Summer School Faculty
Sarah Dolan
Since the creation of O2 the Dance Company in 2010, Sarah Dolan has served as the Artistic Director. Her commitment to the art and its artists provides a critical framework in which the contemporary company and its members thrive.
She has had the privilege of being part of numerous works and diverse dance shows. Since 2008, Sarah has had the honour of assisting Sean Cheesman on CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada (Season One, Two, Three and Four), Fox America’s So You Think You Can Dance (Season Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten), BBC’s So You Think You Can Dance UK (Season One and Two) and CBC’s Over the Rainbow. Also with Mr. Cheesman, Sarah worked on the Peter Andre Revelation Tour 2010 in the UK. Sarah has had the pleasure of choreographing for Paul Brandt, Hockey Canada and Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. Her energy, talent and knowledge of the moving art form have made Sarah a teaching commodity. Sarah has worked with and influenced countless students, dancers and artists, many of whom have continued their pursuit of a professional career in dance with great success.
Since the creation of O2 the Dance Company in 2010, Sarah Dolan has served as the Artistic Director. Her commitment to the art and its artists provides a critical framework in which the contemporary company and its members thrive.
She has had the privilege of being part of numerous works and diverse dance shows. Since 2008, Sarah has had the honour of assisting Sean Cheesman on CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada (Season One, Two, Three and Four), Fox America’s So You Think You Can Dance (Season Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten), BBC’s So You Think You Can Dance UK (Season One and Two) and CBC’s Over the Rainbow. Also with Mr. Cheesman, Sarah worked on the Peter Andre Revelation Tour 2010 in the UK. Sarah has had the pleasure of choreographing for Paul Brandt, Hockey Canada and Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. Her energy, talent and knowledge of the moving art form have made Sarah a teaching commodity. Sarah has worked with and influenced countless students, dancers and artists, many of whom have continued their pursuit of a professional career in dance with great success.
Sean Smith
Sean J. Smith A proud Canadian, Sean has trained with Rachael Poirier, Goh Ballet Academy, Ballet British Columbia, Toronto Dance Theatre, and The Ailey School. He has performed with Bruce Wood Dance Project, Rhythmic Souls Tap Company and African American Repertory Theater. Sean is now in his eighth season as a full time dancer with Dallas Black Dance Theatre and currently serves as rehearsal assistant. Sean has taught the Lester Horton technique for Ailey Athletic Boys (AAB), Dallas Black Dance Academy and Southern Methodist University. Sean has choreographed works for Dallas Black Dance Theatre and DBDT: Encore!
Sean J. Smith A proud Canadian, Sean has trained with Rachael Poirier, Goh Ballet Academy, Ballet British Columbia, Toronto Dance Theatre, and The Ailey School. He has performed with Bruce Wood Dance Project, Rhythmic Souls Tap Company and African American Repertory Theater. Sean is now in his eighth season as a full time dancer with Dallas Black Dance Theatre and currently serves as rehearsal assistant. Sean has taught the Lester Horton technique for Ailey Athletic Boys (AAB), Dallas Black Dance Academy and Southern Methodist University. Sean has choreographed works for Dallas Black Dance Theatre and DBDT: Encore!
Irina Lavrova
Miss Irina Lavrova, a prima ballerina for 18 years, was born in Kiev, Ukraine. She started dancing recreationally at the age of four. It quickly became apparent that she had a gift for ballet and at the age of ten, Irina auditioned for Kiev State Choreographic School. Her talent allowed her an immediate acceptance into the professional ballet school. Out of 300 applicants she was one of 30 to be chosen. During her eight years of study, she received professional training in character dance and ballroom dance, with the main focus in ballet. While being a full time student, she also graduated from an academic and music school. By the time she reached the age of eighteen, Irina graduated from Kiev Choreographic Academy with honors.After graduating, she left her hometown and moved to Odessa, Ukraine where she was invited to dance with the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre. She began dancing as a soloist, and shortly became a principal dancer where she performed the most famous classical ballets known today. Some of the ballets include: Nut Cracker, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, and many more.
In 1995, Irina and her family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada.
In 2004, Irina successfully completed the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) program and received her teaching certificate. Today, Irina is not only an award-winning choreographer, but she is also a certified Rhythm Works Integrative Dance instructor (a program for children with special needs).
Irina’s vast knowledge and passion for ballet allows her to welcome and teach students of all ages. She will continue to teach and to inspire her students as long as the love for ballet stays alive in her heart.
