Our
Instructors
Seymour Dance prides itself on offering some of the best classes in the city with highly-trained faculty. From being an alumni of the the Royal Winnipeg Ballet to working on hit TV shows and productions like Riverdale and the Descendents, our staff are both working professionals in the arts industries and experienced in childhood education. We welcome you to explore our team with our interactive page, and get to know our teachers and their passions!
Marissa Heaven
Owner, Studio Director & Faculty: Samba, Latin
Marissa has always loved to dance and grew up dancing with the Seymour Dance family since she was 3 years old. She trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary and lyrical. Marissa began dancing salsa when she turned 19 and her passion was ignited. Since then Marissa has trained, performed and competed across Canada, the U.S. and Latin America.
She currently dances with a Latin dance company called Dance Vancouver. With them she has earned 3 consecutive Canadian Amateaur Salsa Champion titles at the Canadian National competition.
Marissa is also the Band & Strings Director at Windsor Secondary School next door where she teaches a multitude of Concert Bands, Jazz Bands and Chamber String Orchestra. Marissa also helped create and oversee the NVSD Dance Academy that we run with the North Vancouver School District.
Lauren Overholt
Owner, Artistic Director
Faculty: Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Stage, Ballet
Lauren Overholt is a Choroegrapher, Dancer, and actor. Born and raised in North Vancouver, BC, Canada, and is a Seymour Dance Alumni! Lauren has been performing since the age of 2 in various styles of dance. She has recently trained at NYU Tisch and has performed all over Canada, Spain, and a 22 city touring show in China, with the Dragonfly Orchestra.
Lauren ran her own boutique entertainment company Enfuse Entertainment, which specializes in mashing up different styles to create amazing performances for any audience. Lauren also has a passion for TV & Film as well, starring in shows such as Supernatural, Bates Motel, and recently finished dancing on a feature film with Steve Carall. Her dedication and love for the arts, keeps her constantly creating and learning.
Katie Gillett
Owner, Operations Director & Faculty: Lyrical, Jazz, Acro
Certified in Acrobatic Arts
Katie began her dancing career at the age of 5 at Seymour Dance. She completed the RAD Ballet exams Pre Primary through Intermediate. She trained and competed in Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Singing as well as going through a pre-professional dancer program.
Katie performed, competed, danced, sang and played the trumpet at numerous festivals across the lower mainland and throughout the province, including Canadian Idol in 2002. She also danced professionally with the BC Lions Felions Dance Team from 2006-2009 and performed at many Grey Cups and events across Canada!
Jessica Heaven
Communications Director & NVSD Academy Coordinator
Faculty: Broadway Bound, Ballet, Stars
Jessica is a jack-of-all-trades vocalist, actor, and dancer who has performed in a variety of genres, including oratorio, jazz, folk, rock, musical theatre, and much more. Studying under Kelly Nobles, Jennifer Scott, and Kate Hammett-Vaughan, she was honored to perform a world premiere work, "Museum Pieces" by Juno award-winning composer Jordan Nobles for Canada Music Week 2012 and has had the pleasure to play with artists Chad Makela, Dave Sikula, Bernie Arai, Mike Rud, John Stowell, Vince Mai, and Len Aruliah, to name a few.
Samantha Ball
R.A.D Coordinator, R.A.D Registered Teacher & Faculty: Ballet
Sam studied full time at the Theatre School of Dance and Drama in Edinburgh where she obtained her RAD Teaching Certificate and ISTD Associate Teachers. After graduation her professional dancing career took her all over the world when she worked for Princess Cruises. Her teaching career began while she was at Edinburgh University studying for her B.Ed (Hons) degree in Elementary Education. Working for a number of teachers throughout Scotland she also set up her own dance school in East Lothian, Scotland. Four years ago she relocated with her husband and three children to Canada. She loves living in this part of the world and cannot wait to start teaching at Seymour Dance.
Nicola Earl
R.B.S. (T.T.C.), A.R.A.D, Faculty: Ballet
Nicola is fully accredited in the Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti ballet syllabus, and is also fully certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique method. As a graduate of the teaching program at the Royal Ballet School in London, England, She covered all aspects of classical dance training including: classical ballet technique, pointe work, repertoire, and Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti syllabi, character, Spanish dance, music, dance history, and Benish Notation. Nicola graduated top of her class and was awarded the 1998 Dame Ninette de Valois Award for excellence in teaching.
