Our Staff

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Indeed, an organization such as ours requires the talents, passions, hard work and expertise of so many people that you could say the same of us. Say hello to our teachers and staff. Read their bios to learn more about them.

DCA STAFF

Megan Bradley

Special Events Coordinator

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Bio

Megan Bradley wears a few hats in life and at the Dollard Centre for the Arts. She is currently the Summer Fine Arts Camp Director and organizes special events at the DCA like the annual Holiday Market but started as a Theatre teacher in 2006. She studied Professional Theatre and had the privilege of working in the Montreal Theatre community for six years before studying to become a Registered Massage Therapist and becoming a mother of two.

Patrick Charron

Managing Director

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Bio

Patrick has spent the past 25 years developing and facilitating countless projects and experiences in the cultural and leisure milieus. As a producer, he has helped bring to life hundreds of theatre productions, concerts, variety shows and events. As an arts administrator, Patrick has worked with some of Montreal’s most iconic institutions including the historic Rialto Theatre, Imago Théâtre, the Quebec Drama Federation, Geordie Theatre and the Margie Gillis Dance Foundation. His time spent in the event and travel industry has enabled him to acquire the signature standards that define 5-star leisure services. He combines these expertise to offer patrons singular experiences in a wide variety of interests.

Asia Laborde

Technical Coordinator

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Bio

Asia Laborde has taken on the roll of Studio Technician at the DCA. She facilitates the classes that take place at the centre through physical and technical setup while maintaining all of our art materials. She received her Bachelors in Fine Arts at Concordia University with a major in Art History and a minor in Education and is passionate about making art accessible while also understanding the privilege that we hold in doing so. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and spending quality time with her family.

Kathryn Whitehead

Administrator

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Bio

Kathryn Whitehead is the Administrator for the Dollard Center for the Arts. She has been with the centre for many years and as worked in many different positions. She is currently a student at Concordia University. She is enthusiastic about serving the community of Dollard and providing the citizens with the best possible experience.

TEACHERS

Robert Ainsworth

Tango Instructor

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Bio

Robert started dancing Argentine Tango in 2014 in Ottawa at Siempre Tango. Over the years his teachers have included Ivan Alexandrov and Hernan Lazart. Robert began teaching tango in 2018 in Ottawa, and in 2021 he launched Ottawa Vanguard Milonga, which continues to thrive as Milonga de la Confession, the capitals premiere weekly milonga. He moved to Montreal in 2022 where he gives private lessons and group classes in Argentine Tango. Robert is also a Secondary School teacher in the Riverside School Board and a published novelist. He lives in Ville Saint-Laurent with his wife, Myriam.

Ashley Asuncion

Fine Art Teacher

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Bio

Ashley is a Montreal-based artist, art instructor, and art therapist. She enjoys the process of exploration and personal expression through drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and writing. Drawn to the metaphorical layers within art-making and human beings, Ashley aspires to create a space of learning that embraces diversity and connection. She hopes to inspire young learners to develop their creative voice and to appreciate art in the everyday.

Eduardo Boletti

Music Instructor

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Bio

Eduardo is a Brazilian musician from São Paulo who has been teaching music for the past 20 years. In 2007, he graduated in Conducting and Composing at UNESP – State University of São Paulo, Brazil, one of the five best universities in Latin America. Since then, he has been working as a choir conductor, vocal coach, music director, pianist and music theory teacher.

Kevin Bourne

Music Instructor

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Bio

Kevin Bourne is a Montreal based jazz guitarist and graduate of the Jazz Faculty Program at McGill University.

Most recently, Kevin has been performing onboard the NCL Norwegian Sun as the guitarist for the ship’s showband, playing with artists from all over the world.

The most recent musical theatre productions Kevin has played guitar in was Bonnie and Clyde by Contact Theatre and Hedwig and the Angry Inch by In the Wings Promotions.

Kevin has been as a freelance teacher for the past six years and has been working with the Dollard Centre for the Arts since September 2018.

Calista Caron

Dance Instructor

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Bio

Calista Caron was born in Karlsruhe, Germany. She grew up in Nova Scotia before accepting an offer to study at L’École Supérieure de ballet du Quebec and thus moving to Montreal at the age of 13. Throughout her trainning she has had the opportunity to participate in numerous intensives and workshops internationally. Calista has taught classes for children and young adults and has won awards for her choreography. She will be participating in Concordia’s Contemporary Dance program and is delighted to continue sharing her passion and joy for dance with others.

Jelani Corbie

Music Instructor

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Bio

Jelani Corbie started playing piano at the age of 7 and has been involved with music for over 30 years. In high school, he studied with the Royal Conservatory of Music, achieving a grade 7 diploma in piano and a music award. He holds a DEC in Popular Music and an ACE in Audio Recording Technology from Vanier College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrative Music from Concordia University. Jelani has been teaching at the Dollard Centre for the Arts since 2012. He is also a DJ and has just recently completed vocational studies in Business.

