Owner / Head of DANCE Dept.
Danielle Castle - Owner/Managing Director, Entertainment Industry Management, Professional Dancer
Danielle trained and graduated at the ‘Laine’s Theatre Arts College’ in London, England.
Upon completing her training in a vast array of styles, including qualifications in ISTD and RAD..
Danielle found a real focus in Musical Theatre, Commercial and Contemporary styles.
Immediately upon Graduating and receiving her 3 Year Diploma training, Danielle landed the Role of ‘Joule’ in the
Original UK Tour of ‘Starlight Express’, which she was apart of for four years.
Danielle has been a Professional Dancer / Choreographer for 17 years, and her passion for all forms of dance, has allowed her a plethora of opportunities.
Danielle recently completed one year of touring the Original UK production of
‘We Will Rock You’, Queen’s West End Smash Hit Show, throughout Ireland, Scotland and England.
As well, experiencing such jobs as; a Music Video with Madonna, Presenting and Choreographing a Pop Music Video for ‘Sony BMG’ and appearing in the
Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen. She has also been fortunate enough to take part in Professional Commercial Dancing and Top-End Fashion Modeling at major events in New York, Paris and all over London.
Danielle has also enjoyed 17 truly pleasurable years as a Dance Teacher all over, and at the biggest chain Stage and Dance School in England, ‘Stagecoach’.
This involved teaching all styles of Dance including; Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre to kids ages 3-19.
She has also been teaching / choreographing her own Free-Style, Commercial and Hip-Hop / Street Funk classes to age’s 10-Adults and would then perform for various Events anod Shows around London.
She was also lucky enough to have taught many Commercial Workshops and classes at the famous,, “Pineapple Studios” in London, England.
Danielle has enjoyed the experience and opportunity of being a member of the teaching faculty at the Canadian College Of Performing Arts for 3 Years. Danielle has also taught at numerous Studios in Victoria B.C, such as “Boston Dance Studio”, “Zenith Studios”, “BDHQ” and “Lululemon Athletica”.
Danielle teaches “MTV Jazz” at Vancouver Island University and is part of the faculty with “Spotlight Academy”.
Danielle has taught at several Studios here in Nanaimo, leading students and dancers to Award-Winning Success, in numerous Competitions and Festivals here on the island, and continues to do so here at her own Dance Academy, UKmovez..
She still continues to teach multiple styles of Dance Workshops and Master-Classes in Victoria and Nanaimo.
Danielle most recently landed a partnership with “Hallmark Movies”, where she is the Dance Consultant for the Island...
The possibilities are endless here at UKmovez!!🌟
I love to Dance, Teach, Choreograph, but most of all,
I LOVE, to leave my students feeling inspired!
I am truly grateful that my Husband and Partner Simon, is from Beautiful British Columbia..
I am so grateful I left England and chose to make a life for our-selves here, with our beautiful little daughter Jasmine.
So that now..
I get to Share my ❤️ for the Arts!!
I am so very excited to share my years of Professional experiences and passion, through our one of a kind, growing Studio..
UKmovez Dance Academy!!
DANCE Dept.
Miss Chiara Ackerman
Miss Taylor Kate Manns
Miss Chiara Ackerman
Chiara Ackerman began her training as a dancer from the age of 4 at the Pat Cummings School of Dance (Port Alberni) . She did Ballet , Tap, Jazz and Modern Stage. She was also a member of the youth dance company - “Dancestreams”.
At age 19, Chiara moved to Toronto by herself to attend the National Ballet School where she achieved a teaching diploma and two associate teaching certificates for Ballet and Ethnic Dancing .
She spent some time performing in the Xing Dance Theatre company and trained with the Montreal Choreographer , Robert Desrosiers.
Chiara’s qualifications have allowed her to combine her love of travel and dance .
She lived and worked in Norway , Australia and Bermuda . She attained another teaching qualification with the Royal Academy of Dance in London.
In 2008, Chiara and her husband decided to move to Nanaimo where they’re settled now with 2 daughters and 2 pets .
Currently, She’s on faculty at Tempo Dance Academy , Parks and Recreation, Artists in the School Program .
Chiara’s intentions have always been to integrate Dance throughout the community because it’s a spirit lifting Art form for all ages .
