Arts Program Staff Biographies

Aaron Alviano - Fine Art and Photography Instructor

Aaron is a visual artist with a B.A.,Hons. in Studio Arts from the University of Guelph. He currently resides in the city of Toronto where he  produces art, and  teaches  fine  art programs to children of all ages at schools throughout the GTA .  You might have also noticed that Aaron works at the Centauri Camp office through the winter months, so to Aaron camp is an all-year-round job, and he couldn't be happier. Aaron is excited to be back for his 10th summer at Centauri!

Alanna Balicki - Theatre and Comedy Instructor

Luise Docherty - Film Instructor

As a Toronto-based filmmaker, Luise has experience with every type of medium, from commercials to feature films. She has worked as a First Assistant Director on some of Canada’s biggest music videos, for artists such as Billy Talent and Bedouin Soundclash. Last summer alone, she worked on over 20 commercials, for companies including McDonalds, GMC, and West 49. She has worked for production companies such as Spy Films, Vision  Entertainment, and Imported Artists.  Her film experience encompasses directing, producing, writing and editing. Luise is very excited to be back on staff for her second summer at Centauri!

John-Michael Erlendson - Music Instructor

John-Michael is returning to Centauri for his 18th summer, and his 6th on staff. He is a graduate Mechanical Engineer from the University of Toronto. He is a professional musician as part of the Sphere Clown Band and a Canadian Cultural Ambassador, having performed in China, Singapore, Portugal, Holland, Scotland and throughout Canada. He currently sings as part of two acapella jazz choirs. He is a recording artist with a gold record and a recent CD release as a member of Countermeasure, and is the General Manager of Sing! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. He is also an award-winning photographer, experienced debater and recently represented his university at the World's Model United Nations in Beijing, China. He was the first camper ever, and looks forward to returning to teach Rock, Jazz and Blues!
 

Brandi Ferreira - Dance Instructor

Brandi Ferreira began dancing at age three where her passion and love quickly grew for the art form. She completed exams every year, working towards and eventually attaining her Teaching Associates in Ballet, Modern, Acro, and Stage under the British Association Teachers of Dance. Brandi then continued her studies at York University in their Dance program, graduating with a BFA Honors in Dance. Since graduating, she has choreographed and performed in various shows around Toronto as well as attending Dance Theatre David Earle (summer 2010) and a Mat Training course with STOTT Pilates.

Thea Fitz-James - Theatre & Writing Instructor

Thea Fitz-James fell in love with theatre at an early age, performing plays for her parents as early as she can remember. She founded the Hudson Players Youth Group in her home town, and directed their first play when she was 14. She attended McGill University, where she studied theatre and art history, and acted, directed and reviewed plays in her free time. Thea has just completed a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of King's College. There she focused on Broadcast Journalism (Radio and TV), and wrote theatre reviews.  In the fall she'll be attending York University for their Masters of Theatre Studies, where she'll focus on feminist theatre. Throughout her multiple degrees, she's never wavered in her commitment to working with children, and exploring theatre as a method of personal growth for teens. When not working, writing or chasing stories, Thea enjoys knitting, watching trashy tv and reading comics. Thea is overjoyed to return to camp for what will be her fifth summer on staff and tenth summer at Centauri.

Hunter Gates - Stage Combat Instructor

Hunter holds a PHD in Theatre Philosophy and is the Artistic Director to RuminariLive, an all-inclusive arts space opening it's doors in 2014 in Alberta.  She is a Lecoquian intensive instructor and a certified stunt coordinator and educator.  She runs specialized classes for actors and provides a variety of youth programs in the community.  A staple of her two and a half decades in the arts is that annually, she  travels the globe performing, lecturing, and making appearances.  This past year she has written two plays, performed in two countries and is in the throws of writing her first book. Hunter brings enthusiasm, energy, laughter and excitement to her tenth year at Centauri.

Jeanette Hedley - Musical Theatre Instructor

Jeanette Hedley graduated from the University of Toronto as a Drama specialist and from Sheridan College with a Diploma in Acting. She Is certified with the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association and a licensed Zumba fitness instructor. Jeanette is the Office Manager at Innovative Rhythm Dance Studios in Toronto, and teaches both there, and at schools around the GTA. She has travelled extensively, working with young people across North America, on cruise ships, in Europe and in Africa. Jeanette is thrilled to be back for an 18th summer at Centauri!

Jordi Hepburn - Clown Instructor

Jordi is a graduatuate of the University of Toronto and Sheridan College joint theatre and drama program and earned her Bachelors of Education from Queens Unviersity with a speciality in the arts. Her love of teaching and travel drew Jordi on her most recent adventure, where she is currently living and teaching professionally in Quito, Ecuador. When not exploring the rainforests and climbing volcanos, Jordi spends her time teaching and inspiring young artists of all ages. Though she loves every style of theatre, her primary love is Clowning. This is Jordi's 17th summer at Centauri and she's thrilled to be back clowning around with the best young artists around

Soyeon Kim - Fine Art Instructor

Soyeon Kim was born in South Korea and moved to Canada when she was 14 years old. She graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Education. As an artist, Soyeon strives to transfer two dimensional illustrations into three dimensional space. She loves working with children, and in addition to her teaching experience, works as a picture book illustrator with Owl Kids publishing company. Her first book for the company – “You are Stardust” will be released in September this year. Soyeon is delighted to  join the Centauri staff team for her very first summer.

Veronica Lincoln - Dance Instructor

Veronica Lincoln began dancing in Brampton, Ont. at 3 years of age and trained in all disciplines at a competitive level. Veronica has completed extensive examinations in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz through Canadian Dance Teachers Association, The Cecchetti Society and the Royal Academy of Dance. Veronica completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ryerson University under the direction of such talents as Nadia Potts, Kenny Pearl, Darryl Tracy and Robert Glumbek. Veronica continues to teach and perform professionally in the GTA and is the Artistic Director of Linc-In-Entertainment. Veronica is thrilled to be back for her second summer at Centauri!"

