Faculty
Lesley Arnold
Co-Owner / Artistic Director
Jazz
Lesley has been dancing and performing since a young age, and has been teaching for thirty years. She received her training from Gini Foley, and various studios throughout the Victoria, BC area. Her performing experience includes being Dance Captain at Butchart Gardens, performing in the opening and closing ceremonies at the Commonwealth Games, and the opening ceremonies at the BC Summer Games. Lesley’s award winning choreography has had the opportunity to perform at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival’s Honours Performance—a performing arts concert where only one dance from Festival was chosen to perform. Lesley has been developing the Jazz Program at the studio since 1990, and became co-owner of Allegro Performing Arts Centre in 2001.
Nadine Cowland
AISTD (Dip) - modern dance theatre & tap
Co-Owner / Artistic Director
Tap, Jazz, Jazz Technique
Nadine started her extensive dance training with The Parksville Ballet School under the direction of Linda Klassen. She is proud to have had the opportunity to perform on stage with the “Tap Dogs” in Dancers for Life and to train and take workshops with masters such as Bev Aitchison, Joe Laughlin, “Lady” Dianne Walker, Jason Samuels Smith, Lane Alexander, Brenda Bufalino, and tap legend Jimmy Slyde. Nadine’s career in dance has taken her to Europe where she trained at the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Headquarters in London and Chichester, and at the Amsterdam Dance Centre in Holland. Nadine has passed her Advanced Tap and Modern exams with Distinction, and has received her teaching qualifications (ISTD) in Tap and Modern. Nadine also holds her Associate Diploma teaching status with the ISTD, and her students achieve high standards in their dance exams. Being a student of Pilates for over 10 years, she is able to incorporate this training into her classes to help her dancers find core stability and to execute their dance movements more efficiently, as well as to assist with injury prevention. Nadine’s students and choreography have won numerous awards including the prestigious Rose Bowl for Jazz (three consecutive years, DanceArts Festival) and Tap, as well as winner and runner up placing for Stage soloists at the Provincials. Nadine has also had the pleasure of being invited to guest teach and choreograph at studios across Vancouver Island. Nadine has been developing the Tap and Jazz Technique program at Allegro Performing Arts Centre since 1997, and became co-owner of the studio in 2001. She truly loves choreographing and teaching, and is passionately dedicated to sharing this art form with her students.
Jennifer Robin
AISTD - modern dance theatre
Co-Owner / Artistic Director
Pre-School, Modern, Lyrical, Tap, Jazz
Jennifer started her dance training at the age of three with Dance Experience, in Edmonton, Alberta. She trained in Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Cecchetti Ballet, Modern, Tap and Jazz. For many years, she performed in “The Nutcracker”, with the Alberta Ballet School. She has also performed in the opening piece at the AMPIA Awards; and in 1995, she was recognized by Canada Council as a Canadian Artist, for her performance and choreography in “Dance Explosions”. Jennifer attended Grant MacEwan College, where she did an intensive Professional Teacher Training Program, focusing on Ballet, Modern, Anatomy and Physiology. Since living in Victoria, BC, she has passed her Advanced Modern exam, as well as her Associate Modern exam (ISTD) Jennifer’s innovative choreography has won such awards as the Rose Bowl trophy for Modern—awarded to the strongest Modern piece at the Danceworks Festival! Jennifer has been developing the Modern, Lyrical, and Pre-School program at Allegro since 1997, and also enjoys teaching classes in Tap, Jazz, and Ballet. Jennifer became co-owner of Allegro Performing Arts Centre in 2001.
Katherine Panter-Roland
Ballet, Pointe
Katherine received her ballet training in Montreal, Canada and London, England. While still a student, she performed with Les Grands Ballet Canadiens and the Boston Ballet Ensemble. Her career as a professional dancer took her to Germany, where she danced with the Berlin Ballet, the Hamburg Ballet, and as a soloist with the Komische Opera Ballet. Over the years she has danced an extensive solo repertoire, and has performed throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, Russia and Japan. After a performing career of 14 years, Katherine became head of teaching staff for the Dance Academy of Berlin. Since her transition into teaching she has taught Classical Ballet internationally at all levels, ranging from young children to professionals. Katherine has been developing the Ballet Program at Allegro since 1997.
David Roland
Ballet
David Roland has danced, choreographed, and taught classical ballet in Europe and North America for nearly three decades. Formerly a soloist with the Berlin Ballet and principal of Oakland Ballet, Mr. Roland has danced principal roles in all the major classics, as well as prominent works of the Balanchine, Tudor, Bejart, Van Manen, Panov and Nureyev repertoires. His choreographic experience spans a gamut of musicals, operas, dance theatre and original ballets. Recent accomplishments include choreography for the inaugural “Peter Pan” for Ballet Victoria, among other works such as “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter & the Wolf”. In 2007, Mr. Roland created dance scenes for Pacific Opera’s “Don Giovanni”. He is also active as a character dancer for Vancouver’s Royal City Youth Ballet and Vancouver Island’s BOUNCE Project. In addition to his training at San Francisco Ballet School and CalArts, Mr. Roland has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland. Supplementary training in Flamenco, historical dance (former member of Germany’s acclaimed KH Taubert Historische Tanzensemble) and various national dance styles have served to round off his passion for the art of dance.
