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Meet the Team

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Chad Matchette (he/him)

Co-Owner and Artistic Director since 2010

Chad is living a lifelong dream of not only working in the arts, but also teaching and helping encourage young people to express themselves and find their voice through musical theatre and dance. He feels so lucky to have such a wonderful team to work with alongside a truly amazing student body. Chad has been involved in the Vancouver theatre scene as an actor, director, producer, writer and teacher for over 35 years. He has produced four critically acclaimed shows for Royal City Musical Theatre in New Westminster: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Will Rogers Follies, Hello Dolly, and Oklahoma.  Chad is also the Co-Owner and Artistic Director of Align Entertainment, an award-winning theatre company that produces large scale family Broadway Musicals out of the Michael J. Fox Theatre.


Acting highlights include: Lenny in Of Mice and Men (CTC Award Winner – Best Actor), Ray in Lonestar (CTC Nomination – Best Supporting Actor), Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (CTC Award Winner, Ovation Nomination – Best Actor), Daddy Warbucks in Annie (CTC Nomination – Best Actor).


Directing highlights include: Anne of Green Gables (CTC Nomination – Best Director), Shrek (Ovation Nomination – Best Director), The Addams Family (Ovation Nomination – Best Director), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Ovation Nomination – Best Director).

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Erin Matchette (she/her)

Co-Owner since 2010 | Administrator since 2022

Erin has contributed to numerous theatre productions since starting drama class at the age of 10 and winning an aggregate award at the Prince George Drama Festival in 1986.  Training includes the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, UBC, and the William Davis Centre (now Vancouver Film School). Erin has attended master class with Peter Jorgensen, Robert McQueen, and Miriam Fond, but is especially indebted to Sandra Head (who may be a certified guardian angel). Mostly an ensemble player but favourite roles include: Miss Hanigan, Ursula, Alice Bieneke, Miss Stacy, and Sister Robert Anne. Erin appeared in Align Entertainment’s first ten shows, seven shows with the now defunct Footlight, and an enjoyable five summers at Theatre Under The Stars (three onstage).

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Jan Ballard (she/her)

Production Crew/Makeup and Wigs since 1997

Jan has worked with the Lindbjerg Academy for many years.  She, and her husband Ian, supply, style and work at the shows putting wigs and makeup on for the many different varieties of performances.  Jan is very proud to be working along side such a great group of people.  She is also a stage manager during showtime - helping with picking up, setting up, and taking down sets.  During shows you can always find Dan or Jan on one side of the back stage or the other.

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Jordan Latimer (she/her)

Instructor since 2003

Jordan’s love of acting and theatre comes from a childhood immersed in the arts. She grew up on film sets and backstage with parents in the industry. She started out as a child model, trained in acting classes in Vancouver, was represented by Lucas Talent, trained on the violin and performed on stage whenever she had the chance. Jordan first started out with the Lindbjerg Academy at 16 where she played Marilla, (Anne of Green Gables) and she never left. Her passion for teaching has contributed to her successful 15+ year career, with children of all ages . She is also a professional teacher with the Coquitlam School District with bachelors in Education and History. Jordan is so happy to share her love for the arts and encourage the development of all the students she works with.

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Amanda Russell (she/her)

Instructor since 2006

Amanda started her musical theatre journey with The Lindbjerg Academy as a student when she was 10 years old, and used to teach dance and musical theatre classes for them from 2006-2012. Needless to say - she is thrilled to be back! Amanda studied at Douglas College and Simon Fraser University, and currently teaches dance and drama classes to elementary school students for the Maple Ridge School District. She enjoys performing when she is not too busy, and has done so with companies such as Align Entertainment, Victoria Operatic Society, and Theatre Under the Stars. The Lindbjerg Academy has been like a family to Amanda for over half of her life - and she will never, ever forget what she has learned from her students, friends, and fellow teachers over the years with them.

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Melissa Turpin (she/her)

Instructor since 2006

Melissa has been involved with Lindbjerg since attending the academy as a child.  She is a graduate of both Capilano and SFU, where she trained in theatre performance to obtain a Theatre Diploma and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. As a performer, favourite credits include: Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen (Famous Artists), Will Rogers Follies, Joseph & Oklahoma (RCMT) and Legally Blonde (TUTS). She was also a recipient of the E.V. Young Award for her performance in Grease (TUTS). Melissa's choreography highlights include Christmas Pops and Broadway Pops (James Productions), Vaudeville Varieties (Footlight Theatre Company) and multiple productions for the Lindbjerg Academy and Align Entertainment.  She has also led students on multiple performance opportunities including Disneyland, Disney World, Kelowna and locally on the Variety Club Show of Hearts.  Melissa hopes to nurture a passion for the arts in her students, as Lindbjerg did for her.