She’s looking forward to sharing her passion and knowledge with the UKMovez family !
Miss Sarah Kielly
Miss Taylor Kate Manns
Miss Chiara Ackerman
Sarah is a dancer choreographer from Nanaimo British Columbia.
Sarah has trained in all styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre.
Sarah found her passion for choreography at a young age.
After winning choreography awards at festivals in Victoria, Nanaimo, and the Comox Valley Sarah chose to pursue her passion and since then hasn't stopped working with dancers and theatre companies all across the island.
Sarah is an active member of the theatre scene and has choreographed a multitude of shows including, Mamma Mia, Beauty and the Beast, and Shrek the musical.
Sarah’s love for dance shines through in her teaching and she cannot wait to share her love for dance and rhythm with everyone.
Miss Taylor Kate Manns
Miss Taylor Kate Manns
Miss Robbi-Lee de Grace
Graduate of the American Music and Dramatic Arts Academy for musical theatre in New York City. Currently creating music and playing in venues all over the Island with “The Paper Dolls”, and Brooklyn Brewery (NYE in NYC). Recent film credits include Untitled Barcelona Bag commercial (Barcelona Spain) Broke (premiering in the New York film festival September 2019) Vancouver Island Film Festival (Knight Studios “Small World”), local music videos and short films in NYC and Canada.
Stage credits include the role of Anne in Love Is Like Mud (New York Fringe Festival), dancer/vocalist for restaurant Sushi Roxx (choreographed by former pussycat doll Asia Nitollano), various cabarets including the west end, cranky cabaret, and elements.
Truly humbled to be back on the island to inspire and motivate wonderful humans into pursuing their dreams.
With over 11 years of teaching in a variety of disciplines ranging from beginner to advanced/university, I am very proud to continue teaching through UKmovez
Miss Robbi-Lee de Grace
Miss Robbi-Lee de Grace
Miss Robbi-Lee de Grace
Robbi-Lee began dancing in various disciplines in Calgary, Alberta at the tender age of three and since then dancing has always been her passion.
At the age of nine, Robbi-Lee moved to Red Deer and expanded her disciplines to Jazz (ADAPT), Hip-Hop, Ballet (RAD), Modern, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Tap (ADAPT).
Participating in recreational dancing gave Robbi-Lee lots of time to attend many workshops and camps to expand her knowledge which led her to her love of choreographing.
Robbi-Lee began assisting dance classes at the age of 14 years old and knew that teaching dance is what she wanted to do.
At the age of 16 she choreographed an entire production for the Christian Youth Theatre working with kids aged 4-18 years old.
Once graduating high school and upon moving back to Calgary, Robbi-Lee found her love for choreographing competitively.
Her experience and training in many disciplines has allowed her to expand her knowledge and technique in each area. She has placed second and first place at competitions for her pieces as well as winning a Choreography Award for the Great Canadian Dance Challenge in 2016.
This past year Robbi-Lee has found herself falling in love with the island life while completing her bachelor of education degree at Vancouver Island University.
She is very ambitious to start teaching at UKmovez Dance Academy and getting involved in the dance community here in Nanaimo. She looks forward to seeing her smiling dancers each week at class!
Miss Kailena Van De Nes
Miss Robbi-Lee de Grace
Miss Kailena Van De Nes
Kailena is an award-winning choreographer and virtual dance studio owner.
Born in Toronto (but with roots in South America and the Maritimes), she has been dancing for over 35 years.
Since the age of 2, she has trained worldwide, including in Brazil, the US, and Canada.
She is trained in Ballet, Acrobatics, Tap, Jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, Zumba, Musical Theatre, Alixa Flexibility, Strong Nation and various Ballroom styles.
Kailena's Certifications include Module 1 in Acrobatic Arts, Zumba, Zumba Kids & Zumba Kids Jr, Strong Nation, ADAPT, Acrobatic Adjudication, as well as Alixa Flexibility training (Module 1, 2, and 3).
Three interesting facts about Kailena include:
1) She is a pilot
2) She loves wildlife/dance/underwater photography
3) She just moved to Vancouver Island after living for 15 years in Ottawa, Ontario.
Looking forward to being involved!
Assistant Teachers
Miss Robbi-Lee de Grace
Miss Kailena Van De Nes
Miss Lily Dinunzio