Turning Passion into Purpose
DANCE EDUCATOR PATHWAYS
Faculty
Meet Our Outstanding DEP Team!
Anabel Ho
International Examiner for Royal Academy of Dance, ARAD, RAD RTS, AISTD, AAC, PBT
For over thirty years, Anabel has been teaching, choreographing and mentoring students. Her training spans the globe and covers the full spectrum of dance styles with emphasis in classical ballet and Chinese dance. Originating from Vancouver BC, Anabel’s early dance training began at the age of 3 under her mother, the Late Maria Mimie Ho. She later furthered her training with local dance professionals and internationally noted artists in North America and abroad. Ms Ho has been invited to perform throughout Canada and U.S.A, China, Europe and Taiwan. She was formerly the Artistic Director of the Strathcona Chinese Dance Company which lead her to establish the Vancouver Academy of Dance in 1995.
Throughout her career, Anabel has had the honour of performing before her late Majesty the Queen, Governor General and Prime Minister of Canada, as well as Royalties and Heads of State of many countries. She has been invited to adjudicate dance competitions throughout North America and has been commissioned to choreograph for several productions including: the International Olympic Committee, United Nations World Urban Forum, Rick Hansen’s 100th Anniversary, APEC Conference, International Dragon Boat Festival, and various other large events. In 2008, Anabel was selected as an advisor to the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics Games. 9 years later she was appointed to the panel of international examiners with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Anabel looks forward to sharing her knowledge and expertise to future generations through the Dance Educator Pathways Program.
Annette Migliuri
B. MUS, ARCT
Annette began playing the piano at the age of 3. She completed the Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto at 16 and then carried on to do a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Alberta. Annette currently teaches piano and has been accompanying dancers for over 30 years. This includes playing for countless graded, vocational and teaching exams in the Cecchetti and ISTD Imperial Ballet methods as well as graded, vocational and Solo Seal exams with the RAD. She continues to be fascinated and inspired by the unique collaboration between dancer and musician and as such, is thrilled to be part of the DEP faculty.
Debbie Calicetto
ACES, YPAD, CJI, AMP
Dance first entered my life at the age of three as a therapeutic tool to help heal my body. What began as physical rehabilitation soon became my lifelong passion and purpose. In 1989, I opened my own dance studio in British Columbia, Canada, and proudly directed it for 37 years, fostering generations of young dancers in a space grounded in creativity, wellness, and inclusivity. In 2019 we began upon a journey of Dance Competitions and opened The One Dance Experience where dancers of all ages and abilities could perform in premium venues.
My work extends beyond the studio. With a strong commitment to advocating for a Safe and Healthy Dance Culture for Youth, I have collaborated with local organizations, the foster care system, and at-risk youth programs to ensure dance is accessible and supportive for all. I’ve completed specialized training in childhood trauma, cognitive behavioral therapy, and in 2019 became certified with Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD). These tools have deepened my commitment to a wellness-centered, trauma-informed approach to dance education.
I’ve taught for over 40 years, choreographed numerous musicals, including Bye Bye Birdie, Forbidden Broadway, Mamma Mia, The Gondoliers, and Guys and Dolls. My choreography was also featured in high-profile events such as the Opening Ceremonies for Expo 86, the BC Summer and Winter Games.
Many of my students have gone on to perform professionally in New York, Ontario, London, Las Vegas, and on cruise ships around the world. My teaching philosophy emphasizes the development of the whole dancer—prioritizing mental and physical well-being to create optimal, inclusive environments for all participants.
In collaboration with fellow educators and experts, I have developed extensive resources to support the integration of health and safety strategies into all aspects of dance instruction. My mission remains clear: to empower dance educators to lead with conscience, compassion, and care under the direction of the performing arts umbrella.
