Our Faculty

Born and raised in Campbell River B.C., Shawna Sloan had a deep dedication and talent for dance that led her to train extensively from an early age, where she received the Banff School of Fine Arts Scholarship and numerous Dupree and Tremaine Dance Center Scholarships. At the age of 18, this former B.C. provincial winner received a dance scholarship at Tremaine Dance Centre in Los Angeles, California. Since then, she has performed with such singing sensations as Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Mya, 702, and Eminem. Her credits include the MTV Video Music Awards, Billboard Awards, national Pepsi commercials with Britney Spears, various music videos, industrials, and commercials. She served as the assistant choreographer with many great projects like Jane’s Addiction National Tour and Britney Spears World Tour. She also served as the dance captain in Europe performing in the musical production of “Grease”. She is currently starting her 19th season as Owner and Artistic Director of CR DanceXtreme Inc. located in Campbell River where she resides. She continues to inspire dancers by teaching, choreographing, & adjudicating in both Canada and the United States.

Growing up as a competitive dancer in Alberta, it was no surprise that Carol would one day find herself working at an elite dance school.

Carol spent the first 35 years of her life in Edmonton, where she discovered her love for the arts at the Sandra Gray School of Dance. She married in 1995 and soon after began raising a family. Once her three daughters showed interest in dance, she enrolled them at Sandra Gray’s, allowing them to follow in her footsteps.

In 2007, Carol and her husband relocated to Campbell River and became part of the CR DanceXtreme family as proud parents of three dancing daughters. From 2007 to 2019, she enjoyed every moment as a parent supporting her girls through both the competitive and recreational programs.

Carol officially joined the CR DanceXtreme staff in the summer of 2015, working alongside Darlene Sloan at the front desk.

She quickly became more than just a welcoming face, known for creating a warm and positive environment for students and families. Her role grew into studio manager, where she now oversees competitive events and schedules, keeps the front desk running smoothly, and communicates closely with parents to ensure everything is organized and professional.

When she’s not at the studio, you can often find Carol cozy in bed with her crochet projects and a good murder mystery on BritBox.

Emma Voltera was raised in Campbell River, British Columbia. At age 5, Emma joined CrDancextreme’s Competitive team. Throughout her 14 years of being a competitive dancer she trained in various styles such as jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, and tap. Through her years at CRX her passion and love for dance continued to grow.
After graduation, Emma wanted to continue dancing and was accepted into Treamaine Performance Company; a pre-professional dance assist program through Tremaine Dance Convention. Her year as a Pre-Professional assistant, allowed her the ability to travel to different cities across the USA and continue to grow her dance and leadership skills.
In 2024 Emma wanted to refine her skills even more as she attended The Launch program at The Space in Brea, California. She moved to California in late 2024 to continue her training under Krista and Cory Miller. Throughout the 6 months, Emma was able to learn from high level professional choreographers and teachers as she began to navigate the dance world.
Since then, Emma has taken the exposure and teachings from her mentors and influences, to begin creating her own style of teaching and choreography. She is grateful for the experience and learning opportunities given to her through her training and can’t wait to share and create.

With a lifelong passion for movement and expression through dance, I began my teaching journey in 2001 at Danette’s School of Dance in Campbell River, where I first discovered the joy of sharing dance with others. After five foundational years there, I made the move to Vancouver to pursue formal training in dance education at the Performing Arts College. I graduated with my dance teaching certification in 2007, further solidifying my commitment to the art form.

Following certification, I taught at Perform Art Studios in North Vancouver from 2007 to 2008, gaining valuable experience working with a wide range of students and styles. In 2008, I returned to my hometown of Campbell River and joined the faculty at CR DanceXtreme, where I have been proudly teaching ever since.

Also in 2008, I completed my Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) training adding a new level of depth and structure to my teaching. My dedication to continuing education has remained a priority throughout my career. In 2011, I received my certification in Fitness Theory and Exercise Physiology, enhancing my understanding of the body and safe dance practices. This was followed by a Body Barre Certificate of Achievement in 2015 and, most recently, a certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) in 2020.

With over two decades of teaching experience, I strive to inspire, educate, and nurture dancers of all ages, combining strong technical foundation with a passion for creative expression. I am honored to be a part of the CR DanceXtreme family and continue to grow alongside my students every day.

Harlee Benoche is a passionate and versatile dance instructor with a lifelong dedication to the art of dance. She began her journey at the age of 3 at CR DanceXtreme, where she trained in a wide range of styles including Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Technique, Conditioning, and more.