Nicola has worked at many schools throughout the Lower Mainland. She has been on the staff at Harbour Dance Centre for the last sixteen years and has been a regular guest teacher for Ballet BC. Nicola has also enjoyed adjudicating for the Prince Albert Festival of Dance.
Paige Vassos
R.A.D Registered Teacher Faculty: Ballet, Lyrical, Tap
From North Vancouver, Paige started training competitively at age 7. She has taught across the lower mainland, as well as internationally through virtual masterclasses. She completed all of her RAD examinations including Solo Seal, receiving excellent results throughout. Following graduation, Paige has trained with the Source Dance Company for two seasons, as well as the West Coast Choreo Lab. She can be seen in Lululemon promotional images, various tv and film productions, and her choreography was highlighted in the 2018 Fringe Festival. Paige has completed her Master of Management, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS), holds Registered Teacher Status (RAD RTS) through the Royal Academy of Dance, and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Paige has been teaching on the North Shore for over 6 years, and has recently worked with dancers internationally. Paige takes pride in her versatility, and hopes to inspire and share her love for dance through performance, choreography, and instruction.
Tyler Carver
R.A.D, Faculty: Ballet
Tyler Carver began training at the age of 12 at the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver, BC, where he completed his RAD Advanced 2 exam with distinction. He completed a year of training at San Francisco Ballet School and then joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as an Apprentice in 2014, was then promoted into the Corps de Ballet for the 2015-16 season.
Since joining the Company, Carver has had the opportunity to perform in such works as Giselle, Nutcracker(as the Nutcracker Prince), Going Home Star - Truth and Reconciliation, Swan Lake(as Spanish and Pas de Trois), Sleeping Beauty(as Blue Bird),Dracula(as Jonathan Harker) and many others. He also made a special appearance in the leading role of Solor in the RWB School Professional Division’s performance of La Bayadère excerpts.
Belinda Sobie
Faculty: Jazz (Technique)
Belinda is known throughout Vancouver for her wonderful and innovative choreography. She has choreographed for television, cabaret acts and touring shows from Seattle to Spain. Belinda is also much sought after as an instructor and choreographer. Her positive attitude makes her classes an ideal learning environment.
Nicole Narwal
Faculty: Tap, Musical Theatre, Ballet, Jazz
Nicole has been dancing since the age of three. She originally focused on ballet and later added jazz, lyrical, stage (musical theatre), tap, hip hop and modern. In 2007 Nicole achieved the mark of distinction on her intermediate RAD exam. She has attended both Dupree Dance Expo, in Seattle and Triple Threat Dance Convention, in Vancouver, on scholarship. Nicole has performed in the BC Country Music Awards in 2005, in the Vancouver Olympic Closing Ceremonies in 2010, and in Disneyland in both 2005 and 2011.
Nicole trained as part of the Scholarship Dance Vancouver 2012-13 company where she challenged herself to take her technique and artistry to the next level. Nicole continues to learn through experiences at the DanceLife Teacher Convention 2013, DanceLife Retreat: The Future edition (focusing on the 8 and under crowd) in November 2013, and getting certified by Acrobatic Arts. Nicole loves performing and tries to inspire that same passion in her students. She believes that dance should be a fun, positive environment to learn not only dance but important life skills about hard-work, personality, sportsmanship and self-confidence.
Jenna Williamson
Faculty: Jazz, Lyrical, Irish, Stretch & Conditioning
Jenna grew up dancing in North Vancouver. She is a Seymour Dance Alumni, where she trained in numerous styles of dance including ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, tap and more. She had the privilege of playing various roles in their yearly productions such as Cinderella in Cinderella and her favourite, the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker. Jenna is a recent graduated from the University of Western Ontario (UWO) where she obtained a Health Sciences Degree. She continued her love for dance at University as a member of the UWO Dance Team and choreographer for the company. Jenna was also part of the universities dance minor program where she studied and choreographed various styles of dance. She loves what dance and her teachers have taught her over the years and is excited to impart her love and passion of dance to the students of Seymour Dance.
