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 choreographer in Competitive Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary and Hip Hop dance styles. She is a member of Actra/Equity Unions. She’s the Artistic Director and creator of In House Performing Arts Studio in Summerland BC. Chelsi has taught and choreographed for studios in both Canada and the United States including: West Lake Dance Centre (Seattle,Wa). Martha Hicks School of Dance (Toronto, Ont,). Seymour Dance (North Vancouver, B.C.) and UBC Dance Horizons (Vancouver,B.C).

Born and raised in the Okanagan, Chelsi began her dance training at the early age of 5 with the Canadian School of Ballet.

She had the privilege of learning from many fantastic dance instructors in the Okanagan, including Loretta Beamish-Lachner, Lori Larson, Melville Brown and Robb Card. After graduating high school, she was accepted into the Canadian College of Performing Arts Program in1998 in Victoria B.C. Instructed by Co founders Jacques Lemay and Janis Dunning. She graduated with a Certificate in Performing Arts, in1999, with extensive training in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, MT, Voice, Dramatic/ Contemporary Acting and Film.

Chelsi kept training in between show contracts at many dance studios including: Harbour Dance Centre (Vancouver BC), Metro Movement (Toronto Ontario), Broadway Dance Centre (New York City) and Pineapple Studio (London, England).

Chelsi has extensive Vocal Training with Kim Kleinenberg (Okanagan BC) and David Dunbar (Toronto Ont.)

Professional Stage Credits:

Hello Dolly, Ensemble (5th Ave Theatre, Seattle WA, Director David Armstrong). Time of Innocence, Ensemble (Village Theatre, Issaquah WA, Director Steve Tomkins). Offered the role of "Vivianne" in Dirty Dancing the musical (Aldwych Theatre, West End London UK, Director James Powell). Production Team Model/Company Dancer, contracts in (Spain, London UK, Germany, Italy). CATS, role of Tantomile (Neptune Theatre, Halifax Nova Scotia, Director Ron Ulrich). Annie, role of "Star to be", understudy "Grace" and "Lily". Chelsi was honoured to perform the role of Lily multiple times on stage. (Neptune Theatre Halifax, Nova Scotia, Director Marcia Kash). Twist and Shout, Ensemble + featured dancer/singer (Drayton Festival Ent. Original Cast, Penetanguishene Ontario, Director Alex Mustakas). Oklahoma, Ensemble (Drayton Festival Ent. Drayton Ontario. Director Alex Mustakas).

Joseph the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat, Role of Mrs Potiphar (Theatre Under the Stars, Vancouver BC, Director Jeff Hyslop). Picasso at The Lapin Agile, role Suzanne (East Cultural Centre Vancouver BC, Director Michael Fenwick). Franklin Falls, lead role Amanda Porter, (East Cultural Centre Vancouver BC, Director Courtney Ennis.) Tommy, The Who, Ensemble (Centennial Theatre, Vancouver BC, Director Richard Berg). BC Lion's Dance Team, Dancer (Vancouver BC, Choreographer Moe Brody). Disney Cruise lines, Mainstage Performer, Hercules, role Blonde Muse, Disney Dreams role Blue Fairy and Pirates of the Ghost Ship, Ensemble.

Starting Here, featured singer Bombalurina/CATS, (Canadian College of the Performing Arts, Director Jaques Lemay and Janis Dunning). Chelsi was sought out to choreograph for the Vancouver Fringe Festival in 2000 (Vancouver, B.C.)

Tv and Film Credits:

Hotel Babylon, Guest Star Carla, (BBC/Carnival Films, London UK). Game Show Host, TV (Helsinki, Finland). Scary Movie 3, Dancer- Raver Babe, (Miramax Films, Vancouver BC). The Clark Brothers, Prinicpal role, (Warner Bros, Toronto Ont.) The Chemeleons, role Jess, (Fiezel Lutchemdial Productions, Toronto Ont.) Shoot Out, role Paige (Australia Film Festival). The Naughty Bits, Principal role, (Rain Shadow Media Ltd, Vancouver BC).

Over 30 National commercials including, Caramel Aero and Pepsi.

Chelsi is grateful to now call Summerland home with her husband and two kids. She is passionate and loves mentoring and guiding the next generation of triple threats at In House Performing Arts Studio and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in the Dance/Entertainment Industry! Chelsi is so grateful to her In House Dance families for their support in getting their kids to dance class! Big thank you to our amazing team of instructors at In House Studio. Grateful to work alongside them and share our passion for dance and performing arts with our community.

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

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

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.

Sarah Melnychuk

Instructor:

Hip Hop, Contemporary

Sarah began her dance training at the age of three, quickly discovering a deep and lasting passion for movement and performance. She received comprehensive training at The Village Dance Academy, studying a wide range of styles including hip hop, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, acro, and jazz technique. As a dedicated member of the studio’s competitive program for over a decade, Sarah developed a strong technical foundation and gained extensive stage experience, establishing herself as a versatile and dynamic performer.

Her dance career has afforded her remarkable opportunities both nationally and internationally. Sarah has performed in Las Vegas, where she had the distinguished honour of dancing as a backup performer for Hailee Steinfeld. She has also collaborated with K-pop artists and participated in high-profile dance conventions such as Velocity, The Vibe, and Star Power in New Orleans, where she was selected to perform among the top dancers in the industry.

These experiences have not only shaped Sarah as a performer but also fuelled her passion for teaching. She now brings her dedication, discipline, and creativity into the studio, inspiring her students to grow their skills, embrace performance, and discover the joy of dance.

Olivia Melenchuk

Instructor:

Tap

Olivia Melenchuk possesses over two decades of dance experience and five years of teaching experience.

Beginning at just two years old, she started her dance training at Dance City Academy before moving to West K Dance, where she began her teaching career. Olivia started as a student teacher before accepting an instructor position.

Olivia is well-versed in jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, street jazz, chair/burlesque, heels, and musical theatre. During this time, she had the opportunity to train with many well-known dance educators, including Sarah Watters, Natasha Sarafanov, Aniko Koloscai-Kryski, Esther Buncic, Sarah Watters, Leeza Balehowsky, Cheryl Blumke, Tara Martin, Natasha Sarafanov, Melissa Sorge, and Tayla Haswell. Olivia has also taken workshops and intensives with renowned dance experts, including Eras Tour dancer Jan Ravnik, The Source Dance Company founder Jo Pesusich, Kode Red founder Jac Valiquette, choreographer Josh Assor, and ADAPT syllabus founders Brian and Faye Foley, as well as Madison and Ryan Foley, Lauren Ritchie, Barb Jackman, and Janet Venn Jackson. She has won numerous awards at competitions and festivals across Canada and completed many dance examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance and the ADAPT syllabus. She is trained in RAD and Vaganova method ballet, and ADAPT syllabus jazz and tap.

Olivia has special training in special needs dance education, mental health in the dance industry, and inclusive teaching methods, as well as currently holding a teaching certificate in the ADAPT syllabus as a professional Jazz and Tap Educator. Olivia’s teaching style is heavily based on technique, with a focus on injury prevention. Her teaching philosophy is to utilize students' diverse abilities and uniqueness to their advantage while imparting proper dance technique in an inclusive and safe environment that fosters free expression and promotes healthy habits.

Olivia has recently completed three years of a Microbiology degree and is a current student nurse at UBCO, on track to become an RN. She has thoroughly enjoyed her time instructing dancers throughout the Okanagan and is excited to spread her knowledge and love of dance to future generations at In House Performing Arts!