Our Faculty
We welcome you to browse this page to learn about our instructors who comprise the faculty at Vancouver Academy of Dance. We are also always looking for talented, enthusiastic and creative professional artists to join our team! If you would like to pursue a career opportunity at VAD, please email us your full CV, including cover letter and portfolio.
Anabel Ho
Founder & Director
Lisa Ho
Advisor and Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary Instructor
Val Ho
Advisor and Hip Hop Guest Instructor
Regan Calicetto
Acrobatics Instructor
Wendy Green
Ballet Instructor
Angela King
Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap Instructor
Ted Littlemore
Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary Instructor
Robert Policarpio
Ballet Instructor
Evita Teng
Ballet, Chinese Dance Instructor
Caitlyn Quan
ARAD, Ballet. Jazz Instructor
Hanna Theresa
Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap Instructor
Sarah Po Ting Yeung
Ballet Instructor
Melanie Cheung
Ballet, Chinese, Contemporary, Acro, Ballroom
Ikue Ueno
K-Pop Instructor
Sevrin Emnacen-Boyd
All-Styles Dancer
Anabel Ho - Artistic Director
Ms. Ho has taught and choreographed for the past thirty years. Her training spans the globe and covers the full spectrum of dance styles with an emphasis on classical ballet and Chinese dance. Ms. Ho has trained with internationally noted artists in North America and abroad.
She is widely recognized for her many achievements around the world. Anabel has performed, taught, and choreographed throughout Canada and other regions, including the U.S.A., China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, and Taiwan.
Ms. Ho's credentials include Royal Academy of Dance International Examiner, Associate and Advanced Executant of the Royal Academy of Dance, Fully Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance, Associate of the Imperial Society Teachers of Dance (London, England), Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher, Progressive Ballet Technique Certified and Gravity Yoga Certified.
Ms. Ho has presented command performances for her Majesty the Queen, Governor General, and Prime Minister of Canada, as well as Royalties and Heads of State of many countries. She has been invited to adjudicate dance competitions throughout North America and has been commissioned to choreograph for several productions, including Rick Hansen's 100th Anniversary CBC TV Special, Nissan Go 2000 Dealership Convention, APEC Conference, International Dragon Boat Festival, Chinese Cultural Centre's Millennium Project "Gold, Maple, Dreams" Dance Production, C.B.C.'s Gung Haggis Fat Choy, and various other large events.
Anabel has also acted as a choreography consultant for National Ice Dancing Champions Meaghan Wing and Erin Lowe. Ms. Ho produced dance performances for the movie "Deep Risings" and Buena Vista's Vancouver promotions of the Disney movie "Mulan". Ms. Ho was invited to choreograph for the Queen's Royal Visit to B.C., the 2010 Sea to Sky Bid for the International Olympic Committee, the United Nations World Urban Forum Closing Ceremonies, CCTV's New Year Special "The Same Song", and all the Premiers of Canada for the launch of the Canadian Pavilion at the Beijing Olympics. Ms. Ho was honoured to be an advisor to the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics Games. She directed and choreographed works presented to the International Olympic Committee, Governor General Michelle Jean and Premier Gordon Campbell. Her award-winning piece "Red Lanterns" was presented to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, celebrating Lunar New Year 2010.
Ms. Ho takes pride in all her students and finds great reward in witnessing their growth – as dancers and as beautiful, unique individuals with a strong sense of self.
