Alina Adjemian (Boyagian), Dance Area Coordinator

After dancing professionally for many years, Alina made a welcome and natural transition to choreography and teaching through the National Ballet School. She has been teaching for over seventeen years and has choreographed such shows as The Full Monty, Joseph, Best Little Whore House in Texas, Dames at Sea, Man of La Mancha, Godspell, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Cinderella and Camelot, for professional as well as community theatre, and recently finished a production of Urinetown.

Alina has been teaching ballet at RAPA since its inception and is Head of the Dance Department for over 10 years. She also currently teaches at Jaymor School of Dance and High Points Dance Academy. She has trained many young professionals that have gone on to join professional ballet companies across Canada and Europe as well as joined such productions as The Producers, Mama Mia and Chicago.

Ms. Adjemian's professional dance experience has been with Les Grands Ballet Canadien, Ottawa Ballet, Ontario Ballet Theatre, Atlantic Ballet Company and P.M. Jazz. She has also performed in numerous industrial shows and music videos.

Karen Andrew

Karen Andrew is a graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and has been extensively trained in New York and Los Angeles. Karen was an original cast member of the Tony Award-winning Broadway Musical Ragtime, and also worked with the late Gwen Verdon in the Tony Award-winning musical Fosse. While on Broadway, Ms. Andrew performed in concert with Chita Riviera, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnielli, Glenn Close, and Rosie O'Donnell. In Canada, Karen played Anita in the Stratford Festival of Canada's production of West Side Story. Her television and film credits include the Academy Award-winning film Chicagowith Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere. As owner and Studio Director of Aurora Live Inc. Studios and Artistic Director of 'A' LIVE Dance Movement, Karen continues to create and produce ground breaking, thought provoking work that is well-received throughout the arts community.

Michael Armstrong

Michael Armstrong has been working in professional theatre, film and television for fifteen years between Toronto, Vancouver and Los Angeles. His training has seen him through George Brown Theatre School and York University's MFA Acting Program. He has also recently completed the graduate Voice Teaching Diploma at York under David Smukler. Michael has taught consistently at York over the last four years in both the voice and acting areas; he has also been a member of associate faculty at Canada's NationalVoiceIntensive..

Lisa Atkinson

An accomplished vocalist and theatre professional, Lisa comes to Randolph with an extensive knowledge and experience in vocal technique. Lisa has taught voice privately and in small studios since 2001, as well as teaching drama for children. Lisa has studied voice at the Banff Centre for Fine Arts, York University, and continues her private studies. Experienced in many different styles of music, with an extensive vocal range, Lisa is excited to be able to share her knowledge with her students at RAPA.

Lisa’s career began at the age of 14 in Calgary, Alberta and has brought her to stages across Canada and the United States. Lisa was a featured vocalist in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Music of the Night and performed alongside Colm Wilkinson, Betty Buckley, Melissa Manchester and Marin Mazzie. Lisa has performed in Toronto with Mirvish Productions, Livent and Canadian Stage as well as many regional theatres.

While pursuing a career in theatre, Lisa is also an accomplished jazz/cabaret singer and released her solo CD Good Thing Going to critical acclaim. Richard Ouzounian wrote “This is a rare thing. A first CD marked by imaginative repertoire, solid musicianship and deeply felt emotions”. Lisa’s CD has had great public response and extensive radio play. She is eager to return to the recording studio and cabaret in the near future.

Michael Barber

Bio unavailable at this time

Simone Batt

Simone Batt is a professional dancer / choreographer and director who has taught all areas of dance across Australia, United States and Canada. She has reworked, directed and choreographed shows for Royal Caribbean Cruises, along with being dance captain, and featured dancer for the company since 1999. She has also choreographed for TV, conventions and corporate events in Australia and the U.S.

