AISTD Ballet Tap & Modern/Jazz, Registered Teacher RAD Ballet, Owner & Director

Shari received her early dance training in Oakville, Ontario. At 18 years of age, she moved to the UK to further her studies, later graduating from Laine Theatre Arts with honours qualifications for dance education in a wide range of disciplines. After traveling and teaching in Germany, New Zealand and then Port Alberni BC for several years, Shari opened the Qualicum Beach School of Dance in 1999. She brings a deep love of dance and a disciplined approach to teaching students of all ages. Each year, student dance exam results and standings in regional dance festivals demonstrate that QBSD maintains a high standard of achievement. As many students as possible are encouraged to participate in dance festivals, workshops and performances both locally and regionally and along with these opportunities, Shari and her staff have created an environment of acceptance, enriched by caring and qualified teachers.

Musical Theatre Speech and Dramatic Arts

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Jennifer is delighted to have found roots on Vancouver Island. After graduating with a degree in Drama and Vocal Performance from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, she enjoyed working as a theatre manager, actress and feature singer for several cruise lines. Jennifer also had the opportunity of directing the theatre program at Southridge Independent School in South Surrey. Jennifer has the pleasure of performing with local theatre companies. She has earned the North Island Theatre Zone best actress and best ensemble awards, and also received best director at the Vancouver Island One Act Play Festival. Recent directing roles include Second Chances, the Canadian premiere musical by Nico Rhodes and David Jewell, The Secret Garden, and MTI’s All Together Now at Malaspina Theatre to support performing artists through the pandemic. She is currently a Performing Arts teacher for District 69, and has taught at Qualicum Beach School of Dance since 2015 where she instructs Musical Theatre, Acting and Speech and Dramatic Arts. Jennifer feels extremely fortunate to teach, perform and direct in this vibrant arts community.

Contemporary, Ballet

Rebecca fell in love with traveling as soon as she moved to England to dance. She studied all dance styles at Laine Theatre Arts. Returning to Canada Rebecca graduated from the Contemporary Division of the School Of Dance in Ottawa. She worked with Canadian dance luminaries such as Brian Webb, Peter Boneham, Massimo Agostinelli, Sarah Bild, Serge Bennathan, Yvonne Coutts, Sylvie Desrosiers, Tedd Robinson, Meagan O Shea and Cathy Kyle Fenton. After graduation she created her first professional piece while being mentored by Peter Boneham. Performing professionally in the Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto area, Rebecca got the travel bug again and knew it was time to go…

Traveling to Melbourne Australia, Rebecca preformed in Adelaide’s Fringe festival, A collaboration of music, art and dance all improvised. To add to Rebecca’s diploma in Contemporary dance She then went on to complete a 500 hr Yoga Teacher Training at the Australian Yoga Academy. Shortly after Rebecca found barre fitness. Rebecca was studio manager in one of Melbourne’s newest barre studio fusing Yoga, Dance and Pilates together.

It was During Rebecca’s time in Australia when she was teaching and creating competitive dances as well as teaching barre and yoga that it was time to broaden and add to her teaching experience. Rebecca decided it was time for a change, traveling to India to complete a four-week 200 hour Vinyasa yoga teacher training.

Returning home Rebecca has guest choreographed for studios up and down Island, and is continuing to share her experiences and love of dance in her home community.

Hip Hop

Mieko (She/Her) is a dancer and choreographer born and raised just outside of Edmonton in Spruce Grove, Alberta. She grew up training in numerous styles of dance but really discovered her love and passion for the culture of Hip Hop. To name a few, Mieko Isaac has danced for Team Canada Hip Hop in Denmark, competed at World of Dance Arizona and Las Vegas, and is currently training and competing with TwoFourSeven Company. Mieko has expanded her training and had the opportunity to train at Millennium Dance Complex, and Broadway Dance Centre.

Now living in Vancouver, she has been able to develop her craft as a dancer and choreographer. Her passion for teaching has grown immensely over the years, and she strives to provide a positive environment to her students.

