2013 Holiday Issue - Winters College

121 Winters College 4700
Winters Alumni
2013 Holiday Issue
Keele Street
Toronto, ON
Newsletter
M3J 1P3
416-650-8199
[email protected]
In This Issue:

Pg.2 Message from
WCAC & WCC

Pg.3 Profile:
Siobhan McCarthy
Joseph Sgandurra

Pg. 4 ,5 Profile:
Nicole Rose Bond &
Stephanie Gallo

Pg. 6,7 Profile
Ti-An DeMartines,
Trevor Salloum and

Pg. 8,9 Profile
Michelle Kahn and
Jim Wright

Holiday Issue
A message from Marie Rickard...
Dear Alumni,
Thanks to all of you who took the time to write to us.
We have a really diverse issue this time and I never
cease to be impressed by the multiple challenges that
our Winters alum take on, and the creative ways in
which they design and redesign their lives. Enclosed you
will find out about York grads from as far back as
1972 and as recently as 2011 – all interesting!!
Please keep us informed about your lives as they unfold. We’re not only interested in your many accomplishments but in the life choices that you’ve made. To that end, I depend on
you to send me letters and updates! Please feel free to submit anything that
you might want to share – a new job, a new degree, book launches, conferences, awards, weddings, parties, overseas adventures! And please send photos from then and now! Winters has been busy (as always) this year – lots of
workshops, speakers, performances etc. and you are always welcome to attend! We have also finally established an official Alumni Chapter with Nikos
Markakis as the President and Mahssa Chavosi as the Vice President. If you
wish to get involved, or if you have an idea for an event, please let us know.
I welcome your thoughts and I look forward to seeing you soon at some of our
upcoming events.
Pg 10 Lost & Found
All the best,
Marie
Movember Shave Off at The
Ab
Poetry Night at EWAG
Musical performance at
Orientation
Page 2
Winters Alumni Newsletter
Message from WCAC: Shayna Goldberg
Happy holidays alumni! There have been a lot of changes here
at Winters and we are excited to tell you all about them. First
off, we have a new President, Nikolaos Markakis. Niko has already spent a lot of time getting the chapter off the ground and
has fantastic ideas for the new year. Joining Niko is VicePresident Mahssa Chavoshi, Secretary Caitlin Hartley, Treasurer
Sky Fairchild-Waller, Program Coordinator Lindsey Ostrosser
and Communication Director Kelly Paoli.
We are all committed to finding new and exciting ways to en- Rochelle Grandmont, John Mayberry & Shayna
Goldberg at homecoming 2013
gage our alumni, and we cannot wait to see you all at our
events. On behalf of the new Alumni chapter, I would like to wish you all a happy holidays and a happy new
year!
Message from WCC: Addie Batson
Hello Alumni! Over the past 4 months Winters College Council has to provide social programming and interactive opportunities for all of our current
constituents. Here are some highlights:
Mid October WCC in collaboration with our new and improved
Winters Audio Visual Association (WAVA), came together to house our first
Winters Town Hall in our lovely dinning hall. We had several past and present constituents of the Winter’s community actively presenting their views.
WCC will be holding another Town Hall this coming January Over our WinWinters past and Present
ter Frost Week commencing at 6p.m Tuesday January 14th 2013 in 001
(center) Presidents
Winters Dinning Hall.
With the key support of our Beard Appreciation Society at York (BASAY) and sponsorship support from
Movember; WCC organized a shave off donation day and music Fest. With over 20 unique performances
from all across campus and the city, Much thanks goes out to BASAY and Movember Canada for their support.
We even managed to raise over $2000 collectively to put forward for prostate cancer research!
Poetry Nights have come to be a hot ticket event in our college these past two years. MC'd by our dynamic Social and Cultural affairs team, held in the Elenaor Winters Art Gallery (EWAG) the 3rd Wednesday
of Each month. With themes ranging from violence and society, to self-identity and sex, EWAG poetry nights
provide and open and inclusive space for our students to display their aural talents to the community.
Much has happened this past semester, and in no time it will be semester two. WCC looks forward to
continued collaboration with our master’s office, alumni chapter and winters community. On behalf of my 2013
council Team here at WCC, we wish you all the very best over the holiday season!
Issue
Page 3
Profile: Siobhan McCarthy
I graduated York's theatre program in 2008 and since then have worked in
professional theatre as a performer and costumer. When I was working for
Drayton Entertainment, I took up running and decided to run my first half marathon. While running, one of my all-star cheerleading coaches suggested that
I start a blog to track my training. As I blogged, I gained a large readership
and started making a name for myself in the fitness blogosphere. In 2011
and 2013 I was featured as a finalist on Best Health Magazine's Best Health
Blog Awards. I also gained sponsorship from SportChek and became one of
their "My better MVP's" and was asked by Samsung to ride on top of their double decker bus in
the "Olympic Heroes Parade" last September. I started getting invites to events for
new health related product and services launches. As I attended the promotional
events, I started to meet Public Relations practitioners and thought that was the career I should be in.
