2015 Winter Issue - Winters College

January 2015 Issue
January 2015 Issue
Page 8
Alum Profile: Scott Kilmer
Scott Kilmer (now known as Scotty Kilmer, TV stage name from the past) remembers having a
great time with all those wild Canadians up at York. Three shout outs to the class of 1975 (yea
we’re all turning into old farts now.) They taught this American how to play ice hockey, gave him a
couple fake teeth while doing so, and taught him that borders mean nothing to real people.
Got to hang out at Rush’s studio north of town with Steven Jenkinson (another Yorkie), and did a
bit of thinking. University is a handy place for that.
BUT, fun times had to end sometime, and I went south, REALLY SOUTH.
All the way to Texas where I still reside. Now I’m working at being the universe’s most famous mechanic, on The Scotty Kilmer Channel on
YouTube. 61 million views and counting, and yes, I get lots of questions
from Canadians on the net that I always make time to answer. Grew up a
Leafs fan, and maybe this year is their year. Go Leafs.
121 Winters College
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
M3J 1P3
Hello Alumni,
Are you looking for an old
schoolmate or professor
that used to be a part of
Winters? If you are,
provide us with their
name and we will help
you find them. Contact us
at: [email protected]
OR
121 Winters College
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
M3J 1P3
416-650-8199
You can keep up to date
with us by following us on
Instagram and/or Twitter:
@winterscollege
ALUMNI PUB NIGHT
[email protected]
A message from The Master
In This Issue:
 Message from:
WCAC & WCC
Pg. 2
 Profile:
Ared Arzumanian
Pg. 3 & 4
Andrew Cleveland &
Christina McKenzie
Pg. 5
 Profile:
When...What?
Remember when life was easy? Your life revolved around
doing your own thing and hanging out with friends.
Okay, we studied hard. But, we also made memories to last us
a lifetime – through new experiences, through new people. We
were having the time of our lives and some of us didn’t even
realize it. All because we wanted to! A simpler time filled with
“ALL DRINK!!!”
Come relive those memories with us. Because we all know that
Thursday nights just haven’t been the same without Winters.
When was your last “ALL DRINK!!!”? If it has been too long to
remember, you should come on out.
On Thursday, January 22, 2015 join the Winters Alumni
Association for “When… What?” at Paupers Pub (539 Bloor
St. West, Toronto, ON). It will be an evening of catching up,
reminiscing and nostalgia! All Winters peeps are invited – oh,
and bring your friends! For more information check out the
When...What Facebook event or email [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]
Newsletter
416-650-8199
 Profile:
CONTACT US
Winters Alumni
Allana Robinson &
Jody Solta Mountain
Pg. 6
 Homecoming &
Profile:
Karen Elstone
Pg. 7
 Profile: Scott Kilmer,
Alumni Pub Night &
Contact Us
Pg. 8
INTERM MASTER:
John Mayberry
WCAC: Niko Markakis
WCC: Taneisha McAdam
NEWSLETTER EDITOR:
Kleanthi Markakis
Dear Winters Alumni,
It’s hard to believe that the year is flowing past
so quickly. Here we are, already well into the
winter term and watching the days getting longer, though it seems like just yesterday that I
stepped into the role of Interim Master.
It has certainly been a very full few months,
and I have been busy trying to learn about all
the different aspects of the job. Our Master
Emerita, Marie Rickard, has been gracious and
generous whenever I have asked her advice,
although I have noticed that when she comes
by the office for a visit she is always wearing
what I call the “sabbatical smile”. I am hoping
Marie will share photos of some of her adventures in a later newsletter.
I have been delighted by the number of alumni who have dropped me notes
or have visited me in the office to wish me well this year as Master, and I
thank you all for your support. As you may know, I was appointed Interim
Master until July, and there is a search now for the new Master, who will
take the reins at that point.
We are also looking for a volunteer to join the Absinthe Pub Management
Board as the Alumni Rep. If you are interested, contact Niko Markakis or me
for more information.
