Instructors
JAZZ INSTRUCTORS
Wendy Gervais - Jazz I Instructor
Wendy Gervais has studied, performed and taught dance in Edmonton since the mid 1980’s. Originally from New Brunswick she has taken credit and non-credit courses in dance at the University of New Brunswick, the University of Windsor and the University of Alberta.
Trained in gymnastics, ballet, modern and jazz technique Wendy has been teaching for the University Alberta’s non-credit instruction program and the Orchesis Modern Dance Group for almost two decades taking time off to raise her two children. She is a performer and dance educator co-owning and operating a business, "On the Ball activities", which brings dance to schools in the Edmonton area.
Wendy trained and competed in gymnastics at the collegiate level and has coached at the recreational and competitive level for many years. She has dance with Edmonton groups including Kompany ! Orchesis Modern Dance Group and Triangle Enterprizes, Inc. and has taken numerous workshops in gymnastics and dance.
Wendy is actively involved in both dance and visual arts communities having completed a BFA at the University of Alberta. Pursuing her visual arts interest Wendy maintains a studio and exhibits her work across the country.
Vanessa Harris - Jazz II Instructor
Vanessa Harris has studied dance in cities such as: Montreal; Toronto; London, England, Los Angeles and New York. She has studied with internationally renowned teachers including: Eva von Gencsy, Matt Mattox, Jaime Rogers and more. Her training includes: Creative Movement/Modern, Ballet, Spanish, Ballroom, Tap, Drama, Alexander Technique, and Singing/Voice Studies. These many experiences enrich and individualize Vanessa's dance and teaching style in jazz. Her positive reputation in teaching with her ability to guide students to develop sound technical skills has evolved over many years of teaching in schools such as Grant MacEwan College, Concordia College, Edmonton School of Ballet, The University of Alberta credit and non-credit courses, Triangles, Citadel Theatre School, Dramaworks and Jazz Moves.
For many years Vanessa performed, choreographed and co-directed the dance troupe Kompany!. She has coordinated, choreographed and/or performed in various tours across Canada, the U.S., Japan, Switzerland, Greece and Australia. She has also choreographed and taught for television specials, commercials, rock videos, live original musical revues and productions, fashion presentations and other workshops and professional endeavours.
In addition to dance, she currently works as a movement coach and choreographer with dancers, singers, actors, rhythmic gymnasts, figure skaters and synchronized swimmers. vandot1@telusplanet.net
Lysa Downey - Jazz II Instructor
Lysa Downey is an award-winning performer and choreographer. Following more than two decades of training and graduation from the Edmonton School of Ballet Professional Program and the Grant MacEwan College Dance Program in 2003, Lysa has taught and coached dancers in Edmonton, Vancouver, Stony Plain, Bonnyville and Morinville at the community, competitive and academic levels. With a strong background in jazz, modern, ballet and improvisation, Lysa is also trained in tap and creative movement.
Her choreographic achievements are many, including “Prairie to Gothic Striptease” at a Wendy McNeil CD release, Stageworks Academy of Performing Arts production of Cinderella, Grant MacEwan and Main Dance Vancouver Public Showcases, Visualeyes Festival and Dance Explosions, plus the preparation of students of all ages for festivals and competitions. Since 2007 Lysa has received four choreography awards. Lysa has performed and competed throughout her dance career including the World Jazz Dance Congress in Wiesbaden Germany, Main Dance Showcases in Vancouver, Day of the dead October Parade in Vancouver, NextFest, Dance Explosions, Wendy McNeil CD release, Alberta Ballet’s Nutcracker, International Dance Day in Churchill Square Edmonton and numerous festivals.
Lysa currently instructs at the University of Alberta and Edmonton area dance schools.
