Queen’s Academy of The Arts – Small Business Feature

Queen Alexis founder of Queen's Academy

Queen’s Academy of the Arts is a local small business that offers musical theatre programs for children between the ages of 4 to 12 online and in person in Burnaby and Coquitlam. There are after school classes, summer camps and music lessons (voice, guitar and piano) all available on a sliding scale.

I first met Queen at a Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) event at Capilano University. She is a Musical Theatre Diploma graduate, currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the university and the founder and instructor of Queen’s Academy of The Arts.

M: When did you open your business?

Q: I began offering free musical theatre classes in 2013 and registered as a business; Queen’s Academy of The Arts in 2020.

M: Did you always want to own your own business?

Q: I started teaching classes to kids as a passion project and I discovered that teaching and running a business could be a future career. It combines what I love; teaching and working with kids, and the performing arts.

Queen's Academy Fall 2019 Musical Theatre Class
Queen’s Academy Fall 2019 Musical Theatre Class

Queen’s Academy was born

M: What was your inspiration for your business?

Q: Since I was little, I’ve loved to perform. My mom put me in classes, but I knew they were too expensive for us, so I withdrew. Only, that didn’t stop me, instead it gave me the inspiration and drive to run my own business.

M: When did you start teaching children?

Q: At age 12, I began offering free musical theatre classes to feed my passion for the arts. And eight years later launched my business. I believe all kids deserve the opportunity to enrich their lives through the arts. But I know some families face difficulties or financial barriers. This is why I have made my program more affordable than competitors and I have also created an inclusive sponsorship program to make classes more accessible. 

Queen's Academy Spring 2019 Musical Theatre Show
Queen’s Academy Spring 2019 Musical Theatre Show

Accessible Musical Theatre Programs

M: Did you grow up in Vancouver?

Q: I have lived in the Lower Mainland and Burnaby since I was a kid! It is my passion to bring families together through Queen’s Academy and make performing arts accessible to create connection and community.

M: Would you advise others to pursue a degree before opening their own business?

Q: I began running my business teaching my children’s programs while pursuing a Musical Theatre Diploma and Bachelors of Arts Degree at Capilano University. Pursuing an education in the field that my company specializes in has helped me obtain the skills to feel confident in the field. I would advise you to do what will lead you to the most success.

M: What would your advice to future owners with dreams of owning their own business be?

Q: As long as you are passionate and determined anything is possible!

If you would like to know more about Queen’s Academy of the Arts and their musical theatre programs, voice and music lessons, please visit their website and follow their Instagram.

Capilano University Canoe Awakening

Capilano University and Chief Joe Capilano at sunset

Skw’cháys, CapU’s Legacy

In honour of Indigenous History month, I recently attended the Capilano University Canoe Awakening Ceremony for Skw’cháys. The university commissioned carvers Ses siyam (Ray Natraoro) and Xats’alanexw siyam (Victor Harry) to create the Coast Salish Canoe for their 50th Anniversary.

The female family members awakened Skw’cháys with cedar branches and wore blankets to protect their hearts from spirits. While Ses siyam, Xats’alanexw siyam and the other male family members played music and sang a historical song. Traditionally, if a canoe is not awakened, riding on it will feel heavy and sluggish. But when the canoe is awake, it will be buoyant and travel faster. I wanted to capture the ceremony in photos but an Indigenous Faculty member told me that I shouldn’t. I should be present in body, mind and spirit. And I am thankful that she advised me not to.

On the day of the ceremony, Skw’cháys was awakened in preparation for the upcoming 2023 Convocation. He will be put to sleep again in the fall. The ceremonies mark the beginning and end of the students academic journey at Capilano University.

Capilano University Canoe Awakening Ceremony for Skw’cháys
Capilano University Canoe Awakening Ceremony for Skw’cháys

I am grateful that the Indigenous Student Services welcomed us to witness the ceremony. And I was fortunate to able to listen to Squamish Nation Elder Rose Nahanee speak for the second time. The first time was at the Fall 2019 Welcome Orientation when I started the Bachelor of Communications program.

Capilano University Calling

In 2019, Elder Rose spoke about how that morning the canoe symbolized a journey home for her and the Squamish Nation. Further, she said that we all chose Capilano University, but CapU also chose us too. This hit home for me. During my senior year of high school, when the UBC, SFU and CapU recruiters came, I knew I wanted to go to there. I felt it so strongly inside of me. A knowing. Capilano was calling me.