I was also pleased to see some of you at the Winters Holiday Concert last
term when we were entertained by our own WIBI, singer-songwriter Ian Bell,
the samba sizzle of Dance Migration, and music by Payadora Tango Ensemble.
Please continue to send us your news so we can let your fellow alumni know
what you’re up to, and I hope to see you at the various events your Winters
Alumni Association has planned for you. A Happy Winter to you all from a
Happy Winters!
Page 2
Winters Alumni Newsletter
Message from Winters Alumni Chapter: Niko Markakis
Hello fellow Winters Alumni,
My name is Nikolaos Markakis and I am the current Winters Alumni Chapter
President. I would like to start off by thanking all those who have been able to
come out to our events. Without you all we would be nothing. To those who
haven’t been able to come out yet, don’t worry we have some exciting things
coming your way.
I am proud to announce that we will be hosting another Paupers pub night on
Thursday, January 22nd, 2015. Come join us after work to relax and catch up
with some old friends (and some new ones too).
If there is anything you need or want to share with your Alumni Chapter please
do not hesitate to email me at [email protected].
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
January 2015 Issue
Page 7
HOMECOMING
I am so proud to say that homecoming this
year was a blast. Even though we sadly lost to
our opponents we still know how to celebrate
and have a good time. Following the game
myself and a bunch of Winters alumni made
our way over to The Absinthe Pub and Coffee
Shop to sit down relax and catch up on some
old times. After sharing some nachos and a
couple of beers we raffled off a lovely basket
full of AB goodies.
Nikolaos Markakis
I hope everyone had as good
Message from WCC: Taneisha McAdam
Hello, and welcome back to another term at Winters College Council!
With another fall term come and gone, it seems like most of Winters College is
preparing to wind down and relax until the new term comes - except for Winters Council. With WCC’s two largest trips quickly approaching (Winters vs.
Montreal and Formal Gala, respectively) coming as quickly as the first term
ended, we can’t be more excited to bring you guys on for yet another series of
extremely memorable experiences. Having completed many EWAG Word
Nights, Themed Absinthe Pub events, and more band nights than we know
what to do with, WCC continues to act as a campus leader in student involvement and activity. We’re not only in the business of representing the student
voice on campus, but we’re in the business of offering one-of-a-kind experiences. As many as we
can.
After completing one successful term as a team of unified students all aiming to offer the best student events, we’re nothing but excited to keep the ball rolling and energy high. Winters stops for
nothing, and Winters College Council does its very best to exemplify that concept.
We hope that our vast array of alumni will be present at our pub events, as well as the various other small, intimate events that Winters runs. Winters is fueled by positivity, excitement, and you, the
Winters community. Without our students, fellows, and alumni offering the best support we could
ask for, none of this would be possible.
Welcome back to Winters. Hope to see you all at the Ab!
Taneisha McAdam
of a time as I did! Can’t wait to do it all again
next Homecoming!
-Niko Markakis
Alum Profile: Karen Elstone
My life since graduating from an Honours BFA in Classical Voice (in 2000) has certainly had its ups and downs.
