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Get Bent Coordinators

Wendy Williams, Get Bent Director & Founder

Wendy's mother was a belly dancer, and Wendy developed her passion for dance (and costumes) at a young age.  Since then, Wendy immersed herself in learning numerous dance styles, and fell in love with performing and teaching.  Wendy has studied and taught: Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Latin dances, East Indian Dances and numerous Belly Dance styles. 

With this experience, Wendy founded Get Bent in 2004 and developed Get Bent's unique "Bollywood Bellydance Style" -- combining upbeat Bollywood music & costuming with Belly Dance, East Indian Dance, Hip-Hop & Latin Dance.  This style is taught exclusively at Get Bent.  In 2005, Wendy also produced Get Bent's first instructional DVD, "Belly Dance for Beginners".

Wendy also fell in love with yoga after after retiring from competitive gymnastics.  She began studying Iyengar Yoga with Bobbi Goldin at the Yoga Institute of Miami, and she has taught yoga for over 10 years.  As Vice President of the South Okanagan Seniors Wellness Society, Wendy is passionate about enriching the lives of seniors through healthy activities.  In 2004, Wendy developed the Cardiac Rehabilitation Yoga Program accepted by Interior Health to improve the health of people with heart conditions.

John Goudie, Program Values & Marketing Coordinator

John is a graduate of Recreation Management & Leadership with over 15 years experience as a recreation centre manager, programmer and youth counsellor.  John has extensive experience coordinating programs at the YMCA, and teaching positive values and life-skills to youth.  As a member of the Community Network on Children, Youth & Families, John is passionate about creating positive and healthy programs for youth and families.  With this aim, John coordinates the values-based approach that guides all of Get Bent's programs.  This approach includes: asset building, mentoring, volunteerism and charitable contributions.

John is also an artist, photographer and graphic designer. His work can be seen at art shows, galleries and wineries throughout the South Okanagan.  Along with designing Get Bent's website, marketing and photos, John teaches Salsa Dancing with Wendy.

Rebecca Neilson, Office Administrator

Every organization needs a reliable, organized and detail-oriented person to keep things running smoothly - and Rebecca is it!   As the Office Administrator, Rebecca plays a vital role in managing many of the behind-the-scene tasks at Get Bent.  As the former Receptionist & Bookkeeper of Neilson Roofing, Rebecca brings a wealth of experience to the organization.

Rebecca is also a passionate dancer, and she is a former member of the Terpsichore Dance Company.  In 2008, Rebecca returned to the stage as an active member of Get Bent's Local Performance Troupe.

Rebecca was born and raised in Penticton.

Tree Kennedy, Bookings & Workshop Coordinator

Tree has the heart of a gypsy, and her nomadic lifestyle lead her to sunny Penticton.  Although Tree had a passion for dance as a young girl, she was scarred at age 8 by her Jazz Dance teacher who told her she was "too big", “quite awkward” and “gangly in a fat way”.  Deterred, Tree quit dancing and focused on music in high school.  A decade later, Tree got deeply involved in the local "Indie-Punk-Metal Scene" as a show promoter throughout the Okanagan.

In 2008, Tree decided to reclaim her love for dancing by taking belly dance classes at Get Bent.  Tree quickly gained confidence and successfully auditioned for the Get Bent Entrance Performance Troupe.  Today, many women who feel "too big, awkward or fat" are inspired to dance after watching Tree perform.  Tree also joined the Get Bent team as the Bookings & Workshop Coordinator.

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