Meet the Team!
Amanda Rogers, B.Ed., CDTA Modern
Owner/Director. Amanda has taught in the Valley for over 25 years. She trained in England and received a B.Ed. in Physical Education & Dance. Since moving to Canada, she has successfully completed gymnastic National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Level 3, Elementary Ballet (Cecchetti) and Applied Physiology & Anatomy. Amanda regularly attends workshops, summer schools and conventions to keep abreast of new teaching methods and ideas. As well as teaching our most advanced students, Amanda also enjoys the special challenge of teaching our youngest dancers and has great success with them.
Courtney has been a professional performer, choreographer and instructor since 2001. She has been a guest instructor for local school districts and many Island dance studios, and co-founded Helix Dance Theater. Courtney uses a holistic approach to dance choreography incorporating a creative process that promotes body-mind and emotional centred awareness. Currently, Courtney is completing her BA at Vancouver Island University, holds a Level 1 & 2 NCCP certificate, and is a certified Aromatherapist.
Gemma Stefan was born in Southampton UK and trained as a professional dancer in ballet, jazz, contemporary and musical theatre at London Studio Centre UK, graduating with a BA Honours. After graduating she pursued a performing career in a variety of production shows on board European cruise lines. In 2007, Gemma worked in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Buffalo, New York in a huge spectacular called Le Grande Cirque. She has also had extensive experience working as a backing dancer in music videos, a casino showgirl, and face model for printed commercials in Australia. Gemma returned to the UK in 2009 to teach award winning choreographic numbers in ballet, jazz, and contemporary for National Inter-University Dance Competitions. Gemma is now an adjudicator and certified ballet teacher for the Royal Academy of Dance and her next step is progressing to become an RAD examiner. Since residing in British Columbia, Canada in 2013 she has continued to share her passion and love for teaching dance at Valley Dance Centre.
Gemma Stefan, BA, RAD, CBTS, ISTD
Brianna has been a part of Valley Dance Centre for 18 years, 16 years dancing and 2 years teaching. She loves to inspire dancers and watch them grow as they achieve their goals in dance. Her goal is to ensure that every dancer has the amazing experience that she did while growing up at Valley Dance Centre. Brianna has completed her Advanced 1 Royal Academy of Ballet exam, two of her CDTA Tap exams and has attended many workshops and conventions throughout her dance career. In addition to performing at many local events, she recently had the opportunity to dance as a background dancer in the Disney film “Descendants 2”. Starting this year, Brianna will be working towards her Dental Hygiene Diploma at Vancouver Island University, however she will also be around the studio and teaching classes in a variety of styles this season.
Courtney Hunchuk, BA
Brianna Dilks
Kirsten Powers, RAD
Kirsten is an accomplished performer, teacher and choreographer who beleives in the individual artistry of each dancer. Professionally, Kirsten toured Canada and Russia with the companies Le Juene Ballet du Quebec and Ballet North of Edmonton. Kirsten began her dance training at Kirkwood Academy in Nanaimo and attended the Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle and Banff School of Fine Arts. At the age of 15, Kirsten was awarded the Solo Seal and competed internationally at the Adeline Genee awards in London, England. Kirsten later graduated from L’Ecole Superieure de Danse du Quebec in Montreal. Kirsten’s career also includes, work in Canadian film with Judith Marcuse in Vancouver and summer performances at the Butchart Gardens. After her daughter was born, Kirsten turned her attention to teaching dance full time. She has since enjoyed being a guest instructor at various summer schools and adjudicating festival in B.C.
Dora Belme, BA.
Graduating from Budapest Business School, a native of Hungary. Dora is versed in many styles popping, hip hop, house, animation along with jazz, modern contemporary. She has travelled the world competing as a “freestyle dancer” & “choreo. dancer”. She will be taking on VDC hip hop students.
Laura Harrow
Laura grew up in the North East of Scotland in the UK and studied dance from the age of three. She soon became involved in dance competitions and medalled regularly in the Scottish Tap, Ballet and Musical Theatre championships. As a teenager, her interest in dance and theatre performance grew and she successfully auditioned and performed with National Youth Music Theatre in their summer intensives, was a founder member of Elevate Contemporary Dance Company, as well as participating in the world renowned Aberdeen International Youth Festival. On leaving school, Laura went on to study at Stella Mann College in England where she qualified with a Diploma in Music Theatre and DDE teaching qualifications with the ISTD to complement her Diploma in Voice from the London College of Music . Upon graduating Laura landed a role as Maisie in the Boyfriend ( London Cast) and continued her professional career in the ensemble of A Chorus Line ( London Cast), 42nd Street ( London Cast) and Footloose ( London Cast).
Laura moved to Vancouver Island in 2012, where she now teaches and choreographs for various studios at a competitive level .
Jade Leech
Jade originally from Vancouver Island trained on the North Island. She became a certified dance instructor through the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Dance (U.K.A.) Jade attended the the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook BC, a student in the business program. At this time opening her first studio and starting her family.
Jade comes to us from Red Deer Alberta where she was owner and Artistic Director of DanceHouse Studios, A successful choreographer, teacher and adjudicator she has had the honor of working with some of the industries leading choreographers and has had the pleasure of setting pieces across Alberta and BC for numerous studios. Jade teaches at a advanced level believing that technique along with personal drive you can achieve all your dance goals. Her love of children combined with her passion for dance is the driving force that empowers her students to find their own motivation and strive for their personal best! She is very excited to return to Vancouver Island & to share her love and passion of dance with Valley Dance Centre.
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS 2017/2018
CARLEY COFIELD