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
Sophia Ng
Acrobatics Instructor
Caitlyn Quan
ARAD, Ballet. Jazz Instructor
Shanice Chew
K-Pop Instructor
Sevrin Emnacen-Boyd
All-Styles Dancer
Jennifer Yang
Contemporary Instructor
Anabel Ho - Artistic Director
Ms. Ho has taught and choreographed for the past 36 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.
Shanice Chew
Shanice Chew began her dance journey at the age of 4 and graduated from the Vancouver Academy of Dance program. She is trained in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Chinese dance, K-pop, Acrobatics and Musical Theatre. Shanice has won several awards, including Junior Encore Miss Photogenic in 2015 and Overall High Score in Jazz Style at the One Competition.
Shanice teaches K-pop because she is passionate about the vibrant and energetic style of dance that K-pop offers. She loves sharing the dynamic and expressive moves with her students, helping them develop confidence, rhythm, and a love for dance.
Currently, Shanice is enrolled at UBC, pursuing a degree in Health and Exercise Science.
Jennifer Yang
Jennifer’s dance journey began at the age of six at Vancouver Academy of Dance. With over a decade of experience as a competitive dancer, Jennifer has acquired a diverse range of styles, each one enriching her artistic repertoire. From Ballet to Hip-Hop, Acro to Contemporary, Lyrical to Jazz, and Chinese dance, her versatility knows no bounds. She continued her post-secondary training at The Source Dance Company and Modus Operandi’s Link. Jennifer's dedication to her craft has led her to prestigious platforms such as The Dance Awards in Orlando, View Dance Challenge Greece Intensive, and Mather Dance Company’s Trans4m Intensive in California, where she showcased her skills and learned from some of the industry's top artists. Her performance highlights include the 2024 BC Summer Games, 2024 Medallion Gala, Vancouver Celebrarates Dance, Disneyland, and more. Her pursuit of excellence is further demonstrated by her certifications, including RAD Advanced 2, ISTD Advanced 1, Acrobatic Arts PrePro 3, and Acrobatic Arts Teaching Module One. Currently, she is pursuing a BFA in Contemporary Dance at Simon Fraser University while also performing with a commercial dance group called SeQuill.
Sophia Ng
Sophia started her dance journey at 4 years old with Vancouver Academy of Dance. Up until the 2023-24 dance season, when she graduated, she’s has explored many dance styles, such as, Ballet, Chinese Dance, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acrobatics, and K-pop. Sophia has achieved many awards, some more notable awards are, 1st overall senior solo at The One Dance Experience in 2024, and was invited to attend the Outstanding Dancer Experience with NYCDA Nationals in New York City, where she trained and performed, coming in Top 50. Another highlight, is completing the Male RAD Advanced 2 Examination with a distinction. Along with her many years of ballet training, she has also completed her Module 1 and 2 certification for Acrobatic Arts. Sophia is very passionate about dance and helping students grow. In addition to teaching, Sophia is attending university at Simon Fraser University and is working towards a degree in business.
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.
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.
