Revolution Dance Collective Staff
The Best in the Business
Alanna Smith
Owner/Artistic Director/R.E.P
Alanna’s love for dance began at the age of three, training in Sooke and Victoria. She began her dance journey in Tap and Jazz, later expanding her training to include Ballet, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. She successfully completed her Gilbert Tap exams with high distinction and has extensive experience choreographing for dancers of all ages and levels.
Throughout her dance career, Alanna has attended conventions and competitions across Canada and the United States and trained at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. Having had the opportunity to perform at Disneyland herself, she was thrilled to later bring her own RDC dancers to Disneyland, where they had the unforgettable experience of performing and participating in dance workshops.
With years of teaching experience, Alanna is passionate about sharing her love of dance and creating a positive, encouraging environment where dancers can grow in both confidence and ability. As the proud owner of Revolution Dance Collective, she loves watching her students develop, celebrating their accomplishments, and creating a studio community that feels like family.
Having grown up dancing in Sooke, Alanna feels incredibly fortunate to now share that same passion with the next generation of dancers in her community. She is so proud of how RDC continues to grow and is excited for the future, the opportunities ahead, and all the memories still to be made!
Julia Barrett
Senior Instructor/Admin - AISTD Modern * Jazz * Contemporary * Lyrical * R.E.P
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
Instructor - * RAD Ballet * Jazz * Contemporary * Lyrical * Acro * Little 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.
Sara Anderson
Instructor - ISTD Modern * 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.
Meesh Montgomery
Instructor - Jazz * Hip Hop * CREW
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!
Emily Morrow
Dance Instructor - TAP * Lyrical * Jazz * REP
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!
Pearl Edmunds
Instructor - RAD Ballet, Open Ballet, Pointe
Bio to come .........
Mady Chase
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.
Amy LeClair
Instructor - Hip Hop * Acro
Bio to come.........
Kayla Harvey
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.
Sarah Federau
Front Desk Manager/Admin
TBD
Samantha Horne
Instructor - RAD Ballet * Lyrical * Jazz * Little Stars * Musical Theatre * Acro
From the age of three, dance has always been a central part of Samantha’s life. She began
her training at Howe Sound Dance Academy, in Squamish BC, where she trained extensively in
Ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, completing both graded and
vocational examinations. Her dedication to dance also led to three years of performing at Youth
American Grand Prix (YAGP), where she gained valuable stage experience and trained alongside
dancers from around the world.
In addition to Ballet, Samantha has trained in Acro, Lyrical, Modern, and Jazz, competing
in these styles for several years. Outside of dance, Samantha holds a Bachelors of Arts degree,
bringing a diverse professional background to her teaching.
As an instructor, Samantha is passionate about helping students build a strong technical
foundation while developing confidence, artistry, and a lifelong appreciation for dance!