Meet Our Arts Team

Curtis attended Douglas College as part of the Physical Education and Coaching Program which specializes in coaching and instructing youth in a classroom/sports setting. He began working for the City of Burnaby in 2018 and worked in a number of different departments before becoming the successful candidate as the Fine Arts Leader at Bonsor. With very little ‘Arts’ background to draw from, Curtis is driven by his passion to provide world class service to his community. From his meticulous organizational skills, to his ability to connect with a wide range of people on a very human level, Curtis has found a true passion working at Bonsor in the Fine Arts Department.

Phone: 604-297-4586
Email: [email protected] 

Caia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Simon Fraser University. Before that, she was a competitive dancer for 5 years, competing in jazz, stage, musical theatre, modern and ballet. She won various group awards as well as individual awards for her studio in those years. In 2013, she began her career with the City of Burnaby. She has held a number of roles within the City, but in 2018 found her passion working at Bonsor supporting the Fine and Performing Arts area. In 2020, she was the successful candidate for the regular part time Recreation Leader 1 position supporting the fine arts area and has recently been promoted to a Recreation Leader 2 position. In this role she has found the perfect work/home balance, which gives her plenty of free time to take her two children, who have followed in her footsteps, to their numerous dance classes and competitions.

Phone: 604-297-4598
Email: [email protected] 

Stephanie is a writer, illustrator and arts educator whose eclectic mix of educational experience suits the role of Fine Arts Leader. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts – Economics degree from UBC Okanagan in 2014, Stephanie then went on to teach English in rural Japan for a year before returning to Canada to study Illustration at Emily Carr University until 2019. Now, Stephanie is working on a Master of Fine Arts – Creative Writing at UBC Vancouver, studying and working on a thesis part-time while proudly serving the local Burnaby community full-time. Stephanie has an active art practice, primarily focused on making comics and character illustrations, and loves supporting and empowering artists of all types to find their creative passions.

Phone: 604-297-4584
Email: [email protected]

Emma is a dedicated dance instructor and choreographer with over two decades of experience in the art form. She began her training at Boswell Dance Academy in New Westminster; training and performing for 15 years as a competitive and pre-professional dancer in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and modern/contemporary. At Boswell she completed her RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) ballet examinations from Pre-Primary through Advanced 1, and she currently holds a Bachelor of Arts, as well as a Master of Arts in Contemporary Arts from Simon Fraser University.

Having taught students of all ages since 2017, in the dance room, Emma aims to create a positive, welcoming and inclusive learning environment. Her long-held passion for teaching
dance is apparent and can be seen in her creativity, strong sense of leadership and amount of ffun she has teaching her students. Believing that dance combines discipline with joy, Emma is committed to helping her students develop skills, build confidence and express themselves creatively. Emma is honoured to be working for the City of Burnaby and is always excited to share her love of dance with her students.

Jhaymee “Eloquence” Hizon is an “OG” B-boy from Vancouver, Canada. He started breaking in 1995 and has won many breaking competitions with his crew, Now or Never, over the years. Jhaymee hosts practice sessions weekly for the local Vancouver dance scene and continues to train regularly. He also coaches and teaches young breakers as he strongly believes in giving back to communities. He hosts annual youth breaking events in hopes of sharing his passion for breaking, and to inspire the next generation to help grow the dance scene. Jhaymee is certified as an adjudicator through WDSF/CDS and has judged many local and national breaking events such as the Redbull BC One Canada Cypher and CDS National Qualifier and Champion events.

Ginger has been a K-pop dance instructor for over five years, working at recreation facilities such as Bonsor Recreation Complex, Edmonds Community Centre, and Douglas Park. In 2023, she also had the opportunity to perform on the KCON LA Dream Stage alongside K-pop groups ITZY and IVE.

Through her teaching and performance experience, Ginger is excited to share her love of K-pop while helping students build confidence in a fun and supportive environment.

Jenny graduated from the Canadian College of Performing Arts with a Diploma Enriched in Arts. Trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern/contemporary dance and acrobatics, Jenny has been dancing for over 13 years. She's expanded her talents to musical theatre, acting and hip-hop. Jenny has travelled to China to teach Performing Arts at a summer camp in Guangzhou and toured across BC and Alberta, performing in children’s theatre with Story Theatre Co. She learned American Sign Language (ASL) to share her love of arts with students who are deaf or who experience hearing loss. She's introduced ASL workshops into Story Theatre Co.'s school programs. Jenny teaches at both Bonsor Recreation Complex and Edmonds Community Centre.

