Lesley has a thorough knowledge of a variety of dance styles and their technical aspects including ballet, modern, jazz, character and national dance (ISTD), musical theatre and flamenco.  Lesley completed her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Teachers Certification with Distinction and her RAD Teaching Diploma with Anatomy and Child Psychology.  Lesley also holds Bachelor degrees in Liberal Arts and Education from the University of British Columbia.

Lesley has acted as a supervisor to new teachers enrolled in Royal Academy of Dance CBTS teachers program and has mentored many young aspiring dance teachers.  She continues her own professional development with international programs and workshops on dance technique, mime, musicality, anatomy and injury prevention.  Lesley returns in the summertime to The Ailey School in New York to continue studies in the Horton Pedagogy Program under the direction of Anna-Marie Forsyth, co-founder of the Ailey Fordam BFA.

Lesley has traveled extensively abroad which has influenced both her choreography and her strong sense of community.  Her participation in wilderness expeditions, such as trekking in Annapurna and Mt. Everest, have helped develop a strong sense of determination which she passes on to her students.  Lesley teaches her classes with kindness and professionalism, attentive to both the physical and emotional well being of her students, and motivating her students to strive for their best of their ability.

Janet taught ballet at the Benesh Institute and Ballet Rambert (London, England) and also owned and operated her dance studio for 17 years in Trinidad and Tobago.

Janet continues to assist her students to reach their ultimate goals through her coaching and encouraging. She has been involved with preparations for the Solo Seal examinations of the Royal Academy of Dance, The Genee International Competition (London, England), Prix de Lausanne (Switzerland), the award of scholarships, and placement in international dance schools and companies.

Angela’s many credits include Moka Only, Rascalz, MTV Canada, MTV US, Much Music, City TV, Fear Factor for Kids, Canadian Philipino Idol, Nessa V, Red 1, Digable Planets, For the Hell of It, Olympics 2010 alongside K-OS, Mariannas Trench Celebrity Status music video  and many more.

Her Dance crew was the West Coast Hip Hop Champion in 2007. The group traveled to Los Angeles to represent Canada in the World Hip Hop Championships. She is currently traveling back and forth from the states performing and training. Her crew Lyrical Thesis is currently one of the opening showcases for the Massive Monkey’s Vancouver Tour January 2010.

Elysia currently teaches jazz technique and contemporary jazz classes at Harbour Dance Centre and also teaches tap, house and hip hop.  Elysia has performed in numerous shows around the city.  Most recently Elysia performed in Alex Pesusich’s iYi Dance ‘Connections’ at the Waterfront Theater and Dance for the Cure in Seattle with Christina Woodard.

After graduating from Deas Island Dance, Jamie continued her dance studies at Calgary’s Decidedly Jazz Danceworks summer programs, The Edge in L.A., Harbour Dance Centre, and she has also attended many conventions including Groove Street Productions. Also, Jamie spent two years studying and performing with the Source Dance Company in Vancouver under the director Joanne Pesusich.

Jamie is excited to be entering her seventh year of teaching Jazz and Hip Hop with Deas Island Dance.

Katie Parks is an enthusiastic and fun loving teacher who has 35 years of experience in the field of dance.   Katie danced semi-professionally with the Toronto Regional Ballet Company performing throughout Northeastern USA and Canada.  While enjoying performing with the company, she also attended several summer schools at Jacobs Pillow, Massachusetts, the National Ballet of Canada and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.

Katie has attended dance teacher programs at both Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto and Grant McEwan College in Edmonton.    She has owned and operated dance studios in Jasper Alberta and South Delta, (Tsawwassen).

Katie is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and received distinction on her Teaching Certificate examination. She received her RAD Teaching Diploma in Anatomy, Dance History and Child Psychology and Development. Katie is a certified Education Assistant who works both at the pre-school level and in public schools. She holds a Certificate in Autism Training, POPARD.

Katie continues to explore the world of teaching by attending new and inspiring courses such as the National Ballets Teacher’s Summer Seminars and a Modern Intensive with renowned dancer/choreographer Peggy Baker, and also attends local classes within Vancouver.

Katie’s goal is to empower young students to believe in their abilities, not just in dance but in life too.  Katie brings a sense of humor to class which is enjoyed by all.

Heather has been teaching Ballet and various other dance forms, including Modern, Jazz, and Tap, since 2002, and has recently completed the RAD’s Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies program, which grants her fully registered teachers status.

Heather spent 3 years in London Ontario teaching, training, and performing while attending university. She had the privilege to train with Dale Yoshida, a former principal dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and is also currently enrolled in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC.

Paula collaborates with various mediums fusing her art form making her a  progressive artist and educator. This dancer, teacher and choreographer has studied with world-class New York based tap dancers such as Dr. James ‘Buster’ Brown, Brenda Bufalino and Heather Cornell. She has worked in New York with the prestigious Manhattan Tap and in Michigan with Sole Full of Rhythm.

