Our list of Faculty members may be found below.
Julie Izad
Studio Owner
Julie Izad has owned the Coast Academy of Dance since 2001. She is a qualified dance instructor in the ISTD & IDTA syllabi and holds four Associate teaching certificates.
Prior to moving to Sechelt in 2000, Julie enjoyed twenty-five years of working in show business. She was a professional dancer, choreographer, actress, and model working in the UK, France, Italy, Japan, China & Monte-Carlo.
Julie has enjoyed teaching students of all ages at CAD but has now taken a step back to allow the amazing talent that is in “The CAD Faculty” to continue to evolve and take the studio to the next level. Many of our teachers are CAD alumni which is a testament to the studio’s Pre-Professional Program that has been in place since 2006. Julie is particularly proud to have been able to witness all of the joy and positive influence that dance has brought to our community.
Christina Darwin
Managing Director & ISTD Instructor
Christina Darwin trained at the Coast Academy of Dance, on the Sunshine Coast Peninsula, where she studied ISTD Modern, Tap, Ballet and Jazz as well as Contemporary and Hip Hop. She participated in the Pre-Professional and Competition Programs within the school. She graduated with her Associate in ISTD Tap and moved to Vancouver to join Harbour Dance Centre’s Intensive Training Program. Christina’s subsequent exposure to many choreographers, training opportunities and performances helped her realize her passion is truly for teaching.
Since that time, she has taught at various schools and summer camps throughout the Lower Mainland. She has also achieved her Associate Accreditation and Associate Diploma in ISTD Modern after studying at the ISTD Chichester Summer Schools in London. She continuously educates herself and updates her qualifications in both dance and fitness, most recently pursuing Barre Fitness through the International Ballet Barre Fitness Association, as well as many CPD courses through the ISTD. Christina has been acknowledged by many ISTD examiners for her strong examination results in both ISTD Modern and Tap. Christina enjoys teaching all ages and genres and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for dance. Christina has also explored many administrative roles within the dance and fitness industry and is looking forward to continuing her role of Studio Manager for the Coast Academy.
Jeremy Izad
Building Manager & Administration Assistant
Jeremy Izad has worked in the entertainment and event industry in Monte-Carlo for five years and Vancouver for eight years. He is now helping with the family business and taking on the roles of Administrative Assistant and building manager while also running his own entertainment rental company Dazi Creative.
Becky Izad
Competitive Contemporary, Jazz & Broadway Instructor
Becky is an accomplished award winning teacher and choreographer. An avid performer and dance educator, Becky loves to share her passion and knowledge of dance with her students. Over the years she has built a strong relationship with her fellow dancers and students that enables her to connect with them at a personal and professional level. Her innovative brand of choreography has earned her dozens of “top choreography awards” in Contemporary, Jazz, Stage and Hip Hop.
Born in Monte-Carlo, Becky grew up in a show biz family and found her own passion for the arts at an early age. Becky continued her dance training in Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Stage and Musical Theatre throughout Vancouver, BC. She went on to join some of the top Companies in the city and work with renowned choreographers in Vancouver, Edmonton, Los Angeles and London, England.
Becky has had the opportunity to perform in Canada and the US with the successful hip hop company, TwoFourSeven in competitions such as America’s Got Talent, BodyRock (Champions), VIBE XXIII, WOD Los Angeles (Champions). She has also danced, choreographed and starred in numerous music videos for artists such as David Ward and Laurell Barker. In 2019 Becky created, choreographed and directed a full two hour dance show called “Becoming” about the social issues young people face these days.
Constantly looking for new and exciting avenues to explore, Becky has added acting to her training and has discovered a huge passion for it. Acting has enabled her to bring new and innovative teaching techniques to her dance classes as well as production pieces. Becky is looking forward to sharing her creative strengths with her Coast Academy students!
