Our Faculty
Lindsay Tusche – Co-Owner/ Artistic Director
Lindsay along with Barb Stokes opened Dance Unlimited in 1993 with the intent to offer a studio where students could build a passion for dance by learning in a positive and enjoyable environment. Starting at the age of 3, Lindsay trained with those such as Bebe Eversfield, Maureen Eastick, Sherry Black and Sylvia Hosie. She studied Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Voice and R.A.D. Ballet, completing several exams with outstanding results. In addition to her dance training, Lindsay figure skated and completed her B.C.R.P.A. Fitness course. She continues to train by attending conventions here in Canada and in the US. She has performed with the UVIC Air Canada Cheerleaders, at the David Foster Celebrity Baseball game, Expo ’86 World Fair and with the children’s singer Bob Schneider. She performed in the productions of “Grease’” and “Something in the Air” and choreographed for “Fievel, Lost in America”, “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast”. She has been teaching and inspiring dancers in Victoria since 1989 for those such as the Greater Victoria School District, Island Catholic Schools, Saanich and Juan de Fuca Parks & Recreation and the Jazzercise Fitness Centre. Under Lindsay’s direction, the Performing Companies have travelled to attend conventions and master classes and performed in places such as Disneyland, DisneyWorld, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix and Edmonton.
Deborah James R.A.D.
Deborah is a locally trained dancer who has studied dance for over 35 years and has been teaching Ballet, Tap and Musical Theatre in Victoria for over 25 years. She has trained in Ballet, Jazz and Tap and has completed her Royal Academy of Dance examinations with high success. Deborah went on to achieve her R.A.D. Teacher status and presently her students have achieved outstanding marks in their examinations and assessments. Deborah is a passionate teacher who continues to encourage, motivate and inspire her students to achieve their personal best. She applies this philosophy for herself as well, consisitently attending R.A.D. seminars and courses to keep herself updated and in the know. Deborah is also an accredited Montessori School educator (IAPM) and applies this training into her dance classes. Dance Unlimited is excited to have Deborah partnering in the Ballet program and sharing her passion with her students.
Melanie Narciso A.A.C.
Melanie has lived in Victoria B.C. all her life and discovered her passion for music at a very young age. She started performing at the age of 4 with “The Voice Club”, a Pop and R&B singing and performing group. She discovered her love for dance at age 5 and has been trained in many dance styles including Jazz, RAD Ballet, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. Since then, she has participated in many competitions, festivals and performances receiving outstanding marks and awards. She attended and graduated from St. Andrew’s Regional High School where she took part in her school choir and travelled to Whistler to participate in choral festivals. She was on student council serving as a Fine Arts representative while being very involved within the community. She took part in Theatre Performance at her school where she choreographed dance numbers for her school musical “Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood.” She landed the lead role in her second year of theatre performance playing Peter Pan in her school’s production, “Peter Pan.” She began choreographing dances and singing solos for her school’s variety show “Diamonds in the Rough.” While in high school, she had been awarded Top Student in Choral Music for several years and music scholarships. She obtained teaching experience when she became an assistant teacher for young children in dance. Melanie received her certification in Acrobatic Arts Module 1. She is excited and feels blessed to have been given this opportunity to share her passion for the arts with the students of Dance Unlimited.
Megan Creran A.A.C.
Megan began dancing at the age of ten in Courtenay BC. Her passion for dance showed immediately as she trained in various styles such as Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Irish, Musical Theatre, and Salsa. She attended various competitions and workshops where she won multiple awards and scholarships. After graduating from high school Megan moved to Vancouver and was accepted into Simon Fraser University’s Contemporary Dance Program. That summer she also travelled to Toronto where she trained with the Toronto Dance Theatre in various modern and contemporary styles. After returning to Vancouver she was accepted into the Drive Scholarship Dance Program where she trained on a professional level in a wide range of dance styles. Megan was an apprentice for Amber Funk Barton, Heather Laura Gray, and performed with Project CPR based out of the Dance Centre. She was lucky to be a part of various music videos and movies for artists such as Hey Ocean, and Michael Buble. She is Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certified and co-teaches the studios Acrobatic Arts program. Megan moved to Victoria to finish her psychology degree and is excited to share her passion for dance with all of her students.