Evita Teng
B. KIN, ARAD, AAC
As a graduate of Vancouver Academy of Dance, Evita began her training at the age of three covering a variety of dance styles including: ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballroom, tap, acro and Chinese dance. She has travelled around North America to participate in competitions, performances and conventions. These include performing in the 2010 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, New York City for Youth America Grand Prix Finals and New York Dance Alliance, Los Angeles to perform in Disneyland and Florida for The Dance Awards Finals. She grew up competing in several local and international competitions garnering several awards including Level 2 Highest Scoring Solo at Peak Invitational in 2011, Preteen Overall First Place at Celebrity Dance Competition in 2014 and High Mark Triple Threat Power Solo in 2018.
Evita has completed all ISTD (Imperial Classical Ballet) and RAD Examinations to the Advanced 2 level, and is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher. Dance has sparked Evita’s interest in the field of Kinesiology in which she is currently studying at UBC and completing her Master's in Physio Therapy. Evita is thrilled to be joining DEP’s faculty and is excited to share her knowledge with all her students.
Janet Gittens
RAD Teaching Diploma, RAD RTS
Janet’s ballet education was enhanced by studies at the Benesh Institute,where she was taught by Rudolf and Joan Benesh, founders of the institute and creators of the Benesh Movement Notation.
At the institute her gift for teaching was recognized and encouraged. Janet was awarded the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Diploma and is teaching member of the Royal Academy of Dance.
She inspires her students to embrace and appreciate classical ballet and achieve their goals by preparing them for the RAD examinations, Fonteyn Competition (previously Genée competition), Prix de Lausanne and YAGP
competitions.
Janet also mentors students for the RAD CBTS and CDT (ballet) Teachers programme.
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She has positively transformed many lives as a teacher through her encouragement and motivation.
Kelly Douglas
International Examiner for Royal Academy of Dance, ARAD, RAD RTS, AISTD
Vancouver trained dancer and teacher, Kelly Douglas has studied at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, The Banff School of Fine Arts and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens with teachers such as Laura Alonso, David Earl, Lynn Seymour and David Wall. Kelly danced professionally with Alberta Ballet Company and had soloist roles in, The Nutcracker, Firebird, Serenade, Facade, Allegro Brilliante, Coppelia and Cinderella amongst other works.
Ms. Douglas has choreographed and performed in independent dance projects such as Vancouver’s 12 Minute Max and Dancing on the Edge, as well as the Sunshine Coast’s Annual Celebration of Dance. Ms. Douglas has been a guest teacher for many studios both internationally and locally.
In 2013, Kelly auditioned for and was appointed to the board of the International Panel of Examiners for the Royal Academy of Dance, making her one of 24 Examiners in Canada.
Ms. Douglas has trained numerous students to an international level and is dedicated to attention to detail and refining fundamental technique, musicality and artistry in her students.
To date, Kelly has over 30 years of teaching experience and is excited to share her knowledge to the DEP participants!
Lesley Benham
B. Ed, R.A.D. Dip
Lesley Benham is a dedicated dance educator with over 35 years of experience. An experienced and versatile instructor, she has taught a wide range of dance genres, including ballet, modern, jazz, musical theatre, and lyrical dance, working with dancers of all ages, from preschool to pre-professional levels. Ms. Benham studied Horton modern dance technique under Anna Marie Forsythe at Alvin Ailey and is passionate about sharing the Horton syllabus with her students. She is also a certified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, training students in both graded and vocational level examinations. As the Director of Deas Island Dance in Tsawwassen, BC, she is committed to fostering a strong technical foundation and a lifelong love of dance. With a deep passion for mentoring the next generation of dance educators, Ms. Benham has served as a Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Royal Academy of Dance. In addition to her extensive dance qualifications, she holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia and is certified through the National Coaching Certification Program.
Melanie Dance
FISTD, LISTD, PBT
Melanie has had a passion for dance performance and education for as long as she can remember. She received her foundational training in England where she graduated from the Northern Ballet School with her associate
teaching certificates in Ballet, Modern, Tap and National Dance with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). After graduating Melanie continued to study and train in London, New York, and Miami during her
professional performing career.
Since emigrating to Canada in 2000, Melanie’s desire to advance her knowledge and pass on that information has seen her awarded the highly regarded and internationally recognized advanced level teaching
qualification of Fellowship from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
(ISTD).
