Kimberly Stevenson has dreamed of running her own dance school since she was a young student in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. She has been the founder and instructor of The Happening Dance Studio since 2013 starting off in a small live/work space just off Main Street on Scotia and 4th ave. The Happening now has expanded to two studios adjacent to each other, has twelve employees, and over 500 students that come in and out of the doors 7 days a week.

Kimberly trained and studied for three years to become a certified & qualified ADAPT jazz and tap instructor, and soon moved away from Saskatchewan to pursue her formal studies in dance performance and choreography. Kimberly earned a diploma from Alberta’s Grant MacEwan College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from British Columbia’s Simon Fraser University.

Kimberly is not only a qualified dance instructor, but also a professional dance artist who continues to seek performance opportunities. She has trained under Hofesh Shechter Company in London England and under Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv Israel participating in extensive workshops involving training in Gaga technique and learning company repertoire. Kimberly has had the honour to perform professionally for Serge Bennathan, Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, Kate Franklin, Gail Lotenberg, Daisy Thompson, Katie DeVries, Kokoro Dance Theatre, Rob Kitsos, Shauna Elton, and Deanna Peters. She has also been the choreographer for the East Van Panto: Snow White & The Seven Dwarves (2017/2018) and for The Vancouver Canadians well known grounds crew for the 2017/2018/2019 & 2022 Seasons.

Kimberly along with her husband Juan Sotelo Morales absolutely loves living in the Mount Pleasant area and the community that surrounds us. Kim is loving her newest role of being a mom to Yani and Mateo Sotelo!

Francis has danced with renowned groups like PraiseTEAM, TwoFourSeven Company, and Brotherhood Dance Crew. His performance accolades include the NBA and CFL, and has won esteemed competitions such as Vibe Dance Competition, Body Rock, and Hip Hop International. Currently, Francis leads as a coach and choreographer of the Bandits Dance Crew for the Vancouver Bandits basketball team. Francis infuses his contemporary and hip hop training into his choreography. Outside of dance Francis works as a Kinesiologist, guiding patients through rehabilitation.

Chris Bonus is a dancer, choreographer, instructor, and director from Vancouver, BC. He currently teaches at Harbour Dance Centre and A3 District and hosts weekly freestyle sessions for the community called The Corner. He is a member of TwoFourSeven Company and is part of their creative team, having choreographed for elite competitions such as Body Rock, VIBE, Hip Hop Internationals, and World of Dance. Christ has taught all over BC, as well as Edmonton, Calgary, Oslo. and LA and continues to share his work with the rest of the world. Chris has developed a unique style of teaching and choreographing that inspires and encourages all dancers.

Michael Delleva began his dance journey at the age of 12 at Praise Team Studio in Surrey, B.C. He specializes in hip hop fundamentals and commercial choreography. He is currently a director at Studio North (created by Scott and Carmen Forsyth) and also worked at various studios across BC including Praise TEAM studio, Legacy Dance Productions, and Studio One. Michael has competed and choreographed at many elite dance competitions world-wide. His accomplishments include 1st/2nd/3rd place podium finishes at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, 1st place at Artist Emerge Vancouver 2022, 1st/2nd place at Body Rock Dance Competition, and podium finishes at IDO Hip Hop Championships in Europe. After taking a hiatus from competitive dance, he began his passion for dance in the film industry. Recent credits include To All The Boys 3, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Descendants 3, various national commercials, and creating choreography for World of Dance on NBC and the Philippines. 

Ashley Sweett, a Vancouver-based dance artist with two decades of experience, began her career as a competitive dancer and attended Langley Fine Arts School. Transitioning to the professional realm as a teen, she trained with Source Dance Company and Modus Operandi before venturing to vibrant dance scenes in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto. She also studied acting, particularly improv at The Second City Conservatory.

Ashley's versatile career spans film, television, stage, and interdisciplinary work, with roles including performer, choreographer, artistic director, and producer. She has worked with networks like NBC, Netflix, and Disney, alongside renowned recording artists and choreographers such as Mandy Moore, Jillian Myers and Heather Laura Gray. In Vancouver, Ashley has created works with The Lovers Cabaret and Sweett Moves, as well as residencies with Small Stage and Dancing On the Edge.

