FACULTY
Angela Bosco
Co-Owner, Co-Director, Instructor, Choreographer
Angela’s love for teaching is as strong as her passion for dancing and performing. She has spent the last 20+ years loving every second she spends instructing and inspiring dancers to push themselves to their full potential while enjoying the time they spend in the studio. Angela's choreography has received various awards at dance competitions over the years and her routines have placed first overall at multiple competitions in the Greater Vancouver area. Angela's passion for movement and motivating others has also led her to become an expert barre and fitness instructor and she loves to incorporate this experience and expertise into her dance lessons. When Angela is not busy leading dance classes at IBDC, she is running and instructing classes at our sister fitness studio, Open Barre Co. Angela's fun-loving approach toward instructing is contagious and she loves to share it with Inspired By's students and their families.
Taryn Patterson
Co-Owner, Co-Director, Instructor, Choreographer
Taryn is dedicated to fostering creativity, discipline, and a love of movement as proud owner, founder and dance instructor at Inspired By Dance Company. With a deep passion for dance and over 19 years of experience, Taryn, along with Angela Bosco, has built a welcoming space where dancers of all ages and skill levels can grow, learn, and express themselves.
As a studio owner, Taryn is committed to providing a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every student can thrive. She believes in building strong relationships with students and their families and creating a community that celebrates diversity, passion, and hard work. Taryn is not only focused on developing dancers' technical abilities but also on helping them build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of movement. Whether through recreational classes, competitive teams, or performance opportunities, Inspired By Dance Company has become a place where students can discover their full potential, both as dancers and as individuals.
Outside of the studio, Taryn holds a Diploma in Costuming for Stage and Screen and works for a local school district. She enjoys spending time with her family and hiking the local trails on the North Shore. Taryn continues to be inspired by the endless possibilities within the world of dance and is excited to watch her students grow both on and off the stage.
Jen Harden
Parent & Tot,
Preschool Dance, Jazz,
Tap Instructor
Jen is an experienced teacher, choreographer and dancer from Kelowna, BC. She trained at the Canadian School of Ballet for 16 years, primarily in RAD ballet, tap and jazz, where she completed her RAD Advanced 1 ballet exam with excellent results. She also had the privilege of performing in 11 performances of The Nutcracker, including the role of “Arabian Queen” and has competed in various competitions around the Okanagan. Jen has always had a passion for working with kids and has been teaching dance for the past 6 years in tap and jazz. She has worked with both recreational and competitive students and loves every minute she gets in the studio with them! Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from UBC and currently works as an elementary school teacher. Jen is super excited to be sharing her love of dance with IBDC this year!
Seira Shimamura
Ballet Instructor
Born in Nishinomiya, Japan, Seira has been dancing since the age of four. She has trained in Russian Vaganova ballet, Cecchetti ballet, jazz, modern ballet and Japanese dance. She has performed and received awards at numerous international competitions including the YAGP New York City Finals, Kobe World Dance Competition, Japan Grand Prix, and the Dance World Cup. Seira began teaching in 2008 at the Sawako Murase Ballet studio. In 2013, Seira graduated from the four-year degree program of the Osaka Performing Arts University. Over the years, Seira enhanced her knowledge and developed advanced teaching skills through class practicums at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, and she graduated from their Teacher Training Program in 2016. She holds her Associates qualifications in Cecchetti. Seira is very passionate and enthusiastic about working with students and has found that teaching dance is her calling. She continues to study and upgrade her training in order to give her students the best possible instruction for their advancement in dance.