But, as they say, everything happens for a reason. I’ve been in and out of administrative positions, feeling a
void…until I picked up my guitar and sang my favourite songs, worked on my own songs or recorded music. The
journey continues, but I am feeling more sure that I will get to perform on a more professional level, as well as
complete my first CD of original folk-rock songs. I have been putting the finishing
touches on this CD of 12 songs, which I hope to self-produce next year! I have another lead-guitarist on board to help me make the songs a bit more rocking’! I am
also planning to audition for the Canadian Opera Company’s chorus in January
2015, and hope to get into acting or musical theatre, even on a community level. The
arts are challenging, but I am not giving up. I may need to fall back on administrative
work. But, heck, it will pay for my artistic pursuits…who knows, I may even be able to
say goodbye to administration and hello to full-time performing and recording! You
just never know, unless you try…
Page 6
Winters Alumni Newsletter
Alum Profile: Allana Robinson
Since graduating in 2009 from YorkU I've been on quite a journey. Life has a way of
taking you in unexpected directions- and apparently I'm no exception. I'll admit when I
graduated with my Fine Arts Cultural Studies degree I had no clue what I was going to
do with it. Life had moved my then-fiancé (now husband) and I to Edmonton, and feeling
a bit adrift I decided to take a step down and return to school, this time for a diploma in
Early Childhood Education. Little did I know how much the seemingly unrelated disciplines would intertwine, giving me a fresh perspective from which to consider children
my classmates didn't have. After graduating in 2011 from MacEwan University I spent
some time working in Early Intervention, providing
playful therapeutic intervention for preschool children
with special needs. In November 2013 I had my first
child, a son, and became trained as a baby-wearing educator, and have since
opened up shop on my own under the name of Embrace Family Services
(Facebook.com/embracebws). Baby-wearing is another example of a need for the
ability to critically look at cultural traditions and translate them into modern day- even
if it looks like I'm simply carting a baby around on my back.
Is this where I saw myself when I started my journey at York? Heck no. And I'd have
laughed at you if you'd told me so. York provided the experiences and foundation for
my future learning- encouraging me to step out of my box. Don't fear the future if you
too are sitting at a laptop wondering what the heck ANY of this has to do with real life. It IS real life. And your education at YU will help you find your niche, just as it helped me find mine.
Alum Profile: Jody Soltau Mountain
After graduating with an Honors B.F.A. in Theatre Performance in 1983, I spent a few
years in the alternative Theatre scene in Toronto, acting and choreographing for various
companies including 'Crow's Theatre' and 'Nightwood Productions'. Although I didn't
study dance in University, I have been dancing since the age of 4 and was always taking
classes. From 1985-87, I studied intensively with Dance Theatre Workshop in Toronto
in the style of Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal taking about 15 classes per week. In the
midst of it all, I discovered that I loved to help others with their aches and pains and began looking into attending a Massage School. Right at that moment, I stumbled upon a
visiting teacher who was offering workshops in Lomi Lomi Nui - an ancient Hawaiian
form of bodywork. I attended his lecture and it changed the course of my life. This beautiful work is dance based, dynamic and addresses the physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual bodies. Eventually making my way to Hawaii, and studying with the Master Kahuna of the work, I now live on
Maui offering bodywork, dance classes and teaching this profound work. I also offer Training Retreats in Ireland, Canada, Spain & Italy. My degree from York raised my awareness of myself as a whole being, deepened my connection
with my body and gave me the confidence to speak and perform in front of audiences. I am forever grateful for the rich
experience there which provided a strong foundation for what I'm doing now. My website is: www.LineageofLight.com
January 2015 Issue
Page 3
Alum Profile: Ared Arzumanian
Ared Arzumanian is a Canadian of Armenian descent from Toronto. He considers himself a creative person to the core, and truly enjoys focusing his time and attention on pursuits including
graphic design, music, writing, oil painting, and brainstorming new business ideas - which are his
passions. His other passion is his family - his wife, their 3 year old daughter, and 1 year old son whom he loves spending time with. He remarks, "my family is the single most important thing to
me, as without them my life would not have meaning. My parents have graciously instilled a love
of family and culture in me, and I only hope that my children, and their children after that, make it
a tradition for years to come."
Ared continues, "my parents have truly given me a gift - a life filled with love and happy memories. They have made me the human being I am today, just like my wife and children have made
me the husband and father I am today - and I am very lucky. I only wish to pass on what my parents gave me, to provide enduring happiness and love to my wife and children. That is my legacy, beyond any career goals or milestones I strive towards."
Ared has many fond memories of the people he encountered while at York University and Winters College, and recounts
many pleasant experiences during his studies there. "There were a lot of creative and innovative people at Winters College, and York University in general. It was definitely a community-type environment where peers would explore ideas
and invite each other to an art exhibit they were a part of or a concert they were playing in. It was just a way of life there,
and everyone grew socially and intellectually by sharing in each other's creative paths, which was the best part. A true
cultivation of minds."