I started to apply to PR graduate programs and was one of the 80 students accepted in the program at Seneca@York. I started their program 3 weeks ago and cannot wait to see where I end up in April when I graduate.
If you are interested in my story and would like some more information, please don't
hesitate to contact to me.
Profile: Joseph Sgandurra
Since graduating from York with a degree in English more that 25 years ago I have
been immersed in the world of IT. With a plethora of experience including working
in a not-for-profit organization, teaching IT in the business world; managing a Datacenter, developing email solution for an American Telco, and 12 years at Microsoft
Canada performing process consulting and engineering. Most recently I have been
working at a consulting firm managing their service and support delivery team
while implementing ITIL based processes internally and externally.
It's interesting to see the reaction when I tell people my degree is in English. But it
has given me basic fundamentals in effectively communicating. This has enabled me
to better understand my customers needs, efficiently managed my team(s) and ultimately drive the successes I have had in the past.
It seems that my son is passing on the York tradition as he has just entered into his second years at
York in the English program.
Page 4
Winters Alumni Newsletter
Profile: Nicole Rose Bond
I vividly remember my first day up at York, all of us crowded into the
Grant Strate Studio, the smell of new dance clothes hanging in the air.
Penelope Reed Doob, a striking woman draped in elegant fabrics, her
long dark hair swept ceremoniously into a neat bun, looked the very part
as the Chair of Dance. Her voice, deep and strong, addressed us all:
‘’One percent of you will make it,’’ she said. I remember at that very moment, deciding that I would just have to be part of that one percent. Every day at York I reminded myself of what Penelope said. I believed it so
strongly myself that I managed to convince others as well, and from day
one had instructors, professors and choreographers on my side; I was never lacking in support. Unbeknownst to me, my dance career began when I
was still studying at York. Two years with the York University Dance Ensemble introduced me to the work of Randy Glynn, which lead to my first professional dance job just months
out of school; two seasons performing with the Danny Grossman Dance Company in Danny Grossman’s Greatest Hits Volume I and Volume II. I also had the pleasure of working with dance pioneer Patricia Beatty, which
brought me to a series of projects, namely her final solo, High Heart. Guest classes with David Earle made me
fall in love with his choreography, and I spent over three years performing and touring with Dance Theatre
David Earle; immersing myself in the atmosphere he creates. Since graduating, I have also had the honour of
working with Coleman and Lemieux, Yvonne Ng, and Susan Cash. While I was
beyond thankful, I asked the universe for more. My goal was to tour outside of
the province before I turned 30.
Two years ago, after auditioning four times since graduation for the company and
not getting very far, I received an invite from Christopher House himself to go for
coffee. As I gripped my latte glass and sweated through my t-shirt, Christopher
invited me to be a guest artist for Toronto Dance Theatre’s fall season. A full-time,
three-month contract, including a tour. Thankfully, I was able to wait until he finished his sentence before I said yes. We flew to Newfoundland on my 30th birthday.
I am now in my second season as a guest artist with the TDT, working on his new
creation Eleven Accords for the fall, followed by a second tour of Rivers in the winter.
My Mom always has always told me that ‘destiny is when preparation and opportunity meet.’ As I sit here,
nearly ten years after graduation, my body sore and aching, my knees begging for ice, my heart and soul
happy, I know she is right. Each day spent at York, with my talented peers and my gracious instructors and
professors, acted as my preparation; shaped me into the dancer and woman and human being that lead me
to my destiny so far, and my unknown destiny that is yet to come.
Thank goodness for York, for destiny, and for that one percent.
Page 5
Profile: Stephanie Gallo
Stephanie graduated from BFA (Visual Arts) Honors in 2011, prior to this this degree she graduated from an Interior Design Program.
These days she works in a Toronto based company named Statum Designs Inc.
www.statumdesigns.com, a company that designs, manufactures, and wholesales
upholstered furniture throughout Canada and United States to top retailers and
Interior Designers.
In her role at Statum Designs as Manager and Creative Director she was able to be
apart of some exciting transformations. The company is a 30 year old successful
business that has been slowly growing tired and needed to be revived. Stephanie
was able to lead this company through a 7,000sq.ft showroom renovation, creating a new corporate image
and has diversified her role to include responsibility for all textile buying, and heads the research and development team to produce innovative new product, and coordinate trade
shows throughout Canada and United States.
A rewarding achievement throughout her time at Statum Designs was
the successful coordination of a furniture collection with top Canadian
Interior Designer Jane Lockhart. The whole creative process was a
great experience, she explains. However, it was a large task to implement a program that can be used nation-wide among boutique retailers and department stores.
