Our Team
Sarah DeVito
Artistic Director
Sarah began her dance training at the Parksville Ballet School under the direction of Linda Klassen. From a young age she was enrolled in their performing arts program training in a multi-disciplinary dance program which included tap and musical theatre. She was a member of the Vancouver Island Youth Dance Association where she performed with Dancestreams youth company. Sarah also privately trained under the mentorship of Beverly Aitchison as well as working closely with teachers such as Suzanne Oulette and Artemis Gordon.
Sarah went on to excel in ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary dance. She furthered her dance training at the Goh Ballet Academy, Arts Umbrella and Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre seminar program. She has performed selected works from Joe Laughlin, Judith Marcuse, Jean-Guy Cosette and Bengt Jorgen.
Along with being co-owner of Innovate Dance Arts Ltd., she is the artistic director of Helix Dance Theatre which she founded in 2009.
Sarah is a sought after adjudicator and continues to be recognized for her innovative choreography and her ability to highlight the skills of dancers both technically and artistically.
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 local 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 25 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!