Revolution Dance Collective Staff
The Best in the Business
Alanna Smith
Owner/Artistic Director/R.E.P
Alanna has been sharing her love for dance since the young age of 3, receiving her training in Sooke and Victoria. She began her training in Tap and Jazz and quickly added ballet, Lyrical and Hip Hop to her repertoire. Alanna has completed her Gilbert Tap exams, passing with high distinction. Her teaching experience includes choreographing for numerous dance studios, elementary and high school programs and recreation centres. She has attended conventions and competitions across Canada and the United States and has performed both locally and internationally. Alanna has taken classes at The Edge Performing Arts Center in L.A and also had a lifetime experience of performing in Disneyland. Alanna’s classes are fun, challenging and technical. Alanna loves teaching here in Sooke and hopes to be a positive and influential role model to her students.
Julia Barrett
Senior Instructor - Jazz * Contemporary * Lyrical * R.E.P
A.I.S.T.D Modern Dance
Julia has been dancing since the age of three. She has completed the highest level of ISTD Tap and Modern exams, her RAD Advanced 1 ballet exam and has represented both Nanaimo and Victoria numerous times at the BC Provincials Performing Arts Competition. She is a credited instructor of modern dance, successfully obtaining her I.S.T.D Associate's Exam Teacher Certificate. After graduating high school Julia moved to Vancouver to pursue modern dance with established company, Modus Operandi. While in Vancouver Julia gained further experience and expertise in performing, choreographing and improvisation. Moving back to Vancouver Island in in 2014, Julia has been passionately working with youth - in the dance studio and at school as an Education Assistant. As a teacher and choreographer Julia has won many awards locally and internationally; outstanding choreography, adjudicators choice and top finalist contemporary and jazz groups. Julia loves to share her knowledge and inspiration with all dancers and is excited to share her love of dance with the students at RDC.
Mackenzie Mekelburg
* RAD Ballet * Jazz * Contemporary * Lyrical * Acro * Twinkle Stars *
R.E.P *
Mackenzie began dancing at the age of three, training at Boston Dance
Collective (now Protégé Dance Project) in Victoria, BC. She grew up immersed
in a variety of dance styles, including Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical,
RAD Ballet, Progressive Ballet Technique, Tap, Acro, Hip Hop, and Ballroom.
As part of Boston Dance Collective’s competitive company training program,
Mackenzie participated in numerous competitions, festivals, and conventions
throughout her formative years. She is deeply grateful to the mentors and
teachers who guided, educated, and inspired her passion for dance: Julia
Barrett, Christine Barrett, Kelsey Dukelow, Melissa Burstall, Angela Mousseau,
Leah Lima, and Michael Boston. In the summer of 2018, Mackenzie dedicated
herself to an intensive training program at Arts Umbrella in Vancouver, where
she had the opportunity to study with Ballet BC, Crystal Pite, and other
world-renowned instructors. During this time, she expanded her skills in
improvisation, choreography, and pointe work. In 2024, Mackenzie completed
her Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certification. Miss Mackenzie loves choreographing
for RDC’s REP competition teams and sharing her love of dance with all her
students at Revolution Dance Collective.
Dyllon Pallot
Instructor - Hip Hop
TBD
Meesh Montgomery
Dance Instructor - Jazz * Hip Hop
Meesh Montgomery began dancing at the age of four growing up in a competitive dance studio in the Kootenays. She trained in all styles until high school graduation and then went into a contemporary based program at the University of Calgary. During that time, she also discovered her love for hip hop and began a mentorship with hip hop icon, Lenny Len from Toronto, Ontario. Meesh is fully certified in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance: A ground-breaking rhythm & dance program designed for those with learning differences and special needs and from the age of 22-26 Meesh owned a competitive dance studio in her hometown. She is known for her high energy, fast paced classes and is so excited to join the RDC team for jazz!
Hanna Wheeler
Dance Instructor - Jazz * Lyrical * Contemporary
Hanna Wheeler moved to Vancouver Island at age 5 where she quickly discovered her love of dance.
Throughout her years of training, Hanna has studied various dance styles including ISTD modern and RAD ballet syllabus. She competed in many competitions year after year through out Vancouver Island, winning multiple performance and dedication awards at local music festivals.
Hanna has experience teaching a wide range of ages and dance styles but has always had a keen interest in jazz, lyrical and contemporary dance.