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Kim Bunka (she/her)

Instructor since 2008

Kim is thrilled to be part of the Lindbjerg Academy teaching team! Kim began her musical theatre training in 1998 with The Linbdbjerg Academy and has been in love with theatre ever since! She grew up performing all around the Lower Mainland and is a graduate of Grant MacEwan’s Theatre Arts program in Edmonton. Fresh out of theatre school Kim began teaching voice lessons and musical theatre for the Lindbjerg Academy where she did a combination of direction, music direction and and choreography for such productions as Bugsy Malone Jr, Annie Jr, School House Rock Jr, Beauty and the Beast Jr, and There’s No Business Like Show Business, a review style show which she also wrote. She has performed in over 45 plays and musicals around the Lower Mainland and Edmonton, with various choirs and has studied private voice lessons for many years. Kim took a leap of faith, trust and pixie dust and left teaching to pursue her dream of working for Disney Cruise Line. That dream came true and she ended up working for The Mouse for 8 years, first as a performer and then as an Entertainment Officer in charge of overseeing all the ship wide entertainment.


Since returning home she has been so thrilled to be back teaching with Lindbjerg and adding Showstoppers Academy and Evergreen Cultural Centre to the mix too! She also recently became a published author! You can keep up with her author adventures by searching “Kim Bunka Author” on your favourite social media app. Kim loves using her over 25 years of training and experience to inspire the next generation of “theatre kids”.

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Emily Kerr (she/her)

Instructor since 2011 | Dance Department Head

Emily has had the opportunity to work with the Lindbjerg team for 10 years and has shared her love of dance with her students over the years. She has seen many of her students grow from a young age through to graduation, including training at a competitive level. Not only have her students been successful at competitions but she too has received awards for her creative choreography. Emily began dancing at the age of 2 where she trained in RAD Ballet and eventually branched out into Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary and Hip Hop. Emily entered her first competition at the age of 3 and went on to the Championships.  Over the years, she competed in many different local competitions and received scholarships and awards for her musicality and performance. She also had the opportunity to take classes from So You Think You Can Dance choreographers, Napoleon & Tabitha, Benji Schwimmer and Blake McGrath. In high school, Emily was recognized with “Dancer of the Year” in grade 8, 11 and 12 and received the award from the Surrey Dance Teachers Association for her excellence in choreography. Emily continues to keep current with the upcoming styles that continue to evolve, by taking online classes from professional choreographers all over the world.  Emily enjoys sharing this love of dance with her students and encourages them to develop their technique while stimulating their own creativity.

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Brent Hughes (he/him)

Instructor since 2012

Brent has been teaching at Lindbjerg since 2012 and is excited to be teaching the Rising Stars class this year. Brent has been the music director for both Align Entertainment and Theatre Under the Stars. He has been teaching music in the Coquitlam school district for over 30 years and is currently the head of the Fine Arts department at Dr. Charles Best Secondary. Brent is responsible for all the instrumental and choral ensembles at the school as well as music directing and co-directing the school’s musicals.

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John Bradbury (he/him)

Production Crew/Set Construction since 2013

Learning to build with his grandfather as a child resulted in over 20 years of set design and carpentry for John. In addition to Lindbjerg Academy, he has enjoyed working with Align Entertainment and Boone Dog Productions as well as other Vancouver theatre companies. Select list of building projects include The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Tarzan and Peter Pan.  John has loved being a part of the Lindbjerg Family for the past 10 years.

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Dan Wiebe (he/him)

Production Crew/Set Construction since 2014

Dan has been involved in musical theatre for the past 15 years. It all started with Lindbjerg Academy where his children joined, and fell in love with singing, dancing and acting. Over the years, and through the help of talented individuals, he has learn the trade of set building and design, and Assistant Stage Management. Past shows include, Align’s The Little Mermaid, Joseph, Legally Blonde, Shrek, and A Christmas Story as ASM, Legally Blonde, Shrek, and A Christmas Story as set construction, numerous Lindbjerg Academy productions as Set Design and ASM, Naked Goddess Productions The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Bring on Tomorrows Fame and 13, and Snapshot Collective’s Sweeney Todd. Bring on the show!

