Dylan Steyns
Dylan became involved in dance at age eight when he began studying modern, jazz and tap. He was awarded prestigious dance certificates in all three dance styles before shifting his concentration to Hip Hop, Street Jazz and Salsa. He trained with world-class instructors such as performers from the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Judd and Foxy Brown. His passion and zeal for dance eventually led him to teaching. He has taught at a number of studios in BC as well as at Perth University and the Sydney Dance Academy in Australia. He has performed in Canada and abroad for both live audiences and televised programs. In 2005, he earned his Certificate for Personal Training and currently focuses much of his spare time on furthering his skill level and technique by attending workshops at a variety of dance institutions. Dylan’s travels and experiences have brought to his teaching an appreciation for and ease with all cultures and age groups which enhance his talent as a dancer and choreographer.
Alicia Steyns
Alicia began dancing at the age of three and soon discovered her love for the art form. While ballet was her passion, she also enjoyed studying jazz, lyrical and tap. In 2005, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a ballet teacher by earning her R.A.D teaching certificate. Since that time, she has gained many years of valuable experience teaching ballet throughout the lower mainland.
In more recent years, Alicia has completed the Royal Winnipeg Summer Intensive Teacher's Training course, the 'Idea's Exchange' Teachers Summer Workshop at the National Ballet of Canada and attends workshops put on by the R.A.D every year. She has choreographed a Fisher-Price commercial and in the summer of 2011, travelled to the London RAD headquarters where she attended some of their workshops.
In each class, her extensive knowledge of the R.A.D. syllabi and foundations of classical ballet are shared while creating a positive and encouraging learning environment. Alicia loves sharing her passion with each student and enjoys being an integral part of the NSAD team.
Christine Phillips
Christine has many years of experience in office administration as well as a natural love for children and dance. While actively involved with her own children as they grew up in the dance world, Christine was also the owner and caregiver of her family daycare for 20 years. She is happy to be back working where children and music are prevalent. Holding her business administration certificate with a specialization in accounting, she has 25 years experience in the accounting field, assisting small businesses to maintain their bookkeeping and administrative duties.
Christine's current role at NSAD is the perfect complement to her background since it combines business and dance in a warm, family environment.
Astrid Eckerle
Raised in her home town of Canmore, AB, Astrid first started training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop at Terpsichore Dance Inc with Marisa Dario. Upon acceptance into the Edge School for Athletes dance program, Astrid quickly progressed and was eager to move to Vancouver, BC. After graduation, she seized the opportunity of joining Harbour Dance Centre's Intensive Training Program under the direction of Moe Brody and has since trained with the Source Dance Company, TwoFourSeven Company and KTL Hip Hop Company. Throughout her years in Vancouver, Astrid has done performances such as The Tunnel, The Main Event, Sephora Grand Opening, and the St Pauls Hospital Fundraiser Brilliant!. She has worked on several short dance films directed by Julie Tomaino including That Man, Underground Interlude, and Success? and has also had the privilege of competing at competitions such as Artists Emerge, HHI Championships, and Body Rock. Astrid has been teaching across Western Canada for the past 6 years. She has had the privilege of choreographing for the Source Dance Company and assistant choreographing for various short films. Astrid enjoys teaching all ages and styles and continues to share her knowledge and passion with her students! Astrid's creativity and style are unparalleled and are a welcomed asset to the NSAD community. She inspires her students and peers through her positive, upbeat attitude, borderless creativity, and wide range of experience in the dance industry.
Christina Darwin
Christina Darwin trained at the Coast Academy of Dance, on the Sunshine Peninsula, where she studied ISTD Modern, Tap, Ballet and Jazz as well as Contemporary and Hip Hop. She participated in the Pre-Professional and Competition Programs within the school. She graduated with her Associate in ISTD Tap and moved to Vancouver to join Harbour Dance Center’s Intensive Training Program. Christina’s subsequent exposure to many choreographers, training opportunities and performances helped her realize her passion for teaching.
Since that time, she has taught at various schools and summer camps throughout the Lower Mainland. She has also pursued her Associate Accreditation and Associate Diploma in I.S.T.D. Modern. She continuously educates herself and updates her qualifications in both dance and fitness. Christina enjoys teaching all ages and genres and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with the students at NSAD!