Laura Krewski - Jazz III Instructor
Laura is an active choreographer and instructor in Western Canada and currently resides in Edmonton. Her choreographic credits include
Nevermore (Catalyst Theatre),
The Forbidden Phoenix (Citadel Theatre and LKTYP),
Rich (Manitoba Theatre for Young People),
HMS Pinafore (Edmonton Opera),
Frankenstein (Catalyst Theatre),
With a Twist (Lunchbox Theatre),
Two Gentleman of Verona (River City Shakespeare Festival),
Footloose (The Mayfield), and
Forever Plaid (Globe Theatre). She also created and choreographed
FreeFall, and
Jazz Playground for her contemporary jazz company FreeFall Dance. Laura has been a jazz instructor and choreographer for Orchesis Dance Group at the University of Alberta, the Edmonton Contemporary Dancers, Art of Dance and Edmonton School of Ballet, as well as at many private and post secondary arts programs including Victoria School of Visual and Performing Arts, and Grant MacEwan Theatre Arts program. She teaches extensively at various workshops and summer schools, and adjudicates dance across Canada.
laurakrewski@yahoo.ca
Stephanie (Buddle) Lilley - Jazz III Instructor
Stephanie Lilley (formerly Buddle) has performed and trained in a wide variety of styles and venues. Her involvement in dance started with her studio training in Jazz, Ballet and Lyrical and has since progressed to included Contemporary and Lyrical. To her credit, she has performed for both Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line and has appeared in countless industry productions as a dancer and/or model. She enjoys spreading her love of dance through teaching others. Stephanie has her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education (B.PE) as well as her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). She is currently using her business acumen and her passion for health and wellness in her position with Afexa Life Sciences. Although an experienced teacher, Stephanie continues to be a student herself in both dance and Moksha yoga. She is thrilled to be involved with Orchesis and hopes that her students leave her classes feeling healthier and happier.
MODERN INSTRUCTORS
Jodie Vandekerkhove - Modern I Instructor
Jodie Vandekerkhove is a professional artist with extensive training and education in the field of dance. She is a graduate from Simon Fraser University, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts-Dance Degree, a Dance Diploma from Grant MacEwan College Dance Program and her Elementary RAD Ballet Exam. Jodie’s training encompasses Western Canada/USA (Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton), New York and London, England: she is articulate, diverse, and always brings her personal growth into the studio. She has performed with Off Center Dance Company, Plan B Productions Company, Manifest Human Arts, Brain Webb Dance Company, Mile Zero Dance and various independent choreographers including Heidi Bunting and Nancy Sandercock. Her choreography has been presented by Dance Explosions, NeXtfest, Twelve Minutes Max, Dance Motif and Mile Zero Dance. Jodie has been recognized for her talents via receipt of various awards & scholarships including the request of emerging choreographer for the GMCC Choreographic Intensive. Most recently she performed in Mile Zero Dance, “Spatial Pull”, June 2007.
Presently Jodie teaches as a Sessional Dance Instructor at Concordia University College, University of Alberta “Orchesis” Program & Campus Recreation, and is the Education Coordinator for Mile Zero Dance. jodievandekerkhove@hotmail.com
Kathy Metzger-Corriveau Modern II Instructor
Kathy Metzger-Corriveau has worked as a Modern dancer, choreographer and teacher of Ballet, Modern and Creative dance in Edmonton since 1990. Kathy has received GMCC Dance Performance and Dance Teacher-Training diplomas, as well as a Physical Education degree with a focus in dance. In addition, Kathy has taken many workshops in Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver and New York.
Her professional experience includes working with Mile Zero Dance Co., Manifest Human Arts, Brian Webb Dance Co., Usha Gupta, Kathy Ochoa, Heidi Bunting, and Tamara Bliss. Kathy has choreographed works for Mile Zero Dance and Citie Ballet; Dirty Feet Productions, Alberta Dance Explosions, Orchesis Modern Dance Group, the musical “OGOJ”, Edmonton Dance Centre, and the Telus Children’s Musical Theatre.
Kathy was asked to be an emerging choreographer for the GMCC Choreographic Intensive in August 1998, and produced her own show under Destiny Dance Productions for the Edmonton Fringe Festival, 2000. Kathy had been appointed Co-Artistic Director for the Mile Zero Dance Company for the 2000-2001 season, and had assisted Tamara Bliss with the administration of the Orchesis Modern Dance Group for the 2002-2003 season.
