Our Staff

Stacey Butterworth – CDTA, Acrobatic Arts

Owner / Director – Instructor, Daytime and Evening Programs
Tap / Jazz / Lyrical 
CDTA Tap, Jazz & Acro Examiner , CDTA National Board Director for BC, CDTA National Board Jazz Representative

Stacey is the owner and director of Harbour Dance Studios Inc. She has instructed dance full time for the past 27 years, has toured in performance companies, has directed and choreographed stage productions, and has adjudicated at festivals across Canada.

Growing up, Stacey trained extensively in ballet (R.A.D. and A.D.A.P.T.), jazz (C.D.T.A.), tap (C.D.T.A.), lyrical, and highland. Stacey has taught and performed in every discipline. When she first began teaching she focused on ballet but now she focuses her studio teaching time on tap, jazz, and lyrical. Stacey is a member of the Stage Division of the C.D.T.A in both tap and jazz, has served on the executive of this association in numerous capacities over the years and is a C.D.T.A. Examiner in tap, jazz and acro.  She was instrumental in setting the syllabus for the tap and jazz examinations.

---

Carl Butterworth – B.Sc.(Hons.Kin.) MBA CRM

Director / Renovator / Music / Admin

Carl has many hats at Harbour Dance Studios Inc.  As a kinesiologist he brings 20 years of experience in injury prevention and performance enhancement. Carl also has a diverse background in musical theory and practice and edits some of Harbour Dance Studio Inc.’s music for competition and performance. Carl has owned and operated businesses in British Columbia for 25 years and has a Masters in Business Administration (Finance). He assists Stacey (yes, his wife) with business development, risk management, marketing, advertising, renovations, cleaning, and anything else Stacey tells him to do!

---

Kathryn Russell – RAD RTS, Acrobatic Arts, PBT

Ballet Director – Instructor, Daytime and Evening Programs
Ballet / Pointe / Contemporary  / PBT

Kathryn has been involved in the dance world for over 30 years. She trained in many disciplines including ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, pointe, lyrical, musical theatre, singing and hip hop.

She currently instructs primarily in ballet/pointe, contemporary and acro, but also in tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, and hip-hop. Kathryn is a registered ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, a certified Acro teacher with Acrobatic Arts, a certified PBT instructor and has completed the CDTA Jazz syllabus. She has trained in Vancouver, England and on Vancouver Island. She was the children’s rehearsal mistress for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet “Nutcracker” in Nanaimo in 2018 and will be again for 2022.

In addition to choreographing for dance, figure skating and theatre productions, she has also held the lead roles in several musicals including Alice for Alice in Wonderland, has been the assistant coach for the VI Raiders Dance Team, and has adjudicated at multiple dance competitions across Canada for over 10 years.

Her dancers have been accepted into prestigious summer and full time programs including National Ballet of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Princess Grace Academy, Joffrey Ballet, Alberta Ballet and Goh Ballet.

Kathryn loves to take dancers on the road competing out of town to broaden their experiences and has been recognized for choreography awards at these prestigious events.

She currently teaches full time as the Ballet Director at Harbour Dance Studios in Nanaimo, BC working with the full day program dancers and evening program dancers.

Kathryn loves to pass on her passion for dance to all ages and levels and is excited for her 15th season at Harbour!

---

Shelby Edwards – Acrobatic Arts, PBT, CDTA

Instructor, Daytime and Evening Programs
Twinkle Babies / Twinkle Stars / Jazz / Lyrical / Hip Hop / Acro / Musical Theatre 

Shelby grew up dancing at Harbour Dance Studios and began teaching shortly after graduating high school. She’s competed and performed all over Vancouver Island and the lower mainland. She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, is a module 1 Acrobatic Arts instructor, and holds her CDTA Licentiate in Jazz.

Outside of the studio Shelby has done music videos for local bands, works with businesses at team-building events and has taught dance at elementary and high schools. She also works closely with the VIU Dance Team choreographing competition pieces for them every season.

In recent years Shelby’s competitive dances have won accolades on Vancouver Island and Vancouver, including groups qualifying for provincial finals, a choreography award, and groups selected for gala performances.

Shelby is looking forward to being back in studio and sharing her passion with all her students.

---

Linda Tomborello – RAD Teaching Diploma

Instructor, Daytime Programs
Ballet / Pointe 

Linda began her dance training studying the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and later went on to win multiple ballet awards and scholarships to continue her professional training. These scholarships included studies in New York City with the Joffery Ballet School, School of American Ballet (the Balanchine’s Company Ballet School) and the Harkness House for Ballet Arts. She trained with well known teachers such as Robert Joffery, David Howard, Brian Macdonald, Stuart Hodes and Donald Saddler; to name a few. During her professional years as a dancer Linda performed with the Huntington Dance Ensemble, the Joffery Ballet Company, and the Harkness Ballet Company in New York City. As a teacher Linda holds a certified Teaching Diploma from the RAD. She has taught Ballet both in the United States and Canada and brings over 30 years of teaching, coaching, and choreography experience to students ranging from Primary to Advanced levels. Linda’s teaching goal is to pass on her passion, knowledge and love of ballet to all her students.

