COMMUNITY COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Matthew Agostinis ~ Wood Working

Matthew Agostinis is a furniture designer/maker who specializes in a contemporary and modern-rustic style. A graduate of Sheridan College’s Furniture Design program, his work embodies a look of simplicity without the need for unnecessary ornamentation. In addition to teaching Community Courses and being a Resident Artist at the Living Arts Centre, Matt works with various residential and commercial clients and companies in the GTA. Artist website: www.mafurniture.com

Len Aguano ~ Visual Arts

Len Aguano is a native of Toronto and honours graduate from the Ontario College of Art. From illustrating eight commercially-published children’s books (many in their second printing) to winning “Best in Show” at the 1993 Toronto Indoor Art Show, Len has shared his unique impressionistic approach to painting with the world. He is influenced by the great Canadian painter A.J. Casson and, as a landscape artist, has traveled throughout Europe and North America. He has received several grants, including those from the Ontario Arts Council, and done commissions for many corporate and private collectors. Commercially, Len has done numerous editorial illustrations for national magazines and publications, as well as for TV Ontario. Currently, his work is on display in many North American premiere art galleries, and is an annual favourite in the juried “Canadian Opera Women’s Committee Art Show” in Toronto.

Alex Anagnostou ~ Glass Arts

Born in Toronto, Canada, Alex Anagnostou has danced around with the visual arts for over 20 years. Sculpting blown and cast glass since 2000, much of her conceptual work deals with the plight of the human condition. In addition to teaching Community Courses, Alex is currently a glass Resident Artist at the Living Arts Centre.

Susan Applewhaite ~ Theatre Arts

After graduating high school, Susan Applewhaite headed to London, England where she trained and worked in theatre and film for five years.  Upon returning to Toronto, she became involved in music and recorded several albums with acclaimed producer, Jack Lenz.  But the call of the stage was too strong.  Susan continued her studies with teachers Sears & Switzer, Adam Lazarus and ventured back to stage and television where she has been happily playing ever since.  Most recently, Susan has been finding her writing voice so she can create her own work involving her passions: story, music and movement.  When not performing, Susan shares her knowledge and love of theatre with students of all ages.  For the past ten years, she has taught drama, dance, musical theatre and improv, learning from her students as much as she hopes she teaches them.

Maureen Callaghan ~ Theatre Arts

Maureen Callaghan is a director, stage manager, teacher and producer. She is certified through the Ontario College of Teachers, and has taught drama and theatre arts for organizations such as Canada’s National Ballet School, The Halton District School Board, First Light Theatre, and The Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Production credits include Theatre Aquarius, The National Ballet of Canada and 4th Line Theatre. She was recently awarded Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program grant for theatre for young audiences at Roseneath Theatre.

Robert Chan ~ Wood Working

Robert Chan has been a designer and maker of fine wood furniture since graduating from the Humber College Cabinet Making program about 10 years ago. He appreciates both traditional and modern designs and tries to instill a timeless quality in his furniture. He loves the natural beauty of wood and often highlights it in his designs. Robert has also been a part-time faculty member at Humber College for the past three years. He is currently a Resident Artist and Instructor at the Living Arts Centre.Farhee Asghar ~ Mehndi Art
Farhee Asghar is an artist, muralist and designer. She has a Bachelors of Design from NCA in Lahore, Pakistan. She paints backdrops for theatres, wall murals for homes and restaurants, designs interior décor projects and has her own 2B Art and Design Studio. With her forte in drawing and painting, she has enjoyed tutoring children and adults to learn to draw and experience different mediums at her studio. She has worked with Milan Design Inc. doing faux finishes and murals in high-end residential homes. More recently, she worked for The Bay’s Belle Magazine and currently, she is a store design Consultant for Watts Current Inc. In addition to instructing Community Courses at the Living Arts Centre, Farhee does private art lessons and freelance commissions.

Farhee Chundrigar ~ Visual Arts

Farhee Chundrigar is an artist, muralist and designer. She has a Bachelors of Design from NCA in Lahore, Pakistan. She paints backdrops for theatres, wall murals for homes and restaurants, designs interior décor projects and has her own 2B Art and Design Studio. With her forte in drawing and painting, she has enjoyed tutoring children and adults to learn to draw and experience different mediums at her studio. She has worked with Milan Design Inc. doing faux finishes and murals in high-end residential homes. More recently, she worked for The Bay’s Belle Magazine and currently, she is a store design Consultant for Watts Current Inc. In addition to instructing Community Courses in the art of Mehndi at the Living Arts Centre, Farhee does private art lessons and freelance commissions.

