Staff

Sonia Ellis, RAD Registered Teacher, Studio Owner :
Ballet, Competitive Jazz, Lyrical and Stretch
Sonia Ellis has been teaching at Seymour Dance since she was 16. She took ownership of the school in July 2007. Sonia is dedicated to her students' enjoyment, passion for dance, and their personal well being. She believes that everyone should have the opportunity to dance, offering a variety of dance styles, and bringing dance to the community. Sonia is a fully registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher and an award winning choreographer in many styles including ballet, jazz, and lyrical. Her students have had a 100% success rate in Royal Academy of Dance examinations.

Katie Gillett, Office Manager: Musical Theatre, Stage, Lyrical, Jazz

Katie began dancing at Seymour Dance approximately 20 years ago, and has been on staff since 2007. Katie has a background in Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Modern, Musical Theatre, and Vocal Training. She has also danced for 4 years for the BC Lions Dance Team. Katie is now Sonia’s sidekick during Nutcracker, and Seymour Dance’s Year End Dance Showcase, and works full time in the office, as well as teaching Musical Theatre, Stage, Jazz and Lyrical.

Belinda Sobie: Jazz Technique

Belinda is known throughout Vancouver for her wonderful and innovative choreography. She has choreographed for television, cabaret acts and touring shows from Seattle to Spain. Belinda is also much sought after as an instructor and choreographer. Her positive attitude makes her classes an ideal learning environment.

Laura Heaven: Modern

I love to dance! I have danced my whole life at Seymour Dance and now have the privilege of being an instructor and choreographer with some of the same wonderful teachers who fuelled my passion for dancing growing up. Nothing else in my life helped me learn more about myself than dancing has over the years. It allows you to fully express emotions and thoughts on levels that no other activity I have experienced can, and has been an amazing outlet for me, giving me clarity and focus to achieve any goal I may have. Music and movement have so many healing qualities and I know that my life has been enhanced so much through dancing and by all the people involved at Seymour Dance over the years. I competed with Seymour Dance as a student for 17 years, and have been teaching in various roles at Seymour dance for the past 6 years. I completed the RAD ballet syllabus, and have competitive experience in jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and modern styles of dancing. I have taken classes in Alberta, Toronto, LA and New York City and am always amazed at how many different styles of dance there are to experience, you can always find something new. Over the years I have performed with Seymour Dance abroad in Disney Land, and in Spain and further expanded my experience as a dancer through being a member of the BC Felions professional cheer team for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. I am very excited to see where else my dancing career will go, I know that dance will always be a fundamental requirement in my life!

Heather Rusch RAD Registered Teacher: Ballet

For more than 20 years, ballet has been Heather’s main focus in dance. To help her better understand dance and how it is applied to the body, Heather has sought to broaden her dance vocabulary with classes in folk ( Russian and Hungarian), ballroom, modern, jazz, yoga, tap, square and round dancing and Shaun Work 9 developed by Ted Shaun), a technique of modern and ballet developed in the 1930’s.

Heather has been successfully examined for levels of excellence in RAD ballet. Along with her local training with mentors such as Ellen Andrews, Josephine Slater, and Kelly Douglas and local performing experience, Heather has also danced oversees in Spain and Alaska, and has taken class in London at the Pineapple Studios. Heather looks forward to continuing to broaden her knowledge and understanding of dance to her students through both teaching and choreographing.

Rosemary Owens : Irish

Rosemary has danced, performed and competed in Irish dance for 11 years. She has participated in local feiseanna, regional Oireachtas and International competitions, in both solo and team events. One of the highlights was medaling for team dances at the North American Irish dance Championships two years in a row with the Penk-O’Donnell school of Irish dance. She has performed with the band Killarney, in numerous shows including A Celtic Christmas at Centennial Theater, as well as community work dancing at Senior’s homes and Royal Canadian Legions. Rosemary has also performed at the Blarney Stone on St. Patrick’s Day, the City TV Breakfast Show, and the PNE. She has really enjoyed dancing with the Penk-O’Donnell school of Irish dance with Deirdre and her husband Patrick O’Donnell as mentors. Currently she is a 4th year student at Simon Fraser University, doing a double major in French and Political Science. Having just spent 3rd year in Paris on an international exchange at the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques (Sciences Po Paris), she clicks her heels and realizes “there’s no place like home.” Rosemary is excited to share her passion for dance with her students at Seymour D.

