Jamie Edwards
Toronto native, Jamie Edwards started drumming at the age of 10. Within 3 years he was performing with Drum Corps throughout Canada and the U.S and began teaching at the age of 15.
After High School he continued his studies in music, percussion, and music composition at The Ontario College of Percussion, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo. Jamie has since taught and toured extensively in Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
From 2002-2006 Jamie held the position of Percussion Director while teaching at White Knoll High School in Lexington, South Carolina. While at White Knoll, his percussion ensembles consistently achieved gold, silver or bronze at numerous local, county and state competitions. Jamie continues his work at White Knoll as designer/writer/consultant. His groups have also earned international acclaim including gold at The World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands.
As Artistic Director at iStar Youth in the Arts, Jamie creates high-energy, innovative, theatrical shows that empower young people to succeed and perform beyond their expectations.
Justine Butkovich
Justine graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and is in her first year of her Masters in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance, under the tutelage of Dr. Darryl Edwards. In 2005, Justine received her Diploma in Music Performance from Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario where she studied voice for three years under Professor Marion Harvey. Justine has appeared as a soloist numerous times with the U of T MacMillan Singers and performed in master classes with Helmuth Rilling and Roger Vignoles. In 2006/2007, Justine appeared as the soprano soloist for performances of Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Messiah with Chorus Novus of Cornwall.
The vocal ensemble will be an integration of the fundamentals of vocal technique, choral repertoire, along with movement and acting. Students will get a chance to explore the musical elements of classical, folk, musical theatre, jazz, and pop music. The vocal ensemble will be a great opportunity for children of all ages to express themselves through song in a friendly and encouraging environment. All are welcome!
Kyla Wright
With over 20 years of experience in the realm of dance, Kyla Sakina Wright has achieved many goals. Since she started learning at just six years of age, Kyla has trained vigorously in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Acro and Musical Theatre. Kyla's passion with the world of dance has allowed her to gain numerous gold and silver medals in North America (throughout Canada and the U.S.A.) through competition since the age of eleven. Challenging herself further, she went on to complete an Honor B.F.A. Major in Dance at York University, whose department of dance has the oldest and largest university-level dance program in Canada. Kyla has supplemented her career with many major accomplishments. To give a sample of Kyla's credentials, she was the Captain and fundraising leader for the York University Dance Team, and Kyla was also a dance team coordinator for an Olympic bid in Toronto. Kyla also performed for Mercedes during the 2002 Formula 1 in Montreal.
Kyla has a rare passion for the art of dance. She has a contagious spirit which gets her students excited to delve into any dance form she presents to them.
