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Abby brings over 10 years of arts education and 20 years of performing experience to her role as an arts educator. Her passion for performance and enthusiasm for creative exploration coupled with the sheer variety of skills she possesses, make her a powerful developer of artistic potential in people of all ages. References available on request.
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| SELECTED EXPERIENCE |
August 2011 and 2012
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Open Door Arts Camp, Toronto Ontario
Director: Trish O’Reilly
Responsibilities: Creating and co-teaching 2 week-curriculum in drama, music and movement for ages 8 through 16 including special needs individuals. Co-ordinating thematic material with visual artist, mentoring student counselor. Highlights: songwriting, mantle of the expert, movement canons, improv.
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September 2010 – present
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Learning through the Arts and Music Champions Arts Education Programs
The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto
Directors: John Scully, Nicole Fougere, Yvonne Simpson.
Responsibilities: Creating and delivering lesson plans for any and all aspects of the Ontario primary and junior curriculum through drama, music and movement, strong attention to special needs and diversity. Teacher and artist mentoring and PD facilitation. |
September 2010 – present
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Living through the Arts,
The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto
Directors: Nicole Arends.
Responsibilities: Movement, song writing, singing and Glee Club programming and implementation for community organizations, working with seniors, people with special needs and in the mental health sector. |
January 2010 - present |
Kick Start Arts, Toronto, Ontario
Directors: Sheena D. Robertson, Jen Johnson
Responsibilities: An “arts for arts’ sake” company, Abby’s KSA work explores elements of drama and music for Kindergarten to Grade 12. Highlights: storybook drama, songwriting, tableaux, poetry writing and movement creation. |
July 2001-Present |
Waterwood Theatre Projects Summer Camp, Toronto. Ages 6-12
Directors: Karen Waterman and Daniel Wood.
Responsibilities: Vocal coach, vocal warm-up, singing technique, harmony, round singing, creative movement and choreography, puppetry, script writing, play production.
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June 2002-June 2008 |
DAREarts Foundation Guest Artist
Directors: David Hannan and Nicole Hand
Responsibilities: Working with “at risk” students throughout the GTA, focusing on theatre history, foley artistry, radio jingles, production of short radio play; music history, canons and rounds for performance; vocal technique.
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October 2000 |
Waterwood Theatre Projects “We Rise Again”
Canada Council Millenium Project, Glen Orchard Public School, Glen Orchard Ontario
Director: Daniel Wood
Responsibilities: tableaux, tableaux, improv, puppetry technique, prop and set building.
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July-August 2000 and 1999 |
The Drama Club, Whitby. Children ages 6-15
Directors: Ed Dixon and Bernie Beales
Responsibilities: Blocking, text direction, singing and vocal technique for intensive production course.
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March-April 1999 |
Monsignor Pereyma Catholic School, Oshawa, Grade 12
Director: Ed Dixon
Responsibilities: Shakespearean text coaching, voice, movement, The Business of Theatre workshop.
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September-April 1988-1990 |
York University, Toronto, First and Third Year Students
Supervising Professors: Don Rubin, Ross Stuart
Responsibilities: Teaching Assistant, Drama History and Canadian Theatre Courses. Improv, assignment grading, research assistance, discussion facilitation.
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| EDUCATION AND TRAINING |
M.F.A: Acting, York University, 1990
Honours B.A: English and Drama, University of Toronto, 1987
Grade Nine Voice, Grade Three Theory, Royal Conservatory of Music, 1986.
Certified Artist Educator, Professional Training Program, The Royal Conservatory, Toronto, 2010
Orff Music Teacher Training, 2011.
Related Skills and Assets: combined specialist in Drama and Music with excellent written, communication, organizational and public speaking skills; a passion for collaboration and creativity combined with a love of curriculum planning and hard work. Car owner. Police vulnerable persons’ sector check completed. |