Desiree Webb
Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical
Desiree began her dance training at age three. Her dance background includes Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap and Musical Theatre. At a 2005 audition, Desiree was chosen by “Rising Moment” to represent Canada for Hip Hop dance. Desiree has trained in LA with top Hip Hop choreographers Shane Sparks, Super Dave, Dante, Gus and Fusion. Desiree’s performing experience includes dancing as a Lost Boy in Ballet Victoria’s “Peter Pan”, and playing Jasmine in “Alladin”. Desiree was a Company member of The Peninsula Young Performers for many years, and as a soloist she has been the recipient of many awards and scholarships from competitions and conventions. In 2015, Desiree’s choreography for Allegro’s Senior Company won the top award at Synergy Dance Competition! Desiree has been directing the Hip Hop program at Allegro since 2005.
Gina Sinclair Davis
ARAD, RAD RTS, AISTD, BBOdance RTS, CDTA RTS
Ballet
Gina Sinclair Davis is a Ballet Major and graduate of Arts Educational in London, England who brings in-depth knowledge to every class with her many decades of experience in performance and training of dancers. Her teaching qualifications include Royal Academy of Dance Associate (Advanced Certificate), Registered Teacher Status, CBTS Mentor and Life Member. bbodance Registered Teacher Status. Canadian Dance Teachers Association Registered Teacher Status with Licentiate in Ballet, Modern and Multicultural Dance. She also has her Associate in Ballet, National and Modern with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Gina is a Choreographer, Master Teacher and dance competition Adjudicator who first performed professionally at the age of eight years old and later danced with professional ballet and modern dance companies. She has taught and continues to guest teach in Europe and North and South America. Gina has taught lead and supporting roles in “The Nutcracker”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Giselle”, “Cinderella” and “Swan Lake” for American, Canadian and Russian Ballet Companies. She has created numerous pieces of award-winning choreography using a diverse selection of composers and dance styles including Ballet, Ethnic and Musical Theatre. Gina was named as one of the world’s 17 finest and most respected ballet teachers in Dean Speer’s book On Technique. With a love and passion for teaching she sees her role as the bridge motivating students between the desire and the opportunity to learn.
Alicia Bartlett, BFA
Musical Theatre
Alicia has been dancing since she was three years old, training in Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Tap, as well as participating in many festivals and competitions. She has extensive voice training and has been singing in various choirs and bands for many years. She graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, specializing in Applied Theatre. Alicia also teaches Drama, Musical Theatre and Dance at Stelly’s Secondary School, directing and choreographing productions such as “Anything Goes”, “The Little Mermaid” and “Shrek: The Musical”. Alicia has been directing the Musical Theatre program at Allegro since 2007, where her students and choreography have received many awards over the years.
Caitlin Patterson, AISTD
Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical
Caitlin has danced at Allegro since the age of four. She has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Jazz Tech, Lyrical, Modern, and Hip Hop, and continues to expand her knowledge of dance through regular classes and workshops. She has taken master classes with renowned artists such as Brenda Bufalino, Sam Weber, Travis Knight, Michelle Dorrance, and Joel Hanna. Caitlin began taking exams at a young age, and she received Honours in her Advanced 1 Tap and Modern Exams, and has her Associate teaching qualification in Tap (ISTD). Caitlin was a long-time soloist and a member of the Peninsula Young Performers company, and she and her group have been met with great success. Highlights of her performing career include performing at the Triple Threat Dance Convention for Janet Jackson, being selected to compete in the No Borders dance competition in Vancouver in 2005, and being selected in 2004 to represent Victoria, BC for her age group at the Provincials Competition. She has been the recipient of multiple awards and bursaries as a soloist, and was also the recipient of the Achievement Award for Stage in 2006. Caitlin holds her teaching Associate in Tap and Modern (ISTD). In addition to her great passion for dance, Caitlin also has a dedication to education and has her BSc in Earth Science from the University of Victoria.
Caleigh Hunter
AISTD
Tap, Jazz
Caleigh began dancing at the age of seven at Allegro Performing Arts Centre, and competed for over 10 years in festivals on and off the island. She participated in conventions, master classes, workshops, as well as being chosen to represent Victoria at Provincials in a group and as a soloist. After living, travelling, and dancing abroad for nearly five years, she is thrilled to be living and teaching back on Vancouver Island. Caleigh founded the Heels In Harmony dance shoe project, and has her Teaching Associate in Tap and Modern Dance (ISTD). Caleigh also has a passion for fitness; she is a BCRPA fitness instructor, has a diploma in Sport Management, and a Bachelor of Sport and Fitness Leadership. Additionally, Caleigh is a Certified 200H Yoga Teacher, and she dances professionally for Victoria's Contemporary dance company. “Broken Rhythms.”