Statum Designs has worked recently with The Hudson's Bay Company to
The Hudson Bay Couch that Gallo was
make vast changes in the furniture department. Styles once offered by
involved with.
Statum Designs seemed to be dated and it was time to offer something
different and fashion forward to appeal to The Hudson Bay Company new marketing direction. Gallo’s task
was to design product and pitch furniture designs to the National Buyer and Director of Home Fashion for approval. Her design has been selected and will be floored in the Hudson Bay furniture department within Canada. This program will launch mid- October. Adding further to the excitement, Statum Designs has been selected to do a "Behind the Scenes" of the making of the furniture and focus on the manufacturing process. The
images featured in this article highlight some of the photos take from the photo shoot.
To read more visit: http://www.b-insider.com/2013/hudsonsbay-statumdesign/
Stephanie is very much honored to be featured in the Alumni Newsletter to share information about her career. Often when she tells people she was studying Visual Arts /Design she sensed it was a path that was not
very secure based on their reactions. Individuals with creative skills should be encouraged to utilize them to
their full potential. She found most considered her educational interests to be "a hobby" and she was urged to
take different paths numerous times. “If anything comes out of my shared experience I would like to be an example that studying art/design can be a pretty decent career”, she proudly proclaims.
[email protected]
www.statumdesigns.com
Photography: David Pike
Page 6
Winters Alumni Newsletter
Profile: Ti-An DeMartines
Ti-An DeMartines, Bachelor of Fine Arts '08
Ti-An always knew she wanted to study visual art, but had an interest
in many other subjects too, such as the social sciences and health. Doing her
BFA at York allowed her to explore as many subjects as she wanted, which
has directly influenced her current career path in a profound way.
After graduating from York with a BFA in visual arts in 2008, Ti-An
decided she wanted to pursue another one of her passions - natural health
and holistic nutrition. While Ti-An went to college to become a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, she continued to create art, participating in shows and working as an art instructor part-time.
Now, Ti-An is living her dream, running her own business called You're
A Peach Holistic Nutrition & Wellness, where she works with clients one-on-one
to help them find solutions to a variety of health ailments using food and other natural methods. She is also the
assistant director of Real Food 4 Life Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that aims to provide
food education and food security to children, youth, new immigrants and marginalized populations in York
Region. Ti-An has also partnered with a children's cooking school in Vaughan to create Grassroots Art Lessons.
These unique art classes aim to stimulate the imagination and creativity in children of all ages through fun and
educational visual art projects that are inspired by themes such as sustainability, the environment, and food.
Ti-An feels very fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue higher studies in both the arts and
sciences, and to be able to work in both fields and even combine them together has been nothing short of
amazing. Ti-An wants students to know that they don't have to limit themselves to exploring just one thing. Pursue as many of your passions as you can handle! You will be guaranteed to challenge yourself, grow, and be
very fulfilled in your career and in your life!
Check out what Ti-An is up to online:
You're A Peach Holistic Nutrition & Wellness- http://www.youreapeach.ca
Real Food 4 Life Education Foundation- http://www.realfood4life1.com
Ti-An Visual Art- http://www.ti-an.ca
Twitter- @TiAnDeMartines
Page 7
Profile: Trevor Salloum
My memories of York University are very strong and some of the best of my life for
developing life long friendships and experiences. I still dream to this day of the
great time in the York U Jazz Program. Jamming into the wee hours of the morning
in those cubicles/trailers where classes were held and instruments were stored.
Many great workshops with famous artists and inspirational concerts. Thank-you for
those precious years… Please see my attached bio below.
—————————————————————————————————Dr. Trevor Salloum has been teaching and playing drums for over 30 years
and loving it. In fact, in 2006 he even gave up his day job as a physician to pursue
drumming full time.
Trevor was a naturopathic physician, author and lecturer who practiced naturopathic medicine in Kelowna, BC for over 20 years. He has a BA degree from
York University and a ND degree from National College of Naturopathic Medicine (Portland, OR. 1986) . He
was a member of the Association of Naturopathic Physicians of BC, The British Columbia Naturopathic Association and the Canadian Naturopathic Association. He has written several books, over 100 articles on health and
lectured throughout Canada, Australia, United States and Cuba. In addition, Dr. Salloum was a health columnist
with The Kelowna Capital News and Kelowna Daily Courier for over 10 years.
Trevor is know internationally as a music educator who specializes in Afro-Cuban and Middle Eastern
drumming. He has taught drumming privately, in groups, universities and colleges for over 30 years.
He is a best selling author with Mel Bay Publications Inc. and has produced numerous books, CDs,