Angelo David Russo

Fine Art Teacher

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Bio

Montreal artist Angelo David Russo aims to develop an approach to modern portraiture and storytelling that goes beyond traditional ideas of the portrait by creating textured and sculptural mixed media paintings with surrealist, cubist and street art influences. Mentored by Leopold Plotek at Concordia University, it was in 2012 that Russo developed his signature style by using collage and tape-resist techniques which reflect the artists’ process of discovery of self and identity. During the Pandemic, Russo learned and mastered acrylic pouring which he currently integrates in most of his work, while exploring new ways of combining fluid art and other mixed media techniques.

Russo explores themes of the human psyche, while continuously experimenting with various techniques and materials. He is currently working on The Narrative Series, a conceptual art project composed of a series of artwork inspired by the highs and lows that life has thrown his way. He describes these works as a public journal encrypted in a visual language for the viewer to decipher or relate to their own experiences.

Russo values community engagement and collaboration among his peers. Since 2015 he has directed six multi-disciplinary art showcases in Montreal, and hosted a workshop for children at the MTL en Arts 2016 festival. He is the founder of the Art for Kids Help Phone, an initiative supported by BMO Bank of Montreal where artists across Canada donate artwork for auction with all proceeds are donated to the Kids Help Phone.

Committed to his art and community, Russo continues to develop projects that encourage connections between people while incorporating digital components, reshaping the way traditional art and digital art are used in today’s modern framework.

• www.RussoArt.ca

• IG @angelorussoart

• https://www.facebook.com/russoart

Caroline Di Nunzio

Camp Special Needs Director

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Bio

Born and raised in a town just outside of Montreal, Caroline Di Nunzio grew up with a big family who adored the arts. Caroline attended oil painting classes from a young age. This love followed her as she went on to study Creative Arts at Dawson College and then Art Education at Concordia University, where her two passions combined. When she is not teaching art or painting, Caroline works at the Lester B. Pearson School Board as a Special Education Technician. Caroline also sells her art, whether it’s painting commissions on canvas or murals at a local restaurant.

Eva Ferenczy-Reichmann

Sculpture Instructor

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Bio

Eva Ferenczy-Reichmann is a ceramic artist and multimedia artist with over 35 years of experience. Born in Canada, from Hungarian heritage, Eva has taught both adult and children’s classes, inspiring her students to learn and create from their imagination. She is passionate and skillful; her one-on-one style of teaching is unique and compelling. She encourages her students to discover their potential in art as well as the endless possibilities of creativity. Her ceramic works of art are known for their whimsical, lyrical, and elegant designs. Her one of a kind, combination of wheel-thrown and hand-built/ assembled vessels are collected and exhibited in Canada and Europe.

Angel Grondin

Fine Art Teacher

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Bio

Angelic, also known as Angel, teaches a painting and drawing class! Angel is currently a student at John Abbott College where she’s studied a number of things, from ceramics, art history and painting, to animation, podcasting and film photography. Angel takes any opportunity to make art and is inspired by the constant flow of creativity at the centre! She’s excited and looking forward to creating some awesome art with you all!

Karen Ho

Music Instructor

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Bio

Karen Ho has an MA in Musicology from Université de Montréal and a Graduate Certificate in Music therapy from Concordia University. A teacher since 2003, she loves to share her experience of music with students of all ages and abilities. Never one to shy away from challenges, Karen is very resourceful and can adapt almost anything to a student’s interest. She can prepare her students to do Royal Conservatory exams. When she’s not teaching, she is most likely to be found travelling on epic cross-country road trips with her hairless and full of beans dog Juniper.

Jacinta Ionno

Adult Fine Art Teacher

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Bio

Jacinta Ionno is a Montreal-based artist with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from McGill University and a Commercial Arts Degree from the Academy of Art.

She is the past president and juried member of the Artist Association of Dollard and an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Italian Cultural Center of Quebec.

Her paintings have been exhibited in galleries and community centers in Canada. She has won numerous awards for her oil paintings, including her painting ‘Pears in a Crystal Bowl,’ which earned her an ‘Award of Excellence’ in a juried show in Vancouver for the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Jacinta teaches oil painting and drawing at her home studio, at the Dollard des Ormeaux Senior’s Club, Dollard Centre for the Arts and Lambda School of Music and Fine Arts.

Marie-Jeanne Paquet

Music Instructor

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Bio

Marie-Jeanne Paquet is a Jazz musician, singer-songwriter and educator based in Montreal. She graduated from McGill University with a degree in Music Performance, studying under both the great Montreal jazz figure Ranee Lee and New-York acclaimed vocalist Camille Thurman. Her musical journey started with learning the classical violin for over 10 years, after which she discovered her passion for singing and completed the music and science Double DEC program at Vanier College. Throughout her degrees, she accumulated over 5 years of experience performing, singing and acting for a live entertainment company. She has an amazing capacity to connect with her students and make learning both the basics of piano and vocal technique fun and engaging.

