Meet Our Instructors
Tara Martin
Director
Tara Martin began her dance journey in Vancouver, training under the guidance of Maureen Martinique and mastering the RAD syllabus. Her dedication to the art led her to a fulfilling career in teaching, where she now shares her deep passion for dance with others.
For Tara, dance is not just an art form; it’s the essence of life itself. "Dance is indeed a beautiful thing. A delightful thing. A thing dreams are made of". Tara's love for dance is so profound that even words seem insufficient to express it fully. She believes that some feelings are too deep to be captured in language, but through dance, she finds a way to communicate what words cannot.
Tara's mission is to share this passion with her students, helping them discover the same joy and fulfillment that dance has brought to her life. Whether it's their first class or their hundredth, Tara strives to impart not just technique, but a love for dance that will stay with them forever.
Ms. Natasha
Ballet
Natasha Sarafanova was born in Kiev Ukraine and started learning Classical Ballet at the Kiev Ballet Academy from the age of 10. When she graduated at the age of 18, Natasha started working as a professional dancer and had a very successful career for over 20 years.
Natasha is also the proud mother of world renowned principal dancer Leonid Sarafanov formerly of the Mariinsky Theatre ( Saint Petersburg, Russia) now with Mikhailovsky Theatre( Saint Petersburg, Russia). Leonid followed his mother and fathers footsteps as well as his grandparents and is now considered to be one of the top classical ballet dancer’s in the world. Both Leonid and his wife Olesya Novikova are special guests of many major ballet companies all over the world like Tokyo Opera House ( Japan), Teatro Alla Scala ( Italy), Vienna State Opera House ( Austria).
Ms. Lena
Ballet
Lena Chizhova was born in Kaliningrad, Russia. At the age of 18, she graduated from the Kazan (Russia) College of Cultural Arts, Faculty of Dance, with a Diploma in Professional Dance and Dance Education. There she studied Classical Ballet and Character Dance. After she graduated, she started her career as a professional dancer and, in 1989, moved to the Ukraine. She then established the Ballet School“Nocturne,” which is still operating and well-known in Odessa.
While at the Nocturne Ballet Studio, Lena served as the Manager and Head Choreographer until 2009, when she moved to Canada. One of Lena’s career highlights was the recipient of the 2007 Best Teacher and Manager Award from the Ukraine Minister of Education. Lena was also instrumental in organizing and choreographing cultural events, showcasing many of her students in Munich and Paris. Lena was also invited to judge dance competitions held in Odessa. Many of Lena’s students have gone on to have successful dance careers as dancers and dance instructors.
Ms. Codi
Ballet
Codi Dalen is a Registered Teacher (RTS) with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), Acrobatic Arts (AAC) and Alixa Flexibility Level 1 Certified.
Her experiences as the Founder and Director of Soul Funktion Dance Studio in Whistler, BC, and also, in her search to help her students connect to that confident and innocently pure centre of expression within, she was guided to the Bartenieff/Laban principles. These principles offer a guide through the physical deeply into the connections with the mind and spirit. She’s had the opportunity to study this material with Mariah-Jane Thies, Vancouver, BC; Bill Evans, Brockport State University, NY; and Peggy Hackney and Janice Meadon, University of California, Berkeley, CA.
During the last two and a half decades of teaching dance, with an extensive background in Ballet, Tap and other commercial disciplines, Codi has come to believe the following “FUNdamentals;”
- An essential way we learn is through the body,
- Emotional involvement is required to learn,
- Engaging a student in an exploratory learning process is an invaluable skill for a teacher. Thus motivating one's emotions, and therefore a consequent desire to learn,
- Everyone has a right to feel comfortable in their body and be able to express feelings through movement in a safe environment,
- And lastly, children come from a place of knowing spirit and come from a place of joy.
Codi’s goal is to foster each individual desire to keep these qualities open and strong in their dance and in their lives. Her movement classes are thriving as she weaves her knowledge of the Bartenieff/Laban principles into her children’s programs.
