Click on each name for biography:
Bagnell, Kurt- Manager of Presentations, Banff Centre [Curator]
Since 1981, Kurt has been involved with presenting at The Banff Centre becoming manager of presentations in 1990. In this capacity, he is responsible for curating and producing a performing arts series that encompasses all manner of arts presentations and features artists from across Canada and around the world. Kurt also produces special events and outdoor concerts for The Banff Centre as well as other organizations in the Bow valley. In addition Kurt is involved with the marketing and promotion of events at The Banff Centre, artist development, training patron services and others aspects of events management. Prior to moving to Banff. Kurt worked in Halifax in regional theatre and in event presentation and promotion at Dalhousie University Arts centre.
In his spare time, Kurt is involved with various activities concerned with the development and future of the unique community of Banff, tries to keep pace with a very active family and, despite age and a far too damaged body, continues his hockey dreams playing old-timers hockey.
Black, Chris - Meta Strategies [Network Peer Session]
Chris Black has over 15 years’ experience consulting with dozens of not-for profit organizations. Initially focused on technology and Internet, helping groups achieve their online ambitions, Chris has shifted to Social Network Analysis. Partnering with June Holley, Chris has worked nationally and internationally, consulting with hospitals struggling with superbugs, scientists concerned with bio diversity and pharmaceutical sales forces. Chris co-developed an online survey tool that is used to gather data for network mapping and analysis.
Borys, Roman - Artistic Director, Ottawa Chamber Music Festival [Host, Artist Voice]
Roman Borys is one of Canada’s most active chamber musicians and a founding member of the Gryphon Trio. As a producer, Roman oversees the production and development of the Gryphon Trio’s various projects and education and outreach initiatives including Constantinople, Colour…for the End of Time and the Young Composers Initiative. In 2009, Borys became the Artistic Director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society, which presents Chamberfest, one of the largest and most comprehensive chamber music festivals in the world.
Burima, Kenna -Artistic Associate, Calgary Folk Festival [Moderator, Social Media]
Kenna Burima is Calgary based musician, composer, writer, broadcaster, curator and arts administrator. Since graduating with a music degree from the University of Calgary, Kenna has affiliated herself with as many arts organizations as possible including The Calgary Folk Music Festival, One Yellow Rabbit, the Cantos Music Foundation, and The EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts.
Carver, Cecily - Social and Interactive Media Co-ordinator, Canadian Opera Company [Panelist, Social Media]
Cecily Carver is a native of British Columbia with an educational background in both music and technology. She became the Social and Interactive Media Co-ordinator for the Canadian Opera Company in the summer of 2010, where she writes the blog Parlando and organizes the COC’s social media activities.
Clarke, George Elliot -Poet, Playwright, Professor [Keynote, CPPAMO]
In addition to being a poet, playwright and literary critic Clarke is the E.J. Pratt Professor of Canadian Literature at the University of Toronto. He taught English and Canadian Studies at Duke University (1994-1999). During 1998-99 he was appointed the Visiting Seagrams Chair in Canadian Studies at McGill University, then became professor of English at the U. of T. in 1999, before being appointed E.J. Pratt Professor in 2003.
Clarke was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1960, a seventh-generation Canadian of African-American and Mi’kmaq Amerindian heritage.
Cooper, Ella -Founding Director, Emerging Arts Professionals (EAP) [Co-host, ArtsConnect, TSP]
Ella Cooper is the Founding Director of the Emerging Arts Professional Network. As a self proclaimed Emerging Arts Professional, originally from Montreal and now based in Vancouver, Ella holds an extensive background in visual arts, dance, photography, music, design and new media. Ella is the founder of the EAP Network and spent two years working with an incredible national committee of volunteers to create the vibrant online community network and volunteer run not for profit organization made up of almost 3,000 arts professionals across Canada.
Covert, Jen -eMarketing Officer, National Arts Centre [Panelist, Social Media]
Jennifer Covert is eMarketing Officer at Canada's National Arts Centre where she manages online marketing and communications initiatives. As the first-ever person in this role she has created it to cover areas from email marketing to search engine marketing to social media and everything in between. Jennifer previously held the role of Associate Marketing Officer at the NAC during which time she worked with NAC English Theatre under the artistic direction of Peter Hinton. Jennifer holds an MA in Theatre from the University of British Columbia and a certificate in eMarketing from the Canadian Marketing Association.
