Katy Finlay is a dedicated advocate for the arts and the driving force behind Vancouver Performing Stars. A graduate of the Musical Theatre Diploma Program at The Randolph Academy in Toronto, she has honed her skills in various performing arts disciplines, including jazz, ballet, musical theatre performance, choral, and acting technique. Katy also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and Theatre from UBC, along with an Honours in Advanced R.A.D. Ballet. Her extensive experience includes credits in film and theatre, including performances at The Stratford Festival of Canada. Katy’s philosophy centers on instilling a solid foundational work ethic in her students, fostering confidence, and igniting a passion for the arts. She believes that every individual has the potential to shine and aims to inspire both students and fellow educators through her enthusiasm for performing arts. At Vancouver Performing Stars, Katy is committed to nurturing physical strength, theatricality, voice, and self-confidence, empowering the next generation of artists to express themselves boldly and authentically.

Rebecca is an ADAPT Certified Instructor who strives to create a warm, welcoming environment in the dance studio for dancers of all levels and ages. Her dance training includes completing Intermediate III ADAPT Jazz & Tap Exams and the R.A.D. Grade 8 Ballet and Advanced Foundation Ballet Exams. She has competed as a member of Team Canada at the World Tap Dance Championships in Germany, and upon her move to Vancouver, she trained with the Source Dance Company and Harbour Dance Centre’s Intensive Training Program. Rebecca’s passion for teaching and love of performing arts is shared with each and every student, as she encourages them to explore their creativity and reach their full potential.

Eliza is music director, educator and performer hailing from Brisbane, Australia. Eliza always been an avid lover of the Performing Arts, growing up in choirs, music ensembles, theatre shows, and learning the piano and violin. Before moving to Vancouver, Eliza was the Queensland Music & Production co-ordinator of the Australian Girls Choir where she provided high-quality music education and performance opportunities to Brisbane’s finest young talent. Eliza has also travelled with the not-for-profit organisation Girls from Oz delivering music education programs to children in remote Indigenous communities around Australia. Eliza has been actively involved in the musical theatre space as a music director and performer, and her most recent credits include Spring Awakening (Millennial Productions), We Will Rock You (Ipswich Theatre Company), and Bring It On (PRIMA Org). Eliza has a strong enthusiasm for mentoring young performers and is delighted to be sharing her passion for theatre with the VPS community.

Originally from Alberta, Josie is a positive, passionate, and fun-loving dance instructor with a deep understanding of the body’s anatomy and has an attentive approach when it comes to dance. When she began her journey in Vancouver she trained with Harbour Dance Centres Intensive Training Program and then their Alumni Training Program. With a special passion for hip hop, she's performed and competed with competitive hip hop teams across North America (TwoFourSeven, E.P Ryderz) and she brings that same energy and commitment to their teaching.

Josie focuses on technique, injury prevention, and helping students of all levels build confidence while having fun. Her dynamic approach makes learning enjoyable and inspires students to reach their full potential.

Originally from Airdrie, Alberta, Ashlynn grew up training in jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, acro, tap, and musical theatre, and has proven herself to be a versatile dancer. She began her teaching career at Elements Dance Co, which is what ignited her spark and love for teaching.

Taking a big step forward, Ashlynn recently moved to Vancouver to further her professional dance education at The Source Dance Company. She has achieved milestones such as completing her Advanced ADAPT Jazz & Tap Exams, R.A.D. Advanced Foundation Ballet Exam, and the Business of Dance Program. This summer, Ashlynn embarked on the Hollywood Summer Tour, where she was able to further her training at major Los Angeles studios.

With a commitment to fostering a positive and uplifting atmosphere in her classes, Ashlynn cherishes the connections she forms with her students and peers. She is so excited to join the VPS family and can’t wait to share her passion and knowledge with everyone!

Neve (she/her) has been dancing from the age of six and has been immersed in the dance community ever since. She finds joy in teaching different disciplines of dance to people of all ages and levels of experience. Neve believes in giving all her students an equal opportunity to excel at dance and creates an inclusive, safe space for anyone and everyone who wants to dance. While supporting dancers to reach their full potential, Neve keeps a fun and positive environment for all.

Lucy Price grew up in Vancouver BC, she has been working with kids for about six years now and absolutely loves it! She grew up training at a local studio where she trained in jazz, contemporary,
acro, and ballet. She is currently working toward her BFA in dance at Simon Fraser University's School of Contemporary Arts, studying with many renowned artists. She has performed and competed widely and loves the stage. Her favourite thing about teaching dance is being able to share her passion and knowledge with young students. She is very inspired to see her students grow while developing their own styles and love for dance. On a smaller scale, she also loves to watch children advance their skills throughout the year.