Belinda Sobie
Belinda Sobie is highly respected throughout the dance community as a skilled choreography, instructor, and adjudicator. She has taught master classes for the Royal Academy of Dance, Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association, Moosejaw Dance Society and the B.C. Jazz Dance Association. She has adjudicated and coached jazz for the Moosejaw Dance Festival, Alberta Dance Festival, and B.C. Jazz Dance Festival, as well as for Ted Lange of the “Love Boat”. She is a longtime teacher at Vancouver’s Harbour Dance Studios including instructing their popular summer intensive workshops.
As a successful choreographer for stage, television and film, Belinda has choreographed Westside Story (Jessie Award Nomination), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, 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 choreography for Theresa Teng’s Orient Tour, Christmas in Neverland and Radio Active Dreams.
Belinda is very pleased to join NSAD and share her impressive talent and experience with its students and faculty members.
Sorami Moriyama
Sorami has a strong background in classical ballet, pointe work, contemporary, neo classical and character dance. Born in Nagoya, Japan, she began her ballet training at age three at Yukiko Torii Ballet School. In 2008, she moved to Canada where she continued her training at the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver.
While a member of the Goh Ballet Youth Company, she toured throughout BC and China, performing at various community events, charity fundraisers and educational outreach programs.
Over the course of her training, Sorami has studied with world-renowned ballet masters and choreographers including Chan Hon Goh, Ben Huys, Frank Anderson, Sasha Sagan and Anna-Marie Holmes. She has performed many different classical ballets including Anna Marie Holmes' Nutcracker, George Balanchine's Walpurgisnacht, Frederick Ashton's La Fille Mal Gardee, and August Bournonville's Napoli.
Sorami is in the process of adding the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus to her qualifications. She is very excited to be a member of NSAD and to share her performance experiences and her love of dance with her young students.
Chris Bonus
Chris Bonus is a dancer, choreographer, instructor, and director from Vancouver, BC. He currently teaches at Harbour Dance Centre and A3 District and hosts weekly freestyle sessions for the community called The Corner. He is a member of TwoFourSeven Company and is part of their creative team, having choreographed for elite competitions such as Body Rock, VIBE, Hip Hop Internationals, and World Of Dance. Chris has taught all over BC, as well as Edmonton, Calgary, Oslo, and LA and continues to share his work with the rest of the world. Chris has developed a unique style of teaching and choreographing that inspires and encourages all dancers.
Karrie Hill
Karrie Hill received her training from Stonelands Vocational School of Dance and Gaynor Walter School of Dance in Sussex, England. During that period, Karrie was a also a member of the National Youth Ballet, performing at many theatres within London as well as training and performing alongside future Royal Ballet Company member Francesa Filpi. In 2004, Karrie gained her Bachelor of Education in Primary School teaching, specialising in Physical Education. Whilst completing this degree, Karrie achieved her I.S.T.D. associates in ballet, modern and tap and has since had six years experience of teaching at a variety of dance schools. In the last year Karrie has gained her I.S.T.D. Licentiate Tap and Ballet and is taking her Modern exam this summer.
Alicia Bruce
Bio Coming Soon...
Jarrett Carlington
Jarrett developed an interest in the performing arts at the young age of 8. Growing up in the island of Bermuda, his real passion began to flourish when he was introduced to Hip-hop dance at the age of 16. Upon moving back to Canada in 2011, Jarrett began his formal training at Coast Academy of Dance on the Sunshine Coast B.C.. Two years later Jarrett moved to the Greater Vancouver area and studied with Culturally Defined under Kyle Vicente and Chris Wong in foundations of Hip hop and other styles including house, locking, waacking, popping, breaking, and krump, among others. He has also trained with Kill The Lights dance company (Harbour Dance Centre); directed by Shauna Smith and Ken Yung and Illustrative Society directed by Joe Tuliao. He signed with Premier Talent Management in 2015 as part of their Dance and Acting roster. He has been fortunate enough to be exposed to opportunities such as, choreographing the opening piece for Wang Jackson: The Legend and Dream, at the River Rock Casino, opening act at the Edgewater Casino for award winning Magician Jason Yu, as a dancer for Brilliant! Hair Show for St. Paul's hospital at the Commodore on Granville Street, and appearing in a couple commercials and regular TV Series -to list a few of his credits.