Lisa Ho - Advisor
Lisa Ho is a V.A.D. alumnus, professional dancer and choreographer. She has been recognized as a versatile performer conquering both commercial and artistic aspects of the dance industry. Her career highlights include the Tony Award Winning show Shrek The Musical on Broadway (original cast) now available on Netflix, A Chorus Line on Broadway, Mamma Mia! in Toronto, and regional productions of Miss. Saigon, High School Musical and The King and I. Film/T.V. credits include Once Upon A Mattress, Deep Rising, The Score, The Annual Tony Awards, Live With Regis and Kelly, The Early Show, Package Deal and A.B.C. 's Once Up on a Time. She has worked with influential choreographers and directors such as Kathleen Marshall, Jason Moore, Rob Ashford, and Crystal Pite, to name a few. Her expertise as a professional dancer and educator has brought her throughout Asia and North America to teach master classes at various dance schools and colleges. Lisa is known for her choreographic innovation and attention to technical detail. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University. She is fully certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, Sugarfoot Therapy, Progressing Ballet Technique, and Acrobatic Arts Syllabus. She currently serves on the board of directors of two arts organizations, MOVE: the company and the Maria Mimie Ho Foundation.
Val Ho - Advisor
Valerie Ho, also known as "Ms.Vee'', is a multi-faceted dancer and performer whose movement background includes Hip Hop (Freestyle, Breaking, Popping, and Locking), House, Chinese, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Swing, Salsa, Chinese Martial Arts (Wushu), Capoeria, Street Dance, and Hip-Hop culture. Vee has studied with such greats as Mr.Wiggles, Skeeter Rabbit, Poppin' Pete, Greg Camplerock Jr, Ken Swift, and Buddha Stretch, to name a few. Performance highlights include dancing for Queen Elizabeth II and in the Broadway and touring productions of Reenie Harris' Legends of Hip Hop, performing with the renowned Hip-Hop companies MotopMusic and Movement and The Groovaloos, and touring the world with Strathcona Chinese Dance Company. As a dance instructor, she has a Bachelor's of Education, Bachelor's of Human Kinetics, and over 20 years of teaching with all levels and all ages, creating fun, challenging, and informative classes and workshops across North America and Asia. Ms. Vee resides in New York, where she teaches at Juilliard School, Pace University and Broadway Dance Centre.
Regan Calicetto
Regan Calicetto is a renowned choreographer, performer, and dance educator in the Vancouver area. Training and performing in a variety of styles, including Acrobatics, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz and Tap, she has worked for and alongside prominent figures in the dance world, including Michelle Smith, Tiffany Tregarthen, David Raymond and Tara-Jean Popowich.
This diverse exposure has helped Regan create her own personalized style that is sought after by artists around the globe. Internationally, Regan has performed, trained, and taught in the U.K., Thailand, Australia, New York and L.A., and has worked with such companies as Modus Operandi, Sweett Moves, and The Underground Circus. Some of Regan's highlights include performing as a principal role dancer in multiple productions of The Lover's Cabaret, including "The Lovers of Hendrix '' and "The Lovers of Zeppelin''. Regan has also performed as a company dancer in Sweett Moves' "Bated Breath,'' in Kash Powell's "International Dance Connection" in London, UK, and performed at Shine 2018 Mental Health Addiction Fundraiser.
In 2020, Regan co-launched The One Dance Experience, a series of dance competitions and workshops held throughout the lower mainland and the interior of B.C. The One aims to respond to the strains on the mental health of young competitors and reformat the competitive process to foster mutual growth and positivity.
Regan's versatility, individuality, and heart have allowed her to push the boundaries of choreography and performance, creating unique art that she brings to her community. Her work has made her a standout amongst her peers, having been recognized with numerous awards and acknowledgments for her outstanding choreography and performances. Regan now focuses mainly on acrobatics and tumbling, training dancers for Acrobatic Arts AcroDance exams. She is Alixa Flexibility - certified and has worked as a coach and course conductor for the TADA hand balancing syllabus. Regan continues to choreograph, perform, and teach internationally.
WENDY GREEN
Wendy Green gained her Advanced Certificate and Licentiate’s Diploma from the Teachers’ Training Course at the Royal Academy of Dance. After graduating, she worked as a freelance teacher in London, continuing her studies of classical ballet and national dance with eminent teachers.
