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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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. Paige Dodsworth
Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Primary Tap
From the early age of three, Paige has pursued her passion for performing and music through the art of dance. Starting her dance journey at Summerland School of Dance and finishing at In House Performing Arts Studio, she has gained an extensive amount of knowledge from the many teachers and choreographers that she has worked with. Paige has always had a passion to create, which led her to wanting to teach dance.
Within Paige's fifteen years of dance, she has trained in the technical styles of jazz, RAD ballet, hip hop, musical theater, modern/contemporary, acro, tap, and lyrical. With her favourites being hip hop and lyrical, she became a provincial competitor for her hip hop and lyrical solos at the 2025 Performing Arts BC Provincial Festival in Victoria BC. She has also had the opportunity to take masterclasses led by Andrew Pronger at Victoria Academy of Ballet and Chan Hon Goh at Canadian School of Ballet.
Paige is thrilled to be a part of the Balance team and is excited to work with all of the talented dancers!
Shayla Hutton
Ballet, Contemporary Ballet, Pointe
Shayla Hutton (she/her) is originally from Kelowna, BC, where she began her dance training at The Canadian School of Ballet. After graduating high school, she moved to New York City to continue her training at the Joffrey Ballet School and was invited to perform with the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group under the direction of Davis Robertson.
Shayla danced professionally with the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group for four seasons before spending nine seasons with Nimbus Dance under the artistic direction of Samuel Pott. During her time with Nimbus, she performed as a principal dancer and originated numerous roles in world premiere productions at venues including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Tanglewood, and the Walton Arts Center. She has performed works by Gerald Arpino and George Balanchine, along with original creations by Africa Guzman, Gabrielle Lamb, Roger C. Jeffrey, Gary Chryst, Julie Bour, Jean Emile, Tyler Gilstrap, Davis Robertson, Dawn Marie Bazemore, and Samuel Pott.
In addition to her performing career, Shayla has extensive experience as a dance educator, teaching ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, jazz, and tap. She has worked with students of all ages and levels, from young beginners to pre-professional and adult dancers, and has taught in public school outreach programs throughout New Jersey.
Shayla’s classes emphasize strong technique, musicality, artistic expression, and confidence. She is thrilled to return to Canada and continue sharing her love of dance with the next generation of artists.
Vanelle Ganzeveld
Acro, Hip Hop, Jazz
Vanelle began dancing at the age of 3 and quickly discovered her passion for dance by age 9. From ages 12 to 18, she trained at Balance School of Performing Arts as a competitive dancer in acro, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theatre. Through her training, she developed a strong technical foundation, along with an appreciation for the discipline, dedication, and joy that dance brings.
Vanelle also has a background in early childhood education, giving her valuable knowledge of child development and experience creating supportive, engaging learning environments. She is Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certified, allowing her to safely and effectively teach acro skills.
Vanelle is passionate about helping dancers build strong foundational skills while fostering creativity, confidence, and a genuine love for dance. She strives to create a positive space where students feel encouraged to challenge themselves, celebrate their progress, and enjoy every class.
Chantal Ethier
Acting
Chantal has wanted to be an actor since she was three years old and she has been telling anyone who would listen ever since!
Chantal began her formal acting education in the acting program at Canterbury High School of the Arts in Ottawa. She went on to earn a BA in Theatre at the University of Ottawa before moving to British Columbia in 1995. In BC, she continued her actor training with Gina Chiarelli, Michael David Simms, and Ben Ratner. Chantal has trained with world-renowned acting coach Larry Moss, whose clients include Academy Award-winning actors. She has also had the privilege of training at the globally recognized Canadian Voice Intensive.
An accomplished actor and award-winning director in theatre, Chantal also pursued film and television. She continues to train with Kate Twa at Tempest Theatre and through various workshops, while performing on stages throughout the Okanagan. In July 2025, she will be seen on stage throughout the Okanagan in Tempest Theatre's production of Dream.
Chantal has a certification in teaching the Sanford Meisner approach to acting from Larry Silverberg's True Acting Institute in Florida. She also teaches Speech Arts and Drama at the Penticton Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
She is thrilled to be welcomed at Balance as an instructor. The craft of acting drives her, and she thrives on bringing her knowledge, experience, and passion forward to her students.
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.
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.
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.
