Meet The Instructors
Ms Queen!
Queen Alexis – Founder of Queen’s Academy
Queen (she/her) is a community-driven educator deeply committed to empowering young people through creativity, expression, and inclusive education. She is a teacher in the Burnaby School District and the founder of Queen’s Academy of the Arts which provides accessible performing arts programming for diverse and marginalized youth, creating spaces where young people can build confidence, find their voice, and experience a true sense of belonging.
Queen completed her Musical Theatre Diploma and Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Capilano University and a Bachelor of Education at UBC while continuing her teaching. Her efforts have been recognized with the 2024 Black Excellence Youth-preneur Award from the Black Business Association of BC and as a 2026 BCBusiness 30 Under 30 winner where she continues to passionately advance equity, and representation in classrooms and communities.
When not teaching, Queen can be found on hikes with her dogs, baking chocolate cupcakes, and playing board games!
Ms Katie!
Katie Gherasim - Artist & Musical Theatre Teacher
Katie (She/Her) is a performance, film, and visual artist living and working on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Katie often explores creation through the lens of live theatre, improvisation, collage, and stop motion animation. She is a graduate from The School for Contemporary Arts and holds a BA in Theatre and Performance. Katie is delighted to have opportunity to teach within the artistic and lively classrooms of Queen’s Academy. As a creative professional who grew up spending many hours in her local theatre school, she strives to give the same positive, supportive, and exciting experience to young artists. You can find Katie hiking, crocheting, and curing up with a good book!
Ms Sophie!
Sophie Mildiner – Singer-Songwriter, Musical Theatre Teacher
Sophie is so excited to be starting her teaching journey with Queen's Academy. She grew up in Vancouver and fell in love with acting and singing from a young age and hasn't stopped since! Sophie is a graduate from the Douglas College Theatre Program and holds a BA in Acting from University of Wales Trinity Saint David. On top of pursuing acting full time, Sophie is a Singer-Songwriter, with the love of telling stories with her guitar and piano. Sophie believes every child deserves to dive headfirst into their passions. In her spare time, Sophie can be found going on long walks, cuddling with her cat, or curled up with a good book and a cup of tea!
Ms Julia!
Julia Eckert - Musical Theatre Teacher
Julia is an actor, singer, and performer with a life-long love of musical theatre. She recently graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and is incredibly excited to begin venturing out into the world of theatre and teaching post-graduation. Julia loves sharing her passion for theatre, music, and art, which has led her to many amazing teaching opportunities including UBC Camps, Place des Arts, and elementary schools. She has had the privilege of learning from many incredible teachers in her life and is very excited to continue the cycle and impact young lives with the gift of Arts Education at Queen's Academy! When Julia is not teaching or performing, she enjoys watching basketball, playing with her dog, and snuggling up with a good book.
Ms Deepti!
Deepti Sharma - Early Childhood Educator, Speech & Drama Teacher
Deepti has extensive experience working with children in Singapore, Montreal, and Vancouver. She holds a Speech and Drama Diploma from the Julia Gabriel Centre and Trinity College London and has been teaching drama for years. Her passion lies in creating play-based, child-centered learning environments where children can explore, express, and grow with confidence. Through drama, music, and storytelling, she encourages creativity, communication, and joy in every child she teaches. When she’s not teaching, Deepti enjoys tablescaping, decorating spaces with art and craft, reading, and practicing meditation, which bring balance and inspiration into her life.