Haileigh Feduniak
Faculty: Jazz, Lyrical, Stretch & Conditioning
Born and raised in Cold Lake, AB Haileigh started dancing when she was three years old and instantly fell in love. Alongside her training at her local studio, she constantly travelled to various conventions and intensives. Most notably taking part in scholarship programs in New York City and Los Angeles. Haileigh moved to Vancouver in 2022 to join Harbour Dance Centre’s Intensive Training Program under the direction of Moe Brody. Haileigh values the importance of continual training and since graduating you can find her taking class and working on projects around the city. She strives to create a positive and uplifting environment and believes in sharing what she loves in a kind, honest, supportive way.
Magnus Futrell-Fruhling
Faculty: Breaking
I eat, sleep, live, Bboying/Breakdancing. Dance is my true passion, and is my life. I’ve been doing street dance for about 7 years with the main focus being on Bboying. I’ve been taught by N.O.N (Now Or Never) Bboy crew, the #1 Bboy/Breakdance crew in Canada. I continue to train along side and do professional performances with N.O.N. I am also in a well known crew called Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz (D.R.S). I have been flown up to Whitehorse Yukon as special V.I.P guests. I also do professional performances as well as compete/perform internationally.
Megan Mitchell
Faculty: Ballet, Acro, Contemporary, Hip Hop
Certified in Acrobatic Arts
Megan began dancing at Seymour Dance at 3 years old. She completed the RAD examinations from PrePrimary through Advanced Foundations in her time training at Seymour. She competed for over 10 years in jazz, lyrical, hip hop, stage, and contemporary. Megan has been teaching at Seymour Dance for 3 years working with students aged 3 to 13. She graduated in the class of 2021. Starting in fall of 2021, Megan will be attending the University of British Columbia in the faculty of arts, where she plans to study under the Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice program. Megan is so excited to introduce her students to the wonderful world of dance from a young age.
Jakob Phan
Faculty: Acro, Contemporary, Tap
Certified in Acrobatic Arts
At the age of 7, Jakob started his dance journey at Peggy Peats School of Dance and has fallen in love with the art ever since. At a young age he took on many different genres of dance and even represented Team Canada in Poland in 2019. Following graduation, Jakob has trained with The Source Dance Company, Illustrative Society and is currently involved in a Hip Hop crew called K.I.&Co. He has helped at Triple Threat/Power Dance and Groove Street Dance Conventions as part of the crew to help foster the next generation of dancers. Jakob has also worked in the Film & Television side of the dance industry including commercials, music videos and movies most recently being a dancer in Monster High 2. He also has performed live in shows at the PNE, The Main Event and countless shows with the companies he has trained
with on his journey. Jakob is currently on the BC Lions Uproar Dance Team as a rookie and is constantly trying to find new venues for growth in this ever evolving industry.
Joshua Fernandez
Faculty: Hip Hop
Joshua Fernandez, began dancing at age 16. Joshua has trained in many styles including: Ballet, Contemporary, Hiphop foundations, Popping, Waacking, Afro Fusion/Choreography, Dance Hall, Choreography and Freestyle. Joshua trained under Pacific Dance Arts, A3 District, Harbour Dance Centre, TwoFourSeven Dance Company and The Room and Board based in Los Angeles. He’s currently a part of the crew Infamous, which mainly focuses on individual training, choreography and competing.
As a dancer, Joshua was able to do an apprenticeship with Coastal City Ballet, performing Irene Schneider’s Midsummer Night Dreams, Coppelia and toured Hansel and Gretel with the company nationally. After his years with ballet, he transitioned over to doing more street fundamental styles. He went on to train and compete with his crew of 7 years nationally and internationally, winning awards at events including; Monsters A- List Event Washington, Hit the Floor Toronto & Gatineau, World of Dance Orlando & Los Angeles Finals and Artist Emerge. They also took the 1st place win at Represent Dance Competition in Edmonton for two consecutive years, one of which featured a section of his own award winning choreography. Joshua has attended several dance and teaching conventions which has allowed for him to explore different styles of dance and teaching methods.
As a teacher, Joshua believes in providing a safe space for his students to feel confident, motivated and inspired. He loves to see his students reach breakthroughs and push themselves past their limits. Joshua wants to see his students succeed and be proud of their achievements along with the hard work and dedication they’ve put in their craft.
Milaina Chanel
Faculty: Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Stage, Hip Hop, Tap
Milaina is a dancer and actress originally from Calgary, Alberta and moved to Vancouver, BC after high school to pursue a career in film and television. She has been dancing since the age of 2 and has trained in many styles including Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz Funk.
