FACULTY

Chelsi Bentham

Artistic Director and Studio Owner

Instructor:

Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Tap, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Hip Hop.

Chelsi Bentham is a multi-award-winning educator and choreographer specializing in Competitive Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. A proud member of ACTRA and Canadian Equity, she is the Founder and Artistic Director of In House Performing Arts Studio in Summerland, British Columbia.

Originally from the Okanagan, Chelsi began dancing at the age of five with the Canadian School of Ballet. Throughout her early training, she had the privilege of learning from many exceptional instructors, including Loretta Beamish-Lachner, Lori Larson, Melville Brown, and Robb Card. After graduating from high school, she was accepted into the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, BC, where she trained under co-founders Jacques Lemay and Janis Dunning. She graduated in 1999 with a Diploma in Performing Arts, receiving extensive training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Voice, Contemporary Acting, and Film.

Throughout her professional career, Chelsi continued to train between performance contracts at some of the industry's leading studios, including Harbour Dance Centre (Vancouver), Metro Movement (Toronto), Broadway Dance Center (New York City), and Pineapple Dance Studios (London, England). She also received extensive vocal training with Kim Kleinenberg and David Dunbar.

As a performer, Chelsi enjoyed a successful international career spanning stage, television, film, and commercial work. Her professional theatre credits include Hello, Dolly! (5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle), Time of Innocence (Village Theatre, Washington), Cats (Neptune Theatre, Halifax) as Tantomile, Annie (Neptune Theatre), where she performed the role of Lily on multiple occasions, Twist and Shout and Oklahoma! (Drayton Festival), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Theatre Under the Stars) as Mrs. Potiphar, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Franklin Falls, Tommy, and performances with the BC Lions Dance Team.

Chelsi was also offered the role of Vivienne in Dirty Dancing in London's West End and performed internationally as a production team model and company dancer throughout Spain, England, Germany, and Italy. She later joined Disney Cruise Line as a Mainstage Performer, appearing as the Blonde Muse in Hercules, the Blue Fairy in Disney Dreams, and in Pirates of the Ghost Ship.

Her television and film credits include guest starring as Carla in Hotel Babylon (BBC/Carnival Films), Scary Movie 3 (Miramax Films), The Clark Brothers (Warner Bros.), The Chameleons, Shoot Out, The Naughty Bits, and over 30 national television commercials, including campaigns for Pepsi and Caramel Aero.

In addition to performing, Chelsi has taught and choreographed throughout Canada and the United States, including West Lake Dance Centre (Seattle), Martha Hicks School of Dance (Toronto), Seymour Dance (North Vancouver), and UBC Dance Horizons (Vancouver). Her choreography has earned numerous awards across multiple competitive dance disciplines, and she was invited to choreograph for the Vancouver Fringe Festival early in her professional career.

Today, Chelsi is grateful to call Summerland home, where she lives with her husband and two children. Through In House Performing Arts Studio, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of performers, helping dancers develop not only technical excellence but also confidence, artistry, professionalism, and a lifelong love of the performing arts.

She is deeply thankful for the incredible families who entrust their children to In House each season and is grateful to work alongside an inspiring team of instructors who share her commitment to creating a positive, supportive, and inspiring environment where every dancer can thrive.

Hailey Neufeld

Instructor:

Ballet ARAD, RAD, RTS, BA Honours, PBT, Pointe, Modern, Contemporary.

Growing up in Kelowna, B.C., Hailey began her training at Creator’s Arts Centre under the instruction of Terry McGowan who inspired and fostered her love for ballet and teaching from a young age. Focusing primarily on ballet and modern/contemporary, she remained at CAC for 12 years under the instruction of Emma Donley and Joanna Lige. During her time at CAC Hailey performed in several shows, competitions and community events, completed several RAD exams, and was the first student at CAC to achieve her Advanced 2 award in 2013.

Hailey took a year off to work and travel. Returning to the studio in 2014, Hailey was reminded of her love for teaching when she began assisting Emma Donley’s Grade 4 RAD Ballet Class. Emma, along with the support of her parents, encouraged her to pursue dance as a career path. Hailey applied for the Royal Academy of Dance’s BA Ballet Education program, and spontaneously flew to London, UK for an audition. After her acceptance, Hailey returned to London where she lived and studied from 2015-18.

