Centauri's Counsellors Bios
Stephanie
Baird
Stephanie started dancing at the age of three
taking her first year of ballet at Broadway Bound in Mississauga, taking
jazz, tap, musical theatre, and lyrical by the age of seven. She joined
Performance Dance Academy when it opened at the age of twelve and was
offered her first pointe shoes at the age of fifteen. Stephanie started
teaching at PDA when she was fourteen and has been teaching all dance
types for 5th years.
Justin Buyukozer
Justin Buyukozer is a theatre student at York University, who has interest in musical theatre as well as theatre.During high school Justin ran and established their improvisation team, their news paper, and their Arts Council, along with being involved with other groups. He has worked as a volunteer counsellor for two seasons at Ontario Education Leadership Centre with Ontario Peer Helpers' Association in Orillia, Justin has also been going to Centauri since 2000, and has been on staff since 2007.
Thea
Fitz-James
Hopping from one university to the next like they were stepping
stones, Thea has spent a year in England with Queen's University, a
year with McGill double majoring in Art History and Theatre, and
hopes to attend either Concordia or Ryerson next year. Despite her
wonderlust, Centauri has been a permanent fixture in Thea's life
for 8 years now, and she is excited to come back for her third year
on staff taking up the role of assistant counsellor coordonator,
and the counsellor for the oldest girls dorm.
Olivia Hadwen
After several summers taking writing programs with us, Olivia joins us on staff for the first time this year, and will be working with girls in the upper side of Brock. She enjoys art and music - but her greatest passion is writing. She is a prize-winning author, and just last year wrote the winning entry in the poetry division of the 2008 Carleton University Writing Competition. Other achievements include playing the piano for nine years, doing research work for the Canadian Museum of Civilization and participating in several choirs. Olivia loved camp as a camper, and is now thrilled to have the opportunity to 'give back' to the community!
James
Nelson
James is an undergraduate at the University of Ottawa and has been involved in the arts for many years. He has studied various styles of dance for over 10 years, including Jazz, Salsa, and Ballroom, and is in his third year of Hip Hop. He was on his high school's Improv team and is part of the University's Improv Club. He has been playing the drums for 9 years and enjoys jamming with his band. He also loves creative writing, especially writing lyrics for his band's original songs. James is looking forward to his second year on staff and can't wait for the summer!
Lauren Saunders
Lauren is thrilled to be joining the wonderful staff team after six years as a camper. An avid arts lover, she sang with the Toronto Children’s Chorus for eight years, and worked for the organization as a head chorister, camp counsellor, and conductor’s assistant. She was appointed Drama Head at her high school, and also wrote for their literary magazine. Now, Lauren is in the Concurrent Education program at Queen’s University. She has participated in several extracurricular shows, and looks forward to continuing her involvement in the theatre department. Most importantly, though, she can’t wait for an INCREDIBLE summer at Centauri!
Liz
Soutter
"Liz Soutter is an undergraduate student at Harvard University, where she is studying many different art forms from Film, to Experimental Composition, to Shakespeare. In her spare time, Liz loves to row and sew clothes for the many fashion shows in which she participates, and she is OF COURSE excited for Centauri every Summer!"
Matt
Stein
Matt spent 6 summers as a camper with us, taking many films programs! He is now with us for his third summer as a counsellor, and is in charge of Butler building, where all the boys live. Matt's passion remains films, and he assists with film programs at camp as well as teaching film workshops of his own. He is currently studying film in Montreal. Matt loves Centauri, and enjoys planning big camp activities, as well as 'hanging out' with the boys in the dorms. His enthusiasm for film, love of camp, creativity and energy make him a hugely valued member of the counsellor team!
More bios coming soon!
Our Counsellors...
All our counsellors are over the age of 18, so they bring to camp a level
of maturity that makes them
excellent role models for our campers.
Typically, our counsellors are outstanding undergraduates specialising in
the arts. Many hope to become teachers, all come with us because they enjoy
working with young people, have a passion for the arts and exude the kind of
energy and enthusiasm that helps make camp a special place.