Our Story

Genevieve Horsford

Founder of Canned Heat

Genevieve began dancing at the age of 2 with Pacific Dance Center training in RAD ballet. At the age of 12 she began dancing with Excalibur Dance (now Dansko Studios) and trained in hip hop, jazz funk, lyrical, jazz, and ballet. As an adult Genevieve has been part of a number of professional dance projects, taught classes throughout the dance community in Victoria, and continues to take classes with a variety of studios to learn from as many different choreographers as possible in order to grow as a dancer and choreographer. Genevieve founded Canned Heat in June of 2023 with the intention of creating a safe space and loving community for adult dancers who want to continue their dance education and be challenged while maintaining a relaxed environment that is comfortable and accepting of all dancers of all levels and backgrounds.
As an instructor, Genevieve continues to self-educate on new techniques and skills that she brings to her students in class. If you have not tried a Canned Heat class, you are missing out on this beautiful sense of community that Genevieve has built with the help of her students and instructors. Genevieve teaches the Chair & Heels sessional program, the Heat Crew rehearsals and the Production Program at Canned Heat. 

Mo Sheppard

Hip Hop Instructor

Mo began dancing when I was a wee one and it has been my greatest love since. I also love helping others on their dance journeys through teaching, I specialize in styles such as hip-hop, sass and contemporary. The rest of my time is split between working as a paramedic, hugging trees, obsessing over my fur babies and getting tattoos. 

Id love for you to join my class & I hope it feeds a bit of your soul like it does mine!

Clara Randle

Heels Instructor

Clara Randle is a dynamic teacher at Canned Heat Dance Company, determined to transcend age stereotypes, and inspire students to unleash their inner power, sexuality and self-expression. 

Her classes are known for their high energy, blending technical prowess and fostering a class environment where everyone can enjoy learning how to explore and practice mistakes. 

With a background rooted in various dance styles including tap, ballet, Latin and jazz, her innovative choreography and infectious laugh is brought to your Heels class. 

Join Clara at Canned Heat Dance Company to experience the transformative power of movement and empower your own unique expression through dance!

Jacqueline Randle

Contemporary Instructor

Jacqueline began her dancing career in ballet and jazz classes at 4 years old. She later joined the Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts in Nanaimo, B.C to dance and compete in many different dance disciplines, including ballet, jazz, modern, salsa, musical theater, tap, and contemporary. Jacqueline's first love in dance was ballet, notably when she watched from the wings of her academy's biannual Nutcracker Performance as principal dancers from the National Ballet of Canada performed the final pas de deux. When she was 18, she choreographed her first piece, a jazz dance for her younger sister Clara, and she fell in love with the art of dance choreography. After completing graded examinations in classical ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance to Advanced level 1, Jacqueline was accepted into university, and life swept her away from a dance career. But 10 year later, Jacqueline returned to her love of dance with Canned Heat Dance Company. 

Jacqueline teaches dance from the core belief that humans were built to move to music. Many of us started dancing while sitting in our high chairs, and holding on to coffee tables before we learned how to walk and run. Jacqueline guides her students to use this inherent desire to connect with beat and melody in order to connect with ourselves, and others. Through dance fundamentals and choreography, new and experienced dancers will learn how to build physical, emotional, and artistic strength through the art and joy of dance. Jacqueline wants everyone to enjoy every moment of dance class and is therefore meticulous about her music choices, so get ready to lose yourself in the music and movement!