Astrid Eckerle
Competitive Jazz & Broadway Instructor
Raised in her home town of Canmore, AB, Astrid first started training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop at Terpsichore Dance Inc with Marisa Dario. Upon acceptance into the Edge School for Athletes dance program, Astrid quickly progressed and was eager to move to Vancouver, BC. After graduation, she seized the opportunity of joining Harbour Dance Centre’s Intensive Training Program under the direction of Moe Brody and has since trained with the Source Dance Company, TwoFourSeven Company and KTL Hip Hop Company. As a versatile performer she has transferred these skills to working with a variety of productions on and off screen. Recent credits include: Grease! Rise of the Pink Ladies (Paramount +), Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas (NBC), Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC), The Tunnel (Contemporary Dance Theatre), competing internationally with TwoFourSeven Co, and performing with artists such as Warren Dean Flandez.
As Astrid’s love of performing continued to expand, she began to explore the musical theatre industry and now trains in both acting and singing. Theatre credits include Dance Captain/Ensemble in Crazy For You (RCMT/Upcoming), Dance Captain/Ensemble in American Idiot (URP Productions), Lil B/Ensemble in Newsies (TUTS), and Ensemble in Singin in the Rain (RCMT).
In addition to her training and performing Astrid has a love for teaching and choreographing. She has had the privilege of teaching students across Western Canada, assistant choreographing for multiple projects, and choreographing for companies such as The Source Dance Company and UVic Dance Team.
Brontë Hansen
ISTD Classical Ballet, Modern, Tap, Lyrical & Contemporary Instructor
Born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, Brontë has danced classical ballet from the age of four. Since joining the Coast Academy of Dance in 2006, she has trained in a variety of dance genres, including classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, and modern. In 2018, Brontë graduated from the Coast Academy’s three-year Pre-Professional Program, receiving her ISTD Associates in Modern Theatre, as well as Imperial Classical Ballet, and completing her advanced 2 exams in modern, ballet, and tap.
Brontë has been fortunate enough to experience a variety of performing opportunities over the years. Since playing Clara in the inaugural year of Coasting Along Theatre Society’s The Nutcracker, Brontë performed each season in a number of roles, including a snowflake, flower, Chinese, Mirliton, Spanish, Ballerina Doll, Arabian Lead and the Dew Drop Fairy. In 2019, she took on the role of Ballet Mistress, and had the opportunity to choreograph for several roles in The Nutcracker. She has danced for many years in the Festival of the Performing Arts and has performed with Coast Academy’s Pre-Professionals in the Source Dance Company’s preview performances in Sechelt. Brontë has competed in various dance competitions with Coast Academy’s competition team, and in 2018 performed a lyrical solo at Star Talent in Burnaby, choreographed by Christina Fitchett, which received diamond and first place, as well as the highest lyrical score in the competition, earning her an invitation to represent Canada at World of Dance 2019 in Europe. Since then, she has been grateful for the opportunity to bring her own choreography to competitions, teaching several competition level classes over the years and coaching solos and duos.
Brontë has joined the Coastal City Ballet for the 2024-2025 season, and will continue to share her talents through choreography. She looks forward to continuing to share her passion for dance with students of all ages and abilities!
COLE NEUMEIER
Hip Hop Instructor
Cole Neumeier grew up in Saskatoon, SK, before moving to Vancouver in 2017. Upon moving to Vancouver, he signed with da Costa Talent agency and began training with the Intensive Training Program at Harbour Dance Centre, and TwoFourSeven Co. At the start of the 2021-2022 season he joined the creative team on TwoFourSeven Co. as a captain, contributing choreography to their competitive sets. His choreography has been showcased across Canada, as well as the United States.
Cole has been working in the film industry since 2017 and has worked with notable names such as Kenny Ortega, Jamal Sims, Mandy Moore, and NappyTabs. Some projects he has worked on include Descendants 3, Zoeys Extraordinary Playlist, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. In 2022 he wrapped up work as the recurring character “Bill” on Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, and continues to train as a working Actor and Dancer in 2024.
Cole is excited to share his passion for hip hop with his Coast Academy students!
