Owner & Artistic Director

Taya’s heart has belonged to the studio since she first stepped onto the dance floor at three years old. After spending 12 years dancing at Gold Pan—heavily mentored by Kaitlin Jamieson (Mathis) in tap, jazz, and lyrical—she went on to sweep up overall awards, judges’ choice awards, and multiple merited participant honors at festivals near and far. She even once received solo choreography straight out of New York from dancer Calen Kurka (an incredible opportunity her mom miraculously tracked down!).

Taya has trained in nearly every style under the sun—from ballet and pointe to hip hop and musical theatre—though her absolute favorites will always be jazz, variety, and expressive interpretive ballet.

As a choreographer, Taya has created multiple overall award-winning solos, duos, and trios, and has proudly guided numerous students to the provincial stage as representatives and Merited Participants. After teaching for three years at Gold Pan, and several at For the Love of Dance under Brianna Taylor, she stepped into her dream role as the Owner of For the Love of Dance Collective in 2024. Beyond the studio walls, she serves as the competition team founder and fundraising coordinator, and is even the dance director of the QFPA!

When she isn't brainstorming her future award-winning choreography or hyping up her dancers, Taya works as a Registered Nurse specializing in maternity and critical care. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNBC with a minor in psychology, beautifully blending her deep love for science, caretaking, and the arts.

Whether she is teaching a technical foundation or helping a dancer find their creative voice, Taya is dedicated to keeping FLOD a soulful, inspiring home for every student.

Certifications & Credentials:

• Education:B.Sc. in Nursing (Minor in Psychology) — UNBC

• Professional: Registered Nurse (Maternity & Critical Care Specialized)

• Dance Qualifications:

  • Progressing Ballet Technique (Level 1)

  • Progressing Contemporary Technique

  • Currently training in AcroFlex – Acrobatic Arts

  • Currently training in Acrobatic Arts (Module 1)

Instructor & Director

Brianna has been sharing her profound passion for dance for over 15 years, embarking on her journey as an educator at the young age of 14. As the visionary original owner and director of For the Love of Dance for eight dedicated years, she poured her heart into building an inclusive, inspiring sanctuary where young artists could truly thrive and discover their own creative voices.

Deeply committed to providing top-tier, evidence-based dance education, Brianna is continuously expanding her expertise. She is currently advancing her professional qualifications with Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) examination training, Acro Dance Preschool Certification, and Progressing Contemporary Technique (PCT) certifications.

In Brianna’s classes, students do so much more than learn choreography; they focus on building an unshakeable technical foundation while developing the confidence, resilience, and creativity needed to reach their full potential both on and off the stage.

Certifications & Credentials:

• Education: Bachelor of Arts: Psychology - University of Victoria

• Dance Qualifications: 15+ Years of Dance Pedagogy Experience; Former Studio Owner & Director

• Professional Certifications: Training in Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT); Certified in Progressing Contemporary Technique & Acro Dance Preschool

Intro to Dance Teacher

Jessica’s journey on the dance floor began at just 3 years old, sparking a 14-year devotion with movement at Gold Pan City Dance. Training extensively across nearly every style - including ballet, jazz, hip hop, pointe, lyrical, acro, and modern - she quickly found her stride in advanced intermediate training. Her dedication and artistry earned her high-scores, trophies, judges’ choice awards, and the honor of competing at the provincials in both 2012 and 2013.

While she has a profound love for all genres, ballet and contemporary will always hold the key to her heart. For Jessica, dance was never just about the steps; it was a safe harbor to pour her heart into, express her truest self, and find her voice growing up.

Jessica discovered her love for teaching early on, volunteering to instruct preschool classes at ages 15 and 16. Today, her ultimate “why” as an educator is to help young dancers unlock that same sense of wonder, helping them build unstoppable confidence and creativity from the moment they step into the studio.

Equally passionate about caring for and elevating others outside the studio, Jessica is a multi-talented professional. She holds a Body Spa Esthetics Diploma from the prestigious John Casablancas Institute in Vancouver, BC, and successfully runs her own esthetics business. Additionally, she has served as a dedicated Support Worker at QCLA since 2022, bringing specialized crisis intervention and behavioral training (including MANDT certification) to her work—an asset that beautifully supports her ability to create safe, structured, and nurturing environments for our youngest dancers.

Certifications & Credentials:

• Education: Body Spa Esthetics Diploma — John Casablancas Institute

• Professional: Certified Support Worker (QCLA) & Esthetics Business Owner

• Dance Qualifications: Trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary Modern, and Acro; Provincial-Level Competitive Dancer

Choreographer & Assistant Teacher

Emily’s love for movement began at age three, followed by rhythmic gymnastics at seven. She joined For the Love of Dance in 2020, bringing six years of teaching experience and a versatile background in ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, hip hop, jazz, and acro. As a competitive dancer, her technical skill in acrobatics earned her numerous regional awards and the honour of representing Quesnel and Kamloops as a Merited Participant at provincials.

That excellence shines through in her choreography. Specializing in acro, lyrical, and jazz, her students consistently take home overall awards—including guiding her student, Eden, all the way to the provincial stage. For Emily, the true inspiration behind her dancing is her close partnership with Taya, and she loves nothing more than creating show-stopping solos and elevating FLOD together as a dynamic team.

Equally brilliant outside the studio, she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2026, with dreams of pursuing a critical care specialty and a post-critical care Acro certification. When she isn't saving lives or choreographing, she is busy managing her 26-acre property, tending to her three cows, and enjoying life with her wonderfully massive family of siblings!

Certifications & Credentials:

• Education:B.Sc. in Nursing (2026)

• Dance Qualifications: Trained in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Acro, Pointe, and Hip Hop; Award-Winning Regional & Provincial Level Choreographer

MARKETING & MEDIA

Melissa’s heart has belonged to the performing arts for as long as she can remember. Today, she channels that lifelong love for dance and movement into her role as the co-owner of BPM Dance Experience and the marketing director of For the Love of Dance Collective. Whether she is freezing a beautiful jump in time as the team photographer (a role she's loved for three years), managing the day-to-day admin, or cheering the loudest to hype up our dancers, Melissa keeps the heartbeat of the studio strong.

Melissa’s unique strength lies in her dual passion for the arts and education. While she does most of her work remotely, when she’s not doing studio work, she is a high school teacher. Her extensive academic background includes a Bachelors and Masters in English, alongside a Bachelors and a Master of Education.