Ms. Mckeely
Lyrical & Jazz
McKeely Borger is a member of the Saskatchewan Métis Nation from Regina, Canada. She has pursued her dance career internationally at Adelphi University in New York under full merit scholarship, Coastal City Ballet in Vancouver, Atlanta Ballet, and in France at Le Ballet de l’Opéra-Théâtre de Metz Metropole as a soloist. She was an original cast member of the mainstage production of Mickey & the Magician at Disneyland Paris in 2016.
Before returning to Canada, Ms. Borger spent two years with Ballet Palm Beach, where she had the opportunity to dance George Balanchine’s Who Cares? as the ‘One and Only’. Embarking on her fourth year dancing in the Ballet Kelowna company on their 20th anniversary year, she has premiered new works by Canadian artists such as Alysa Pires, Kirsten Wicklund, Kunal Ranchod, and Cameron Fraser-Monroe.
Ms. Borger also loves sharing the joy of movement with our community as an instructor for dancers of all ages.
Mr. Scott
Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Tap
Meet Scott Peter, an esteemed dance educator with a rich tapestry of experience and a deep passion for fostering artistic growth. As the youngest person ever inducted into Rainbow Stage's Wall of Fame, Scott boasts an impressive career with 32 professional musicals under his belt, including the Canadian tour of 'Guys and Dolls' and Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast.' His versatility shines through as a performer, choreographer, and musician. Scott's choreography has not only earned him first place in the world but also garnered a perfect score in Germany. He was an associate choreographer and lead in ‘Tap Happy Two’ in Tokyo Disney Sea.
Scott is actively immersed in the dance community, growing up teaching at his parent’s dance studio and contributing to the development of the musical theatre program at Canadian Mennonite University. He refined his teaching expertise while crafting the original curriculum for Vincent Massey Collegiate’s dance program in Winnipeg. Early in his career he completed the A.D.A.P.T. syllabus teacher program.
Dedicated to making a positive impact beyond the dance studio, Scott has generously volunteered with notable organizations such as Cancer Care Manitoba, Heart & Stroke Foundation, AIDS Foundation of Canada, Winnipeg Youth Drug Awareness, and Manitoba National Dance Day. His commitment to community engagement reflects his belief in the transformative power of dance and the importance of contributing to the well-being of others.
This diverse background has equipped him to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students can explore the nuances of dance, blending technical proficiency with artistic expression.
Join Scott on a transformative dance journey where each step is a celebration of movement and self-discovery.
Ms. Pheonix
Jazz & Lyrical
Phoenix began dancing at the age of 2 under the instruction of her Mom who has been the instructor/owner of her own studio for over 20 years in Vermilion, Alberta.
Phoenix has studied in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro. Over the years Phoenix has attended both regional and international competitions across North America as well competed as part of Team Canada (tap) in Risa, Germany.
Phoenix has successfully completed Cecchetti ballet exams as well as her ADAPT pre advanced Jazz and Tap exams. Phoenix began assisting at the age of 10 and has been teaching since the age of 15. Phoenix loves sharing her passion for dance with her students and helping them reach their personal goals.
She recently graduated from high school and is currently studying Health & Exercise Science at UBC.
Ms. Destiny
Acro
Growing up in Calgary, Destiny trained in various styles since the age of 6 including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Acro and Hip-Hop. She was a member of The Young Canadians performing arts group and has been a gymnastics, dance, and acro instructor for the past 10 years.
She has her level 1 gymnastics certificate and her acrobatic arts teaching certificate as well.
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She is passionate about dance and moving your body daily.
Quinton
Hip-Hop
Born and raised in Vancouver, Quintin started hip hop classes at the age of 9. He was invited by a friend to attend a class which sparked a passion that has lasted for 7 years. While only training in hip hop Quintin has learned valuable lessons and skills that help him succeed in and out of the studio. He is currently on a highly competitive hip hop team where he is still learning and growing as a dancer.
Quintin loves sharing his passion for hip hop with the younger generation by teaching them the fun that the dance world can bring.