Corinne Krikorian

Tango Instructor

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Bio

Passionate about dance from a young age and tango since 2003, Corinne Krikorian started her journey in Montreal learning from experienced Argentine teachers. She moved to Buenos Aires in 2009 to deepen her knowledge and trained with renowned tango masters. Since her return, Corinne has devoted herself entirely to teaching Argentine tango in Montreal and abroad. She hopes to transmit her passion and love for tango and help her students discover the endless wonders of this incredible dance.

Natasha Martel

Fine Art Teacher

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Bio

Natasha Martel is a multi-disciplinary artist who focuses primarily on drawing, painting and printmaking. She received her MFA from NSCAD University in 2022. Natasha and her partner built a studio space in Vankleek Hill, Ontario where they live and make artwork. Her work is evidence of a process coming into being. The abstracted gestures capture movements caught in time.

Website: www.natashamartel.com Instagram: @waxpigment

Renée Mizgala

Fine Art Teacher

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Bio

A member of the Lakeshore Artists’ Association, a founding member of the Dollard Artists’ Association and long-time member of the Dorval Artists’ Association, Renée teaches, painting and experiments with various papers and techniques not only to be more creative in her work, but to inspire her students to improve in theirs. Her classes allow students to explore and develop their creativity as well as master the finer points of watercolour techniques. “Each person is an individual, and their work must reflect their individuality. One must come to class with an open mind ready to take risks, have fun and enjoy the journey”.

Paula Pazdan

Fine Art Teacher

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Bio

Paula Pazdan obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Art Education from Concordia University in 2023. She developed her passion for the arts at a very young age and showed particular interest towards portraiture. In addition to assisting with children’s art classes at the DCA, she currently works as a mental health line responder. Combining both her interest for mental health and the arts, Paula hopes to pursue a degree in art therapy in the near future! She is very grateful to be able to share her passion for art with young artists at the DCA!

Ana Ruiz

Belly Dancing Instructor

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Bio

Born in Spain, Ana Ruiz began studying belly dance two decades ago and attended many workshops throughout Eastern Canada with such international stars as Jalilah and Serena Ramzy. She continues to travel to her homeland yearly to participate in instructor’s workshops. Ruiz has been teaching since 2007 and is also the author of several books including, The Ancient Art of Belly Dance.

Cheyenne Ruiz-Schaub

Theatre Instructor

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Bio

Cheyenne Ruiz-Schaub is a multidisciplinary artist based in Tiohtia/Montreal, and a former student at Concordia University in Performance Creation with a minor in Psychology. As an avid storyteller herself through writing, acting, music, and play, Cheyenne is very excited to be teaching once again with Geordie, in hopes to hear and watch others – her students – tell their own stories in their own unique and beautiful ways!

Harvey Segal

Fine Art Teacher

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Bio

Harvey Segal is an award-winning artist whose work has been sold around the world. He studied with master pastelist Doug Dawson of the Denver Artist League, as well as Harley Brown of Tucson Arizona. He presided as Judge of the Pastel Society of Canada’s annual exhibit in 2018. He has taught at the Cummings Center for over 20 years and teaches classes and workshops in Cote-St-Luc, Kirkland, and St-Leonard. Harvey is an artist/teacher who loves to share. He paints in the Impressionist tradition. And practices…practices…and practices.

www.harveysegal.com

Jackson Thouret

Theatre Teacher

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Bio

Jackson Thouret is a multidisciplinary artist whose primary interests are acting, writing, and music. Having grown up watching superhero movies and reading comics, he has developed an impressive imagination and is continuing to improve his skills as an actor and an artist. Most recently, Jackson took part of Geordie Theatre’s 2022/2023 2Play tour, playing Milo in Katey Hoffman’s What If? and Peter in Gillian Clark’s Poof. During the summer, Jackson performed in After Grim: Healing Happens Here, a fun spoof on classic fairy tales which he co wrote for this year’s Montreal Fringe Festival. He is super excited to be a Geordie Theatre School teacher and is eager to spread his love of the craft with kids and teens alike.

Konstantin Vleitchkov

Sculpting Teacher

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Bio

Konstantin Velitchkov has a Master’s Degree with Honours in Sculpture and Ceramics from the Fine Arts Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria. Specialized in Monumental Sculpture in Berlin, Germany, Konstantin has exhibited in solo and group expositions in Europe and Canada. Konstantin has been an art instructor in Canada for over 25 years. He has been a teacher at FACE. High School in Montreal since 1997. He has taught adult classes in sculpture, drawing, painting, and ceramics at the Stewart Hall Cultural Center, the Saidye Bronfman, School of Fine Arts, and now the Dollard Centre for the Arts.

Beverly Wight

Fine Art Teacher

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Bio

Beverley Wight is a professional artist and instructor of paint media and art aesthetics. Bev works primarily in water-based media but stretches into additive elements from time to time. Her paintings are influenced, among others, by Turner, Kandinsky, and all Canadiana. Embracing the process and potential of each creative endeavour, Bev looks forward to filling the world with thoughtful, fun, and meaningful imagery.

DCA STAFF

TEACHERS

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