Aunjelica Wray
Aunjelica discovered a love for dance and performing at the age of three. Over her years training at the Coast Academy of Dance on the Sunshine Coast, she developed extensive experience in all styles. Aunjelica completed various ISTD Modern and Tap exams from Intermediate to Advanced 2, and was awarded distinction at each level. At 17, Aunjelica graduated from CAD’s three-year Pre-Professional Program, and succeeded with distinction in the ISTD Modern Theatre Associate exam. This PPP program awarded her with teaching qualifications and numerous performing opportunities. She has performed at the Vancouver PNE, with the Van City Project, the Source Dance Company, and in countless June and winter shows, festivals, parades, and competitions. Becoming a member of CAD’s competitive team in 2015 led to Aunjelica winning prestigious awards and titles over the years in groups, duos, and solos. She has also choreographed for competitive level senior dancers, where in 2019 her student won extremely high marks for a contemporary solo created by Aunjelica. That same year she was chosen to be a part of Becky Izad’s ‘Becoming’ Production as an ensemble dancer, performing a competitive level solo and group pieces. Aunjelica’s continued her teaching experiences through CAD, where she taught Tiny Tumblers and Teen Hip Hop, as well as spring and summer camps. She was also a member of the judges board for CAD’s 2021 competitive team auditions. Now returning to Victoria to continue her University studies in Sports Psychology, Aunjelica is thrilled to also continue sharing her passion and love for teaching and dance!
Samantha Birosh
Samantha is a self enrolled multi-sport athlete, a lover of photography, adrenaline and adventure, a future traveler, and proud Kinesiologist. She am the owner and founder of Calieight Fitness! A youth wellness brand with a primary focus on sport enhancement for artistic athletes! After registering herself in various sports throughout high-school, becoming a lifeguard and swim instructor after graduating, and coaching gymnastics for 5 years while studying the science of movement, she found her passion and niche in working with youth and teen athletes in the greater Victoria area. Dance and Gymnastics were two sports she was completely infatuated with, however was never in a position to train in as a child. Being a driven and motivated person, she decided to pursue funding through the ministry, and registered herself for dance classes at the age of 13, where she continued to participate recreationally for 3 years. This confidence that began to build through all types of movement in her youth, developed an understanding and appreciation for the benefits of exercise and sport. She loves watching her clients grow and perform with confidence and precision while staying healthy, happy, and motivated. Her dreams and goals are to one day expand her growing business in youth and teen Kinesiology, to become one of the leading health and wellness service providers for athlete’s nationwide. Alongside this, she would like to begin working towards a masters in physiotherapy. She’s spent the past two years after graduating, creating and developing new experiences for herself, to travel, learn and grow. Although her dreams are big, she believes that a mind stretched by new experiences, can never go back to old dimensions. With this mindset, she prides herself in being unique, effective and memorable!
Barb Stokes – Co-Owner
Barb started her teaching career in 1978 through the Victoria school district. She continued to volunteer at a number of schools throughout the years where her students won top awards and were selected to perform in the Honors Performances. She has directed several productions including “Fievel, Lost In America”, “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast”. She has choreographed for musicals such as “Oliver” and “The Wizard Of Oz”. Over the years, Barb studied Jazz, Tap and Ballet. As well as director and an instructor at Dance Unlimited, Barb worked as a Special Student Assistant for the Victoria school district. Her amazing ability to work with and care for children can be seen through her dedication and respect she gives to the students of Dance Unlimited. As director, Barb oversees the development of Dance Unlimited’s pre-school and primary dancers.
Chelsea Cofield A.A.C.
Chelsea is originally from Courtenay, B.C. and began her dance training at age three. She instantly fell in love with it and began expanding her knowledge in various forms of dance including Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern Stage, Ballet, Pointe, Irish, Contemporary, and Salsa. At the age of twelve, she started to compete with solos and received several bursaries and scholarships along the way, including the “Most Potential Dancer Award” at the Centre Stage competition. Chelsea has been the North Island representative at the Provincials both in 2005 and 2008. She has been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to train with many dancers and choreographers in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Toronto, as well as all over B.C. Additionally, Chelsea was a member of the ARC Youth Dance Company and attended the Drive Dance Centre Scholarship program in Vancouver. In 2010, Chelsea was honoured to be chosen as the Extreme Dance Convention Apprentice which allowed her tour several Canadian cities with Melissa Williams (choreographer and judge for SYTYCDC). In 2011, she auditioned for ‘So You Think You Can Dance Canada’ and made it to the finals in Toronto. She is Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certified and co-teaches the studios Acrobatic Arts program. Chelsea is very excited to have established Victoria as her new home and can’t wait to share her passion and knowledge with her students.
