Meet Our Team
Elite Dance is committed to providing the highest quality dance training in an environment that honours personal excellence, artistic development, and meaningful relationships. Through thoughtful instruction by our qualified faculty, students gain an appreciation for the art of dance and are given the opportunity to express, create, and grow at their individual pace.
Owner/Director
Chantelle Ristine
ARAD, AISTD Diploma
PBT 1/2/3 Cert.
PCT Cert.
Acrobatic Arts Mod 2
Alixa Flexibility Mod 1
Chantelle completed her formative ballet training in Calgary, Alberta, under the guidance of respected classical educators such as, Tara Silvaggio ( Alberta Ballet School & RWB ), Elaine Werner Hutchison ( former teacher with the RWB ), and ballet master Brian MacDonald ( former Artistic Director, Royal Swedish Ballet). As a dancer, she was awarded various scholarships, such as the Most Promising Artist scholarship from the Wild Rose Dance Arts Association, Outstanding Classical Dancer from Expressions the Dance Gallery, and Recognition of Excellence from the Mayor of Calgary. Among a few, Chantelle trained at the Alberta Ballet School, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Banff Centre for Performing Arts.
Before locating to Vancouver Island in 2006, Ms. Norris was ballet Director of “Expressions the Dance Gallery” in Strathmore, AB. There she began her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance under the detailed guidance of Umran Sumen, former leading soloist with The National Ballet Company of Turkey. In 2006 she was awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, then continuing on to obtain her Associate Diploma of the Imperial Society of Teacher’s of Dancing under Lorraine Blake ( FISTD/Examiner). Chantelle has had the privilege of travelling to Chichester, England in 2009, 2011, and 2019 to obtain direct mentorship from ISTD syllabi creators Lyn Richardson( ISTD Senior Examiner ) and Tereza Theodoulou ( Vice Chair of the ISTD Modern Committee). She has also obtained her Intermediate and Advanced 1 Cecchetti examinations, as well as her Progressing Ballet Technique certification(2017), Progressing Contemporary Technique(2021), Acrobatic Arts Module 1(2022), and completed the ISTD Contemporary syllabus course in Chichester, UK(2019).Over her 17 years on Vancouver Island, Chantelle’s eye for technical detail and award-winning choreography has gained her much recognition on the west coast. She has choreographed 6 full-length original productions, music videos, and high-end fashion shows, and worked with Ballet Victoria as a rehearsal mistress for their local dancer initiative. Many of her students have gone on to dance with prestigious ballet schools such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, American School of Ballet, Royal Ballet School, Kaatsbaan, Complexions Academy, and the National Ballet of Canada. Her detailed coaching has led her students to receive coveted top 3 placements at international ballet competitions such as the Youth American Grand Prix. Chantelle was Artistic Director of the Kirkwood Academy Pre-Professional Program for 13 years, owner and director of Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet(7 years) and owner of Shoreline Dance Academy in Powell River, BC. As a business owner Chantelle has been nominated for Top 20 Under 40, Best New Business and People’s Choice by the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. Chantelle looks forward to guiding Elite Dance Academy into a new age and wishes all the dancers and parents a wonderful dance season filled with success, friendship, and joy.
ISTD Tap & Modern
Kelly Malone
AISTD
Modern Faculty
Kelly is originally from the UK where she started her dance training at the Pauline Cook School of Dance at the age of 2. It was there that she trained in the IDTA syllabus(tap, modern, stage, jazz and ballet) as well as RAD. At 15 Kelly travelled every weekend to train with the Northern Ballet as an associate for their professional company.
She entered into full time dance and performing arts training at 16 where she attended the SLP College in Leeds for the next three years. It is there that she started her training in the ISTD syllabus and took her Associate teaching examinations. While in training Kelly also performed professionally with several dance troupes. At 19 she graduated with a Diploma in Performing Arts, Musical Theatre and Teacher Training, as well as a certified teacher with the ISTD.
Immediately upon graduation, Kelly began working as a professional dancer, and for the next 5 years added several theatre and tv credits to her resume. Most of her careers was spent on cruise ships travelling the world. Kelly worked for both Princess and Celebrity Cruise Lines and worked her way up to Dance Captain.
In 2006 Kelly moved to Port Alberni where she taught at Stage West and eventually became owner of Elite Dance Academy in 2014 along with her colleague Elaine Ronan until passing on the business in 2023 to Chantelle Ristine. Kelly looks forward to continuing her teaching career a Elite where she has helped so many children build their love of dance.
RAD Ballet & Modern
Robin Knudsen
Ballet Faculty
Robin grew up in beautiful Port Alberni where she began her dance training at 3 years old. Under the expert guidance of Tanya Broissoit she completed her Royal Academy of Dance examinations while she also enjoyed the accolades of a successful competitive dancer. In 1997 she completed her ISTD-graded examinations and began teaching and sharing her passion for dance. As her passion for teaching grew Robin then went on to complete her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance. As an RAD-certified teacher she brings a wealth of knowledge to the studio and an excitement and reverence for ballet as an art form. She loves to inspire dancers to become their best selves with her encouraging and supportive demeanour. This will be Robin’s 8th season with Elite Dance Academy.
