Instructor Profiles

Renfrew Community Centre Vancouver British Columbia Canada

Delia Anderson has been performing and teaching her own unique Gypsy style belly dancing in Vancouver. She isn’t just any standard belly dancer – she is an institution – A very rare and unique artist who has traversed an entire lifetime clad in coins, challis, woolen tassels, silken saris and all those beaded braids in her hair – Herself a splendid and intricate tapestry of Eastern mystical design. A gypsy enchantress, speaking a strange and elegant alphabet through movement and dance. Indeed, she was Vancouver’s first “Tribal” dancer. Since Delia left her native Scotland, she has been a hard working dancer and performing artist. Her many years of intense study in many various forms including Ballet, Ballroom, Afro Jazz, Flamenco, Classical Indian dance Bharata Natyam, and Yoga, have afforded her all the components necessary to craft herself a long career as performing artist in Vancouver’s ethnic venues. Delia was a contemporary with Masha Archer, known as originator of American Tribal Style belly dance. (As she did precede Carolina Nericcio). She also shared the stage with Jamila Salimpour & Magana Baptiste. She was working in all the same venues including the famous Baghdad Nightclub on Broadway Street and was part of the original San Francisco ethnic dance scene in the 60”s and 70’s Delia Anderson studied ballet with the legendary Martha Graham in New York and was a member of Magana Baptiste’s Near East Dance Company in SF.

Sharon Chan

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” ~ Mark Twain

Fitness became a passion for Sharon Chan in 1991. As a mother of three, exercise and fitness were put on the back burner for a number of years. It wasn’t until a community aerobics class caught her eye that fitness and strength training became a significant component to Sharon’s lifestyle. Now a fitness enthusiast, she strives to share her love of fitness and benefits of healthy living with others.

Sharon is a Certified BCRPA Group Fitness and Third-Age instructor who obtained certification from Simon Fraser University in Exercise to Music, Fitness CPR and First Aid, been an aerobics instructor for almost 16 years. Encouraging participants of all ages, abilities and fitness levels, she specializes in a number of different classes to suit the needs of her participants. Advanced Step and Sculpting sessions, Mild and Total Fitness classes and unique Abs, Butt and Thigh Conditioning, provide something for everyone. Whether you are looking to tone and tighten problem areas or increase your cardio vascular endurance, there is an opportunity for everyone to engage in active living.

During her spare time, Sharon engages in various physical activities. Her interest in fitness continues as she hikes up the Grouse Grind on a weekly basis during peak season. Sharon believes that physical activities should be enjoyed amongst friends. She actively encourages others to join her and obtain the positive benefits of exercise.

Najia Elacel was born in Morocco, in a small city Marrakech. Cooking is her passion; her Mom was her first teacher. Najia started cooking from the age of eight, coming from a big family of eight, five brothers and three sisters. Summer time was always practice time to master all the dishes. 13 years ago she came to Canada, this is when she got married and had two twin boys who are now 7 years old. Najia couldn’t speak English, but started working in many different restaurants in Vancouver. These restaurants included Greek and Italian which helped her to learn English and more experience in cooking. Her hobbies are painting, fashion designing, traveling, and working with kids. She got involved with the local community and started working at Collingwood Neighborhood House in their Community. She is now working at Renfrew Park Community Centre doing the Community Lunch Program which happens every Friday from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

Join Niki Chung and the other day camp leaders and volunteers for a fun-filled week at Renfrew's Spring Break Day Camp. Niki has been a Day Camp Leader for the past 4 years and is looking forward to working with your children. This could be Niki's last stint as a Day Camp Leader as Niki recently received her Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from the Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Those who saw the purple Summer Day Camp t-shirts from last summer know of Niki's talents in design. The t-shirt is on display in the community centre lobby. All the best in your design career Niki!

Zhang Haiyan was born on May 14, 1956 in Beijing, China. At the age of twelve she went to JiangXi Province and entered JiangXi Professional Dance College to pursue her career as a dancer. Four years later, she graduated with outstanding grades and she was assigned to be a performer in the JiangXi Province Dance Academy. During that time, Haiyan staged in several grand dance performances including cultural styles from Tibet, Korea, and Singapore, as well as styles from China such as fan dance, handkerchief dance and Yang Ge. In July 1990, Haiyan moved to Canada and from 1992 she began teaching in Zhang Yang Dance academy. Lately, Haiyan has begun teaching dance in many community centers in Burnaby. She hopes to share her dancing experience with people of all ages and teach them the culture, style and beauty of Chinese cultural dance.

Richard Le has competed in international tournaments such as the Canadian Badminton Open for 2002 & 2003, and has over 23 years of playing experience. Richard is a certified level III NCCP professional coach with more than 8 years of badminton coaching. He has coached more than 300 badminton players from the beginner to the high advance level. Richard enjoys coaching and loves to help young players reach their highest potential. It is not just practice, but “perfect practice makes perfect”. Richard’s goals are not only just to help students to play to win but also to help students build up confidence in playing the game of badminton successfully. Once the students confidence increases, their attitude and physical condition will improve. In the lessons, students will learn the basic fundamentals which will help them to build a strong foundation to become good badminton players in the coming years. He believes his job is to teach youth the proper skills to become good players; their job is to practice and make improvements in their badminton game.

Hisae McMichael is a busy woman! Three days a week she teaches Hatha Yoga at Renfrew Park Community Centre. On weekday mornings she is the Preschool Teacher at Happy Corner Pre-School. Her approach to yoga is gentle and supportive. She believes that through regular yoga practice, symptoms such as stress and backache can be alleviated. Some of her students have used yoga to assist with insomnia while others find improved flexibility. Hisae found that yoga improved her own health, bringing renewed vigor and energy; her attitude became more positive and allowed her to approach new challenges with a more open mind. In the children's class she uses props and visualization techniques. She teaches that through the discipline of yoga, children build self respect and that, by acknowledging how they feel, they can learn to accept themselves as they are.

Alexandra Moody has been teaching group fitness programs since 2006. She started out as a participant in boot camp classes to help get back into shape after having her third child. For the past 18 years she had worked in food management at Vancouver Hospital. She reached a point where she decided that being fit and setting a positive fitness example for her children was a passion, so she decided to change careers. She attended many courses on fitness programs and is a Certified group Fitness instructor. Alexandra has always wanted to make fitness accessible to people like herself, people who do not consider themselves athletes but want to stay in shape.

Yoko Tomita is a community artist at Renfrew- Collingwood neighbours last six years. Her art works are 29th avenue mural, Slocan Park children mural, Renfrew Ravine Banners along Renfrew Street and 22 nd avenue and Cultural Harmony Walk Banners along Joyce Street near the Joyce skytrain station. Mosaic at Rooftop Garden at Collingwood Neighbourhood House. Her art works bring the cheer and smile to the community. Lanterns are also part of her expression relative to community festival such as Moon Festival at Renfrew Park and Winter Solstice Festival at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Chinatown . Candle light have special significance to all cultures and brings a peace of mind in our heart. Links of web site: www. moonfestival.net www.secretlantern.org

Christine Wong, M.Ed the founder and director of TOC Education Resources, has a Master degree in Education. Christine also received her credential in CACE, Provincial Instructor Diploma and Montessori Teaching Diploma in Canada. Christine coordinates the Chinese Program at Renfrew Community Centre and works with a group of instructors / assistants who strive to make classes interesting, exciting and challenging. Her program motivate students to become active and enthusiastic learners about learning Chinese language and culture.

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