In 2014, Harlee proudly represented Team Canada in Hip Hop at the World Dance Championships in Germany. Her commitment to her craft was recognized in 2019, when she became the very first recipient of the Darlene Sloan Awardfrom CR DanceXtreme. That same year, she was awarded Most Promising Dancer 13 and Up at the Shine Dance Festival.

In 2018, Harlee had the incredible opportunity to travel to New York City, where she learned from a variety of renowned teachers at the prestigious Broadway Dance Center. This experience allowed her to expand her knowledge and technique, training alongside a talented group of dancers in one of the most influential dance hubs in the world.

As an instructor, Harlee is known for her high-energy, motivating classes that focus on building strong technical foundations, while fostering creativity and self-expression. She thrives on helping her students push beyond their limits, develop confidence, and discover their unique voices through dance.

Whether perfecting technique or crafting dynamic choreography, Harlee brings a wealth of experience, passion, and heart to every class, inspiring dancers to reach their full potential both in the studio and in life.

Teacher, choreographer, performer, and alumni of CRX Showteam, Sarah has more than 7 years of teaching experience in disciplines including tap, lyrical, contemporary, and jazz from beginner to advanced levels. In 2015, Sarah earned a Diploma in Dance after training for two years at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. While dancing in NYC, Sarah choreographed and performed for the Fashion Institute of Technology's Dance Team and assisted industry professional Aaron Tolson weekly in tap classes at BDC. After completing her program, Sarah moved to Vancouver to continue dancing and to study Marketing & Communications at BCIT. In 2019, she moved back to Vancouver Island to teach dance full-time. Sarah completed her Level 1 iTap Teacher Certification in 2023 and adjudicated the 2022 Powell River Festival of Performing Arts. She continues to train and believes in continuing her dance education to share the most up-to-date techniques and disciplines with her students. Sarah wants her students to not only fall in love with dance but also to find a passion for it, as she did herself.

Taylor Russell is a versatile dancer with 10 years on CRXs Show team. She competed and attended multiple dance intensives and conventions where top ten placements and scholarships gave her the opportunity to fuel her passion to train around the world. Known for her love of musical theatre and commercial styles. Taylor has taken classes at Broadway dance center in New York as well as in California, this has given her to chance to learn from some of the industry’s best. Taylor also represented team Canada hip hop in Kielce Poland in 2023 currently Taylors studying for a bachelors in nursing degree and plans to share her passion for dance though teaching

Sam Tomkinson is a passionate and dedicated dance educator with over 7 years of experience teaching in the dance industry. Originally from Muskoka Ontario, she began in gymnastics at a young age and quickly fell in love with acrobatics. At the age of 13 she transitioned into dance, mainly focusing in acrobatics. In University Sam pursued cheerleading. Her training includes extensive study in various styles, including acrobatics, jazz, lyrical contemporary and ballet, allowing her to bring a diverse perspective to her teaching. Sam has her module  1 & 2 acrobatic arts certification.

Sarah Manson is originally from Saskatchewan, and has over 15 years of dance experience. She has trained in tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, and lyrical, completing her CDTA Advanced exams in tap and jazz.

While attending the University of Victoria, Sarah performed with the UVic Dance Company throughout her degree. In her final year, she was elected President of the team, where she coordinated team performances and events, and managed choreography for the season. Sarah has taught students ranging from aged 4 to adult, and enjoys creating a supportive and challenging class environment. When not dancing, she enjoys scuba diving, travelling, and baking!

I’m so excited to be back for another season at CRX! I grew up training at CRX from the age of 8 and have dedicated many years to growing as both a dancer and teacher. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to attend conventions such as Tremaine, compete in numerous competitions, and begin assisting classes at the studio when I was just 11 years old. My training has also taken me to New York, Las Vegas, and other major cities where I’ve studied with inspiring choreographers and expanded my dance education.

Throughout my dance journey, I’ve been fortunate to receive performance awards and a convention scholarship, experiences that pushed me to grow both on stage and in the classroom. These opportunities, combined with years of training and teaching experience, have shaped my teaching style and given me the tools to help dancers succeed.

This season, I’ll be teaching lyrical classes as well as assisting in Acro and more. Alongside teaching, I also run CRX’s social media, capturing and sharing the energy of our dance family. I’m committed to helping every dancer feel confident, included, and inspired to reach their potential.

