Leanne Kennedy – D.E.A. DIRECTOR
Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Acro, Stage – Licenced Acrobatic Arts Module One and Zumba Instructor
Leanne has studied Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip- Hop and Musical Theatre with some of the best in the dance world in Vancouver, New York and Los Angeles. She became a certified instructor with the Dance Educators of America achieving Levels 1-3.
Leanne is a gifted dancer who received a Jazz Scholarship to Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in Hollywood CA, was cast as the role of “Jennyanydots” in the famous musical CATS, and has choreographed for the musicals OLIVER! and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has performed and choreographed for numerous dance productions, adjudicated Street Vibe! Hip-Hop competition and studied and performed Latin dance with Warren Eaton of Latinesque.
Leanne was born and raised in Tsawwassen and began dancing at the age of 4 at the Delta Academy of Dance with Miss Bev Rose, studying ballet and pointe. At 15 years old Leanne added Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre to her weekly schedule and fell passionately in love with these genres. She started teaching at the young age of 17, starting with one teen class per week. She supplemented her teaching by working as a dental assistant, but as her passion for dance grew she became a full time instructor. Leanne taught at Delta Academy (in Tsawwassen) for 10 years.
Leanne moved to Kelowna with her husband and worked for Robb Card Dance Studio until returning to her home town where she was employed at Free Flight immediately and has been here ever since, giving birth to two wonderful little girls, Mila and Maisie both of whom dance at Free Flight
Now the proud owner of Free Flight Dance Leanne is so excited for this next chapter in her professional life and thanks everyone for their love, encouragement and support.
She brings enthusiasm and her love of dance and performance to all her classes, Leanne is an avid supporter of the community. She looks forward to leading Free Flight Dance into an exciting new era holding true to our values of lovingly pushing each student to reach their potential as artists and humans.
Sarah Siviter – A.R.A.D. -Ballet and Flamenco and Events Planner for The Flow Dance Ensemble
Sarah is an Elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD), London, UK. She is classically trained in R.A.D. Ballet. She passed all of the R.A.D Children’s Examinations at various dance schools in England and in B.C. Sarah went on to pass all Major R.A.D exams, including her Advanced Executants’ (now called Advance 2), with Ellen Andrews, International Major Examiner and R.A.D teacher for Canadian Dance World.
Sarah was a consistent trophy/scholarship winner at the Coquitlam & Surrey Dance Festival’s and a recipient of a Canada Council Grant in 1979. Other highlights in her professional dance and teaching studies included The Banff School of Fine Arts, studied with Reid Anderson, Karen Kain, Lynn Wallis and The Goh Ballet. In 1979 Sarah left B.C. to study at The Royal Academy of Dancing and then onto The Royal Ballet Upper School in London, England, where she studied for her Solo Seal, under Jean Bedells, International Examiner/Royal Ballet student Coach. Sarah was also invited to study choreography with Richard Glasstone, RBS.
Sarah has been a free lance Ballet teacher since the age of 16, enjoying much of her experience as a teacher in England. To add to her love of dance she studied Flamenco dance for 7 years and has taken several exams, passing all with distinction.
Sarah truly appreciates that with each day, her gift of dance and teaching ballet is her greatest treasure. Her heartfelt desire is to pass on to every student, through her experience as a dancer and teacher, the love of ballet, music and other forms of dance. She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Free Flight Family, as a Ballet and Flamenco teacher, Head of The Flow Ballet Division and the Event Planner for The Flow.
Sarah joined the staff at Free Flight Dance in 2009.
Vanessa Lanz – R.A.D. Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, BFA (SFU)
Vanessa received her formal training from Kirkwood Academy of Dance in New Westminster. During her time at Kirkwood, Vanessa toured internationally with Royal City Youth Ballet to Alaska, Mexico, Disneyland, all across Canada and on Carnival Cruise Lines. Along with these performances she has also taken part in The Nutcracker, Copellia, Cinderella and various National Dances. Vanessa has attended Toronto Dance Theatre Summer Intensive, Ballet Jörgen Summer Intensive, Arts Umbrella/Ballet BC Summer Intensive and Royal City Youth Ballet’s Summer School in order to further her training. She has also worked with choreographers such as : Joe Laughlin of Joe Ink, Desiree Dunbar, Judith Garay, Rob Kitsos, Karen Jamieson, Heather Grey, Heather Dotto, Bengt Jörgen, and Crystal Pite.
Vanessa has done Royal Academy of Dance ballet for over 20 years, where she has obtained her Advanced level in the RAD syllabus at the age of 14 and became a registered RAD instructor in 2010. For the past 12 years, Vanessa has taught both ballet, jazz and contemporary dance to all ages in both competitive and non-competitive settings. In 2014, Vanessa was one of the youngest RAD teachers to put a candidate through their Solo Seal Award in Canada. To further her training as a teacher, Vanessa became certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique, developed by Marie Walton-Mahon.
Vanessa also have received a rare opportunity to work with Ice Dancers as well as Single Skaters in their on-ice and off-ice training for over 9 years. She has worked with men, woman and couples to help perfect their on-ice movements and give them a ballet foundation in the studio. Vanessa has worked personally with National Team members of all levels and genres as well as worked with Olympic Silver Medalist, Kevin Reynolds.
Vanessa has obtained her Bachelors of Fine Arts in dance from Simon Fraser University in 2012. At Simon Fraser University she was a part of the Off Centre Dance Company and studied under Judith Garay ( the owner of Dancer’s Dancing) Rob Kitsos, Cheryl Prophet, Marla Eist, Farley Johansson, Megan Walker Straight and many others. From these teachers, Vanessa has become well versed in modern techniques such as Graham and Cunningham. Vanessa has a goal to work for her Masters in Dance through the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England and becoming and Royal Academy of Dance examiner
Rylier Sauder – Tap and Contemporary
Rylie has been dancing since the age of 3, training in various styles such as lyrical, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip-hop, ballet, and musical theatre. She has been a competitive dancer since the age of 6 winning multiple awards and scholarships over the years. She has recently explored in choreography and can’t wait to start her teaching career! Rylie is excited to create strong relationships with her students and hopes to make a positive impact on their dance careers. We are excited to have Miss Rylie join the Free Flight Faculty.
Marina Kirkbride – Jazz and Ballet
Marena is a Free Flight Dance Alumni from Tsawwassen. Marena has been dancing since the age of 3 and is classically trained in R.A.D ballet having completed her graded and vocational exams (Intermediate). After training at Free Flight, Marena focused on other genres of dance including social ballroom, jazz and heels. Since 2012, she has been teaching recreational dance for ages 2 to 10 with a focus on ballet and jazz. Marena is passionate about sharing her love of dance and inspiring others to find joy in movement. She is excited to come back to Free Flight in the Fall of 2022 with lots of enthusiasm and new skills. We are excited to have Miss Marena back at Free Flight Dance as a faculty member.
Sharon Quesnel – Admin
Sharon has had 17 years experience in human resources and 15 years bookkeeping experience. During her volunteer work she has been wearing many hats whether it be sewing dance costumes, working behind stage or as office administration for Delta Academy of Dance where she served for over 10 years.
Sharon has also been involved in Fundraising for various sporting events, high school choir and band and most recently for Freshwave ministries. Sharon has also been a very enthusiastic sports participant for the last 25 years and is looking forward to helping you in her new position at Free Flight.
Sharon is a great addition to Free Flight Dance and we are so excited to have her join the family!
Free Flight Dance Co. 
