Instructor Profiles

Visual Artist-Educators

Marina Black is a practicing visual artist and photographer whose multi-disciplinary work has been exhibited in numerous venues. In addition to her professional practice, she has taught courses and workshops in drawing, painting, mixed media and sculpture in private schools and community programs throughout Toronto. She has also volunteered in a variety of not-for-profit organizations that service children and youth with financial, social and language barriers.

Nicole Bzikot is a graduate of Sheridan College, School of Craft and Design. Nicole’s work encompasses many textile processes including felt making, screen- printing, appliqué and embroidery.

Naomi Chorney is a versatile artist based out of Toronto who practices in a variety of disciplines. Originally trained in dance, she studied the Russian imperial method with Diana Jabolokova Vorps before exploring different dance forms such as Contemporary and Baroque. She continued to pursue her study of the arts as she has been working in the mediums of sculpture and drawing for over ten years. Naomi shares her experience and knowledge of art-forms with children and adults through facilitating workshops and classes in dance, visual art and drama in both English and French language.

Gillian Foster is a graduate of the University of Guelph, Studio Arts Program where she specialized in photography. She is an active member in the local arts community as an artist and Instructor at different organizations. Gillian is the Program Director for St. Clair's Art Walk Eager show in Toronto. She is an enthusiastic Instructor that enjoys sharing in the creative arts process with children.

Brooks Johnson is a graduate of the Humber College Professional Photography Program as well as a freelance photographer and painter. In addition to his professional artistic practice, Brooks has been involved in educating and inspiring children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area for over ten years. In addition to being a Visual Artist-Educator at the Living Arts Centre, Brooks has been a Visual Arts Assistant with the Toronto District School Board as well as a coach and mentor within sports and recreation.

Csilla Perenyi is a graduate of the School of Arts and Design, Budapest and the University of the Hungarian College of Applied Arts, Budapest. She has worked as an artisan/industrial designer for the Porcelain Manufacturing Company of Hollohaza and has participated in numerous exhibitions in Hungary and in Canada. Csilla is actively involved in teaching children and adults in various community art schools.

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 in the Western GTA area at various art and craft exhibits as well as Central Ontario specialty craft shops. An active member of the local crafts community, Marisa instructs pottery classes for children and adults.

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. She has worked as an instructor at York University, OCAD, and the Living Arts Centre, and has been involved in various community art education projects.

Performing Artist-Educators

Susan Applewhaite is a graduate of Corona Academy in London England and has studied in Toronto with Sears and Switzer, George Randolph and Adam Lazarus. She has over 20 years experience on stage and in television and film. Susan teaches theatre, musical theatre, movement and dance and has choreographed for theatre and competitive skaters. She is an enthusiastic, energetic teacher, passionate about bringing the magic of theatre to children.

Laura Caswell is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She also earned her Masters in Performance through Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, England. She has worked as a professional actor, singer and dancer in theatres throughout Europe and Canada. She teaches at schools all over the GTA and has choreographed for many community theatre groups.

Naomi Chorney is a versatile artist based out of Toronto who practices in a variety of disciplines. Originally trained in dance, she studied the Russian imperial method with Diana Jabolokova Vorps before exploring different dance forms such as Contemporary and Baroque. She continued to pursue her study of the arts as she has been working in the mediums of sculpture and drawing for over ten years. Naomi shares her experience and knowledge of art-forms with children and adults through facilitating workshops and classes in dance, visual art and drama in both English and French language.

Tania Hakkim holds an Honours B.A in Fine Arts and Cultural Studies from York University and a B.ED from OISE/University of Toronto. Tania’s career has taken her in many directions including television, print and stage. Select credits include Disney’s The Lion King (Toronto Cast), the original Broadway Company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bombay Dreams in New York City, Degrassi: The Next Generation and Prix Alliance (Harbour Front Centre) with choreographer Robert Desrosiers. Choreography credits include productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie, West Side Story, Grease and Les Miserables.

Rick Monaco is a graduate of Brock University with a B.A. in theatre. He is an accomplished drummer/percussionist with Primal Productions, The Subtonic Monks, Agoya and also works on many projects of his own. Rick is a dynamic and committed teacher, active in a wide variety of projects, events and workshops, both locally and internationally.

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.

Nicole Nigro is an independent contemporary dance artist based out of Toronto, Canada. She is a dynamic performer, teacher and emerging choreographer. Nicole began her dance training in Edmonton, Alberta at the age of five, and has since graduated from The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and obtained an Honours BFA in Dance from York University. She has had the privilege of dancing as a guest artist with The Danny Grossman Dance Company, Toronto Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre David Earle, Event Horizon Dance, and various independent choreographers. As a teacher, Nicole is constantly amazed by the diverse, lasting benefits of dance and she continually strives to bring generosity, kindness, skill and joy into every classroom. In addition to facilitating workshops at The Living Arts Centre, Nicole teaches at The School Of Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre and at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre.

Katie Robinson is a graduate of Queen’s University, where she received her B.A.H. in Drama, as well as her B.Ed. within the Artist in Community Education program track. She currently works as a professional dancer and actor in Toronto and as a supply teacher throughout the York Region District School Board. Her past professional experiences include working as a dancer/dance captain for Norwegian Cruise Lines, dancing for the Toronto Rock, and studying at the Alvin Ailey School in New York City. She is currently a member of Evoke Movement Dance Theatre, a professional contemporary dance company in Toronto.

Anna Sudac is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter, and graduate of Sheridan College's Music Theatre performance program, where she received extensive training under industry professionals in the disciplines of acting, voice, and dance. She has performed in venues ranging from the National Arts Centre to Toronto's Gladstone Hotel, and has appeared on various professional recordings. Together with musician and educator Mitch Willer, she co-created two children's musicals, and has plans to produce a full length album of songs for kids. Anna teaches performing arts programs at the Living Arts Centre in both English and French language.

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.