Ared graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree, specializing in Fine Arts Cultural Studies.
His time at York enabled him to experience a unique mix of creative studies where he pursued the visual arts, design,
music, film, and technology. This rich creative environment truly provided Ared the inspiration behind his career choices
in the ensuing years after his graduation. He firmly decided he would tackle two creative worlds at the same time: design and music. He figured however, he would start off with design - the design career would afford him a more stable,
financially secure life while the music career would have to ramp up over time and in the background, and would only be
financially relevant when the time was right.
Even before graduation, Ared had managed to secure a creative position at a downtown internet service provider, which
gave him the opportunity to enter the workforce and provide practical hands-on experience in design and technology.
This job became the first of a series of positions at different organizations that Ared would work at, each one building
greater financial stability than the next and allowing Ared to diversify his design skills exponentially.
Whether part of an award-winning creative team in a large agency or as the sole in-house designer at a printing company, Ared gained valuable insight and expanded his professional network with each new position. Over the years, he became increasingly proficient in Mac and PC platforms in a wide array of computer software, gained extensive experience
in the printing, advertising & marketing industries, and developed a strong knowledge of project management, branding,
and production technologies. With some additional work in family business ventures along the way, Ared also performed
within an entrepreneurial capacity and attained hands-on business experience through owning and operating a franchise
business.
With Ared's nearly 20 years of proven experience in digital media design across print, web, and new media, he is always
looking for new challenges to partake in. "I'm always open to new ideas and new partnerships, especially when they excite and inspire me. It's really what every creative individual should be open to. Creativity does not happen in a vacuum
or on a proverbial island - ideas need to be shared, interpreted, to reach their full potential."
Ared's musical aspirations also took an early start. About a year before his graduation from York University, Ared had
already co-written a hit single that charted at number 1 across Canada ("Open Up Your Heart" by Mia Minx). Shortly
after graduation, he continued his work in the music business as he co-wrote and co-produced 3 more hit songs, all
reaching the top 10 on the charts and achieving medium to heavy rotation on commercial radio stations across Canada.
Then in 1998, a handful of songs that Ared had written and produced were chosen as part of the soundtrack to the feature film "More to Love" (directed by Paul Lynch), which won the Feature Film Award for
Best Romantic Comedy (1999) at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival.
Page 4
Winters Alumni Newsletter
January 2015 Issue
Page 5
Alum Profile: Andrew Cleveland
Alum Profile: Ared Arzumanian
By 2000, Ared and his then business partner were picked up under a licensing contract with Universal Music Canada
for the hit single "Zodiac" by the Magik Brothers, which he had co-written and co-produced. The Magik Brothers, an
artist name invented by Ared and his business partner, became a new brand they would use to promote and release
their music under. In 2002, Ared and his business partner entered into a national music contest and although did not
win it, were offered a management and production contract by Uomo/BMG, the entity running the contest. Uomo was
a management company/label imprint under BMG Music Canada, the same company that launched Shawn Desman's
career among other BMG Canada artists. Under Uomo, the Magik Brothers completed their full-length album and produced remixes for other artists under the Uomo/BMG imprint including a dance remix for Shawn Desman's first hit single (and Gold Record) "Get Ready", which was aired internationally on episodes of Electric Circus (CITY TV).
Now with almost 20 years of experience under his belt, Ared is a seasoned writer, producer, remixer, and recording
artist. He has worked with Diamond and Platinum selling artists, writers, and producers in both Canada and the US.
He's also had the pleasure of working with a handful of very talented and accomplished writers, some of whom are
Grammy Award winning and have written and recorded songs for iconic brands including Eminem, Dr. Dre, Prince,
Britney Spears, Ke$ha, Pink, Pitbull, 50 Cent, and Dan Hill.