Allison Beula

Allison Beula holds an Honours B.A.A. in film and is a recipient of the Norman Jewison Filmmaker Award. She is currently a director, choreographer, and instructor at the Randolph Academy. Allison has led workshops and classes for dozens of institutions including Mirvish (Lion King), The Toronto and Catholic School Board, The Avenue Road Arts School, Arts For Children of Toronto, and OISE.  She is a director and choreographer whose work has been seen on stages all over the city, and is also a private dance and acting coach. She specializes in vintage dance and performs in several entertainment troops. She has trained with Upright Citizens Brigade (NYC), Dance Manhattan, and is a recent graduate of the Second City Conservatory Program. She is a current member of the sketch troupe “The After School Specials”.

Alexis Butler

An actor, director and budding theatre historian, Alexis has been creating and performing in experimental theatre since the age of 15 when she made her professional debut at the Canadian Conference of Critics. Having survived that ‘baptism by fire’ she has since performed across Europe and North America and has garnered accolades including a Dora nomination for her work with Toronto’s ‘Emergency Exit’ as well as ‘Pick of the Fringe’ at the Edinburgh Festival with Winnipeg’s ‘Off the Beaten Track’ collective. Alexis has taught performance at LKTYP and the University of Winnipeg, and presently teaches a hybrid lecture/studio course in Theatre History for the Randolph School of the Arts. She continues to pay the rent by performing in the recorded media where she has had the good fortune to work with such directors as John Madden, Vadim Perelman, and Bruce MacDonald amongst others. She is presently in the final stages of a PhD program at the University of Toronto’s Graduate Centre for Study of Drama. Her thesis in progress, ‘Undressing Toronto the Good: Burlesque on the Toronto Stage’, represents the first academic treatment of burlesque in English Canada and has received both Ontario Graduate Scholarship and SSHRC awards. Alexis is also research coordinator on a SSHRC funded theatre history data-base of 19th century popular performance.

Peter Buzny

Peter Buzny was seen last in the North American Premier of Dirty Dancing (Mirvish Productions), as the Featured Male Ballroom Dancer/Ensemble/Ballroom Dance Captain. He was also an Assistant Choreographer on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Born and raised in Toronto, he competed in the International Latin and Ballroom circuit, and was one of the original teachers for the Canadian pilot program Join The Dance, which the movies Mad Hot Ballroom and Take The Lead were based upon. He is also a graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts (Triple Threat Award recipient). Other credits include; Aladdin Jr. (Silvermist), Lady In The Dark (Toronto Operetta), Urinetown and Metamorphoses (Randolph). 

Lona Davis

In addition to being a faculty member of Sheridan College for the Arts and the Randolph Academy, Lona Davis has provided music direction Hey Marilyn and Something’s Rockin’ In Denmark (Capricorn 9 Productions), CATS: 20th Anniversary Gala (Elgin Theatre, Toronto), and Menopositive: The Musical (Ontario Tour). She has served as keyboardist for the Mirvish Productions of Crazy For You and Les Miserables, the Canadian Tour of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well, and several Ross Petty Productions.

Michael Donovan

Michael Donovan has enjoyed a successful career as a performer of opera, oratorio, art song, chamber music, jazz, new music and improvisational music in Canada, Germany, Switzerland, France and the U.S. He has appeared in leading roles with the Bern State Opera, Stuttgart State Opera, Munich State Opera, Opera Vancouver and the Edmonton Opera. He has been a soloist with the Quebec Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony and Symphony Nova-Scotia as well as with many concert and new music presenters, including Numus (Waterloo), Queen of Puddings (Toronto), BradyWorks (Montreal), Array Music (Toronto), New Music Concerts (Toronto) and, most recently, the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne in Montreal.

He pursued vocal studies at McGill University, followed by graduate studies in opera at the Hochschule fur Musik in Munich, Germany, with legendary mezzo-soprano Brigitte Fassbaender. Michael was also a student of renowned Baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, who is acknowledged as the 20th century’s greatest master of lieder. As Fischer-Dieskau’s hand-picked private student at the Hochschule der Kunste in Berlin, Donovan was immersed in the historic continuum of Romantic art song interpretation.

