FACULTY
HALEY TOAL, AISTD
Owner/artistic director
Haley Toal is an accomplished choreographer, instructor, adjudicator, mentor, and business owner from Courtenay, British Columbia. She holds her ISTD Associate certification and specializes in Tap, is a certified Acro teacher with Acrobatic Arts, is a certified Ukrainian dance instructor with the Shumka Dance Syllabus Academy, and has recently completed her Alixia Flexibility certification. Haley is also a certified dance competition adjudicator through the Canadian Dance Leadership Association. Now 25 years old, Haley has over 10+ years of extensive teaching experience, 8 years of business experience, and has earned countless awards for her choreography and training of dancers throughout her professional career… one which has only just begun!
Haley’s dance training began at Courtenay School of Dance at the age of 3. Haley then trained at Brian Kruse School of Dance for 10 years. Haley's love of dance and the performing arts led her to begin instructing dance as a Teacher's Assistant at age 11, studying closely under Brian Kruse. Her teaching experience includes working with dancers of all ages and abilities, from 3 years old to adult, as well as dancers with special needs and diverse abilities. As a dancer, Haley loved the stage and was well known for her memorable performance skills. She was recognized for her talent at the BC Ukrainian Cultural Festival as well as winning several awards and a convention scholarship at Dupree Dance Convention in Seattle, WA. More than any other style of dance, Haley attributes her love of performing to her days spent as a Ukrainian dancer with Dolyna Ukrainian Dancers in the Comox Valley - training underneath her mom Carrie Toal and Dolyna’s accomplished Artistic Director and “Auntie” Janette Martin-Lutzer. After her childhood and teenage years were spent extensively training in a plethora of dance disciplines and dance instruction, she opened VIREO School of Performing Arts Ltd. at the age of 17 to offer a uniquely positive dance experience to the Comox Valley.
As a teacher and mentor, Haley is unlike any other. Her passion lies in going above and beyond to help young people reach their goals and become their best selves. She is a compassionate person who takes every opportunity to teach valuable life skills that help prepare her students for a successful and happy life. She has been described as an encouraging, inspirational, and passionate teacher that knows how to draw the very best out of her students. Her studio is known for its family-oriented, inclusive environment with a strong focus on technique, dedication, and discipline.
In addition to a multitude of dance convention scholarships, her dancers have won countless overall high score scores, trophies and medals, and special judges awards at competitions in Canada and the United States. Aside from year end showcases and competitions, Haley’s students can be seen performing in school and community theatre, attending intensive summer dance programs, in college-level dance and theatre programs, and now as teachers themselves. Haley’s knowledge, experience and passion creates not only excellent dancers, but also contributes to raising the strong leaders of tomorrow.
JESSICA CARTER
Jessica Carter is an award winning choreographer and passionate teacher with more then10 years teaching experience. Carter has a diverse scope of movement practices teaching open modern, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop dance styles. Carter is also trained in Stott Pilates and has completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training. Carter brings forward knowledge, passion and creativity to inspire her students. She continually strives to develop a supportive classroom environment where students can work on their personal goals and build confidence.
In Early years, Carter grew up dancing at Gemini Dance Studios and Nanaimo Ballet School while participating in Dancestreams Youth Company. As a young dancer she received many bursaries and scholarships and took every opportunity to further her dance training. Upon Graduation Carter moved to Vancouver to train at Arts Umbrella and then Drive Dance Scholarship program. During her time in the city Carter had the privilege of working with many talented teachers and choreographers as well as participating in professional level performances.
Carter began professional choreography while working for True Colours Youth Company along side Livea Gill Harding for 5 consecutive years. During this time is when Carter realized her passion was for more than dancing, but also teaching and creating. Carter’s choreography has been presented and showcased throughout Vancouver Island winning awards through local festivals and provincial competitions. Carter is most recognized for her creativity of movement in contact and partner work. Carter’s main success has been as a teacher. She has taught for Gemini Dance Studios, Triple Heat Academy of Performing Arts, Urban Dance Connection, Studio North Dance Academy, Dance Unlimited Performing Arts, Hip Hop Coalition, Vireo School of Performing Arts and Inner Pursuit Fitness.
Carter currently teaches at a variety of studios within the Comox Valley covering dance, yoga, Pilates and barre fitness. Carter is passionate about movement and is eager to continue her learning and training.
ALINNA TILLER
Born and raised in the Comox Valley, Alinna has been dancing on a stage since she can remember. She has danced competitively in a variety of styles since the age of 10. Since then, she has expanded her dancing opportunities at VIREO by assisting and teaching classes.
Alinna has trained extensively in a wide variety of styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro, musical theatre, tap, hip hop, and even cultural dancing such as Ukrainian and Irish. Alinna has taken her dancing all over North America, attending competitions and conventions in Calgary, Seattle, and Vancouver. Alinna has had multiple opportunities to learn from award winning choreographers such as Addison Holmes, Tricia Miranda, Brian Friedman, and Mark Meismer. Additionally, Alinna has won numerous convention scholarships from RADIX and Dupree and has been the highest scoring soloist (of the entire competition!) twice during her time as a competitive dancer.
