s Space”, a podcast that addresses a plethora of subjects from the arts world to social unrest and everything in between. Sarah’s deepest motivation is to help everyone that she works with find the best way they can dance forward in life. 
 

Originally from Edmonton, Liz was a competitive dancer at Shelley’s Dance Company.
 

Her professional career has allowed her to travel all over the world. She began with Princess Cruises as a featured dancer, she then travelled to Tokyo, Japan where she was part of the featured pas de deux couple in “Encore!” at Tokyo Disney Sea. She also went to Egypt and Israel under Big Fish Management for an inspiring show tour for the Canadian military.

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Liz was able to exercise all of her skills in dancing, acting and singing when the love of the stage drew her to the world of musical theatre. Throughout her career she got to play a wide variety of characters, in Theatre Calgary’s production of “Anne of Green Gables” she played Gertie Pye, a flashy chorus girl in The Arts Club production of “Spamalot” and a dream come true performing in the North American Premiere/Toronto Mirvish production of “Dirty Dancing”. She performed as Ensemble and 1st “Baby” understudy. After an 18 month run Liz went on to play the role of “Baby” 52 times!

Her television credits include assisting Canadian Choreographer Stacey Tookey on So You Think You Can Dance Canada. She was part of the creative team for ‘Reefer Madness” where she helped create dance sequences for the film.   Liz can be seen on various episodes of ABC’s Once Upon a Time”, the CW Network’s “Hellcats” as a featured dancer, and as Ashley Tisdale’s dance double. She was also Maggie Lawon’s dance double in the musical episode of “Psych”, a featured dancer in Syfy’s Network “Magicians”, Nickelodeon’s “Jinxed” and “The Layover”

Transitioning to the world of choreography Liz’s work can most recently be seen on Super Channel’s “When Calls the Heart”. Other credits include Assistant Choreographer on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”, choreographing and directing the Czech Republic fashion show for the 2010 winter Olympics, and choreographing the opening number for the Times of India Film Awards at BC Place. Liz loves to share her passion for what she does with pre-professional and professional dancers across Canada via master classes, adjudicating or setting choreography.

She is currently on faculty at Harbour Dance Centre (www.harbourdance.com)

Born in BC, Krista trained both locally and nationally, in the Professional Programs of The Richmond Academy of Dance, National Ballet School of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Banff Centre for the Arts, and Montreal’s L’Ecole Superieure de Danse du Quebec.  While living in Montreal, she worked with company members of Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, and studied daily with the esteemed Alexandra Wells, former principal dancer of Boston Ballet, and faculty member of The Juilliard School, New York.

Krista danced many classical and contemporary roles, completed all RAD Vocational Examinations, and won numerous awards and scholarships, including one to train at London Studio Centre, England.  After injuries put a stop to her performance career, Krista obtained a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Food, Nutrition, and Health, from The University of British Columbia.  With a special interest in wellness and injury prevention, she has conducted nutrition seminars for dancers.  

For over 20 years, Krista has taught at multiple schools in BC and Alberta.  She also works with pre-professional and professional dancers, teaching company class for both Ballet BC and Lamondance, where she continues as a Guest Collaborator.  Krista holds her Teaching Certificate and Registered Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dance, and is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, a revolutionary conditioning program taught globally.

From 2009 through 2021, Krista was Head of Ballet at RNB Dance & Theatre Arts, North Vancouver.  During her time leading the program, she encouraged each student to rise to their personal potential.  She mentored them through examinations and performances, always challenging the dancers to be fully present - finding joy and pride, not only in the public successes and recognition, but in the daily process of class. 

In 2021, Krista joined the faculty of Tri-City Dance Centre.  As well as training students in the younger grades of study, she now serves as an Assistant Director to the specialized Conservatory Program.   Krista teaches class with passion and an eye for detail, holding high technical standards, while encouraging individual discovery and expression.

Krista continues to guest teach and choreograph at different schools throughout Western Canada, offering private and group coaching to dancers of all ages in open work (Vaganova and RAD influenced), RAD Exam Syllabus, classical repertoire, strength/stretch/PBT, and solo and group choreography.  Her students are consistently recognized for strong exam results, awards and festival placings.  They continue to be chosen as representatives to the BC Provincial Festival, are accepted to prestigious international training institutions, and have gone on to dance professionally.  Krista has a genuine passion for ballet, and loves sharing this with the next generation of dancers!

Kylah Powell is a Vancouver born resident who attended on scholarship and graduated with a BFA in dance (with a focus on Modern) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She studied dance under Leni Wylliams, Mary Pat Henry and Paula Webber, and also spent a summer in New York as a student at the Alvin Ailey Dance Centre. 