The family moved to Canada, where Wendy operated her successful school in Victoria, British Columbia, for some years, later teaching at The Avril Johns School of Ballet and Pacific Dance Centre with Maureen Eastick. When the family moved to Vancouver, she joined the faculty of the Goh Ballet Academy, teaching all levels and choreographing many children’s ballets.
In 1993 she became a Grades Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance. After leaving the Goh Ballet, Wendy taught for some years at Richmond Academy until leaving Canada in 2002 to move to France. Vocational training was undertaken in 2004.
In addition to being a dual examiner, Wendy was also a Tutor for the Academy for a number of years and taught student and teachers’ courses around the world, as well as doing private coaching, teaching at summer schools, adjudicating festivals, producing choreography for recitals and of course conducting examinations at all levels.
Angela King
Angela is a Biological Science graduate from SFU and received her 2nd bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. Angela started dancing at a young age and has extensively trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, stage, and musical theatre, and is also an accomplished pianist and vocalist. Angela is a recipient of various scholarships and awards of merit and has competed in many local dance competitions as well as attending various dance conventions and workshops throughout the Lower Mainland and in the States. She teaches multiple dance disciplines to all ages and has choreographed for various competitive groups, solos, and duos. Her accomplishments include performing in the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games. She has also appeared in many musical theatre productions. Selected credits include: High School Musical 2 (URP); Grease and The Wizard of Oz (FOOTLIGHT); Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen (Famous Artists); Will Rogers Follies, Holly Dolly, and Oklahoma! (RCMT); Singin’ in the Rain, Anything Goes, The Music Man, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, and Legally Blonde (TUTS).
Ted Littlemore
Ted Littlemore is a Musician, Dance Artist, and one of Vancouver’s most celebrated Drag Performers. After graduating from McGill University with a B.A. in Psychology, and a double minor in Music Theory and Economics, Ted shifted his studies to the field of dance, studying in Vancouver, B.C., New York City, Shanghai, London, and Berlin. He graduated from Modus Operandi Contemporary Dance Training Program in June 2018 and has continued his training in various intensives and workshops, including Arts Umbrella, Gaga Intensives, and Springboard Danse Montréal. Since graduating, Ted has collaborated and performed with Action at a Distance, Compagnie Vision Impure, FakeKnot, Joshua Beamish/MOVE THE COMPANY, Kate Franklin, Kinesis Dance Somatheatro, Ne.Sans Dance Company, Tara Cheyenne Performance, and the Vancouver Opera. Ted is also a founding member, choreographer, and dancer in the collective CAMP. In addition to his work with other companies, Ted also teaches and sets work regularly across the Lower Mainland, often fusing contemporary dance with his accompanying career in drag. Ted started drag in 2013 to explore the intersection of his musical, theatrical, and dance backgrounds. Performing as Mila Dramatic, he (/she!) took the title of Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar in 2016 and now performs frequently at local drag venues. You can follow Ted/Mila at @MilaDramatic on Instagram or at tedlittlemore.com.
Evita Teng–Ballet/Chinese Instructor
A graduate of VAD, Evita began her training at the age of three, covering a variety of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballroom, tap, acro, and Chinese dance. She has travelled around North America to participate in competitions, performances, and conventions. These include performing in the 2010 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, New York City for Youth America Grand Prix Finals and New York Dance Alliance, Los Angeles to perform in Disneyland, and Florida for The Dance Awards Finals. She grew up competing in several local and international competitions garnering several awards, including Level 2 Highest Scoring Solo at Peak Invitational in 2011, Preteen Overall First Place at Celebrity Dance Competition in 2014, and High Mark Triple Threat Power Solo in 2018. Evita has completed all ISTD (Imperial Ballet) and RAD Examinations to the Advanced 2 level and is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher. Dance has sparked Evita’s interest in the field of Kinesiology, which she is currently studying at UBC. Evita is thrilled to be joining VAD’s faculty and is excited to share her love of dance with all her students.