Daley, Heather - Artistic Director, Alianait Arts Festival [Panelist, Plenary]
Heather Daley is the founding director of the Alianait Arts Festival (www.alianait.ca) and has been a leading force in Nunavut’s arts sector for the past 7 years. The Festival has quickly evolved into a world-class event described as the hottest, coolest festival on top of the world.
Davis, Alan - Executive Director, Small World Music [Curator]
Curator, Orchid Ensemble
Des Marais, Pierre - Artistic Co-Director, Danse Danse [Moderator, Plenary]
Pierre Des Marais danced for eleven years in Vancouver and later worked for the Karen Jamieson Dance Company, La La La Human Steps, Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault and Compagnie Marie Chouinard. From 1992 to 1996 he was the associate producer of the Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa. In April 2000 he became codirector of Danse Danse.
Fitzsimons, Lloyd - Executive Director, Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse [Roundtable host, Venue Managers]
Lloyd Fitzsimonds is the Executive Director of the Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse in Victoria BC. He has been associated with Canadian theatrical venues for the last 30 years. His particular interest lies in trying to predict the future use of our venues while maintaining them in the present.
Harquail, Judy - Consultant [Agents and Managers Peer Session, Pitch Session Co-Host, Agents and Managers Workshop]
Judy has over 25 years of experience working in the performing arts. Amongst the many projects she is currently working on, she is Program Manager for CCI where she is responsible for the Ontario Dances program, the biannual Ontario Dances Platform, the Fresh Start program and CCI’s block booking program.
Holmes, Jeanne - Producing Director, Dancemakers / The Centre for Creation [Panelist, CPPAMO]
Recently appointed to the position of Producing Director of Dancemakers and the Centre for Creation, Jeanne Holmes joins the company following a long and successful career in the arts during which time she developed her wide ranging abilities, showing an intuitive awareness for the creative culture of dance.
She comes to Dancemakers after a stellar career at Harbourfront Centre, working in various departments in key leadership roles before assuming the position of Dance Programmer in 2001. During her tenure at Harbourfront Centre Holmes’ was responsible for the dance programming in the World Stage international performance series, the coordination of NextSteps – a series that showcases Canadian-based dance artists and the Artistic Direction of the annual contemporary dance series.
Kapilow, Rob - Conductor, Composer, Commentator [Artist Voice]
For more than 15 years, Rob Kapilow has brought the joy and wonder of classical music – and unravelled some of its mysteries – to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Characterized by his unique ability to create an “aha” moment for his audiences and collaborators, whatever their level of musical sophistication or naiveté, Kapilow’s work brings music into people’s lives: opening new ears to musical experiences and helping people to listen actively rather than just hear. As the Boston Globe said, “It’s a cheering thought that this kind of missionary enterprise did not pass from this earth with Leonard Bernstein. Rob Kapilow is awfully good at what he does. We need him.”
Lambert, John - John Lambert and Assoc. Inc. [Panelist, Plenary]
John Lambert began his career as an actor, a clown and later was Programmer of Street Performance at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal for several years. Vice-President of CINARS, John Lambert represents artists who are pioneers in the disciplines of mixed media, theatre, puppetry, percussion, and circus.
Lamoureux, Chantal - Artistic Director, Jean-Despréz et La Basoche [Curator]
Bio to come.
Lariviere, Eric - Manager, Markham Theatre for Performing Arts [Panelist, Plenary]
Mr. Lariviere has worked with festivals, events and facilities in both the USA and Canada. He started his career with degrees in Business Administration from the University of Quebec and advanced studies in music at McGill University. Following work with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, he was General Manager for nine years at Centre Pierre-Peladeau, the performing arts centre at Université du Québec in Montreal. More recently, as President and CEO of the Daytona Beach International Festival from 2002 to 2008, he led the organization to become the largest international and orchestral festival in Florida. The Festival is a leading concert presenter with up to 150 concerts and outreach activities producing an economic impact of $20 million.
Laronde, Sandra -Artistic Director, Red Sky Performance [Panelist, CPPAMO]
Founder and Artistic Director of Red Sky, Sandra Laronde is an award-winning director, producer, choreographer, actor and dancer. Sandra's vision for Red Sky is to create a leading international company that shapes contemporary world Indigenous performance, and to make a significant contribution to the artistic vibrancy of Canada and the world. Currently, she is also the Director of Indigenous Arts at The Banff Centre. Sandra is originally from the Teme-Augama-Anishnaabe (People of the Deep Water) in Temagami, northern Ontario.