Ared firmly believes in helping the future generation of talent forge their way into the music business, and has mentored hundreds of aspiring artists, songwriters and producers throughout his career. He has been involved as an industry judge for local idol competitions, a regional talent competition, a battle-of-the-bands contest (downtown), assisted with judging during Indie Week, and most recently some work with a national talent showcase.
Ared has come a long way in the music business, but it hasn't come easy. "One of the things I've learned about the
music business is that it is definitely one of the toughest businesses to succeed in. You have to have a thick skin and
keep going in the face of any challenge - and there are many. Also, I've learned a great deal about human relationships - who to work with and who not to work with. It's essential to surround yourself with a positive and supportive
group of people, and make sure you have a winning team with similar goals, values, and mutual respect. Integrity,
professionalism, and decency are some things to consider when you enter into business with people, so always make
sure you pick the right individuals who value you both as a creative person and as a human being."
At this juncture, Ared continues to collaborate and work on projects with recording artists, writers, and producers
across the globe including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Singapore, Japan, and Armenia. But he never stops thinking of ways to re-market or re-invent himself.
His next launch will be for his new brand called "Zero Gravity" which he is preparing to adopt as his producer moniker
going forward. "It's important to stay on top of the game in whatever you do…longevity and adaptability are the two
most important qualities to develop in business, because without them long-term survival is not possible."
At a particularly poignant moment in 2004, two worlds collided as Ared’s work in both careers was dually acknowledged on television. He was profiled on a weekly episode of Careers TV (CITY TV) broadcast nationally, where he
was interviewed at Stephan Moccio's (Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion) Toronto studio about his work in both the design and
music industries and how he handles multiple careers.
Ared admits that working in both careers - design and music - have given him a clearer perspective on business. He
believes that "in business, growing your brand and your network are key to being successful, and being clear about
what your brand is and what direction you're headed in are crucial to the survival of your business. More still, is the
ability to expand your network - because after all, your network IS your net worth."
Ared has no regrets about his career path and choices he's made since graduating from York. He chose to focus on a
career in design before making any major moves in the music industry. "In retrospect, that was a good call," Ared remarks. "My design career provided my family and I a comfortable lifestyle and paid for all our material needs, while
my music career only started kicking in once projects grew organically to the point where they were self-sustaining and
financially viable. I am fortunate to have had the best of both worlds - design and music - and having the opportunity
to have pursued both careers has only enriched my life both creatively and financially." And for that he is thankful.
I was pretty lucky because I was awarded a scholarship from the department of theatre to work on
Shakespeare in High Park which was the result of York University’s collaborative program between the Faculty of Fine Arts and Canadian Stage. So I
spent my first summer out of school working as a costume assistant and as
a wardrobe technician on Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew. I made
many connections while I was working at Canadian Stage and during the fall
I worked in their wardrobe building costumes for Opera Atelier's production
of The Abduction from the Seraglio, Smile Theatre's production of The Gift
of the Magji, and Ross Petty's production of The Little Mermaid. I also had
the chance to job shadow someone and observed a maintenance call on
Disney's Aladdin. This year I have continued working with Opera Atelier
(Persée, Alcina) and Canadian Stage (Titus Andronicus, As You Like It)
throughout the year and I am finishing the year working as a permittee on a
few shows the most recent being Mary Poppins with Theatre Aquarius.
I have many wonderful memories from my years at York and my advice for any students entering or
graduating the program would be to stay nice and respects your colleagues and peers. I guarantee that
we work with many of you once you leave school.
Alum Profile: Christina McKenzie
I graduated from York in 2005 in Visual Arts, BFA.
My degree has taken me places that I literally never dreamed I would go.
I re-met my husband in Vari Hall after knowing him briefly in grade 9 before I
moved away, we started dating my first year, and married the year I graduated. He graduated in 2004 from Sociology. He's been an officer with York Regional Police since 2005 and I now own my own business (the cocoa cakery)
from home creating custom cakes, cookies & cupcakes. We have 2.5 children
and a cat!
