2009 Program Staff Bios
CHRISTINE AMBRE, Program Coordinator
Coming Soon!
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NYLDA "LADY NOYZ" GALLARDO-LOPEZ, Dance Specialty Head
Lady Noyz is hip-hop. As Toronto’s first lady of the dance floor for over a decade, this b-girl has personified the essence of her art, its beauty, its toughness, and its ability to uplift. With a style influenced by the movements of Latin dance, and rooted in the foundation of b-boying, Noyz has been a leader in her community raising the profile of her art through countless shows, workshops, video appearances, corporate partnerships, and youth programs. Currently involved in Horizon Arts Camp, Ryerson University’s Urban Hip Hop Union, Harbourfront Centers “Understanding Hip Hop” educational programs, Art Starts, Dusk Dances, mentoring youth at LAMP Community Center, and the Center for Spanish Speaking Peoples, Noyz is focused on creating new possibilities with and for her art form.
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BALU KANAGALINGAM, LIT Program Leader
Being raised in the Netherlands for half of his life, Balu will be bringing his own unique set of skills to Horizon this year. Entering his fourth year at Ryerson University, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Human Resources, Balu has been involved with many community initiatives including Arts for Children & Youth, Habitat for Humanity, Unity Charity, Hip Hop Away from Violence (HHAFV), and White Ribbon Campaign. Within HHAFV he has expressed immense commitment and determination by performing/teaching at different high schools around Ontario, by expressing his own positive outlet, beatboxing. He has also performed internationally in Amsterdam representing Canada as a vocal percussionist in 2008. Balu has facilitated many programs leading youth (ages 8 - 25 years) for organizations such as Covenant House, Yonge Street Mission (within CCC) near Regent Park, and has been a tutorial head of a business course at his university. He is excited to be bringing 3 years of camp experience to his role as LIT Program Leader at H.A.C. this summer!!
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JULIE LOI, Camp Administrator
Coming Soon!
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MARINA NICOLAOU, Visual Arts Specialty Head
Marina completed her undergraduate degree in Studio Art from the University of Guelph with a focus on drawing and photography. She has also completed her Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University in Visual Art for the junior, intermediate, and senior categories. Over the last year she has been studying history at the University of Toronto and will be obtaining an additional senior history qualification in July. She has been a volunteer at numerous galleries including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the White Water Gallery, and the Power Plant. Marina has also exhibited her own work in student and member’s shows. In the near future she plans to study French and photo-based screen-printing.
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NICKY PHILLIPS, Upper Camp Music Major Instructor
Nicky is an arts educator, actor and composer. A graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School, Nicky’s many credits include spending three seasons with Theatre Direct Canada on Dora Nominated Productions. A proud member of ACTRA and Canadian Actors’ Equity, she is also an active voiceover artist. Nicky is an accomplished musician as both a singer and pianist with over 15 years of training and experience in her field. Nicky is currently the composer and co-lyricist for the musical In Flanders Fields which is being produced by Smile Theatre Company. The show will go on tour for three months throughout Ontario in the fall of 2009. Most recently, Nicky was one of 14 songwriters accepted into the Johnny Mercer Songwriter’s Project in Chicago. Nicky and her collaborator were the first Canadians to be asked to participate in this week-long song-writing intensive master class led by Tony Nominee Craig Carnelia and Tony Winner Lin-Manuel Miranda.
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BRETT REINHART, Sports Specialist
Coming Soon!
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MISHA SHULMAN, Drama Specialty Head
A professional playwright, director and actor, Misha has been making and teaching theatre in New York City for the past ten years. Originally from Israel, his plays have been produced across North America, and he has performed in theatres around the world, from Ecuador to Broadway. Misha has been teaching drama and Jewish studies to children of all ages while completing his MFA in playwriting at the City University of New York. He has worked as an educator for the Board of Jewish Education, as well as for numerous Hebrew schools and summer camps, including the Ta’ayush camp for the children of the South Hebron Hills in Palestine. Currently Misha is a playwright in Residence at Toronto’s Crow’s Theatre. He has directed countless plays for young actors, and is excited to do the same at Horizon Arts Camp!
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TERESA WAN, Music Specialty Head
Teresa comes to camp with skills as a Graphic Designer, Teacher and Pianist. She graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design with an Honours Bachelor Degree in Design, and most recently completed her Bachelors of Education from the University of Windsor. Teresa has been playing piano since the age of four and has completed grade ten piano and theory with the Royal Conservatory of Music. For the past 9 years she has been working as a private music instructor teaching both piano and music theory as well as leading various choirs. She is eager to join the Program staff at Horizon Arts Camp and is looking forward to seeing everyone at camp!