Ken Yung: Hip Hop
Ken "Kennon" Yung is the director of Kill The Lights professional dance crew based in Vancouver, Canada. Having trained in Hip Hop extensively in LA, Vancouver and Hong Kong, he's an experienced dancer and choreographer. For the last two years, he has toured around Western Canada and the US with his crew to perform and teach in workshops. Ken's passion for dance is like no other and he loves to share it through his teaching. Please check out his work at : www.youtube.com/KennonLive

Randa Barett: Hip Hop

Randa Barett -Has trained in all styles of dance for 10 years with a main focus in Hip Hop. New to Vancouver in 2008 she has been a part of two dance companies, trains most of her time and is interested in learning the history of the hip hop culture. Currently she is a dancer, teacher and part of SOULdiers hip hop company.

Anton Africa Lim: Tap

Anton Africa Lim is a born and raised Vancouver kid now emerging as a dance professional. After receiving his BCom from McGill University in 2009, where he headed Mosaica Dance Company and Tonal Ecstasy A Cappella, and worked as a Teaching Assistant, he returned to Vancouver to teach, train, and perform. Anton's experiences training with the Source Dance Company, as well as with Carlo Atienza's The Faculty and JP Tarlit's Various Artists Crew, have molded him into the diverse and dedicated dancer he is now. Completing independent choreography projects has honed his skills as a choreographer and instructor, skills he is eager to share with his students at Seymour Dance next year!

Emily Tellier: Jazz

Emily Tellier has been dancing since she was 8 years old. She is a proud alumni student of Seymour Dance- Sonia Ellis has been her mentor since her very first ballet class at 10 years old. Emily trained at Harbour Dance Centre’e Intensive Training Program in 2010 and is currently a member of Vancouver’s Source Dance Company. In August, she will be in New York City studying at the famous Broadway Dance Centre for 3 months, but will be back to teach for another amazing year!

Stephanie Van Dyck: Acro

Stephanie began dancing at a very young age. She has trained in many fields of dance, including: Acrobatics, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Modern. She attended Arts Umbrella’s Professional Ballet program for 1 year, working with choreographers from all over the world. Her main focus is Acrobatics and Contortion, which she has been performing professionally for the last 3 years. She has performed at various corporate shows and events, including: Katy Perry Concert, Black Hills Winery Anniversary (Jason Priestly), Dooms night (PNE), Max Fish New Year’s Party (Whistler), Thomas Lynch Christmas Party (Calgary), Pepsi Anniversary. She also spent some time in Las Vegas last summer working with Cirque Du Soliel and was asked to perform on one of their Vegas based shows. She finds joy in passing on skills and teaching others what makes dance so special!

Vanessa Lanz: Ballet

Vanessa has been studying ballet (Royal Academy Of Dance) for over 17 years. She has obtained her Advanced level in the RAD syllabus and is currently studying to become a certified RAD teacher. She studied under Dolores Kirkwood, Bruce Monk(from the Royal Winnipeg), Sarah Brewer, Camilla Fishwick, Trisha Sinosich, Mr. Lee and many others at Kirkwood Academy in New Westminster. Vanessa was also apart of Royal Youth Ballet; with them she travelled and performed on the Norwegian, Princess and Carnival Cruise lines, Alasaka, Mexico, Harrison Hot Springs, Whistler, Disneyland and within her community. Along with these performances she has also taken part in The Nutcracker, Copellia, Cinderella and various National Dances. Vanessa has attended the Parksville Summer Intensive, Kirkwood (Nanaimo) Summer Intensive, Toronto Dance Theatre Summer Intensive, Ballet Jorgen Summer Intensive and Royal City Youth Ballet’s Summer School. She has also worked with choreographers such as : Joe Laughlin of Joe Ink, Desiree Dunbar, Judith Garay, Rob Kitsos, Karen Jamieson, Heather Grey and Heather Dotto. Vanessa currently is in her fourth year at Simon Fraser University, in the Contemporary Arts department, where she is studying to obtain her Bachelors of Fine Arts in dance major. At Simon Fraser University she is apart of the Off Centre Dance Company and studies under Judith Garay ( the owner of Dancer’s Dancing) Rob Kitsos, Cheryl Prophet, Marla Eist, Megan Walker Straight and many other.

Lauren O: Jazz, Tap, Office

Lauren has grown up at Seymour, dancing since the age of two. She has completed all Graded examinations of RAD, as well as her Intermediate, and Advanced 1 Vocational exams. She has placed first, second, and third, in various dance competitions across BC. She received the 4th highest overall scoring solo in last year's Peak Invitational competition. Lauren is trained in the styles of ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and hip hop. Teaching dance and choreography takes up a large part of Lauren's career goals in the performing arts industry.

