Director/Certified Instructor: Acrobatic Arts, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Tap, Contemporary & Musical Theatre
Lori began dancing at the age of 4 in Victoria and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Lyrical and Acrobatics. She has completed several RAD Exams, receiving top marks in all levels. Lori has been instructing since 1993 at studios in Victoria, Judy Russell's Enchainement Dance Centre in Prince George and at The Dance Gallery since 2010. She is also a BCRPA Certified Fitness Instructor, incorporating the importance of strength and muscle conditioning into her teaching. Lori is also a Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor and a Certified Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor.
Lori has won several scholarships, including both Tremaine and Dupree dance convention awards and has attending training in such places as New Orleans, Phoenix, Las Vegas Santa Clara, San Francisco and Los Angeles. She is an award-winning choreographer, being recognized both locally and internationally at competitions and as a guest choreographer at international competitions. Lori has performed, as well as taken students to Disneyland, the BC Summer Games and other international venues for opportunities to showcase her passion for dance. She has volunteered in several local arts communities as both a performer and choreographer, including “Kiss Me Kate”, “Grease”, “Dancing Through Time” and at UNBC for both the Arts and Athletics departments. Lori co-choreographed for the North America Central America Caribbean games Opening Ceremonies, for the City of Kamloops TSN Press Conference regarding the 4 Nations Cup, and is a guest instructor at various studios around the province, including instructing at Provincials in 2014. Several of Lori's students have gone onto professional careers with dance and fitness and she continues to train in all disciplines...if there is a dance class, she'll take it!!
Lori has instructed all ages and levels...passion and love for dance is contagious!
Instructor: Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Hip Hop, Acrobatic Arts, & Preschool
Sydney has a passion for dance that started at an early age when she tried on her first pair of tap shoes at the age of 2. She has been a Teachers Assistant at The Dance Gallery for the past 6 years and has recently choreographed solos for festival participants. Sydney is also well versed in many different styles of dance. She has been involved in the festival scene since a young age, and for the past 2 years has been a Merited participant as well as a BC Provincial Competitor.
Sydney has also completed her Grade 2 - Intermediate RAD Ballet exams. She has recently completed her Module One Acrobatic Arts certification. She is an excellent role model for the students and is well respected throughout the studio. Sydney was fortunate to be a part of The Dance Gallery Troupe; one highlight includes travelling to New York whilst taking classes from professional dancers and choreographers. Sydney is constantly inspired by her teachers, fellow dancers, and younger students who continue to fuel her passion for dance. She can't wait to teach beside such incredible people.
RAD RTS, Licentiate Member CDTA Ballet, PBT Ballet/Pointe
Laura was born and raised in Terrace and is a registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher. Her training began in Terrace and continued to Vancouver, Winnipeg and Edmonton. She has 27 years experience in teaching/choreographing Ballet.
Laura has trained students successfully for RAD exams and provincial representatives. Many of her students have gone on to have careers in dance, becoming teachers, performers and choreographers.
She continues to stay updated with many courses that have taken her to New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, as she feels it's important to always be learning as the dance world is always changing. Her latest accomplishment is being appointed mentor for teachers to receive their teaching degree.
Laura's passion for teaching is passing along her knowledge and LOVE for ballet to her students.
Instructor: Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Acro
Catrina Sinclair, M.N.A.T.D. Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Acro
A homegrown talent with nearly 30 years of teaching experience, Cat has dedicated her career to inspiring dancers of all ages while fostering confidence, creativity, and excellence in the studio. After beginning her dance journey at a young age, she went on
to dance professionally across Canada with several companies, including Disney, before returning to her passion for teaching.
Catrina holds teaching certifications in Jazz, Ballet, and Street, through the N.A.T.D. Known for her high-energy classes, technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to her students, she creates an environment where dancers are challenged, encouraged, and
empowered to reach their full potential.