As a dedicated educator and adjudicator, Ashley has shared her expertise across North America, Europe and Australia, shaping the careers of aspiring dancers and fostering creativity. Her journey exemplifies her profound commitment to the performing arts, driven by her desire to enrich lives and leave a lasting impact.

Calder White is a freelance dance artist based on the unceded and stolen lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations (so-called “Vancouver, British Columbia”). He is an alumnus of Tkaronto’s Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre and holds a BFA in Dance from the Ohio State University (2018).

Calder has originated roles in work by Shay Kuebler (Radical System Art), Joshua Beamish (MOVEthecompany), Wen Wei Wang (Wen Wei Dance), Rachel Meyer, Ziyian Kwan (Odd Meridian Arts) and Santee Smith (Kaha:wi Dance Theatre). His choreographic work has been shared with audiences across Canada and the US, receiving commissions from Ohio Dance Festival, The School of Dance Ottawa, and Dancing on the Edge (Vancouver), and Boombox Vancouver.

Calder is also a floorwork teacher, sharing his workshops with institutions across North America. He is the proud recipient of the 2022 Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Ukraine – Heritage, Spirit, and Future award for Exceptional Talent in Contemporary Dance.

Catherine discovered dance in her teens, and was immediately hooked. She began her training with ballet and jazz, and discovered contemporary dance at the Grant MacEwan College Dance program in 2000, where she received her Dance Diploma and was awarded several scholarships and bursaries. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Contemporary Dance in 2005 from Simon Fraser University, and graduated in the top 5% of her class. Catherine studied pioneering modern dance techniques like Graham and Cunningham, with original Graham company member Judith Garay, and Cunningham from original company member Megan Walker-Straight. She has performed with contemporary dance companies such as Mascall Dance, Sirenscrossing UK, and with numerous independent artists in Vancouver. She has toured as a professional dancer throughout Canada, the US, and Europe. In 2013 she was awarded a Canada Council Grant to perform in Sweden at the Fallensdager Festival as a guest artist for the third time with Sirenscrossing. Catherine became a certified Pilates Mat Work instructor in 2008 at The Space, and was certified to teach Progressing Ballet Techniquein 2019. Catherine has taught for pre-professional training divisions at RNB Dance and Theatre arts, The Caulfield School of Dance, and The Anna Wyman School of Dance Arts. She loves the art of dance improvisation, and the practice of asking questions just as much as she loves a sweaty technique class. She also enjoys creative writing, and studies yoga. Catherine comes from a long line of educators and strongly believes in maintaining a creative and curious mind. She has been teaching dance for over 20 years, and she absolutely loves her job.

Oh Augustine (formerly known as Oksana) is an emerging contemporary dance artist/teacher/choreographer, currently based on the unceded and occupied Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh, xwməθkwəy̓ əm, and səl̓ ílwətaʔ lands. After completing one year in ITP and one year in The Source Dance Company, Oh trained with Modus Operandi for four years, completing their post secondary contemporary dance education. They have had the opportunity to partake in rehearsal process with Out Innerspace Dance Theatre, Shay Kuebler RSA, Khoudia Toure, Chimerik 似不 像 Collective, Okam's Racer, Co.ERASGA, danielle Mackenzie Long, and Zahra Shahab among others, as well as performed in the EDAM Spring Choreographic Series in 2022. Oh’s work as a choreographer mainly focuses on neurodivergence, gender exploration, spirituality, and sensation. Their work has been showcased in 12 Minutes Max, Boombox Split Screen, The Happening Accelerate 4.0 alongside Kate Franklin, Chalk It Up!, and Studio Salon Series to name a few. As a teacher, they frequently teach at MO Link Program, TSV Working Class, The Source Dance Company, and multiple studios across BC. Currently, Oh has been working as a choreographer in an original play “Tomboy” written by Anais West. Additionally, Oh has won multiple choreography awards at competitions from 2012-2024, is a recipient of the Training Society of Vancouver Scholarship in 2022, and has received the BC Arts Council Training Grant in 2019.