Stefanie Cosentino ~ Metal Arts

Stefanie Cosentino developed an interest in jewellery making at an early age and went on to complete her diploma in Fashion Arts from Humber College. Her countless hours making arts and crafts as a child led her to a career where she could turn her artistic visions into wearable art. She perfected her craft to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces both during her time at Humber College and while working under the tutelage of Nancy Ciccone from Baubles Inc. Stefanie has spread her wings and embarked on a new journey with her own company. Now specializing in bridal and formal pieces, Stefanie has a knack for turning a bride's vision into a sparkling reality. From rosaries and chandelier earrings to everyday sparkle, Stefanie's pieces reflect the personality and flair of her customers' visions.

Kim Dayman ~ Textile Arts

Kim Dayman has been working and thriving in the art community for over a decade. Starting her career working in art galleries as a visual arts instructor, she has worked all over the GTA and Durham Region with various non-profit art organizations as an Instructor, Programmer and Arts Administrator.  Having graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Ontario College of Art & Design with a major in Printmaking and a focus on Material Art and Design, she likes to include a mix of different processes, media and textiles in her artwork.  Kim continues her visual art practice, working and exhibiting with the inPrint Collective.  Artist Website: www.kimdayman.com

Jenna Edwards ~ Photography

Jenna Edwards is a photo-based artist and educator currently living and working in Mississauga. She holds a BFA in Photography Studies from Ryerson University and an MFA from NSCAD University where she also instructed in the Foundation and Media Arts departments. In addition to teaching at the undergraduate level, Jenna has worked as an arts instructor for a variety of children’s school and day camp programs. Her artwork has been exhibited in Canada, the United States, and Sydney, Australia.

Mandy Hanafi ~ Dance

In addition be being a Lifetime Member of the World Salsa Federation, Mandy Hanafi is a Licentiate Member with the International Dance Teachers' Association (Highly Commended), the Canadian Dance Teachers' Association (Latin Highly Commended), and the World and Canadian Dancesport Council.  Mandy is a former Canadian Professional 10 Dance World and Ballroom representative, and has been a Canadian Professional finalist for seventeen years. She is a certified scrutineer with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance and has appeared on numerous television programs, such as Dancing at the Palais on WTN. She has also performed in commercials, movies and for many celebrity showcases. In addition to instructing at the Living Arts Centre for several years, Mandy has been teaching at the University of Toronto for 23 years.

Brian Henry ~ Creative Writing

Brian Henry has been an editor, teacher, and writer for more than 25 years. In Canada, he has edited for Boston Mills Press, General Publishing, and Harlequin Books, and in the United States for Kensington Publishing and Meteor Publishing. He has reviewed books for The Toronto Star and Books In Canada, written numerous articles for The Canadian Jewish News and written opinion and analysis pieces for The Toronto Star, The National Post, The Canadian Jewish News, and the Jewish Tribune. Brian is also the author of a juvenile version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But he is perhaps best loved for his short personal stories, which have appeared in various venues. Brian is the publisher of Quick Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for writers.  He has led creative writing workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Charlottetown, but his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students to get published.

Wendy Humenny ~ Dance

Wendy Humenny currently teaches classical ballet at dance studios in Mississauga and Oakville. She is a full member of the Canadian Dance Teachers' Association, Ballet Division, and follows their curriculum in preparing students for examinations. Her formal ballet training is in the Cecchetti method, and she successfully completed her exams at the National Ballet School of Canada. She has enjoyed opportunities to study with distinguished teachers. In addition to guest teaching, Wendy has participated in dance conventions, workshops, summer schools and teacher training courses. She has also performed in, and choreographed for, numerous stage shows and recitals. Wendy instructs students of all ages, from beginner to advanced levels.

Michelle Lewin ~ Glass Arts

Michelle Lewin is always open to new experiences having travelled extensively, lived abroad, and all over North America. She has a background in literature, which informs her approach to art-making. She earned a BFA from Concordia University in Montreal. Her work explores a variety of materials and often involves subtle narrative. After three years as a resident artist at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, she went on to receive a MFA from Ohio State University in 2005. In 2007 she attended a sculpture residency at the Vermont Studio Center, and is presently a resident glass artist and instructor at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.