Bryn R
ISTD, Recreational/Competitive Jazz Technique, Tap & Mental Health for Dancers Workshops Instructor
An I.S.T.D. certified teacher of eight years with twenty plus years of dance experience, Bryn is looking forward to working with CAD dancers this upcoming season!
Bryn completed Harbour Dance Centre’s Intensive Training Program (ITP) and danced full-time in Vancouver for two years where she worked with many of the city’s top choreographers. Upon realization that dance was not the only path she wanted to pursue, Bryn began her post-secondary education majoring in Psychology. When Bryn is not teaching dance, she utilizes her Psychology Degree in her work as a Crisis Responder where she has helped hundreds of individuals in distress to date. Bryn thrives in creating welcoming and warm environments with all individuals she works with and her patient and calm demeanour assists her in providing a necessary feeling of safety and security for all participants within all of her classes. Bryn’s extensive experience working with children and adults living with varying mental and physical needs in both mental health and dance settings allows her to confidently welcome individuals of all backgrounds and abilities into her classes with open arms.
An advocate for youth mental health and psychological wellbeing, in addition to teaching Technique & Jazz/Tap classes, Bryn is excited to continue connecting and collaborating with dancers by facilitating Mental Health & Wellbeing workshops with Company Dancers.
Emilie Bland
Acrobatics, Jazz, Contemporary & Lyrical Instructor
Emilie Bland is a versatile dancer, actor, and performer who started her training at The Coast Academy of Dance on The Sunshine Coast, BC. She has had extensive training in many styles including contemporary, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, ballet, partnering, acrobatics and floor work. After graduating with her ISTD Modern Associate, she moved to Vancouver to further her training with The Source Dance Company, directed by Joanne Pesusich. She then completed The Conteur Academy’s two-year intensive contemporary training program in Toronto, directed by Eryn Waltman. Over the course of her training, she’s had the opportunity to work with many world renowned choreographers.
She has performed in numerous live shows including Christina Digiuseppe’s “Revolt”, EMiMOTION’s “Inverse”, Mackenzie Carlson’s “The Audience” and The World Ski and Snowboard Festival to name a few. She has also appeared in several music videos and commercials, and is always seeking out new opportunities. Emilie has continued to expand her training as well, becoming a certified acrobatics instructor through the Acrobatic Arts Program.
Currently, Emilie resides in Vancouver and continues to pursue her career as a performer. She is excited to dive deeper into teaching and choreographing. She is continuously seeking out valuable training opportunities and ways to improve her craft, and can’t wait to share her wealth of knowledge with her students.
Danielle Jeal
Ballet Technique
Danielle Jeal has been a dance educator in the Vancouver Lower Mainland for the past twelve years. Her early training took place at world renowned institutes such as The National Ballet School of Canada and Arts Umbrella’s Apprentice Company, then under the direction of Artemis Gordon and Emily Molnar. Danielle expanded her training with Harbour Dance Centre’s ITP and The SOURCE Dance Company. Following her training Danielle pursued a passion for commercial dance, dancing for artists such as Nelly Furtado, Usher, and Michael Buble before spending a few years at sea dancing for Princess Cruises grand ships. Since transitioning to full time educating Danielle has received her BA with Distinction from Simon Fraser University, her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training from Vancouver School of Bodywork and Massage, and is Progressing Ballet Technique certified. Along side instruction, Danielle is a Programmer for Cascadia and Capitol Dance and Cinema Festivals and the Founder of Exult Dance Resources for Dance Professionals. When she’s not dancing, you can catch Danielle writing, reading, and exploring with three kids in tow and a cat!
GIOVANNI GIORDANO
Ballet & Pas De Deux Instructor
Giovanni started Studying modern-jazz in Italy when he was 15. He performed in Italy with “Ballet Studio Dance Company” from 2011 to 2015, in projects such as “Cubi”, “Spot” & “Time Lapse”. In 2016 he started to train in ballet and work privately with former etoile Guy De Bock, becoming a freelance dancer, collaborating with several schools and academies in events and performances in several important theaters in Rome, Pompei and Naples. In the U.S. he has been awarded for an “outstanding performance” at “VIBE USA” in 2017.