Hi everyone, I am Sria Inrig! I am thrilled to be joining CR DanceXtreme as a new dance instructor. My passion for dance began at the age of three, where I took my very first Hip-Hop Class at the studio. I auditioned for the Show Team in June of 2014, and successfully made the team, I stayed on the team until I graduated in 2024. During my time I had many opportunities to travel, but my favorite was travelling to New York to train at the Broadway Dance Center with my teammates. After my graduation year, I had the opportunity to assist many classes and compete with the Adult Hip Hop team, and during that time it quickly solidified my desire to share the joy and discipline of dance with others. I believe in creating a fun, supportive and encouraging environment where students can build confidence and develop a lifelong appreciation for the art, regardless of their experience level. I am excited to teach new and returning students and looking forward to where the classes will take us.

Chris Bonus is a dancer & choreographer from Vancouver, BC. He is an alumni and former director/choreographer of TwoFourSeven Company and has competed at prestigious competitions such as Hip-Hop Internationals, Body Rock, VIBE, and World of Dance. Recently, his choreography was featured on Canada’s Got Talent under TwoFourSeven. Chris is also the director & co-producer of SOUNDS In A Dark Room; a live dance production that features some of Vancouver’s most talented industry, competitive, and street dancers. You can find Chris teaching and mentoring many dancers across Canada.

Katie started dancing at the age of three training in ballet, jazz, modern, musical theatre and hip hop at Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts. Her foundation began in ballet through completion of the Royal Academy of Dance graded examinations. She has had the pleasure of performing in multiple studio productions and has had great success as a competitive performer winning many awards, bursaries and scholarships in festivals across BC.

Katie furthered her training by attending dance intensives such as Groove Street Productions for many consecutive years, having the opportunity to meet and work with choreographers from all over North America. Katie began as a student teacher and that love for working with young dancers lead her to teaching for studios all over Vancouver Island. She has become a sought after choreographer teaching masterclasses and workshops, working with soloists and groups as well as coaching a high school dance team.  Many of her soloists have gone on to compete at the BC Provincials and the Youth American Grand Prix.

Katie has a true love and passion for teaching dancers of all ages. Her high energy and positive spirit inspires youth to push themselves in and out of the classroom. It has always been a dream of hers to start her own venture in the dance industry and is so excited to be doing this alongside Samantha.

Samantha began her training at the age of three and throughout her years trained in the styles of: ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap and musical theatre. Sam had the pleasure of performing in many productions with her childhood studio and has had much success as a  performer. Some of these successes include;  dancing lead roles, receiving  awards and scholarships and being chosen to compete at the Performing Arts BC Provincials on both the ballet and stage side.

Throughout the years, Sam has found ways to further her dance training such as her time spent at The National Ballet School of Canada in their Pre-Professional Training Program and at numerous other summer dance intensives. These include:The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre and Ballet Austin. Sam has always been passionate about being a versatile and professional dancer. In her late teens Sam set to New York City twice to train in Joffrey Ballet School’s jazz and contemporary summer intensive.

In 2013 Sam obtained her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies as well as her A.R.A.D. teaching status from The Royal Academy of Dance. In 2017 Sam completed her teacher training through Acrobatic Arts and is now a certified Module 1 acrobatics teacher. Sam also holds a Bachelor of Management degree from Vancouver Island University.

Now,  Sam has the pleasure of teaching her own students and choreographing in numerous genres for her training company, Prism Dance Connections located in Nanaimo. Through this, she has been able to find continued passion in many different avenues of dance as a weekly instructor and grow her skill set behind the scenes as a director. Watching her students love of dance and success has always been a pleasure and motivator for Sam as an instructor. Some noted student successes include: acceptance into several pre- professional and post graduate training schools, choreography featured in gala showcases and her choreography being chosen to compete at the provincial level.

Tori Wakaluk (she/her) is a Canadian-born professional dancer, choreographer, and actor based in Vancouver, BC. With a dynamic foundation in contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, commercial heels, tap, ballet, and pointe, Tori brings a versatile and expressive approach to every performance.

Her extensive training has led her to work with world-renowned choreographers including Emilio Dosal, Louise Hradsky, Heather Laura Gray, Jamal Sims, Jeffrey Mortensen, Stacey Tookey, Jaclyn Royal, Teddy Forance, Shay Kuebler, Joanne Pesusich, and Joe Tuliao, among others.