An exceptional choreographer, Catrina’s innovative work has earned numerous overall awards, special judges’ awards, and choreography honours at competitions. Even more rewarding to her is seeing her students grow into confident performers, with many continuing
on to compete, perform, and dance internationally. Beyond her work with students, Catrina is passionate about mentoring the next generation of dance educators. She takes pride in supporting and developing younger teachers, sharing her knowledge, experience,
and love of dance to help them become confident leaders in the studio.
Outside of dance, Cat’s greatest joy is her family and friends. Known for her infectious spirit, genuine kindness, and loving energy, she is often described as the glue that brings everyone together. Whether in the studio or in everyday life, she is passionate about creating meaningful connections and leaving a positive impact on everyone she meets.
Instructor: Ballet
Tammy Kostersky has been a dedicated dance educator for over 30 years. As the founder of Dance Innovations Inc., she created a nurturing environment where students and staff could thrive — fostering
creativity, passion, and a commitment to excellence that became the studio’s hallmark. Her leadership and vision helped shape a culture rooted in artistry, technical growth, and community connection.
Tammy’s lifelong commitment to dance education is reflected in her extensive academic and professional achievements. She holds a BFA, BA, and a Master’s in Arts Education, alongside credentials with RAD, ADAPT, Acrobatic Arts, PBT and Alixa Flexibility. Her
blend of artistic and academic experience underscores her dedication to elevating the standard of dance training and teaching practices across all settings.
Driven by a desire to connect more students with the joy of dance, Tammy expanded her work into the academic sector, where she discovered the same enthusiasm for movement and expression among children
in schools. She has engaged countless students who may not otherwise have had access to dance, helping them build confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging.
Recognizing that many teachers are tasked with delivering dance without formal training, Tammy founded The Dance Effect Consulting Services — a platform designed to empower educators through professional
development, mentorship, and curriculum integration. Inspired by Elliot Eisner’s belief that “first is to decide what is important in schools and second is to create the conditions that are consistent with that mission,” she works to make dance accessible
and meaningful within educational systems.
Today, Tammy continues to innovate and inspire. Alongside her work in schools, she remains deeply connected to the private sector as an educator, choreographer, and adjudicator for studios, competitions, and festivals. Through workshops and consulting, she shares her expertise in pedagogy, curriculum design, and studio culture — supporting teachers and studio owners in fostering technical excellence, creativity, and community within their programs.
Instructor: Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary
Lauren is a recent graduate of The Dance Gallery and is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance with
the next generation of dancers. Dedicated to constantly growing as both a performer and educator, she has expanded her training through numerous studios, conventions, and industry professionals, including Accentz Dance Studio in Vernon, Groove Street Productions
Summer and Fall Conventions, Platform On Camera with Breanna English, and The Village Dance Company in Kelowna. This fall, Lauren looks forward to continuing her training in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Lauren's greatest passions are Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, and Jazz. She especially loves choreography and enjoys
bringing creative ideas to life on stage through movement and storytelling.
Having spent many years as a Teacher Assistant at The Dance Gallery, Lauren has developed a love for mentoring young dancers. She strives to create a positive, encouraging environment where students feel confident to think outside the box, embrace their creativity, and discover their own unique artistic voice. Lauren is excited to continue inspiring her students while sharing her love of dance both in and out of the classroom.
Instructor: Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Pre-Primary Ballet, Primary Ballet, Preschool
Jill has proudly trained at The Dance Gallery throughout her entire dance journey. Her passion for dance extends
far beyond the stage, and she is excited to continue growing as both a dancer and leader through the Dance Leadership Institute while furthering her dance training.
Over the years, Jill has become an invaluable part of The Dance Gallery family. From working behind the scenes
on costumes to spending countless hours as a dedicated Teacher Assistant, she has always been willing to lend a helping hand wherever it's needed. Her positive attitude, reliability, and caring nature make her a wonderful role model for younger dancers.
Jill loves sharing her passion for dance with the next generation and is excited to continue inspiring students both in and out of the classroom. She is grateful to be part of such a supportive dance community and looks forward to another incredible season at The Dance Gallery.