Our instructors are patient, caring, and dedicated to ensuring our students have the best possible experience inside their class. Between us all, we have over 100 years of dance experience and we can't wait to share our knowledge, passion and excitement with you!
Erin Ensor
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Jennifer Vartiainen
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Christy Ukranitz
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One of our original instructors, Christy has over 30 years of teaching experience and specializes early dance education. Working with our youngest dancers, Christy gives them a magical introduction to the wonderful world of dance and guides them as they grow into happy, confident performers. She is committed to bringing out the best in all of her students and is a well-loved cornerstone of our studio, living our motto "we have great attitude!". Christy has studied jazz, ballet, modern and theatre dance and incorporates them all into her fun and imaginative dance classes.
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Karen Nickason
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Karen started ballet at the age of 4 and has since studied and performed tap, jazz, musical theatre, Hawaiian, acrobatics and, finally, Flamenco. Karen's Rominichel (Gypsy) roots have kept her involved in the world of flamenco dance since 1988. She began under the instruction of Oscar Nieto and Rosario Ancer in Vancouver and has since studied with well respected teachers in Toronto, New York, London England and Spain.
Karen's devotion to flamenco is reflected in her stirring and graceful interpretation of the dance form. She has performed with "Mosaico Flamenco" on several occasions around B.C. and also with "Rosario Ancer Dance Company" in the Vancouver Opera's Production of Carmen. Karen has also toured through western Canada with flamenco guitarist Peter Knight and is a founding member of LOS CANASTEROS. Karen has released the first Canadian instructional flamenco dance video and is featured in the National Film Board documentary "Opre Roma (Gypsies in Canada)" which has appeared at the Montreal and Vancouver film festivals and was aired in the fall of 2000 on CBC. Karen took a break from Flamenco to start a family with her husband, and now has two wonderful children. Although she's still teaching for Danceability in Richmond and for a studio in Langley, Karen is currently enjoying family life. She recently became a Reiki master and is now part of the world of healing arts. She hopes to one day host a Flamenco show again. |
Chelsea Kita
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Chelsea has studied and performed in a variety of dance styles including tap, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, and jazz. She has performed around the lower mainland and appeared in the Royal City Youth Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker in 2010. Having trained at Danceability for over 15 years, Chelsea is excited to share her passion and creativity with her students.
“After growing up with, learning from, and dancing at Danceability, I am confident in saying we are not just a great place for learning to dance, but a place to feel as though you are with family.” |
Maverick Kilbride
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Maverick Kilbride is a dancer, teacher and choreographer in the Vancouver dance community who started dancing at the age of nine. Since then, Maverick has taught drop-in hip-hop classes at Douglas College and choreographed pieces and taught workshops for UBC’s Rare Candies. He is also a teacher for Culturally Defined Varsity Team and has trained and performed with Unity Dance Company for the past five years. Maverick hopes to continue to teach and inspire the next generation of dancers through the love of music and movement. He is a believer in constant learning and is always striving to improve his craft.
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Andrew Cohen
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Andrew is a performer, producer, choreographer, director, musician, and teacher. He has worked across Canada for companies spanning Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia and many point in between. He has worked in plays and musicals like the Canadian tour of Game Show, Catalyst Theatre's Hunchback (Vancouver Playhouse), Chicago (Edmonton), Joseph (Calgary), Pains of Youth, Pvt. Wars, Dead Man's Cell Phone, and Laramie Project. He was a Top 4 Male Finalist on CBC's series Triple Sensation, and was also a tap dancer in the Opening and featured solo vocalist in the 2010 Olympic Closing Ceremonies.
Andrew most recently arranged, music directed, and co-created CIRCLE GAME - a new indie/rock revival of the songs of Joni Mitchell with his fiancée Anna Kuman (The Untitled Theatre Co). Andrew is a faculty member of Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! and will be next onstage in the Arts Club's Godspell this summer. |