Richard is a singer, actor, and theatre-maker originally from Cape Town, South Africa. Straight out of high school, he began his professional career touring Asia and New Zealand with 'The Sound of Music'. Since graduating from the University of Cape Town with a degree in Technical Theatre Management, Richard has worked as a performer, director, stage manager, lighting designer, and vocal coach. Most recently, he worked as a vocal captain and production vocalist for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines. His teaching approach involves building technique, growing confidence, and having a lot of fun exploring the voice. 

Markayla is a dancer from Brampton, Ontario and began her dance journey at her studio when she was three. At the age of eight she joined her studios competitive team and continued until graduation. She has been teaching for 2 years now and has taught and trained in styles Acro, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Lyrical and Contemporary. Her training also includes R.A.D. from grade 1 to 8 and Intermediate Ballet Exams. Markayla is very excited about being a part of the VPS Team and elated to share her love of dance through dance education. One of her main goals is to create a studio space that is welcoming, creative, structured and supportive.

Emma began her performing journey as a star on the top of a Christmas tree in a pantomime long ago, and it all rolled down hill from there! Training in multiple disciplines until graduation, Emma has attended Sheridan College in Toronto and since then returned to Vancouver after years in the film industry to diversify her work. Emma had worked on multiple song and dance heavy shows such as Schmigadoon, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Noelle, and performed with ArtsClub Theatre Company. Some of her fondest memories in theatre were those early years attending camps with other theatre nerds, and hopes to in-still focus, tenacity, and joy.

Owen has been a performer in the Lower Mainland since he was eight years old. As soon as he hit the stage, even at such a young age, there was no stopping him. Owen has worked with Production Companies such as Arts Club, Theatre Under the Stars, CTORA, Gateway, Align Entertainment, and more. He also grew up as a competitive Tap, Hip Hop, and Song & Dance dancer. Owen joined the VPS team in July 2024, and has been greeted with nothing but kindness and compassion, He loves to share his passion for performing with the younger generation, and in return is constantly inspired by the youth of tomorrow. He is enrolled at Sheridan College to pursue an Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance.

Tamlin (she/her) is a dance/theatre artist who is passionate about sharing her love of performing with her students. For the past twenty years, she has trained in a variety of dance styles including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. She has also recently received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with distinction in theatre performance from Simon Fraser University. With over six years of teaching experience, Tamlin’s methods highlight the importance of musicality and the joy of movement. She is excited to help her students build their confidence while discovering their own strengths and styles.

Description goes hereEvelyn is a dancer from Victoria BC with over a decade of experience. Beginning her journey at the age of six, Evelyn has kept a strong focus on ballet, whilst honing her skills in the world of contemporary, jazz, and character dance.

In 2021, Evelyn was accepted into Goh Ballet, a professional dance company located in Vancouver, BC. She has since performed in feature-length productions such as 'The Nutcracker' and 'Don Quixote '. Evelyn has developed her skills and gained her artistic confidence by working with Goh's world-renowned mentors, instructors, and choreographers.

Evelyn has been sharing her love of dance through teaching since 2019. She enjoys seeing her students grow and express themselves as they develop their dance technique. Evelyn is excited to share her knowledge and love of dance with VPS!

Holly Collis Handford (she/her) is a performing artist and educator from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. She has performed with companies such as Axis Theatre, CTORA, and Theatre Under the Stars and has been a music director for companies such as White Rock Players’ Club and Curious Creations Theatre. Holly is also a composer and teaching artist for Vancouver Opera’s Project Opera program and she has worked as a co-composer and music director for Studio 58 at Langara College. Holly has her ARCT in Voice Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music and a BFA in Acting from the University of British Columbia. 

Since graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance Program from Sheridan College in 2022, Hailey has been working across Canada as a professional theatre artist. Most recently she performed in Elf: The Musical with The Arts Club Theatre Company! A highly trained actor, singer and dancer, Hailey has experience teaching all performance art disciplines to students of all ages. With over 7 years of teaching experience, she has developed a teaching style that is playful, collaborative and student-directed. She loves to find out what excites her students, help them to explore their interests, and build interpersonal skills and self confidence. As well as teaching and performing, Hailey also loves to choreograph and direct. She shares this passion with her students by inviting them into her creative process, and providing opportunities for students to utilize their own creativity.