---

Terry Ann Grantner, LRAD

Examiner of the Royal Academy of Dance
Instructor, Daytime and Evening Programs – Ballet / Pointe

Mrs. Grantner is a long-time member of the Royal Academy of Dance.  She completed her teacher training in 1981 and graduated as a Licentiate, then taught extensively in the Nanaimo area for 30 years. She was a part owner of Harbour Dancentre from 1996-2006 and was a prolific choreographer. Her students have had great success in careers in dance. In 2006 she became an Examiner for the RAD and examines students in Canada and internationally. We are thrilled to have Terry back on faculty at Harbour Dance Studios and look forward to an exciting season!

---

Kristen Freed

Instructor, Evening Programs
Ballet / Modern / Lyrical / Musical Theatre / Adults

Kristen’s passion for dance sparked at a young age. She began her dance training at the age of three at Parksville Ballet School. After graduating in 2012, she further pursued her passion for dance and the performing arts in Toronto, Ontario, attending George Brown College’s Dance Performance Studies program. After graduating with honours in 2015, Kristen chose to pursue further interests in the arts, attending York University where she completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Theatre Studies, in 2019. While living in Toronto, Kristen worked as a dancer and choreographer, a highlight being as resident choreographer for Vanier College Productions during her time at York University. She continuously worked toward further educating herself in dance, theatre, physical movement and conditioning. Kristen is a multi-disciplinary dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Her passion for teaching also came at a young age, she brings enthusiasm, encouragement and a bit of sass to her classes. She is currently working toward a teaching degree through Vancouver Island University, which, upon successful completion, hopes to continue to share her love and passion for the performing arts with her future students. This is Kristen’s second season with Harbour Dance Studios, she is excited to continue to grow as an educator and artist.

---

Melanie Kirk – BCRPA, Pilates Mat

Instructor, Evening Programs
Adult Tap 

Melanie was born and raised in Auburn Washington. At age six, her parents enrolled her in Tap and Jazz.  For eleven years, she trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hawaiian under Robert Smith of Auburn School of Dance and Music.  At age thirteen, she became her studio’s youngest student teacher, and began to share with others the joy of dance.  In 1980, Melanie came to Nanaimo and spent two years teaching tap and jazz locally, then gave up dancing for motherhood and “normal jobs”.  In 1996, as her son grew up, Melanie began dancing and teaching again. She has been sharing the infectious rhythms of tap with students age 5 to “not going to say.” here at Harbour Dance Studios since 2004.

Melanie currently teaches our adult tap classes and is also a BCRPA certified Group Fitness Leader and Pilates Mat instructor.

---

---

Olivia Wetten

Store Staff / Daycare Instructor 

Olivia began dancing at Harbour Dance Studios at 4 years old starting in ballet. She then ventured through all disciplines offered including: jazz, tap, lyrical, pointe, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, and musical theatre. Over the many years that she has danced with Harbour Dance Studios, she trained and competed in group and solo competitions on Vancouver Island and throughout the lower mainland, along with attending masterclasses, conventions and intensives to further her dancing and knowledge. In her early years of dance she quickly found a love for tap and completed several CDTA exams in both tap and jazz from Grade 4 – Elementary and in her senior years of dance found a love for ballet and completed RAD exams from Grade 3 – Intermediate Foundation. Olivia recently graduated in June 2020 and is now attending VIU to complete her undergraduate degree in Biology and is super excited to share her love for dance through the Harbour Dance Store!

---

Jill Tyre

Store Staff / Daycare Instructor

Jillian started at the studio at a very young age and has continued to take many classes throughout her years at the studio, Jill has trained and completed many Ballet and Jazz exams; recently completing her Intermediate Ballet exam. She has found her passion in Musical theatre and although she has recently graduated, Jill is planning to keep attending classes at the studio. She is very excited to have the opportunity to work in the Harbour Dance Shop and make sure every dancer finds the items they need to add to an amazing class experience!

---

Tanner Plecas

Guest Instructor Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary

Tanner is a Vancouver born and raised dance artist.  During his training, Tanner competed at National and International levels, and studied extensively in as many styles of dance as he could. For three consecutive years, Tanner was the BC provincial champion in the stage dance category. In his senior years of studio training Tanner received several regional and international competition titles, including: New York City Dance Alliance’s Regional Outstanding Dancer; placing in the top five senior males at the finals in New York, as well as convention and workshop scholarships.

Tanner began his professional career dancing with Patrick Roberge Productions when he was in high school. Upon graduation, Tanner danced with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a dancer and aerial silk flyer, touring around Europe and the Caribbean. Upon returning to Vancouver, Tanner continued his professional training through Vancouver’s contemporary dance education institution Modus Operandi, where he was granted a full scholarship for his final two years. During his time in the program, Tanner collaborated on the creation of several short dance films, held principal and soloist roles in countless creations, and interpreted the work of many of Vancouver’s contemporary choreographers.

One of Tanner’s most memorable high profile events was performing in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Opening Ceremonies. He performed with Sarah McLachlan as a member of the professional cast alongside Ballet BC & The Alberta Ballet, which was choreographed by Jean Grand-Maître. In 2010 he also had the privilege of being a part of “Vessel”, the premier full length piece of contemporary dance company, Out Innerspace Dance Theatre. More recently, Tanner was invited to be an artist with Alberta Ballet, for the creation of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. Dancing once again alongside Sarah McLachlan with choreography by Jean Grand-Maître.

Since retiring from dancing professionally, Tanner has been a full-time choreographer and dance instructor.  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.