CAST
MIKE GUZZI - CEO/DIGITAL ARTS
Driven by the strong belief in arts in education Michael was a force in development of Studio9 School of the Arts, and since then has championed learning through the arts and project based education. Teaching digital and media arts for 20 years has been exciting following careers in radio, television, entertainment management, non profits and even a brief stint with Crimestoppers. Michael loves video, (especially under water), photography and the outdoors. He considers himself an environmentalist and is currently learning about indigenous use of resources, spirituality and reconciliation.
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.
JESSICA IVANY- KINDERGARTEN / GRADE 1
Full of enthusiasm and fresh ideas for the K – 1 classrooms, Jessica is famous for costumes and coloured hair for every possible occasion of the year from the usual like St Patrick’s Day to the Cat in the Hat’s birthday. Active, creative artsy learning is her trademark. She studied and graduated at UBCO with a bachelors degree in education prerequisites in science. Hobbies and interest include Horseback riding, cooking and nature (anything outdoors).
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
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. Ms. B is a certified Orton Gillingham tutor. Ms. B 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
Italian British Settler / She-Her / 1990 / Debert, Mi’kma’ki
Jesse lives passionately as an educator, arts facilitator and self taught artist. She moved to Kelowna in the summer of 21’ from The Maritimes and was beyond delighted when hired for the role as teacher on call at Studio 9. She is now working her dream position as the grade 6/7 homeroom teacher. Jesse spent the previous 5 years as a substitute teacher for the HRCE, facilitating at The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia as well as Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. She also volunteered with the Red Clay Studio Society board from 2018-2020 in programming and as head of the communications committee, helping organize the White and Black Rabbit Arts Festivals. When Jesse is not working she is immersed in nature drawing, reading and researching or cooking elaborate treats.
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 at Studio9. Laura is renowned for her awesome Halloween costume designs, and she lends her skills to costume creation at Studio9
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 and mindfulness, gardening, poetry, and painting.
LUCY HAZELWOOD - DRAMA AND DANCE
Lucy Hazelwood has 30+ years of performance experience in the arts, with over 20 of those years as a choreographer, director/producer and instructor. Lucy graduated with a BA Hons degree in dance and theatre performance from the renowned Bird College – Conservatoire for Dance & Musical Theatre, London, England. After graduating, Lucy has gone on to grow both her performing and teaching resume extensively throughout North America, whilst using the beautiful Okanagan as her homebase. Her resume boasts Live Theatre, Cruise Ships, Music Videos, Music Festivals, multi-million dollar fundraisers, Arts Camps, TV and film and more. She has been an integral part of growing the arts community here in Kelowna while creating both training & performance opportunities for her students. She is thrilled to continue her work sharing her love and passion with Studio9.
SANDI MOTTLE - BAND/MUSIC - 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 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.
SHAWNA GREAVETTE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
This is Shawna’s fifth 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 2/3 class. She is also taking university classes with the goal of obtaining a Bachelor of Education so she can be a teacher one day (of course at Studio9)! 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 2/3 class. 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.
EVA ALIAGA-ZAPALOWICZ – EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
Mrs A. Graduated from the Educational Assistant certificate program in 2018 at Red River College in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She had been working at French Immersion Schools for 3 years with the Winnipeg School Division before coming to BC and starting at Studio 9 in 2021. Mrs A enjoys art during her spare time as well as spending time with her new canine companion.
TRISH COUSINS - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
Trish completed the teaching assistant program in 2000. She has been working on and off in the school district over the last 21 years as she raised her children. In her spare time Trish enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.
TEANNA ELLIOT - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
Teanna has been working as an Education Assistant for the past 16 years. She graduated from Okanagan College and received her Human Service Worker Diploma. She enjoys musical theatre, singing and performing on stage. In her spare time you will find her being a mom and doing some embroidery.
BRYANNA MCKAY - BEHAVIOURAL INTERVENTIONIST
Ms. Bryanna joined Studio9 in December 2022, and is a Behavioral Interventionist assisting in our Grade 2/3 classroom. When she isn’t helping out with students here, Bryanna continues to work on her PhD in Psychology. Outside of Studio9, Bryanna is on call as a firefighter, and enjoys practicing archery, being around animals, and spending time with her cub.
PATRICIA ROCKWELL - OFFICE MANAGER
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.
ZACK MADER - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
After spending over 9 years doing Customer Support for Disney, Telus Health, and Interior Savings, Zack decided to make a change and start assisting everyone at Studio9. The 2022/23 school year marks Zack's third year with Studio9! Zack is a pet lover and spends a ton of time taking care of his cats Tiny and Alice, and his betta fish Boo. When Zack isn’t getting distracted by needy animals, he’s usually found watching fun 80’s and 90’s movies, or playing board games with way too many rules.
DAMON GUZZI - IT DEPARTMENT
Damon has worked with computers for most of his life so far in both Apple and Windows PC design and support. He has been with Studio9 for 6 years and has installed networks, desktops, laptops, wireless systems and even phone and telecommunication lines throughout the building. He knows every dark corner of the building from the upstairs to the crawl space. Damon’s free time is spent in music, serious video games and flying model helicopters.