Charity Van Gameren
Academy Owner, Musical Theatre, Voice & Theory Instructor
Charity Van Gameren has been strongly rooted in the performing arts industry in the Okanagan since 1992 as a teacher, director and performer. Charity has her degree in vocal performance through the Royal Conservatory of Toronto and is a registered music teacher of British Columbia.
Charity’s vocal training spans every genre including classical, opera, musical theatre, jazz and pop. Along with being formally trained, Charity has a life time of experience in song writing and music composition.
Charity along with running a large vocal studio is the founder and director of the acclaimed musical theatre company,Lights of Broadway, one of the longest running musical theatre programs in the Okanagan. Charity’s love for musical theatre and Lights of Broadway has given her the drive to bring a full length Broadway show to the Performing Arts Centre stage each spring since 2000. Some of this company’s accalimed shows include performances of The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hairspray, Footloose and Shrek just to name a few.
Charity’s musical programs have grown to capacity and she is very excited to allow for expansion in the performing arts by introducing and directing operations of Center Stage Performing Arts Academy.
Charity was born in southern California and graduated in the U.S.A but followed her heart back to the Okanagan where she is married, has raised her children and where she has dedicated her career to developing the performing arts in a place of natural and cultural beauty.
Cherise McInnis
Dance Instructor & Choreographer
Cherise McInnis is an Okanagan girl who began dancing at the age of 4 with Backstage Dance Company. Cherise’s first love is tap dance but following her wise mother’s instruction has trained in all disciplines of dance including Royal Academy of Dance Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre, lyrical, Hip Hop and Tap.
Cherise along with years of intensive dance training and performing has been teaching for the past 16 years. Cherise teaches all disciplines of dance as well as being an accomplished choreographer.
Cherise’s students have competed across the province in Kiwanis festivals, Shine, Vibe and the Great Canadian Dance Challenge and have received honors for their work.
Cherise is a strong supporter of the local performing arts and has been actively involved in choreography for Powerhouse Theatre, 27th Street Theatre Company and most recently has become the resident choreographer for Lights of Broadway.
Cherise is thrilled to be part of Center Stage Academy and intends to “dance herself silly” and take others along for the exciting ride!
Jenae Bennett
Voice, Musical Theatre & Summer Camp Instructor
Jenae Bennett grew up in Vernon B.C. and is a passionate performer, educator, and entrepreneur with over 14 years of vocal training and more than 10 years of teaching experience. She holds a Vocal Performance degree from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, where she earned a Silver Medal for excellence and was a three-time provincial delegate in voice.
Jenae has been immersed in the world of musical theatre for over 20 years, performing competitively and on stage in beloved roles like Leisl (The Sound of Music), Millie (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Scarecrow (The Wizard of Oz), and Sophie (Mamma Mia). Behind the scenes, she’s spent years choreographing, Directing, Stage Managing and Teaching youth theatre at Center Stage Performing Arts Academy in Vernon B.C.
Beyond the stage, Jenae is also a professiona Family photographer, capturing authentic, joy-filled moments for people across the Okanagan. Her eye for detail, love of storytelling, and creative direction carry through every area of her work.
Outside of her work, Jenae is a wife to her husband, Robbie, and a proud mom to their son Houston who is currently toddling his way through life. She’s also a dog mom to two mini Aussiedoodles, Arlo and Randi. In her spare time you can usually find her enjoying simple moments with her family. Something she values just as much as her work in the arts.
Jenae loves being a part of Center Stage and believes it is a space where kids can connect through music, movement, and theatre.
Sara Mori Jones
Acting Instructor & Assistant Director for Lights of Broadway
Sarah Mori Jones is a teacher, director, and performer of theatre and speech arts. She began her training in her hometown at the Vernon School of Speech and Drama in 1992. Sarah then moved to Vancouver and toured with the Vancouver Youth Theatre. From there she attended Simon Fraser University at the School for the Contemporary Arts and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre) in 1998. During which time she performed as much as possible and discovered her love for directing.
The Bolton Academy of Spoken Arts in Vancouver returned her back to her speech arts roots where she taught until 2004. There she taught drama, speech arts and public speaking skills to students of all ages with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) and Trinity College of London curriculum. Sarah has received her Royal Conservatory of Music Performer’s ARCT in Speech and Drama.
Since moving back to Vernon in 2004, Sarah has been performing, adjudicating festivals and private coaching while raising three children with her husband, Jonathan Jones. Most recently, she has been the acting coach for Lights of Broadway. Starting 2021 Season she is now offering group classes! Check out Acting for the Stage: Junior and Senior!
Sarah looks forward to passing on the amazing life skills that speech and drama offer with Center Stage Performing Arts Academy.
Marina Land
Beginner Ballet Instructor
Marina Land was born and raised in Vernon, BC, and began dancing at the age of two. She has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, with the majority of her training at the Okanagan School of Ballet. She has also trained at En Avant, participated in the School Dance Academy at Accentz, attended Canadian School of Ballet in Kelowna and had the opportunity to perform with Ballet Jörgen in the productions of Anne of Green Gables and The Nutcracker.
Marina completed her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations from Pre-Primary through Intermediate Foundation, earning Distinction twice. She has competed in numerous dance competitions and earned several top-three placements for her ballet solos and group performances. Marina even found time for competitive figure skating.
Marina has a passion for performing and has been involved with CenterStage from a young age, performing in Lights of Broadway for six years. Her roles include the Acrobat in Matilda, Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act, and Lord Farquaad in Shrek.
Marina is excited to be part of the CenterStage community and looks forward to sharing her love of dance and inspiring the next generation of dancers.
