Owner, Artistic Director and Instructor

Leah Wickes

Leah Wickes, BFA (Dance), RTS, RAD, is the proud owner and Artistic Director of Pacific Dance Centre.

Leah brings an abundance of training and passion into her lesson planning, teaching and choreography and enjoys working with students of all ages! Leah began her ballet training at PDC with Mrs. Eastick as her teacher, debuting as a baby bunny in her first recital. She is thrilled to return to PDC as the new owner and hopes to continue the wonderful reputation of excellence in ballet training that the studio is known for.

• Received Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and is a Registered Teacher.
• Completed a ten-day teacher-training intensive at The American Ballet Theatre in New York (2012, Primary through Level 3)
• Graduated from Simon Fraser University with a BFA in Dance (2006)
• Successfully owned and operated Whitespace Dance studio in Victoria (2010-2016)

Contemporary Instructor

Candace Bruce

Candace is a performer and educator based in Victoria, BC. As a professional dancer, she has worked for companies such as Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Disney Cruise Line, and Netflix, where she was able to gain experience in many different approaches to contemporary and commercial dance. Currently, Candace is an active dancer in the contemporary community and is a member of the dance company Broken Rhythms. In her classrooms, Candace emphasizes creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. By blending her passions for functional strength, artistic freedom, and movement, Candace is able to create a fun and collaborative atmosphere.

• International Sports Sciences Association Personal Trainer & Youth Education Specialist (2020)

• Cast Supervisor & Touring Dancer with Disney Cruise Line  (2018-2020)

• Completed the Emerging Leaders Leadership Training Certificate Program (Disney Cruise Line, 2019)

• Trained at the highly acclaimed Decidedly Jazz Danceworks & Toronto School Of Circus Arts (2017-2020)

Performance Classes

Leticia Pang

A Victoria native, Leticia’s ballet training took place here at Pacific Dance Centre with Maureen Eastick and at numerous summer intensive programs in Banff, Seattle and Vancouver. Her professional dance career includes the graduate program at the National Ballet School of Canada, numerous summers at the Banff Festival Ballet and 10 years with Ballet Jörgen Canada. She has performed ballets such as Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Coppélia and works by George Balanchine. She has also had the privilege to work with and perform new pieces by many Canadian and International choreographers such as Bengt Jörgen, Crystal Pite, Wen Wei Wang, Mark Godden and many other talented choreographers. Leticia began her teaching career here in Victoria upon retiring from her professional dance career in 2002.

• Received Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and is a Registered Teacher (2008)
• Obtained Certificate in Progressing Ballet Technique (2021)

Primary 1 & 2 Instructor

Savannah Cook

Savannah danced with PDC for over 8 years and trained with Mrs. Vernon, Mrs. Eastick and Ms. Leah. Her first stage appearance was as a little scallop in “The Sea King’s Daughter”. Ballet Étoile Canada is a ballet company that Savannah has danced with for 7 years, most recently dancing the role of The Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker. Savannah brings hands-on experience to teaching. She volunteered as an assistant in the Pre-Primary and Primary classes when she was a senior dancer at PDC. Savannah’s passion for working with young children extends beyond the ballet world. She is starting into her third year in the Child and Youth Care program at the University of Victoria. Being a PDC dancer herself, Savannah is excited to be able to give back to the studio. She looks forward to bringing her energy and passion for working with children to help make a fun and welcoming environment for the next generation of PDC dancers.

• Trained at Pacific Dance Centre (2012-2022)
• Achieved “Distinction” in Grade 1, Intermediate Foundation and Advanced 1 & 2 Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet examinations.
• Danced as a member of Ballet Étoile Canada (since 2017)
• Taught primary level ballet at Crystal Pool and Oak Bay Rec. (2022 & 2024)