Soul Funktion Dance Studio

Soul Funktion Dance Studio is a new studio, opened in August 2004, to the Whistler community. This center for dance has opened so many doors to Performing Arts in Whistler. In its creation phases Soul Funktion attracted dance experts in various fields of study to come together and create a wide spread body of dance instruction. The result is a studio just bursting with creativity and energy ready to be shared with the ones who love to dance!

 

FACULTY MEMBERS OF SOUL FUNKTION

Codi Dalen, the director of Soul Funktion Dance Studio has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Irish, Flamenco, African, Modern and Hip-hop styles of dance ...well....for as long as she can remember. After apprenticing with her instructors, wanting to learn as much as she possibly could about dance, she moved to Vancouver and began studying at the professional center, Harbour Dance Center. Some time later she moved to Las Vegas and performed in “Les Folies Bergere” and “Jubilee” two of the longest running revue shows in Las Vegas. Two years later, Codi moved back to Canada where she studied Sciences and Business at University, then completed her study program for an Emergency Medical Technician – Ambulance in Alberta (Paramedic). All the while, studying dance styles at the Professional Studio in Calgary, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.

Codi came to Whistler for her special love Mason, who has lived in Whistler for 10 years and is not planning on leaving this beautiful place any time soon. The obvious followed: Codi fell in love with Whistler too and seeing the need for a dance center came to meet this need with the creation of Soul Funktion.

 Codi continues her Jazz and Tap training through Master workshops and training at Harbour Dance Centre, and currently working towards her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) with the Royal Academy of Dance.

Heather Stremlaw has over 20 years of dance and performance experience. In the past, she has worked as a guest artist choreographing for many production companies and performing arts schools, and has also had great success teaching master classes and workshops for the Lincoln County Board of Education, as well as numerous dance studios and companies across the country. Heather has been the principal teacher, choreographer and artistic director of Broadway Lights Performing Arts Centre in Ontario for 14 years. Her most recent professional credits include Aaron Carter US Tour, Teen Choice Awards, Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, FAO Schwartz Play-a-thon, and Aaron Carter’s “Leave It Up” Video. Heather’s inventive and exciting choreography has won her numerous awards throughout Canada and the US. Her creative and enthusiastic approach makes her classes unparalleled and keeps her on the cutting edge of the dance scene today.

Visit www.broadway-lights.com

Heather heads up our Competitive Dance Department she is an expert in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical and Hip-hop instruction.

 

Miranda Widgery-Webber,RAD RTS (Director of Ballet Programs)  

Miranda, originally from Bowen Island is the Artistic Director of Perform Art Studios in North Vancouver. She is a Royal Academy of Dance Registered teacher and has recently been asked by the R.A.D. to work as a Teacher Training Mentor for their Teacher Training Program. Miranda was classically trained in ballet and the performing arts at many schools internationally and throughout Canada including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, the prestigious Hammond School (England) and the Royal Academy of Dance, (England). She has taught and choreographed in England, U.S.A. and Hong Kong where she was also the Artistic Director and in-house choreographer for two youth touring dance companies.  

 

Krista Hoffs - Dancing for over 20 years and teaching for 10 years Krista joins Soul Funktion to teach Jazz and Hiphop!

Australian born she has taught at numerous schools throughout Canada and Australia. She has performed, choreographed and directed many events from Fashion Shows to Recitals and everything inbetween.

At an early age Krista completed exams in Tap, Jazz and Ballet (S.D.A) and has since gained her asociate diploma in teaching Jazz (A.O.T.D).

Krista's focus in her classes is to make sure everyone is having a great time. Her classes are uplifting and energetic!

Aaron Webb – Breakdance Extraordinaire, specializing in Electric Boog-a-loo. Aaron heads our Breakdance Programming at Soul Funktion.

 

Nestor De La Zerda – Comes up from the city to bring the most popular styles of Ballroom dance to us, Salsa and Swing. Of Bolivian descent Nestor's roots come from the Latin world. It shows when he dances, wow! He has a great way of teaching a Ballroom class that is fun and high-energy. Visit his website at www.bcdance.com

Soul Funktion feels confidant that the expertise of their instructors will provide some much needed cultural experiences for the Whistler Community.

 

Soul Funktion currently has 250 Whistler children, youth and adults attending classes at the studios in Function Junction. Approximately 150 different families organize carpooling and make the trek outside of the village one, twice, up to 8 times a week. Soul Funktion has set a very stable standard inside the studios with a set of Rules and Guidelines that every student is to follow. The 2 studios are equipped with great sound systems, mirrors, sprung floors, and ballet barres. Our classes focus on building confidance and self esteem!

 

For the years to come Soul Funktion looks forward to spreading the love and disciplines of dance to the Whistler Community. We have classes for the dancer who just wants to have fun and also for the dancer who looks forward to training hard and continuing on in the dance world. Our classes promote focus and co-ordination that radiates out into the everyday lives of our dancers.