My business is definitely the outcome of having the visual
arts background. I was intending to go through teachers college and teach high
school art, however once I got working in a non-profit setting with seniors, I
stayed and decided not to return to post-graduate school. It wasn't until 2010
that I found my love for the confectionary arts.
I now create approx. 30 wedding cakes a year along with hundreds of other orders for all sorts of celebrations. I sculpt & paint with cake now instead of clay,
bronze & acrylic. I love my work, it's always changing, it has a short life span in
my workspace, which allows me to always create something new.
Here are a few of her recent publications (for a full list you can visit her website
www.thecocoacakery.com)
http://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2014/10/08/red-velvet-cake-with-swiss-meringue-buttercream/
http://www.weddingobsession.com/2014/08/13/romantic-orchard-bloom-shoot-in-niagara/
http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2014/08/the_top_10_custom_cookies_in_toronto/
Page 4
Winters Alumni Newsletter
January 2015 Issue
Page 5
Alum Profile: Andrew Cleveland
Alum Profile: Ared Arzumanian
By 2000, Ared and his then business partner were picked up under a licensing contract with Universal Music Canada
for the hit single "Zodiac" by the Magik Brothers, which he had co-written and co-produced. The Magik Brothers, an
artist name invented by Ared and his business partner, became a new brand they would use to promote and release
their music under. In 2002, Ared and his business partner entered into a national music contest and although did not
win it, were offered a management and production contract by Uomo/BMG, the entity running the contest. Uomo was
a management company/label imprint under BMG Music Canada, the same company that launched Shawn Desman's
career among other BMG Canada artists. Under Uomo, the Magik Brothers completed their full-length album and produced remixes for other artists under the Uomo/BMG imprint including a dance remix for Shawn Desman's first hit single (and Gold Record) "Get Ready", which was aired internationally on episodes of Electric Circus (CITY TV).
Now with almost 20 years of experience under his belt, Ared is a seasoned writer, producer, remixer, and recording
artist. He has worked with Diamond and Platinum selling artists, writers, and producers in both Canada and the US.
He's also had the pleasure of working with a handful of very talented and accomplished writers, some of whom are
Grammy Award winning and have written and recorded songs for iconic brands including Eminem, Dr. Dre, Prince,
Britney Spears, Ke$ha, Pink, Pitbull, 50 Cent, and Dan Hill.
Ared firmly believes in helping the future generation of talent forge their way into the music business, and has mentored hundreds of aspiring artists, songwriters and producers throughout his career. He has been involved as an industry judge for local idol competitions, a regional talent competition, a battle-of-the-bands contest (downtown), assisted with judging during Indie Week, and most recently some work with a national talent showcase.
Ared has come a long way in the music business, but it hasn't come easy. "One of the things I've learned about the
music business is that it is definitely one of the toughest businesses to succeed in. You have to have a thick skin and
keep going in the face of any challenge - and there are many. Also, I've learned a great deal about human relationships - who to work with and who not to work with. It's essential to surround yourself with a positive and supportive
group of people, and make sure you have a winning team with similar goals, values, and mutual respect. Integrity,
professionalism, and decency are some things to consider when you enter into business with people, so always make
sure you pick the right individuals who value you both as a creative person and as a human being."
At this juncture, Ared continues to collaborate and work on projects with recording artists, writers, and producers
across the globe including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Singapore, Japan, and Armenia. But he never stops thinking of ways to re-market or re-invent himself.
His next launch will be for his new brand called "Zero Gravity" which he is preparing to adopt as his producer moniker
going forward. "It's important to stay on top of the game in whatever you do…longevity and adaptability are the two
most important qualities to develop in business, because without them long-term survival is not possible."
At a particularly poignant moment in 2004, two worlds collided as Ared’s work in both careers was dually acknowledged on television. He was profiled on a weekly episode of Careers TV (CITY TV) broadcast nationally, where he
was interviewed at Stephan Moccio's (Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion) Toronto studio about his work in both the design and
music industries and how he handles multiple careers.
