Youth Summer Camps at Brentwood

Sara Lowes

Ms. Lowes was born in Hokkaido, Japan, but grew up on beautiful Vancouver Island. Being raised on nature documentaries and ocean exploration, she has a passion for conservation and nature. Growing up with teachers in the family, the act of teaching came naturally, and she started tutoring and coaching by age 13. 

Ms. Lowes is also an avid athlete and competed in/coached sports such as field hockey, ice hockey, rugby, and sailing. She joined the University of British Columbia's varsity field hockey team and won two national championships. She completed her B.Sc. in Biology with a Minor in Asian Studies, and also achieved an Outstanding Practicum Award while finishing her B.Ed. in Secondary Science. 

After starting her career in Coquitlam, Ms. Lowes moved back to the Island with her partner and their two cats. Her passion for reconciliation and climate change drives her ongoing education in Indigenous-based environmental sciences. Ms. Lowes also hopes to improve at scuba diving so that she can be a citizen scientist and track human impacts on the ocean. She loves creating lasting relationships with students and sharing her passion for life and living things. 

Michelle Legassicke

Growing up on Vancouver Island, Ms. Legassicke developed a lifelong love for outdoor adventure before pursuing a B.A. at the University of Victoria and an M.A. from the University of Waterloo. Her international research in Political Science has taken her from Ghana to Hong Kong, but her true passion lies in coaching competitive student speech and diplomacy. Since joining Brentwood in 2019, she has coached students to the world level of British Parliamentary (BP) debate and led Mock Trial teams to the Varsity Cup finals before Justice Rothstein. Her Model UN delegations are perennial award-winners at Vancouver MUN and recently secured the prestigious Delegation Award at the 2024 National Model UN Competition in New York. A seasoned coach with top 20 Provincial and IISPSC finalist track records, Ms. Legassicke brings world-class expertise to every student, helping them build the foundations of excellence in public speaking and global affairs.

Mike Keddy

Dr. Michael Keddy is an accomplished Canadian conductor, educator, and percussionist who currently serves as Head of Music at Brentwood College School in Mill Bay, British Columbia, and Music Director for The Greater Victoria Concert Band (Senior level). Dr. Keddy holds a PhD in Music Education/Conducting from the University of Victoria and a Master’s Degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Manitoba, having also completed advanced studies in conducting from the University of Calgary. Throughout his career, Dr. Keddy has earned praise for the exceptional musicality of his ensembles and has taken leadership roles as conductor for the University of Victoria Wind Symphony, the University of Victoria Don Wright Symphonic Winds, and guest conductor for the Civic Orchestra of Victoria.

Nick Szymanis

Nick Szymanis is the founder and lead director of Debate Camp, since 2002. He has been a career educator for 18 years, inclusive of academic leadership positions—most recently as Director of Academics at the Sterling Hall School in Toronto (2010-15). He has coached debating, hosted annual tournaments for the past 18 years, and is the current Vice President of the International Independent Schools Public Speaking League. Nick, his wife Oona, and two sons, Noah and Aaron, live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he currently coaches debating at Armbrae Academy and King's Edgehill School.

Megan Rae

Miss Rea brings a lifelong love of dance and musical theatre to her teaching, shaped by experiences living across Europe and studying in the UK. Having attended boarding school, herself, she understands the unique opportunities and sense of community that life in such a setting can offer. Growing up, she followed her passion for the stage to earn a B.A. (Hons) in Musical Theatre, later completing postgraduate study at the Royal Academy of Dance.

Miss Rea’s teaching journey has taken her from East London to the Swiss Alps. She has embraced the unique opportunities of each role while inspiring and supporting her students of all ages and diverse backgrounds. Drawing on her professional stage experience, she brings real-world insight to her teaching, enriching students’ learning.

Miss Rea loves connecting with young dancers, encouraging them to step outside of their comfort zone, build confidence, and reach their full potential. Now having embarked on a new adventure on Vancouver Island, Miss Rea is thrilled to share her passion, creativity, and enthusiasm with the vibrant Brentwood community.

Avi Sharabi

Avi is the founder of Kin-Strength, driven by a mission to instill lifelong strength through movement. She combines advanced education and practical experience to support athletes in achieving their goals. Avi holds a Master’s in Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning) from Edith Cowan University and a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Victoria, providing a strong foundation in athletic performance and rehabilitation.

With a passion for athletic development and lifelong strength, Avi empowers athletes to unlock their full potential, achieve peak performance, and build resilience for long-term success.

Jacob Lakirovich

Jacob Lakirovich holds a Diploma of Graduation from the State College of Music, Baku, USSR, a Professional Studies Certificate from the Music Academy Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel, and a Concert Artist Certificate from the Conservatorium of Music Luzern, Switzerland. His principal teachers were Rami Shevelov, Yair Kless, Boris Goldstein, and Rudolph Baumgartner.

Mr. Lakirovich has held positions in numerous orchestras in Europe, Australia, and Canada, including Heidelberg Opera Orchestra, Germany, Principal Violinist for the Queensland Pops and Theatre Orchestras, Brisbane, Australia, and Concertmaster for the Canadian Chamber Academy Orchestra. He appeared as a soloist and conducted chamber and youth symphony orchestras in many European countries, as well as Israel, Australia, and Canada, which were broadcast on radio and TV, including the Radio Vatican.

He was a Co-Founder and Director of the Stoliarsky School of Music, Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, and a former faculty member at Sydney Conservatorium University of Wollongong, Australia, and was involved in developing and teaching a program for gifted youth. He has led many workshops on Violin Technique and Interpretation at international music festivals in Germany, Italy, Australia, and Canada. He is a member Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association and is also a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music Examiner College and conducts string examinations across Canada.

David Lakirovich

David Lakirovich began his violin studies at the age of three in Brisbane, Australia, under his father, Jacob Lakirovich. He has studied with renowned teachers, including Shmuel Ashkenasi, Vadim Gluzman, and William Preucil, and has performed as a soloist in international venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv, and the Stradivari Museum in Cremona.

David has served as Associate Concertmaster of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Guest Concertmaster of the Indianapolis Symphony, and is currently Assistant Concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. In addition to performing, David taught at Mount Royal University and University of Calgary, and is Professor of Violin at the Vancouver Academy of Music. He is the Program and Operations Director of the Vancouver Island Music Academy, which he co-founded in 2021.

Art Hobbs

Art enjoys playing and teaching tennis! Art has competed and coached at national and international levels, was Junior ITF and Davis Cup Coach for Malaysia, and played doubles for Singapore's 1993 Davis Cup Team. Art has helped develop tennis communities throughout Asia and most recently in the Cowichan Valley—along with being a tennis coach at Brentwood College School. He is passionate about tennis and thrives passing on his love for the game to others.

Conrad Alscher

Conrad was a national-level tennis player as a junior and still plays at a high competitive level. His goal is to build up the tennis community in the Cowichan Valley and he is also a tennis coach at Brentwood College School. Conrad is dedicated to ensuring tennis players have the best tennis experience possible by improving their skills and providing an enjoyable learning process.