Growing up in a community that lacked support for the performing arts, Jarrett aspires to one day return home and give those around him the knowledge and opportunities he had to travel so far to find. We love Jarrett's energy and are so happy to have him a part of the NSAD Faculty!
Nadia White
Nadia is a dancer, choreographer, and actor born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. After moving to Vancouver, BC, she quickly booked roles on shows including, CW's 'Riverdale', Syfy's 'Deadly Class', Amazon's 'Man in the High Castle', and CW's 'Charmed'. In her debut to the indy film circuit, Nadia received accolades from the Oniros Film Awards for her leading role and work as choreographer in the short film 'Eclosion'. Nadia continues to regularly perform in music videos and a favourite so far has been "S.Lot" by Melo LV which has reached over 1 million views on YouTube.
From a young age, Nadia has trained extensively in urban dance, contemporary, jazz, ballet, and ballroom and she completed the International Baccalaureate Dance Program for Composition at Victoria School of the Arts- where she found her voice as a choreographer. Most recently, Nadia's extraordinary technique and urban flare were leant to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines' 'Anthem of the Seas' where she toured internationally performing as a dancer/aerialist.
Nadia continues to train regularly in acting with top coaches at ACT2, Railtown Actors Studio and Austin Tuck Studios. Nadia can be seen as an actor in the film Daughter, and is excited for the future of her career in this art form.
Nadia is a force to be reckoned with. She is a chameleon artist, committed to embodying any style and character given to her. Her innate ability as a performer and creator paired with her unwavering drive makes her unstoppable. She is excited to continue bringing the visions of other creators, as well as her own to life, and is hungry to learn and further develop her skills. Nadia is excited to share, inspire and be inspired by what the future will bring with her students at NSAD!
Alyssa Rive
Alyssa began her dance training at The Coast Academy of Dance in 2004 beginning with her love for ballet. Throughout the years, she ventured into other dance styles such as Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap, Ballet, and Pointe; she also joined competition dance for five years. Alyssa has successfully completed her Vocational Modern Exams. In 2016, she joined the Coast Academy's three year Pre-Professional Program and has successfully completed her ISTD Modern Associate Exam, earning her ISTD Teaching Certificate.
Alyssa has experience teaching dance in a variety of styles and age groups as well as creating choreography for competitive level groups. With a love of choreographing and teaching, Alyssa is thrilled to share her knowledge and passion for dance with the students of North Shore Academy of Dancing!
Solomon Le
Solomon Le is a professional dancer and aspiring choreographer. He started dancing at the age of six and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, and Hip Hop. Within NSAD's Half Day Training Program, Sol's training hours peaked at an average of 30 hours a week. Since graduating, Sol has pursued his dance, training in the professional training program, The Source Dance Company, directed by Joanne Pesusich. Sol is currently teaching and assisting dance classes at NSAD. Not only is Sol passionate about dance, he also has a strong interested in art and design; last year he designed the new limited edition NSAD logo. Sol has a natural ability to engage with a positive and encuarging manner, we are thrilled to have him be apart of the NSAD faculty!
Breanna English
Breanna is a multi-talented performer & choreographer who is one of the few born and raised in Vancouver, B.C. She has trained intensively in Vancouver, Los Angeles and Tokyo in a variety of art forms such as Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical and Musical Theatre.
With her passion, creativity and unique style, Breanna's award winning choreography has led her to choreograph for some of our National Sports Leagues such as NLL Vancouver Ravens Fly Girls where she also played the role of Entertainment Coordinator for the team and CFL B.C Lions Dance Team. Breanna's talents carried her to teach in numerous dance studios and has appeared as a special guest to public and private schools across Vancouver’s lower mainland. She has spread her love for dance at the well-known Broadway Dance Centre in Tokyo, Japan and was hired by the Texas school board to create a dance company to showcase and celebrate the art form throughout the United States. Breanna's positivity and extensive career in dance has recently gained her a position to choreograph for Disney Seas and Shanghai Disneyland audition tours. Breanna is excited to join the NSAD Faculty and choreograph for our Performance Program and we look forward to her igniting passion and inspiration within our students.