Julia Bose is a passionate dancer, choreographer, and teacher, born and raised in Victoria, BC, Canada. Throughout her childhood, she explored many different dance disciplines, but fell in love with Tap and Street Styles. Today, she specializes in Hip hop and choreography, which have taken her to new heights both locally and internationally. Over the years, Julia has had opportunities to perform in Las Vegas, New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, Mexico, New Zealand, Italy, Toronto and Montreal, winning numerous competitions with her teams, and performing on both America’s Got Talent (with TwoFourSeven) and Canada’s Got Talent (with A3 District Ryderz). Currently, Julia is focusing on her work in commercials, tv / film, and live performances, as well as sharing her knowledge full time with students of all ages and levels. Her magnetic and nurturing teaching style, coupled with her knowledge of Hop Hop foundation and history, musicality, and performance, has made her a sought after instructor in the Vancouver area and beyond.

Born into a dance family, Kaytia Kostersky began her dance training at the age of 1.5 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Throughout her training and competing in all genres of dance, she participated in RAD and ADAPT exams, having achieved the prestigious ARAD status as well as accomplishing her Advanced ADAPT, the highest level in both syllabi. She began the Teachers Training program in 2013 and has been teaching ever since. Upon graduating from high school, Kaytia was accepted into the Intensive Training Program at Harbour Dance Centre and following the year long program, she began studying Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia. She has since completed her Bachelors of Kinesiology and will begin her Masters of Physiotherapy this fall in hopes of becoming a physiotherapist for dancers. Kaytia has completed her TTS Certification through A.D.A.P.T as well as her Acrobatic Arts Certification, and loves being a part of the Happening family.

Originally from the UK, Fran has trained in different communities globally, including London, New York and LA. She has been teaching for over 8 years both in the UK and now Vancouver and is passionate about making dance accessible to anyone at any level. She has experience in the majority of foundational street dance styles, but has focused her training in House and Hip Hop. She places value on the importance of street dance culture/history and foundational movement which helps to shape her choreography. Fran believes in the power of dance as a tool for personal development. She continues to train and seek knowledge in order to be a better dancer and teacher.

Born and raised in West Kelowna, Nicole started training in gymnastics at four years old. After competing in gymnastics for several years she chose to shift her time and energy towards dance, using gymnastics as a foundation for her movement. She trained at Lake Country School of Dance studying jazz, ballet, contemporary, tap, hip hop, and lyrical with mentors Heather Dotto, Paul Otterbien, Sabrina Phillips, Liz Tookey, Loretta Lachner, and Vicki View. In 2017, Nicole performed with Team Canada Hip Hop and was a soloist at the IDO World Championships. Overtime, her interest in contemporary dance expanded, leading her to train with Modus Operandi (under the direction of Tiffany Tregarthen, David Raymond, and Kate Franklin) in Vancouver BC. Nicole is in her graduating year of Modus Operandi and has successfully been awarded two Training Scholarships from BC Arts Council. Through her education, Nicole has had the opportunity to learn from choreographers Vanessa Goodman, Idan Cohen, Billy Marchenski, Josh Beamish, Shay Kuebler, and many other artists from the dance community. Nicole has performed works by Alanna Kraajeveld, Company 605, Out Innerspace Dance Theatre, Kate Franklin, and Justine Chambers through Modus Operandi. Nicole is now a company member with Radical System Art and has performed internationally as a company member.

Lexi Vajda is an independent dance artist who has the privilege of living and working on the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Lexi's interest in movement, imagination and sensation culminates in a practice of making performances, installations and film as well as interpreting the works of other artists. She has worked with companies and choreographers such as Shay Kuebler RSA, Animals of Distinction, the response., Out Innerspace Dance theatre, Action at a Distance, Theatre Replacement, Company 605, Kinesis Dance Somatheatro, plastic orchid factory, The Party, Delia Brett, Cindy Mochizuki, Tanz&Kunst Konigsfelden, Sasha Kleinplatz and Emmalena Frederiksson. She has also taught contemporary movement, improvisation and ballet to both young and adult humans for over 12 years throughout the Lower Mainland.