Milaina has had opportunities to work on many sets as dancer, actor and Assistant Choreographer from networks such as Disney, Nickelodeon, NBC and CW to name a few. Milaina has been a TV series lead on family channel’s The Next Step. As well as a dancer in Descendants 3, Monster High 1 & 2, Riverdale and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and many others.
Milaina has been fortunate to travel international and perform. She performed on several Greek islands, she has performed for Harlem Globe Trotters, the Briar Cup, Continental Cup, Sharing Dance, WE Day, BMW’s Cabriolet Gala and Family Channel’s Big Ticket Summer Concert.
Astrid Eckerle
Faculty: Hip Hop, Acro
Raised in her home town of Canmore, AB, Astrid first started training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop at Terpsichore Dance Inc with Marisa Dario. Upon acceptance into the Edge School for Athletes dance program, Astrid quickly progressed and was eager to move to Vancouver, BC. After graduation, she seized the opportunity of joining Harbour Dance Centre’s ITP under the direction of Moe Brody and has since trained with the Source Dance Company, TwoFourSeven Company and KTL Hip Hop Company. As a versatile performer she has transferred these skills to working with a variety of productions on and off screen. Recent credits include: Grease! Rise of the Pink Ladies (Paramount +), Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas (NBC), Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC), The Tunnel (Contemporary Dance Theatre), competing internationally with TwoFourSeven Co, and performing with artists such as Warren Dean Flandez.
As Astrid’s love of performing continued to expand, she began to explore the musical theatre industry. Theatre credits include Assistant to the Choreographer for Crazy For You (RCMT), Dance Captain/Ensemble in American Idiot (URP Productions), Lil B/Ensemble in Newsies (TUTS), and Ensemble in Singin in the Rain (RCMT).
In addition to her training and performing Astrid has a love for teaching and choreographing. She has had the privilege of teaching students across Western Canada, assistant choreographing for multiple projects, and choreographing for companies such as The Source Dance Company and UVic Dance Team.
Giovanni Giordano
Faculty: Ballet, Partnering
In the U.S. he has been awarded for an “outstanding performance” at “VIBE USA” in 2017. He has worked with the “Goh Ballet Youth Company” (Vancouver), performing main roles such as Arabian, Spanish and Nutcracker Prince in the production of the “Goh Ballet's The Nutcracker." In 2018 after being awarded at the “Surrey Festival of Dance” (BC) in both categories “Contemporary duet” (1st place) and "Classical Pas De Deux" (1st Place), he performed in the World Premiere of “Cinderella” in Vancouver, choreographed by Maina Gielgud. He has collaborated with local artists in Italy, taking part in summer events like “Meet Matilde Neruda” and “Zorba the Greek” in open-space theatres. In 2019 he also started working with BalletBloch, partnering in performances like the Nutcracker and Swan Lake. In 2022 he performed with Coastal City Ballet for their Cinderella.
Guest Instructors
Sophie Grover
Faculty: Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Stars
Sophie Grover is a Seymour Dance Alumni, from North Vancouver, BC. She grew up dancing at Seymour Dance and has taken part in multiple of their productions including Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, and Clara in the Nutcracker Ballet. She has been working with kids since a young age, and is currently a team Leader for North Vancouver Recreation and Culture. She is trained in many styles of dance including, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Pointe and more. Sophie loves being there for the students as her teachers were for her growing up and is excited to push them to their fullest potential.
