Inspirational and experienced professionals who LOVE to teach
– this is how we describe the instructors who work with us at Centauri Arts! Most stay with us for years, mentoring the creative young people who take their classes. Here’s just a few of the fabulous arts professionals who will be leading our summer programs this year!
Acting Camp Programs
Marina Gomes – Acting Instructor
Born in Toronto, Marina Gomes is a storyteller who aspires to create work that is innovative, thought provoking and entertaining! A graduate of the University of Windsor BFA-Acting program, Marina has trained with members of the SITI Company, at Stratford, and most recently at the Festival Players Academy. She also had the privilege of being one of Nightwood’s Young Innovators in 2019. Marina works as an Artist Educator with Centauri Arts, Young People’s Theatre, Soulpepper and independently throughout the GTA.
Film Camp Programs
Evan Hoffman – Film Instructor
Evan is a York University graduate with a BFA in Film Production who has been working in the Canadian film industry for many years. Working as both a music and film instructor, Evan has accumulated over 8 years of teaching experience. During his time at York, he directed fiction, documentary, and experimental films. Having specialized in sound, he works as a location sound recordist and post-sound department head. Some of his credits have been featured in the Tel Aviv International Film Festival, Olympus Film Festival in Los Angeles, and are available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Art Camp Programs
Aaron Alviano – Fine Art & Digital Art Instructor
Aaron has a B.A. Hons. in Studio Art from the University of Guelph and resides in Toronto, where for the past 17 years he has continued his studies and combined a career as an artist with his love of teaching. Aaron displays his work in galleries throughout Toronto and online. He has a wealth of teaching knowledge in the fine arts, and has taught courses in Digital Art, traditional Fine Art, Design, Cartoon Skills, Animation and Photography at Centauri Arts over the past 22 years
Writing Camp Programs
Briana Brown – Writing Instructor
Briana is an award winning playwright and screenwriter based in Toronto. She’s a graduate of UBC’s Creative Writing program (MFA), and a previous Playwright in Residence with Driftwood Theatre. Her first full length play, The Concessions (Touchstone/Firehall/Playwrights Theatre Centre), premiered in June 2014 and earned a Jessie nomination for Outstanding Original Play, among others. Briana was shortlisted for the Stage West Pechet Family Comedy Award and is currently developing a one-hour serialized TV fantasy called Harbinger.
Julie Hartley – Writing Instructor
Julie is a writer, teacher, storyteller and theatre director. She has a degree in English and Theatre Studies and an M.A. in English Literature – both from Warwick University in the UK. In 2016 she completed an M.F.A. in Creative Writing through the University of British Columbia. Julie taught English & Drama at Leicester Grammar School in England, and at Havergal College here in Toronto, before joining the University of Waterloo, where she taught acting courses and directed two mainstage productions. Julie’s poetry and short stories have appeared in literary magazines in Canada and England. Her plays have toured across England and Ireland, and have been staged by schools, youth theatres and colleges throughout Ontario. Julie teaches Creative Writing and Theatre courses for the Centauri Arts Academy and in schools across Ontario. She is also the director and lead teacher for the new Centauri English Enrichment Program. Julie continues to write, in addition to her work with Centauri Arts. Her novel for middle grade readers – The Finding Place – was published by Red Deer Press in September 2015, and her guide to teaching Shakespeare was published by Theatrefolk in 2018. Her latest book is a poetry collection – Deboning a Dragon – and was released by Mansfield Press in 2019. Visit Juliehartley.ca to see more
Arrow Williams – Writing Instructor
Arrow Williams is a professional editor, writer, and makeup artist, and resides in Toronto, Ontario. Currently working with Grey House Publishing Canada, they studied English Literature at Concordia University and have completed the Publishing and Makeup for Stage and Screen programs from Toronto Metropolitan University. They are an active member of Editors Canada, and specialize in poetry and short fiction. When not working with stories and authors, Arrow is on set using makeup to transform actors into zombies, monsters, and the occasional blushing bride. They joined the Centauri team in 2015 as a counsellor, running creative writing workshops centred around pushing young writers out of their comfort zones and using techniques stolen from the literary canon to encourage creativity and give them more tools at their disposal. Arrow’s special effects makeup courses equipped campers with the makeup skills to scare their parents and friends with realistic gashes, wounds, and monster horns.
CLICK HERE to read more instructor bios!
Registration is Now Open for all camps!!
We accept only TWELVE applicants into each program – so early booking is essential:
https://www.centauriarts.com/summer
We hope to welcome you to the Centauri Arts Academy – or to our virtual programs – this summer!
Centauri Arts
