Jane Wace
Studio Director - Musical Theatre / Stage

Jane began teaching at Spotlight 1986, and became the owner in 1989. Jane studied ballet at the Canadian School of Ballet in Kelowna and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Moving to Vancouver, and then Toronto, she further developed her jazz, modern, musical theatre and acting training. Through the years Jane has performed on TV and in numerous musicals, pantomimes and recitals. As owner and director of Spotlight Dance Centre, Jane enjoys the challenges involved in operating a successful business, and looks forward to passing on her lengthy theatrical experience to young dancers.

Sarah Brewer-Clowes
Ballet / stretch & strength

Sarah Brewer-Clowes is a distinguished teacher of Ballet. In addition to being a frequent guest teacher in Montreal, Florida, Germany and B.C., Sarah held the position of Assistant to the Ballet Mistress to the Professional Program in Banff for many years. Sarah is a much sought after adjudicator at local Festivals and Provincial competitions. Sarah’s professional dance and choreography experience is extensive. She has performed in the U.S. and Canada, including with the Banff Festival Ballet and Kinesis Dance.

Debbie Calis
Ballet

Debbie has been teaching dance since 1981 and is a registered teacher with The Royal Academy of Dancing in London, England. Her love of dance started at the age of five, studying tap, ballet and musical theatre for many years in New Westminster. She also studied in San Francisco and London, England. Debbie appeared in many local musicals, television specials, industrial shows and the United Nations Armed Forces Tour. Debbie has taught at Spotlight since 1991 and her expertise and professionalism has been a great asset for the school.

Angela Chow
pre-dance / TAP / JAZZ

Angela began her dance training at the age of 7. A former Spotlight Dance Centre graduate, she trained extensively in jazz, tap, ballet, musical theatre, modern, lyrical jazz, and hip hop. After graduation, Angela continued her dance training around the lower mainland and became a member of the Vancouver Tap Dance Society. Angela has since been teaching tap and jazz at another dance school since 2001. Her unique and memorable tap choreography has been recognized and awarded at many competitions and shows throughout North America, including Whistler, Kelowna, Portland and Las Vegas. Angela  has had the wonderful opportunity of being a writer at the Peak Invitational Dance Competition, and aspires to be a dance adjudicator. She recently choreographed her first studio production, an eleven-minute piece which includes 47 students. Angela is honoured and excited to be back home at Spotlight to continue her teaching.

Dana Cole-Luder
Voice / Musical Theatre

Dana is a graduate of the Classical Music Program at Douglas College and the 'Jazz and Musical Theatre Program' at Vancouver Community College. Dana has performed lead roles in many musicals with Theatre Under the Stars and Royal City Musical Theatre. Another longtime teacher at Spotlight, Dana is a much loved teacher and passes her experience on to each student. Her contributions towards the school have made Spotlight's musical theatre program one of the best in the lower mainland.

Jo-Ann Gordon
AISTD (CSB, NB), BSc.
BALLET

Jo-Ann received her Teacher’s Training at the National Ballet School in Toronto. Jo-Ann is certified in Cecchetti, Royal Academy of Dance and the National Dance Syllabi. She has taught for many years in both Toronto and Vancouver. Jo-Ann was the children’s Rehearsal Assistant for the Ballet BC and Alberta Ballet’s co-production of ‘The Nutcracker’ from 2000 to 2006. As well as having a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, Jo-Ann is also a Dance Therapist and has also taught pilates. We are thrilled to have Jo-Ann join Spotlight as our new ballet teacher.

Katrina Knauer
RAD RTS, Cecc AISTD, National Dance AISTD, TTP DIP. (NBS)
BALLET

A graduate (with distinction) from Canada's National Ballet School's Teacher Training Program , Katrina Knauer began her classical ballet training in Vancouver B.C. She has trained in both the RAD syllabus and the Cecchetti method. Upon her acceptance into the three year teaching program, Katrina had the pleasure of training under highly respected mentors such as Anuschka Roes, Evelina Ganina, Teresa Randall, Glenn Gilmour, Roselie Brake, Carina Bomers and Jane Wooding. 

