OUR FACULTY
Jodi Scambler
Founder/Owner
I started dancing at the age of 7 with Rod Schultz. With Rod, I studied Acro, Gymnastics, Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, and my favorite, Tap.
When I was 11 years old I started student teaching with Rod, and knew at the young age of 11, that I would somehow make this my career. My Dad always told me "Find something that you love, and make it your life.".
At 12, I danced at Expo '86, and from then on continued performing. I have completed my Jazz, Tap, and Ballet exams with Al Guilbert. After high school I studied Theatre and Stagecraft, and Stagemanaged many theatre productions.
Throughout this time I continued my training, as well as instructed throughout the lower mainland at various dance studios. I hope that my love and passion for the arts shows through in all of my students, as well as Just for Kicks.
Jax Fermada
Break Dance
Jax Fermada started out dancing as the 3rd generation of the "Now Or Never Crew" (N.O.N). In the past 7 years, he has been traveling around the world and representing Vancouver, Canada as N.O.N. Throughout those years, they succeded winning numerous battles such as World Hip Hop Championship 2007, Driven to Perform 2008, Massive Monkeys Day 2009, Ground Zero Jam 2009 and Battle of the Year Canada 2008, which they recieved the opportunity to represent Canada in the B.O.T.Y. Internationals, Germany.
He has also opened up for the "JabbaWockeez & Massive Monkeys" from the America's Best Dance Crew and, as well the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games 2010. Without a doubt, Jaxs objective is to share his dance knowledge and experience with the world, and to help anyone who is interested in bboying. A class of bboy fundamentals along with the understanding of how to express the inner character will help and develop confidence. This class will guarantee to take your bboying to the next level, so step up and challenge yourself to the dance of Hip Hop.
Amy Burns
Tap
Amy has trained and performed extensively in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern Contemporary & Lyrical Jazz from a very young age, and has been teaching and choreographing Tap full-time for 26 years throughout the Lower Mainland, Northern B.C. (Smithers) and annual Summer School programs on Vancouver Island. She has a long list of accomplishments and award-winning competitive performances in Canada and the U.S. In July of 2009, it was with great excitement that she and 22 of her students participated in the “New York City Tap Festival” where they trained with world-renowned Masters and by audition, were chosen to perform their award-winning routines “Off Broadway” to a sold-out theatre. That evening Amy was honored with being chosen as the recipient of the “2009 NYC Tap Festival Outstanding Teacher/Choreographer Award” for her “Outstanding Dedication and Commitment to the Art of Tap Dancing”. It is with great joy and pride that Amy was able to nourish her own heartfelt passion and love of Tap for many years amid her hectic schedule, to perform professionally as a member of Vancouver’s “Urban Tap Squad Company”, throughout British Columbia and beyond. In September 2006 they showcased part of their tour show, “Urban Interludes” to sold-out audiences at The Vancouver Roundhouse.
In addition to her own passion for and dedication to ongoing training, Amy takes many of her students each year to Tap Festivals throughout the U.S. to experience and learn from the same historical Tap Masters and meet other students from around the world who share the same passion.
In 1998, Amy had the thrill of a lifetime, when she trained at the Minneapolis Tap Festival with “legend extraordinaire” Savion Glover and his brother Abron Glover (then performing on Broadway in “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk”). She has also participated in the VTDS Tap Festival in Vancouver for 13 years and was privileged to perform in the 2003 VTDS Festival finale at the Vancouver Playhouse, “It’s About Time, It’s About Tap”. Since its inception Amy’s students are so honoured to perform in the International Tap Day celebration in honor of the birthday of the legendary “Father of Tap”, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
It is Amy’s desire to share with her students of all ages, her diversified training, technique, musicality and rhythm, and most of all, her genuine love and passion for Tap Dance. Her renowned and unique choreography comes from within her soul and captures the very essence of “Tap” and its beautiful rhythms speak to this beautiful and historical language. With her love of teaching children of all ages and adults, she foremost encourages fun and embracing the love and joy of “Tap”, with patience and positivity. She teaches and encourages her students to “un-tap” the joy of this wonderful instrument and music within them and to truly hear and articulate their own “joyful noise”.
