Faculty
Valerie Grant, Licentiate, C.C.-C.I.C.B. is a registered ballet teacher with the Cecchetti Canada, a Member of Cecchetti International Classical Ballet and British Columbia Dance Educators Association.
Valerie has been teaching dance for over thirty-five years and has successfully prepared many students for exams and performances, has choreographed for competitions, pageants and theatre companies, adjudicated dance festivals and is invited to guest teach at workshops and private studios.
Her early training included summers at Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada’s National Ballet School and teacher training at Canada’s National Ballet School. Valerie has trained in Cecchetti, R.A.D. and Vagonava methods of ballet and has studied and performed ballet, jazz, modern and flamenco dancing. Studies in art, music and anatomy enhance her teaching of dance.
Valerie was BC Representative and Chairman for Cecchetti Canada/BC three separate times and served on the BC Executive Committee for many years. Valerie is currently the Resource Manager for Cecchetti International Classical Ballet and is also an Advisory Panel Member of the Margaret Saul Scholarship Fund.
As a teacher and owner of Arabesque Dance Studio, Valerie teaches students of all ages and abilities. In her classes, Valerie blends her love of dance, music and art in a way that inspires and encourages students to reach their potential.
Sarah Jane Achtem grew up dancing on the island. She began her dance education with hip hop and quickly added ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, and tap. While training, Sarah has successfully competed in numerous competitions, bth locally, and at the international level attending World of Dance. As well as competitions, Sarah has been fortunate enough to further her training at various conventions and workshops; even being personally selected by Stephen “tWitch” Boss as a scholarship recipient at Coastal Dance Rage. Sarah began her ballet training at Arabesque Dance Studio, under the direction of Valerie Grant, in 2006. Sarah has been a teacher assistant with Valerie for several years where she has received hands on dance teacher training. After graduating high school, Sarah furthered her dance education in Vancouver where she attended Industry Dance Training Program, where she took several dance classes learning from top choreographers as well as academic classes in dance history and teacher training. In addition, Sarah has taught dance programs at elementary and high schools in Victoria. Sarah is also a certified aerial yoga and aerial hoop instructor as well as a partner acrobatic enthusiast. Sarah is thrilled to return to Arabesque Dance Studio to spread her passion for dance and learning with her students.
