Category: Team

R.A.D. Teaching Certificate, F.I.S.T.D. and Examiner Theatre Branch Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance

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.

A.I.S.T.D

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!

Choreographer – A.R.A.D., R.T.S. A.I.S.T.D.

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.

Hayley’s formal dance training began at Steps Ahead in 2003 Spending the rest of her life in the studio as a student, taking her R.A.D ballet exams up to Grade 8, I.S.T.D Intermediate Tap, and Advanced 1 Modern. This lead her to pursue the Associates in Modern Theatre exam through Westcoast Academy of Performing Arts with Arabella Martin in Victoria BC where she passed with Honours. Returning to her home studio of Steps Ahead, she is currently aiming to take Advanced 2 Modern in Spring 2018. Hayley continues to grow and learn as a choreographer and mentor and hopes to teach for a few more years before taking her teaching career to the next level by obtaining the I.S.T.D Associate Diploma in Modern Dance.

BTM, A.R.A.D, RAD RTS

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.