The following summer, he worked with the “Goh Ballet Youth Company” (Vancouver), performing main roles such as: Arabian, Spanish and Nutcracker Prince in the production of the “Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker”. He also performed with the “Vancouver Symphony Orchestra” as the Cavalier Prince. In 2018 after being awarded at the “Surrey Festival of Dance” (BC) in both categories “Contemporary duet” (1st place) and “Classical Pas De Deux” (1st Place), he performed in the World Premiere of “Cinderella” in Vancouver, choreographed by Maina Gielgud. During the winter of 2018, he worked with “Catching Art” (North Vancouver), collaborating with the “Lions Gate Youth Orchestra”, the composer “Michael Conway Baker” and “Pandora’s Vox”. In the summer of 2019 he performed “Meet Matilde Neruda” and “Zorba the Greek” in open space theaters in Italy.
The Nutcracker River-Port production, has been one of his favorite collaborations since 2018, guesting in the “Nutcracker Grand Pas” and Choreographing part of the show, with the beautiful scenario of Vancouver Island. Since he moved back to Vancouver in October 2019 he has been working with local dance studios guesting for Pas de Deux classes, year end performances and their Nutcracker.
In January 2023 was awarded 1st Place for choreography at B.B.B. competition in the U.S.A. Giovanni is looking forward to joining the Coast Academy team and sharing his many experiences & talents!
Orianna Gray
Acrobatics Instructor
Orianna’s journey began at Coast Academy of Dance, where she trained in various dance styles, Acro, Jazz, Hip Hop, ISTD Modern, Ballet, culminating in a year in the pre-professional program.
Orianna went on to teach Ballet Technique, Jazz, and Strength and Conditioning in Abbotsford. After her return to the Sunshine Coast, she had the privilege of performing in the Coast Dance Society’s production of The Nutcracker.
Additionally, Orianna pursued gymnastics teacher training in Foundations and Inter Foundations. This enabled Orianna to run her own children’s strength program at a local gym where she focused her program on enhancing children’s agility, endurance, and strength.
Orianna’s other recent certifications include the Acrobatic Arts Program. Orianna looks forward to sharing her passion for acro with her students.
Cora Nelson
Tap, Barre Fitness, HIGH, LOW & YO Fitness
Cora has trained extensively in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop since the age of three. She has completed numerous examinations in the Imperial Society of Teacher’s of Dance (ISTD) syllabi in Tap and Ballet. Cora has also completed all the ISTD Modern Theatre exams from Grade 1 to Advanced 2, receiving a mark of distinction at each level. At 17, Cora graduated from the Coast Academy of Dance’s three-year Pre-Professional Program, and received her ISTD Associate in Modern Theatre. Cora was highly involved in the UBC dance community, and danced competitively with Dance Horizon’s DHCollective team as part of the hip-hop division.
Cora is also a fitness enthusiast with a passion for strength-training and group fitness. She is a certified Barre Fitness instructor through the International Ballet Barre Fitness Association’s (IBBFA) Barre Certification program, and is also certified in Barre Level 2, Barre for Special Populations, and Ballerobica. Cora is also a HIGH, Low, and Yo certified instructor. Cora’s classes are energetic and light-hearted, and her goal is to help her students discover the joy of movement in an inclusive, supportive, and fun-loving environment.
Emma Dang
Broadway, ISTD Modern & Contemporary/Lyrical Instructor
Emma started her dance training at the North Shore Academy of Dancing at the age of 3, starting with ballet. Throughout the years, she trained in ISTD Modern, RAD Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, and Musical Theatre. At the age of 7 Emma joined the competition program, she continued to grace the stage thru to Grade 12. Emma furthered her dance training with the help of NSAD’s Pre-Professional Half Day Training Program throughout highschool. She went on to complete the ISTD Advanced 2 Modern, and has begun training for her ISTD Teaching Certificate. Emma is currently studying at Simon Fraser University for Sciences and Maths. Emma has a strong passion for teaching, she is excited to be apart of the faculty and share her love of dance!