Caitlyn Quan - ARAD
Caitlyn received her dance training since the age of four at the Vancouver Academy of Dance. She is diverse in many disciplines, including classical ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and traditional Chinese Dance. In addition, Caitlyn has received numerous awards and scholarships from countless dance competitions in Canada and the United States. Highlights include taking the Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal examination, competing at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City, and performing in the 2010 Winter Paralympic Opening Ceremony. Caitlyn is excited to be teaching Dance alongside studying Mathematics and Computer Science in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia.
Hannah Theresa
Originally from New Brunswick, Hannah Theresa is a versatile dancer who graduated from the Commercial Dance Studies Program at George Brown College in Toronto. She continued her training in Melbourne, AUS, at the Space Arts and Dance Centre and Dance Factory and completed the Certificate Program at Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. She also completed training sessions with the Army of Sass and the Toronto B-Girl Movement.
Hannah has performed at many public and private events in Toronto, including Miss Universe Canada (emiMOTION), NUMBERS Toronto Fringe & remount (Kokus Productions), Rich Bride Poor Bride (Diamond Dancers & Slice), Legally Blonde the Musical (Curtain Call Players), and performed at various events such as Dance Ontario Weekend, and Toronto’s Choreographer’s Ball.
Hannah has had the opportunity to choreograph for Pride Toronto, including World Pride (Sapphire Dance Productions) and the music video Zemons–KaC Himself (Wango Films under the direction of April Mullen).
Hannah also has a love for children’s theatre. She toured across Canada with KOBA Entertainment and took on the roles of rehearsal director and dance captain for Toopy and Binoo & the Marshmallow Moon (French and English). Hannah also co-writes and directs Santa’s Elves Sing-Along for the Toronto Christmas Market each year.
When not performing, Hannah enjoys sharing her passion for dance through teaching and has worked with studios and companies throughout Toronto and New Brunswick. She is looking forward to teaching and performing in Vancouver and to see what the city has to offer!
Sarah Yeung - Ballet Instructor
Born in Hong Kong, Sarah started her ballet training at the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet at the age of 3. In 2005, Sarah received the Dame Margot Fonteyn Award from the TsinfornC. WongMemorial Scholarship to attend the Hamburg Ballet School in Germany. After she graduated, she danced at Dreseden Semper OperaBallet, Germany, and Dutch National Ballet, Holland, and returned to Hong Kong in 2010 to complete further study at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. She joined The Hong Kong Ballet in 2010, and in 2015, she joined the RoyalWinnipeg Ballet, Canada. Over her 10-year professional experience, she performed in many national theatres, including China, England, Germany, Holland, Spain, Italy, France, the US, and Canada, and she was featured in major roles in classical productions like Big Swan in Swan Lake, Mercedes in Don Quixote, Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker, Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Paquita.
Melanie Cheung
Since the age of four, Melanie Cheung has trained at the Vancouver Academy of Dance in a multitude of dance styles, including classical ballet, Chinese dance, contemporary, acro, and ballroom.
She has competed and performed around North America, including in New York in the YouthAmerica Grand Prix Finals, Encore National Finals in Las Vegas, and Seattle Star Ball. Melanie is a recipient of numerous scholarships and awards from her competitions. You may have seen her demonstrating Latin and Standard Dancesport Ballroom during the Summer DanceSeries at Robson Square over the last few years.
Melanie has achieved the honour of Distinction in all of her ISTD and RAD Examinations. She is currently studying at UBC in the Bachelor + Master of Management program.
Ikue Ueno
Originally from Japan, Ikue is a multi-disciplinary artist, dancer, performer, choreographer, and educator who has been dancing for over 20 years with an extensive range of experience in Waacking, Voguing, Hip Hop, House Dance, Contemporary, Jazz, Modern, and Ballet.