Ared admits that working in both careers - design and music - have given him a clearer perspective on business. He
believes that "in business, growing your brand and your network are key to being successful, and being clear about
what your brand is and what direction you're headed in are crucial to the survival of your business. More still, is the
ability to expand your network - because after all, your network IS your net worth."
Ared has no regrets about his career path and choices he's made since graduating from York. He chose to focus on a
career in design before making any major moves in the music industry. "In retrospect, that was a good call," Ared remarks. "My design career provided my family and I a comfortable lifestyle and paid for all our material needs, while
my music career only started kicking in once projects grew organically to the point where they were self-sustaining and
financially viable. I am fortunate to have had the best of both worlds - design and music - and having the opportunity
to have pursued both careers has only enriched my life both creatively and financially." And for that he is thankful.
I was pretty lucky because I was awarded a scholarship from the department of theatre to work on
Shakespeare in High Park which was the result of York University’s collaborative program between the Faculty of Fine Arts and Canadian Stage. So I
spent my first summer out of school working as a costume assistant and as
a wardrobe technician on Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew. I made
many connections while I was working at Canadian Stage and during the fall
I worked in their wardrobe building costumes for Opera Atelier's production
of The Abduction from the Seraglio, Smile Theatre's production of The Gift
of the Magji, and Ross Petty's production of The Little Mermaid. I also had
the chance to job shadow someone and observed a maintenance call on
Disney's Aladdin. This year I have continued working with Opera Atelier
(Persée, Alcina) and Canadian Stage (Titus Andronicus, As You Like It)
throughout the year and I am finishing the year working as a permittee on a
few shows the most recent being Mary Poppins with Theatre Aquarius.
I have many wonderful memories from my years at York and my advice for any students entering or
graduating the program would be to stay nice and respects your colleagues and peers. I guarantee that
we work with many of you once you leave school.
Alum Profile: Christina McKenzie
I graduated from York in 2005 in Visual Arts, BFA.
My degree has taken me places that I literally never dreamed I would go.
I re-met my husband in Vari Hall after knowing him briefly in grade 9 before I
moved away, we started dating my first year, and married the year I graduated. He graduated in 2004 from Sociology. He's been an officer with York Regional Police since 2005 and I now own my own business (the cocoa cakery)
from home creating custom cakes, cookies & cupcakes. We have 2.5 children
and a cat!
My business is definitely the outcome of having the visual
arts background. I was intending to go through teachers college and teach high
school art, however once I got working in a non-profit setting with seniors, I
stayed and decided not to return to post-graduate school. It wasn't until 2010
that I found my love for the confectionary arts.
I now create approx. 30 wedding cakes a year along with hundreds of other orders for all sorts of celebrations. I sculpt & paint with cake now instead of clay,
bronze & acrylic. I love my work, it's always changing, it has a short life span in
my workspace, which allows me to always create something new.
Here are a few of her recent publications (for a full list you can visit her website
www.thecocoacakery.com)
http://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2014/10/08/red-velvet-cake-with-swiss-meringue-buttercream/
http://www.weddingobsession.com/2014/08/13/romantic-orchard-bloom-shoot-in-niagara/
http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2014/08/the_top_10_custom_cookies_in_toronto/
Page 6
Winters Alumni Newsletter
Alum Profile: Allana Robinson
Since graduating in 2009 from YorkU I've been on quite a journey. Life has a way of
taking you in unexpected directions- and apparently I'm no exception. I'll admit when I
graduated with my Fine Arts Cultural Studies degree I had no clue what I was going to
do with it. Life had moved my then-fiancé (now husband) and I to Edmonton, and feeling
a bit adrift I decided to take a step down and return to school, this time for a diploma in
Early Childhood Education. Little did I know how much the seemingly unrelated disciplines would intertwine, giving me a fresh perspective from which to consider children
my classmates didn't have. After graduating in 2011 from MacEwan University I spent
some time working in Early Intervention, providing
playful therapeutic intervention for preschool children
with special needs. In November 2013 I had my first
child, a son, and became trained as a baby-wearing educator, and have since
opened up shop on my own under the name of Embrace Family Services
(Facebook.com/embracebws). Baby-wearing is another example of a need for the
ability to critically look at cultural traditions and translate them into modern day- even
if it looks like I'm simply carting a baby around on my back.