Abby Hoffman
Abby began dancing at the age of 4 and quickly developed a passion for the art. Born and raised in Vernon, BC, Abby has trained in many genres including jazz, modern, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, contemporary and tap.
After training in the Okanagan for many years, she decided to move to North Vancouver in her senior years of highschool to further pursue her passion for dance. Since then, she has graduated from the NSAD Half Day Program as well as the newly founded KTL Apprenticeship Program. She is currently enrolled in the ITP program founded by Moe Brody based out of Vancouver’s Harbour Dance Centre.
Abby is truly thrilled to join the NSAD faculty and is excited to share her knowledge, passion and love for dance!
Thomas Teague
Thomas Teague has achieved principal status in each of the companies his career has taken him. Originally from San Diego, Thomas has performed leading roles in contemporary works by such internationally acclaimed choreographers as George Balanchine, Glen Tetley, Val Caniparoli, Bruce Marks, Loyce Houlton, and award winning Canadian choreographer Renald Rabu. He also performed principal roles in many of the traditional classics such as The Nutcracker, Giselle and Les Sylphides as well as the title roles in Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde and Eugene Loring’s Billy the Kid. Thomas’s career started at Minnesota Dance Theatre, moved on to Pacific Ballet Theatre (now Ballet BC), and then to Oregon Ballet Theatre. Thomas has choreographed for Ballet Oregon and Milwaukee Ballet II and has been a guest performer throughout the country. Mr. Teague also teaches Pilates, is a licensed Massage Therapist and studied Oriental Medicine for 2 years.
In 1994 after retiring from their professional careers, the Teagues co-founded and directed Ballet Arte, Academy of Classical Ballet and Ballet Arte Dance Theatre in the San Diego area. They owned the school for 10 years where they developed a comprehensive training syllabus and produced, choreographed and directed an annual Nutcracker, Spring Repertory Concert and many educational outreach programs. Drawing from his rich background in contemporary dance, Thomas also developed a unique contemporary ballet syllabus which has been widely acclaimed. This contemporary training is so needed and relevant in the professional dance world of today. In 2004 they accepted the positions as Directors and Principal Teachers for the Academy of Colorado Ballet where they successfully opened a second location for the company. In 2005 the Teagues moved back to San Diego and were happy to open their own school again, Del Mar Ballet. In 2014 they decided to move back to Canada to be closer to family and left their school in very capable hands. We are honoured to have Thomas Teague join the faculty of North Shore Acadmey of Dancing!
Zavien Garrett
Zavien Garrett is a professional dancer and aspiring choreographer. His passion and love for music is what makes him want to be not only a better dancer but a better person everyday. Zavien started his dance training at 10 years old and was strictly hip hop until he turned 13 and decided to join NSAD's Half Day Program. From there he trained at an average of 20 hours a week at NSAD in multiple genres such as Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Broadway, Modern and Hip Hop. Since graduating high school Zavien has balanced his life with a combination of dance training with I.S. (Illustrative Society), working in the film industry with DaCosta Talent agency and a part time job serving at a Restaurant. Since he has signed with DaCosta Talent he's had the amazing opportunity to work on sets such as Descendants 3 and other projects. Zavien is inspired to see where this creative path takes him and along the way looks forward to teaching and inspiring others around him!
Tara Talebi
As a carefree toddler who was always eager to have fun and perform Tara began taking ballet lessons at the age of 3. In grade 2, Tara began dancing at NSAD starting with ballet and modern and venturing into other styles such as jazz and broadway. She started dancing competitively in grade 8 and continued all throughout high school. NSAD is Tara's second home where she has made lifelong friendships and experienced some of the best memories of her life. It warms her heart to be able to witness that experience continue to happen with the students at the studio. Outside of the studio, Tara is a full-time student finishing up her degree and pursuing a modeling career. She has a great love for children and her education as well as her 3 years of teaching experience has given her greater knowledge and understanding of children's behaviour, learning, and development. Tara is very excited to join the NSAD faculty and to share her love of dance with her young students!
Liz Tookey
Liz started her professional career 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. Big Fish Management took her to Egypt and Israel for an inspiring show tour for the Canadian military.She 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 was "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", and she choreographed 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.