Alinna started dancing at VIREO in 2017, and alongside her training she quickly began assisting and helping with choreography. Alinna has won double platinum and multiple overall high scores for her choreography, and has been recognized multiple times for her choreography through adjudicator’s choreography awards. While a strong technical teacher (PBT, PCT, & Alixa Flexibility certified) who believes in discipline, a strong work ethic, and a solid foundation of technique, Alinna is first and foremost a storyteller through her choreography. Her emotional storylines and performance-based choreography can leave you in tears, and further your appreciation of the art of dance!
Alinna loves training in all styles of dance and competing, but she is most passionate about teaching. Alinna pours her extensive knowledge, experience, and education into her dancers, is an incredibly committed and dedicated to her work, and is continuously furthering her dance education to offer even more to her students. Alinna aims to help her young dancers develop confidence, strength, discipline, and loves to watch their love of dance and performing grow as they do!
KATHERINE VINCENT
Katherine is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience. Katherine grew up dancing in Toronto, Ontario and received many awards, training, and performance opportunities. Upon graduating high school, Katherine moved to Vancouver, BC where she pursued her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at SFU School for Contemporary Arts studying contemporary, modern, and ballet dance styles. During her time at SFU Katherine was an avid member of the Dance Student Union and trained and performed works by renowned choreographers and teachers. At SFU, Katherine apprenticed with Vancouver based companies and produced the show Ascension in collaboration with the SFU music, theatre production and visual arts students. After her time at SFU, Katherine had the opportunity to dance, train and work in Canada and abroad. Katherine has worked with choreographers based in Vancouver, Brussels and Berlin and her own choreographic works have been performed and presented in Vancouver, Amsterdam, and Brussels. Katherine has trained internationally with David Zambrano (Brussels), Company 605 (Vancouver), Helen Walkley (Vancouver), Toronto Dance Theatre, EDAM Dance (Vancouver), Billie Hanne (Berlin) and in Fighting Monkey Practice (Amsterdam). Katherine is also a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor!
HAILEY MAHY
BIO COMING SOON!
ALEXIS DUECK
BIO COMING SOON!
SKYLAR DUTRISAC
Skylar Dutrisac is an accomplished, dedicated, and passionate dancer. Her training started in Spruce Grove, Alberta where she entered the competitive dance world at the tender age of 5. At the age of 9, Skylar moved to the Comox Valley and began training at VIREO School of Performing Arts, immediately jumping into the intensive competitive dance program - with dancers almost a decade older than her!
While many young dancers would shy away from dancing with older, more experienced students, Skylar embraced the opportunity and was thrilled to be welcomed with open arms. Her technique and skills quickly developed as she was pushed to her limits with a smile on her face! The impact that the older dancers’ kindness and inclusivity had on her greatly influences her role at VIREO today - Skylar is a leader, a mentor, and incredibly looked up to by the young dancers at the studio.
As an accomplished competitive dancer, Skylar has travelled across Canada and the United States participating in regional and national dance competitions and conventions. She has won countless awards for her performances, received numerous scholarships with RADIX Dance Convention and NUVO Dance Convention, completed dance examinations (ISTD Tap), and has a vast amount of convention and audition experience. With training in ballet, pointe, hip hop, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, acro, tumbling, and even Ukrainian dance, Skylar has done it all. After many years of training, and assisting, Skylar looks forward to sharing her knowledge of and passion for Tap dance to the students of VIREO!
KATE IRWIN
BIO AND PHOTO COMING SOON!
JOCELYN BERNARD
Jocelyn is a well trained and accomplished dancer. She began her training at Brian Kruse School of Dance at the age of 3, taking classes in Ballet and Musical Theatre. Jocelyn joined VIREO School of Performing Arts for the 2016/17 dance season at age 13, and added a variety of other dance styles to her weekly training.
Jocelyn became a member of VIREO’s Company program (formerly Stage Team) and danced competitively on stages across BC and Washington, USA. She has won several awards for her solo, duet, and group performances, including a first place win at 5678 Showtime Nationals with a 9/11 tribute piece. Along with dancing on competitive stages, Jocelyn also participated in several conventions, learning from world-renowned master teachers and choreographers.
As a dancer at VIREO, Jocelyn loved her weekly technique classes, and was motivated by her continuous growth and progress. She embraced the studio’s unique sense of community and belonging, and thoroughly enjoyed her time as a dancer.
After her graduation and a few years away from dance, Jocelyn is excited to be back in the studio! She is ready to contribute to a positive and safe environment for dancers and families - one that she loves and knows well - and welcome everyone in with a smile. You can find Jocelyn at our front desk, keeping our studio tidy, organized, and well run, managing admin responsibilities, and providing excellent customer service - VIREO style!