Our Team
Sarah DeVito
Artistic Director
Sarah started her training at the Legendary Parksville Ballet School and later moved on to train at various prestigious dance institutions in British Columbia, such as Arts Umbrella and The Goh Ballet. During her early years as a dancer, she had the privilege of working with several renowned teachers and artists including Linda Klassen, Beverly Atchison, Artemis Gordon, and Joe Laughlin, among others.
After completing her training, Sarah returned to her home studio, which she now runs under the name Innovate Dance Arts, located on Vancouver Island. As the Director of higher intensive programming, she works with dedicated dance students who want to further their training. Sarah is well-known for her ability to enhance dancers' awareness of movement quality and artistry, and she works closely with them to help improve their performance and confidence on stage.
Sarah is also a celebrated choreographer, known for her innovative choreography and her ability to showcase dancers' technical skills and artistic abilities. She frequently travels as a judge and adjudicator, sharing her passion for dance and her unique approach to performing.
In 2010, Sarah founded Helix Dance Theatre, a pre-professional contemporary dance company, which operates as a non-profit organization. Helix provides a collaborative environment for talented young artists from various dance studios and training centers to work together. Sarah serves as the Artistic Director, working alongside some of Canada's most prominent professional dance artists.
Sarah takes pride in the many dancers she has trained who have gone on to pursue post-graduate dance programs and professional dance careers worldwide. She remains grateful for the opportunity to share her love of movement and her passion for dance with others, and to continue exploring and inspiring the art form.
Deena Carl
Company Manager
Deena began studying dance at the age of 5 under the guidance of Linda Klassen and Bev Aitchison at Parksville Ballet School. Performing at various regianal festivals, Deena received numerous awards and bursaries which enabled her to continue with her studies. Deena has had the privilege to study at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional School, the San Francisco Academy of Dance, Banff School of Fine Arts and Ryerson Theatre School teacher training program.
Deena holds her Cecchetti Associate diploma and has taught for over 30 years at various schools throughout the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. She was a founding member of Dancestreams youth company and co-directed a semi professional company “Dance Is….” based on the lower mainland from 1993 – 1997.
With a specialty in preschool movement principles, Deena really excels with the little ones. Through her boundless energy and kindness she passes on the love of dance and gives them a great foundation to move forward in the performing arts in whatever direction they may pursue.
Deena now divides her time managing & teaching dance at Innovate Dance Arts (which she co-owns), operating Helix Dance Theatre, producing Unite in Dance conventions, enjoying travel and visiting with her adult daughter who also has chosen to continue on with her “love of dance”.
Ali Jenkins
Company Assistant
Alicia is an alumni of Helix Dance Theatre. In June 2016 Alicia graduated from high school and wanted to take dance further. She then went off to Winnipeg, MB to dive deeper into ballet and contemporary dance at “The Professional Division of the School for Contemporary Dancers”. She also taught at the Junior pre-professional program here.
In April 2018 Ali was accepted into Lamondance - a contemporary training program based out of North Vancouver and she completed their full program in June of 2020.
Throughout the years of post secondary training Alicia has taught at various island dance studios and has assisted with Helix workshops.
Growing up, Jenkins knew she wanted nothing but dance in her life. Ali is a driven dancer and teacher who enjoys inspiring, teaching and moving not only audiences but her fellow dancers as well. We feel so fortunate to have such a passionate assitant on hand!