Megan O'Grady

Instructor:

Ballet CBTS, RAD, RTS, Jazz Tech, Jazz, Lyrical

Megan took her first dance class at the age of 4 and instantly found her second home in the studio. Megan trained under the Royal Academy of Dance, completing all of her Graded and Vocational exams including her Advanced 1 exam and has trained at the Advanced 2 level. She also trained and competed in various dance styles and was part of a youth performing company.

Megan taught for 6 years in the lower mainland before moving to the Okanagan and is excited to continue to share her passion for dance with the In House dancers. She earned her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) from the Royal Academy of Dance and holds her Registered Teaching Status.

Megan was a part of the BC Lions Dance Team for 3 seasons, has competed in Poland as part of Team Canada, and has performed in the Royal City Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Megan had opportunities to perform in Disneyland, Disneyworld, and on multiple cruise ships and has also performed in parades, at Vancouver’s PNE, and in the 2010 Paralympic Opening Ceremony.

Alongside Megan’s dance endeavors, she holds her Bachelor of Business Administration specialized in accounting and currently works as a Finance and Administration Specialist, teaches Barre at a local fitness studio and is the General Manager at her family’s winery.

Jamie Doll

Instructor:

Acting class, Vocal Training class, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Hip Hop

Born and raised in the Okanagan, Jamie found a passion for musical theatre at a young age. She has performed across Canada on stage, commercials, and music videos, before settling down in Calgary. For six years she taught the Musical Theatre Program at the Calgary Actors' Studio, worked in the Learning and Engagement department at Theatre Calgary, all while continuing to perform on stage. Jamie is excited to be back in the Okanagan raising a family, and thrilled to call Summerland home. She recently started teaching with the Soundstage Youth Performance Arts Group in Penticton, and was last seen on stage in Soundstage Productions' Disney+ Broadway Musical Showcase and Shrek the Musical at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.

Jamie is excited to be connecting and teaching the youth and dancers of Summerland at In House Studio!

Tayla Haswell

Instructor:

Ballet, Jazz, Jazz Technique,Modern

Tayla Haswell began dancing at Ingrid Green’s Academy of Ballet in Durban, South Africa. Following immigrating to Canada, Tayla trained and graduated from Vimy Ridge Academy’s Professional Dance Program in Edmonton, Alberta. Throughout her training, Tayla danced as a soloist for 4 years with the pre-professional ballet company, Edmonton Festival Ballet Company while earning her Advanced II RAD Ballet exam and Advanced I Cecchetti Ballet exam.

Tayla was very privileged to receive many training and performance opportunities throughout Canada and the United States, most notably with Alberta Ballet in Calgary, Ballet Jorgen and George Brown Dance in Toronto, and The Ailey School in New York City. While performing and training, Tayla earned her Bachelor's degree in English and Kinesiology through The King’s University.

Tayla is a passionate teacher who strives to help her students gain a better understanding of themselves as athletes & artists! She is excited to be sharing her knowledge and love of dance with the students at In House Performing Arts.

Jaicee Payette

Instructor:

Tap

Jaicee has been a multi-disciplinary dance instructor for over 20 years and has deep roots in the Okanagan. She began dancing at the age of six and trained in nearby West Kelowna in a variety of styles, including tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and contemporary. Throughout her training, Jaicee completed multiple levels of RAD Ballet and ADAPT Jazz and Tap examinations and had the opportunity to perform across North America with a travelling tour group.

After completing her dance training, Jaicee joined the faculty at the highly competitive Lake Country School of Dance while earning her undergraduate degree in Psychology. During her teaching career, she has choreographed numerous award-winning routines and has received special recognition for her choreography throughout the competitive dance circuit.

Dance has been a lifelong passion for Jaicee, and she is dedicated to sharing that passion with the next generation of dancers. She believes in creating a positive, supportive environment where students feel encouraged to grow in both skill and confidence. Jaicee takes great joy in watching her dancers develop as artists and individuals, and she looks forward to inspiring and working with your dancer this season.

Aiden Sharkey

Instructor:

Acro, Jazz, Contemporary

Aidan has been part of the dance community for 14 years. Beginning ballet at the age of 5, and moving into competition at the age of 8. Through the years, she had the opportunity to take classes with principal dancers Leonid Sarafanova, Olysia Novikova, and Han Goh, owner of Goh Ballet in Vancouver. She also had the opportunity to attend the Victoria Academy of Ballet's professional summer intensive. As she got older, Aidan found her love for teaching and inspiring the up and coming dancers. She has now been teaching for 3 years, in hopes to continue and grow in her abilities.