Jessica MacMillian
Hip-Hop/ Cheer & Dance
Jessica has grown up around the arts since she was in grade one . Enrolled in a fine arts program she was exposed to her passion at an early age . She has been choreographing, teaching, and furthering her dancing knowledge for more than 10 years. Jessica has trained and performed in multiple styles of dance including; hip hop, jazz, lyrical ,contemporary, ballet, and stage.Jessica's passion is to teach and help kids/adults discover what dancing means to them ! She believes that dancing opens doors and is a positive outlet for anyone at any age ! Her enthusiasm is highly desired and her students are able to reach their maximum potential leading to positive outcomes ! Jessica has taught at many studios and multiple schools in the lower mainland including , WJ Mouat Secondary , Rick Hansen Secondary , St James and St Annes School, Prince Charles daycare, North poplar Fine Arts, and more. She has had the pleasure to be apart of many different shows Including a guest performance "Stars at Sea" Royal Caribbean cruise line. "Jailhouse Rock" Elvis show by Lee Kwidzinski. Jessica danced for the BC Lions for three years and was given many opportunities as a Felion cheerleader. She participated in the 2011 Grey Cup in Vancouver where she performed on field with Nickleback. In 2014 she performed on field for over 25,000 people with Dallas Smith at the 2014 Grey Cup hosted in Vancouver.Jessica is the owner / director of Jam Dance program. She created this program to help inspire dancers of all ages and levels. She believes dance is about the journey and is thrilled to be leading this program. Jessica was honoured to be apart of the first ever dance team for the BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs hockey team during their 2017-2018 season! She is excited to choreograph and be apart of the RBC CUP coming to Chilliwack in 2018.
Erin Currie
Ballet
Bio Coming Soon.
Mariah Norum
Hip-Hop/ Jazz
I have been dancing since i was just 3 years old, and will continue throughout my career. I have been training in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Stage, Musical Theater, and Acro.
I first started student teaching under Jodi Scambler when I was 11, she helped show me what being an dance teacher was like, and from then on I knew I wanted to be a dance teacher. Throughout my years of dance I have competed at many different competitions, festivals and I have also danced multiple times in the Disneyland parade and the Pacific National Exibitition. Dance is and always will be my biggest passion, that is why I have chosen a career where I can share my passion with the world. I love working with kids, seeing their face light up when they dance or when they finally get that dance move we have been working on is amazing and just makes me want to work with them even more.
I believe that hard work and determination pays off, when you dance it doesn't matter what others think as long as you have fun and are happy.
Grace Sabatini
Acro/Hiphop-Jazz/Lyrical
I’ve been dancing for just over 17 years now and I actually started right here at Just For Kicks! I trained in many styles, such as lyrical, jazz, ballet, hip hop, acro and contemporary. I trained at a competitive level starting at the age of 8. Dance has created so many unforgettable experiences for me, such as dancing in Las Vegas, Disneyland, and all over the Lower Mainland of B.C.
This studio is very much so a part of me, and the reason I am who I am today. Here is where I was introduced to the best people I’ve ever met, and they are still my best friends today. I was exposed to amazing training of all different styles. I grew up with so many motivational and inspiring teachers and I wanted to make sure that I could be that for my students. Being a dancer means so much more than just training and performing. It’s about learning to love and trust the people around you, as well as yourself. In my classes I really focus on teaching self-love, goal setting, and teamwork, as well as dance. I believe it’s some of the most important things to learn as a young person.
I love teaching and building relationships with my students, and helping them achieve their goals and chase their dreams!
Sandra Soares
Ballet/Tap/Jazz/Lyrical/ Acro
At the young age of 8, Sandra started dancing and fell in love with the art. Throughout the years, Sandra has trained at many dance facilities and graduated at a Semi- Professional school located in Burnaby, BC. Being exposed to various teachers and styles from different conventions and competitions in and out of the country has lead to her unique teaching style and choreography. Being able to pull a variety of teaching techniques to suit the needs of her students is an asset. Specializing in Lyrical, Ballet, Tap and Jazz, Sandra enjoys every aspect of dance and is passionate about her students and their potential!
Kelsey Ziegler
Ballet/Contemporary/Technique/Jazz
Miss Kelsey has over 20 years of dance training and performing. She started dancing at the age of 3 and hasn’t been able to stop since. Kelsey is trained in jazz,lyrical, contemporary and RAD Ballet. Kelsey has successfully competed in festivals and competitions in Canada and the United States of America while also performing in the Nutcracker for multiple years.
Kelsey strives to help dancers find who they are through dance. She has a strong passion for dance which is strongly emphasized in her dance classes. She makes sure her students learn everything to the best of their ability and perform on stage and in the classroom.