Kathleen Hughes, originally from Edmonton, Alberta, began with ballet training at a very early age, and was later introduced to Modern while attending the dance program at Grant McEwan College. Ms. Hughes then completed her studies at The School of the Toronto Dance Theatre. Since 1995 she has worked with Canadian dance artists such as Patricia Beatty, Terill McGuire, Graham McKelvie, Naoko Murakoshi, Elizabeth Chitty, and Nicole Fougere.
In 1999, Ms. Hughes co-founded a dance collective called The Aurora Dance Community under the mentorship of Patricia Beatty (Co-founder Toronto Dance Theatre, Member of the Order of Canada). During this time she had extensively produced, choreographed, and performed for this professional collective for five years. In 2005 Kathleen co-founded and became the co-artistic director of Niagara Dance Company, at which point had an eventful career teaching professional level classes, choreographing and co-producing bi-annual performances. Since 2010 Kathleen is working out of her home town as the Founder and Artistic Director Kathleen Hughes Dance Association, produced productions of dance and hosted several series of graham-based dance classes.
Taylor is a Vancouver-born dance artist that began at the Spiral Dance Co. then moved into the Ballet-Contemporary Training Company Lamondance, and later The London Contemporary School of Dance. Her professional career started at twelve when she danced for Disney and Nickelodeon. While Taylor resided in London, UK, she danced with The Greenwich Contemporary Dance Company. She also worked training dancers for their West End debuts such as The Lion King, Annie and Miss Saigon. Other European credits include performing at the MMVA’s in Amsterdam, teacher/adjudicator at Danza in Fiera Florence, Italy.
Taylor works throughout the country as a dance educator and adjudicator. Taylor recently concluded work with The Response dance company, is currently teaching for Dance Co. in Vancouver and working as Assistant Studio Director for Defy Gravity Dance Co. while running the Contemporary section of the Pre-Professional Program. For Taylor, contributing to the dance community is her passion and privilege and she continues to focus on the creative elements of dance.
Mark, a native of North Vancouver, holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of McGill. Mark is currently principal trumpet of the Kamloops Symphony, and second trumpet with the Vancouver Island Symphony. He has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver New Music, Victoria Symphony, CBC Radio Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony, and the American Brass Quintet as an Aspen Music Festival Fellowship recipient.
As a sideman, Mark has performed with Ben Heppner, Ashley MacIssac, Lara St. John, Grammy winner Lila Downs, The Celtic Tenors, Tony Award winner Idena Menzel, and can be heard on the Juno nominated album The Show Must Go, Universal, 2009. In 2012 Mark was awarded a Canada Council for the Arts specialized travel grant to study trumpet in Valencia, Spain. Mark currently holds the position of trumpet instructor at Capilano University, and is a Stomvi Performing Artist.
Yvette graduated with distinction from the University of Victoria School of Music and holds diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music Toronto (ARCT, Performance), the Victoria Conservatory of Music (AVCM, Performance and Pedagogy), and Camosun College (Associate of Arts Diploma in music). Her tutors have included Dr. Robin Wood, Winifred Scott Wood, Dr. Gordana Lazarevich and Bruce Vogt. Yvette has examined senior levels of piano for The London College of Music and Media (England). Yvette enjoys both leading and participating in Master Classes.
Jamie is the founder of the Victoria Conservatory’s Collegium Program for Young Musicians, which offers an enriched curriculum for talented young singers, pianists and instrumentalists. He has completed several concert tours in Europe, performing in Scotland, Ireland, Hungary, France, and England, and has performed closer to home in many recital venues across Canada. In recent years, he has also developed his interest in musical theatre, and has directed several full-length productions. Dr. Syer is known for his imaginative recital programming, and his artistic, energetic playing. In addition to his musical activities, Jamie is Manager of the Public Library in Sundre, Alberta.
In thirty-seven years of teaching, she has directed over four hundred plays and seen too many to count. She is most proud of serving on the Youthwrite play reading committee, and founding the Goodwill Shakespeare Festival, which is now celebrating its eighteenth anniversary. Linda has received many awards for teaching and promoting the Arts: The Distinguished Service Award presented by The Association of BC Drama Educators; Summerland's Citizen of the Year; the 2007 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence; 2008 Provincial and Federal Arts Appreciation Award, Summerland Arts Council and 2008 Paul Harris Fellow Rotary International.
To read Kimberley's full biography, visit her website.