Sydney started her dance journey at the young age of 3 in baby ballet class. From there, she spent her elementary and high school years dancing at the competitive level in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary and lyrical. Sydney has won numerous awards at local, provincial and national competitions and has completed her classical ballet training up to RAD advanced 2. Starting 5 years ago at her home studio in Victoria, Sydney has taught many styles including, ballet, acro, jazz, tap, contemporary and lyrical. Alongside teaching, she is continuing her own training in a pre-professional training program here in Vancouver.

Danielle holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Simon Fraser University. She's been a dancer for over 20 years, training in ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre and modern/contemporary dance. Before becoming a dance instructor with the City of Burnaby, Danielle trained and taught dance in Canada, the US and Australia, participating in workshops and teaching summer camps.

Vicky has been dancing for over seven years, with a special focus on K-Pop, inspired by her love for its creativity and music. She has extensive experience with dance covers and performances, having been a member of the UBC Kwave Dance Team and currently dancing with Vancouver’s local K-Pop cover team, Kaleidoscope. Vicky’s teaching experience began during her time at UBC, where she led weekly classes with Kwave. She is excited to share her passion for K-Pop dance with her students and looks forward to learning, growing and dancing together with them!

Kevin Mand is a professional choreographer and teacher with 8 years of experience. He has lived and worked all over North America in places such as Portland, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Edmonton. Outside of teaching, he has worked within the TV and film industry, contributing to music videos, TV shows and short films.

Kevin’s classes are high-energy, focusing on cultivating an environment that builds self-confidence while expanding students' knowledge of hip-hop fundamentals, history and choreography. Students who participate in Kevin’s dance class learn and strengthen their ability to focus and listen, as well as their body awareness and their ability to learn faster and more accurately! Kevin always prioritizes having fun, honesty and maintaining a respectful atmosphere where everyone can be their best selves.

Piano

Rebecca is a passionate pianist and music educator with over a decade of teaching experience. She holds a master's degree in music education and a Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance. She believes that every student has their own unique way of learning and expressing themselves through music. With a warm, patient and individualized approach, she creates a supportive environment where students can develop confidence, explore their creativity and grow at piano. With training in Orff-Schulwerk, Kodály and Dalcroze approaches, Rebecca incorporates creative and engaging ways of learning into her teaching. Whether a student is preparing for an RCM examination, working toward a performance, or learning simply for enjoyment, she adapts her lessons to help each student progress, express themselves and enjoy the experience of making music.

Violin & Viola

Pavel has had a distinguished international career as a musician and teacher for many years. From a young age, he played in high quality orchestras, and as a violinist gave many recitals. His repertoire includes most of the great works of the violin, such as concerts by Bach, the Bruch G minor, the famous Mendelssohn in E minor, the Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Brahms D major. Pavel has also played a variety of chamber music, including sonatas by Mozart, unaccompanied works for violin by J.S. Bach and E. Ysaye.

When Pavel left Romania, he performed as concertmaster with the Beaux Arts Opera Company and the “Straussiana Italiana” Philharmonic orchestra and led the renowned Prometheus String Quartet in Rome. During his time as a concertmaster with the Straussiana Philharmonic, the orchestra won first prize and the gold medal at the international competition “Foyer Des Artistes”.

Since 1993, Pavel has been performing as a contract player with Okanagan Symphony orchestra, as well as free-lancing with the symphony orchestras of Prince George, Kamloops, Viva Musica and Vancouver Island. He has also played with the Kelowna Philharmonic at the Mozart Festival, the Canada Day orchestra and various chamber groups and ensembles around the province, including the Raven String Quartet and the Victoria Chamber orchestra.

Pavel holds both a Bachelors and a Masters of Music, which he obtained at the George Enesco University in Romania. More recently (1997-98) he studied at the University of Victoria, taking Masters level courses in violin and chamber music with members of the Lafayetter String Quartet. 

