Directory > Artists
Dance and Drama
Tel: (807)623-6732
Email: kathleenbaleja@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.kathleenbaleja.com/
Kathleen has added Circus Yoga to her repertoire of movement background. She trained as a classical dancer with the School of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, has a certificate in Movement for Young Children from the University of Manitoba and RWB, and attained her Grade Nine Honours Piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her movement work in schools draws from Sivananda Yoga, Tai Chi, and Contact Improv to help students discover their own authentic movement. Recent performance pieces have been based on themes such as environmental concerns for the Earth and social justice issues. Kathleen is also able to deliver visual arts programming in the school and may be hired privately or through CAHEP.
Lila Cano
Tel: (807)623-3554
Email: lcano@tbaytel.net
Placing the learners front and center in their own creative process is KEY to developing strong skills and powerful work with learners. Learners will be inspired from an initial jumping off point. Once their idea is chosen and brainstormed, they will develop specific drama skills that will enable them to create their own original piece to perform. Lila Cano has been an arts educator for the past 28 years. Her work as an actor, artist and arts educator is well known locally and within the province. Ms. Cano has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree – Major: Acting. Lila has also designed, produced, written, adapted and directed original works for children, and young audiences.
Joan Halonen *
Tel: (807)683-5583
Fax: (807)683-5583
Email: joanhalonen@shaw.ca
Joan is a Drama in Education specialist and an international drama workshop leader. A passionate advocate for Arts in Education for over 40 years, Joan has been working as an artist in the schools for the Royal Conservatory of Music's Learning Through the Arts Program for the last 10 years. She has taught Magnus Theatre School classes. Joan is a sessional lecturer and workshop leader in Drama in Education at the Faculty of Education, Lakehead University. She also studiied with Augustjo Boal in England. Joan is able to offer classroom visits or workshops on any curriculum topic form early childhood to adult education. Joan's philosophy of teaching is as follows: I hear and I forget I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Wendy Morgan
Tel: (807)475-7870
Email: morganw@tbaytel.net
Wendy trains Highland Dancers to perform and compete. She also loves to inform her audiences of the history behind each dance. Due to a disability, she teaches verbally and generally has her older students demonstrate for the younger ones.
Claudia Otto
Tel: (807) 345-4281
Email: claudiaotto@shaw.ca
Website: www.imagedance.org
Claudia is the artistic director and choreographer for the Image Dance Studio. She has an extensive background in both classical, modern dance and creative movement, studying in Berkeley, New York and Trinidad. She has facilitated movement workshops for students and staff with both the Lakehead Public School Board and the Thunder Bay District School Board. She is the recipient of several OAC grants, working with other artists on integrated arts projects. Claudia is a Principal Artist with the Learning Through the Arts program. She has a background in education having taught elementary school for seven years and feels passionate about working with children and adults, exploring their creativity through movement.
Jelena Psenicnik*
(807) 767-3126
jelenajoel@yahoo.com
Jelena was raised in Venezuela where it is deliciously warm! There she received training in classical dance and modern movement. She is a graduate of the Studio 58 theatre School in Vancouver and since arriving in Thunder Bay she has been involved with numerous community groups as an Actor, Drama Coach, Dramaturge, Stage Manger and Director. The Dramatic Arts are a marvellous tool to explore, enrich and deepen our relationship with ourselves and those around us. The techniques used for theatrical skill building compel the body and the mind to work together towards a greater understanding of our universe. Children in classroom settings can enjoy the opportunity to explore their creative learning abilities through creative movement , improvisation and dramatic interpretations.
Rita Zavagnin *
Tel: (807)344-0312
Email: ritaz02@hotmail.com
Rita has over 20 years experience teaching theatre arts to students from preschool through adults. Workshops can be designed to meet the specific needs of any class and can focus on specific drama technique or other curriculum links. Rita has a particular interest in character development and mask.
Mask Making Workshop - Grades 5 to 12
From one to five half day workshops, depending on the medium selected. Paper and found objects, clay based papier mache , or painted plaster gauze. Masks can be related to specific themes.
Character Masks - Grades 5 to 12
Using the artist’s masks or masks created by the class, each student will develop a character that can be used in improvisational performances, as the basis of a creative writing project, or group play creation.
Other workshops include: Introduction to Drama, Creative Movement, Communication, Story Telling, Co-operative Theatre Games and Improvisation.
Rita will also do workshops for educators.
