Meet the
Instructors
Classes are led by qualified and experienced instructors. Passionate about the skills they teach, instructors bring their own experiences into each session to create a fun and engaging learning environment. Click on any instructor below to learn more.
Ali Rogers
Circus Arts - West Coast Circus
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Ali ran away to join the circus a decade ago at the age of 27 and hasn’t looked back since! After falling in love with aerial acrobatics – specifically silks, rope, hoop and trapeze – she soon branched out into other circus disciplines such as tumbling, trampoline, equilibristics, juggling and object manipulation. She’s even been known to dabble in (non-scary) clowning now and then!
These days, Ali teaches at West Coast Circus in Pitt Meadows, a small recreational school known for its well-rounded circus arts programming and for being the once and future home of Western Canada’s only flying trapeze rig! As an instructor, she believes in helping students set and achieve their own goals and express their unique interests and creativity in the air and on the ground. Above all else, Ali believes that circus arts should be fun, challenging, exhilarating and accessible for all bodies and minds.
Chloe Best
Dance
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Driven, dedicated, and passionate. Growing up in Maple Ridge B.C, Chloe’s journey in dance began when she was 16 in a hip hop class! It was this single class that ignited her immense passion for dance, encouraging her to become immersed in as many styles as possible. While her journey in dance began later than some, Chloe quickly immersed herself in a wide variety of genres, attending classes five days a week at her studio where she took hip hop, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, and more. While Chloe loved every class at her studio, her true love blossomed in contemporary and jazz, where she began to discover her own style and sparkle.
Following graduating from 5678 Dance Centre in 2022, Chloe decided to take her training to the next level. Attending dance classes weekly at Studios across Vancouver. Chloe dedicated her time to volunteering and assisting at various studios, where she learned from skilled teachers and sharpened her own teaching skills. She competed in competitions such as “Artist Emerge” and continued to evolve in her training and knowledge by taking classes, workshops, intensives in the city, and seeking opportunity.
Since then, Chloe has started teaching a variety of classes all the way from Ballet to Jazz to Hip Hop! She has done on-camera workshops with Harbour Dance Centre, “The Jazz Pop-Up” by Emma Stephenson, and has had the opportunity of teaching at BCIT dance club. Outside of the studio, she has worked on productions such as “Seventeen” and has received her ‘Coaching certification’ working with special needs athletes through Special Olympics BC. As a teacher, Chloe strives to share her passion for dance by creating an uplifting and encouraging environments for all students. Chloe hopes to remind everyone with a passion that it's never too late to follow your dreams.
Emily Sheppard
Ceramics, Interdisciplinary Artist
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emilysheppard.ca
@emilysheppardartEmily Sheppard is an interdisciplinary artist currently, deeply, immersed in ceramics. With a diploma & BFA, both in fine arts with a focus in 3D materials & sculpture, Emily has a playful touch that resonates in her work. Many years ago, Sheppard’s work switched gears from primarily focusing on 3D work and began a self-propelled deep dive into & exploring functional ceramics & pottery.
“Over the years, I have had many types of studios. A small studio setting a few years back was shared with 2 other sculptural artists that dominated the space. The only part of the shop was a tiny corner by a window with a pottery wheel, so I sat and started throwing. I say self-taught when my students ask, although I did have some great instructors who are pottery masters during my degree. At that time, I was fairly stubborn and uninterested in functional art. Since then, I’ve changed my tune and pottery, has become a method to learn about the materials. There is so much to learn in ceramics and pottery teaches you a lot. Every week I sat at that wheel, re-taught and reminded myself the bits and pieces of things I had forgotten. I started attending workshops and volunteering for all sorts of things clay related. This true key to success in ceramics in my opinion, is determination and don’t stop attitude.”
To summarize, Emily Sheppard is passionate about art. She is driven and loves to share knowledge and techniques she has gleaned over the years. With many years of teaching under her belt she is excited to be invited to teach some classes at the ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge.
Upcoming & for the last year, Emily has been working creating and sculpting the components for a large exhibit of ceramic pieces for another artist named Glenn Lewis who is a long time ceramics legend here in BC. These feature fruits, veggies, birds, dogs and who knows what else. Stay tuned to find out!
