SODANCE VERNON
*A Division of Rhythm & Grace Productions Inc. 
 

Miss Olivia has been in the dance world since she could walk as a student, performer, choreographer, instructor, adjudicator and master teacher. As a performer, Olivia has trained in advanced levels in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, contemporary, lyrical and acro dance.

 

As a choreographer and educator Olivia has set over 500 competition and recital pieces and is accredited through YPAD, DEEA, IDTS, CDTA and ADTA. Olivia has spent over a decade in post-secondary education, now as a recent PhD graduate in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, and in doing so has been focused on refining what it means to turn a good team great. Now she works daily to bring these lessons from the corporate world to the performing arts in many different capacities. 

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As a dancer, Olivia has received her Advanced 2 certificate in Ballet from the Royal Academy of Dance and has trained at top training facilities in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles & Paris including: Harbour Dance Centre, Broadway Dance Centre, Steps, The Edge, Millennium Dance Complex, Movement Lifestyle and More. She has had the opportunity to work with many of the choreographers from the hit television show “So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Best Dance Crew,” and “Dancing With the Stars” including: Mia Michaels, Stacey Tookey, Mandy Moore, tWitch, Alison Holker, and many more. 

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Olivia was chosen as a BC Provincial Delegate 3 times and has competed at the National level in New York and Las Vegas (placing in the top 5 dancers and overall top 1 percentile of the competition). She was also the recipient of the prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music Silver Medal Award for achieving the highest mark in the province for her grade 7 voice examination under the direction of Terry Logan. 

Professionally, Olivia has performed leading roles in numerous productions throughout the region and has appeared at Radio City Music Hall in a production choreographed by Dan Karaty & Mandy Moore. Olivia also sang with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa for part of the Canada Day Celebrations at both Parliament and the National Arts Centre. Olivia was selected to partner with SYTYCD Season 2 Winner Benji Schwimmer in a Cha Cha dancing demonstration. Olivia has also performed in shows choreographed by Black McGrath (SYTYCD, DanceLife), Kherington Payne (Fame), Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo (SYTYCD, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey), and Stephen tWitch Boss (SYTYCD, The Ellen Degeneres Show) to name a few. Olivia has also performed in a music video that was choreographed and directed by Kenny Wormald (Footloose) and at a global conference choreographed by Stacey Tookey (SYTYCD). 

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As a choreographer, Olivia has had the pleasure of working with the Queen Silver Star Excellence Program for a total of 6 years in creating opening numbers for their fashion show and proclamation ceremonies, as well as staging the fall fashion show. Olivia’s choreography has also been presented at a global conference in Stockholm, Sweden in the same room that the Nobel prizes are handed out each year, alongside a piece choreographed by Emmy Award Nominee Stacey Tookey. 

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As an instructor, Olivia’s students have won numerous awards at a variety of competitions, conventions and festivals around the world. In recent years, students from SODANCE Vernon have been gold, silver and bronze medal recipients at Dance World Cup, as well as many overall studio, choreography, group, and individual competitive awards per season at various regional competitions. Many of Olivia’s students have been chosen to receive scholarships to train and perform in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York, Paris & Barcelona. 

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Most recently, you may have seen Olivia’s direction and choreography in Big Apple Production’s run of This Is Me, or Kander & Ebb’s Cabaret.

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When Olivia isn’t at the studio you can find her working as an Organizational Psychologist, reading, learning something new, spending time with her dog Sally, or training at Iron Heart gym!

Miss Katie has been dancing since the age of 4 and loves Musical Theatre. This is Miss Katie’s 3rd season with SODANCE Vernon and second season as Assistant Director of the studio! Katie thinks that students should take classes at SODANCE Vernon because the faculty is very passionate about fostering a welcoming environment so that all dancers can achieve their own personal dance dreams. She hopes that her students will learn that dance is all about exploring something new and sometimes the best ideas come from making mistakes or figuring something out as a team. SODANCE offers the perfect place for dancers to grow and Miss Katie is so excited for another season of fun, laughter, and learning!

 

Katie is currently a Registered Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) Instructor and certified in the Acrobatic Arts Preschool Syllabus. She is also a fully certified ADAPT Tap and Jazz Teacher and has her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. Fun fact about Miss Katie - she is a prop master and has constructed many stage props, ranging from a coffee cart to a dinosaur tail. 

Miss Kristina started dancing at the age of 11 and has a passion for Hip Hop. She loves teaching Jazz and Hip Hop, as well as junior and preschool classes. Kristina believes that children should take dance classes with SODANCE because the studio is dedicated to creating an inclusive and safe environment for all dancers and their families. The staff at SODANCE foster a welcoming, fun, and energetic atmosphere, making it a perfect place for children to explore and enjoy dance.

