Penny Hudson is an associate of the R.A.D., I.S.T.D. and a member of the C.D.T.A. In recognition of her outstanding work Ms Penny has recently been awarded the title of Full Life Member at the Royal Academy of Dance. Penny spent her early years training and performing in Vancouver, Montreal and London, England. She then went on to take her advanced exams in England, obtaining her R.A.D., I.S.T.D. and I.D.T.A. for Ballet, Ballroom, National and Modern. She continued on with a four year teacher's training program and an associate teachers training program at the Stella Mann College in London, England. During this time, Penny was awarded scholarships by Koerner and BC Cultural Grants. Acting and singing have been a huge part of Penny’s life, and she includes these subjects in her dancer's training. Since early childhood, growing up performing on Sunshine Coast, Penny has had a desire to bring the performing arts to this community. She delights in seeing her students develop and mature in their dance and theatre careers. Her vision is to see Dance Works Academy continue to grow and provide the best in a performing arts education, both in the recreational and professional fields. Penny Teaches Ballet, Lyrical, Ballroom & Bollywood/World Dance at DWA.
School Manager
Angela Lowndes presently lives in Delta and travels to the coast every week to teach at DWA. She was born in Costa Rica and has studied dance all over the World. She is a choreographer, Dancer, Teacher, and Singer. Her technique ranges in many different styles such as Old Skool, New Skool, Locking, Popping, Street Jazz, Jazz and Ballet. She has also trained in South African dance and Break dance. Her many credits include Moka Only, Rascalz, MTV Canada, MTV US, Much Music, City TV, Fear Factor for Kids, Canadian Philipino Idol, Vanessa V, 2010 Winter Olympics, Marianas Trench and many more. Her Dance crew, Grandmaster C and the Funky 5+1 are the recent Hip Hop Champions in the West Coast of Canada. The group traveled to Los Angeles a few summers ago to represent Canada in the World Hip Hop Championships. Angela is also a highly sought after choreographer and has successful competitive groups in both Vancouver and at Dance Works. Angela was recently in L.A. this March of 2011 as the winner of an apprenticeship with Missy Elliots own choreographer. You can check out Angela's present Hip Hop crew who she dances with professionally on you tube. Dance Works is delighted to welcome Angela back for a 4th year at DWA. Angela Teaches: Hip Hop, Jazz & Broadway at DWA
Check out Angela (aka: Lady Able) dance with Lyrical Thesis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4s2lhEM_hM
and an article in Hype Magazine http://justalilhype.com/home/issue-11/justdance-lyrical-thesis/
Tara MacLeod was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia but made the move out West at an early age. As a young adult Tara took her first Highland dance class as a way of exploring her Scottish roots and was immediately hooked. She has been a competitive Highland dancer for over 12 years and has danced on stages throughout B.C, Washington and Scotland winning numerous medals and trophies. Locally Tara has delighted audiences at annual Robbie Burns Dinners and outdoor festivals up and down the Sunshine Coast. Tara is an Associate of the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance with Full Membership. Dance Works looks forward to its 6th year with Tara as a part of our teacher team, and appreciates her dedication to the Highland Program!!! Tara Teaches: Highland & World Dance@ DWA
April Newton-Mason a well known teacher on the coast for many years has danced professionally for several companies: The Anna Wyman Dance Theatre, The Alberta Ballet Company, Saskatchewan Theatre Ballet, The Judith Marcuse Company, The Goh Ballet and The City Contemporary Dance Company in Hong Kong. April has also taught at the Anna Wyman School of Dance Arts, The Goh Ballet and the Coast Academy of Dance. April has studied Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz & Hip Hop. A dedicated teacher with creativity and passion in her choreography Dance Works is excited to welcome April to our teaching team for a 4th year at DWA!! April Teaches: Ballet & Contemporary @ DWA
Owner/Director/Instructor
PILATES & Contemporary - Katherine Denham is a certified Pilate's instructor beginning her Graduate Pilate's Program from Boulder, CO. Katherine's ‘ah-ha” moment with Pilate's happened after experiencing two car accidents in 1992. Katherine was introduced to Pilate's through the Diane Miller Studio in Vancouver, BC. There she gained her rehabilitation and strength to further her dance training as a Professional Contemporary Modern Dancer in Toronto at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre. As a mother of three, Katherine moved home to the Coast in 1998. She is the founder and owner of Kalijo Studio in Davis Bay where she has her main Pilate's studio. Katherine is delighted to share her knowledge of Pilate's with the students of Dance Works with regular classes for beginners to advanced. Pre teen to Adults. Katherine is also a guest choreographer for the 2011-2012 Youth & Adult Performance Companies. Dance Works is delighted welcome back Katherine as a guest Instructor. www.kalijopilates.com
Teacher Helper - Kailyn Pritchard has been dancing for several years and has a true passion for the performing arts. Kailyn has been pursuing her love of dance at DWA for the past 2 years and is this year beginning as a teachers helper. Kailyns dedication and kind and helpful manner make her a prefect candidate for assisting little ones in their studies. Dance Works is happy to have Kailyn join our team this year as a teachers helper!! Kailyn assists in Highland classes.
