MASC SHSM Conference

Nicole Bélanger is a visual artist who specializes in directing group murals, both in schools and in the community. Her emphasis is on group efforts at the conceptual and creative level. The murals are directed in a way where she provides guidelines and direction as the project progresses to ensure a quality finished product and a level of acquired expertise for the students. Her community murals have also involved the homeless and health centres. Nicole believes in the energy created by a group effort, and that there is room for everyone to create. Nicole is a visual artist in her own right, working in both painting and sculpture. She is a graduate with a masters degree in Visual arts from Norwich University, U.S.A.

Jacqui Du Toit is an international theatrical performer and storyteller from South Africa. She has a B.A in Theatre and Performance from the University of Cape Town and has been working extensively as a professional actress, storyteller and arts educator.Her experience covers a wide range of fields including writing, directing, acting, movement and puppetry. Her passion and perseverance for performance arts have taken her to many destinations and festivals around the world, including performing with an African circus that toured Canada in 2008.Jacqui now resides in Ottawa, Canada where she is the Co-owner of The Origin Arts and community centre and serves on the board of directors for the Great Canadian Theatre Company. An active arts educator within the community and surroundings, Jacqui thrives on sharing the knowledge of storytelling and theatre with women and youth. Jacqui performs theatre, dance and African storytelling with her company 8thGeneration Storytelling, travelling across Canada and her home country, South Africa.Jacqui was nominated for Outstanding Female Actress, Prix Rideau Awards 2017 and Best female actress for the Capital Critics Awards 2017 for her production, THE HOTTENTOT VENUS – UNTOLD, which she wrote, directed and performs in.

Shaun Elie is a video artist who has worked in arts education with MASC for over 20 years. His practice includes short films, documentary, stop motion, and video mapping (video projection design). His work is inherently collaborative, often involving other artists in projects that foster exchange and collective creation.

Julianne M. Lavertu is a professional dancer, educator, and the artistic director of the Cultural Arts Studio. She has been passionately dedicated to the art of movement from a young age, specializing in Afro-Caribbean dance. Through her work, she has collaborated with renowned institutions such as the National Ballet of Canada and the National Arts Centre, helping to spotlight Afro-Caribbean culture in the nation’s capital. Guided by the belief that everyone—regardless of their background or circumstances—deserves the opportunity to experience liberation through the arts, Julianne continues to inspire and empower through dance.

Hailing from Canada’s Capital region, Loop pedal violist, visual artist, composer, and educator Kathryn Patricia Cobbler has crafted a singular niche in music improvisation and classical performance. She obsesses over creating uniquely arresting soundscapes, whether in solo recitals, composing and performing for art installations, and more. Named a CBC Trailblazer in 2021 and a recipient of one of Ottawa Arts Council’s Emerging Artist awards, she has been featured in Canada’s most notable Concert Series, Chamberfest, Music and Beyond, NUMUS Concert series to name a few.

Named one of ‘3 Classical Musicians You Should Know ‘ in 2022, by SHIFTER Magazine and the NAC, Kathryn is a seasoned performer, speaker, presenter and workshop facilitator. As a performing artist and educator, Ms. Cobbler is a performance instructor at Carleton University and an artist on the MASC Artist roster. As a composer, Kathryn has been featured in the Boston based Concert series, Castle of Our Skin’s Black Composers Miniature Challenge, which resulted in the world premier of her piece A Home Called ‘Wander’ for solo viola and spoken word. Most recently, Kathryn Patricia was commissioned by the National Art Gallery of Canada to compose a piece of music for their exhibit, Uninvited: Canadian Women Artists in the Modern Moment. Kathryn Patricia Cobbler holds degrees in viola performance from Western University (B.M.) the University of Ottawa (M.M.) and was a 2022 fellow of the Global Leaders Institute. She is currently a PhD student in Critical Studies in Improvisation through the University of Guelph. Kathryn Patricia performs on a viola by luthier Sibylle Ruppert and a Boss RC-30 loop pedal. https://www.kathrynpatricia.com/

Dawn Ellis is an experienced arts educator and community musician with a passion for developing creative programming through partnerships. Dawn’s music journey began in orchestral performance where she performed with Royal Conservatory Orchestra and transitioned to music education after discovering a passion for the classroom. Dawn has over 15 years educating youth from grades JK-12 including several intergenerational and community arts programs aimed at building community through music. Dawn is a sought-after leader who recently brought the music care approach to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.