Michael teaches classical singing at York University and musical theatre singing at The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts (College Program). He has given master classes at York University, Brandon University, the Glenn Gould School, Chadron State College (Nebraska) and Concordia University. He is also an active adjudicator and consultant for music schools and festivals.

As a composer, Michael has written numerous settings of poems by living Canadian, German and Japanese poets. He has also written chamber music and film music.

Donna Garner

Donna Garner holds an honours voice performance degree (U.W.O., U of T) and an associate diploma in performance (R.C.M.). Donna has performed on stages throughout Canada and the United States as a singer, actor and pianist. Favourite roles include Thea in Two Pianos, Four Hands (Charlottetown Festival/Ontario Tour), Lee in Cowgirls (Stage West Calgary, Victoria Playhouse) and most recently, a “friend” of The Fairy Godmother for Disney Cruise Line (Caribbean). In addition to performing, Donna works as a voice teacher/coach, accompanist, adjudicator, R.C.M. Examiner and clinician.

Natasha Gibson

Natasha (Nash) Gibson has extensive training in Tap, Jazz, Stylized Jazz, Hip Hop, and Ballet for over 26 years.  She was a first year graduate from the George Randolph School Of The Arts in Toronto in 1995 and has since then worked closely with such people as Gregory Hines, Ian Thomas, Whoopi Goldberg, Liberty Silver, Glass Tiger, Ian Thomas, Tony Vagg, Roxanne Butterfly, Brian Foley and Savion Glover, to name a few. Nash has performed in such musicals as West Side Story, and spent 2 years traveling as an original member of the Next Step Canadian Tap Crew. Students who have trained extensively with Nash have gone on to perform with such artists as Aaron Carter, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson and Madonna. Her teaching, performance, choreography, and adjudicating skills have placed her in demand all over the world as far east as Bosnia, and as far north as the Arctic Circle.

Bruce Harvey (A.R.C.T.)

One of Canada's busiest pianists, Bruce Harvey has worked as a solo pianist, accompanist, and ensemble player at venues throughout the area for nearly four decades. He is one of the most sought-after pit-band players in the city, performing for many years as pianist for countless touring Broadway productions in Toronto and across North America. Beginning with the first mounting of Cats in Toronto in 1985, Bruce has worked as keyboardist, assistant conductor and rehearsal pianist on productions such as The Wizard Of Oz, Crazy For You, Napolean, Jane Eyre, Forever Plaid, Fosse, Wicked and White Christmas. He was also the assistant music director of Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas. Harvey led his own group, the Bruce Harvey Quartet (featuring Mike Malone on trumpet and bassist George Kozub), which performed in JazzFM91’s “Sound of Toronto Jazz” Concert Series. In a prior incarnation, he worked in studio orchestras on various film scores and T.V. variety shows, and was fortunate enough to perform with such jazz artists as Guido Basso, Rob McConnell, Stephane Grapelli, Peggy Lee, Mel Torme and Nancy Wilson. And one long-ago evening, Pierre Trudeau pushed Bruce's piano in out of the rain. 

Amy Blake Hoffman, A.I.S.T.D.

Amy’s passion for dance began with her early ballet training at the age of 4 with Nancy Campbell.  She continued her training with Patricia Bradshaw and over the years has studied with a multitude of accomplished teachers.  In 1995, she completed the prestigious Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.  Since graduating from the National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program in 1992, she has taught ballet to students of all ages at numerous dance studios in and around Toronto. During these years, she taught recreational and pre-professional students, beginner to advanced, adult classes, and creative movement to 3–5 year olds.  Amy also taught the dance credit courses at the Bishop Strachan School for Grade 12 and OAC students.  In addition to her dedication to teaching and choreography, Amy has held a variety of management positions. She was Principal of Interplay School of Dance for several years, as well as Principal of the Post Secondary Program at George Brown School of Dance.  Amy graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science.  Her goal is to inspire students and instill confidence through dance, and she is excited to be a part of the Randolph team.