Marsland, Jane -Consultant [Agents and Managers, Sunday]
Jane Marsland has been an articulate advocate for the arts for many years and has served on a wide range of boards, advisory groups and committees. Jane was Co-founder of For Dance and Opera, a strategic collaboration to book and tour four companies, Co-founder and director of ARTS 4 CHANGE, a three-year program designed to create positive change for and by arts professionals in Toronto, as well as co-founder of the Creative Trust: Working Capital for the Arts.
Since 1999, Jane has been working as a free-lance arts consultant and has worked with more than 90 arts organizations.
Melanson, Jeff - Executive Director, Canada's National Ballet School [Keynote]
Jeff Melanson was appointed Executive Director of Canada's National Ballet School in November 2006. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, where he studied opera, Russian art song and choral conducting. He also holds an MBA in Finance, Marketing and Strategy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.
Jeff was named a Recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40TM for 2009. Jeff Melanson is the first arts leader to receive this prestigious honour in its history.
Moore, Heather -Producer/Executive Director, Scene Festivals, National Arts Centre [Panelist, Pleanry]
In addition to the multi-disciplinary Scenes, Heather’s NAC responsibilities have included Marketing Director and Strategic Planner. She has worked at Ottawa Arts Court, l’OSM, Orchestras Canada and the Canadian Film Institute. She has a B. Music and an MA in Canadian Studies. When not running around the country meeting artists, she’s, um, running around.
Morrison, Kasia - Communications & Outreach Manager, JazzEast [Panelist, Social Media]
Bio to come.
Pay, David - Artistic Director, Music On Main [Curator, Panelist - Plenary]
David Pay is Artistic Director of Music on Main, a concert series founded in 2006 and dedicated to a refreshing concept of concert going: shorter concerts, a bar before and after performances, and casual, stimulating environments. The Georgia Straight wrote that “If there was any doubt that Vancouver is becoming a real nexus of musical creativity, its latest concert series should take care of that.” After just three months of classical and new music concerts at Heritage Hall on Main Street and The Cellar Jazz Club on Broadway, the series was chosen by both The Globe & Mail and The Georgia Straight as part of their “Best of 2006” lists.
Pineau, Alain - Executive Director, Canadian Conference for the Arts [Advocacy Workshop]
Alain Pineau has been National Director of the Canadian Conference of the Arts since November 2005. Before that, he had spent 34 years with the CBC, the last nine as General Manager of Galaxie, CBC’s very successful for-profit pay audio service.
He has been on the Board of the Foundation of the Governor General’s Awards for the Performing Arts since 1992 and is currently Chair of Statistics Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Cultural Statistics.
Rasmussen, Tina - Director of Performing Arts/World Stage, Harbourfront Centre [Curator]
Tina Rasmussen is currently Director of Performing Arts and Artistic Director of World Stage at Harbourfront Centre. She is responsible year-round for bringing unique performing arts to Canada’s premiere contemporary arts institution.
Here she oversees HATCH: emerging performance projects and NextSteps which brings together a breadth of diverse, homegrown contemporary dance artists to centre stage. Ms. Rasmussen also develops and oversees the programmes for HarbourKIDS and facilitates leading initiatives for The Toronto Music Garden and Behind the Curtain. Ms. Rasmussen manages all industry initiative relating to performance at Harbourfront Centre.
She continues to sit on many international performing arts panels, most recently being part of an international jury contributing in the curation of Made in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and was a juror for the Total Theatre Awards.
Rosario, Joyce -Executive Director, New Works [Guest Speaker, TSP/Pitch Sessions Co-host]
Joyce Rosario has been an ‘art geek’ for as long as she can remember, and has been involved in arts and culture in Vancouver for over ten years. A graduate of the theatre program at UBC, Joyce subsequently worked as an arts administrator in a variety of dance organizations and for the past three years has been the Executive Director of Made in BC - Dance on Tour. As a volunteer, she has served on peer juries, advisory committees and boards, most recently joining the board of directors for CanDance - The Canadian Network of Dance Presenters. She is thrilled to be a part of the New Works team!
Sayadi, Shahin - Artistic Director, Onelight Theatre [Panelist, CPPAMO]
Shahin was born and raised in Abadan, Iran; he arrived in Montreal, wearing shorts and a t-shirt on February 1, 1986 and, notwithstanding the bitter cold, decided to stay.
