Academy Archives - Page 2 of 11

Her Secret Soldier is now available!

Last year, one of our directors – Julie Hartley – signed a 2-book deal with an international publishing house (Bookouture). She was contracted to write 2 historical novels, and her first novel is now available! Her Secret Soldier is a World War 2 novel filled with mystery and adventure. It tells the story of a lonely 18-year-old girl living in a remote part of England whose life is forever changed when she discovers an injured German spy in the ancient woodland behind her home. Parts of the novel are also set in Toronto, and Algonquin Park. The novel is intended for adult readers, but the content is entirely suited to anyone aged 12+ Advance reviews of Her Secret Soldier have been excellent! One NetGalley [...]

September 13th, 2024|Academy, books|

Join our Year-Round Acting and Film Classes at the Centauri Arts Academy!

Our after-school Acting and Film Production programs begin again in mid-September with all-new content, and run for 15 weeks. Courses are available for ages 11-17 and taught by industry professionals. With arts programs facing more cuts in schools, and a creative mindset more important than ever, there has never been a better time to explore the arts! Join our Acting Ensemble! Our actors LOVE our caring and inspirational instructor, Marina Gomes. “This year we will be exploring how classic theatre techniques can be used to tell important stories that mean something to a modern audience,” Marina says. As part of this ‘ancient to modern’ approach, actors will explore comedy and tragedy, learning how to tell both kinds of stories in [...]

September 6th, 2024|Academy, Bloor West Village|

After-School Enrichment for Teens in Bloor West Village, Swansea, Roncesvalles and The Junction

With so much going on for teens in our area, we’ve decided to compile a list of some of the local enrichment opportunities for middle- and high-school students. When kids are younger, it’s easier to keep them occupied, but teens need high quality activities, with experienced instructors who understand how to inspire, and that can be hard to find. Centauri Arts is one of many local resources for teens; here, we’re showcasing a wide range of opportunities so this guide will be useful whatever the interests of your teen. Scroll down to the bottom for questions to ask the directors of these businesses, when you call to enquire. Music Schools Bloor West Music Studios BW Music Studios has been around for three decades [...]

September 3rd, 2024|Academy, Bloor West Village, Resources|

After-school Acting and Film Production programs

Our after-school Acting and Film Production programs begin again in mid-September with all-new content, and run for 15 weeks. Courses are available for ages 11-17 and taught by industry professionals. With arts programs facing more cuts in schools, and a creative mindset more important than ever, there has never been a better time to explore the arts! Join our Acting Ensemble! Our actors LOVE our caring and inspirational instructor, Marina Gomes. “This year we will be exploring how classic theatre techniques can be used to tell important stories that mean something to a modern audience,” Marina says. As part of this ‘ancient to modern’ approach, actors will explore comedy and tragedy, learning how to tell both kinds of stories in the characters they create. They’ll [...]

August 12th, 2024|Academy, Bloor West Village|

10 Great Resources for Young Writers

It isn’t always easy for young writers to find places to submit their work, so we've collected together competitions, magazines and online publications to which teenage writers (and tween writers) can submit their poetry and short fiction. A fun fact: young writers at the Centauri Arts Academy have been published in many of these places, and have also been short-listed for several of these awards! Young Voices Magazine This is an annual magazine published by the Toronto Public Library. They accept creative writing and art by writers aged 12-19. You can submit your work at any time but submission deadlines fall in March each year. https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/teens/young-voices.jsp Stone Soup Magazine This is a fabulous magazine 100% written and illustrated by kids aged 6-13. Read their [...]

August 1st, 2024|Academy, Writing Resources|

After-School Enrichment for Teens in Bloor West Village, Swansea, Roncesvalles and The Junction.

With so much going on for teens in our area, we’ve decided to compile a resource of local enrichment opportunities for middle- and high-school students. Here is a selection of businesses in the area. When kids are younger, it’s easier to keep them occupied, but teens need high quality activities, with experienced instructors who understand how to inspire, and that can be hard to find. Centauri Arts is one of many local resources for teens; here, we’re showcasing a wide range of opportunities so this guide will be useful whatever the interests of your teen. Scroll down to the bottom for questions to ask the directors of these businesses, when you call to enquire. Music Schools Bloor West Music Studios BW Music Studios has [...]

July 30th, 2024|Academy, Bloor West Village, Resources|

Read Books by Centauri-Connected Authors!

Over the years, Centauri Arts has worked with dozens of authors. Many of them have taught for us, offered guest classes, or advised our young writers. Others are parents who have sent their kids to our overnight arts camp – or writers who attended our programs as children. Here’s a selection of poets, children’s writers, novelists and writers of creative non fiction you may wish to check out, all of them with Centauri connections: Vikki Van Sickle Vikki writes for children, and lives in Toronto. She offers occasional guest classes with Centauri and taught for our summer writing camps in 2023. Check out Vikki's Book on Amazon.ca Laura Farina Laura taught at our writing camps for many years. She has written poetry collections, picture [...]

July 19th, 2024|Academy, books, Writing Resources|

Registration now open for fall 2024 classes!

We are thrilled and excited to share our fall arts classes. Choose from weekly classes in Fine Art, Digital Art, Film, Creative Writing and Acting! New programs in Art for 9-13s, a new Musical Theatre program and a new adult writing course! Most classes take place in our Bloor West Village, Toronto location. Some classes are virtual! Fine Art & Digital Art Classes Mondays: Miniature Masterpieces: Ages 9-13 Explore all kinds of art on a small scale – mini paintings for your mini art gallery, teeny sculptures, miniature books and more! 5pm to 6.30pm Digital Art & Animation Ages 12-17 Offered hybrid; join virtually, or in-person 7pm-8.30pm Wednesdays : Fine Art Fiesta 5.00pm-6.30pm Ages 9-13 7.00pm-8.30pm Ages 12-17 Learn to [...]

July 18th, 2024|Academy, Bloor West Village|

Creative Writing Successes!

We are THRILLED to announce that the achievements of THREE of our Creative Writing students have been recognised in competitions and with publication! One of our young writers has had a short story accepted for publication in Stone Soup magazine and another will see her work published by ‘Kids Write 4 Kids’. Meanwhile, we learned today that a third writing student was a finalist for The New York Times’ student ‘Open Letter’ competition. Congratulations to all these winners – we are so proud of you! Of course, all 28 of our students saw their work published last month in our annual Anthology, which was entitled The Shop of Wonders. We held a book launch in early June, and writers read from their work. You can [...]

July 13th, 2024|Academy|

Why Do We Write??

Our ‘Short Story Creation’ camp is now well underway at the Centauri Arts Academy! We began by asking ourselves why we write, and the ‘tools’ we use to inspire our creative writing. All campers created statements exploring the reasons why they write, and used these to create a personal list poem in which every line began “I write with…”. Writers shared their favourite lines with a partner, who also helped them edit the lines for maximum impact. Finally, each writer submitted their favourite line, and these were combined to form a collaborative poem entitled: We Write With… Here is the result – which demonstrates the talent and wisdom of this incredible group of young writers: We Write With… A collective writing piece from the "How [...]

July 10th, 2024|Writing Classes for Teens, Writing Resources|