Caleigh Hunter
Caleigh began dancing at age 7 and knew she had found the thing that would be able to transform her thoughts into understanding. Participating in various competitions, workshops, shows, and representing Victoria as a soloist at Provincials led her to move overseas at 17 to pursue dance. Caleigh returned to Canada in 2012 and completed her Bachelor of Sport and Fitness Leadership as well as her Associates Diploma in Tap and Modern faculties from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Caleigh is a certified fitness instructor as well as a certified Yoga Instructor. She currently teaches on the island and is the co-owner of RNS Dance Inc. Caleigh believes that dance has the power to build strong, creative, and empowered communities.
Leticia Pang R.A.D.
A Victoria native, Leticia’s training took place at Pacific Dance Centre. She was also fortunate to receive training from the National Ballet School of Canada, the Banff Centre for Performing Arts, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Her professional dance career includes numerous summers at the Banff Festival Ballet and 10 years with Ballet Jörgen Canada. She has performed ballets such as Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Coppélia, and works by Balanchine. She has also been privileged to work with and to perform the new works of great choreographers such as Crystal Pite, Wen Wei Wang, Mark Godden, Roberto Campanella, and many other talented Canadian choreographers. Leticia began her teaching career here in Victoria upon retiring from her professional dance career in 2002 and has taught at many schools both on Vancouver Island and on the mainland.
Chelsea Maskiewich (Schaddelee)
Chelsea has lived and breathed dance since she began training at Allegro Performing Arts Centre at the age of three. Her experience has taken her to some of the top studios in the world including the Millennium Dance Complex and the Edge Performing Arts Centre located in Hollywood, California. At the age of 11 she was selected by Rising Moments Talent Agency to be featured on their website and to get the opportunity to train and work one-on-one with top choreographers in California. She has had the privilege to take classes with choreographers such as Shane Sparks, Leslie Scott, Tabitha and Napolean, Dante, Jason Samuels, Twitch and many others. She received numerous awards and scholarships at festivals and competitions and was chosen to represent Victoria at the BC Provincial dance festival for eight consecutive years where she placed as Runner up in 2011. Chelsea’s commercial experience includes dancing in music videos such as “Brighter At Night” by Ash Koley, “Slave2Love” by Stef Lang and “Sunglasses” by Sophia Mock, as well as being chosen to act in numerous movies as a background performer. Chelsea has had experience teaching several disciplines of dance since the age of 16 including tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and hip-hop at multiple dance studios. She has also completed and passed her Advanced 2 Tap and Advanced Modern exams with Honours.
Alison Roberts
Alison grew up on the island, where she trained extensively in all forms of dance, as well as
singing and acting. She attended the Canadian College of Performing Arts and, amid her first year, booked her first professional contract doing West Side Story with the Vancouver Opera. From there, she became a member of the Canadian Actors Equity Association and signed with the renowned talent agency, da Costa Talent Management. Over the next nine years, Alison worked continuously across Canada with some of the country’s top theatre companies, both performing and taking on the role of the dance captain. Alison furthered her dance and theatre education at the Harbour Dance Center Intensive Training Program and the Banff/Citadel Professional Musical Theatre Program. She also worked in the film and TV industry on a variety of projects, including The Waltz, which was a featured selection in the Toronto Short Film Festival and That Man, which was the winner of Dance Magazines Video of the Month. Over the last few years, Alison has shifted her focus from performing and has begun further exploring her passion for teaching and choreographing. She has worked as a freelance teacher and choreographer with a variety of companies, including the Vertical Performing Arts, the Canadian College of Performing Arts, Boston Dance Collective, Oak Bay Secondary, and has been the instructor for the Oak Bay Recreation theatre program for the last six years. Alison was also the choreographer of the VOS 2019 hit musical, Mamma Mia! Currently, Alison is continuing her education at the University of Victoria, where she is majoring in theatre, with a focus on education, and minoring in business. Alison is extremely passionate about creating an environment where students of all ages can thrive and are celebrated for their individual strengths. She aims to ensure that her classroom atmosphere is one where all feel safe to explore and grow without ever feeling judged.