About Chelsea
Chelsea’s dedication to excellence was evident in everything she did, making every occasion an event. As creative director of North Shore Academy of Dance, Chelsea’s family of dancers looked up to her as a role model. Her love for youth and dance reached far beyond the boundaries of her home, and into the hearts of so many families of this community. Even when faced with her Cancer diagnosis, Chelsea continued to inspire as she remained positive and strong. She was determined to overcome this challenge. Aptly nicknamed “superwoman”, Chelsea was an extraordinary entrepreneur, role-model, mother, and contributor to the North Shore Community. Blessed with not one, but two sets of twins, Chelsea was the mother of Cooper and Owen (5 years old) and Cash and Maxine (19months old). Chelsea's diagnosis came a mere 3 months after she gave birth to her second set of twins. She will live forever in memories of what she gave to us all, and in her four beautiful children. Our lives were lifted to new heights after having her in them and our hearts will carry her with us for always.
Chelsea's Medical Story -
Chelsea was diagnosed May 2012. After several tests and a biopsy, it was determined that she had an extremely rare form of cancer (PMA) that the B.C. Cancer clinic had never treated before. There have only been 4 previous cases of PMA in Canada. None of those previous cases occurred in adults and there have only been a handful of adult cases worldwide. To compound the situation, Chelsea’s tumor was inoperable since it is located in her brain stem where all of the nerves of her spinal column enter her brain. Chelsea’s case was overseen by a team of doctors from Lion’s Gate Hospital, the B.C. Cancer Clinic, and the The Burzynski Clinic in Texas. She underwent multiple aggressive treatment regimes after Burzynski including Avastin and diet and suppliments. Chelsea never gave up her fight.
Chelsea as a Dancer -
Chelsea’s early training, began at age 3. At age eleven she began intensive training with the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver. She later studied under John Ottmann of Ballet BC and toured with the Royal City Youth Ballet and Royal City Musical Theatre. Some of her performances during that time included, “42nd Street, Coppellia and the Nutcracker. During her years of comprehensive ballet training, she found time to complete numerous courses within the Royal Academy of Dancing and the Imperial Society of the Teachers of Dance (I.S.T.D.). She is currently a certified teacher and associate member of the I.S.T.D.
In her early twenties, Chelsea’s passion for dance expanded to include jazz and hip hop. While on tour in Australia in 1996/97, she further studied a wide range of Latin ballroom dancing, including salsa. She danced professionally for five years with Nester Dezerda’s company “La Combination Perfecta” which performed at the World Salsa Congress in Puerto Rico in 2004. When she can fit it in, she still performs independently at a variety of local venues.
Chelsea’s began her teaching career at age16 at the North Vancouver Recreation Centre. In 1994 she began teaching R.A.D. ballet and I.S.T.D. modern and jazz at the North Shore Academy of Dancing. It wasn’t long before she also developed a strong open jazz and hip hop program. During the five years leading up to her ownership of NSAD, she concentrated on enhancing the size, performance skills and venue opportunities of the studio’s competitive classes and Performing Companies. It was with great excitement and enthusiasm that Chelsea took on the role of principal and artistic director of North Shore Academy of Dancing in 2008. The school flourished under her directing.
In her early twenties, Chelsea’s passion for dance expanded to include jazz and hip hop. While on tour in Australia in 1996/97, she further studied a wide range of Latin ballroom dancing, including salsa. She danced professionally for five years with Nester Dezerda’s company “La Combination Perfecta” which performed at the World Salsa Congress in Puerto Rico in 2004. When she can fit it in, she still performs independently at a variety of local venues.
Chelsea’s began her teaching career at age16 at the North Vancouver Recreation Centre. In 1994 she began teaching R.A.D. ballet and I.S.T.D. modern and jazz at the North Shore Academy of Dancing. It wasn’t long before she also developed a strong open jazz and hip hop program. During the five years leading up to her ownership of NSAD, she concentrated on enhancing the size, performance skills and venue opportunities of the studio’s competitive classes and Performing Companies. It was with great excitement and enthusiasm that Chelsea took on the role of principal and artistic director of North Shore Academy of Dancing in 2008. The school flourished under her directing.