Perf Faculty

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Jana Berengel Jazz, Hip-Hop
Jana’s career holds an impressive list of credits. She has danced beside Michael Buble for the 2010 Olympic Closing Ceremonies, with Carmen Electra for MTV and taught Amanda Seyfried her dance moves for the movie "Red Riding Hood". Jana has appeared in various commercials as well as danced on the TV show "Psych". She has enjoyed performing at Tokyo Disneyland and with Princess Cruise Line an has toured throughout Canada, Israel, Dubai, Egypt and Afghanistan.

Erica ‘Air’ McFarlane Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap
Erica is a much sought-after dancer and instructor. She started her dance training at the age of 3, and years later, went on to direct the University of Victoria Dance Company for two seasons. While completing her B.A. in Human and Social Development, she founded The Industry Dance Co, taught dance at Oak Bay High School and The Victoria Dance Connection, and created ‘Therapy In Motion’, a dance program for people with special needs. During the summers, Erica directs the dance program at Camp Danbee, an all-girls sports camp in Massachusetts. Some highlights in her dance career include: BC Lions’ ‘Felions’ dance team, The Canadian Video Game Awards 2012, SVS Style Dance Crew, featured choreographer for BC Children’s Hospital ‘For Children We Care’.

Robyn Gerry Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre
Robyn has trained extensively in everything from Ballet to Jazz to Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Hip Hop. She has trained at the Goh Ballet, Arts Umbrella, Vision Dance Company, DanzMode, Millennium and the Edge studios in LA and at Broadway Dance and Steps in New York City. Career highlights include performing in the Closing Ceremonies at the 2010 Winter Olympics and apprenticing with the Canadian Pacific Ballet in Victoria. In 2011 her choreography won highest scoring Jazz at the Island Dance Festival. Robyn recently graduated with a BFA from the University of Victoria.

Kirstyn König Acro, Ballet, Jazz
Kirstyn began dancing at the age of 10 in Calgary, Alberta. She has trained at The National Ballet School in Toronto, Alberta Ballet and other. She has a large repertoire including everything from ballet and Latin dance, to hip-hop and circus aerial arts. Kirstyn traveled throughout Europe and the Caribbean, as a featured dancer and circus aerial artist on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Now based in Vancouver, Kirstyn has worked and trained with various companies including MOVE: the company, Kill The Lights Crew and is an aerial artist with Inner Ring Circus/Vancouver Circus School. Most recently, Kirstyn can be seen dancing in Michael Buble’s “Haven’t Met You Yet” music video, an episode in Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, and the TV series Hellcats.

Catherine Andersen Ballet
Catherine has been a dance educator for 15 years with a BFA in Contemporary Dance from SFU, a Dance Diploma from Grant MacEwan College and Pilates instructor certification. A contemporary dancer with a strong classical and jazz background, she has been awarded numerous dance scholarships and bursaries. Catherine has danced professionally with companies such as Mascall Dance and sirenscrossing UK, and recently toured Canada and the U.S. with Burn and Dodge, choreographed by Melanie Kuxdorf. Catherine will be performing at Basscoast Music Festival this summer.

Jennifer Suttis  Tap
Jennifer began her dance training at Peggy Peat School of Dance at the age of six. Here she trained in tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, acro, lyrical and hip hop taking part in numerous festivals and competitions across Canada and the US. After graduating, Jennifer attended the Canadian College of Performing Arts where she obtained her certificate in the arts. She also attended New Image College of Fine Arts where she received her diploma in acting.In 2010 Jennifer was apart Harbour Dance Center's ITP program. Her performance credits include; Math Out Loud (Mitacs),Smile: The Musical (ASP), Bye Bye Birdie, Singin' In The Rain (TUTS, 2011 Grace MacDonald Award for Most Promising Dancer), Will Rogers Follies (RCMT), Kiss Me Kate (CCPA), Broadway Brilliance (Victoria Symphony/CCPA) and numerous dance shows with PRP Productions.

Tyrell  Whitherspoon  Hip Hop, Acro
Tyrell has been teaching dance for many years specializing in hip hop, jazz, acro, musical theatre and tap. Hailing from Manitoba, Tyrell was last seen this summer on stage in Rainbow Stage's production of Footloose and in 2011/12 was seen on the CW's hit show, "Hellcats." Tyrell can also be seen in Nickelodeon's TV movie, "Ragz" and the Disney Channel's upcoming movie, "Girl Vs. Monster." Between shows and teaching, Tyrell also writes and records his own music which is available on iTunes worldwide.

Rahel Claman (RAHEL) Belly Dance
Rahel has been bellydancing professionally since 2003 and teaching since 2008. Her fluid, serpentine control, and engaging stage presence make her a highly sought after performer/instructor. Although trained in Egyptian Cabaret style under the guidance her mentor Narmaya, Rahel has worked with international stars from a wide array of styles. Rahel is both a certified bellydance instructor and a yoga teacher. She is the official dancer for gypsy fusion band Tambura Rasa and has opened for international music sensations Nickodemus and Shantel. Her film credits include "Hellcats", award winning short film, "Imago"; and her YouTube popularity has earned over 200,000 hits. She is deeply devoted to growth of her students, and is known for compassionate, creative and effective teaching methods for this beautiful, ancient art form… because everyone deserves bellydance! www.raheldance.com

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