Pavel has steadily gained a considerable reputation as a first class teacher. Many of his students have already won awards at local and provincial festivals and have enjoyed great success in concerts and Royal Conservatory exams. His students have the opportunity to learn successfully proven techniques that enables them ultimately to play with relaxation and effortless efficiency. His teaching has roots in the most advanced instruction methods - the result of more than 30 years of study and research. Some of these methods include the Classical German from Carl Fleisch: the modern French from Ysaye, the Eastern European from Enerco and Oistrach; the North American from Ivan Galamian and application of the Suzuki methods. 

The reasons for Pavel’s success as a teacher lie in his unlimited patience and gentleness, especially towards his younger students and his ability to customize his teaching to suit each student’s needs. These qualities together with his vast store of knowledge and his ability to teach at all levels from beginners to advanced students.

Guitar, ukulele, banjo

Alexander Flock is a versatile guitarist, adept at rock, country, jazz, funk and fingerstyle, just to name a few. Over the years Alex has received various awards and accolades for his playing, including a 3rd place finish at the 2012 Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Competition. With his experience teaching both privately and at various studios and summer camps, such as the UBC Summer Music Institute, Alex is comfortable teaching all ages and all levels in a wide variety of contemporary styles.

Winnie is an accomplished violinist and pianist who has performed in concert halls across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. She earned both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and holds dual ARCT diplomas in violin and piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Winnie enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities, offering expert guidance through the RCM program and fostering a strong foundation in both technique and musical expression.

Vivian has been teaching piano and violin for over a decade, working with students of all ages and levels, from preparatory to post-ARCT. Many of her students have earned top honors, including RCM Gold Medals in piano and violin and have performed at gala concerts such as the Kiwanis Festival. Her students are also actively involved in chamber music ensembles and youth orchestras within the community. She holds ARCT diplomas in both piano and violin performance (2011, 2012) and is a graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

Born and raised in Greater Vancouver, Vivian began piano and violin lessons at the age of four. She quickly excelled, and in 2007 won first place in piano and third place in violin at the Canadian Music Competition in her age category. She made her orchestral debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) in March 2010, performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto under Maestro Bramwell Tovey at the Orpheum. She went on to appear again with the VSO in their Symphony in the Park at Deer Lake (2010) and the Orpheum’s School Concert Series (2013).Vivian’s accomplishments include the RCM Grade 10 Violin BC & Yukon Regional Gold Medal (2012) and the prestigious RCM ARCT Violin National Gold Medal (2013), awarded to her for achieving the highest mark in Canada. That same year, her chamber music group also won the Friends of Chamber Music Competition.

Passionate about fostering both skill and joy, Vivian believes the most important part of music education is helping students stay engaged, inspired and motivated. Her goal is to nurture not only strong musicians but also a lifelong love and appreciation for music. In her teaching, Vivian combines technique, ear training, and repertoire development to create a well-rounded learning experience. Drawing on her own journey as a young musician, she explains concepts in clear, relatable ways that match each student’s stage of growth. She takes pride in seeing her students gain confidence, reach their goals and carry music with them as a lifelong companion.
 

Music

A highly passionate and dedicated teacher of piano, accordion, music theory and history with over 20 years of experience teaching students of all ages and abilities from beginning to advanced levels. From her nursing background, Andrea draws from her knowledge of human growth and development and learning theory to engage and motivate students to strive for and achieve their personal best.

A kind and inspiring teacher where all students feel valued and their strengths are nurtured within a fun and stimulating learning environment that captures interest, promotes exploration, critical thinking, and fosters creativity and imagination. She tailors her teaching style to meet diverse learning abilities of students by incorporating singing games & movement activities in lessons. Especially patient with young children and adults. Sensitive, supportive, and encouraging of students with learning challenges, mental health issues, and psychological trauma histories. Finds tremendous joy in seeing students grow musically and personally.

Students regularly earn medals in local music festivals such as Kiwanis and British Columbia Conservatory of Music & earn high marks in practical and theory examinations from notable examining boards as The Royal Conservatory of Music, Conservatory Canada, British Columbia Conservatory of Music, and London College of Music (University of West London). Several students have pursued music studies professionally, attending prestigious post-secondary institutions such as the Vancouver Academy of Music, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Toronto.

When not teaching or playing music, Andrea enjoys pursuing other passions like cooking, reading, watching old movies, nature walks, adult ballet, & spending time with her 10-year-old Maine Coon Cross cat Abby.