Jeffrey Huard

Most recently, Mr. Huard was the Dora-nominated musical director of Mirvish Productions' The Sound of Music (Toronto). Mr. Huard conducted Sweeney Todd for the Calgary Opera and music directed Pélagie for CanStage and the National Arts Centre. He has conducted the world and Broadway premieres of Ragtime, Show Boat and Kiss Of The Spider Woman; the Canadian premiere and Broadway production of The Phantom Of The Opera; the Canadian production of Sunset Boulevard and The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber In Concert (Toronto). Mr. Huard was music supervisor for the Livent Inc. productions of Show Boat (Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Sydney), The Phantom Of The Opera (Toronto), Kiss Of The Spider Woman (Toronto, London, New York), Sunset Boulevard (Toronto) and Ragtime (Toronto, Los Angeles, New York). His recordings include The Phantom Of The Opera, Kiss Of The Spider Woman, Show Boat, Sunset Boulevard and Ragtime. Mr. Huard holds a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. 

Casey Hudecki

Bio unavailable at this time

John Hughes

John Hughes is one of the city's busiest vocal coaches and is seen frequently as audition accompanist for Mirvish Productions, the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, Disney and many other theatre companies. He has been musical director and/or pianist for Forever Plaid, Dads, Real Live Girl, Guys and Dolls, A Grand Night For Singing, Me and My, Lady Be Good, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hello, Dolly, 42nd Street, Anne of Green Gables, Dames At Sea, South Pacific, Falsettos, Nunsense II, Fiddler On the Roof and Closer Than Ever and has worked extensively as a rehearsal pianist on various productions.  

M. John Kennedy

M. John is an actor and writer. He earned his undergraduate degree in Theatre at York University, a post-graduate degree in Drama at the University of Toronto, and has trained with Dean Gilmour, Albert Brooks, David Rotenberg, and Rapier Wit's Daniel Levinson, among others.

M. John has created and performed in venues ranging from the Second City & Bad Dog, to CanStage, to the North American Cultural Laboratory Theater in New York. He has toured extensively throughout Canada and the United States, and runs production and development companies for his film and television projects.

M. John has been a faculty member at Randolph since 2002.

Lily Ling

Lily began musical directing at the age of 14 and has worked on more than 20 productions. She has been on faculty at the Randolph Academy of the Performing Arts for both the College and Kids program, and was been the resident musical director at Hart House Theatre for six seasons. An advocate of contemporary musical theatre, she has had the privilege of musical directing the Canadian Premieres of Jerry Spinger - The Opera (Richard Ouzounian, director), High Fidelity, and Reefer Madness. Select credits include Nine, Cabaret, Chicago, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the North American stage premiere of Disney's High School Musical.

Lily's sensitivity and command of the piano has made her a first-call cabaret pianist in Toronto and has worked with many emerging artists in the city as well as veteran performers such as Sharron Matthew's Sharron's Party. She has performed in various venues across Toronto such as Statler's Piano Lounge, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Toronto Centre for the Arts, and Roy Thompson Hall.

Most recently, she served as Intern Musical Director at the prestigious Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake during the 2010 season. Lily holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Toronto where she studied under the tutelage of Dr. Jamie Parker of the Juno Award-winning Gryphon Trio.

Sandra Long A.R.A.D., A.I.S.T.D. 

Sandra Long has been inspiring young dancers with her highly creative and energetic style for 20 years. Ms Long is a Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD). She has trained students in all levels of examinations including the very prestigious Solo Seal Award. Sandra has trained with the top Ballet and Modern dance professional in Canada, the United States and England and is a graduate of the Royal Ballet School in London, England. A celebrated Choreographer, Ms Long has created pieces for performance in many countries including Spain,England, Greece and the United States. Ms. Long is also a Can Fit Pro Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor.

Robert Longo

Robert Longo enjoys a diversified career as Singer/Actor and Teacher. Theatre credits: Javert/Les Miserables (US National Tour); The Beast /Beauty and the Beast; Anatoly in Chess in Concert; Smudge and Frankie/ Forever Plaid; Lancelot/ Camelot. Bob has been featured on opera and concert stages all across North America. Teaching: Vocal Music with the Toronto Catholic District School Board and, while living in New York, CAP 21, New York University and William Patterson University.

