Our Team
Ashlie Atkinson
Musical Theatre, Jazz, Vocal Coaching, Acting
A graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts with honors in song, dance, and acting, Ashlie brings professional stage experience and dynamic teaching expertise to Balance School of Performing Arts. Her impressive performance career includes work with prestigious companies such as The Arts Club, Theatre Under the Stars, and Gateway Theatre Co. She has also graced international stages as a main stage singer with Norwegian Cruise Lines and was a finalist on CBC's reality TV search "Maria".
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Locally, Ashlie has made her mark in leading roles including productions of "Chess" and "Evita" with Soundstage Productions, and pioneered new works as the female lead in Kelowna's "Raft of Medusa". Her choreographic talents shine through her work on musicals including "Footloose", "Grease", "Once Upon a Mattress" and "We're In The Money". For three seasons, she served as the Musical Theatre workshop presenter for the "Good Will Shakespeare Festival", working with talented teens from across British Columbia.
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As Owner of Balance School of Performing Arts, Ashlie channels her extensive performance background into nurturing young talent, teaching musical theatre, dance, acting, and voice to students ages 4 and up. Her dedication to theatrical arts and passion for developing young performers makes her an invaluable part of Penticton's performing arts community.
Ciprian Sfat
"Mr. Chip"
Ballet, Partnering & Lifts, Pas de Deux
A graduate of the prestigious Dimitrie Cuclin Ballet School in Romania, Chip holds certifications in classical and contemporary Ballet, Pas De Deux, and choreography. His professional career began as a principle dancer for the National Opera of Galati, Romania, where he performed leading roles in productions including My Fair Lady, Spartacus, Don Quijote, The Nutcracker, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. His talent took him on extensive tours throughout Europe, performing in Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, and Spain.
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Following his opera house career, Chip expanded his repertoire as an Entertainer and Aqua Fitness Instructor at Magic Life Resort in Greece, before joining Norwegian Cruise Lines as a main stage dancer on the MV Marco Polo. After relocating to Canada, he established himself as an instructor at Ballet de Printemps in North Vancouver, later teaching at various Okanagan institutions including Penticton School of Dance, Summerland School of Dance, and Even Dance.
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In 2014, Chip became a certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, bringing this dynamic discipline to Balance School of Performing Arts' curriculum. As the proud Owner/Instructor of Balance School of Performing Arts, Chip combines his extensive performance background with his passion for teaching to inspire the next generation of dancers.
Ms. Carla Jorgens
Hip-Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap
Carla's dance journey began at Okanagan Dance Studios where she trained extensively in jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical and musical theatre. Her natural talent and dedication led to numerous competitive successes, representing Penticton at Provincial Competitions throughout her early career.
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Carla's passion for dance earned her a full scholarship to LA Dance Force, where she trained with world-renowned instructors and choreographers. Her performance career has taken her across Canada and the United States, building a diverse repertoire of dance experience and technical expertise.
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After taking time to explore other pursuits, Carla has returned to her first love - dance. She continues to expand her knowledge and skills through ongoing training at Vancouver's prestigious Harbour Dance Centre. At Balance School of Performing Arts, Carla brings fresh energy and expertise to her classes, sharing her lifelong passion for dance with the next generation of performers.
Ms. Nikki Prime
Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical
A native of Penticton, BC, Nikki's extensive dance journey began at Penticton School of Dance and continued through prestigious institutions including Robb Card Dance, The Goh Ballet, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Her early competitive success, including winning "Best Overall Dancer" at the International Dance Magic competition in Portland, led to a scholarship at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles.
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Nikki's professional career has taken her around the world, performing on tours, live shows, cruise ships, and in various film productions. She has collaborated with renowned choreographers and music industry icons, bringing this wealth of experience to her teaching.
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As an instructor, Nikki has guided numerous students to successful careers with prestigious companies including NYC Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and The National Ballet of Canada. Her role as a competition adjudicator across Canada allows her to share her passion for dance with a broader audience.
At Balance School of Performing Arts, Nikki focuses on building confident, motivated, and inspired dancers.
Ms. Belle Wheeler
Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre,
Stretch & Strength
With a lifelong passion for performing arts, Belle brings both classical training and contemporary expertise to Balance School of Performing Arts. Her extensive background in dance began at age three at Okanagan Dance Studios, where she trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, and Modern dance for fifteen years.
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Belle's stage presence has been showcased in numerous theatrical productions, including starring roles as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" with HorseShoe Theatre, Cha Cha in "Grease," and Ariel in "Footloose." These experiences have shaped her understanding of both the technical and performance aspects of dance and theatre.
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Complementing her artistic background, Belle holds an Honours degree in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Calgary. She has expanded her expertise into fitness instruction, holding certifications in Personal Training, Group Fitness, Cycle, and Aerial Yoga through BCRPA.
