Faculty

	Lesley Arnold Co-Owner / Artistic Director Jazz Lesley has been dancing and performing since a young age, and has been teaching for over eighteen years. She received her training from Gini Foley, and various studios throughout the Victoria, B.C 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 B.C. Summer Games. She keeps up with the latest styles in Jazz and Hip Hop by taking classes in Vancouver, (Harbour Dance Centre), and attending local and out of town Dance Conventions. Lesley achieved a mark of Distinction on her Intermediate Modern exam (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). 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 A.I.S.T.D (Dip) 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 train and take workshops with masters such as Bev Aitchison, Joe Laughlin, ‘Lady’ Dianne Walker, Jason Samuels, Lane Alexander, Brenda Bufalino, and tap legend Jimmy Slyde. Her career in dance has taken her to Europe where she trained at the ISTD Headquarters in London and at the Amsterdam Dance Centre in Holland. Since living in Victoria, Nadine has passed her Advanced Tap and Modern exams with Honours, and has received her teaching qualifications (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) in Tap and Modern. In 2007, Nadine received her Associate Diploma teaching status with the ISTD. Nadine’s students and choreography have won numerous awards including the Rose Bowl for Jazz (3 consecutive years, DanceArts Festival) and Tap, as well as winner and runner up placing at the Provincial level. 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.
	Jennifer Viinikka A.I.S.T.D 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 R.A.D 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, B.C, she has passed her Advanced Modern exam, as well as her Associate Modern exam (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.) 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 Cal Arts, 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 K. H. Taubert Historische Tanzensemble), and various national dance styles have served to "round off" his passion for the art of dance.
	Desiree Williams Hip-Hop/Jazz Desiree began her dance training at age 3. 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 L.A 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 is a Company member of The Peninsula Young Performers and as a soloist she has been the recipient of many awards and scholarships from competitions and conventions. Desiree shows a special interest in teaching and choreography, and has spent numerous volunteer hours as an assistant teacher at Allegro Performing Arts Centre.
	Anne Elise Couture, RAD RTS Ballet Anne started dancing at age five on Vancouver Island where she trained in RAD, Cecchetti, Jazz and Contemporary dance. At age eleven she went to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, returned home to train with Amalia Shelhorn and then finished her training at L'école Supérieure de Danse du Québec receiving a Diploma in Classical Ballet. While she was in the youth company, Le Jeune Ballet du Québec, Anne worked with international choreographers and toured Mexico, Costa Rica, France, and Canada. Her professional dance experience includes performing The Nutcracker with Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montréal, Giselle and The Mousehole Cat with The Duchy Ballet, Peter Pan, Pas de Quatre, Medea Metamorphoses and The Court of Miracles with Ballet Victoria, and La Flute Magique with Canadian Pacific Ballet. In 2006 Anne completed her Certificate in Dance Education with Distinction from the University of Surrey in conjunction with the Royal Academy of Dance in England and received RAD Registered Teachers Status.
	Gina Sinclair-Davis ARAD, A.I.S.T.D. Ballet Gina started her dance training at the age of six at a stage school in Sussex, England and performed in her first London, West End show at the tender age of 7 as the youngest member of the Snow Family in the musical 'Carousel' . At 15 Gina received a two-year full scholarship to attend Arts Educational, a prestigious performing arts college in London, England and there she continued her studies and exam program in Ballet (RAD, ISTD, Russian and Pas de Deux), Modern, National, Tap, Jazz, Creative Dance, Ballroom, 18th century court dances, Voice, Drama, Mime, Fencing and Acting. After many years of dancing, performing and guest teaching in the U.K, Canada, USA and Mexico, Gina moved to Victoria and opened Sinclair Academy of Performing Arts which she successfully ran for 23 years. Gina has won many awards for her outstanding choreography, and was recognized by the YWCA Woman of Distinction for her pioneer work in dance for young people with Down syndrome, Autism and Brain Damage. She also received an award from the media for her volunteer work as President of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. 2009 will be Gina's 19th season as Victoria, B.C Nutcracker Ballet Mistress, working with Ballet Companies that include Alberta Ballet, Ballet BC, Sacramento Ballet, David Taylor Company, Eugene Ballet and Ballet West. Gina also taught Swan Lake for The Moscow Ballet. Gina's passion for dance and guidance for the dancer continues as she teaches, adjudicates and choreographs both in Canada and the U.S.
	Alicia Bate Musical Theatre/Hip Hop/Jazz Alicia has been dancing for almost 16 years at Allegro, training in Jazz, Ballet, Hip-hop, Lyrical and Tap, as well as participating in many festivals and competitions. She has many years of voice training and has been singing in various choirs for 10 years; as well as singing for the rock band "Next of Kin" for 6 years. Some of her favourite theatre credits include "Guys and Dolls" and "The Music Man" at Stelly's Secondary School, "The Taming of the Shrew" at Uvic's Phoenix Theatre and assistant directing "42nd Street" with the Victoria Youth Musical Theatre Company. She graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, specializing in Applied Theatre. Most recently, Alicia completed the post-degree professional program in education and now has her B.C. teaching certificate, specializing in English, drama and dance. Alicia has been directing the Musical Theatre program at Allegro since 2007.
	Shilo Weiss A.I.S.T.D Tap/Jazz/Lyrical Shilo began dancing at the age of two and a half at the Parksville Ballet School. Four years later, she became a performing arts student training in Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, National, Musical Theatre and Lyrical. She completed exams in ISTD tap and Cecchetti Ballet with very high standings. In addition to her winter training, Shilo attended summer school at Arts Umbrella (Vancouver) and Kirkwood Academy (Nanaimo). She also competed in the North Island and Upper Island dance festivals. In 1999, Shilo attended the North American Tap Championships in Boston, Mass., where she won gold with her solo and group. In 2000 she became a member of the Canadian Tap Team, rehearsing in Toronto and competing at the World Tap Championships in Reisa, Germany, where her team won Silver. Shilo has performed in theatre productions including Grease, Oklahoma, The Wizard of Oz, the Nutcracker as well as performing at Disneyland with the Ballenas High School Choir and Concert band. Her credits in Tap productions include Duellin' Feet and Totally Tap under the direction of Donna Wilkins, and Dancers for Life with the Tap Dogs. Shilo has recently added ballroom to her repertoire. Shilo is excited to share her love of dance with her students.

