The Dance Classes The Structure Tuition Fees Registration Form
New Registrations being accepted NOW for 2017/8 Season
Space available in most classes.
email: stepsaheadbc.com for further information
Lorraine’s training began at the age of three in England and continued through her teen years in Zimbabwe. A strong R.A.D. training led her to Vocational Examinations and later the teaching certificate with the Academy. At dance college in South Africa, the I.S.T.D. Modern Tap and Jazz were studied and Lorraine achieved her Associate, Licentiate and eventually Fellowship status with this society. It was after eleven successful years of teaching in the Toronto area that Lorraine was invited to train in London, England and join the examining faculty of the Modern Theatre Branch of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (Modern / Jazz and Tap). She and her family have been living in the Cowichan Valley since 1998. Her passion and dedication to young dancers and the art of dance is evident in the success of Steps Ahead Dance.
With her mother and grandmother ‘in the business’, Bryony ‘grew up’ in a dance studio! Her R.A.D. and I.S.T.D. training allowed for a solid technical background in Ballet, Modern and her first love, Tap. Throughout high school she trained in all genres and also developed a passion for acting. Bryony graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, and soon landed a job dancing at Disneyland, Anaheim. Now back on Canadain soil, Bryony is training in real estate, has her Zumba license and Associate status with the Imperial Society of Teacher of Dance – Tap Faculty. We welcome her to the Steps Ahead teaching staff!
Beginning at age 3, Bonnie’s love of dance was evident in her jazz, ballet, tap and musical theatre classes. She achieved her Intermediate Vocational Certificate in RAD and her Advanced 1 level in ISTD Modern while a student at Carlson’s School of Dance in Duncan, B.C. Summer Schools, Festival competitions, Musical Society Shows and Dance Conventions rounded out her dance years. While attending University, Bonnie continued her dance education at the Karen Clarke Dance Studio in Victoria and has completed a BA Degree in Psychology. Bonnie completed her exam to become an Associate of the ISTD Modern Faculty in 2015. Bonnie began teaching in 2010 in Recreational Programs in the Cowichan Valley where she continues to teach jazz, ballet, contemporary and pre-school classes. She is eager to join the Steps Ahead Faculty to share all she has learned and continues to learn, with her students, whether they be the tiniest pre-schoolers or the older dancers.
Rebecca was born and raised in Parksville BC Canada. After graduation of high school she moved to England and studied at Laine Theatre Arts for a year. Returning to Canada, Rebecca graduated from the Contemporary Division 3 year program at the School Of Dance in Ottawa, Canada where she worked with Canadian dance luminaries. Rebecca then performed and created works in Ottawa for a period of time before traveling to Melbourne Australia. While there she performed in the Adelaide fringe festival, a complete work of improvisation. Driven by strong yoga practice, Rebecca went on to complete a 500hr Yoga Teacher Training at the Australian Yoga Academy. She then found Barre as her passion, bringing the ballet barre and yoga together. On her way back to Canada Rebecca stopped in RIshikesh India where she deepened her personal practice and awareness of Yoga and completed a 200YTT. Rebecca has returned to her roots to complete her Cecchetti teachers associate with Linda Klassen in Parksville. Rebecca is very excited to continue to share her love of Dance and Yoga with others and is delighted to work with the ballet dancers of Steps Ahead
Ella’s love of dance began at age six when she started ballet lessons at Carlsons School of Dance, with Mrs. Carlson as her mentor. She soon added modern, jazz, tap, musical theater and hip hop to her training, and at fourteen, Ella started commuting to Victoria where she attended Westshore Dance Studios. At seventeen Ella was invited to be a teacher’s assistant, and taught classes by herself a year later. Ella has completed her Advanced II Ballet (R.A.D.) as well as her Advanced Modern (A.I.D.T.). Over the years, she has entered countless solos and groups in the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, where her students have received numerous awards. Her well-appreciated work has also been invited to perform in many highlight concerts. Ella holds her Advanced III Associate in Modern dance with the Association of International Dance Teachers, her Associate teachers certificate in Ballet with the Royal Academy of Dance, as well as her teaching certificates from Acrobatic Arts and Pilate’s. Now in her thirteenth year of teaching, Ella is excited to bring her knowledge, skills, and love of the art, to the dancers of Steps Ahead, Mill Bay.
Chantelle began her dance career in Calgary, Alberta where she trained locally as a competitive dancer before being noticed and trained by prestigious schools such as the RWB, Alberta Ballet School and Banff Centre for Performing Arts. She later went on to uphold her own successful ballet program at a locally celebrated school where she began her training as a little girl, and there earned her status as an R.A.D certified instructor. Chantelle’s youthful teaching style and choreography have led her to the island where she has been teaching full time and recently been frequenting the ISTD in Chichester, England and has been awarded her Associate status in modern dance.
Samantha began her training at Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts at an early age studying ballet, jazz, modern, tap and musical theatre. She had the pleasure of performing in many productions and has had much success as a competitive performer winning many awards, and scholarships as well as competing at BC dance provincials. Sam furthered her training at The National Ballet School in the Pre-Professional Training Program and at numerous summer dance intensives including, The National Ballet School, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Arts Umbrella, Joffrey Ballet School and Ballet Austin. Samantha then enhanced her jazz and contemporary training by taking classes in New York for 3 summers at schools such as Steps on Broadway, Alvin Ailey and Broadway Dance Center.
In 2013 Samantha obtained her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies as well as her A.R.A.D. teaching status from The Royal Academy of Dance. She loves both teaching and using her creativity to produce choreography. She has also taught for The City of Nanaimo as dance Teacher for 7 years and this year she has been excited to start her first season with Brentwood College as the new dance teacher and choreographer. Samantha is also very focused on education and is happy to be completing her Bachelor of Tourism Management Degree at V.I.U. in April 2015.