Shahin is the founder and Artistic Director of Halifax's Onelight Theatre. He has been responsible for the development and staging of nine original productions since 2002 and has several new works in development that are scheduled to debut in 2011 and 2012.
Scales, Barbara - Direcotr, Latitude 45/Arts Promotion [Roundtable host, CCMC]
1982-present Founder and Director of Latitude 45/Arts Promotion, Artist Management and Agency, representing artists in all fields of the performing arts including classical and contemporary music, dance, theatre and children’s entertainment. Latitude 45 works globally with one-third of its activities in Canada, one-third in the United States and one third in Europe, Asia-Pacific and South America.
Schryer, Claude -Co-ordinator, Inter-Arts Office, Canada Council for the Arts [Roundtable host, Circus Arts]
Since 1999, Claude Schryer manages the Inter-Arts Office of the Canada Council for the Arts, whose mandate is to develop strategies and polices and manage grant programs that support research, creation, production, dissemination, touring, and service and development activities by Canadian integrated and contemporary circus arts professionals and arts organizations. Before that he worked in electroacousitc music and acoustic ecology.
Slade, Deb - Director, Centre for the Arts, Brock University [Curator]
The Director for the Centre for the Arts, Brock University since 1987, Debbie is responsible for the day today activities of two venues, including the administration, development and promotion of the Centre. The Centre stages over 350 events per year. Of these, the Centre presents 70+ performances encompassing celebrated artists from Canada and around the world in all disciplines and genres: jazz, Celtic, pop, country, folk, classic and contemporary music; dance and theatre; performances for families and children and finally, comedy.
smith, charles c. - Poet, Playwright, Teacher [Producer, CPPAMO]
Charles C. Smith is a published poet, playwright and essayist. He has edited three collections of poetry, has one published book (Partial Lives) and his poetry has appeared in numerous journals and magazines, including Poetry Canada Review, the Quille and Quire, Descant, Dandelion, the Amethyst Review, Bywords, Canadian Ethnic Studies and others. charles has provided advice to numerous cultural organizations interested in developing and implementing equity and diversity policies and programs, including the Ontario Science Centre, the SONY Centre for Performing Arts, the Toronto Theatre Alliance, Community Cultural Impresarios, Etobicoke and Lakeshore Arts, the Canada Dance Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival and several others.
charles is also the Lecturer, Cultural Pluralism in the Arts at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.
Taler, Laura - Film-maker [Screening Room Dances for a Small Screen/Love Song Trilogy, Presentation, Networking Dinner]
Romanian born Canadian artist. She began her career as a contemporary dance choreographer, where her work was driven by building character through movement and gesture, and by exploring the effect of movement in different media and in unusual places. In 1995 she directed her first award-winning dancefilm the village trilogy, followed by over a dozen films that focus on telling stories with movement and music. These award-winning documentaries, dance films, music films and silent dramas have been praised for their unique combination of emotional resonance, wit, and striking visuals. Her work has been screened in numerous festivals and special screenings nationally and internationally, and broadcast on CBC, Bravo!, W, TfO, ARTV (Canada), Bravo (U.S.), Channel 4 (U.K.), NPS and Kunstkanaal (The Netherlands), ABC (Australia), IBA (Israel), and SVT (Sweden). In 2008-09 Taler was a fellow at the Institute for Cultural Inquiry Berlin, where she began creating her first video installation. This fall, Turia+Kant (Vienna/Berlin) will publish two of her works in Tension/Sapannung (Christoph F.E. Holzhey, editor), an essay and an installation on paper. Taler is presently completing her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Ottawa with a focus on media, sculpture and installation.
Taylor, Jowi - Writer/Broadcaster [Six String Nation]
Jowi Taylor is a multiple award winning writer and broadcaster. His independent “Six String Nation” multi-media project – centered around a guitar built literally from pieces of Canadian heritage – combines Jowi’s various fascinations, including music, media, community-building and the intersection of Canada’s history and multicultural identity. His book about the project “Six String Nation: 64 Pieces, 6 Strings, 1 Canada, 1 Guitar” is available from Douglas & McIntyre Publishers.
Zimmer, Jacob - Artistic Director, Small Wooden Shoe [Panelist, Plenary]
Jacob Zimmer is the artistic director of Small Wooden Shoe, a mostly-theatre company bent on proving that good ideas are entertaining and that pleasure and critique require each other. Jacob works in dance as the Dramaturge and Animateur at Dancemakers and in an on-going dramaturgical collaboration with choreographer Ame Henderson.