Katrina earned the National Dance I.S.T.D Intermediate, Advanced one and Advanced two. She has also completed her Cecchetti ballet examinations for Intermediate, Advanced One and Advanced Two along with the Royal Academy of Dance Intermediate and Advanced One certificates.

Always continuing to learn, Katrina has worked hard to achieve Registered Teachers Status with the Royal Academy of Dancing, the Cecchetti Associate Diploma as well as the National Associate with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. She has also done guest teaching in Nanaimo B.C and has been given the pleasure be a guest choreographer in Richmond, B.C.

Katrina has worked with dancers of all ages and levels, her love and passion of dance and teaching is evident when she is in the classroom. She believes that dancers should develop as artists and wishes to help them grow and explore the beauty of dance.

Deborah Marino
PIANO

Deborah Marino has been with Spotlight Dance Centre since 1989. She has over 20 years experience teaching music. Deborah has worked with students of all ages and all genres including rudiments. Deborah was classically trained through the Royal Conservatory of Music, ABRSM, and Kelly Kirby Piano Method. She has performed in various festivals, church services, wedding ceremonies and receptions. Deborah also conducts workshops for musical theatre students. Deborah enjoys the energy and enthusiasm her students bring to class and looks forward to the challenge of inspiring young musicians. 

Melissa Medalla began dancing at the age of 13. After learning the basics to ballet, jazz, tap and musical theatre she quickly found Hip Hop to be her favourite. Melissa has competed and performed throughout North America and Europe and has won numerous awards at competitions and dance conventions including a Monsters of Contemporary Scholarship and winning nationals at the International Dance Challenge in Boston, Mass. She has also furthered her training in Hip Hop with the Souldiers Dance Company. Melissa currently performs with Kinesix dance crew and teaches in dance studios in the lower mainland.  

Joanne Pesusich
Jazz / Hip Hop

Joanne's dance career has led her all over the world as both a choreographer and dancer. Joanne trained in jazz, ballet and hip hop in Australia, Vancouver, New York City and L.A. She has performed in videos and on TV with the Backstreet Boys, Prince, Kool and the Gang, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and with STOMP at Caesar's Place, Las Vegas. As a choreographer Joanne has numerous credits to her name, including the movie 'Saving Silverman' and several national commercials. She was nominated for 'Best Female Hip Hop Dancer' at the RAD awards in L.A. Joanne is an instructor and co-founder of Groove Street Productions. She enjoys sharing her performing experiences with students and has been a great influence on Spotlight's senior dancers. Joanne has been with Spotlight for many years and we are thrilled to have her as part of our team.

Jodie Rigazzi
Jazz / Hip Hop / Musical Theatre

Jodie has been studying dancing and singing at Spotlight since she was 10. She trained in jazz, tap musical theatre, hip hop, voice and ballet. Jodie was a successful competitor and won many accolades for her performances, particularly at the Nationals in Las Vegas. She has performed in various musicals, plays and recitals. Jodie has been a teacher at Spotlight for many years. Jodie puts all her energy into her teaching and loves to pass on her passion for dance to the students at Spotlight.

Jennifer White
Ballet / Modern / Jazz

Jennifer began her training in ballet, jazz, modern, musical theatre and highland in Prince George. She has danced for 16 years and successfully passed her RAD Advanced exam. Jennifer trained at the National Ballet School, l'Ecole Superior, Southwest Ballet Centre, Texas. As well as joining the Ballet BC Mentor Program she performed in numerous Nutcrackers, recitals, competitions and Vancouver Opera's 'Faust'. Jennifer has taught and choreographed all over the lower mainland, most recently at The Source. Jennifer has been an instructor at Spotlight for several years. She has been a huge asset to the school, through her teaching as well as her outstanding choreography.

Angela Chow
Office Administrator

Laura Cvitkovich
Office Administrator

Cristina Bucci
Hip Hop

Andrea Marino
Jazz / Lyrical / Musical Theatre

Nicole Kamensek
Jazz / Lyrical

David Raymond
Jazz / Tap

Tiffany Tregarthen
Jazz / Modern