We look forward to having Lizz work with our dancers this season as a guest Choreographer!
Madeleine Martin
Madeleine started dance at the age of two in Surrey, BC. From Kindergarten to Grade 12, Madeleine received her classical and modern dance training at Mi-Cher Dance Academy, under the tutelage of Cheryl Gedert, Catherine Potoky and Karrie Hill. Madeleine also participated in the Royal City Youth Ballet's rendition of the Nutcracker every Christmas for 6 years, and has also had opportunity to participate in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alberta Ballet and RCYB's summer intensives. After graduating high school Madeleine moved to Toronto for 2 years to participate in the Dance Performance Programme with George Brown Dance and Canada's Ballet Jorgen. In 2018 Madeleine joined LamonDance Company and has been working with Kirsten Wicklund, Noam Gagnon, Alysa Pires, Lara Barclay and Davi Rodriguez. Madeleine is happy to be joining the NSAD family.
Alex Christian
Alex began dancing at North Shore Academy of Dancing at eight years of age. She was part of the many different competitive and performance companies for nine years until she graduated in June 2016. Alex recently completed a year of full-time training with the Conteur Academy in Toronto, a contemporary dance company, and while there she trained and competed with a Toronto hip-hop crew, K9collective. Dancing is her voice and her passion – and she is inspired most when she has the chance to share this passion with others.
Kelvin Tu
Kelvin is a dancer/choreographer/instructor based in Vancouver, B.C. He is part of the popular dance crew Brotherhood and a Co-director of The Brotherhood Varsity team. He was recently featured with Brotherhood on World of Dance, a dance show created by Jennifer Lopez on NBC. They also competed at the VIBE Competition in 2017 and 2019 where they took home 1st place in both years. He is currently a regular instructor at Studio North and Harbour Dance Centre. Kelvin has also been travelling around Canada to teach at various workshops and intensives.(Calgary/ Edmonton/ Winnipeg/ Toronto/ Ottawa). Kelvin is the co-founder of the Project Dance Company in Winnipeg, MB. They were the first team from Winnipeg to represent Canada at the HIP HOP International competition and became semi-finalists in 2015. We are thrilled to have Kelvin join our faculty!
Elysia Matheson
Elysia Matheson began dancing at the age of 6 in North Vancouver. Starting with ballet and jazz, she sprouted a huge love of dance that continues to grow to this day. Her dance vocabulary grew over the years and expanded to tap, lyrical and contemporary, hip-hop and house dance. At age of 16 she became a member of The Source Dance Company under the direction of Joanne Pesusich, which resulted in many performance opportunities as well as intense training in practically every style of dance.
Elysia has performed all over the Lower Mainland for many different events such as the Vancouver International Dance Festival, Ruckus Company Productions (Brock Jellison), Vancouver Fashion Week, touring shows with The Source Dance Co., and guest appearances with Bradley Rapier, and Christina Woodard. Elysia has also been fortunate enough to assist with Groove Street Production’s convention tours; allowing her to train with Eddie Garcia, Chris Dupre, Tara-Jean Popowich, and Luther Brown to name a few. In 2011, Elysia made it to the top 140 dancers in the country during So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Season 4.
As part of her continuing education in dance, Elysia traveled to Los Angeles and New York, to broaden her horizons in dance, performing and teaching techniques. Currently Elysia is on faculty with North Shore Academy of Dance, Deas Island Dance, and Harbour Dance Centre.
Erika Mayall
Erika is a physiotherapist with a special interest in dance medicine and science. She graduated with a Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of British Columbia in 2007 and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario (2005).
As a former elite dancer and dance teacher, Erika's passion lies in treating dancers and other performing artists. She has a keen interest in not only treating injuries, but also in injury prevention and maximizing performance potential in dancers. Erika uses her background in dance to inform her clinical practice. Erika has completed specialized training in the field of dance medicine in Australia, Canada and the United States, and has studied with leaders in the field such as Craig Phillips and Lisa Howell. Erika is an active member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) and a board member of Healthy Dancer Canada (HDC). She is a frequent invited guest speaker on the topic of dance medicine and science locally, nationally and internationally and teaches workshops on the same topics throughout BC.
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