Teacher Helper - McKenzie Flumerfelt has been a student at Dance Works for several years. Training in Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz & Ballet. As a member of the 2010-2011 Professional Development Program at DWA, McKenzie has become involved as a teachers helper. Her kind and gentle manner with the children and her dedication to the arts has made her a perfect candidate for a teachers helper. Dance Works is happy to have McKenzie join our team of teachers helpers!! McKenzie assists in the Pre Primary & Primary Ballet classes at DWA.
Dance Works 2010/2011 Faculty
Zoe Barbaro was Dance Works Academy's very first student. As Penny's daughter, Zoe started dance at a young age (Ballet, Jazz & Contemporary) and has essentially grown up in the industry. After having taken time off dance to start a family Zoe has now returned to her training in order to finish her examinations in syllabus Ballet & Modern. Zoe has always had a passion for Hip Hop and is enjoying training under Angela Lowndes. Due to the growth of the school over the past few years, Zoe started taking over many of the administrative duties in 2006. She is delighted to be a part of the DWA team and will continue her training and teaching as a student teacher at DWA this year. Zoe teaches: Pre Primary & Primary Hip Hop & Pre Primary Ballet at DWA.
Darianne Burnette spent her youth on the prairies where she has fond memories of step dancing. After moving west Darianne came to the Coast when her daughter was just a toddler. Darianne is a certified herbalist who’s awareness of a healthy lifestyle has complimented her love of the arts. After many years at Dance Works Darianne has studied various dance forms such as Ballet, Step Dancing, Contemporary, Tap & Hip Hop. She has always had a particular passion for Tap and decided that it was a path she would like to follow into a career. Darianne is presently training for her ISTD examinations and has been delighted to work with students at Dance Works for the the past two years. Her kind and patient manner combined with her love and enthusiasm for the art form has proven to be a winning combination in the classroom. Dance Works is delighted to welcome back Darianne this year as a student teacher at DWA. Darianne teaches Pre Teen Novice Tap at DWA.
Acting - Marcie Tentchoff has been involved in acting from a very young age. She attended SFU, where she studied English Literature (focusing on Shakespearean and Restoration drama) and Fine and Performing Arts. After receiving her BA at SFU, Marcie went on to pursue a BEd in Intermediate Elementary Education at UBC, then an MA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania. Marcie has participated in various plays in Vancouver and on the Sunshine Coast, both as a performer and backstage. She has enjoyed introducing children to script-reading and theatre skills in the elementary school setting, as well as in less structured classes. Marcie writes fiction, poetry, and articles on a freelance basis for numerous published markets, and edits for two magazines, one aimed at readers aged nine through fourteen. Dance Works has had the pleasure of knowing Marcie for several years as a devote Dance Works mother and we are delighted to have her join our team of wonderful teachers this year to share her talents and passion for the performing arts!!! Marcie Teaches: Pre Teen Acting at DWA.
