Meet our Teachers

Owner / Artistic Director

Karen Mallinson ARAD TC

Karen has been dancing for over 35 years. Her training began at Pamela Gray Dance Academy, Hull UK, where she became a RAD York scholar, and achieved high results in exams for ISTD Modern and Tap as well as RAD ballet up to Advanced 2 level.
Started her professional teachers and performing training as a scholarship student at Northern Ballet School, Manchester, England, and Preston College, England. Karen finished her RAD Ballet training and also studied all forms of dance including Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Modern, and Musical Theatre. Karen graduated in 2005 with a Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts and her RAD Teaching Certificate. After working with, and learning from highly regarded choreographers, teachers and RAD/ISTD Examiners including Patricia McDonald, David Needham, and Jacqueline Gray, Karen had the opportunity to perform professionally for various companies including Royal Caribbean cruise lines, working with highly accomplished choreographers from around the world.
After performing in America and Europe, Karen received her Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher Status and went back into teaching in the North East of England before moving to B.C. in 2008. Recently Karen has successfully mentored on the student teacher training program for the Royal Academy of Dance, and she has continued her work in the lower mainland of B.C., teaching different forms of dance (including Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical) in local dance schools.
Over recent years Karen has choreographed and directed 3 successful Ballets to raise money for various charities. Prepared students for RAD exams with a 100% pass rate. Choreographed group/solo performances and trained dancers for highly recognized competitions throughout B.C. and the U.S. with many awards for Karen’s dancers and her choreography. Further work includes choreographing for school shows and community performances. Before moving to the interior Karen worked with F.V.A.D. students on the Pre-professional program, with many of these students receiving invitations to train professionally with scholarships to Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Canada’s National Ballet School, and Alberta Ballet School.
Karen is looking forward to carrying on her exciting dance adventure in Sun Peaks B.C. bringing the inspiring world of dance to this wonderful community in a year-round community dance program.