Tatyana Pechenyuk began studying music at the age of six in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After 19 years of dedicated study, she earned her Master's Degree in Music from the Tashkent State Conservatory, mentored by Lia Schwartz—a student of the esteemed pianist Konstantin Igumnov. Inspired by her master teachers, Tatyana developed advanced teaching methodologies that emphasize proper hand positioning, deep understanding of music theory and history and nurturing each student's individual passion.

In 1990, she became a piano instructor at the Music Lyceum in Tashkent, where she implemented these innovative techniques. Her approach led to significant student achievements, earning her the title of Teacher of the First Category in 1994.

An accomplished performer in Tashkent and Israel, Tatyana excelled as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. She also played in the opera orchestra for the ballet "Coppelia" at the Academy of Choreography.

Since moving to Canada in 2006, Tatyana has been working in Vancouver as a private instructor and Master Instructor at Bravo Music, Bonsor Recreation Centre and Shadbolt Centre for The Arts, continuing to apply her advanced teaching methods. She also serves as an accompanist for several ballet schools, including Goh Ballet Academy, Arts Umbrella, Ballet BC, Pacific Dance Arts, Harbour Dance and Shadbolt Centre for The Arts as well as accompanist for all kinds of instruments and voice.

Guitar, voice, ukulele, drums and piano

Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and educator Marc Rivest has dedicated his life to music. He possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Guelph and a Diploma in Jazz Studies from Capilano University and has studied under Bill Coon, Ron Samworth, Ralf Buschmeyer, Geordie Roberts, and Steve Maddock. As an entertainer, Marc performs as a solo act under the name "ReeVay." Recent highlights include winning a Fraser Valley Music Award in the Jazz Artist of the Year category and a residency with the Arts Council of New Westminster.

Lessons with Marc balance the development of technique and repertoire with elements of theory and ear training to give students a well-rounded approach to their musical development. Marc's teaching style incorporates humor and a friendly personality to make learning music an enjoyable experience for all ages. Under Marc's instruction, students have gone on to receive awards for their musicianship, perform at the professional level, and be accepted into postsecondary music training programs. He is thrilled to bring his skills and experience to Bonsor Complex music programs.

Piano

Music has been an important part of Michael’s life from an early age. Growing up in a family with a deep appreciation for the arts, he began piano lessons at the age of six and continued his studies through the Royal Conservatory of Music program, including music theory and history. His musical experience extends beyond piano. Michael has served as an organist, guitarist and choir director, providing music for church services, weddings and other special occasions. He is also active as a composer, arranger and piano accompanist. As a certified Royal Conservatory of Music piano teacher, Michael has helped many students successfully prepare for and complete their Royal Conservatory examinations.

Music theory is an important part of Michael’s teaching approach, providing students with a strong foundation while encouraging creativity and musical expression. His goal is to make learning piano enjoyable, engaging and rewarding. With patience and kindness at the heart of his teaching, Michael works with each student’s individual personality, interests and strengths.

In addition to music, Michael is an avid visual artist and holds a diploma in Graphic Design from Emily Carr College of Art and Design. He works in a variety of media, including oil, watercolour and acrylic, bringing his artistic perspective and creativity to both his music and teaching.

Lessons offer a balanced musical experience that develops technique, music literacy, artistry and musicianship across a variety of genres. Michael aims to provide the countless benefits of music to his students of all ages knowing that participation in music and the arts brings a freedom to engage the world in a more meaningful way.
 

Piano

Brianna is a recent North Surrey Secondary School Graduate. She will be continuing her studies at UBC this fall in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her plan is to pursue a career in the medical field with aspirations of becoming a pharmacist or pediatrician.

Brianna began classical piano lessons when she was 4 years old and started exploring other genres of music, jazz in particular, upon entering high school. Her love of music continued through high school as the Tenor saxophone player in the concert and jazz bands. On her own time, Brianna was also involved in a student inspired jazz combo called, “Everyone But You”, as the principal pianist. Brianna achieved her ARCT Solo Performers Diploma with the Royal Conservatory of Music in February 2022. She is a member of The Donna Fishwick Piano Ensemble where she has given many performances. She has also participated in numerous recitals (Shadbolt Centre for the Performing Arts, Vancouver’s Circle Craft Christmas Market at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, Burnaby’s Festival on the Lake, Vancouver’s Student Performer’s Guild, and the North Shore Music Festival).

