CAST
PATRICIA ROCKWELL - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Patricia fell in love with the arts as a very small child. After many years practicing her love of the visual arts, through painting and drawing, she turned her talents to the stage. It was there, she spent countless hours honing her skills in set painting, prop & set building, stage managing & lighting. Patricia also created a successful 25 year business operating a daycare before moving on to teaching visual art to young students during the afternoons and weekends. Having trained at Okanagan College for Web Design, she fell in love with the graphic design elements of the web. In her free time, she enjoys visual art, walking, biking, and baking.
CADENCE TRITES - PRINCIPAL
Cadence started painting, sculpting, drawing, and crafting at a very young age. She won the only visual arts bursary at OKM upon graduation and went on to study drawing and art history in university. Cadence graduated from UBC with a BA in Psychology and from UVic with a BEd Distinction prior to teaching visual arts courses to students from three to eighteen years old. Cadence previously held the positions of Art Adventures and Preschool Arts Coordinator/Teacher at the Kelowna Art Gallery from 2001-2006 and Head of the Visual Art Department at the Glenfir School from 2001-2003 prior to joining the Vedanta Academy/Studio 9 team in 2004. She continues to do acrylic painting, sketching, and crafts in her leisure time.
ANGELINA VELTRI ABBOTT - KINDERGARTEN / GRADE 1
Angelina was raised in the Okanagan and attended UBCO where she completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education degree. Growing up, Angelina was a competitive figure skater for over 10 years and explored her love of visual arts, music and photography. During her practicum, she discovered her passion for teaching primary grades. Since completing her degree, she has taught grades K-5 in both BC and Ontario. Angelina is thrilled to be a part of Studio9’s team as the K/1 teacher.
MARSHA IVANY- GRADE 2/3
Marsha is a veteran teacher with experience in grades K-7, as well as teaching for 5 years in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. She has a Bachelor of Education (UBC), a Diploma in Special Education and a Masters Degree in Education (SFU) specializing in Children’s Literature. Marsha loves the career that chose her and looks forward to each day with passion and excitement. She believes children need to be acknowledged for whom they are. For them to grow academically and socially, they should be recognized for their positive efforts. Her classroom focus is on making Global connections through technology, building a successful collaborative environment and using authentic learning activities that will help children reach their ultimate potential.
ROXANN BOCKING - GRADE 4/5
Ms. B grew up in Kelowna and graduated from KSS. As a child, she loved to be the “teacher” when playing. Ms B has a Bachelor of Education (Simon Fraser University) with minors in Learning Disabilities, Psychology, History, and Environmental Education. In addition, Ms. B is a certified Orton Gillingham tutor and has recently completed a Certificate in Inclusive Education at UBCO. She loves learning about learning and likes to keep up with current research to have the most positive educational impact possible on her students. Ms. B is always looking for ways to make projects/activities/learning more enjoyable for each unique student, with the hope that they will become life long learners. Her class has fun raising kokanee and making a classroom quilt each year. In her spare time, she enjoys her Book Club, walking, bike riding, skiing, bridge, and time spent with family.
JESSE ROODE - GRADE 6/7, CULINARY ARTS
Jesse Roode, an artist and educator, passionately teaches Grade 6/7 curricular subjects, as well as the 8/9’s tech, film & video and culinary arts at Studio9. Since relocating to Kelowna in 2021 from The Maritimes, Jesse has thrived in her dream role, leveraging her rich background as a teacher on call and arts facilitator. Having previous experience with HRCE, The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom to significant contributions in arts programming and community initiatives, leading workshops with Nuit Blanche and Arts on the Avenue. Jesse’s artwork has also been showcased at prominent exhibitions at The Rotary Arts Centre, The Alternator and Kelowna Art Gallery. When Jesse is not working, she is immersed in nature drawing, reading, researching and cooking elaborate meals.
LAURA DUNWOODY – MIDDLE/SECONDARY SCHOOL MATH, SCIENCE & TEXTILES
Laura has been working at Studio9 since 2008 in the math and science department. She has a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Science in Honours Physics and Math from UBC, graduating near the top of her class in both Physics and Math. During the year, Laura enjoys examining rocks on Mt. Boucherie, playing with dry ice, graphing beautiful drawings with mathematical functions, and dressing like a mad scientist at every opportunity. Laura learned to sew clothing from her mother, and she learned to design clothing during her time with Studio9. Laura is renowned for her awesome Halloween costume designs, and she lends her skills to costume creation here at the school.