	Caitlin Patterson Tap/Jazz Caitlin has danced at Allegro since the age of four. She has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Jazz Tech, Lyrical, and Hip Hop, and currently dances four days a week at Allegro. Caitlin began taking exams at a young age, and she received Honours in her Advanced 1 Tap and Modern Exams. Caitlin has been a long-time member of the Peninsula Young Performers company, and she and her group have been met with great success. In 2001, Caitlin and her Jazz group participated in the Triple Threat Dance Convention, and they performed for Janet Jackson there. Caitlin's senior company class was selected to compete in the "No Borders" dance competition in Vancouver in 2005. Since 2003, Caitlin has competed as a soloist, and has received multiple awards and scholarships over the years. In 2004, Caitlin was chosen to represent Victoria, B.C for her age group at the Provincials Competition, and was also the recipient of the Achievement Award for Stage in 2006. In addition to teaching classes, Caitlin works in the office at Allegro and is studying general science at UVic.

	Devon Hackett RAD, RTS, A.I.S.T.D. Ballet Devon began dancing in Victoria at the age of 6, starting with ballet, and later adding tap, jazz, and modern dance. She studied with Wendy Steen Mitchell, Lynn Stevens, and Sherry Black, and performed locally in recitals, festivals, and special events. Following graduation, Devon studied music for two years before returning to her first love, dance. She began teaching in 2001, while completing both an undergraduate and a Master’s degree in History at UVic. Since finishing her degrees, Devon has focused on teaching and dancing, expanding her expertise to include the modern and tap syllabi of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), studying with Arabella Martin, and completing modern and tap exams to the advanced level. She has successfully completed the dance teacher training programs of the Royal Academy of Dance (ballet), and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (modern and tap), qualifying her to teach all three syllabi and to enter students for examinations.
	Shannon Hall Adult Lyrical Since the age of 7, Shannon has studied with various teachers from Edmonton, Stages Dance Company, Victoria Arts Collaborative as well as spending two years learning the art of trapeze at UVic. She has past experience in the study of movement, which includes eighteen years of dance in modern, lyrical, jazz and ballet. Shannon is a certified Pilate’s Instructor and Group Fitness Instructor with a BCRPA (Pilate’s and Group Fitness Certification). She has taken her Pilate’s training through the teacher training program at Victoria Pilate’s Inc., and the Pilate’s Den in Vancouver, BC. Shannon has instructed Boot camp for 3 years and she became aware of how important it is for the body to be flexible and strong to avoid the onset of injury. She has danced with Allegro Performing Arts Centre for many years and has enjoyed performing and taking classes in Ballet and Jazz. Shannon is excited to be working with the Allegro Performing Arts Centre Faculty, teaching Adult Lyrical, which is one of her true passions.