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At Balance School of Performing Arts, Belle combines her performing arts experience with her fitness expertise to create engaging, holistic classes that build both technical skill and self-confidence. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes personal growth and empowerment, helping students develop their artistic abilities while building confidence that extends beyond the stage.
Ms. Codi Dalen
Creative Dance
A Registered Teacher with both the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Acrobatic Arts (AAC), Codi brings over two decades of dance education experience to Balance School of Performing Arts. Her teaching philosophy centers on helping students develop both technical control and creative expression through movement.
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Drawing from her experience as the Founder and Director of Soul Funktion Dance Studio in Whistler, BC, Codi has developed a unique teaching approach incorporating Bartenieff/Laban principles. She has studied under renowned instructors including Mariah-Jane Thies, Bill Evans, and Peggy Hackney, deepening her understanding of the mind-body connection in dance.
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Codi's classes focus on creating a supportive environment where students can explore movement freely while building strong technical foundations. Her teaching methodology emphasizes emotional engagement, body awareness, and the joy of dance. With extensive background in Ballet, Tap, and various commercial disciplines, she crafts classes that nurture both technical skill and artistic expression.
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At Balance, Codi is dedicated to fostering each student's individual growth, helping them develop confidence both in dance and in life through her innovative integration of Bartenieff/Laban principles into children's programming.
Ms. Destiny Nakesch
Acrobatic Arts, Lyrical
A Calgary native, Destiny's dance journey began at age 6, encompassing a diverse range of styles including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Acro, and Hip-Hop. Her early career was highlighted by her membership in The Young Canadians Performing Arts group, where she honed her performance skills and artistic versatility.
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With over a decade of teaching experience, Destiny brings certified expertise in both gymnastics (Level 1) and Acrobatic Arts to her instruction. Her comprehensive background allows her to create dynamic, engaging classes that blend technical precision with creative expression.
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At Balance School of Performing Arts, Destiny's teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of daily movement and physical expression. Her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to dance education create an inspiring environment where students can explore their artistic potential and develop strong technical foundations.
Ms. Emerson Morgan
Hip-Hop, Jazz
A passionate dancer since age two, Emerson brings fresh energy and extensive training experience to Balance School of Performing Arts. Her dedication to dance education has taken her to prestigious dance institutions across North America, including Alvin Ailey, Steps on Broadway, and Broadway Dance Center in New York City, as well as Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles.
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Emerson's training includes valuable experiences with renowned choreographers and instructors, including ALDC's head choreographer Gianna Martello, Stacey Tookie, Travis Wall, and Anthony Morigerato. She has enhanced her skills through participation in prestigious dance conventions such as Nuvo, Jump, and Groove Street, as well as private online masterclasses. Her performance highlights include dancing on the Disneyland stage and training with Disney choreographers.
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Currently pursuing a career in hairstyling alongside her dance teaching, Emerson brings a unique perspective to her instruction. Her teaching philosophy centers on sharing her profound love for dance with young students, inspiring the next generation of dancers through technical excellence and artistic expression.
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Joining Balance School of Performing Arts for the 2024-2025 season, Emerson is committed to creating an engaging and supportive environment where students can discover their passion for dance while developing strong technical foundations and creative confidence.
Ms. Violet Villanueva
Lyrical, Jazz
With a diverse athletic background spanning dance, gymnastics, figure skating, and equestrian sports, Violet brings a unique perspective to Balance School of Performing Arts. Beginning her dance journey at age four, she developed a deep passion for movement arts that has shaped her approach to teaching and mentoring young performers.
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Violet's extensive competitive dance training during her teenage years provided her with strong technical foundations and performance experience. Her teaching career began at age twelve as an assistant skating coach, and she has since expanded her instructional expertise to include dance, gymnastics, horseback riding, and equestrian vaulting.
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At Balance School of Performing Arts, Violet channels her multifaceted athletic background and passion for teaching into creating engaging, dynamic classes. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes personal growth, technical development, and fostering a love for dance in the next generation of performers.
Mariah Park
Studio Concierge
With a background in social work, Mariah brings a unique blend of empathy and people skills to Balance School of Performing Arts. Her experience in fostering supportive communities and nurturing individual strengths perfectly aligns with our studio's values and mission.
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As a professional wedding photographer outside the studio, Mariah has developed a keen eye for capturing meaningful moments and celebrating individual uniqueness. This artistic sensibility contributes to the creative atmosphere at Balance, where she manages behind-the-scenes operations and ensures a welcoming environment for students and their families.
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In her role as Studio Concierge, Mariah's primary focus is maintaining smooth operations so that our instructors and students can fully immerse themselves in their artistic journey. Her dedication to creating a supportive, organized, and inspiring environment makes her an integral part of the Balance School of Performing Arts family.