Kylah has been teaching for over 20 years, with her choreography winning numerous awards throughout the Lower Mainland, including “Choreography of entire Dance Power Festival” for 5 years. She has performed in various festivals over the years, and her choreography has been showcased in the B.C. Festival of Arts, among many other events. In 2009, she choreographed and performed in a short film titled ‘Swell Season’, which screened at the Chicago International Film & Music Festival. During that time she was also part of Project CPR, a project focusing on the choreographic process, directed by Claire French. Choreographers included Sara Coffin, Heather Laura Gray and Caroline Liffman. Kylah’s most memorable moment came in 2010, when she danced in the Vancouver Olympic Opening Ceremonies! Since then, she has been focussing on her company (see below), and in 2015 performed a piece in a segment entitled ‘This Is A Full Length’, as part of the Dance In Vancouver Festival. In May of 2018, Kylah’s work was selected to be showcased in a special Gala celebrating BC’s 160th, held at the Vancouver Playhouse.

Kylah was a national level competitive gymnast for many years, competing both locally and out of province and country. This experience proved to be invaluable, as the teaching and choreographing of circus arts at Cirkids became another creative aspect to her life.

In 2005, Kylah formed CollabArt Creations, a contemporary dance company whose goal is to showcase the artistic collaboration of dancers, performers, and artists of various mediums in the public domain. She has produced and choreographed several full-length shows throughout the Lower Mainland, all of which were well received by enthusiastic audiences! CollabArt Creations has collaborated with artists including choreographers, dancers, photographers, painters, film directors/producers.

Most recently, Kylah has focused on the realm of film, due to Co-Vid. She has produced/ choreographed several short dance films and has just received a grant from The Dance Centre towards her next film project ‘Just a Swipe’.  Stay tuned…

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Erin started dance at age 5 and found her true passion in contortion and acrobatics at the age of 8. She has studied under the direction of Anne Lawton from Westcoast Contortion and Acrobatics and have trained with Otgo Waller, a world-renowned contortionist from Cirque du Soleil. Erin has also trained on aerial silks with Kristi Toguchi, a Las Vegas performer, as well as former Cirque Du Soleil performers; Ninon Parent and Peter Boulanger.

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When not busy self-training and or teaching, she spends the rest of her time performing!
Erin has completed all  South African Acrobatics exams with honours with distinction, CTDA exams with honours, and  Acrobatic Arts teacher certification.

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Erin is very versatile in all styles of dance, as she has been trained in jazz, contemporary, theatre, tap, ballet, lyrical, and hip-hop. She isam also a certified yoga and zumba instructor as well as a silks, trapeze, hoop, chains, and contortion coach! 

Based in Vancouver, BC; Nicol has over 20 years of dance education and theatre performance training and over 15 years of teaching experience both in Canada and Japan.

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Nicol is excited to be heading into her fifth year with TCDC to share her love and passion for theatre and dance with her students.

Nicol has had the opportunity to perform in many productions in Canada, the United States and the Bahamas. An avid performer, she has appeared in Cat in the Hat (Carousel Theatre for Young People),  Hairspray, Annie Get Your Gun, Annie (TUTS), Joseph, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Peter Pan (RCMT) Joseph, Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar (URP), Night of the Living Dead (DRSP), Disney Dreams, Mickey’s Pirates and The Golden Mickeys (Disney Cruise Line), and the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. On screen, Nicol has worked with Disney Entertainment, CBS, NBC, 20th Century Fox and Alliance Atlantis. Nicol is also a choreographer and has won multiple awards for her work seen around Vancouver. Choreography credits include: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and  Mary Poppins  (Theatre Under The Stars),  Enron (United Players) Legally Blonde, Annie and Shrek (Align Entertainment), 13: The Musical (Bring on Tomorrow Co.) and Sweeney Todd (The Snapshots Collective) of which the show was nominated for 8 Jessie Richardson Awards including Critics Choice for Innovation in Theatre,  9 to 5 (Capilano University), Mamma Mia (Chemainus Theatre Festival) Rock of Ages (Renegade Arts Co.), Company (Raincity Theatre), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Gateway Theatre) . Nicol has won two Ovation awards for Outstanding Choreography for work in Mary Poppins and Cinderella at Theatre Under the Stars. Nicol is also the co-artist director at Raincity Theatre here in Vancouver. 

Born in Vancouver, Peyton began dancing at the age of 4 when she started training locally at Tri-City Dance Centre, where she remained until her graduation. Her dedication led her to excel in various dance styles, including RAD Ballet up to Advanced 1, AIDT Tap to Gold Higher, as well as Jazz, Musical Theatre, Acro, Contemporary, and Lyrical dance forms. Throughout her dance career, she garnered a multitude of scholarships and awards from both local and international dance competitions and conventions.

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Under the direction of esteemed instructors such as Shannon Stewardson, Sarah Brewer Clowes, Suzanne Oulette, Liz Tookey, Nicol Spinola, and Ryan Berketa, Peyton honed her skills. Additionally, she had the privilege of collaborating with choreographers such as Stacey Tookey, Kate Harpootlian, Alex Blitstein, and Chantel Aguirre.

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Peyton currently attends Simon Fraser University where she studies in Education, Child Psychology, and Dance, as she continues to nurture her passion and expertise.

