Erica Watson — School Director
Erica received her Bachelor of Recreation Education from the University of British Columbia, specializing in children’s programming and the arts. She worked for Parks and Recreation for eight years coordinating children’s programs, special events and assisting with public relations. Erica had nine years of dance training as a child and has thirty years experience and education in theatre and drama. She has been a long-time member of Portal Players Dramatic Society and was a member of AV Musical Theatre, with experience in acting, singing, dancing, directing, producing, set design and being part of the executive board. She was the Director of Ceremonies for the 2004 BC Winter Games held in Port Alberni and is directing the Opening & Closing Ceremonies for the Under 17 World Hockey Challenge held in Port Alberni in December 2008. Erica has worked for School District 70 as an Educational Assistant since 1990. She especially enjoys working with children and youth, giving them an opportunity to enrich their lives through participation in the arts.

Elaine Ronan — RAD Ballet Teacher
Elaine received her professional training at the Northern Ballet School in Manchester England where she graduated with her RAD Teaching Qualifications along with her ISTD Ballet Associate. Elaine also trained at the Institute for Choreography and Dance at the Firkin Crane, Co. Cork Ireland where she received an honors certificate in Dance Studies and The Joan Denise Moriarty School of Ballet, Co. Cork, Ireland. Elaine started her teaching career in Ireland before moving to British Columbia to teach RAD Ballet for the Performing Arts Intensive program at Stage West. Her work includes the preparation of ballet students for examination standard. Elaine is also a certified Pilates Instructor, and teaches Adult Ballet and Adult Irish Dancing. Elaine’s choreography has earned many top awards at Festival Competition and her ballet students earn high marks in their ballet exams each year. She is a dedicated, creative and talented member of the Stage West teaching team!

Kelly Malone —ISTD Teacher of Tap, Modern, Jazz, Musical Theatre
Kelly trained in the IDTA and RAD syllabus, acquired her ISTD Associates in both Ballet and Modern and studied for her Associate in Tap. She has also studied Jazz, Hip Hop, Character, National, Classical Spanish, Contemporary and Choreography as well as Drama, Singing, Dance History and Anatomy. She received her professional training at SLP College in Leeds, and acquired her Diploma in Performing Arts, Musical Theatre and Teacher Training. Kelly was employed with Celebrity and Princess Cruises as both a Dancer and Dance Captain, working with several different Production Companies and Choreographers, and performed in many Theatre and TV shows. Kelly prepares and enters students each year for ISTD examinations in tap and modern. Each year, her students continue to earn high marks. In 2008, Kelly’s choreography earned the Award for the Most Entertaining number in the Stage Section for “Superheroes” at the Upper Island Music Festival held in Nanaimo. Kelly is a kind and caring teacher, who is passionate about her work and her students. She is friendly and outgoing and a most valuable member of the teaching team!

Juli Martell — ISTD, Contemporary, Ballet Technique, Jazz
Juli began dancing at the age of 4, training at Dance Studio West until she graduated in 2000. She has also trained with Groove Street Productions, Breaking Ground Toronto, Dancestreams, and the School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Juli has studied with dozens of North America’s top choreographers. Her choreography has flourished and has been acclaimed since 1999, with premiering works in Toronto, Vancouver and locally. In addition to teaching at the Qualicum Beach School of Dance for the past 4 years, in 2005 Juli became Bard to Broadway’s resident Choreographer and most recently performed with them in Urinetown, the Musical. Over the years she has had the opportunity to perform throughout the country and in Los Angeles. Juli is thrilled to be back in her hometown and hopes to pass on her passion for dance to all her students. Juli’s choreography has won many awards at festival competition. She will be teaching full-time at Stage West in the coming year, with classes in ballet technique, jazz and jazz technique, contemporary and conditioning. Juli’s engaging personality contributes to the success of the Performing Arts Program at Stage West and to the creative teaching team!

Lacey (Nagel) Callewaert — Recreational Dance, Hip Hop, Pilates
Lacey is a former Performing Arts Dance Student at Stage West, completing all grade levels of the RAD ballet syllabus and Advanced level of ISTD tap and modern. Lacey worked with professionals with Groovestreet Productions Dance Conventions for five years, giving her training and experience in musical theatre, jazz, and hip hop. Lacey has six years teaching a variety of dance classes and choreographing for festival competition and shows and was a member of the Malaspina Urban Squad Dance Team. Lacey is certified with BCRPA as a Pilates Mat Level 1 & 2 Instructor. She is currently finishing her Physical Education Degree with the Vancouver Island University (formerly called Malaspina University College). Lacey will be teaching many of Stage West's recreational classes in creative ballet, recreational tap, jazz and hip hop, and musical theatre in 2008 and 2009. She will also offer classes for adults in tap, musical theatre, hip hop, Pilates and Yogalates, and a new class in 2008 called "Dance Fitness Fusion", combining several dance styles with strength and stretch exercises to create a fitness dance class for older teens and adults. Lacey's creative ability combined with her friendly, outgoing personality makes her teaching a favorite with all of her students. She is a welcome member of the dance teaching team!

Janet Primmett — Visual Arts Teacher
Janet has been teaching art classes at Stage West since 2004 and continues to provide challenging and skillful art instruction to her students each year. Janet studied art at the Bath Academy of Art in England. She has also studied photography, she is a watercolorist, and her work is in private collections across Canada, the Western. U.S. and Japan. Janet is the former Editorial Assistant and Art Director for Pacific Yachting Magazine. Janet also works as an educational assistant for School District 70. She enjoys sharing her passion for, knowledge and skill in art with her eager and talented students. She is patient and caring, always encouraging her students to express themselves through a variety of media to enhance their artistic ability. Her patient, kind and thoughtful teaching manner has been very popular with students of all ages.

Teresa Nicholson — Karaoke Class
Teresa was involved with the Powell River Community Theatre FOB (Far Off Broadway) and attended the Malaspina’s Theatre Program. She spent two years at the Vancouver Film School, learning film and theatre, and special effects make up. Teresa has been involved in clown workshops, children’s story book entertainment all over Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland. She is a very talented actress and has participated in several Portal Players productions, most recently in Jesus Christ Superstar and Neil Simon’s play The Dinner Party which won several awards at the North Island Drama Festival.

Kerry Robertson - Teen Improv
Kerry has a Bachelors of Education Degree from the University of Victoria, with a major in Theatre and English. She taught drama in the public school system for over 25 years. She was the Artistic Director of the Huckleberry Theatre Company, and also coached the ADSS Canadian Improv Team. She is now retired from teaching drama at the high school. Kerry loves improv and teenagers so teaching Teen Improv at Stage West will be an excellent combination, making this class both fun and challenging for local teens.

Eliza Gardiner - Drama
Eliza currently instructs theatre history and journalism at Malaspina University-College in Nanaimo (now Vancouver Island University). Eliza has her B.F.A. in Film from York University and her M.A. in Drama from University of Toronto. Eliza has toured to festivals, theatres, recreation centres and schools offering a wide selection of theatre and art/music classes and workshops. Eliza is co-owner of Red Room Studio in Nanaimo. Red Room is a young people’s theatre company that provides children and youth stage, film and television experience opportunities. Eliza loves working with young people, having fun honing their acting and technical skills as she entertains and shares with them her knowledge in a friendly, safe environment.