Allison McNeill
ADTA - Jr, aistd - modern dance theatre, cdta, & bbo dance - rts Ballet, pbt certified
Acro, Modern, Ballet, Progressing Ballet Technique, Musical Theatre
Allison McNeill has trained in R.A.D. ballet since her early years. Her interest and passion lies in teaching the art and discipline of dance and performance to students of all ages. Allison has trained across Canada in Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary. Namely; with the Kanata Ballet School in Ottawa where she studied for over 10 years under former R.A.D. examiner Marcia Caple, and in Calgary at the prestigious International School of Ballet under Umran Sumen. She successfully passed her Advanced exams in both Ballet and Modern dance through the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D), and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D) with marks of "Distinction". Allison performed for three seasons with Jeunesse Classique Ballet Company as part of the corps-de-ballet, and as a soloist.
In 2016 Allison was fortunate to take the AcroDance teacher's training, and is implementing the wonderful world of Acro in selected dance classes. In 2018, she took her associate teacher’s examination through the I.S.T.D in Modern Theatre Dance. Allison received her associate membership to the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association in Classical Ballet, and has most recently received Registered Teacher Status with the British Ballet Organization (B.B.O.Dance). She is also certified as a teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique for aid in supplemental training for ballet dancers.
Allison is also a singer, and has performed lead roles in several community musical theatre productions including; Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz”, Marion in “The Music Man”, and Leisel in “The Sound of Music”. Additionally, Allison is a Montessori early childhood educator (E.C.E.) and loves working with the Montessori method and integrating music and movement in the preschool classroom. She finds it very fulfilling to watch her students and her two children also receive the benefits of music and dance in their environment. Allison has a B.A. In English Literature and minor in Theatre from the University of Ottawa.
Jade Chapeskie
Hip-Hop, Tap, Jazz
Jade started dancing soon after she started walking, and hasn’t stopped since! Her repertoire consists of Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary. Jade was a member of The Peninsula Young Performers (PYP) Youth Dance Company for several years. She toured with PYP and Allegro to perform in Disneyland, and compete in Portland, Oregon, where her and her group were awarded the “Top score” award for their Production, “Stompin.” Jade has completed her Advanced ISTD exams in Tap and Modern. Jade has broadened her dance education by attending dance conventions, Summer programs, and annual workshops with master teachers. She has toured and performed professionally across Western Canada with SQx danza’s performance Company, and was invited to continue touring with them to Greece and Italy. Jade has choreographed for Mountain Dream Productions in their performances of “Tails of Hamlin” and “Wizard of Oz.” Jade has been teaching for Allegro since 2015, and before that, she spent countless volunteer hours as an assistant teacher at Allegro.
Aimee Jones
Ballet, Lyrical
Aimee started dancing at the age of three, and at an early age she was a member of the Peninsula Young Performers (PYP) at Allegro. Aimee became a junior apprentice at Canadian Pacific Ballet Company at the age of nine, training and performing alongside the adult company members in full length ballets and productions. She learned about company, theatre, and performance etiquette, and trained in a mix of Cecchetti and RAD ballet. Aimee then joined a Professional Training Program where she increased her training to 20 hours/ week. Aimee won 1st place in the Senior Category at the Cecchetti BC Awards hosted by the Cecchetti Society of Canada. After graduating, Aimee was accepted in to a Bridge Professional Training Program, training 40 hours/ week. She completed her Advanced 1 Cecchetti exam and trained in Classical Ballet with Pointe Technique, Classical Repertoire/Variations, Contemporary Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, and Modern Contact Improvisation. Aimee joined Zaryevka Ballet in 2013 as a guest performer for their summer productions at Butchart Gardens, and in 2014 she joined Ballet Etoile and has been a reoccurring guest soloist in their productions to present day. Aimee started teaching and choreographing in 2017 and joined the allegro faculty in the fall of 2018.
Julia Bukovec
Ballet, Lyrical
Julia began her dance training at the young age of 3. She trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern and Lyrical. Julia has competed in Festivals and competitions in groups and as a soloist both on and off the island. Julia’s training included R.A.D Ballet examinations as well as ISTD Tap and Modern exams, completed with Honours. Currently, Julia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary education from UVIC and is pursuing a career as an Elementary school teacher alongside her current role as a dance teacher. Julia enjoys sharing her love of dance with her students and has a passion for teaching.
Lexy Young
Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz
Lexy is a performing arts veteran who was lucky to discover her love of dance at the age of two with our very own Miss Jennifer. Lexy is one of the original Allegro Mini Company members! She loves to strut her stuff on stage - be it dance, singing, or theatre. Dance performances led to film and Lexy has been signed to the Barabra Coultish Agency since the age of five working in movies, commercials, print and modelling.
A graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts, Lexy has studied under many directors and teachers, going as far as New York and learning from the Pros on Broadway. She has performed in many productions, some highlights include; featured soloist with the Victoria Symphony (Broadway Lights), Love of Tap award (Jeff Hislop), Company C Award, Hound Dog Soloist (Smokey Joes café), Assistant Stage Manager (Pacific Opera Victoria, “Midsummers Night Dream”), working on set and stage with her dog Bella, and of course growing up with her Allegro dance family. Lexy’s love of traveling and performing has taken her to Italy where she had a contract teaching musical theatre. She has since happily returned back home and is excited to share her passion of performing with the next generation!