In 2003 Ms. Dance co – opened the Pro Arte Centre where as a “Teacher of teachers,” Melanie has mentored many. Through her teacher-training program she has encouraged and fostered their successes in ISTD associate examinations. Melanie now enjoys exchanging teaching ideas with her former students who are now successful teachers, choreographers, and artists themselves. In addition to being a nurturing teacher of both children and adults, Melanie is a recognized choreographer and teacher, with her choreography being awarded both locally and internationally and in 2020 receiving an Outstanding Teacher Award with fellow teachers at the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix.
Melanie believes that dance brings joy to the soul and should be enjoyed by all, no matter how young or old, 45 minutes a week or 20 hours.
Melanie is looking forward to helping shape the training of our future teachers as they continue their dance education with teaching in mind.
Regan Calicetto
AAC - LVL 3
Regan Calicetto is a renowned choreographer, performer, and dance educator based in Vancouver. Specializing in Acrobatics, Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop, Regan teaches throughout the Lower Mainland, focusing on high-level physical training while also emphasizing mental resilience, work ethic, and overall well-being. She is dedicated to shaping well-rounded individuals, not just skilled dancers, by integrating mental skills training into her teaching.
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In 2023, Regan took over Can Dance Studio, a school with a 35-year legacy, originally founded by her mother, Debbie Calicetto. Under her leadership, the studio continues to thrive, fostering confidence, creativity, and excellence in young dancers. Regan is also the co-founder of The One Dance Experience, a series of competitions and workshops designed to reimagine the competitive process with a focus on personal growth, positivity, and community.
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Regan’s career has taken her across the globe—training, performing, and teaching in the UK, Thailand, Australia, New York, and LA. She has worked with companies such as Modus Operandi, Sweett Moves, and The Underground Circus, and has performed in major productions, including principal roles in The Lovers of Hendrix and The Lovers of Zeppelin. Other highlights include dancing in Sweett Moves’ Bated Breath, performing in London, UK, and working closely with Kash Powell.
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A sought-after instructor, Regan now focuses extensively on Acrobatics and Tumbling, preparing dancers for Acrobatic Arts AcroDance exams. She is Alixa Flexibility-certified and has served as a coach for TADA Hand Balancing. She has successfully placed dancers through all Acrobatic Arts exam levels, including Pre-Professional 1-3, where dancers have received Distinction. Regan is committed to pushing dancers in their acrobatic skills and careers safely, ensuring longevity and sustainability in their training.
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Regan’s extensive and diverse training—across multiple genres and under the mentorship of a wide range of instructors—has shaped her own unique approach to movement and choreography. Her ability to blend technical excellence with artistry and mental resilience allows her to inspire dancers of all levels, ensuring they are not only physically strong but also mentally prepared for the demands of the dance industry and beyond.
Robert Policarpio
International Examiner for Royal Academy of Dance, ARAD, RAD RTS
Robert hails from Manila, Philippines. He danced professionally with Philippine Ballet Theatre and Ballet Philippines where he performed soloist roles from the classical repertory and in works of international choreographers such as Robert Barnet, Tom Pazik, Paul de Masson, Jan Linkens, Agnes Locsin, and George Balanchine, just to name a few. Robert also works as a ballet restager: he had the opportunity to travel China to restage the ballet “La Granita” for the Central Ballet of China and the ballet “Camille” for the Beijing Dance Academy. Upon retiring from the dance scene, Robert moved to Brunei, Darussalam to become the resident ballet teacher/Director of the Panaga Dance Center for 17 years until his migration to Canada in 2010. Robert is a certified Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teacher and Stott Pilates instructor.
Sandra M. Baca
FISTD, ARAD
​Sandra attended the Arts Educational School, Tring Park in Hertfordshire England. Following graduation, she attended The London College of Dance and Drama.
Her qualifications include Royal Academy Ballet through Advanced 2, Cecchetti Ballet through Advanced 1 (the highest level at that time) Ballet, Modern Dance through the Imperial Society to Advanced 2 and Tap through to Advanced 1.