Olivia McLean - Music Instructor

Olivia McLean studied voice at the royal college of music (London) before moving to Toronto to pursue a career in music performance. She wrote and produced her solo album entitled "Temporary Lines" in 2008 which has been played on local radio stations. Currently she arranges and sings in the Toronto jazz/pop trip The Bettys, and teaches private voice and piano lessons to young children. 

Diane Oliveira - Musical Theatre Instructor

Dianne is thrilled to be returning for her second summer with Centauri. A graduate of Sheridan's Music Theatre Performance Program, Dianne is a musical theatre performer who has also taught a number of performing arts courses and camps. This summer she is also working with The Mississauga Youth Theatre on a production of Once on the Island. 

Daniel Poulin - Theatre Instructor

Daniel graduated with a Drama degree from the University of Guelph in 2005. Over the past six years, he has been engaged in numerous theatre projects such as the Wellness Education Training Troupe's social action theatre program, the Guelph Project's community-building collective creation project and CFRU Radio's unique "No Soap" radio play series. He's presented at conferences on the role theatre can play in education and social change and most recently developed a series of filmed scenes used to educate University staff on issues in mental health. Daniel currently teaches workshops on a variety of topics in his home of Guelph and works to coordinate the annual Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival.

Hayley Preziosi - Vocal Music Instructor

Hayley Preziosi grew up singing in Whitby, Ontario, and her love of music took her to the University of Western Ontario where she studied voice & graduated with a double major in Popular Music & Classical Music studies. She currently resides in Toronto Ontario and frequently performs with A Cappella Group Countermeasure, and also with musical theatre troupes around the city. When she's not at Centauri Hayley works as the Office Manager for the Ontario Philharmonic and as the voice teacher at the Oakville School of Music & Performing Arts.

Maria Rothenberg - Writing Instructor

Maria is a writer and teacher based in Minneapolis, MN.  She graduated from Macalester College in 2012 with a degree in English and creative writing.  At Macalester, she studied and workshopped with acclaimed novelists Marlon James and Peter Bognanni and poet Kristin Naca.  For the past year, she has worked to design and implement literacy curriculum for an alternative high school in South Minneapolis.  She has previously seen her writing in print in newspapers such as The Washington Post and is currently working on her first novel.  She could not be more excited to return for her eleventh summer at Centauri!

Carolyn Marie Souaid - Writing Instructor

Author of seven books of poetry and editor of over a dozen, Carolyn Marie Souaid has been writing and publishing for over 20 years. She holds a BA in English Literature and a teaching diploma (McGill University), and an MA in Creative Writing (Concordia University). Since the 1990s, she has been a key figure on the Montreal literary scene, having co-produced Poetry in Motion (the poetry-on-the-buses project) and Circus of Words / Cirque des mots, a multidisciplinary, multilingual cabaret focusing on the “theatre” of poetry. Over the years, she has mentored many emerging poets and has worked as a book reviewer and teacher. She has toured her work across Canada, Europe and the U.S., and has been shortlisted for a number of literary awards including the A.M. Klein Prize and the Pat Lowther Memorial Award. In 2012, her videopoem Blood is Blood won a prize at the Zebra Poetry Film Festival in Berlin.

Matthew Stein - Film Instructor

Matthew Stein is a Toronto-based director whose work has been seen around the world. He has directed 15 of his own short films, as well as working in a wide variety of key creative roles on others' films--his work as a cinematographer and camera operator has been particularly well regarded.  Matthew studied film at New York University and Humber College.  He has been fortunate to learn from a wide variety of directors ranging from key players in the Toronto indie scene to internationally recognized talents. During the year Matt teaches film at the Centauri Arts Academy.  He also works with filmmakers who have Down's Syndrome, helping them to better express their own stories through film. Matthew is thrilled to be back at Centauri for his 11th Summer!

Helen Tran - Writing Instructor

Helen is a writer with a whimsical soul and a love for crafts. She has a BA in Medieval Studies, and a minor in English literature from Brock University. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. She helped run a creative writing workshop at Brock University and is passionate about writing and teaching. In the fall, Helen will begin a thesis project with award-winning Canadian author Joseph Boyden. She is thrilled to be joining Centauri’s staff this summer.

Ian Walsh - Stage Combat Instructor

Ian is the founding Artistic Director of Blackthorn Productions which specializes in Medieval Education and Entertainment.  He holds a B.A. in theatre from the University of Windsor and works as a theatre professional in the areas of Stage Management, Fight Direction and Acting.  Over the last 20 years he has taught and entertained children and adults of all ages across Ontario with Medieval Demonstrations, in Workshops, at Festivals, Feasts, Schools and in Plays.  Ian lives and works in Guelph with his wife Rebecca and his new son Owen Alan.

Lynn Weintraub - Theatre Instructor

Lynn is an Actor/ Director/ Teacher with over 25 years experience. She holds a BFA in Acting Performance from the University of Alberta, has trained extensively throughout  North America, including McGill University, The Banff Centre and Interlochen Center for the Arts and taught Drama, Acting, Scene Study and school workshops for YPT, Leah Posluns, Theatre Aquarius, Theatre Ontario, The York School, UCC, Tarragon Theatre and the TDSB.  Lynn was program coordinator and senior faculty for Seneca College’s Theatrical Performance Certificate Program.  She’s a proud member of ACTRA and Equity with a performance career encompassing roles in local and regional theatre, film, and television .

More Bios coming soon!