FACULTY
Angela Bosco
Co-Owner, Co-Director, Instructor, Choreographer
Angela’s love for teaching is as strong as her passion for dancing and performing. She has spent the last 12 years loving every second she spends instructing and inspiring dancers to push themselves to their full potential while enjoying the time they spend in the studio. Angela's choreography has received various awards at dance competitions over the years and her routines have placed first overall at multiple competitions in the Greater Vancouver area. Also an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Angela's passion for movement and motivating others has lead her to enjoy instructing various types of fitness classes including Barre, HIIT, Strength Training and IBDC's very own DanceFit Program! Angela's fun-loving approach toward instructing is contagious and she loves to share it with Inspired By's students and their families.
Taryn Patterson
Co-Owner, Co-Director, Instructor, Choreographer
Over the past 15 years, Taryn has had the pleasure of teaching thousands of students, both recreationally and competitively. She has taught a variety of styles including jazz, stage, lyrical, ballet and hip hop. Her love of dance and performing continues to grow as she watches her students light up on stage. In 2017, Taryn received her Costuming for Stage and Screen Diploma from Capilano University and works part-time in the film industry when she is not teaching her IBDC students. Taryn is excited to share her passion for dance with the students at Inspired By Dance Company.
Jen Harden
Parent & Tot,
Preschool Dance, Jazz,
Tap Instructor
Jen is an experienced teacher, choreographer and dancer from Kelowna, BC. She trained at the Canadian School of Ballet for 16 years, primarily in RAD ballet, tap and jazz, where she completed her RAD Advanced 1 ballet exam with excellent results. She also had the privilege of performing in 11 performances of The Nutcracker, including the role of “Arabian Queen” and has competed in various competitions around the Okanagan. Jen has always had a passion for working with kids and has been teaching dance for the past 6 years in tap and jazz. She has worked with both recreational and competitive students and loves every minute she gets in the studio with them! Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from UBC and currently works as an elementary school teacher. Jen is super excited to be sharing her love of dance with IBDC this year!
Seira Shimamura
Ballet Instructor
Born in Nishinomiya, Japan, Seira has been dancing since the age of four. She has trained in Russian Vaganova ballet, Cecchetti ballet, jazz, modern ballet and Japanese dance. She has performed and received awards at numerous international competitions including the YAGP New York City Finals, Kobe World Dance Competition, Japan Grand Prix, and the Dance World Cup. Seira began teaching in 2008 at the Sawako Murase Ballet studio. In 2013, Seira graduated from the four-year degree program of the Osaka Performing Arts University. Over the years, Seira enhanced her knowledge and developed advanced teaching skills through class practicums at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, and she graduated from their Teacher Training Program in 2016. She holds her Associates qualifications in Cecchetti. Seira is very passionate and enthusiastic about working with students and has found that teaching dance is her calling. She continues to study and upgrade her training in order to give her students the best possible instruction for their advancement in dance.
Montana Moore
Hip Hop Instructor & Choreographer
Growing up on the North Shore, Montana’s passion for movement began at a very young age. She prides herself on her extensive training in a variety of styles including hiphop, jazz-funk, heels, contemporary, ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, broadway and musical theatre. Montana has completed examinations up to Advanced 2 RAD Ballet and ISTD Ballet & Modern. She has trained with ITP, The Aviary, KTL and Illustrative Society under the direction of many well-known choreographers. Her devotion to dance has lead her to training abroad with Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Boston Ballet, Modas Dance Albuquerque as well as in programs in NYC, Seattle, and LA. Montana has completed four contracts with Royal Caribbean Cruises, touring and performing across the globe. Montana has also appeared in many recent television and film productions including Riverdale, The Man in the High Castle, Barbie (motion capture), and Zombie Apocalypse video game.
Montana is excited to share her passion for dance and bring her knowledge and experience as a dancer and choreographer to her students. Montana has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UBC and enjoys diverging both realms of work to create a safe learning environment within the studio. Montana was part of Inspired By Dance Company’s faculty in season one and is thrilled to be back!
Neve Kelly
Preschool Dance Instructor & Choreographer
Neve 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 loves to create an inclusive, safe space for anyone and everyone who wants to dance. While supporting dancers to reach their full potential, Neve maintains a fun and positive environment for all. Neve is currently in the process of receiving her ECE (Early Childhood Education) Certification at the Creative Minds Early Learning Institute, where different learning styles are not only accepted but also celebrated.
Paige McConnell
Parent & Tot and Preschool Dance Instructor
Paige McConnell began dancing at the age of 7, at her hometown studio The Guelph Academy of Dance, where she spent 11 years training in Ballet (RAD), Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre. She completed her Inter. foundation and Intermediate RAD Ballet Examinations, while also choreographing and performing with the CCVI Dance Inc. company! In September of 2017, Paige made the move to BC to enter the SFU Contemporary Dance BFA program, where she spent 4 years learning from distinguished dance artists such as Rob Kitsos, Megan Walker-Straight and Judith Garay! Paige spent several years at her hometown studio gaining experience as an assistant teacher before she began independently teaching classes full time for a variety of Summer Dance Camps! In 2020, Paige became a certified Yoga Instructor for both children and adults! She dove head first into her teaching career with a variety of dance studios and companies around Vancouver and is beyond excited to join the Inspired By team!
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Tanner Plecas
Guest Choreographer
Since retiring from dancing professionally, Tanner has been a full-time choreographer and dance instructor for the last 10 years. He is passionate about building strong technique in his dancers, and providing them with a understanding of what can be achieved through hard work and commitment. His award-winning choreography is remembered for its athleticism and inventive perspectives. Tanner is thrilled to be apart of this new journey of studio training.
Lexi Vajda
Guest Choreographer
Lexi Vajda is an independent dance artist and dance maker who has the privilege of living and working on the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She has interpreted and performed the works of various companies and choreographers across Canada. Her independent choreographies investigate alternative and peripheral spaces for choreography as well as collaborative creative practices. Lexi regularly teaches contemporary technique at various dance schools throughout the lower mainland, Modus Operandi and at Harbour Dance Centre and was the recipient of the 2016 Mayor’s Arts Award for emerging dance artist.