Erin McIntyre ~ Theatre Arts

Erin has been actively involved in the arts since the age of 4.  As the years went by, her love for dance flourished and at 17, Erin earned her B.A.T.D. Associate in dance for stagecraft.  Singing has also been a passion of hers and she has continued her training, at present, with Jeff Salem Music Studio in Brampton.  Erin is also certified with the Ontario College of Teachers.  In addition to teaching at the Living Arts Centre, she has worked with the Peel District School Board since November 2011.

Yo Mustafa ~ Theatre Arts

Yo Mustafa graduated from Sheridan College Theatre programme and went on to complete the one-year acting master class at the HB Studio. He has directed over 30 productions and is currently Artistic Director of West End Studio Theatre in Oakville.

Csilla Perenyi ~ Ceramic Arts

Csilla Perenyi is a graduate of the Hungarian University of Applied Arts in Budapest. She is an artist, crafts person, and industrial designer in porcelain and has participated in many exhibitions and shows. Over the past 10 years, Csilla has led numerous classes in ceramics at institutions and organizations such as Academy of Artisans, Pickering Potters Studio, and the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation. In 2003, she joined the Living Arts Centre as a ceramics Instructor and, currently, is conducting school and community workshops for all age groups.

Marisa Picard ~ Ceramic Arts

Marisa Picard is professionally trained in Mississauga and has been working with clay since 1995. As a locally recognized artist, her work has been on display across the Western GTA at various art and craft exhibits, as well as in Central Ontario specialty craft shops. An active member of the local crafts community, Marisa instructs pottery classes for children and adults.

Mary Porter ~ Visual Arts

Mary Porter is a visual artist and arts educator living and working in Toronto. She holds a BFA (Visual Arts) from NSCAD University and an MFA (Visual Arts) from York University. Her art practice is interdisciplinary, rooted in painting and drawing, and her work has been shown in group and solo exhibitions across Canada. In addition to the Living Arts Centre, she has worked as an instructor at York University and OCAD, and has been involved in various community art education projects.

Richard Rallon ~ Photography

Richard Rallon has enjoyed 40 years within the photographic industry in various positions, including technician, artist and teacher. While attending Humber College’s Creative Photography Program, he worked in a local camera store as a darkroom technician and as a freelance photographer. As his knowledge expanded, he became a department Manager for a large camera store in Toronto and eventually became an owner of his own camera store. It was during this period that Richard started teaching continuing education in Photography at Humber College. Over twenty years later, he continues to share his love of photography at the Living Arts Centre.

Matt Robertson ~ Glass Arts

Matt Robertson was born in Ontario, Canada, and has been creating art since childhood. He worked in many different mediums, such as ceramics and painting, before falling in love with glass. Matt was originally enrolled in the animation program at Sheridan College in Oakville before discovering and switching to glass—a medium that best expresses his ideas. Since graduating from Sheridan, he continues to paint and work as a professional glass artist. Matt currently teaches flameworking at the Living Arts Centre and plans to open his own studio in the near future. Artist Website: www.mattrobertsonglass.com

Lucy Roussel ~ Glass Arts

Lucy Roussel's work focuses on organic forms and textures inspired by nature. Artists such as Tiffany, Lalique and Galle have influenced her hot glass forming work. Lucy's works are reflective of a variety of techniques including kiln glass casting, pate de verre, blown glass, sandblasting, stain application, glass frit work, applied silicone, and colour.  Her inspiration comes from observing our relationship to nature and how it informs and shapes our life experience. She believes that "the need to create is integral to human nature and that the ability to transform and animate the basic elements of life into the endless variety and beauty that surrounds us is a constant source of wonder." Artist Website: www.lucyroussel.com

Jennifer Spafford ~ Dance

Jennifer Spafford is a recent graduate of the Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), and has had the privilege of training with some of the world’s leading professionals in dance, ballet and related fields.  In addition to receiving a Diploma from NBS, Jennifer also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from York University.  She holds teaching qualifications in National Dance through the Imperial Society of Teachers and Dancing, as well as an Associate standing with the Cecchetti Society of Canada.  Jennifer has worked with a wide variety of age groups in professional, recreational and competitive programs in both ballet and other forms of dance.

