artsREACH

Kemi is a film and dance artist originally from the Southeastern U.S. She relocated to Canada after living in Japan where she taught in junior high and elementary schools. She completed her Master of Fine Arts at Emily Carr University of Art and Design and over the course of her training has studied both film and dance locally and internationally. Currently she lives in Lkwungen and WSANEC territories (Victoria) where she continues her practice creating film installations for galleries and artist-run centres, facilitating workshops and performing with independent dance companies.

Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé is an Upper Tanana member of the White River First Nation of Beaver Creek, Yukon. Teresa is a passionate artist and strongly believes in the importance of preserving her Indigenous culture, language, and art. She hopes to encourage young artists to embrace their creativity because youth are our future! Teresa is currently a Master of Fine Arts student at Concordia University and resides in Royal Oak, spending the summer months in the Yukon.

Rudra is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on painting and photography. Her paintings are generally abstract combined with representational elements, and her photography explores her identity as an Indo-Canadian artist. Rudra holds an Honours’ degree in Visual Arts from the University of Victoria and is currently represented by a local contemporary gallery called Sweetpea. In her spare time, you can find Rudra painting, reading, or admiring the ocean. She strongly believes in empowering children to embrace their creative potential, and loves to see what artwork wonderful young minds can create!

As a dancer, choreographer, director, writer, composer, producer, performing arts educator, and administrator, Laura’s career reflects versatility and experience spanning several decades. She strives to focus on efforts that bring beauty into our world and is best known for creating educational programs which combine the dynamics of dance, music, and drama to inspire personal growth and positive social change. Laura credits the dedicated teachers of her early years for awakening her love for the arts and for providing the inspiration, skill, and encouragement needed for a lifetime of artistic endeavours. She recognizes that the programs offered by artsREACH may awaken many children to their own creative potential and is pleased to help coordinate such a dedicated team.

Matthew is a founding member of Victoria’s Theatre SKAM and serves as the innovative company’s Artistic Producer. He has acted in numerous roles in SKAM’s 21-year history. He directed Smalltown: A Pickup Musical and wrote and performed in Cariboo Buckaroo. Matthew co-created the show Fashion Machine, where arts professionals train local kids for a performance where they remake select audience members’ outfits. The show now tours internationally. Matthew trained at Malaspina College and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria. He completed a Directors Masterclass with training from Peter Hinton, Martha Henry and Josette Bushnell-Mingo. He has also studied under Jillian Keily during an Intensive in choral and ensemble work. Previous teaching experience includes classes for Kaleidoscope Performing Arts School, Kate Rubin Theatre and Drama Studio, and several Victoria dance schools. His work with artsREACH allows him to bring aspects of his creation work and elements of shows he has seen at international theatre festivals to children in classrooms. Fun.

Since 2003, Valerie has been engaged in a multi-disciplinary art practice that includes performance, video, photography, sculptural installation, and collage. Her work has been both collaborative and solo. She participates in residencies around the world collaborating with indigenous artists and groups. Many of these groups are youth and children. When home she teaches/mentors children and youth at various public and alternative schools and at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Valerie grew up in the Yukon and currently dwells in Victoria, B.C.

Jan Dong is an abstract artist and calligrapher. Jan is an active member in painting, mixed media, calligraphy, and bookbinding societies. She paints intuitively utilizing bright colours and calligraphic marks to generate movement and energy in her work. Jan was born on a leap year in Victoria. She has travelled the world extensively but still calls Victoria home. Jan enjoys teaching children to bring out their creative personalities. It is rewarding to see the enthusiasm and smiles on their faces attending artsREACH programs.

Chelsea is a local dance instructor/theatre artist from Sidney, BC. She danced for 15 years at Saanich dance studio, Allegro Performing Arts Centre, where she trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, modern/contemporary, lyrical, and musical theatre. She graduated with two diplomas in Performing Arts from The Canadian College of Performing Arts' “Company C” program in 2020. It was at CCPA that she found her own artistic voice which has led her to create many artistic works of her own; including two mini-musicals. She has worked and danced across BC, most notably in the Kootenays performing in a historical can-can show with Rossland's Gold Fever Follies. She has also danced in Seattle, Portland, and Disneyland. Chelsea is YPAD (Youth Protection Advocates in Dance) certified and is passionate about the health and safety of dance students.

Kate was a professional Stage Manager for 16 years before starting her new career as a Mom of 3. Kate graduated the Technical Production of Theatre program from Ryerson in Toronto. She has worked across the country with small theatre groups as well as larger companies like the Belfry Theatre, Tarragon Theatre, The Sudbury Theatre Centre, the Globe Theatre, Ford Centre in Toronto and more. Kate has directed 3 full school shows at the elementary school level. She is on Victoria’s Story Theatre Board of Directors. Kate is thrilled and honoured to be working with the top-notch instructors at artsREACH. Blending her love of children and theatre is the best job of all!

Anisa is passionate about young people and sees in them the greatest treasure of our communities. She strives to mine the gems of their hearts and to encourage all those she works with to develop their capacities to contribute to the betterment of the world. The arts are a means of engaging both the heart and the mind, cross all borders and languages in short, the arts can unite! With an MFA from Edinburgh University of Art Anisa set out to attempt to express through visual means the intangible, a trace of the Traceless and continues to seek out the Ideal in all relationships whether with materials or with people. She shares her efforts in many spaces from gallery to living room, to conversation at the check out counter. She lives with her husband Andrew and their daughter in Victoria, BC.

ArtsREACH is fortunate to have the administrative work that Kristen Cleaver provides to the organization. Kristen has been with us for several years and is a keen and dedicated supporter of artsREACH and the work we do for the children in schools.