Pat Mearns, dance accompanist

Originally from Victoria, B.C., Pat began playing the piano by ear at age 5. Classical lessons soon began and continued through grade 10 (Royal Conservatory RCM Syllabus) after high school. Upon graduating she went to theUniversity for a short time, but turned back to music, to teach piano. In 1966 she connected to ballet classes. The job of accompanying was a wonderful marriage of the audio and visual for her. For years later, after an inspiring trip, she decided to study music composition and piano performance at the University. It was enriching but so was a relationship with her composer partner, heading toToronto. Off she went, working in the health food business and accompanying dance. Over the years she has played for, among others, Gladys Forrester, Janet Baldwin, George Brown School of Dance, Ballet Ys, The National Ballet Co., Robert Desrosiers Dance Co., Dancemakers, The National Ballet School (1980-99), George Randolph (1990 – present) and Ryerson Theatre School. Pat also developed small percussion skills for modern and creative dance at The National Ballet School of Canada. Pat’s composing skills have led her to produce three recordings for dance and one book of music for dance accompianists. She and Trevor McLain worked on an original score for the Peggy Baker piece “Le Chame Impossible”, performed at the Winter Garden Theatre and three other Canadian theatres in the mid 1990s. of Victoria of Victoria.

Denise Norman (CAEA, ACTRA)

Denise Norman is an MFA Graduate of York University whose singing and acting training includes a focus on Voice with David Smukler and Gwen Little, and Clown with Richard Pochinko, Sue Morrison and Philippe Gaulier. Performance credits include the title role in The Vile Governess with Lamarre Unger Dramatic Theatre and Isabella in Measure for Measure at Theatre Resource Centre. Denise also teaches extensively, with 18 years of experience teaching acting students at Erindale College (University of Toronto), and Sheridan College in Oakville, McMaster University, York University, Seneca College, Randolf Academy for the Performing Arts, and Young People's Theatre. Her 26 years of Professional Theatre experience includes: Acting; Producing; Directing; Dramaturgy; Singing (two produced CDs); Coaching; Workshop and Development. 

Stephanie Ramphos

After graduating the Randolph Academy for Performing Arts, Stephanie spent several years performing with various North American touring productions as a performer, dance captain and choreographer. Recent choreography credits include Rent, Cabaret, Fairy Tale Ending (Toronto Youth Theatre); Arthur Live, Clifford the Big Red Dog Live (Turnstile Ent., New York); Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet (Classical Theatre Project); F.E.A.R.L.E.S.S. (Stagekids productions), and Glendale Arena Mega Concert (Tanglewood Ent., Toronto). Stephanie has extensive experience working with youth and professionals, including projects with The Doodlebops, Randolph Academy, City of Toronto, Royal Conservatory of Music, and K.M.H Productions.

Faye Rauw

Hailing from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Faye is now an internationally renowned icon in the Entertainment Industry. Over the course of her career, Faye has had the pleasure of working on such feature films as “Chicago”, “Hairspray” and “Amelia”. She has been recognized on MTV’s Dancing with the Hosts, U2’s video “Vertigo”, CBC/BRAVO movie “Roxanna”, TV Series “MONK” and Walt Disney’s “The Sixth Man”. Faye’s achievement in the Industry has earned her articles in the national dance magazine, "Dance Canada Quarterly" as well as appearances on the hit entertainment Television show, ET Canada, broadening and branding her name internationally.  Faye has been a featured performer with Helix Dance Project-RAIN and most recently produced, choreographed and performed in her own production "GRIEF: Another Common Bond".