Aside from piano and saxophone, Brianna also plays the clarinet and is learning the ukulele. Outside of the band and music program, she is a dedicated badminton player for her school’s team and the manager of the senior boys’ volleyball team as well. She is an enthusiastic volunteer (Envision Financial Reading Buddies Program, Vancouver Jazz Festival, other local festivals), and in her free time, she loves baking, watching a good movie or show, and folding origami.

Using the knowledge she has garnered, Brianna hopes to foster an appreciation for music in young children with the anticipation they will carry what they learn with them into the future; as a hobby or professionally. She looks forward to making a positive impact in her community for many years to come.

Music

Janice Wong is a passionate and experienced music instructor with over a decade of experience teaching students of all ages and levels. Originally from Hong Kong, she holds a Diploma in Piano Performance and Grade 8 Theory from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). With a strong classical foundation and years of performance experience, Janice combines technical precision with a deep love of music in her teaching.

Janice began piano studies at age 11 and continued under the mentorship of Sylvia Shum during her university years, where she refined her artistry and developed a keen interest in piano pedagogy. Alongside her piano studies, she also pursued music theory, history, aural training and ensemble performance, which shaped her into a versatile and well-rounded musician.

In addition to piano, Janice is also an accomplished flautist. She began flute training in secondary school with the Hong Kong Music Office and later studied with Carson Yu, gaining advanced technical and expressive skills. As an active member of her school’s wind band, she frequently performed in music festivals and earned recognition in solo, duet and ensemble competitions.

Her teaching career has included private lessons, music centres and school programs, where she has successfully taught both piano and flute. Known for her warm and encouraging approach, Janice adapts her lessons to suit each student’s needs, balancing creativity with technical development. She believes in making lessons engaging and inspiring while nurturing musical confidence and self-expression.

Now based in Vancouver, Janice is excited to share her expertise with the local community. She is currently pursuing Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) teacher certification, furthering her commitment to excellence in music education. Through her teaching, Janice strives to create a joyful, inclusive and supportive learning environment where students can develop strong skills and a lifelong love of music.

Piano

A dedicated and experienced piano teacher, Pearl, has been inspiring students of all ages and skill levels to love and appreciate the beauty and intricacies of music for 25+ years. With a passion for teaching and a wealth of knowledge about piano technique and artistry, Pearl creates a positive and supportive learning environment for each and every student. Whether students are just starting out or looking to take their skills to the next RCM level, Pearl will engage each student and help them reach their musical goals through theory, practice, and performance.

Violin

Ms. Yeung has performed across Asia, Europe, and North America. As an orchestral musician, she has performed with members of the Cleveland Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. She has worked under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle, Maestro Christoph Eschenbach, Robert Spano, Vasily Petrenko, and Hugh Wolff. In addition, she also collaborated with renowned soloists such as Stefan Jackiw, Alisa Weilerstein, Yefim Bronfman, Daniil Trifonov, Gil Shaham, Zlatomir Fung, James Ehnes, and Augustin Hadelich. In 2021 she was invited to attend the Aspen Music Festival as a fellowship recipient and has worked closely with world renowned violin pedagogue Paul Kantor, faculty of The Royal Conservatory of Music and Rice University. In 2020, she also received honorable mentions in the Young Artist Audition of Musicus Society. Ms. Yeung graduated from Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Peter Winograd, the first violinist of the American String Quartet, and Sheryl Staples, Principal Associate Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. In addition, she also studied jazz violin with Grammy award winner Regina Carter. She was a recipient of the Kraeuter Violin Scholarship, Janey Fund Charitable Trust Scholarship, MSM Scholarship, and the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme.

As an experienced teacher, her students have achieved excellent results in ABRSM exams and have won positions in youth orchestras and competitions. She has also taught in local and international schools in Hong Kong and is experienced with the IGCSE and IB exams. Previously, Ms. Yeung was the concertmaster of the Asian Youth Orchestra- Hong Kong Music Summer Orchestra as well as soloist and concertmaster of the ESF Orchestra. She was also a music scholarship recipient at Renaissance College, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, and was awarded the ESF Chairman’s Award for Excellence. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ms. Yeung is fond of various genres of music, including classical, pop, jazz, R&B, and world music. In her spare time, she loves traveling around the world and being surrounded by nature.