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Emily Matchette (they/he/she)

Instructor since 2014 | Marketing Coordinator since 2022

Emily has been calling Lindbjerg home since 2009 when they began here as a student. Once graduating high school, they made the transition to teaching and has loved every second of it! A graduate of the Musical Theatre program at Capilano University, and the Bachelor of Performing Arts Program at Douglas College, Emily is passionate about youth theatre. This past summer, they travelled to New York to be a Theater Director at the French Woods Festival of Performing Arts.


Select performing credits include: Lefou in Beauty and the Beast (Align Entertainment), Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical the Musical (Align Entertainment), Ensemble in Mamma Mia (Arts Club Theatre Company), Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Exit 22), and Lou Ann in Hairspray (Theatre Under The Stars).


Select choreographer/director credits include: The Big One-Oh Jr, My Son Pinocchio Jr, Flat Stanley Jr (French Woods), Winnie the Pooh Kids, Flat Stanley Jr, Finding Nemo Jr, The Little Mermaid Jr, Matilda Jr (Lindbjerg/Showstoppers), Peter Pan Jr (CTORA), American Idiot (URP - Ovation Nomination for Best Choreography), and Cinderella YE (CTORA).

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Joanna Kovats (she/her)

Instructor since 2017

A Musical Theatre performer for over 25 years, singing, dancing, and acting have been Joanna’s life passions. She started dancing at a very young age completing all the examinations in Ballet, Tap and Modern dance with the British Association of Teachers of Dance in the UK. Successfully completing a teaching diploma in Ballet, Tap and Modern dance before setting off on a professional career on the stage that enabled her to travel the world.


Performing in dance reviews and musicals in England, Germany, Spain, Japan, and Canada, Joanna’s knowledge of the performing arts is extensive.


Now a proud member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association in the Classical Ballet, Tap and Jazz divisions, Joanna is thrilled to be a part of the Lindbjerg family, sharing her passion for dance and theatre with her students!

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Sheryl McMillan (she/her)

Instructor since 2018

From Musical Theatre to Children’s Theatre, from Dinner Theatre to film and television, Sheryl has been a part of the entertainment industry for well over 30 years, performing, impersonating, choreographing, directing, and teaching.


Sheryl’s teaching career began in Australia first as a jazz teacher and then a natural progression into Musical Theatre and Stage. As the criteria for Dance Festivals changed and singing became an important part of performance in the dance community, Sheryl began voice coaching for performance troupes across Queensland. For those Dancers wishing to enhance their talents and become more versatile as performers, Sheryl began teaching choral and private voice lessons. So that is how it began. Fast forward past several years, with a move back to Canada in 2004, Sheryl has been teaching steadily in the Coquitlam and Vancouver areas ever since.


Sheryl's teaching credentials include Musical Director for TUTS summer camps, Musical Theatre teacher for the New Westminster School Board as one of their after-school programs in three schools over a two-year period. As well as having taught Musical Theatre and Voice at the Jewish Community Centre and Stagecoach Musical Theatre School in Coquitlam. In 2018, trying to find a better work/life balance, Sheryl joined the ranks of the Lindbjerg team and has never looked back.

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Angela Lundin (she/her)

Instructor since 2020

Angela is grateful to be teaching our youngest performers for a third year in Mini Stars and Young Stars. She was introduced to the Lindbjerg family when cast in Align Entertainment’s Shrek the Musical in 2019. A veteran performer, Angela wrote and performed her one woman show Finding Wonderland at the Evergreen Cultural Centre as part of her SFU MA thesis. She has sung and danced her way around the globe in musical theatre and on cruise ships. Once she married and settled in BC, Angela continued performing on the stage and on television. In addition to teaching at Lindbjerg, Angela is an elementary music specialist in Coquitlam where she gets to share her passion and knowledge to children.

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Jesse Alvarez (he/him)

Instructor since 2020

Jesse is a graduate of the musical theatre program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy LA/NYC and has performed on stages across North America and Europe. Jesse is glad to be a part of the Lindbjerg/Showstoppers family and hopes to inspire and nurture the next generation of aspiring performers. Some notable performance highlights include A Night with Stephen Sondheim (CityOpera Vancouver) and sharing  the stage with legendary Soprano Marni Nixon for Lincoln Centre’s Winter’s Eve Festival.