HDC’s Intensive Training Program (ITP) provides 20 to 25 hours per week of comprehensive training in dance, technology, film/TV, mental skills, choreography, and related disciplines. The program also includes seminars on topics such as nutrition, injury prevention, audition techniques, talent agencies, U.S. work visas, casting processes, and insights from dancers currently on tour. With a strong focus on the commercial dance industries in stage, screen, and touring, our goal is to equip students with a wide array of tools and knowledge to ensure they are fully prepared for a successful career in dance.

Nasiv Kaur Sall (she/her) is a Canadian-Punjabi dancer, actor, choreographer and rehearsal assistant based in Vancouver, BC. Since completing her formal dance education through the Arts Umbrella Dance Graduate Program, Nasiv has contributed her skills to various film, television and theatre productions, as well as Canadian dance companies and institutions.

As a contemporary dance artist and performer, she has worked with companies Kidd Pivot, Out Innerspace Dance Theatre, Anne Plamondon Productions, Belle Spirale, Furious Grace Dance Theatre (Anya Saugstad), La Tresse Collective, Mascall Dance, Dance//Novella and CAMP Collective.

Nasiv has further extended her talents to the film industry, working as an actor and dancer in various feature films and series for networks Nickelodeon, Disney, The CW, NBC, and Netflix.

OURO Collective (OURO), founded in 2014 by Cristina Bucci, Rina Pellerin, Maiko Miyauchi, Dean Placzek, and Mark Siller, is a contemporary/street dance company located on the ancestral territories of the Coast Salish peoples (also known as Vancouver). Fusing hip-hop, waacking, breaking, popping, house and contemporary dance, OURO creates artistically innovative, socially accessible and community-minded performances. The collective sees collaboration as a catalyst for dialogue, creative innovation, and community building. United around the common goal of pushing the boundaries of how street dance-based works are created and presented, OURO is dedicated to creating performances that explore the full range of possibilities and identities the group represents. The collective has produced over ten works and launched OUROFEST, a festival celebrating Canada's street dance community and the collective's 10th anniversary in 2024.

OURO's work has been presented at Dancing on the Edge, Vancouver Street Dance Festival, Vancouver International Dance Festival, Seattle International Dance Festival, Guelph Dance Festival, Dance In Vancouver, Dance Allsorts, CypherFest International Street Dance Festival, and profiled by CBC Arts documentary series Exhibitionists. The collective has collaborated with numerous local outreach programs, including the Share Dance Outreach Program, the Immigrant Services Society, and The Power of Dance, and toured Japan from 2017 to 2019. In 2020, OURO received Dance Victoria's Chrystal Dance Prize to collaborate with Rauf 'RubberLegz' Yasit to create a short film and full-length dance work entitled 7y98D. The short film premiered on NOWNESS and has been screened at Lago Film Fest (Italy), Mignolo International Screendance Festival (USA), Cinedans Festival (Netherlands), TANZAHOi International Festival for Dance (Germany), and Greensboro Dance Film Festival (USA). 7y98D excerpts have been performed at Fall for Dance North in Toronto, La Serre in Montreal, OFF-DIV, Vancouver Art Gallery and the Polygon Gallery.

Christian Lagasse is a renowned choreographer whose career spans over 25 years in the entertainment industry. Beginning his journey as a dancer, Christian has since evolved into a multifaceted creative force, bringing his extensive experience as an actor, motion capture performer, creature artist, editor, composer, and producer into every choreography project he undertakes. This diverse background gives Christian a unique and highly sought-after perspective that sets his work apart in the entertainment world. 

Christian's choreography is a vibrant fusion of storytelling, innovation, and cultural respect. With expertise in over 15 dance genres, he skillfully blends and evolves styles to create performances that not only captivate audiences but also honor the rich histories and cultures from which these art forms originate. His collaborations with cultural advisors and fellow artists underscore his commitment to authenticity and respect in his craft. 