Faye’s contribution to the Entertainment Industry has much surpassed that of a professional performer as she has extensive experience as both a choreographer and adjudicator.  Choreography credits include: Virgin Mobile-Flashmob, NBA, AHL, CFL, MTV Canada, Kidz For It Breast Cancer Benefit, Make up Forever, Steve Nash Charity Classic, KRG’s Charity Gala, OIP Dance Centre’s The Red City: Society In Motion, King David the Musical, Billy Bishop Goes to War the musical, Nunsense II the musical, Britney Spears Fragrance “CURIOUS”, Canadian Thunder Stage Tour and the CHIN Picnic. In addition to her works commissioned for University of Western Ontario’s Dance Team, Pride Toronto, ALI Entertainment, and OIP Dance Company. As an adjudicator, Faye has traveled extensively across Canada judging dancers on regional, provincial and national levels in all disciplines of dance.  She has also traveled to Australia to judge their National Dance Championships on the Gold Coast. Faye's constructive critiques and constant encouragement keeps her in high demand to adjudicate.

As a faculty member of the Triple Threat Dance Convention, Randolph Academy of the Performing Arts, Sheridan College, and The Dance Project, Faye has worked with dancers all over the country. As her success continues to grow, Faye strives to continue to be a true inspiration to work with, by introducing Fayez1 Productions and Fayez1 Summer Dance Camp to her credits. This recent venture has given her the opportunity to work with young dancers across Canada in a series of Choreographic workshops. Faye recently launched her own show under her own production company, Fayez1 Productions-"GRIEF-Another Common Bond" this spring. Her passion for the arts will always remain a standing fact as Faye continues to touch the lives of dancers and artists around the world.

Kevin Rees

Bio unavailable at this time.

Dylan Roberts (ACTRA, EQUITY)

Dylan Roberts most recently played Merry in Mirvish Productions’ World Premiere production of The Lord of the Rings in Toronto, and will soon be seen on the big screen in the Mira Nair-directed Amelia. He is a graduate of the Theatre program at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario. Dylan made his professional theatre debut in Ted Dykstra's directorial debut, Science Fiction. Recent theatre credits include: Whistle In The Dark (Company Theatre); The Taming Of The Shrew (ShakespeareWorks); Tempest and Romeo And Juliet (Resurgence Theatre); Accidental Death Of An Anarchist (Globe Theatre); Complete Works Of William Shakespeare Abridged (Waterloo Stage Theatre). Dylan is honoured to be part of the legendary VideoCabaret; he has portrayed Louis Riel in the last two installments of the Canadian history cycle. VideoCabaret's Confederation garnered a Dora nomination for the acting ensemble. Dylan is also proud of his association with the new and emerging company, Studio 180; he played a slew of characters in their smash Canadian premiere of The Laramie Project. Dylan can also be seen in dozens of television ads and often appears on television and film screens. Recent film and television credits include Kit Kittridge: American Girl (HBO); Nature Of The Beast (ABC); The Jane Show (Global); The Call (CBC); and Closing The Ring, directed by Sir Richard Attenborough. Dylan especially enjoys working on projects through the Canadian Film Centre, creating short films with Canada's most exciting young writers and directors.

Jacqueline Sadler

Jacqueline enjoys a diverse career in the arts as a Musical Director, Actor, Accompanist, and Soprano soloist.  She is a graduate of The University of Western Ontario, where she earned the degree Bachelor of Music: Honours, Voice Performance.  Her performances have taken her to stages across Canada, most notably as Rachel in the acclaimed production Two Pianos, Four Hands, and three seasons with The Charlottetown Festival.  She is in demand as a vocal coach and music festival adjudicator.

