Patricia (“Pattie”) MacKenzie has devoted her life to the teaching of dance and the mentoring of young people.  She has been teaching in her school in Port Alberni for over 40 years, producing numerous champion dancers, a multitude of enthusiastic and qualified teachers and legions of dance lovers. Her name is synonymous with highland dance in the Alberni Valley.  She has been a part of the Dancestreams Youth Dance Company since 1992, initially as Assistant to founder Bev Aitchison, and from 1996 as the Artistic Director.  During her tenure, the Company has toured internationally, been granted a Creation Residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts, and many dancers have progressed to professional careers as dancers, teachers and administrators.  She has worked closely with and rehearsed the works of renowned choreographers from across Canada and the USA.  Her enthusiasm and encouragement have propelled young dancers to successful careers both in and out of the arts.  As a Scottish Official Board Judge, she adjudicates at competitions and championships world-wide, and she continues to pursue more knowledge by attending teachers’ workshops, master classes and seminars throughout Canada & USA.