Linda Klassen ~ Artistic Director
L.I.S.T.D  (C.B.)

Linda Klassen received her initial training in Vancouver.  As a dancer she received several scholarships to further her training at the Banff School of Fine Arts, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and The National Ballet School.  She trained with such dance notables as Gweneth Lloyd, Betty Farrally, Betty Oliphant and Celia Franca.

Linda has performed professionally with Theatre Under the Stars, The Vancouver Opera and "Los Majos" (a Spanish dance ensemble) as well as several commercial and industrial trade shows.

She began her teaching career over 25 years ago and presently owns and operates the Parksville Ballet School.

She has developed within her school a strong Performing Arts Program which gives intensive classical training year-round and includes full training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, national and musical theatre.

Linda is a member of the Cecchetti Society Branch of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance and received her teaching qualifications with an Honours standing.

Her students have gone on to perform in several major dance companies including the prestigious National Ballet of Canada, Les Grandes Ballets Canadiens, The Alberta Ballet, The Tampa Ballet of Florida and Ballet BC.

In 1985, Linda co-founded the Vancouver Island Youth Dance Theatre Association (Dancestreams.)  This unique and first rate company continues today and offers the opportunity for pre-professional dancers to have weekly coaching by outstanding professional choreographers and teachers.

The philosophy of both Mrs. Klassen and her staff is to encourage and to develop through dedication, the joy of dance and the beauty of movement that brings a sense of true accomplishment to all dancers.