Currently, Kathy has been certified as a Pilates Mat Instructor, and is enjoying her two sons Christopher and Riley. kathymetzger@hotmail.com
Tamara Bliss Modern III Instructor, Orchesis Director
1975: BA Dance/Theatre, Western Washington University - Bellingham
1987: AA Fashion Design, Fashion Institute of Technology - N.Y.C.
1996: MA PER Dance (An Inquiry into the Experiences of Modern Dancers in Enhanced Performance States) - U of A- Edmonton
Immediately following undergraduate school, Tamara began her professional career, dancing and teaching throughout the United States for 18 years. Numerous dance company associations included Metro Theatre Circus of St. Louis, Lynne Wimmer and Dancers of Salt Lake City & Philadelphia, and Waves Jazz Dance of Philadelphia. Living in New York City from 1984 – 1993, she then danced with Peter Pucci Plus, Ed Henry and Dancers, Matthew Diamond, and Rachel Lampert and Dancers and various other pick-up companies.
She served on the faculties of Marymount Manhattan College and 92nd Street YM/YWHA in NYC and School of the Pennsylvania Ballet in Philadelphia. From 1976 – 1992, she toured extensively throughout 28 states. As a movement specialist for the Arts-In-Education program, she was funded by Pennsylvania State Council on the Arts, providing creative dance in public schools. In 1987, she also became the dance teacher in residence at the Fanwood New York School for the Deaf in White Plains.
Living in Edmonton, Alberta since 1993, Tamara performed, choreographed and served as choreographic consultant in numerous dance productions. She has been a dance faculty lecturer in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta since 1996 and director of the University’s performing dance group since 1995.
Certified in Vinyasa Hatha foundations, Tamara is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). She received the Excellence in Teaching Award in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta in 2007. In December or 2008, she danced and toured India with Usha Gupta Dance Entourage in a fusion production of modern, khatak and yoga. tamara.bliss@ualberta.ca
Kathy Ochoa Guest Modern III Instructor (fall 2009)
Kathy is a Canadian-based independent dance artist. She received her BFA in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University in Montreal and also attended Grant MacEwan’s dance performance and children’s programs. She apprenticed with Union Dance Company in London, England and worked for Brooklyn-based dance company, Human Behavior Explorers. Most recently, her choreography has been presented in Edmonton at Expanse Movement Arts Festival, New York at Judson’ Church, as part of Movement Research Works-in-Progress Series, and in Philadelphia at the Nexus Art Gallery. She has presented work in Edmonton, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary and has worked both as dancer and choreographer for Edmonton’s Mile Zero Dance Company, the Brian Webb Company, and is currently the Artistic Director for the KOdance Project. www.koisnow.com
Raena Waddell Guest Modern III Instructor (fall 2009/winter 2010)
Raena graduated from the Grant MacEwan Dance Program in 2000, where she received the Brian Webb Dance Company Award. Immediately following graduation, Raena spent 4 years with the Mile ZeroDance Company working with choreographers Kathy Metzger-Corriveau, Tonya Lockyer, Bobbie Todd, Jodie Vanderkerkhove and Neah Kalcounis as well as continued her ongoing training with Heidi Bunting. She is a founding member of the NewDance Collective where she performed and created works for two years culminating in the presentation of Mermaid Tales presented by the Brian Webb Dance Company in January 2007. Raena now works as an independent artist having presented and danced in work at Alberta Dance Explosions, Feats Festival, Fringe Theatre Adventures, Nextfest and Expanse Movement Arts Festival. She is a 2007 recipient of the Nextfest Enbridge Emerging Artist Award. Raena holds her certification in foot and hand reflexology, Pilates mat and equipment training, all of which including her work with various choreographers across Canada have inspired and informed her dance teaching style.
Linda Turnbull Guest Modern III Instructor (fall & winter 2009/10)
