Meet this year’s Adjudicators & Masterclass Instructors for COPAFestival 2025.
Festival
Adjudicators 2025
Dance
Ballet, Modern & Contemporary, Jazz & Lyrical, Hip Hop, Acro, Musical Theatre, Tap
Jennah Paron
Jennah Paron is a dedicated dance professional with experience in performance, choreography, adjudication, and education. A Team Canada alum and Motives Dance Company member, she holds certifications in ADAPT, PBT, and fitness instruction. Jennah also holds a BA in Sport, Recreation & Tourism, and serves as National Team Coordinator at Volleyball Canada. She co-founded The Dance Initiative and continues to inspire dancers in BC and Alberta.
Music
Piano
Arne Sahlan
Arne Sahlén is an acclaimed pianist, educator, and adjudicator with a rich career spanning hundreds of performances across Canada and beyond. Based in Kimberley, BC, he teaches piano, theory, and pedagogy. His students have gone on to top institutions and careers. A long-time examiner and adjudicator, he’s also served as Visiting Professor at Cambodia’s Royal University of Fine Arts. In 2000, he received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award.
Music
Strings & Chamber Orchestra
John Thompson
John served over 40 seasons as Principal Viola with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and performed widely as a soloist and chamber musician. A passionate educator, he taught at Mount Royal University Conservatory and the University of Calgary, mentoring many students now in professional orchestras. A sought-after adjudicator, John continues to perform and has been honored with the Alberta Achievement Award and Mount Royal’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
Voice
Classical, Musical Theatre, Popular, Speech Arts, Choral
Mireille Rijavec
Mezzo-soprano Mireille Rijavec has performed with Pro Coro Canada, the Alberta Baroque Ensemble, and on CBC as a soloist. With a Master of Music from UBC, she taught voice and music at multiple institutions and served as Executive Director of Pro Coro Canada. Mireille blends music and theatre in original cabarets and plays, and teaches voice with a focus on healthy technique and expressive singing. She is a member of CMFAA, ARMTA, NATS, and the Association for Body Mapping Educators.
Hotel
Thank you to Hotel Zed Kelowna
We’re grateful to Hotel Zed for offering an exclusive promotion to our 2025 festival participants.
Promotions for the 2026 Festival will be announced at a later date. Stay tuned for updated accommodation details and future partner perks.
ASPIRE 2025
Gala & Reception
The Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival warmly invites you to ASPIRE: Gala & Reception. A vibrant evening, recognizing the exceptional talents of our region’s top performing artists.
Event Date:
Friday May 16th, 2025
5:00pm – 9:00pm
Location:
Mary Irwin Theatre & Reception Area
Rotary Centre for the Arts
Dress Code:
Semi-Formal Attire is preferred