Some show credits include: Starwalker (Urban Ink), Seussical (SaskExpress), Miss Saigon, Godspell, and The Wiz (Interlakes), Barber of Seville (Vancouver Opera), LIFT (Awkward Stage), Joseph (Align Entertainment),  Facing East, A Chorus Line (Fighting Chance), and Rock of Ages Renegade).

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Naomi Wright (she/her)

Instructor since 2020

Naomi began her dance training in the heart of small town Alberta with Miss Joanne's School of dance at the age of 5 training in all styles including acrobatics under the Acrobatic Arts curriculum. Her competitive years were filled with many titles and scholarships allowing her to train all over the country at different conventions and even the opportunity to train at Los Angeles' The Edge. 


After graduation she moved to Vancouver to train under Harbour Dance Center`s Intensive Training Program, (ITP) where she trained in commercial dance, acting and circus. Her professional performances included We Day, Vancouver's International Dance Festival, and Small Stage`s Winter Series.


Naomi specializes in teaching jazz, lyrical and acrobatics and she continues to educate herself through different avenues and curriculums. Naomi is passionate about making her classes a safe space for students to push themselves and develop their love for dance. She hopes her students leave feeling inspired and confident in their abilities so they may achieve great things in and out of the studio.

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Holly Bradbury (she/her)

Instructor since 2021

Holly (She/Her) is a graduate of the musical theatre program at Capilano University. She has been blessed to perform with many companies in the Vancouver area. Select credits include: Something Rotten (TUTS), Cinderella (Gateway), Shrek (Align Ent), Carrie (CapU Theatre). She's performed in Disneyland and last fall had the opportunity to go on an Eastern Canada tour with the band Relive the Music. She has spent many years performing in musical theatre, show choir, vocal and dance competitions, as well as performing with original and cover bands all over Vancouver. Holly has been fortunate to have taught classes to inspiring young artist's through acting, dance and musical theatre, sharing the knowledge she has learned thus far. Growing up at Lindbjerg, it is a full circle and fulfilling feeling, coming back to teach.

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Chan Smook (they/them)

Instructor since 2022

Chan Smook is a dancer, artist, model, actor, and choreographer residing in so-called Vancouver. They are very passionate about expressing and sharing themself through art and creativity.


Within their years of living in the city, Chan has been honoured to have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects such as NBC’s hit show Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Josh Ramsay and Tyler Shaw’s Music Video- Can’t Give It Up, as well as touring as dance captain/choreographer for Mooncoin Productions.


Chan is incredibly grateful for all they have experienced so far in the industry and are so excited to continue to share their love and passion with the Lindbjerg community!

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Elisabeth Pollock (she/her)

Co-Head of Props Department since 2022

Elisabeth was a student at Lindbjerg Academy for eight years and was a TA for four. She participated in musical theatre, ballet, lyrical, tap, hip-hop and jazz classes.  She joined the Lindbjerg team in 2022 as a student teacher and part of the props department and is excited to be continuing this year as head of the Props Department. Select stage credits include Tatiana in Anastasia (Theater in the Country), Flower Seller in Beauty and the Beast (Align Entertainment), Lumière in Beauty and the Beast, Tanya in Mamma Mia (Lindbjerg Academy) and Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone (Rivers Edge theatre).  Elisabeth has also had the pleasure of working backstage as a stagehand in credits such as Annie and Shrek the Musical (Align Entertainment). In her everyday life, Elisabeth is a French Major at SFU. Elisabeth is excited to continue to share her passion for theatre and creativity with others.

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Kelsey Tierney (she/her)

Costume Team since 2022 | Stage Manager since 2023

Kelsey has spent her childhood surrounded by music. Joining Showstoppers Academy in Maple Ridge at age 6, she has grown up performing onstage. A lover of singing and music Kelsey has also been a part of both the Coastal Sound Choir and the BC Girls Choir in the lower mainland. Kelsey also played the French Horn during high school, being selected to perform with the BCMEA Honour Wind Ensemble in 2018. Kelsey attended Simon Fraser University after high school, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology in 2023. Select theatre credits include Missy in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Vagabond Players), and Ensemble in Anastasia (Theatre In The Country).


