Sara Raymond: Jazz, Contemporary, Latin, Line Dance, Hip Hop, Tap
Owner - Instructor - Choreographer - Dance Event Organizer.
Born in Nanaimo, Sara Raymond has been in the dance industry for over 30 years. She started at the age of 8 originally a country line dancer and was competing throughout various country dance circuits and receiving choreography awards by the time she was 15 years old. From there Sara started training in Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap as well as partner dancing such as Country Dance, West Coast Swing and Salsa.
Sara's teaching experience has led her to create salsa performance teams, taking students to the UCWDC World Championships as well as local Dance Competitions for her younger students in Jazz and Contemporary.
SR Dance Academy was formed over 10 years ago with the vision of a space where everyone can learn how to dance. We offer many recreational programs for youth and adults as well as offering a few competitive options as well. The dance studio prides on a positive family friendly atmosphere.
Sara still actively competes is Advanced UCWDC World Championships and Gold Dance for line dancing. She also competes in jack and jills in the WSDC Market for West Coast Swing.
In 2024 Sara created a new venture for a yearly dance conference 'Nanaimo Dance Fusion' which promotes social dancing such as Line Dance, West Coast Swing and Salsa. She brings in instructors from all over the world to teach workshops, perform and judge local competitions.
Owner - Instructor - Choreographer - Dance Event Organizer.
Born in Nanaimo, Sara Raymond has been in the dance industry for over 30 years. She started at the age of 8 originally a country line dancer and was competing throughout various country dance circuits and receiving choreography awards by the time she was 15 years old. From there Sara started training in Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap as well as partner dancing such as Country Dance, West Coast Swing and Salsa.
Sara's teaching experience has led her to create salsa performance teams, taking students to the UCWDC World Championships as well as local Dance Competitions for her younger students in Jazz and Contemporary.
SR Dance Academy was formed over 10 years ago with the vision of a space where everyone can learn how to dance. We offer many recreational programs for youth and adults as well as offering a few competitive options as well. The dance studio prides on a positive family friendly atmosphere.
Sara still actively competes is Advanced UCWDC World Championships and Gold Dance for line dancing. She also competes in jack and jills in the WSDC Market for West Coast Swing.
In 2024 Sara created a new venture for a yearly dance conference 'Nanaimo Dance Fusion' which promotes social dancing such as Line Dance, West Coast Swing and Salsa. She brings in instructors from all over the world to teach workshops, perform and judge local competitions.
Mako Matsui - Ballet, Acro, Contemporary, Competition Team and Solos
Mako began her ballet journey at the age of 3 in Tokyo in Japan, where she received training and competed in competitions.
When she turned 16, she moved to Nanaimo for a study abroad program. Fortunately, she had connections that allowed her to continue her ballet journey in Canada.
During her university years, she performed with Bohemia Dance Production and toured across British Columbia. She also had the opportunity to perform with the Vancouver Island Symphony. After graduating from university, she worked at Ballet Victoria in an administrative capacity, where she had the chance to teach ballet as well. She is incredibly excited to share her knowledge of ballet as well be apart of the team in our competition routines.
Tasha Dent - Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre and Solos
Tasha Dent began her dance training at four, studying Ballet (RAD), Jazz, Tap, modern, and stage; by far her favourite style of dance is Modern.
She has trained at various studios but the majority of her training on the island at Innovate Dance Arts and Helix Dance Theatre, she furthered her dance training in Vancouver.
Alongside her group, she has won BC provincials for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024. She cannot wait to share her love of dance with others.
Tasha Dent began her dance training at four, studying Ballet (RAD), Jazz, Tap, modern, and stage; by far her favourite style of dance is Modern.
She has trained at various studios but the majority of her training on the island at Innovate Dance Arts and Helix Dance Theatre, she furthered her dance training in Vancouver.
Alongside her group, she has won BC provincials for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024. She cannot wait to share her love of dance with others.