About Spark
We believe that art powerfully impacts culture. The mission of Spark is to gather, support, train, and empower artists to use their gifts as a blessing to Elmira. At our Christ-inspired classes and events, you will be hosted in a positive, professional, and creative atmosphere. A place to learn a new skill, go deeper with your art form, collaborate with other artists, or enjoy a creative community event. Spark offers a variety of classes for every age and level. All are welcome.
Meet the Team
Spark is blessed with a group of instructors who have a wide array of experience and qualifications. All are focused on teaching exceptional technique while creating unforgettable experiences.
Our team is committed to meeting you where you are and to helping you progress to new levels.
Remiah Towns
Spark Founder, Dance & Pilates Instructor
Remiah put on her first pair of ballet shoes a month before her third birthday and has been in love with ballet ever since! Remiah trained under world-renowned teachers at Goh Ballet, Vancouver, and Ballet Magnificat, a Christian ballet Company in Jackson, Mississippi. She has experience performing and teaching throughout Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico, Russia, China, Japan, and Zimbabwe.
With more than 15 years of teaching experience, she is passionate about creating a healthy dance experience for all her students through excellence in technique and an encouraging environment. She recently enjoyed teaching and choreographing at Lavrova Dance and Dance Barn Studio in Langley, B.C. Remiah moved to Elmira in 2016 with her husband and four children and is excited about Spark!
Catherine Allard
Music Instructor
Catherine has a deep love of music-making, both in a group and individually. She believes in the power of music to bring us together and make us stronger, happier, and more socially conscious people. Her goal as an educator is to instil in students an enjoyment of music that encourages them to move forward with their learning independently throughout their lives. Catherine has been teaching music for 13 years. Since 2011, she has worked as a music and early years teacher in both the public and private school systems. Catherine has a bachelor of fine arts honours degree in music from York University in Toronto, Ontario and a bachelor of education from the University of Toronto.
Krystle Morris
Drama Instructor
Krystle has a love for all things theatre. Whether she is on stage as an actor, or behind the scenes designing costumes, she loves to bring stories to life. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Windsor, where she focused on video & audio editing, script analysis & costume design for theatre, and the creative process. She is a small business owner, homeschool mom, and loves speaking & writing about the freedom found in God's grace on her blog.
Jackie Naccache
Violin Instructor
Jackie is a violin teacher and music therapist. She has been studying violin for most of her life and is a recent graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, having received a bachelor of music therapy with a minor in psychology. Jackie has spent her life passionately pursuing music with the goal of teaching violin alongside her music therapy work. She believes that music is a universal language that can bring people together, and that learning to read and play music is an invaluable experience that can benefit many aspects of one’s life. Lessons with Jackie are suited for all ages, levels, and styles. She teaches a range of genres including classical, fiddle, contemporary, and improvisation techniques.
Mark Robbins
Piano Instructor
Mark Robbins has been involved in music for most of his life. He studied music education at Tyndale University, Wilfrid Laurier University and The University of Toronto. He has over thirty years of experience as a Music Educator both privately and in high schools. He has also spent much of his life in musical ministry leadership positions at various churches. Mark is honoured to be a recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence for his work as the Head of the Arts Department at Madawaska Valley District High School in Renfrew County, Ontario.
He clearly has a passion for sharing the blessing of the wonderful gift of music with his students. He has a particular joy in coaching his students to explore their own creativity through original musical arrangement and composition.
Mark is thrilled to continue sharing this love of creative music making by teaching piano at Spark.
Catherine Serez
Vocal Coach
Catherine is an enthusiastic vocal coach who is passionate about equipping singers and speakers with the tools for producing and maintaining a strong, healthy instrument. Catherine emphasizes the strengthening and healing connection between the body and the voice. She has travelled extensively across the globe on music teams and as a soloist and has been teaching music for all ages as well as leading teams and organizing community events for over thirty years. Catherine attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, received her BMus degree in Voice from Wilfrid Laurier University. She received her TESOL accreditation from University of Waterloo and enjoys writing as well as performing music.
Michelle Vanlochem
Piano Instructor
For as long as Michelle can remember, music has been a part of her life. Piano lessons started when her uncle offered to pay for them. As she got older, she studied voice and taught herself guitar. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a music major, from Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON and then returned a few years later to earn a Bachelor of Education degree.
She has taught music in the classroom and privately. Since her teen years she has served in music ministry whether playing piano, singing, or playing guitar. She believes that music should be shared and ultimately is all for the glory of God. To use the words of J.S. Bach, “The final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the soul.”
Michelle is the home educating mom to four, since the birth of her oldest, and a wife to Marcel for close to 18 years. Besides enjoying music, you might be able to find Michelle gardening, handcrafting, reading, or exploring God's creation.
Jericco Vera
Intro to Everything Audio (DJing, Recording, Live Sound) Instructor
Over the past decade, Jericco has been learning, teaching, practicing and performing various skills within the audio industry. From producing and publishing his own music, collaborating and mixing with other artists, to DJing and running sound for churches & concerts, he has had many experiences that led him to attain a depth of knowledge within the music industry. He is a graduate from the Metalworks Music Institute in Mississauga, and now has his own company that deals in all types of audio services from the Studio to the Stage.
In Jericco's career, his main focus is creating Electronic and Pop inspired music but loves collaborating in all genres. While these concepts seem complex, Jericco's classes will be accessible for any student of any age!
