Teachers/Guest Teachers
Fiona Malena – Flamenco
A solo dance artist and choreographer, Fiona has been immersed in flamenco through living in Spain. Her teachers include Juana Amaya, Farruquito, Andres Marín and Isabel Bayón, among others.
Fiona has choreographed and presented new works for the stage since 2001. Past performances have included collaborations with Spanish and international artists such as Ramón Martínez, Oscar Lago, David Palomar (Aire Flamenco), Vicente Griego, Ricardo Diaz (Tierra), Juan Ogalla and Niño de Elche (Triana).
Performances in Spain have included performing as a soloist in the production “Y ahora soy yo la Torera” in the Alcazár of Seville, Teatro Cerezo of Carmona and the Alcazár of Jerez de la Frontera. Other performances include Patio Las Cruces “Flamenco sin Fronteras,” Arrayan’s “Tarde de Flamenco Puro” and “Tablao Flamenco” in Bar Puerta del Sol, among others. Fiona continues to perform regularly with her flamenco ensemble featuring guitarist Juan Ramírez.
Fiona has also performed at several venues in Canada and the States, including opening for Academy Award winner Buffy Sainte-Marie (Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary). Fiona has also been a guest artist with Pavlo, the Jorge Miguel Flamenco Ensemble and with Flamenco Rosario in “Mis Hermanas,” which soon will tour Mexico. Recently Fiona has also performed with Enrique Esmeralda Spanish Dance Company and guest artists Juan Ogalla and Encarna Anillo (Harbourfront Centre, Toronto). 2009 has included several performances in Spain as well as teaching workshops in London, England with Escuela de Baile Londres and performaning in the Peña de Londres accompanied by Jerez based guitarist Pascual de Lorca.
The Mission Dance Centre is very happy to have Fiona Malena back for another amazing workshop. Don’t miss it!
Jake Evans – Hip Hop/Urban Dance
Jake Evans, from Halifax Nova Scotia, began practicing the art of urban dance late in 1998 but with little urban culture to draw from on the east
coast of Canada, found his passion was a definite struggle. Finally in the summer of 2001, he was able to attend proper classes in L.A.
The intensive was hosted by the Guzman-Sanchez brothers who were showcased in Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ video.
This changed everything for Evans as he had now been given a foundation that was correct in relation to the origins of urban styles.
Being the only urban dancer on the east to actually travel and train, Evans quickly made a reputation performing,
instructing and tirelessly promoting Popping, Locking and Breaking in the Atlantic Provinces.
Almost all of the dance crews and events on the east can be traced back to this enthusiastic ambassador.
In 2005, Evans was awarded a professional development grant from the Atlantic government to train with the Electric Boogaloos.
Also, one of Jake’s students, Natalie Lyons, made the top 20 for SYTYCD Canada, season 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ksYBqGo8dA
Media, event, competition and print appearances are too many to name. Most notable however is a brief dance sequence on Showcase’s Trailer Park Boys in 2002.
His training has continued for the last decade with the Electric Boogaloos’ Poppin Pete and Suga Pop, 7Gemz/Rock Steady Crew’s Ken Swift, Ill Kosby, Caleaf Sellars,
Don Campbell, Greg Pope, Licorice Lloyd, Luther Brown and many more.
Based currently in Penticton BC, Jake still passionately travels coast to coast every year instructing and attending classes in the art of urban dance
Olivia Grayce – Hip Hop
Olivia received her Advanced 2 certificate in ballet from the Royal Academy of Dance, and has completed advanced levels of tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, musical theatre. She has studied at some of the top training facilities in New York City and Los Angeles including: Broadway Dance Center, Steps, The Edge and Millennium Dance Complex. She has had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers including: Dan Karaty, Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore, Nick Lazzarini. Olivia has been chosen as a delegate 3 times for the BC Performing Arts Provincial Festival and has competed at National levels in New York City and Las Vegas. She was also the recipient of the prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music silver medal award (highest exam mark in the province) for the Grade 7 voice examination, studied under the direction of Terry Logan. Olivia is also continuing her studies in Grade 9 Piano and Voice with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Olivia has performed at Radio City Music Hall in a production choreographed by Dan Karaty. In the summer of 2009 Olivia also sang with the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa for part of the prestigious Canada Day celebrations at both Parliament and the National Arts Center. Olivia has trained with some of the best dancers in the industry, dancing with Blake McGrath (Time to Move, Dancelife), Kenny Wormald (Footloose), Kherington Payne (Fame), Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo (Mobbed), Steven “t-Witch” Boss (Step up 3D, Stomp the Yard 2), Scott Myrick (Katy Perry “California Dreams” Tour), Ian Eastwood (Kubskoutz), Kaili Bright (ReQuest Dance Crew) and Vincent Desjardins (SYTYCDC Season 2 runner up). Olivia is most currently Assistant Director of Shuswap Okanagan Dance Academy, as well as Founder and Director of Dance for Dreams – a charity based in the Okanagan that donates to foundations in need in our community.
Dana Kosalko-Harris – Jazz
Dana has received her dance and theatre training from numerous institutions in Europe and Canada. Starting in her home country of Czechoslovakia when she was 7, Dana studied ballet and character dance. Later as a member of 2 dance theatres, Dana continued with ballet, contemporary and jazz training and performing company repertoire.
Since moving to Vancouver, Canada in 1994 Dana has expanded her training in
musical theatre, tap, hip-hop and African dance.
Here she launched her busy carrier as a theatre professional holding positions as:
Board member with Footlight Theatre,
Director/Choreographer and Associate Artist with Gateway Theatre – Academy for the Performing Arts,
Co-founder and Co-producer of Quintessence Musical Theatre Project.
Over the years Dana has been choreographing musicals, dance projects, original works, recitals and teaching in both Canada and Europe.