Also National thru Advanced 2 and Natural Movement and Greek thru Intermediate. She holds a LAMDA gold medal in speech.
Following Graduation, Sandra spent 2 years in Paris, continuing her dance studies and attending the Jacques LeCoq Mime school. After returning to England, Sandra moved to Illinois, U.S.A where she managed the Dubrisk Dancing School. Following her marriage, she moved with her new husband, then serving a tour of duty on Okinawa, Japan. There she started a dance school and hosted an exercise show on T.V. Following that tour she studied and taught for Eileen Keegan, a cecchetti examiner, in Durban, South Africa while her husband left to serve in Vietnam.
On her return to the U.S. Sandra and her husband moved to Syracuse, New York where she again started a dance school. When her husband was transferred to the Boeing Company with the Air Force, in Seattle, Sandra started The British Dancing Academy in 1973. The Academy grew at a fast pace (at one point, 1000 students) and introduced both the Royal Academy and Imperial Society syllabi in ballet, modern and tap, with approximately 300-400 exam entries per year. In 1985 Sandra passed the fellowship examination with distinction and was then appointed to examine for the Imperial Society Ballet. In 1998 she was appointed to examine Modern thru the Advanced 2 syllabus and Tap thru’ the Intermediate syllabus.
In 2014 Sandra retired from teaching at the British Dancing Academy which i now owned by her eldest daughter, Veronica who continues the same curriculum.
Sandra continues to examine and coach students all over the World.
Stefanie Tong
​MCS-MFT, BA-ECE and Organizational Leadership
Stefanie has over 10 years of experience as a registered early childhood educator and dance choreographer with experiences working in the non-profit, public health and private practice sectors. It is her joy to help children learn the mind-body connection and support emotional
regulation through an individuals innate sense of movement. By coming alongside parents and caregivers, she supports adults by empowering them with guidance strategies catered to each child's unique needs. Stefanie has partnered with families to support early childhood mental health, developmental differences, depression, anxiety, postpartum care and maternal mental health.
By discovering together what is beneath a child's behavior, Stefanie helps families form connections and understanding for one anther. She values a collaborative and integrated approach by working with a child's extended network of adults, including their caregivers, teachers and health professionals.
Stefanie considers it a privilege to serve your family as you dance through the early years
with your children.
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Professional Affiliations:
American Dance/Movement Therapy Association
BC Play Therapy Association
Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia
The Canadian Child Care Federation
Ms. Vee
B. KIN, B. Ed.
A multi-faceted dancer, performer, choreographer, and teacher specializing in Hip Hop and Street dance, Ms Vee has made a name for herself in the New York City dance scene since 2003. As a dancer, Vee currently is a company member of Ephrat Asherie Dance, which has been presented at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Joyce, The Guggenheim Museum and Sadler’s Wells Breaking Convention. Her work can be seen in the viral video ‘Hideaway’ by Kiesza, in which she is a featured dancer and co-choreographer. Hideaway has amassed over 161 million views, and was nominated for the MTV VMA for Best Choreography, and won the Juno Award for Best Video. Other dance and choreography credits include TV: VH1 Dear Mama Special, The Detour (TBS), Late Show With David Letterman, The Ellen Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Live With Kelly & Michael, NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Much Music Video Awards, MTV European Music Awards. Film: Step Up 3D, College Road Trip, Deep Rising. Off-Broadway: Groovaloo: Freestyle, Rennie Harris’ Legends of Hip Hop. Festivals: Lincoln Center Out of Doors, San Francisco Hip Hop Festival, Festival Encore, Ladies of Hip Hop. With a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and in Education (UBC), Ms Vee is in high demand as a teacher and dance educator. Her classes are notoriously fun, challenging, and informative. She has been on faculty at NYC’s world famous Broadway Dance Center since 2004. In 2013, she joined Pace University’s Commercial Dance BFA Program, where she is a Professor of Hip Hop, and in 2017 she made history becoming the first to teach Hip Hop at The Julliard School Dance department. Ms Vee tours across the US and internationally performing and teaching master classes and workshops.