Ramona has been teaching Ballet in the lower mainland for 15+ years. She has worked with dancers of all ages and levels ranging from beginner to adult in the general and professional divisions. Ramona is a registered Ballet teacher and an Associate with the Royal Academy of Dance and has successfully coached and prepared students for their RAD examinations. Ramona started dancing in Richmond where she trained and danced competitively in a wide range of dance forms. She then went on to train professionally as a youth with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet school where she graduated with Distinction. Her teachers include Galina Yordanova, Jacqueline Weber, Arlene Minkhorst, Evelyn Hart, Jorden Morris, David Moroni and Carol Roderick. Ramona worked with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet company in such works as the Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet and other various contemporary pieces and choreographers such as Balanchine. Ramona has also trained in the methods of Russian Vaganova and ISTD. She is very excited to be sharing her love and passion for dance with Tricity Dance.

Currently based in Vancouver, Jennie is a Jessie Award winning performer and voice teacher, having appeared in theatres across the world. 

Jennie has a Masters Degree in Performance from The Royal Academy of Music in London, as well as her Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music and Diploma in Musical Theatre from Capilano University.

Some of her favourite performance credits include; Molly Jensen in Ghost the Musical(Chemainus Theatre), The Fox in The Little Prince(Abu Dhabi Arts Festival/Theatre Calgary), Amy in Company(Raincity) Natalie in Next to Normal, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Eponine in Les Miserables(Arts Club), Songs for a New World and The World Goes ‘Round (Another Musical). 

Jennie is thrilled to be back teaching Voice at Tricity Dance after joining the team in January.

Joshua Fernandez, began dancing at age 16. Joshua has trained in many styles including: Ballet, Contemporary, Hiphop foundations, Popping, Waacking, Afro Fusion/Choreography, Dance Hall, Choreography and Freestyle. Joshua trained under Pacific Dance Arts, A3 District, Harbour Dance Centre, TwoFourSeven Dance Company and The Room and Board based in Los Angeles. He’s currently a part of the crew Infamous,which mainly focuses on individual training, choreography and competing.

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As a dancer, Joshua was able to do an apprenticeship with Coastal City Ballet, performing Irene Schneider’s Midsummer Night Dreams, Coppelia and toured Hansel and Gretel with the company nationally. After his years with ballet, he transitioned over to doing more street fundamental styles. He went on to train and compete with his crew of 7 years nationally and internationally, winning awards at events including; Monsters A- List Event Washington, Hit the Floor Toronto & Gatineau, World of Dance Orlando & Los Angeles Finals and Artist Emerge. They also took the 1st place win at Represent Dance Competition in Edmonton for two consecutive years, one of which featured a section of his own award winning choreography. 

Joshua has attended several dance and teaching conventions which has allowed for him to explore different styles of dance and teaching methods.

As a teacher, Joshua believes in providing a safe space for his students to feel confident, motivated and inspired. He loves to see his students reach breakthroughs and push themselves past their limits. Joshua wants to see his students succeed and be proud of their achievements along with the hard work and dedication they’ve put in their craft

Nicholas Gede-Lange is a performing artist, choreographer, director, and instructor based in beautiful Vancouver, BC. Originally from Ontario, Nicholas is a graduate of Canada's National Ballet School. By 13, he had already performed professionally in the Toronto dance scene.  Throughout his performance career, Nicholas has graced the screen, and stage in more than 10 world premiere productions working closely with a wide variety of artists to create new works and unique characters.  With over 25 years in the industry, some credits include: Mirvish Productions - The Lord of the Rings; Ballet British Columbia - As Above So Below, The Faerie Queen, Orpheus, There Below, Sheherazade; The Canadian Opera Company - The Golden Ass; Folies Bergère - Schéhérazade Les Mille et Une Nuits; Disney - Encore!  Some choreographers he has worked closely with include: Rudi Van Dantzig, John Alleyne, James Kudleka, Peter Darling, Debra Brown, Paul Becker, Lisa Stevens, Brian MacDonald, and Robert Desrosiers.  Nicholas has been teaching now for over a decade, and has won several awards for his choreography at various dance competition across the province and is praised by his students and their parents for his kind and generous nature.  He loves to teach various forms of dance including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro, and partnering.  Most recently, he choreographed the musical “We are Monsters” for CTORA (formerly Children's Theatre of Richmond) and is currently both directing and choreographing “The Little Mermaid Jr” for the same company.

Abby began her dance journey at the age of 6. She grew up dancing competitively at Dance Xpressions in Cloverdale where she trained in Jazz, Hiphop, Lyrical, Tap, Musical Theatre, Acro, Contemporary and completed her RAD ballet up to Advanced 1. Over the years, she received many awards and scholarships recognizing her passion and dedication to dance.

Abby took on leadership roles in her high school dance company where she received outstanding choreography and dancer awards. Abby has had the opportunity to train in Los Angeles at studios such as Millenium Dance Complex and The Edge. She has danced with Harbour Dance Centres Intensive Training Program (ITP) directed by Moe Brody. Here she trained for 10 months under a variety of professionals in the dance industry. She is currently part of Platform on Camera’s “The Collective” with Christian Lagasse and Breanna English looking to work in the T.V. and film industry here in the Vancouver area.

Additionally Abby has been a part of several Dance video projects and live performances. She will continue to dance professionally while inspiring and instructing other dancers. She is looking forward to the upcoming season here at Tri-City!

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Julia Bose - Performance Program Hip Hop

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