Ken Yung
Faculty: Hip Hop
Ken “Kennon” Yung is the director of Kill The Lights professional dance crew based in Vancouver, Canada. Having trained in Hip Hop extensively in LA, Vancouver and Hong Kong, he’s an experienced dancer and choreographer. For the last two years, he has toured around Western Canada and the US with his crew to perform and teach in workshops. Ken’s passion for dance is like no other and he loves to share it through his teaching. Please check out his work at : www.youtube.com/KennonLive
Randa Barett
Faculty: Stretch, Acro, Hip Hop, Adult Cardio
Randa was accepted into the Intensive training program at Harbour dance centre. After her year at Harbour Randa channeled her focus into hip-hop. She was accepted into SOULdiers Dance Company where she spent two years expanding her knowledge of hip-hop. Now on her own Randa actively finds new ways to continue her growth as a dancer. Randa got the opportunity to dance with Royal Caribbean which introduced her to Aerial. Randa has found a passion for Aerial and is now one of the skills she is actively working on, adding to her variety of abilities. Randa set a high goal for herself in trying to obtain her O-1 Visa to the United States where she could continue pushing toward her goals and dreams. In 2016 she got approved and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Venice Dang
Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher, Faculty: Acro, Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop
Growing up in Vancouver, BC, Venice is a Seymour Dance alumni who trained with the studio from the age of 7 until graduation. She participated in many of their productions, highlights of which include Clara and the Sugarplum Fairy in Seymour's annual production of "The Nutcracker". She continued her post-secondary dance education with the Source Dance Company under the direction of Joanne Pesusich for two seasons, while also pursuing her Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of British Columbia. Most recently, Venice signed a contract with Royal Caribbean International and traveled around Southeast Asia performing on Spectrum of the Seas. Venice is so excited to pass on her knowledge to her students and hopes to help foster their joy and love of dance.
Gaia Margiocco
Faculty: Acro, Ballet
Gaia started dancing at Seymour Dance was she was 10 years old. She danced with Seymour's Competitive Company until graduation, and participated in many of their productions. She was lucky enough to be cast as many incredible roles, including Clara in the Nutcracker and Eloise in the Secret Circus. After graduation, Gaia joined the Source Dance Company for their 22nd season. She loves passing on her knowledge to students and is excited to continue to inspire the next generation of dancers.
Arianna Elsworth
Faculty: Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Stage, Stretch
Born and raised in North Vancouver BC, Arianna found her passion in dance at the age of 4. She is a Seymour Dance Alumni; she was an RAD solo seal candidate, and has danced competitively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, acro, samba, musical theatre, tap, and has earned numerous awards & scholarships from her years competing, as well as post-graduation. Following her competitive dance career growing up, Arianna attended the two-year Lamondance Professional Training Company program, and just recently graduated from the CLI Conservatory under the direction of Teddy Forance, in Massachusetts USA. She is very passionate about teaching, and enjoys sharing her love of dance with others!
Jared Khalifa
Faculty: Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Stage, Stretch, Acro
Jared is a multidisciplinary artist and athlete, born and raised in Vancouver.
Jared’s interests in music and movement first sparked while training in capoeira, leading him to pursue gymnastics, voice and musical theatre. As a tumbler, Jared has competed globally - representing Canada at three World Age Group Championships, earning two World Cup Silver medals, twelve National Championship medals and three Canadian titles. While competing on the international stage, Jared was featured for two years as a VIP athlete at the All Star Games live spectacle in Las Vegas. Alongside his gymnastics career, Jared continued to work in the theatre industry and has been seen in Beauty and the Beast (The Arts Club), Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat (Royal City Musical
Theatre), the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and live appearances in concert with Barry Manilow, Foreigner and Eric Church with the group Showstoppers.
Jared was later scouted by Cirque Du Soleil and offered a select position at
Cirque IHQ in Montreal. There, he continued his training in teeterboard, tumbling,
dance, physical acting and voice. Shortly after, he signed to the original cast of the arena touring show OVO. While touring North America, he had the additional opportunity to train in aerial straps, cerceau, hand balancing and contortion.
Following his time with Cirque, Jared dove into the Film/TV industry as a dancer,
actor and stunt performer. Soon to be seen in the cast of Schmigadoon (Apple TV),
summer 2021 and dancing in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (Paramount Studios), 2022.
Volunteer Team
Melissa Haibeck
Costume Mistress & Parent Volunteer Coordinator
Melissa oversees the costume coordination, volunteer, and backstage set-up for the Centennial Theatre shows. Volunteers are always appreciated to help with various costume duties as well as backstage helpers.
Ariyanna Pascuzzi
Community Coordinator & Adult Fitness
Ariyanna helps with the community outreach with Seymour Dance. Volunteers are always appreciated to help with various costume duties as well as backstage helpers.
Adult Daytime classes are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays mornings at the Studio. Please visit; www.themovementconnection.com for more details.
In honour...
Our hearts will forever be with our dear and lovely Sonia Ellis; the late Artistic Director, Owner and Matriarch of Seymour Dance.
We stand on the shoulders of our amazing late Matriarch, Sonia Ellis, who taught us everything we know!
Every year we offer scholarships in her honour! Click below to learn more!