Her dance training began in Japan, and since she moved to Canada, she has studied at the University of Alberta Orchesis, Harbour Dance Centre, the Source Dance Company, Modus Operandi, Lux Dance Company, Training Society of Vancouver Working Class, Vancouver Circus School and more. She holds an education degree in Japan and is very passionate about sharing her love of art while performing, competing, battling, and teaching students of all ages and levels at various dance studios, schools, special workshops, and events both in person and online.
Ikue was a semi-finalist at the House dance battle of Vancouver Street Dance Festival 2017, and she has won three titles as the best voguer from the Opulence Ball, the Amaze Ball, and the Celebs Ball held in Vancouver. Ikue was also awarded the title of Vancouver Nightlife Award's Best Performer of the Year in 2011, along with House of La Douche, Vancouver’s premier Voguing and Waacking dance collective, where she is ‘the mother’ of the house. The collective was documented in CNN’s Great Big Story - Voguing and Waacking Through Vancouver in 2019.
She has worked with numerous artists, events, and organizations, including CNN’s Great Big Story, Visa Card, the Lush Cosmetics, K-OS, Aaron Carter, Snow, Zebra Katz, DJ Mike Q, Amanda Lepore, Victoria Anthony, KO by Katherin Olivos, RUKUS by Yasuhiro Tomita, Quanah Style, BESTiE, Small Stage, Vancouver Fashion Week, Vancouver Alternative Fashion Week, Vancouver Art Gallery FUSE, Bass Coast Festival, Vancouver Pride, Strut, Wiggles, House of Celebs (Celebrities Nightclub dance crew), Blim, Waacouture, and the Closing Ceremony of Vancouver Olympics 2010, where she was a featured Hip Hop dancer along with Now Or Never b-boy crew and Fresh Groove Productions dancers.
Her newest class is called Finding Your Flow in Movement, in which she incorporates her years of dance practice with spirituality and offers a very unique type of spiritual movement class for everyone of all ages and levels. Also, she is training with Human Garage where she studies to become a fascia maneuver practitioner to further develop her movement career. Currently, she is working with Small Stage, collaborating with the City of Vancouver #LoveVancouver through active art installations called Love Bubbles to spread love and joy in downtown Vancouver.
Her mission is to spread the love of dance, keep the culture alive, and keep evolving as a true entertainer.
Sevrin Emnacen-Boyd
"Sevrin “Sevi” Emnacen-Boyd is a half Filipino b-boy, all-styles dancer, and an enthusiast of all things rhythmic and expressive. Seeking to push forward the vibrant spirit of the Vancouver street dance scene, Sevi’s style has become attuned to musical details and composed of movements uncommonly explored in breaking. As an active member of the Vancouver street dance community since 2006, Sevi has sought to play a prominent role in building what is quickly becoming a prominent force in the local art scene. He has organized a number of youth dance battles with the City of Surrey and currently judges, performs, and teaches across Canada. Sevi is also a renowned competitor in the international breakdance scene and has travelled to many creative corners of the world, including Amsterdam, Tokyo, New York City, and Manila. He is currently an active member in the Now Or Never Crew, Scndrlz, and Think Twice Japan."
Robert Policarpio - Ballet Instructor
Robert hails from Manila, Philippines. He danced professionally with Philippine Ballet Theatre and Ballet Philippines where he performed soloist roles from the classical repertory and in works of international choreographers such as Robert Barnet, Tom Pazik, Paul de Masson, Jan Linkens, Agnes Locsin, and George Balanchine, just to name a few. Robert also works as a ballet re-stager: he had the opportunity to travel to China to restage the ballet “La Granita” for the Central Ballet of China and the ballet “Camille” for the Beijing Dance Academy. Upon retiring from the dance scene, Robert moved to Brunei Darussalam to become the resident ballet teacher/Director of the Panaga Dance Center for 17 years until his migration to Canada in 2010. Robert is a certified Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teacher and Stott Pilates instructor.