Montana Moore
Hip Hop Instructor & Choreographer
Growing up on the North Shore, Montana’s passion for movement began at a very young age. She prides herself on her extensive training in a variety of styles including hiphop, jazz-funk, heels, contemporary, ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, broadway and musical theatre. Montana has completed examinations up to Advanced 2 RAD Ballet and ISTD Ballet & Modern. She has trained with ITP, The Aviary, KTL and Illustrative Society under the direction of many well-known choreographers. Her devotion to dance has lead her to training abroad with Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Boston Ballet, Modas Dance Albuquerque as well as in programs in NYC, Seattle, and LA. Montana has completed four contracts with Royal Caribbean Cruises, touring and performing across the globe. Montana has also appeared in many recent television and film productions including Riverdale, The Man in the High Castle, Barbie (motion capture), and Zombie Apocalypse video game.
Montana is excited to share her passion for dance and bring her knowledge and experience as a dancer and choreographer to her students. Montana has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UBC and enjoys diverging both realms of work to create a safe learning environment within the studio. Montana was part of Inspired By Dance Company’s faculty in season one and is thrilled to be back!
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Neve Kelly
Parent & Tot, Preschool Dance, Jazz, Company Instructor & Choreographer
​Neve has been dancing from the age of six and has been immersed in the dance community ever since. She finds joy in teaching different disciplines of dance to people of all ages and levels of experience. Neve believes in giving all her students an equal opportunity to excel at dance and loves to create an inclusive, safe space for anyone and everyone who wants to dance. While supporting dancers to reach their full potential, Neve maintains a fun and positive environment for all. Neve is currently in the process of receiving her ECE (Early Childhood Education) Certification at the Creative Minds Early Learning Institute, where different learning styles are not only accepted but also celebrated.
Paige Bokenfohr
Lyrical, Parent & Tot and Preschool Dance Instructor
Paige McConnell began dancing at the age of 7, at her hometown studio The Guelph Academy of Dance, where she spent 11 years training in Ballet (RAD), Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre. She completed her Inter. foundation and Intermediate RAD Ballet Examinations, while also choreographing and performing with the CCVI Dance Inc. company! In September of 2017, Paige made the move to BC to enter the SFU Contemporary Dance BFA program, where she spent 4 years learning from distinguished dance artists such as Rob Kitsos, Megan Walker-Straight and Judith Garay! Paige spent several years at her hometown studio gaining experience as an assistant teacher before she began independently teaching classes full time for a variety of Summer Dance Camps! In 2020, Paige became a certified Yoga Instructor for both children and adults! She dove head first into her teaching career with a variety of dance studios and companies around Vancouver and is beyond excited to join the Inspired By team!
Peri Farrell
Ballet and Preschool Dance Instructor
Peri began dancing as soon as she could walk, and her passion for dance never dimmed. She trained at Traditions
Academy of Dance in Whitby, Ontario, where she gained extensive experience in RAD ballet, ISTD modern & tap, musical
theatre, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. She completed examinations up to Advanced 2 in RAD ballet, and began assisting
in classes as young as 12 years old. As soon as she graduated, she began choreographing and teaching classes including
ballet, lyrical, jazz and contemporary. After moving to North Vancouver in 2023, she was eager to begin teaching dance
again, and our paths crossed at the perfect time. Peri is so excited to be a part of the Inspired By Dance team! She is
committed to creating a fun and inclusive environment for all students, while helping them hone their skills and explore
their love for dance.
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Tanner Plecas
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Guest Choreographer
Since retiring from dancing professionally, Tanner has been a full-time choreographer and dance instructor for the last 10 years. He is passionate about building strong technique in his dancers, and providing them with a understanding of what can be achieved through hard work and commitment. His award-winning choreography is remembered for its athleticism and inventive perspectives. Tanner is thrilled to be apart of this new journey of studio training.
Lexi Vajda
Guest Choreographer
Lexi Vajda is an independent dance artist and dance maker who has the privilege of living and working on the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She has interpreted and performed the works of various companies and choreographers across Canada. Her independent choreographies investigate alternative and peripheral spaces for choreography as well as collaborative creative practices. Lexi regularly teaches contemporary technique at various dance schools throughout the lower mainland, Modus Operandi and at Harbour Dance Centre and was the recipient of the 2016 Mayor’s Arts Award for emerging dance artist.
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