Brittany grew up studying intensively in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern and Tap dance. Brittany completed her Cecchetti examinations and competed at many dance competitions all over Vancouver. At age 14, Brittany decided to pursue her passion for Ballet and began her training at The Goh Ballet Academy, where she studied in the RAD and Vagonova methods Brittany has performed various soloist and principle roles with The Goh Ballet Academy, and has received various awards at multiple international Ballet competitions. In 2019, Brittany attended Canada's National Ballet School's Teacher Training Program, and furthered her education in teaching Ballet. Brittany then came back to Vancouver and studied under the direction of Heidi Zolty and received her Associate certification with the Cecchetti USA.

From the moment Dallas Grey sets foot onto the stage, the 24 year-old Canadian-American performer takes in the energy of the lights, the crowd, and the music itself, becoming almost possessed by them. Only there does he find an escape from the harshness of the world and comes alive with song and dance to show the crowd his true self, vulnerabilities, and all.

“I feel like I can really open up on stage.” he says. “That I can be who I truly am.”

Born in Seattle and raised in Vancouver, Dallas grew up inspired by the wealth of popular music talent in the 90s and 2000’s. Seeing the incredible song and dance performances of artists like Rhianna, Justin Bieber, and Cody Simpson among other legends of the pop world taught the young Dallas that music was as much physical as it was vocal. Growing up with an interest in fitness activities like gymnastics along with his love of singing, the realization that the two could be combined was a revelation for him. And in Grade 9 after taking part in a touring concert with his school choir in which his solo cover performance of a Michael Jackson song (moonwalk and all) received a standing ovation, the young Dallas realized that the stage was where he belonged and set forth to make his dream a reality.

In 2015 he enrolled in the Artist Development Program at Vancouver learning institution Deep Cove Music and was given a crash course on the ins and outs of the music business. It was also there where he met Grammy Award-winning producer Ian Prince, who was impressed with Dallas’ talent and drive. After recording two singles together, the energetic “One More Night” and the poppy synth dream “Tell Me Something”, the two decided to keep the momentum they created going to produce and record an EP.

Slated for a 2021 release, Dallas Grey’s upcoming EP includes remixes of the original two singles along with songs that touch on life, love, and all the feel good moments in between. The songs are an accumulation of what makes Dallas Grey a true artist. Throughout the EP you’ll find the celebrations of the Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop, and EDM that influenced him early on interlaced with contemporary sound elements for the TikTok generation that bring it all together into something wholly new and wonderful. Sound, however, is just one part of the experience. As dance is an important part of Dallas’ ethos, creating music that inspires the listener to get up and dance was essential. Both the energetic call to the dancefloor that is “Shake Your Body” and the seductive “Mean It” are guaranteed to get you off your seat to move your body.

For Dallas, music is so much more than singing, it’s a complete workout and an explosion of light and sound that can change the world. In all of his shows body and soul work together as one to deliver the ultimate musical experience.

With his uncompromising drive, raw talent, and his burning desire to let the world see what he’s made of and who he is, Dallas Grey is ready to give the crowd one hell of a show.

Chiara’s dance training began at age four at the Pat Cummings school of Dance in her hometown of Port Alberni. She learned mostly Ballet , Jazz, Tap and Modern stage.

As a teen, she became a member of the island’s dance company Dancestreams for a couple of years .

Chiara continued on with her passion after high school at the National Ballet School in Toronto where she graduated with a diploma in teaching ballet. Her qualifications allowed her to work and live abroad as a performer /teacher/choreographer in Norway, Australia and Bermuda. She gained more qualifications along the way as a registered teacher for the Royal Academy of Dance and Canadian dance teachers association.

In 2008, Chiara and her husband decided to settle on Vancouver island with their two daughters.

She’s been teaching in various dance studios around the island.

She has worked for the City of Nanaimo and Parksville leading children’s dance programs as well as a guest instructor for “Artists in the School”.

Recently Chiara returned to community college to obtain a certificate in early years education. She’s currently a Strong Start facilitator for District 68 but still enjoys teaching dance as much as possible .

Chiara is excited to be joining the faculty of Qualicum Beach School of Dance .

Mako began her ballet journey at the age of 3 in Tokyo in Japan where she received training and competed in high-level competitions. When she turned 16, she moved to Nanaimo BC for a study abroad program that allowed her to stay in Canada to train and attend school. During her university years, she performed with Bohemia Dance Production and toured across British Columbia. After graduating from university, she worked at Ballet Victoria in an administrative capacity and as a ballet instructor. She is incredibly excited to share her knowledge of dance with the students of Sara Raymond Dance Academy.