Alison Girard
Contemporary & Jazz Instructor
Alison has achieved significant milestones in her dance career and beyond. She successfully completed all her ISTD dance examinations in modern, jazz, and ballet and graduated from the Coast Academy of Dance’s three-year pre-professional program in 2022, earning her ISTD teaching diploma. In 2018, she represented Team Canada West at the International Dance Organization World Championships in Germany.
Following her graduation, Alison moved to Los Angeles to deepen her dance training, studying with prominent choreographers and teachers. She participated in the Mather Dance Company Bridge program, an intensive eleven-month training initiative led by Shannon Mather, which offered her valuable exposure to top dance industry professionals.
Currently based in Vancouver, Alison is an active member of the BC Lions Uproar Dance Team. She has also recently achieved notable accomplishments, including filming a music video and embarking on a Canadian tour. Alison is passionate about sharing her expertise and is committed to inspiring her students through her extensive experience and knowledge in dance.
Annika Bergman
Ballet, Acro, Hip Hop & Modern Instructor
Annika began studying Ballet at the age of 4. Today, she trains in many different genres including Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop at the Coast Academy of Dance. She is currently part of the Associate Program where she is working towards earning her ISTD Modern diploma. Annika is a Company member at CAD, this program allows her to be a role model to younger dancers, have extra performance opportunities and attend workshops throughout the year. Annika has taken both her Advanced 1 Ballet and Modern exams, and will be taking her Advanced 2 exams in the coming year, achieving the highest level of examinations available through the ISTD.
This year Annika will be performing many dances at both local and off coast competitions. Competing has opened a whole new world for her, as it has given her more opportunities to perform. Another opportunity Annika looks forward to each year is the Sunshine Coast Nutcracker. She will be going into her 9th Nutcracker production having the chance to have danced many roles such as Mouse, Angel, Pulchinel, Party Girl, Snowflake, Pan, Arabian, Mirliton, Spanish, and Clara. This past year she was given the chance to perform the role of Snow Queen a huge honour within the Nutcracker Productions. Annika is very excited to teach a variety of classes this year, and is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with her students!
Taylor Bramham
Hip Hop, Tiny Tumblers & Contemporary/Lyrical Instructor
Born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, Taylor has been dancing since the age of 3 with the Coast Academy of Dance. She has trained in a variety of dance genres including ISTD ballet and modern, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, broadway, and hip hop. This upcoming year Taylor will be doing her third and final year of her ISTD associates in modern theatre, training to receive her associates degree. She has also completed ISTD Ballet Exams and is working towards her Advanced 2 Modern exam.
Taylor has competed in many dance competitions since the age of 9 with the Coast Academy of Dance’s competition team, and has recently fallen in love with competing modern. This past 2024 season she received top accolades at the Burnaby Star Talent dance competition and is very grateful for her choreographer Brontë Hansen. She has also been fortunate enough to receive different scholarships throughout her dance career. In 2023 Taylor received a cash prize from the Sunshine Coast Dance Society for her modern solo, and in 2024 received a scholarship to attend a summer intensive with Dance Co from the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts. She has also had many opportunities to choreograph and this has made her realize how much she loves to instruct and create. This past dance season she had the opportunity to choreograph a solo for herself and compete it many times. She received amazing feedback and encouragement from many adjudicators. Taylor has had the opportunity, through the Coast Academy, to dance with many other studios in a performance called “Collaboration”, as well as various other community performances. Taylor is super excited to be part of the Coast Academy of Dance faculty and can’t wait to work with the dancers this season!
Amy Perry
Administration
Amy was born and raised in Maple Ridge where she danced from the ages of 11-18 taking Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Stage, and her favourite Tap. She moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2000 and her love of dance drew her to the Adult classes at Coast Academy in 2015. After the sale of their restaurant Amy became a Deep Tissue Massage Professional in 2019 and started behind the desk at Coast Academy.
Amy loves meeting and helping all the student and parents that come through the doors!