HEATHER CROWN - MIDDLE / SECONDARY HUMANITIES, TECHNICAL THEATRE, GRADUATION YEARS
Heather has been at Studio9 since 2012, spending most of her time teaching English and Social Studies. She has taken on the role of producer for the year-end shows. More recently, she has become interested in curriculum studies and the graduation years program and assessments. Her background includes a Bachelor of Arts in English (with a minor in psychology) and a Bachelor of Education. When not working, she enjoys yoga, mindfulness, gardening, poetry, and painting.
SANDI MOTTLE - BAND, MUSIC, AND ELEMENTARY DANCE
Sandi is a singer/songwriter/musician, who’s career has spanned the mediums of radio, television, recording studio and stage. She has performed across North America, including a recent one woman Bette Midler tribute show she performed in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Sandi has sang in a number of local bands and has had her own vocal coaching business for many years. Her father, John Deschner, owned and operated Paramount Music in Kelowna and was well known for his Big Band. Sandi has a love of vocal groups and harmonies and loves to help children develop an appreciation of music and achieve their goals.
KRISTIN WOOLHEAD - VISUAL AND DIGITAL ART
Kristin is in her wheelhouse teaching Visual Art to Grades K-12, having both a degree in Visual Art and in Visual Arts Education. She joined the Studio9 team in 2021, and moved to Kelowna only a few years prior before having ever visited the city. Kristin grew up in Saskatchewan, but her favourite place to live was England, where she focused on teaching and travelling. In Kristin’s free-time she enjoys hiking, making art, cuddling her cat, and leading a micro-church alongside her husband.
ZOE WELCH - DANCE, DRAMA, DIRECTOR
Zoe is not only our dance/drama instructor, but one of Studio9's alumni as well. Outside of Studio9, Zoe is a professional dancer, a film actress, and a published musician and singer who's released her own EP. She also directed our 2023/24 show, Shrek the Musical Jr., and is set to direct our upcoming production of Matilda the Musical.
SHAWNA GREAVETTE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
This is Shawna’s eighth year as a teaching assistant at Studio9. She fell in love with the school during her practicum for the Human Service Work diploma program, which she graduated from in 2017. This year she is working with the K/1, 2/3, and 4/5 classes. She is also taking university classes with the goal of obtaining a Bachelor of Education so she can be a teacher one day (at Studio9, of course)! In her free time, she loves playing with her two cats, painting, and writing.
SIMON BUCK - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
This year, Simon is with the grade 8/9 and 10/11/12 classes. He holds a BA in French and Spanish with a minor in philosophy from UBCO and received his Education Assistant Certificate from Okanagan College. He has been teaching English as a second language for several years. Simon first started performing music in middle school playing in a Beatles tribute band. In his free time, he enjoys playing jazz drums and piano, learning new languages, and more recently, acrylic painting.
EMMA SIMPSON - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
It is Emma's first year being an EA at Studio9. Emma helps with the K/1 class earlier in the day, and works afternoons with the 6/7 class. Emma has been working with kids since she was young, from community events to childcare. She has always had a passion for helping others and values healthy environments where kids feel comfortable and supported. When Emma is not at Studio9, she loves painting with watercolors, making food, and working at Rose Hill Orchard in Lake Country. Emma plans on attending post-secondary school next year to pursue a degree in Psychology, to better her understanding of our brains and the world around us.
AVITAL SHAPIRO - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT AND OFFICE ASSISTANT
This is Avital’s second year as an EA in the 8/9 class at Studio9. This year, she has also taken on the role of office assistant. From a young age, Avital always enjoyed being creative, and did everything she could to do as many DIY’s as possible. Because of this passion for the arts, Avital attended Studio9 for her middle and high school years, and upon graduation she received the Governor General’s Bronze Medal Award for her academic achievements. Outside of school, Avital grew up as a competitive dancer, and fell in love with acrobatic dance, going on to obtain her Acrobatic Arts teaching certificate and teaching acrobatics at West K Dance. Avital loves working with children, and watching the process of their imagination blossom into reality. In her free time, Avital enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and playing the piano. Avital plans to attend post-secondary school and obtain a degree in Civil Engineering.
ZACK MADER - OFFICE MANAGER
After nearly a decade of customer and technical support roles at companies like Disney and Interior Savings, Zack decided to dedicate his highly developed skills and service experience to something with greater purpose — working with students and educators! September of 2024 marks his fifth year aiding the staff, students, and parents of Studio9.
When Zack isn’t at Studio9, he can usually be found spending time with friends and family, or volunteering at the Kelowna SPCA. When it comes to creative endeavours, Zack is a published board game designer and music producer, and enjoys singing, writing, and voice acting.