Lauren Trotzuk
Theatre
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Lauren Trotzuk is an actor, singer, director, playwright, theatre instructor and overall avid musical theatre enthusiast. Some of her favourite acting credits include Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (BIV), Cat in the Hat in Seussical (FVGSS), Little Red in Into the Woods (NSLOS) and Jemima in CATS (FCP). Over the last 12 years she has been performing in plays, musicals, operettas, revues, cabarets and concerts all over the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland: from Chilliwack to North Vancouver to White Rock.
Lauren has had many years teaching for the ACT, where her classes range from scripted musical theatre classes to fundamental acting and improv courses. Lauren is always committed to stoking that fire of love for theatre in others that she remembers growing in her youth. Lauren is honoured to be spending her time sharing her love for theatre with others and working alongside the talented staff of The ACT.
Sarah Fernandes
Dance
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Sarah has been dancing since she was two years old, not knowing how one preschool ballet class would change her life. From there her love for the artform grew and she could be found twirling and jumping around at any chance she was given. She found what she was meant to do after starting that very first class and hasn't looked back since. She has trained and danced competitively in several styles such as ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and stage.
After volunteering with her dance studio as a student teacher, Sarah began her career as a dance instructor and loves sharing her passion for dance with her students. Sarah teaches many of the styles she trained in, such as ballet, jazz, and stage. Sarah teaches a variety of ages and ability levels, from preschool creative movement, all the way up to senior/adult ballet. Sarah is always looking for creative and fun ways to make every class new and exciting. She strives to create a warm and welcoming environment where her students feel comfortable and confident to be themselves and dance their best.
Tina Ranger
Photography
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“As soon as I could hold a pencil I drew, and as soon as I could hold a camera I took photos. One of my guiding philosophies is to be a good observer, to practice and hone these skills, to have your art and photography express what you see and feel in the moment, to be inspired.“
Tina has been an educator for 25 years teaching young people and adults in fine art and photography among other subjects. She enjoys seeing her students knowledge and creativity grow along with their enthusiasm for artistic expression. She has been an active participant in art clubs, a continuous learner of photography and arts. She has a love of nature, her dog, horse, fitness, family and friends, and finding time for that and more.
Angie Sawyer
Early Childhood Music - Angelic Voices
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Angie is the owner and head instructor of Angelic Voices Early Childhood Music and Movement Studio. A passion for music and young children and a gift in performance is what began this business over a decade ago!
Angie uses the Musikgarten curriculum, and fully believes in their philosophy of music being taught as a language - first we listen and hear, then we learn to echo and repeat, and finally we learn to play. By breaking music down into its simplest form, we enable even infants to hear and feel the power it has!
Along with teaching at daycares and preschools around Ridge Meadows, Angie is excited to be able to offer these wonderfully engaging music classes for young ones at The ACT Arts Centre! Angie is a wife and busy mom of 3 who you might also find walking with her dog and drinking a good coffee!
Dennis Hixson
Ceramics
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“My pottery journey began when I decided to take a pottery class as a break from the rigours of my pre-med science degree in university. I immediately fell in love with clay. After a more than 40-year break, I started taking classes at the ACT in 2019 and that passion for clay was rekindled. I have so enjoyed the supporting ceramic community at the ACT. I greatly admire British potters such as Lisa Hammond which has inspired my work. My goal is to be set free from my tenancy for perfectionism and make pieces that are individual and functional, having fun in the process.
In addition to developing as a ceramic artist, I have had the privilege to be the ceramic technician at the ACT. I love the technical processes such as glaze chemistry and development and kiln firing.
When I am not in the studio, I can be found in the kitchen baking Artisan sourdough bake goods, working in my garden or video chatting with one of my four children or five grandchildren.”
Erin Larsen
Soapstone Carver
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Soapstone carving is a hands on, tactile, creative outlet using tools to manipulate beautiful Brazilian soapstone into any shape you can imagine. Your imagination is the sharpest tool you will use to carve with.
Carving is therapy for the mind, body, and soul. In my experience I’ve realized it’s about enjoying the entire creative process and not just about the finished outcome.
My philosophy is……. Nobody Gets Left In The Dust, We Make It!!!
Megan Tarris
Ceramics
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@heymegantarris
megantarris.comMegan has a degree in Design from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and worked as a graphic designer in corporate advertising before finding love in a bucket of mud.
She creates wheel-thrown, functional ceramics, fired in electric and wood kilns. Her work reframes familiar forms in a minimal way, with warm finishes and quiet details.
Megan lives near the forest outside Vancouver with her partner, 3 littles and Harold, the refugee pheasant.
