Meet the Teachers
Meet the passionate and talented team behind Even Dance! With their unwavering commitment to nurturing creativity and fostering a love for dance, our instructors inspire students of all ages to discover their rhythm and express themselves through the art of movement.
Jacklin Buckley RAD-RTS
Ballet, Pointe
Mrs. Buckley has called the Okanagan home since moving from
Calgary at the age of 10. She met her husband in Toronto while attending the Teacher’s Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School. Upon graduating from the program where she trained in both the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) and Cecchetti styles of classical ballet, promptly moved back to Penticton. She and her husband are enjoying the best adventure of their lives to date, raising their four children! Spontaneous dance parties are a frequent occurrence in the Buckley household and when Mrs Buckley isn’t dancing at home she loves to share her joy of dance with others in the studio. She can’t wait to meet all the new (and returning) dancers in the studio this season!!
Maliyah Azam
Hip Hop
Hi! My name is Maliyah Azam! I am so excited and eager to dance this year; I have been dancing since the age of four and since then I haven't stopped! When I'm not dancing I love to paint, listen to all kinds of music, play video games, go outside and more importantly, spend time with my family, dogs and friends; When I'm spending time with the people I love the most I enjoy these things so much MORE! I enjoy chocolate, sushi and the colour blue or green! This year I can't wait to teach others what I know, help them improve and be as passionate as I am about dance. I can't wait to laugh and have fun in the dance studio!
Nadine Ashby
Acro, Hip Hop, Lyrical
Hi! I'm Miss Nadine and I am so excited to get to know you this season! I was born and raised in Penticton and have been dancing since I was about 3 in this very same studio. You could say the studio is quite literally my second home. It's pretty cool to be able to say I'm now teaching in the same studio I grew up taking dance in. I've danced all different styles over the years such as ballet, hip hop, modern, lyrical, jazz, tap, and acro. I've been fortunate enough to receive my acro certification in 2018 with Acrobatic Arts. I am heading into my 21st year of dancing and 8th year of teaching.
When I'm not dancing I'm working on my photography and spending time with my dog, Sydney. She’s a 2-year-old Australian shepherd with a TONNE of energy. You will often find me dancing in the kitchen while making dinner and constantly coming up with new ideas for the next routine.
I'm so excited to meet all of you this upcoming season and bring you along for all the fun things we are going to learn and accomplish together!
Kailyn Beaudoin
Preschool, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre
Hi! I am Kailyn Beaudoin, better known as Miss Kailyn. I have been around this dance studio since before I was born. As soon as I was 3 years old I started dancing and never looked back. I started teaching in 2017 and it turned into my passion. I love teaching all the young little dancers and seeing them have fun and develop many skills. My pre-school classes will always hold a special place in my heart. I cannot wait to continue to teach this year and to welcome back all my little dancers and to meet many new smiling faces. When I’m not dancing I can be found playing slopitch, volleyball, or curling with my mom and my sister. Outside of always being moving I am starting my first year of Nursing School at UBC Okanagan in September 2023.
Bailey Styles
Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre
Bailey Styles is a dedicated educator with a diverse background in dance and kinesiology. She has been an invaluable member of the teaching staff at Even Dance since 2013, where she has inspired and nurtured countless students. Her kind, fun, and creative approach has endeared her to her students, who admire her passion and dedication. Bailey has been dancing since she was 3 years old and, as a child, has done it all! Bailey completed her RAD exams to advanced 1 and then continued on to the University of Winnipeg, where she attended the renowned School of Contemporary Dancers. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, Bailey explored various dance styles and immersed herself in the rich world of choreography. Building upon her passion for movement, Bailey pursued another academic journey, obtaining a degree in kinesiology from the UBCO. In her spare time, Bailey indulges in her other creative loves, painting and baking, and possibly watching a few episodes of her favorite show, Friends.
Sophia Ferlizza
Acro, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet
Sophia Ferlizza, or just Miss Sophie, is a lifelong resident of Summerland, British Columbia. She has embraced the art of dance with unwavering dedication and since her earliest memories, dance has been an integral part of her life. At the age of 10, she began her journey as a competitive dancer. Sophia's ardent love for dance has shone brightly through her performances, resulting in multiple awards and recognition, including an esteemed Bronze Medal Certificate from the Canadian Dance Teachers Association Acrobatic Exams. Dance has consistently been Sophia's true passion, serving as a constant source of joy and fulfillment. With enthusiasm, she eagerly looks forward to imparting her dance expertise to her students, aspiring to inspire them to pursue their own passions with the same level of commitment and enthusiasm that she embodies for dance.
Fun fact: Her last name rhymes with pizza. (yum!)
James McCullough
Hip Hop
My name is James, and I am currently 26 years old. Originally from Toronto, I moved to Osoyoos when I was around 14 years old. Dance has been a significant part of my life since the age of 10, particularly breakdancing, which has become my primary dance style. As I grew older, around 14 years old, I began immersing myself in various hip-hop styles and expanding my dance repertoire.
My love for hip-hop has been ingrained in me for as long as I can remember; it truly defines my existence. My ultimate ambition is to share this profound passion with everyone I encounter! Additionally, I have an unshakeable fondness for bacon and skateboarding, which undoubtedly rank as my other two favorite things in the world!