Derek Sangster

Derek Sangster is noted as being "one of Canada's most sought after dance instructors". From 1997 to 2004, he was the founder and director of Toronto's most progressive dance studio, Urban Studio Theatre. Following that he was the principle jazz instructor for DanceTeq with Kevin Pugh at the National Ballet of Canada. Presently Derek is on faculty for Ryerson University (dance program), George Brown College, Sheridan College (musical theatre program), as well as the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, Rosedale School of the Arts and Brant Lake Dance Camp (New York). Derek has been a guest teacher for B.A.T.D., the University of Michigan, York University, Harbour Dance (Vancouver), studios in Australia and summer programs in Nice, France (Offjazz). Derek continues to be master jazz instructor for numerous dance conventions throughout North America and adjudicates for many competitions acrossCanada and the U.S. His theatre credits include Stratford and Charlottetown Festival productions, including Gypsy (Brian Macdonald) Midsummer Night’s Dream (Joe Dowling), Antony and Cleopatra (Richard Monette) An Evening at La Cage, Anne of Green Gables, Puttin on the Ritz. Derek choreographed A Chorus Line, Alice and both Night For Life and Midsummer Night’s Dream for the Stratford Festival. Combining his love for both music and dance, Derek has worked extensively with some of Canada's leading dance artists including Lisa Lougheed, Alanis Morrisette, Camille and YTV's Aashna, as both dancer and video choreographer. He has opened for Jamie Walters, En Vogue, Dizzie Gillespie, CFL half time performances and HMV Grand Openings. No stranger to film and television, credits include extensive work for numerous networks including YTV, CBC, CMT, and MuchMusic. Derek has been a regular for the Gemini, Juno and NHL Award Shows. Selected television and feature film appearances include the Superstar, Canadian Music Video Awards, Borderline High, Rita and Friends , Cynthia Dale Special, New Years Eve in Niagara Falls. As a choreographer, Derek has worked from Halifax to Vancouver, Sydney, Australia and most recently in Hong Kong and South Asia for Sally Yeh - It‘s My Prime 25th Anniversary World Tour. Selected choreographic works include Casino Windsor, Nortel, Tim Hortons, JDS Fitel, GlaxoSmithKline, Nike, Eatons, Whistler Blackcombe Resort. In 2000 he was invited to Sydney, Australia to choreograph and produce the 150th Anniversary Celebration of AMP.

Rosanna Saracino, Acting Area Coordinator

Italian-Canadian director/writer/dramaturg Rosanna Saracino (MFA Directing, York U.) is a co-founder and Artistic Director of REDHANDED film and theatre. Director credits in theatre include: The Vagina Monologues (VDay, St. Lawrence Center featuring Rachel McAdams, Judith Thompson, and a cast of 33 women, hosted by Shirley Douglas), Savage/Love (Factory Theatre Mainspace), BROTHERS by Wendy Lill (Glen Gould Studio Theatre), Smut Boy and My Sad Penis by Stephen Massicotte (Nightwood Theatre), DEATH: a comedy (at Motel, in association with One Yellow Rabbit). Director credits in film include: “…things that go bump in the night”, featuring former RWB prima ballerina Evelyn Hart in her acting debut (shot on 16mm, BravoFACT!), The One (shot on 35 mm), The Ring (featured at the Hysteria Festival, shot on 35 mm), pilot episode for Gears TV “The Gears meet Mother Superior” (screened at Sons and Daughters, shot on HD), music video for The Gears, and a PSA and a Documentary for Ernestine’s Shelter (both screened at the opening of the new shelter). Recent productions include: DEATH; a comedy, performing in Prague, May, 2008. 

Darlene Spencer, Artistic Director

Darlene Spencer received a Master of Fine Arts Degree from York University in Theatre Performance and is a graduate of the University of Waterloo Drama Department . She has directed over 40 theatrical productions, as well as, documentary, educational and industrial film and digital video. Selected directorial credits include “Three Cities in the Life of Norman Bethune” by Tim Brady and Bradyworks, "The Children's Hour" by Lillian Hellman, "Our Country's Good" and "The Grace of Mary Traverse" by Timberlake Wertenbaker, "Spring Awakening" by Frank Wedekind, "Les Belles Soeurs" by Michel Tremblay, "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller, "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, and "Water" by Brad Curtain. Darlene is an actor who has performed in theatres across Canada, and for television and film. Lastly, she is an educator who has taught at the University of Waterloo and York University.  

