Anita Perel-Panar — Director

Anita Perel-Panar has been an educator for over 30 years. She has a Master of Arts degree in Drama Education, focusing on the development of artistic potential; a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Music; and extensive training in Ballet and other forms of dance. Anita's passion for the arts coupled with her love for teaching has led her to establish the A Star Studio/Productions/Society for Performing & Fine Arts. Her dream to integrate the arts where students can develop their creative, expressive, and physical potential is now a reality. She is thrilled to be working with our talented and dedicated teachers who share her vision and join her in providing an excellent education for all our students.

Jheric Hizon

Considered by many as a pioneer in the Vancouver street dance scene, Jheric maintains a hectic schedule as an international dance instructor, choreographer, adjudicator and performer. Apart from dancing, he has appeared in several television shows, commercials, documentaries and a feature film. Along with his performing career, he’s had the privilege of judging and teaching over 30,000 dancers across North America and Southeast Asia at dozens of dance studios, conventions and competitions. Jheric specializes in Hiphop and Breaking. He’s also been trained in Pop, Lock, House, Street Jazz, Acro and is currently being trained in Modern and West Coast Swing.
 

Jhaymee Hizon

Also known as Bboy ELOQUENCE is a bboy, dance instructor, and performer. He has been teaching the art of Bboying for nine years now and is well versed in the traditional style of Bboying. His style is a fusion of the ‘old school’ moves and his own ‘new school’ moves to give him a unique character out on the dance floor. He has been featured in films, music videos, television programs, and fashion shows. His recent project was playing the role of Cole’s crew in the feature film ‘Kickin Old Skool’. His goal is to promote the positive side of hip-hop, while preserving this powerful art form and its strong cultural presence. You can catch him performing at shows and teaching throughout the lower mainland.
 

Stewart Iguidez

(aka Stuey Teler) moved from Winnipeg to Vancouver BC at the age of five when he began dancing as a b-boy. As a raw talent and natural entertainer, his drive and potential caught the attention of Over The Influence, of which he is now a member. Inspiration from OTI has allowed him to branch out to other forms of dance – house, locking, popping and stylized hip hop. His spontaneous nature and witty humour makes him the life of any party, especially OTI events. Above all else, it is his genuine character that makes Stewart one of a kind. Today, he is one of Vancouver’s most respected choreographers and freestyle dancers. Individual credits include ‘The Dogg Pound’, ‘Grandmaster Flash’ and ‘The Roots’.
 

Aimee

Aimee’s performance and training experience encompasses classical and neo-classical ballet, contemporary, modern, tap, jazz, lyrical, hiphop, celtic step dancing and musical theater. She has toured with the professional step dancing troupe, La Baie en Joie, throughout North America and Europe. While studying with the Goh Ballet Academy, she was chosen to perform in China as part of the Goh Ballet Youth Company. Ms Despres has assumed lead roles in theatrical performances such as Evangeline, Grease, Annie, West Side Story and Chicago. Over the past 10 years, she has choreographed for numerous concerts, commercials, schools and musical productions. Ms Despres loves to share the wonderful art of dance with others and has an undying thirst for growth and knowledge.

Alex McMorran

Alex has been part of the A Star family for almost 10 years (!) as a student, teacher and collaborator (as well as head of the drama, musical theatre and tutoring department). He has worked as a professional singer and actor all over BC (Sea Theatre, Chemainus Theatre Festival, reirART Productions) and around the Southwest US. Recently he has started directing plays as well, including shows for UBC School of Music and the inaugural Blank Slate Theatre Festival in Whistler, as well as some of A Star's end-of-year extravaganzas. This year Alex will be a member of Pacifica Chamber Choir for their inaugural season as well.

Melissa Robertson

Melissa received her honours BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria and is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. Melissa has taught, choreographed, and performed across the Lower Mainland and Vancouaver Island including Dance Studio West, UVIC Dance Team, Arts Umbrella, Richmond Academy of Dance, Abbotsford Dance Center, and The Dance Capitol. She has also performed in the feature films "Reefer Madness" and "She’s The Man."

Jonathan “JoJo” Zolina

JoJo is an extraordinarily eclectic freestyle dancer and choreographer who is greatly respected for his work in the dance community worldwide. He melds a diverse fusion of dance styles such as Traditional Ethnic Folk Dance, Hip Hop, Funk Styles, Vogueing, Waacking, House, Reggaeton, Dancehalla, Contemporary and Salsa. The demand for his fresh, new style of choreography is rising quickly amongst dance studios and recording artists. Jojo has performed with various music artists including Nelly Furtado, K-OS, Michael Bublé, Cory Lee and Swollen Members as well, opening for artists Mos Def, The Roots, Jordan Knight and Dogg Pound. As an Artist, his talent has taken him beyond Vancouver, to share his knowledge and skills in the Netherlands, France, Italy, Australia, England, the Philippines, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles.

Ikue Ueno — Administrator and Dance Instructor

Originally from Japan, Ikue’s passion to dance took her to Vancouver, Canada to pursue her career in dance. She has been dancing for more than 10 years and has trained extensively in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Vogueing, Waacking, House and Breaking. She has taught and performed in numerous studios shows both in Japan and Canada. Her goal is to keep growing as an entertainer, teacher, choreographer and administrator and to take A Star Studio/Productions to the next level.