Capilano University Birch Building
Capilano University Birch Building

Today, she also spoke about how we are all on a journey whether we are students, faculty or staff at CapU. Once again Elder Rose’s words resonated with me. The last four years at Capilano has been a wonderful journey that has marked many successes in my student career.

“Stand Tall and Proud ” — Elder Rose Nahanee

During my fist term, I joined the Capilano Young Women in Business Club as their social media consultant and I became the Secretary for the Capilano Radio Club. Now, I am the VP of Cap Radio and in 2022, I joined the CSU Surf Club. Since 2019, I have been a contributor and in 2022 a columnist at Capilano Courier. And since 2021, one of the editors of Liar Zine.

I proudly served four years as Capilano Students’ Union’s (CSU) Mature and Parent Students Liaison and three as the Chairperson of CSU’s Collectives Committee. Finally, I am excited to begin my role as one of the Student Representatives of the Board of Governors in August.

After the Awakening Ceremony, I spoke with Elder Rose Nahanee and told her how I love her speeches. She thanked me and asked me what program I was in. I told her my major and my involvement with the CSU and my new role with the Board of Governors. She told me to continue with that, there are not enough women involved.

“Stand tall and proud,” Elder Rose said during her speech. I am.

5 Best North Vancouver Sushi Restaurants

North Vancouver Sushi Restaurants Sansho Sushi and Japanese Dining Chirashi

I have loved sushi since I first tried it when I was seven years old. Today, I am revealing my top 5 favourite North Vancouver sushi restaurants. Mama Izumi, my foodie cohort took me to my first sushi restaurant, Aki in the historical Japan Town. Otherwise known as Paueru Gai, it is where the Annual Powell Street Festival is held. Back then, my favourite was tuna. It still is, but my taste buds are more adventurous and my favourites now include Uni (sea urchin).

North Vancouver Sushi Restaurants Number 5 – Sushi 5

Starting with number five, Sushi 5 is located in Lynn Valley Centre, close to Highway 1 and Central Lonsdale. It is easy to get to, whether you are living on the North Shore or in Metro Vancouver. They are one of my favourite sushi restaurants because they have yummy Mix and Match combos that are reasonably priced and include miso soup (soup is not shown in the photo).

Sushi 5 North Vancouver Sushi Restaurant
Sushi 5 Mix and Match Lunch Specials

Number 4 – Sushi Kumo

Sushi Kumo is conveniently located at 180 East 2nd Street. It is in Lower Lonsdale, a few blocks up from the Quay and the seabus station. Little known fact, when I was in high school, my first job was as a dishwasher at this location–it was a different Japanese sushi restaurant called Manyo. Mama and I have been to Kumo twice and both times we enjoyed their Sushi & Sashimi and Sushi Boxes and also received wonderful customer service from Candy.

Kumo Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Kumo Sushi far photo Sushi & Sashimi Box and near photo Sushi Box

North Vancouver Sushi Restaurants Number 3 – Sansho Sushi & Japanese Dining

I have been a long time customer at Sansho. It was first introduced to me by Mama, my foodie mentor. This North Vancouver sushi restaurant is located at 707 Queensbury Avenue kitty corner from S’wich Cafe. Our favourites are their Makunouchi Bento (shown below) and Chirashi Sushi (featured photo above my blog).

North Vancouver Sushi Restaurant Sansho
Sansho Makunouchi Bento

Number 2 – Hamaei Japanese Restaurant

Hamaei is one of my favourite sushi restaurants because they serve an amazing lunch special. It includes miso soup and a little bit of everything we love about bentos! They are located at 1601 Westview Drive at Westview Shopping Centre which is right above Highway 1 and close to Delbrook Community Recreation Centre.

Hamaei North Vancouver Sushi Restaurant
Hamaei Lunch Special

North Vancouver Sushi Restaurants 1 – Momji Japanese Cuisine

The number one best North Vancouver Sushi Restaurant is Momji. It is located in the Blueridge Area at 3720 Mount Seymour Parkway. They offer authentic Japanese cuisine (one of the last restaurants on the North Shore to do so). A former colleague introduced me to them and I loved it! My stomach was ready to burst after our meal. Their dishes were over flowing with umami and I ate too much because of it. Mama and I ordered ika karage (Japanese calamari), miso soup, katsu curry and agedashi tofu. A wonderful meal and restaurant that we enjoyed immensely and look forward to going back.

North Vancouver Sushi Restaurants Momji Japanese Cuisine
Momji Japanese Cuisine’s Ika Karage

All photos are my own and I relished every moment of taking them, but especially when I was able to devour the dishes! Please ask for permission to use them or credit me in your publication. If you enjoyed this article, share it!