Nicole Giesbrecht
Visual Arts, Poetry
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Nicole Marie Giesbrecht, a Metis-Mennonite multimedia artist and poet from the Fraser Valley, specializes in blending Poetry with Acrylic painting. She has also excelled in wire art, felting, beading, weaving and other mediums as an outlet for her creativity, expression, and healing. Her Spiritual Journey has greatly influenced her poetry and art, deep diving into the Interconnection of Nature, Spirit, Consciousness and Self. Her heritage and upbringing reflects in her message, giving voice to the importance and reverence of the Natural World to which we are innately connected.
Although Nicole is an emerging artist in acrylic painting, with her first Duo Gallery Exhibition, 'Growing Roots' debuting at the Mission Arts Council's Rock Family Gallery in July 2024, she has been a Creative her whole life. Her works have been published in the Footprint Press as well as displayed and sold at many Art Markets, Music Festivals, and stores throughout B.C.
"My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back." - Louis Riel 1885
Shelly Davies-Conley
Visual Arts, Poetry
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Shelly has a background in Early Childhood Education and has been teaching art based programs at the ACT Arts Centre since 2004. She graduated from Douglas College in 1985 and further studied at Seneca College in Ontario. Shelly pursued a career in Ontario working in daycare for 14 years until she moved back to BC with her husband and two sons in 1999.
Over the years, Shelly has expanded her education in the arts by experiencing hands on opportunities with different art mediums. She has continued to provide programs for children from preschooler to school age at the ACT, as well as after school art classes in public schools. Shelly offers a creative enriched learning environment which give children the opportunity to express themselves, learn, and grow through her art based learning programs.
“Through these hands on opportunities I experienced, I’ve learned the appreciation of art and how much it plays a part in the development of a child as a whole person. Seeing the joy on their faces when creating a masterpiece of their very own, speaks volumes for their self-esteem and growth. This is why I enjoy providing the art based learning programs at the ACT.”
Brittney Driver
Early Childhood Music - Angelic Voices
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Music has been a large part of Brittney's life for as long as she can remember. She truly believes that early introduction, and regular involvement in music has a lasting positive effect on people's lives. Brittney loves singing and thinks that everyone, given the chance, can sing.
Busy mom of two wonderful boys and one kitty boy, she still finds the time to do the things she loves. Mini dance parties in her kitchen and gardening are at the top of her list.
Brittney graduated from Douglas College with a diploma in performing Arts majoring in classical voice. She has been teaching early childhood music and movement with Angelic Voices since 2018.
Brittney is a kind, patient person who loves to share her knowledge of music with any and everyone.
She’s excited and grateful to be involved in this program, and to be able to instill a strong musical appreciation within the community's children.
Elena Markelova
Watercolour Artist
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www.elenamarkelova.com
@elenamarkelova_artElena is well known for her double exposure animals, nature watercolour paintings, and the detailed city maps – all inspired by magnificent landscapes and engaging wildlife of Canada. She was born and raised in a small town in the middle of Siberia in Russia, and was often painting and drawing. Elena’s mom signed her up for art school when she was only 10 years old. She spent seven years there, then six more at Art University, learning different mediums and techniques while experimenting with subjects and ideas.
After moving to Canada in 2012, Elena was searching for her own style and inspiration. Family trip to Pemberton was a pivotal point in her artistic career – as she saw the very first bear in her life just a few meters away surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, she couldn’t resist the excitement she felt and painted that bear with a landscape inside. Since then nature and the wilderness have become her true love and inspiration. The beauty, peace, and truth she finds there have no equal.
Elena works with watercolour, the most challenging and magical medium, and shares her love and inspires others to paint with it. She's been teaching watercolour workshops and classes around the Lower Mainland for several years and can't wait to bring the joy of watercolour painting into your life!
Philippa Glossop
Ceramics
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Philippa is a practicing artist and has been teaching visual art to children, youth and adults for over twenty years. She has taught in public and independent schools and has had fun inspiring creativity in students K through grade 12. She has spent time as an Art Educator for the Kamloops Art Gallery and the ACT Art Gallery coordinating engaging and interactive school tours and workshops for teachers and students.
Currently, she dedicates her time teaching from her studio, offering fun and educational art classes at the ACT and volunteers her time with special needs groups teaching art to children with autism. Philippa earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Education from Queen’s University in 1986, a Masters of Education from Thompson Rivers University in 2014 and Diploma in Special Education in 2020. She lives with her husband and two boys in Maple Ridge.