Tori’s presence in the film and television industry continues to grow, with standout credits in Disney’s Descendants, Nickelodeon’s Monster High 1 & 2, Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, and The CW’s Riverdale. On stage, she has performed for acclaimed organizations and events such as TELUS, Million Dollar Round Table, Calgary Stampede, Vancouver Canucks, The Main Event, VIBE, Body Rock, and Good Times.

Currently, Tori serves as dance captain of Northside—the elite team at Studio North—under the direction of Adrain Vendiola and Kelvin Tu. Her passion for storytelling through movement extends beyond performance, with choreographic credits for Ally Global’s annual Gala and multiple Vancouver-based productions, including Cordiform the Show, which she also co-directed and co-produced.

Driven by a deep love for community, connection, and creativity, Tori continues to share her craft as an instructor at Studio North and Harbour Dance Centre—inviting dancers to explore, grow, and move with purpose.

Francis Aranton is a choreographer, coach, and performer with over 15 years of experience teaching and creating for dancers of all levels. He is an original member of the world-renowned Brotherhood Dance Crew, winners of the 2025 International Dance League (IDL), and has represented Canadian dance on global stages. Francis has choreographed for professional sports teams across North America, including the NBA Trail Blazers Dance Team, and recently completed his third season as head coach and choreographer of the Vancouver Bandits Dance Crew in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

Francis made history as the first male dancer for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and has performed alongside some of the industry’s most respected choreographers and artists. Known for his precision, creativity, and dynamic stage presence, he blends hip-hop, contemporary, and commercial dance to create movement that connects both athletes and audiences.

His career highlights include championship wins with Brotherhood, international performances, and choreographing for major professional sports organizations such as the NBA and CEBL. Francis continues to push the boundaries of dance in sports and entertainment, with a mission to bridge the dance community and the world of professional sports.

Victor Lau has been immersed in the performing arts since his first steps on stage. A professional dancer, competitive choreographer, and emerging actor, he began his training at 12 through street dance culture, developing foundations in Hip-hop, Waacking, Locking, and B-boying. By 16, he had already earned titles including World of Dance Vancouver Waacking Champion, Honour-Roll Waacking Champion, and four-time Canadian Hip Hop Gold Medalist.

Victor went on to captain and choreograph for TwoFourSeven Company, contributing to their 1st-place wins at Body Rock and World of Dance Los Angeles. Known for precision, dynamic staging, and theatricality, his choreography has taken him worldwide, performing with Ashanti, Sarah Jeffery, and Alex Newell, and collaborating with industry icons Kenny Ortega, Mandy Moore, Luther Brown, and Jamal Sims.

Expanding into film and television, Victor debuted as Jiaying in Lionsgate’s Joy Ride (2023) and portrayed Floyd in Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (2023). His screen credits also include Descendants 3, Descendants 5, HBO’s The Last of Us, and Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. Currently, he is working on an untitled Disney musical.

As a teacher and mentor, Victor continues to inspire globally, blending emotional storytelling with technical mastery to uplift the next generation of artists.

Paul is an internationally recognized hip-hop choreographer originally from British Columbia. He has spent the past eight years living in Alberta (Edmonton and Calgary),

Career Highlights:

• 6-time HHI Canada Gold Medalist Choreographer (National Champion)
• 3-time UDO World Hip Hop Championship Medalist – Formation Crew / Battle Crew (Italy, Denmark)
• HHI World Championship Silver Medalist Choreographer (Arizona, 2017)
• 4-time UDO Canadian National Team Head Choreographer (Germany, Italy, Austria, Denmark)
• 2-time Artists Emerge “Choreographer of the Year” (2015 Dance Theme, 2019 MKD)
• Choreographer for the 2010 Winter Olympics Celebration Stage
• Choreographer for CNC on Canada’s Got Talent – Season 1

Ade began dancing when he was young, excelling not only at training and competition, but also as an accomplished gymnast, earning Arizona’s State Champion title at just ten years old. While attending Chapman University, Ade auditioned for Season 5 of So You Think You Can Dance and became one of the top 3 boy finalists. His dance credits include working and performing in a nationwide tour with SYTYCD, a Grammys performance with Beyonce, appearance in Rihanna’s “Hard” music video, and touring with Alicia Keys as part of the Element of Freedom World Tour. He has also worked with numerous other well-known artists, such as Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, JLo, Kelly Rowland, and the cast of American Idol. Ade also became a SYTYCD All Star and completed a 40-city national tour. Ade is excited to bring his high-energy style to Velocity’s tour.