Over the years, Christian has brought his creative vision to a wide array of projects, from feature films and television to commercials, music videos, live entertainment, and virtual productions. His work has been showcased globally, earning him opportunities to collaborate with some of the most prestigious companies in the industry, including 20th Century Fox, BMW, Insomniac, and Amazon. Whether it’s creating high-energy routines for a global audience or intimate, emotionally charged performances, Christian’s work consistently leaves a lasting impact. 

Mentored by the esteemed Canadian choreographer Kelly Konno, Christian gained invaluable insights early in his career as an assistant choreographer for DC's "Legends Of Tomorrow" on the CW Network. This experience not only honed his technical skills but also shaped his philosophy of creating supportive and empowering environments for dancers, actors, and crew members alike. 

Christian's creativity extends beyond traditional choreography. His fascination with movement and performance led him to work as a movement director, where he has helped actors, artists, and dancers deepen their emotional connection to their performances. Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Doug Jones and Andy Serkis, and his experience on Alien: ORE as the Xenomorph, Christian also ventured into creature choreography and direction, crafting intricate movement profiles for creatures, animals, and aliens of all kinds. 

His exceptional talent has been recognized in numerous high-profile projects. Christian was part of the choreography team for the feature film "A Nice Indian Boy," which premiered at the SXSW film festival, and the Crazy 8's Film Finalist "Mr. James Is Dead," selected for Telefilm Canada's "NOT SHORT ON TALENT AT CANNES" program. His work on the short film "Hairy Beast" was showcased at multiple Academy Awards qualifying festivals and invited to the first round of the Academy Awards short film qualifiers. 

Christian’s work is not only technically proficient but also deeply innovative, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in dance and movement. His work as a guest choreographer for the BC Lions Uproar Dance Team, performed before an audience of over 30,000 people, and 

is just one example of how his dynamic and engaging work continues to resonate with large-scale audiences. 

Currently attached to multiple series in development, Christian Lagasse remains a highly sought-after talent in the industry. His unwavering dedication to his craft, coupled with his ability to infuse creativity and emotion into every project, ensures that his work will continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

Cristina Bucci creates and produces new dance works on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. As a dance artist she has been given many opportunities to be a part of numerous exciting projects with a career that has taken her around the globe. Some highlights include the International Dance Seminar in Brazil, choreography for Yarita Yu Ballet Company in Tokyo, Dancing on the Edge, touring Japan with OURO Collective, Vancouver International Dance Festival, CypheFest International Dance Festival, Avant Garde Dance (UK), working with artists such as Young MC, Indian opera singer Veera Devi Khare, Lil Buck and with spoken word artist Scruffmouth Scribe through Brief Encounters. Her past twenty years of experience in the arts as a dancer, choreographer, collective member, and dance educator has seen her bring artistic excellence to all of her projects, as she continues to bring street dance-based work to the forefront of the arts in BC, Canada and beyond. She acted as assistant director of training company The SOULdiers for seven years and part of various outreach dance programs, such as Kidsafe, Share Dance, and The Power of Dance (The Dance Centre). Cristina is also a registered holistic nutritionist and presents her “Nutrition for Dancers” seminars to dancers of all ages and works with clients one on one. Cristina is currently acting as the Managing/Co-Artistic Director of OURO Collective.

Professional dance educator, choreographer, adjudicator and international artist, Jason Pickett strives to help dancers grow to the next level of their artistic journey. With over a decade of performance, choreography and teaching experience, the Utah native has performed live on shows like Americas Got Talent, collaborated with global brands Hermès, Icon Fitness, Toys-R-Us, Crocs, Bud Light and more, and been featured in viral YouTube videos Stormtrooper Twerk and High School Dance Battle – Geeks vs. Cool Kids! (4k), just to name a few. In addition, Pickett has toured internationally throughout Germany and Israel with Odyssey Dance Theatre as company artist. Jason Pickett is the creator and host of No Starving Artists - a dance media company that provides mentoring, coaching & peak performance strategy to dancers, parents & teachers & is currently a full time faculty member with Reinforce Dance Experience.