COMMERCIAL ACTING - Tamar Koslov recently moved to the Coast with her husband. Her acting career started at age 10. A hyperactive wild child, she found an outlet for her energy and passion in acting. Her first role was in the movie Map Of A Human Heart starring Jason Scott-Lee and directed by Vincent Ward (What Dreams May Come). Shortly afterwards she played two characters in the YTV show Are You Afraid Of The Dark and hosted a series of environmental shorts for French television called Vert Clips. At age 11 she got into voice work and played the voice of cartoon characters in shows like Little Lulu and Bunch of Munsch. She was the voice of Robin in Robert Munsch’s Murmel Murmel Murmel and numerous characters in The Paper Bag Princess. She is known best for the role of Prunella, which she has played since age 14 on the Emmy award winning children’s show Arthur. She was “Dakota” in Nickelodeon’s Mystery Files of Shelby Woo and Mona in MTV’s Undressed. As a teenager her biggest role was Riley, one of the lead characters in the Discovery Kids and TVO series Sci-Squad. She has acted on screen with actors including Marlon Brando, Anna Paquin, Charlie Sheen, Mira Sorvino, Liev Schriber, Vigo Mortensen and Zach Braff in movies like A Walk on the Moon, Free Money and The Last Kiss. More recently she was the voice of the girl snowboarder in the video game Shawn White Snowboarding. While completing a journalism degree at Carleton University, she became interested in filmmaking. During the summers she would work as a director’s assistant on films for HBO or at casting agencies like Elite and Kenyon Casting in Montreal. After graduating she bought a camera and started making documentaries. She won an Astral Media Emerging Documentary Filmmaker’s Scholarship in 2008 and her work has been screened at Festivals in Canada and the US and aired on CBC, TVO and at the NFB online. In 2009 she moved to BC and has been writing, directing and producing documentary and fiction films. The insight from her background in acting helped her to understand the entertainment industry. Now living on the Sunshine Coast she wants to show creative children interested in acting just what to expect from the film and television industry.
Teachers Helper - Ginny Cardinall has been a student at DWA since childhood. With the bulk of her training in Musical Theatre, Ballet, Acting and Highland Ginny continues to demonstrate a passion for the performing arts. Ginny has been assisting Primary Highland classes for several years and her kind and gentle manner is an asset to the school. DWA is happy to have Ginny return again this year as a student and teachers helper!!! Ginny assists in the Primary Highland class at DWA.
Garrette Smith - Bio coming soon!!
Garrette teaches: RAD Ballet & CDTA Acrobatics DWA.
Shantaya Purjue grew up pursuing her love of the performing arts. Starting at a young age on Vancouver Island and then continuing her training at DWA through out her teen years Shantaya has trained in Ballet, Hip Hop, Latin, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Musical Theatre & Acting. Shantaya spent several years in DWA Professional Development Program and as teachers assistant before becoming a student teacher at DWA. Shortly after getting married and starting a family Shantaya took some time off but returned last year part time. We are delighted to welcome Shantaya back for her 5th year teaching at DWA. Shantaya teaches Jazz, Tap & Salsa at DWA.
Jessica Crombie presently lives in Vancouver and travels to the Coast every week to teach at DWA. She began dancing at the age of 3 studying many disciplines of dance including ballet, modern, jazz and tap. Through her training, she earned high marks in her I.S. T. D. Tap and Modern Exams, recently achieving her Advanced 2 level in Modern. She was also an active member in North Shore Academy’s Performing Company from 1993-2002, performing and competing in various locations around B.C. and the Lower Mainland. She also studied Musical Theatre with Uncle Randy Productions summer youth programs for 3 years and was then cast in their Fall 1999 Production, “Blame it on Broadway”. Over the years she has continued to branch out to various dance forms including Latin, contemporary, swing, lyrical and creative movement. She has been teaching at various rec centers in the Lower Mainland for the past five years, and joined the faculty at North Shore Academy of Dance in North Vancouver last year. Jessica is thrilled to be joining Danceworks and looks forward to sharing her passion for dance and love of performing with all her students. Dance Works is delighted to welcome Jessica back for a 2nd year at DWA. Jessica teaches Salsa and ISTD Tap, Jazz & Modern at DWA.