Patrice Stanley ~ Visual Arts

Born in Montreal, Patrice Stanley graduated with a BFA from Concordia University. She is the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including those from the Canada Council and Ontario Arts Council. Represented by several prominent Canadian galleries, her work can be seen in numerous private and corporate collections. In addition to her practice, Patrice has extensive teaching experience. She was the founder of the Beaches School of Art, as well as a painting instructor for the Toronto District School Board, Continuing Education, the City of Ottawa, Community Programs and art teacher for the Academie McDonald Cartier in Ottawa. Ethereal and bursting with color, Patrice’s work is committed to the tradition of oil painting. Forging her position toward a genre of contemporary, abstracted landscape painting, she pushes and pulls her medium in a tug of war between surface, depth, light, darkness, turbulence, serenity, abstraction and representation. Conjuring up the spirits of both post-war Abstract Expressionism and 18th Century landscape painting, her work is authentic, innovative and full of historical references.  Artist Website: www.patricestanley.com

Susan Stopps ~ Metal Arts

A jewellery maker for over thirty years, Susan Stopps is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art (1983) and George Brown College Jewellery Arts program, with a Diploma in Goldsmithing (1986). She has been a participant in numerous design and technique workshops, and employed as a professional jeweller. Susan has exhibited her work in numerous shows, stores, and galleries across North America. In addition to being a Community Course Instructor at The Living Arts Centre since 2002, Susan has been teaching at the Toronto District School Board Continuing Education Program since 1985, and at various high schools and art camps for the Ontario Arts Council’s Artist in Education program since 1997. She has also taught at the post secondary level at George Brown College and at Nunavut Arctic College in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, where she established their jewellery making program and studio. 

Ishrat Suhrwardy ~ Ceramic Arts

Ishrat Suhrwardy was born and brought up in Pakistan, a country rich in ceramic traditions. She studied at the National College of Arts Lahore, Pakistan. Her aesthetic is influenced by the rich culture of the orient. Since emigrating to Canada, her work is reflecting the feel of the West, including the weather and the environment. Now, Ishrat is adding found objects and mix media to her works. She is also enjoying the facilities of other studios at the Living Arts Center to express her creative self. She was recently awarded “Best Primitive Firing” by the Homer Watson Gallery in Waterloo at their annual juried exhibition. Currently, Ishrat is a Resident Artist and Instructor at the Living Arts Centre.

Melodie Telfer ~ Arts & Early Childhood Education

Melodie Telfer has always enjoyed working with and learning from children and youth. After earning her Early Childhood Education diploma at George Brown College in 1996, she spent six years in Western Canada where she earned a BA and Masters in Education.  Melodie moved back to the GTA in 2003 where she now works as the Children and Youth Program Coordinator for Mosaic Church in Mississauga.  Melodie has over fifteen years of experience in early childhood education and especially enjoys introducing children to the vibrant world of the Arts.  She strongly believes that creative expression through drama, art, and music is fundamental to a child’s overall development and provides a healthy foundation for later learning and success.

Kristina Udegbunam ~ Dance

Kristina Udegbunam was born in Etobicoke and raised in Mississauga, Ontario. She started taking jazz at age 12 with Maryanne Marsh and continued with ballet and modern. She is a graduate of the Regional Arts Program at Cawthra Park Secondary School and Professional Training Program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Kristina is an active member of the Toronto dance community through her associations with the contemporary dance company Kaesha Dance and the Ill Nana dance group. Recently, Kristina has been gaining exposure internationally with her involvement with the 2009 Bill T. Jones workshop series and her participation in House Dance International Competition of 2009. Currently, Kristina teaches in numerous schools and studios across the GTA, where she shares her knowledge of and passion for contemporary dance.

Paula Vandermey ~ Glass Arts

Paula Vandermey studied glass at Sheridan College in Ontario, Canada. She accomplished a BFA (honors) in glass at the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom. She has worked with a diverse group of internationally established artists which has allowed her to diversify and develop her work in other countries. Paula explores the technical process of three-dimensional sculptural sand casting, hot glass, and kiln casting. She combines mixed media and found objects as part of her process to create tactile, erotic sculptures.  Artist Website: www.pvandermey.com

Julie Vetro ~ Visual Arts

Julie Vetro is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in painting, sculpture and installation.  She has a Specialized Honours in Art & Art History from the University of Toronto and a BEd from Brock University.  Julie has worked as an artistic designer with the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board creating set designs for musicals such as Cinderella, Aladdin, and Annie Jr.   She has exhibited audio-installation based work in group and juried exhibitions at a variety of private and public galleries in the GTA and Ontario.  In addition to teaching at the Living Arts Centre, Julie is also and artist-educator with the Peel District School Board.  Website/edublog: www.espaceart.blogspot.com

Erin McIntyre ~ Theatre Arts