Her teaching has reached dancers throughout Canada and the US. She is currently a Principal Artist with Learning Through The Arts, an education program associated with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Paula is on faculty at Sheridan College in the Musical Theatre Program, with SERC a research centre for creative aging, and, teaches workshops at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education associated with the University of Toronto.

As a successful choreographer for stage, television and film, Belinda has choreographed Westside Story (Jessie Award Nomination), The Pajama Game, Guys & Dolls and Maz & Me’s Dinner Theatre Restaurant. Other credits include Booker, Escandalo (Spain), Music Hallelujah (Seattle) and Rhythm of the Night.  She assisted with the choreography for Theresa Teng’s Orient Tour, Christmas in Never Neverland and Radio Active Dreams.

Her knowledge of Jazz technique has given her the opportunity to teach summer schools at virtually every major dance studio in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.  We are fortunate to now have Belinda with us on a weekly basis!

Jenny has choreographed for fitness pageants and fashion shows and was also proud to assist with the choreography for the World Track and Field Championships in Edmonton.

Originally a prairie girl from Alberta, Jenny moved to Vancouver in 2002 to pursue a career as a performer. She has been seen in various live shows such as Guys & Dolls, Godspell, West Side Story, Music Man, Crazy for You, Mack & Mabel, Lost Vegas Live!, Fosse, Fosse, Fosse and the opening program for the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards. Her recent Film & TV credits include “John Tucker Must Die”, “Dr Doolittle 3”, “Two for the Money”, commercials for Coke and Global, and appearances on Urban Rush and MTV Canada.

Most recently Jenny traveled the Mexican Riviera dancing for Carnival Cruise Lines and currently she works as a special needs aide in a private school and a dance instructor for children and adults.

Throughout her teaching career, Bronwen has taught at several tertiary institutions in New Zealand as well as for many private studios.  Bronwen is particularly passionate about teaching Musical Theatre and has performed in several shows including Sound of Music, Godspell, Highschool Musical (URP) and West Side Story (RCMT).  Bronwen loves the thrill of teaching large broadway numbers to her students and watching them catch the broadway bug!  She also enjoys teaching historic tidbits to give her students a rounded education.

Bronwen has become a regular face at Deas Island Dance teaching weekly classes, summer intensives and choreographing for Disney performances and festival routines.

Bronwen is also the Administrator for the studio.  She has worked in administration (alongside her teaching) for several years and enjoys the ‘behind the scenes work’ of helping keep the studio organized.  Bronwen is happy to answer any questions relating to Deas Island Dance.

Moe’s return to dance commenced with a season as one of the NBA Grizzlies Extreme Dance Team members. During this period, she performed at numerous live and televised events including the official opening for Planet Hollywood with Bruce Willis, Will Smith and Arnold Schwatzenegger. She has also choreographed for the CFL and The University of BC dance team.

Her most recent projects have been filming “John Tucker Must Die” with Grammy winner Ashanti and Jesse Metcalf from Desperate Housewives. Also filmed Dr.Dolittle 3, both now on DVD. She just finished shooting a movie with Hayden Panettiere called I Love You Beth Cooper.

Moe has successfully proven her innate capability to choreograph or dance, on repeat basis, in commercials for such reputable companies as McDonalds, Barbie/Matel, Kyocera, Coca-Cola and Disney. Throughout her career, her winning personality and choreographic talents have landed her many interviews on radio and TV as well as several performances for MTV, Smallville, Crash Test Mommies and X-Weighted.

Currently Moe can be found teaching at the professional dance studio, Harbour Dance, in downtown Vancouver. She is also on faculty with The Source, Danzemode, DanceFusion and Groovestreet Productions.  As if not busy enough, Moe is also an established full time choreographer for season release shows for Roxy, Quiksilver, and Westbeach.

Moe is also an adjudicator at dance competitions where she derives much satisfaction dispensing helpful advice which she hopes will inspire future dancers.

Ballet is her passion, and she has successfully prepared numerous students for the Solo Seal Award Examination, which is the highest level of the Royal Academy of Dance.

Mrs. Kelley has also coached many students for the prestigious Adeline Genee International Competition and among them there have been many finalists and medalists.  We are very fortunate to have Mrs. Kelley join us and welcome her as one of the coaches of the ballet intensive program.

Krista also obtained a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Food, Nutrition, and Health from The University of British Columbia, and, with a special interest in wellness and injury prevention, has conducted nutrition seminars for dancers.As well as performing many classical roles and completing advanced examinations while she was training, Krista holds her Teaching Certificate and Registered Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dance.  For ten years, she taught at The Richmond Academy of Dance, and other schools in the Greater Vancouver area.

Krista now coordinates and leads the Ballet Program at RNB Dance and Theatre Arts in North Vancouver, as well as continuing to guest teach and choreograph at a variety of schools in Western Canada. Her students have been consistently recognized for strong exam results, top awards in both local and provincial festivals, and have gone on to dance professionally.

Krista has a true passion for ballet, and loves sharing this passion with young dancers!