Michael Yorke: Capoeira

Michael “Doido” Yorke was born in North Vancouver, B.C. Canada and began training Capoeira in 2000 with Mestre Barrão. He first saw Axé Capoeira on Much Music, a Canadian music television show, and was instantly drawn to Capoeira. He noticed the academy was in Vancouver but was unable to get the address before the show ended. Luckily, Axé Capoeira came to his highschool the following week and a friend he had told about Capoeira informed him that there was a group in the theatre. Doido quickly asked for information on class and began training the next week. Doido means crazy. He received this nickname for his fearlessness towards falling while training acrobatics. He learned very early in Capoeira that if you fall, you get up quickly. He continued training with Mestre Barrão until 2006 when Mestre returned to Brazil. He has since been training under Professor Barrãozinho. Curious as to the philosophy, rituals, and stories hidden within the songs of Capoeira, Doido studied Portuguese intensely for 5 years and became fluent. He considers this to be his biggest asset for growth in Capoeira and enjoys being able to speak and learn from Mestres, and Professors that visit Vancouver or he meets abroad. Doido has traveled throughout North America and Brazil attending several batizados, shows and performances

Calida Kuzek: Jazz
Calida was born and raised in Quesnel, a small town in the interior of British Columbia. Her passion and love of dance started when at the age of 4 she began taking ballet classes at the local dance studio. She grew up dancing at Gold Pan City Dance Studio where she trained in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop and Tap. Calida has travelled through out North America to train with the best including: Shannon Holtzapffel and Benjamin Allen in Los Angeles, David Earle in Guelph Ontario, Joanne Pesusich and Heather Laura Gray in Vancouver. After graduating from high school in 2009, Calida moved to Vancouver, following her dream of a career as a professional dancer. After a very successful season training, performing and touring with the Source Dance Company, under the direction of Joanne Pesusich, she travelled to L.A. to train at the Edge Performing Arts Centre, and Debbie Reynolds Studio. Calida has performed in the Source Dance Company's Shadows and Turn It Up, and with the Underground Circus at the International Bar Association Convention and the 12th Annual Starlight Gala. She also performed in the Vancouver original musical Sweet Mystery, True Heroines Flash Forward show and at various events through out the 2010 Winter Olympics. Recently, Calida was fortunate to be cast as a principle dancer for the new Nickelodeon movie RAGZ, choreographed by Rosero McCoy and Kelly Konno. A new interest Calida is pursueing is acting and she continues to grow as an actor while working with Nadine Wright of ACT2. Calida continues to train and perform in Vancouver. Whether dancing or acting her passion is being on the stage and she is excited for the opportunities that lay ahead.

Nicole Vanderwall: Tap, Musical Theatre
Nicole has been dancing since the age of three. She originally focused on ballet and later added jazz, lyrical, stage (musical theatre), tap, hip hop and modern. In 2007 Nicole achieved the mark of distinction on her intermediate RAD exam. She has attended both Dupree Dance Expo, in Seattle and Triple Threat Dance Convention, in Vancouver, on scholarship. Nicole has performed in the BC Country Music Awards in 2005, in the Vancouver Olympic Closing Ceremonies in 2010, and in Disneyland in both 2005 and 2011. Nicole loves performing and tries to inspire that same passion in her students. She believes that dance should be a fun, positive environment to learn not only dance but important life skills about hard-work, personality, sportsmanship and self-confidence.

Jory Pierce: Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet

Jory Pierce started dancing at the age of 3, at a small studio in Calgary. He began training in ballet jazz modern and lyrical and then later in his teens he started training in Hip Hop and Contemporary. When he was 17, he moved to Vancouver and joined the intensive training program '09 at the Harbour Dance Center. He is currently completing his second year of training with The Source Dance Company and performs in shows all over western Canada.
In his 3 years of living in Vancouver Jory has done performances with: The True Heroines, The Source Dance Company, The Fair At The PNE and Taptastic Tappers. He has also done TV work on shows like SYTYCD Canada and Canadas Got Talent. Jory Has Recently been getting set work for movies and music video's and enjoy's being able to see how it's all created.

Although it's Jory’s dream to be a professional Dancer, he will always be a student and enjoy learning.

Nicholas Lydiate: Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical

Nicholas Lydiate began dancing at the age of 4 in Norwich, England training in ballet and tap. After moving to Canada in 1997, he added jazz, lyrical, hip hop and contemporary to his training regime at Juliette’s Dance Centre in Saskatoon. He has performed in four Dare to Dance productions, giving him the chance to work with some of Canada’s best dance artists; Danny Austin (Broadways Hairspray & Jersey Boys), Josh Beamish (Move: the company), Annie Wood (DanceFuzion) and Justine Chambers to name a few. He has also received Professional Training from both The National Ballet School of Canada and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. In 2007, Nicholas moved to Vancouver to pursue his career as a dancer and further develop his choreographic skills. He has since presented works at the Vancouver Art Gallery and across the lower mainland as both a dancer and a choreographer. Most recently he was fortunate enough to have performed in Shay Kueblers ‘Karoshi’ at the Dance in Vancouver Festival.