KIM BELVEDERE, Director
Kim has recently celebrated over three decades teaching in the arts industry. During her career, she has been a performer, choreographer, adjudicator, teacher and studio owner. Growing up in a "dance family" (Audrey Meredith Dance Centres), she is a graduate of Kent State University- Teachers Training Program. She has achieved 2 teaching certifications through Dance Masters of America and Canadian Dance Teachers Association. Kim has worked with many Ontario production and theatre companies and then decided to blend her passion of dance with her love of theatre to create "Milton Youth Theatre Productions" - Milton's 1st youth theatre company. Her choreography credits include Mystery of Edwin Drood, Oliver, Carousel, South Pacific, King & I and The Merry Widow. Kim takes great pride in working with her students - ranging in age 3 to 78 years old. Past students are actively working in the theatre world.
DARRYN DE SOUZA, Musical Director
Darryn has been Resident Musical Director with Milton Youth Theatre Productions since its inception. Together, Kim and Darryn have seen this program grow over several years into a wonderfully creative jumping ground for young people. Before working at MYTP, Darryn trained at St. Michael's Choir School, an intensive music school in Toronto. After graduation, he took on many private vocal teachers to further his education. Leander Mendoza, Carol Forte, and Falconer Abraham taught Darryn many different techniques, including Opera and Broadway Voice production, Vocal Science and Speech Level Singing. Today, Darryn works professionally as a Music Director, Teacher, Accompanist and Performer, depending on what opportunities arise. Darryn has served as Resident Musical Director for The Brampton Theatre School, The Studio School of Dance and The Dance PAC before MYTP, and has also worked with professional theatre companies, including Stage West Calgary (Sweet Charity & 70's Fever), Theatre Aquarius (Seussical), Talk is Free Theatre (Kiss Me, Kate) and Brampton's Flower City Theatre Festival (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change & Tick, Tick...BOOM!). It is a wonderful feeling to know that you have the opportunity to impact the life of a young person. Darryn is a member of Milton Music Teachers' Association.
KATY ELDRIDGE, Director
Katy Eldridge is so excited to be working with this wonderful company for a fourth season. Katy is a dramatic arts teacher in Mississauga. With her passion for theatre and love of teaching she has been directing students in plays for many years. Some notable plays include: Scaredy Kat (MY Stage Left), Grease the Musical (MYTP), Dracula (MSS), Beauty and the Beast (MYTP) and Wizard of OZ (BTS). Katy is looking forward to directing Morris Panych’s Seven Stories in the Spring of 2012. A graduate of York University’s Theatre program, Queen’s University’s Education program, and will be completing her Masters of Education with OISE/University of Toronto in April 2012.
JENNY VODAREK, Musical Director/Vocal Coach
Jenny is an honours graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and the jazz music program at Humber College in Toronto. Following her studies she began her teaching career while also pursuing her love of performing. A passionate and engaging educator with 15 years experience, Jenny is a sought after vocal coach who has successfully prepared students for award winning performances in festivals and admission into music and theatre programs across Canada. Along with running her own private voice studio Jenny has worked as a principal voice teacher at the Toronto Faculty of Music in Etobicoke and Bel Canto School of Music in Milton and Campbellville.
As a performer she has most recently appeared in productions of “Anne of Green Gables” and “Suds” in the GTA. As a jazz vocalist Jenny has performed at the Toronto, Beaches and Hamilton Jazz Festivals and the International Associations of Jazz Educators conferences in Boston and Atlanta.
Jenny is thrilled to be joining the MYTP family!
SHANNON ADAMS, Assistant Director/Choreographer
Shannon is thrilled to be returning for another year at MYTP! Shannon has loved performing and entertaining since the age of two when she began dancing. Through the years her love of dance grew to the love of both singing and acting. Shannon is a graduate of Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in Toronto, where she worked with amazing teachers and directors. Some of her credits include, Guys and Dolls (Chemainus Theatre), High School Musical 2 (URP), Something Rockin in Demark (Capricorn 9 Production), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Encore Entertainment), Thoroughly Modern Millie (RAPA), just to name a few. Besides her love of performing on stage, Shannon also loves to be behind the scenes where she choreographs and directs. Credits include Nunsense (Queen Theatre), Music Man (M.Y.T.P), Beauty and the Beast (M.Y.T.P). and most recently Aristocats (M.Y.T.P). Shannon is excited to be a part of another season at MYTP!!!!