Deborah Tennant, Vocal Tutorial Coordinator

Deborah Tennant has a busy and varied career as an actor, singer, teacher and writer. She graduated from the respected Studio 58 Theatre program at Vancouver Community college, where she was on the Dean's List and received the VCC Scholarship for academic achievement. She continued training at the Banff Centre (Young Professionals Master Class, Bernard Hopkins, David William); Workshops for Professional Actors (Carol Rosenfeld, David Craig); Equity Showcase (Patsy Rodenburg, John Karr, David Rotenberg, Arnold Mungioli); and private vocal work with David Dunbar and Cornelius Reid. Deborah has worked at theatres from Vancouver to Halifax in everything from Shakespeare and Moliere to Gershwin, Burt Bachrach and Gilbert and Sullivan. Favourite roles include Ruth in "Blithe Spirit", Maria in The Sound of Music", Elmire in "Tartuffe" and Marilla in "Anne of Green Gables".

She has been a member of the Stratford Festival Company, playing Sister Margaretta in "The Sound of Music" and appearing in "Inherit the Wind". Most recently she was an original member of the Canadian company in the North American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of The Sound of Music (Mirvish, Toronto) as Baroness Elberfeld. She also toured Canada as casting assistant/voice coach on CBC’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

She has a long list of TV and Film credits including "A - The Scarlet Letter", "Due South", "Sister Mary Explains it All", “The Newsroom","Sue Thomas F.B.Eye", "Martha Behind Bars" and "Degrassi" as well as commercials.

Deborah teaches voice and audition technique in the professional training program at RAPA. She has done workshops on Vocal Presentation for the Second City, been a guest lecturer at George Brown College and has a lively private Studio.

Igor Vassine, dance accompanist

Igor has been a dance accompanist with RAPA since 1997 a. A guest pianist for the National Ballet Of Canada, Igor began his career in Russia, performing, songwriting, touring across Russia and Europe, as member of numerous famous Russian rock and jazz-rock groups, musical director and co-founder of vocal group “Moscow-Transit”, which is a part of famous “Oleg Lundstrem Jazz Orchestra”. In 1992, he was musical director/arranger of Musical “Russians On Broadway” in Toronto. In 1995, he was the assistant to the musical director “Snowmaiden”(Mirvish Productions, Toronto). 

Adam White

Adam White has worked extensively as both a performer and Musical Director.  As an actor, he has appeared in the Toronto Fringe Festival; as well as a variety of productions, including Anne of Green Gables;  Les Liaisons Dangereuses; and The Blue Room to name a few.  He has trained at Humber College, the Royal Conservatory of Music, and has a diploma in Musical Theatre from the Randolph Academy of the Performing Arts.  As a Musical Director, Adam has worked on shows such as A New Brain; Fame; Cinderella; Jekyll and Hyde; and Seussical The Musical to name a few.  He created the original score for Metamorphoses, and worked on the composition and orchestration for shows such as Jewel; Hidden Jems; and One Night Stand.  He enjoys bringing his experience to every student he teaches.

Julius Wigdorchik, dance accompanist 

Julius studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and the Academy of Music in Rega, Russia. He has been an accompanist for 22 years. He also is a dance accompanist at George Brown and the National Ballet of Canada.

Mark Wilson, Vocal Area Coordinator

Mark Wilson is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Opera Division, has an Artist Diploma from U of T, as well as an honours B.F.A from York University. He sings with the Canadian Opera Company as a long time member of its chorus. He has been a company member of the Stratford Festival, and has sung in opera and in concert with the Manitoba Opera, Vancouver Opera, Festival Canada, Festival of the Sound, Aldeburgh Festival, New Music Concerts, and Westben Arts Festival, among others. Other studies have been at The Banff Centre, The Britten Pears School, and further vocal studies in Paris with Camille Maurane. Marcus has given vocal lessons, coachings, and workshops in and around Toronto. He has given lectures and masterclasses at Wilfred Laurier University and is a frequent visitor to the University of Manitoba. There he has given masterclasses and classes in French Art Song since 1994, and was vocal instructor in 2000. He has given recitals at the U of M, as well as classes for the Division of Preparatory Studies. For the Canadian Opera Company he has given lectures and numerous workshops for their Education Department. He has also given workshops at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Second City Training Centre and has coached at the George Brown Theat