 

Kristina's favorite song to dance to right now is any song by Taylor Swift. She hopes that her students will feel comfortable using the studio as a safe space to learn new dance skills and express themselves freely.

 

Notable career achievements include winning a gold medal at the Dance World Cup in 2015 and receiving training at the Dance Teacher Summit in Long Beach, California, with renowned professionals such as Talia Favia, Kenny Wormald, Mandy Moore, and Robert Roldan. Kristina holds a BA in Psychology and is currently pursuing her MBA. She also has First Aid, YPAD, and DEEA certifications. Outside of dance, Kristina enjoys skiing, traveling, paddleboarding, and biking.

Miss Briana has been dancing since the age of 3 and loves teaching Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. She has received many awards, including several Dance World Cup medals and multiple dance scholarships, with opportunities to study in Paris and Barcelona! Briana believes that students should take classes at SODANCE Vernon because the studio is extremely inclusive, encouraging, and devoted to creating a safe and comfortable environment for all dancers. She thinks it's also "straight up fun!" Briana hopes that her students will learn to feel extra confident in themselves both in class and on stage this season.

 

Briana won a gold and bronze medal at Dance World Cup in 2015 and 2 golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal at Dance World Cup in 2017. She has received her LPN diploma and has taken several classes in Indigenous cultural safety and history.

 

When she's not working as a nurse or a dance instructor, Briana enjoys spending time at her cabin with her 6-month-old baby and playing with her weenie dog, Stella.

Mr. Jacob started dancing at the age of 14 and has a passion for Hip Hop, both as a dancer and a teacher. He believes that children should take dance classes at SODANCE because the studio provides an encouraging and safe space for them to grow as dancers and as individuals. All the teachers at SODANCE have extensive experience in various dance styles, ensuring every child can find a class they will love.

 

Jacob's favorite song to dance to in a routine is “After Hours” by Kehlani, but “Closer” by Ne-Yo will make him dance anywhere, anytime. He hopes his students will learn that there are no limitations in dance; anyone can learn and excel in any style with the right desire and effort. As someone who doesn’t fit the "ideal" body type for hip hop, Jacob worked hard to reach his current level and aims to inspire his students to have the same drive.

 

Jacob won the “Top Dancer” award in his grade 12 year and has earned multiple first, second, and third place medals and trophies at dance competitions throughout the Okanagan and Lower Mainland. He holds a Bachelor of Human Kinetics. When he's not dancing, Jacob enjoys spending time at the gym.

Miss Celine started dancing at the age of 7 and has a unique passion for blending hip hop, contemporary, and modern dance styles when she freestyles at home. Her favorite style to teach is Tap, as she enjoys playing with the rhythms and musicality that make it so much fun. Celine believes that children should take dance classes with SODANCE because it’s a special place where kids can come together, learn the joy of dance, and create friendships and memories that last a lifetime. The SODANCE team is dedicated to ensuring that kids have fun while supporting them in developing their dance skills to their fullest potential, with opportunities to excel beyond.

 

Celine's favorite song to dance to right now is "Back on 74" by Jungle. This season, she hopes her students will learn to have fun and use dance as a way to lift their spirits on a bad day. She believes that throwing on some music and dancing around is great for both the mind and body.

 

Throughout her dance career, Celine has been honored with many trophies and awards. A standout moment was when her tap group won first overall in their age division at a national competition in Las Vegas with Dance Educators of America. She also had the opportunity to train in LA at a summer intensive bootcamp and take classes with renowned choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Bobby Newberry, Mandy Moore, Vincent Desjardins, and Kenny Wormald.

 

Celine completed the dance program at SODANCE from age 7 to 18, followed by the teacher's assistant training program, and later taught her own classes at SODANCE for two more years. When she's not dancing, Celine loves gardening and hiking with her dog, Beatrice.

Miss Jen started dancing at the age of 3 and has a deep passion for Modern and Tap dance. She loves teaching Modern/Contemporary and Tap and believes that children should take dance classes with SODANCE because moving your body is fun! Jen's favorite song to dance to right now is "The Spark" by Kabin Crew. This season, she hopes her students will learn that the meaning and intention behind the movement are just as important as the steps themselves.

 

Jen has studied dance extensively, including training at the Peggy Peat’s School of Dance and Langley Fine Arts School, where she had the opportunity to compete internationally. After high school, she pursued post-secondary education as a dance major at York University. Jen has also taken classes with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company and Kelly Kono. She studied RAD and Cecchetti styles of ballet and achieved a Gold Star with honors from the CDTA. In modern dance, she has studied both the Martha Graham and Limon techniques.

 

When she's not dancing, Jen enjoys golfing. She believes that dance should make you feel good, and she's here to help her students feel great about moving their bodies.