Miss Irina Lavrova, a prima ballerina for 18 years, was born in Kiev, Ukraine. She started dancing recreationally at the age of four. It quickly became apparent that she had a gift for ballet and at the age of ten, Irina auditioned for Kiev State Choreographic School. Her talent allowed her an immediate acceptance into the professional ballet school. Out of 300 applicants she was one of 30 to be chosen. During her eight years of study, she received professional training in character dance and ballroom dance, with the main focus in ballet. While being a full time student, she also graduated from an academic and music school. By the time she reached the age of eighteen, Irina graduated from Kiev Choreographic Academy with honors.After graduating, she left her hometown and moved to Odessa, Ukraine where she was invited to dance with the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre. She began dancing as a soloist, and shortly became a principal dancer where she performed the most famous classical ballets known today. Some of the ballets include: Nut Cracker, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, and many more.
In 1995, Irina and her family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada.
In 2004, Irina successfully completed the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) program and received her teaching certificate. Today, Irina is not only an award-winning choreographer, but she is also a certified Rhythm Works Integrative Dance instructor (a program for children with special needs).
Irina’s vast knowledge and passion for ballet allows her to welcome and teach students of all ages. She will continue to teach and to inspire her students as long as the love for ballet stays alive in her heart.
Danielle Gardner
Danielle Gardner is an established dancer, mentor and award winning choreographer currently residing in Vancouver BC. Bringing her love of physical art to the forefront, she has dedicated her life to teaching young minds to unleash their creativity.
She originally became a recognizable figure in dance as a contestant on CTV's SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA Season 3, placing in the top 3 girls. Her experience on the TV show was a stepping-stone to her career and shaped her into the entrepreneur she is today.
Danielle has worked with top entertainment companies Matel, CTV, ABC and Disney in TV and Film projects over the past decade. She has most recently been featured along side Flash Dance's Jennifer Beal and All Star dancer Robert Roldan playing the character (Meaghan) on the hit show “MOTIVE". Past credits: Shadow State, Romantic Child, Iredescence, Centre Stage,Toy story and Lilo & Stitch.
She has travelled throughout Canada the United States, South Asia, Europe and Panama City teaching & choreographing. Danielle was the Head Choreographer of Team Canada West from 2011-2017. Danielle being a former World Champion Winner in Oslo, Norway made her the perfect candidate for this roll. She has taken over 800 kids to Frankfurt Germany and Poland to compete at the IDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS where they won the World Championship title multiple times. Danielle is elated to be working with World Performers Canada this year as there West Coast Jazz & Contemporary choreographer. Her works will be performed in Portugal this summer!
If that wasn’t enough Danielle is also the Creative Director of West Coast Choreo Lab. An exclusive invite only intensive that takes place once a year for Emerging Artists focusing on mindfulness movement, creativity & the choreographic methods. Danielle is a career driven young women continuously striving to expand her artistic capabilities as well as enrich the lives of others through dance.
Danielle Gardner is an established dancer, mentor and award winning choreographer currently residing in Vancouver BC. Bringing her love of physical art to the forefront, she has dedicated her life to teaching young minds to unleash their creativity.
She originally became a recognizable figure in dance as a contestant on CTV's SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA Season 3, placing in the top 3 girls. Her experience on the TV show was a stepping-stone to her career and shaped her into the entrepreneur she is today.
Danielle has worked with top entertainment companies Matel, CTV, ABC and Disney in TV and Film projects over the past decade. She has most recently been featured along side Flash Dance's Jennifer Beal and All Star dancer Robert Roldan playing the character (Meaghan) on the hit show “MOTIVE". Past credits: Shadow State, Romantic Child, Iredescence, Centre Stage,Toy story and Lilo & Stitch.
She has travelled throughout Canada the United States, South Asia, Europe and Panama City teaching & choreographing. Danielle was the Head Choreographer of Team Canada West from 2011-2017. Danielle being a former World Champion Winner in Oslo, Norway made her the perfect candidate for this roll. She has taken over 800 kids to Frankfurt Germany and Poland to compete at the IDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS where they won the World Championship title multiple times. Danielle is elated to be working with World Performers Canada this year as there West Coast Jazz & Contemporary choreographer. Her works will be performed in Portugal this summer!
If that wasn’t enough Danielle is also the Creative Director of West Coast Choreo Lab. An exclusive invite only intensive that takes place once a year for Emerging Artists focusing on mindfulness movement, creativity & the choreographic methods. Danielle is a career driven young women continuously striving to expand her artistic capabilities as well as enrich the lives of others through dance.