Pictures are in order of Teacher Biographies Below
Brian Yang presently lives in Vancouver and travels to the coast every week to teach at DWA. He has been competing in Canada for the past 6 years and for the past 3 years he has been competing internationally. With a strong training background in Hip Hop and break dance Brian is an effective, passionate and well rounded Break Dancer with a drive to influence and inspire others through the dance culture. By teaching, he communicates his experience to students to promote self confidence and personal growth. Brian emphasizes proper technique and fundamentals of the dance form while at the same time having the learning process take place in a fun, positive and energetic environment that students enjoy and look forward to participating in each week. Brian is excited to begin a new chapter at Dance Works and meet all of its students. Dance Works warmly welcome Brian to our talented teaching team for a 2nd year at DWA. Brian Teaches: Hip Hop & Break Dance @ DWA
Guest Teacher - Daina Sheppard grew up in Richmond, British Columbia and recently moved to the Coast with her husband. Daina first discovered her love of dance when she began Highland classes, dancing competitively for ten years. During that time, Daina enrolled in ballet to supplement her technique. However, after entering the professional training program with the Richmond Academy of Dance, Daina chose to primarily pursue her training in ballet, completing her Advanced II Royal Academy of Dance, competing for eleven years, and performing in the Lower Mainland & Washington. Daina also studied and competed in contemporary and musical theatre. After graduating from the professional training program at Richmond Academy, Daina decided to pursue her academic studies, completing both a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia. While in university, Daina taught ballet in the Lower Mainland, allowing her to combine two of her greatest passions, ballet and education. Daina Teaches: Ballet & Lyrical
Dance Instructors
Dance Works proudly employs:
12 Dance Instructors
3 Performings Arts Instructors
4 Guest Intructors
4 Students Helpers
See below for thier indivdual Bio's
Guest Instructors
Acting & Musical Theatre Instructors
VISUAL ART - Laurel Sukkau has over twenty years experience creating art with children in a variety of settings. This has given her an appreciation of their natural creative processes. As a long term resident of Gibson’s, Laurel has enjoyed the stimulating company of many artists and experimented with a wide range of mediums. She is a mother of three children, who have been influenced by Laurels love of the arts. Her eldest daughter Shiloh just graduated from Emily Carr in 2007, her Son Calen is a musician living in Vancouver and her youngest daughter Etta is a student of Dance Works. Laurel "Colour & Connection" classes during the past three Summer School have been a big hit. Laurel is teaching Primary Art at DWA.
BOLLYWOOD - Gina Fernandez lives in Richmond, British Columbia and travels to the coast to teach at DWA. She entered the world of dance as a cheerleader but for the past 10 years, she has been competing across North America in various Indian dance styles such as bhangra, bollywood, garba and raas, mixed with hip hop and jazz. She has experience teaching children and adults of all ages, at the competitive and recreational levels. She is currently the main choreographer and dancer for A-Slam Music Productions. She has appeared in many Indian dance videos and has performed live with various international Indian musicians. She has had the opportunity to perform at the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay, Granville Island Performance Works, Vancouver Celebrates Diwali, the Bollywood Crossover fashion show, Vancouver International Dance Festival, World Urban Festival and the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival. Dance Works is excited to welcome Gina to our teaching team as a guest teacher and choreographer. Gina teaches workshops in Bollywood for Jr, Pre Teen, Teen & Adult classes. She will also be a guest choreographer for DWA's Youth & Adult Performance Companies.
Teacher Helper - Elizabeth Waite has been a student at Dance Works for many years. Starting her dance career as primarily a highland dancer, Liz later branched out into many forms of dance and now studies Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Salsa & Hip Hop. As a member of the 2010-2011 Professional Development Program at DWA, Elizabeth has become involved as a teachers helper. Her kind and gentle manner with the children and her dedication to the arts has made her a perfect candidate for a teachers helper. Dance Works is happy to have Elizabeth join our team of teachers helpers!! Liz assists in the Pre Primary & Primary Ballet classes at DWA.
Teachers Helpers
Acting - Melina Cassidy - Melina holds a BA(hons) in Acting from Rose Bruford College, UK, and is the proud recipient of a gold medal with honors for Acting from LAMDA (London Acedemy of Music & Dramatic Arts). In 1998 while living in the Middle East, she was a founding member of the first youth theatre in Kuwait, which has today evolved into a world class arts training institute. She has taught acting to children as young as 6, and has also facilitated master classes for teenagers and adults, specialising in physical theatre, Shakespeare, scene study, and actor-musicianship. She personally coached over 100 students who achievied awards of distinction and above from LAMDA in their international examinations. Melina is known on the Sunshine Coast as both a director, performer, and teacher. Through her involvement in the Panto productions, Melina has become familiar to many of the young peformers on the Sunshine Coast. Her warmup routines are well known and enjoyed by all ages, and she has offered private coaching to young actors auditioning for film and theatre roles. Dance Works is excited to welcome Melina to our talented team of teachers!!!! Melina teaches: Jr & Pre Teen Acting at DWA.
For more information on LAMDA please visit: http://www.lamda.org.uk/