Contemporary
Oksana Augustine
Contemporary Faculty
Oksana Augustine is based in Vancouver B.C. and is privileged to live and work as an emerging contemporary dance artist on the unceded territory of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
After completing 1 year of ITP, and 1 year of The Source Dance Company, Oksana spent 4 years with Modus Operandi and graduated in 2020. They have spent time in rehearsal process with Out Innerspace Dance Theatre, Shay Kuebler Radical System Art, Khoudia Toure, Chimerik Collective, Co.ERASGA and has performed in Zahra Shahab’s work at the EDAM Dance choreographic series. Currently, they are a part of Okam’s Racer, a contemporary dance collective run by Ana Sosa, and is a recent recipient of TSV’s training scholarship. Oksana has showcased some of their work as a choreographer at Gallery Jones, 12 Minutes Max, Boombox Split Screen, Chalk It Up!, The Happening Accelerate 4.0 alongside Kate Franklin, and has made pieces for The Source Dance Co. for three years and counting.
Oksana has been teaching at multiple different studios around B.C. and Alberta for the last 12 years, and describes their classes as fun, challenging, whole bodied, and sensitive.
Ballet
Mako Matsui
Ballet Faculty
Mako began her ballet journey at the age of three in Tokyo in Japan where she received her early dance training and competed in high-level competitions. When she turned sixteen she moved to Nanaimo BC for a study abroad program that allowed her to stay in Canada to train and attend school. During her University years she performed with Bohemia Dance Productions and toured across British Columbia as a professional dancer. After graduating from University she worked at Ballet Victoria in an administrative capacity and as a ballet instructor. She is incredibly excited to share her knowledge of dance with the students of Elite Dance Academy.
Hip Hop
Voula Rounis
Hip Hop Faculty
Born and raised on Vancouver Island Voula found her passion dancing when she was in high school taking dance as an elective and hasn’t looked back since. She quickly took over teaching the dance team, which she continued to volunteer teaching 4 years after graduating. She started training in hip hop at Vibrant Dance at the age of 18, and continues to train taking countless workshops and conventions from the industries best to expand her knowledge. She has a number of competitions and performances under her belt including, Vancity Showcase, World of Dance, and opening for Swollen Members. Voula currently commutes to Elite weekly from Vancouver where she also works at Creative Outlet. This will be Voula’s 8th season with Elite Dance Academy.
Jazz & Acrobatic Arts
Neisha de Jong-Pedlow
Jazz Faculty
Acrobatic Arts
Neisha Valerie began her dance journey at the age of 3, developing a strong interest in teaching and choreographing in her early teens. She studied in Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts’ Pre-professional day program from 2016-2022, spending between 20-25 hours learning a multitude of styles including, but not limited to, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and Acro. From 2018-2023, Neisha danced in Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet, where she made her choreographic debut. She also danced at Prism Dance Connections from 2022-2024.
Neisha’s goal as an educator is to spread the joy and creativity of dance with her students and impart the knowledge she continues to gain as a lifelong learner. Certified in Acrobatic Arts Module 1.
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern
Brooklynn Higgins
Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern Faculty
Brooklynn Higgins grew up in Port Alberni, and started dancing at the age of 5.
During her training years Brooklynn has competed at many local competitions and festivals, often winning special awards and bursaries, and always receiving high placements and overalls. On numerous occasions she had the honour of being asked to perform in various competitive finals for both her groups and solos.
She has trained in all styles of dance, studying and taking examinations in both RAD and ISTD syllabi. Most recently Brooklynn completed her Advanced 1 ISTD Tap examination with Distinction.
Among her many accolades as a dancer, Brooklynn and was selected as Dew Drop for the River-Port Productions of Nutcracker in 2022 were she performed the role in both Campbell River and Port Alberni.
Brooklynn has been a successful assistant teacher at Elite Dance Academy where she has been teaching ballet and tap to younger students. She also really enjoys working with dancers on their competition choreography and has an expert eye for making sure all the details are just right. As a teacher at Elite she hopes to inspire dancers to work towards their dreams in dance, whether that’s mastering an acro trick or working towards their first pair of pointe shoes. She hopes to bring out the best in the students and show them the beauty that comes with practicing the art of dance.
Theatre, Hip Hop, Acrobatic Arts
Nyah Fox
Musical Theatre Faculty
Nyah grew up on Vancouver Island. She started dancing at the age of 3 and studied Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Modern, Acro and Hip Hop. She completed RAD Ballet examinations, up to and including Grade 8 and Intermediate. She also followed ISTD syllabus in Tap, completing examinations up to and including Advanced 2, as well as ISTD Modern exams up to Advanced 1.
Nyah also competed in many Festivals/Competitions and was honoured to be nominated several times as a Performing Arts BC Provincial Representative and Alternate for Stage Levels II & III.
Most recently Nyah studied at The William B. Davis Centre for Actor’s Study at Vancouver Institute of Media Arts. She Graduated in August 2022 with a Diploma in Acting for Film and Television and is currently represented by In Motion Talent.
Nyah has always had a passion for choreography and competed in many young choreographer categories and choreographed for her High School Musicals and Dance Team. She began assistant teaching at a young age, and completed a student teaching course with International Dance Teaching Standards (IDTS).
Nyah has also received many judges choice awards some of which include: NIFPA’s “Primary Tap Award” for highest score in category of the Festival, Core Dance’s “Best Tantrum” Award and Finished 5th overall soloist at Synergy 2020.
A few of Nyah’s career highlights include performing on the Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas Ship in July of 2018 and taking workshops in New York City with prestigious Broadway performers.
Nyah would not be where she is today without the support of her dance teachers and is very excited to share her love and passion for dance with the students at Elite Dance Academy! Can’t wait to see you all in the Fall.
Office Administrator