Ms. Cheyenne
Tiny Dancer Classes
Cheyenne has danced since she was 4 years old. Has competitively competed her whole dance career, first with Dance City Academy then finishing at Sarafanov. She has been teaching since she was 18 and absolutely loves it! Tap is her favorite dance style! I try to mix fun into all my classes so that everyone has a blast!
Ms. Olivia
Tap & Tiny Dancer Classes
Olivia Melenchuk has over 17 years of dance experience, beginning at just two years old. She began her dance training at Dance City Academy before moving to West K Dance. Olivia has gained experience in many styles during her time at both studios.
She is well-versed in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, street jazz, and musical theatre. During this time, Olivia had the opportunity to train with many well-known dance educators, including Sarah Watters, Natasha Sarafanov, Aniko Koloscai-Kryski, and Cheryl Blumke.
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She has won numerous awards at competitions and festivals across Canada and completed many dance examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance and the ADAPT syllabus. She is trained in RAD and Vaganova method ballet, and ADAPT syllabus jazz and tap.
She has thoroughly enjoyed her time working as a student teacher and is excited to spread her knowledge and love of dance to future generations!
Ms. Aidan
Acro
Aidan. has been dancing at West K Dance for 11 years.
Aidan is a highly skilled and accomplished dancer specializing in contemporary as well as heavily training in ballet. Aidan was given the opportunity to perform in the ballet Cinderella with Ballet Jorgen in March 2023, as well as attending the professional summer intensive at Victoria Academy of Ballet in August 2022. Aidan Sharkey has also participated in the Goh Ballet Canadian Tour Workshop. Her passion for dance has led her to compete in dance competitions for 8 years of her life.
Aidan is ready to share the art of dance with all of her students.
Ms. Abigayle
Ballet & Jazz
Abigayle Hudson is a talented dancer who has been dancing with West K Dance for 11 years.
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She is only 15 years old, but has already accomplished so much in her dance career. Abigayle was accepted into the Alberta Ballet Professional Summer Intensive, the Victoria Academy of Ballet Professional Dance Intensive, and received scholarships to attend the Goh Ballet School.
She has also had the privilege of working with renowned dance professionals such as Aram Munukyan as well as Jennifer Fournier from the National Ballet of Canada. Abigayle is excited to share her love of dance with others and help them achieve their own dance goals.
Ms. Jo
Sassy Classes
Jo discovered her love for dance at a young age, dedicating eight years to its practice. After a successful stint as a film and stage actor in their youth, she returned to dance in 2017, reigniting her passion. Since 2019, she has been sharing her love of dance by teaching a beginner heels dance, with a deep-seated passion for empowering women to love themselves, all while having a ton of fun. In 2022, Jo joined West K Dance, where they continue to inspire and guide aspiring dancers with their unique journey and dedication to fostering self-confidence and enjoyment through dance.
Ms. Stephanie
Adult Ballet Classes
Stephanie began dancing in Montreal, with her mother, Margaret Mehuys
and continued her training with Yvonne Mounsey at Westside School of
Ballet, at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and danced on scholarship at
George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet for three years.
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She went on to dance professionally with the Hartford Ballet, the
Connecticut Ballet and Ballet Ouest de Montréal where she has performed a
varied repertoire including principal roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping
Beauty, Coppélia, Giselle, Le Corsaire and Gaité Parisienne.
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Stephanie ran her own school in Montreal for three years. In 2006, she
merged her school with Ballet Ouest de Montréal to help found their dance
center. Here she taught elementary through pre-professional levels including
ballet technique, pointe, variations and conditioning.
She then moved to Orange County, California where she taught and
choreographed for Richter Academy of Classical Dance under the
directorship Lauren Richter. At RACD, Stephanie choreographed and
trained students that have placed first and second at the YAGP semi-finals.
After eight years of teaching in southern California, Stephanie and her
family moved to West Kelowna, BC, where she looks forward to sharing her
passion for ballet and the Balanchine style with future students.