DVDs and videos on drumming including including Fun with Bongos, The Bongo Book, Bongo Drumming:Beyond
the Basics, Afro-Latin Polyrhythms, Afro-Cuban Rhythms Vol. 1 & 2, The Art of Bongo Drumming DVD, The Art of
Arabic Drumming DVD, Afro-Cuban Percussion Play Along, The School of Bongo, First Lesson Conga and First
Lesson Bongo.
See www.trevorsalloum.com
Page 8
Winters Alumni Newsletter
Profile: Michelle Kahn
Since graduating in 2011 with a B.A. in Film Studies, awardwinning filmmaker Michelle Devorah Kahn has been making waves
in the film world in both video and print. Michelle founded her own
production company in 2005 and has since completed 6 award
winning films, the last ("Wanted: The Joseph Esses Story", 2012) a
documentary about a Jewish man who escaped from Syria in 1950.
It has gone on to win special recognition with the Sephardic Film
Festival in Los Angeles, California (Paramount Studios, Hollywood,
California) and been included in the Culture Unplugged: We Speak
Here online world-wide film festival. Her other films have been
screened in festivals all over Canada and the US, including the
prestigious Sprockets: Jumpcuts - Toronto International Film Festival
for Youth - in 2006 & 2007. They have also been reviewed by The
Canadian Jewish News, The Jewish Tribune and Jewish Image Magazine in New York (the largest Jewish magazine in North America).
Aside from film production, she is also a theater producer, having
co-produced "Fiddler On The Roof" (Toronto) & Mel Brook's "The Producers" (Al Green Theater, 2011).
Michelle is also a teacher with the Downtown Jewish Community School instructing a course on photography
and with JRoots Supplementary School where she is leading this years Bat Mitzvah course.
Michelle is also a published writer and essayist having had her work in The Student Journal of Canadian Jewish Studies at Concordia University in Montreal (an essay she wrote at York Uwhich won her the Israel and
Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies Canadian Jewish Studies award), TVOntario Magazine and In
Fashion Magazine (New York).
Producer, Director, Writer, Editor and Performer are only some of the words Michelle uses to describe herself.
Another, York-Alumness! Michelle wants to thank everyone at York University, especially those in the film department, for all their assistance, encouragement and smiles.
Page 9
Profile: Jim Wright
I was a day student of Winters College between 1968-72 and
was in the first graduating class of the new Fine Arts Department.
As part of my life at Winter's we had a theatre company in one of
the large basement rooms and we performed and rehearsed there
daily studying the approach of Growsky and the Polish Lab Theater.
After graduation, Erny Schwartz who had been on staff at York and
from whom I had taken several classes asked me to join his school
touring children's theatre company Studio Lab Theatre.
I then toured with Garden Bros Circus as their singing Ring Master for a seven month season, travelling 20 thousand miles across Canada and the US.
Immediately afterwards, the CBC offered me the opportunity to work in broadcasting. For a number of years, I
hosted local and network shows primarily in radio.
When the cutbacks began and the CBC was no longer a happy place to be, I moved to media relations in government and the insurance industry before establishing my own consultancy in corporate communications.
Later one of my clients asked me to join his investment management company and we went on to build the company to over eight billion in assets in the next 10 years.
In 2004 I retired at 54 and have spent the last ten years studying vocal music and performing in a number of
musical and operatic productions. I continue to live in Toronto during the summers and winter in San Miguel de
Allende in Mexico.
My career has been a strange journey that I could have never predicted when Joe Green, then head of the
Theatre Department urged us all to find another line of work, predicting that most of us would never stay in theatre. And he was right! None of my former theatre classmates is still active in the profession. The cruel reality of
life often requires more income than theatre usually or can consistently provide. But, it is wonderful to be able to
return to your first love upon retirement without the pressure to pay bills and the struggle to earn enough to live.
So while the journey has been strange at times and never predictable, the beginning years at York provided a
solid foundation upon which to build.
All the best to my friends from York.
Jim Wright
PRIVATE CD COLLECTION ON SALE!!!
This massive collection was donated by Winters Fellow,
Stewart H. Ross and is housed in the Office of the Master at Winters College. We
are selling these CDs (many one-of-a kind and out of circulation) at a starting price
of $5.00. All proceeds go to establishing an Award for a deserving Winters College
Student. Please come by to see the collection or email us if you are interested.
A partial list can be seen on the Winters website at: www.winters.yorku.ca
Contact Us!
Hello Alumni,
Are you looking for an old schoolmate or professor
that use to be apart of Winters? If you are contact us
with who you are looking for and we will help you find
them. Contact us at:
121 Winters College
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
M3J 1P3
416-650-8199
[email protected]
Comments? Opinions? We want to hear from you! We welcome thoughts and opinions from all Fellows and Alumni.
Please send your comments to: [email protected]