Miss Kelsey has performed many different jobs working first at Showstoppers Academy in Maple Ridge and then as well at Lindbjerg Academy—including making props, costuming shows, working backstage, reception, admin work and teaching some of the musical theatre classes. She is excited to continue helping kids find their passion in musical theatre and performing.

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Sophia Pollock

Co-Head of Props Department since 2022

   

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Sydney Dumore (she/her)

Instructor since 2022

Sydney has always been passionate about dance; beginning her training at age three, she studied styles such as jazz, tap, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary, and ballet. She completed her AIDT tap and RAD ballet exams and has performed and competed both nationally and internationally. Sydney holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Simon Fraser University and has spent over a decade teaching and mentoring students in the dance community.


Her love for teaching led her to transition into elementary education, where she now works as a Fine Arts teacher in Maple Ridge. Recently, she completed her master’s degree in education, studying how dance can support and enhance other curricular subjects, further expanding her dedication to empowering young learners and movers.

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Alex Godlewski (she/her)

Co-Head of Costume Department since 2023

In 2020, Alex completed the Costuming for Stage and Screen diploma program at Capilano University. Throughout the program, she gained extensive experience in designing and sewing a variety of modern and period costumes. Now, with over five years of experience designing, sewing and working in film and theatre, she is thrilled to be part of this new chapter and looks forward to contributing to the artistic vision of Lindbjerg and Showstoppers.

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Jodi Kaldestad

Volunteer Coordinator since 2023

If you're a Lindbjerg parent, you've likely received an email or two (or seven) from Jodi regarding volunteering at various studio shows. Jodi is Lindbjerg's volunteer coordinator, and has been involved with the studio for four years. She has two daughters, both of whom are "all-in" where dance and musical theatre are concerned! When she’s not sending emails, buying concession snacks, driving her kids around, scheming on how to get back to Disneyland, or trying to make herself useful backstage, Jodi is a litigation paralegal in Vancouver. She and her husband, Steve, live in Port Moody with their two awesome daughters, Hazel and Siggi, and their 3 cats. Thanks to all the parents and family members who donate their precious time to make these shows a success! We couldn’t do it without you!

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Megan Wiebe

Co-Head of Costume Department since 2023

   

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Charlotte Beckett (she/her)

Props Team since 2024

Charlotte attended Lindbjerg Academy for 9 years before graduating in 2024. In that time she participated in musical theatre and several dance classes As well as TA-ing and being a dance captain. She has always seen Lindbjerg as her second home and is so excited  to be working in the props department this year before she attends the acting performance program at York University. She plans on continuing performing on stage and on screen and is so excited to learn even more from Lindbjerg as a staff member.


Select credits include SpongeBob in The SpongeBob Musical and Tommy Djilas in The Music Man (Lindbjerg Acadamy). Hannah Bookman in 16 and Serena in 18 (Young Actors Project). And this year performing in 13 The Musical as Patrice with XOXO productions.

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Joe Porter (he/him)

Student Teacher since 2024

Having been a student himself at Lindbjerg since 2009, Joe is very excited to be back as a Stage Manager and Student Teacher while pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. Recent adventures of his include playing Piano and Saxophone in a university band in Kyoto, Japan, and assisting in the teaching and production of Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof at BCCA. Some of Joe's favorite experiences from Lindbjerg have been his roles as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Harold Hill in The Music Man. He hopes to pass on his passion to many more students.

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Marquis Byrd (he/him)

Instructor since 2024

Marquis Byrd is thrilled to be joining the Lindbjerg family this year and is excited to be working with the Rising Stars Advanced class. With over fifteen years of experience both on and off stage, Marquis has been the music director for productions such as Bonnie and Clyde (Play on Words Productions), Guys and Dolls (Fighting Chance Productions), and Robinson Crusoe (White Rock Players Club). He has also contributed to pit orchestras for Legally Blonde and The Little Mermaid (Align Entertainment), and Something Rotten! (Theatre Under The Stars). Marquis holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Capilano University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. He is a secondary school music educator and teaches instrumental ensembles, as well as music director for school productions. Most recently, he acted as a Music Directing Fellow for School of Rock with Theatre Under The Stars. Marquis is passionate about music in both performance and educational settings.

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