It is Hanna’s goal to promote a healthy and safe, class environment that will allow all the dancers she educates to reach for their highest potential.
Emily Morrow
Dance Instructor - TAP, Lyrical, Jazz
Emily has danced throughout her entire life and fell in love with tap at an early age. Prior to graduating from Boston Dance Collective (now Protege Dance Project) in 2021, Emily specialized in tap, jazz and lyrical earning many awards for solo performances as well as duet, trio, and groups. Emily attended BC stage provincials in 2019 for her competitive tap and lyrical solos. Emily moved into the convention world where she worked with many experienced professionals from all over the world including personal recognition from Mark Goodman and Anthony Morigerato. Throughout being mentored by Micheal Boston and Christine Barrett in her home studio, Emily also had the chance to work with choreographers based in Calgary, Vancouver, and LA. She can’t wait to bring her passion for dance and love of teaching to Revolution!
Sara Anderson
Dance Instructor - RAD Ballet
With a deep passion for movement and over 10 years of teaching experience, Sara brings
energy, expertise, and encouragement to every class. Trained in the styles of jazz, modern,
contemporary, and having completed the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations up
to the Solo Seal Award, she offers students a strong technical foundation and deep artistic
insight. Sara has worked with students of all ages and skill levels – helping them build
confidence, discipline, and a love for dance. Known for her positive energy, Sara is
committed to creating a supportive space where every dancer can grow and shine.
Whether in the studio or on stage, Sara believes in the transformative power of dance and
strives to inspire each student to reach their fullest potential.
Jennifer Connell
Front Desk Manager/Admin
Jennifer's love for dance was instilled in her at a young age. She first began dancing in her grandmother's dance studio at the age of 2. She spent much of her youth dancing and helping out there.
Jennifer worked and danced with Sooke Dance Studio for the past 10 years. She was an integral part of the dance studio in the front office and administration.
She enjoys seeing and chatting with the parents and dancers everyday. She loves seeing the creativity and confidence that dance brings out in the students.
Jennifer is excited to be a part of Revolution Dance Collective and looks forward to the start of what's going to be an exceptional dance year!
Nai'a Johnson
Dance Instructor - Ballet
Nai’a started dancing at Sooke Dance Studio when she was just 3 years old.
Growing up she challenged herself with a variety of styles, and curriculums to
become a more adaptable, and diverse dancer; including Ballet, Jazz,
Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Tap, Lyrical, Modern, and more. Training
at both Sooke Dance Studio and Victoria Academy of Ballet she went on to
complete her Advanced Foundation RAD exam. The past couple years she
expanded her dance knowledge even more by taking classes at Simon Fraser
University in dance technique, history, anatomy, and creation. Nai’a has a
knowledge, love, and passion for dance that she shares with her students. She
continues to find new and engaging ways to inspire them as they inspire her. She
is so excited to be joining the RDC team, and help mould the next generation of
dancers!
Frankie Sun
Dance Instructor - Hip Hop * CREW
Bio to come .........
Kayla Harvey
Dance Instructor/Office Admin
Kayla began her dance training at the age of 2. she has studied multiple dance styles including jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, acro and tap. She has been a member of various Performance Company’s and Lil City Beatz hiphop crew. Her dance credits include performing in Victoria and Nanaimo Dance Festivals and Competitions, attended GSP dance convention, finishing her RAD ballet exams and receiving her RAD Ballet Solo Performance Award. She performed with PACE musicals and performed in numerous musical theatre shows. She has been teaching and choreographing for the last 9 years. She is excited to share her passion for dance with Revolution Dance Collective.
Mady Chase
Dance Instructor - Hip Hop, Lyrical
Mady began her dance training at the age of 4. She has trained in Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, and Tap. She has attended many workshops including Bollywood, Belly Dance, Zumba, and Ballroom. Mady has participated in various sports including gymnastics, which has given her complementary skills as a dancer. She participated in SD62 Dance Academies grade 6 through 12 being in the Advanced Academy throughout High School. She found her passion for Hip Hop while dancing in Dunsmuir DMSIZ Hip Hop crew. She then focused on Hip Hop, training and competing with Vibestreet Dance Studio. Mady has taught at many schools as well as studios. Her love of Hip Hop and all things dance are her inspiration and she’s looking forward to sharing her passion with everyone.