Karen is a professional mixed-media artist. She has participated in workshops for school children, including teaching preschool art classes in Zambia, Africa through the IVHQ Volunteer Project. She has an art studio at Parker Street Studios in East Vancouver. Karen is also an instructor at Edmonds Community Centre where she enjoys sharing her passion for art and teaching children.

Jonathan Guhl has been teaching and inspiring youth for over a decade. With a passion for performance and a belief in the fundamental life skills that theatre and play can nurture, Jonathan creates high-energy classes where learning feels both engaging and full of discovery.

A multi-disciplinary performer, Jonathan has worked on stage, in front of the camera and behind the scenes in technical and support roles for both theatre and film. His personal passions include Musical Theatre, Improv and Photography.

Currently, Jonathan is a Drama Instructor at Bonsor Recreation Centre, Edmonds Community Centre and other locations across Burnaby through Shadbolt’s outreach programs. He is a graduate of Capilano University’s Acting for Stage and Screen program.
 

Nikki Guillemin is a Vancouver based artist and educator who began her creative work with almost 20 years already in the culinary arts as a Red Seal chef - transitioning to fine arts in 2021 through Langara and then earning her BFA at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Throughout her years at art school she began teaching ceramics and doing techwork in studios and became deeply passionate about clay as a medium and practice. Her love of both learning and teaching grew to urge her to pursue her Bachelor of Education at UBC so that she might continue to support learners of all ages and in new places. She loves the limitlessness of clay, the discipline of craft and the realm of play and silliness which cultivates authentic and meaningful creative acts. She loves to take chances, make mistakes and get messy!

Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School for the Contemporary Arts at SFU. She has enjoyed teaching for over 5 years. Her continuing studies include visual culture studies, philosophy, sociology, pedagogy and publishing. Vanessa has experience with a variety of cartooning and art techniques, including Manga and Eastern storytelling. Vanessa teaches our after-school Drawing and Cartooning Programs at a variety of Burnaby elementary schools and at Edmonds Community Centre and Shadbolt Centre for The Arts Outreach Programs.

Chris has been working as a Fine Arts Instructor for 7 years with the City of Burnaby. He typically teach Cartooning, Traditional Animation, Fantasy Art and Dungeons and Dragons Classes. He graduated from Simon Fraser University, with a Bachelor's Degree in Developmental Psychology. He is obsessed with anything related to medieval fantasy; especially Lord of the Rings, Guild Wars and Dungeons & Dragons. He fostered this passion to start a freelance art business where he designs characters, logos, cartoons, caricatures, and designs for prints and t-shirts (He even re-designed the Mascot for Eileen Dailly Pool's 30th Anniversary!). He enjoys creating his own collectibles, 3D printing and sculpting Action Figures and Funko Pops.

Chris is a passionate teacher; there is nothing more satisfying than seeing that "Aha!" moment, and having a student pursue art on their own with gentle guidance towards finding their own passion. There are so many interesting ways to approach art that it can never be boring! Making progress and seeing personal growth in art is always so rewarding as well. Chris has been drawing since he was 2 years old, “I used to sit on my Grandma's lap for hours drawing Super Mario characters; correcting her whenever she got a detail wrong. I still have those drawings in a folder.” Chris also works as a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor, for 13 years and counting, with the City of Burnaby.

Irina Samarukava is a multidisciplinary artist with a passion for sharing the process of creating hand-crafted projects with others. Irina loves exploring new mediums and art forms and experimenting with projects both big and small. She is versatile in teaching different arts and crafts such as drawing, watercolor and acrylic painting, knitting, felting, batique and origami folding.

Irina was born in Belarus, East Europe, where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Irina has been teaching art at an elementary school for over 12 years, and since moving to Canada in 2003, she has been teaching students of different ages in her private studio. Recently Irina has joined the Fine Arts teams at Edmonds Community Centre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Bonsor Recreation Centre in Burnaby.

MacKenzie Sewell is a writer and creative writing teacher living in Surrey, BC. She has a total of 13 years of teaching & coaching experience, including experience supporting individuals with autism & other diverse needs. MacKenzie joined City of Burnaby's team of Fine Arts Instructors in 2022. MacKenzie has a Masters degree in creative writing from the University of British Columbia, where she specialized in children’s literature, novel writing and poetry.

When she's not working on her next project, MacKenzie teaches creative writing to children & adults at Burnaby community centers, watches Doctor Who reruns with her wife Hannah (and their cat, Wallie) and waters her ever-growing collection of plants.