Is this where I saw myself when I started my journey at York? Heck no. And I'd have
laughed at you if you'd told me so. York provided the experiences and foundation for
my future learning- encouraging me to step out of my box. Don't fear the future if you
too are sitting at a laptop wondering what the heck ANY of this has to do with real life. It IS real life. And your education at YU will help you find your niche, just as it helped me find mine.
Alum Profile: Jody Soltau Mountain
After graduating with an Honors B.F.A. in Theatre Performance in 1983, I spent a few
years in the alternative Theatre scene in Toronto, acting and choreographing for various
companies including 'Crow's Theatre' and 'Nightwood Productions'. Although I didn't
study dance in University, I have been dancing since the age of 4 and was always taking
classes. From 1985-87, I studied intensively with Dance Theatre Workshop in Toronto
in the style of Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal taking about 15 classes per week. In the
midst of it all, I discovered that I loved to help others with their aches and pains and began looking into attending a Massage School. Right at that moment, I stumbled upon a
visiting teacher who was offering workshops in Lomi Lomi Nui - an ancient Hawaiian
form of bodywork. I attended his lecture and it changed the course of my life. This beautiful work is dance based, dynamic and addresses the physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual bodies. Eventually making my way to Hawaii, and studying with the Master Kahuna of the work, I now live on
Maui offering bodywork, dance classes and teaching this profound work. I also offer Training Retreats in Ireland, Canada, Spain & Italy. My degree from York raised my awareness of myself as a whole being, deepened my connection
with my body and gave me the confidence to speak and perform in front of audiences. I am forever grateful for the rich
experience there which provided a strong foundation for what I'm doing now. My website is: www.LineageofLight.com
January 2015 Issue
Page 3
Alum Profile: Ared Arzumanian
Ared Arzumanian is a Canadian of Armenian descent from Toronto. He considers himself a creative person to the core, and truly enjoys focusing his time and attention on pursuits including
graphic design, music, writing, oil painting, and brainstorming new business ideas - which are his
passions. His other passion is his family - his wife, their 3 year old daughter, and 1 year old son whom he loves spending time with. He remarks, "my family is the single most important thing to
me, as without them my life would not have meaning. My parents have graciously instilled a love
of family and culture in me, and I only hope that my children, and their children after that, make it
a tradition for years to come."
Ared continues, "my parents have truly given me a gift - a life filled with love and happy memories. They have made me the human being I am today, just like my wife and children have made
me the husband and father I am today - and I am very lucky. I only wish to pass on what my parents gave me, to provide enduring happiness and love to my wife and children. That is my legacy, beyond any career goals or milestones I strive towards."
Ared has many fond memories of the people he encountered while at York University and Winters College, and recounts
many pleasant experiences during his studies there. "There were a lot of creative and innovative people at Winters College, and York University in general. It was definitely a community-type environment where peers would explore ideas
and invite each other to an art exhibit they were a part of or a concert they were playing in. It was just a way of life there,
and everyone grew socially and intellectually by sharing in each other's creative paths, which was the best part. A true
cultivation of minds."
Ared graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree, specializing in Fine Arts Cultural Studies.
His time at York enabled him to experience a unique mix of creative studies where he pursued the visual arts, design,
music, film, and technology. This rich creative environment truly provided Ared the inspiration behind his career choices
in the ensuing years after his graduation. He firmly decided he would tackle two creative worlds at the same time: design and music. He figured however, he would start off with design - the design career would afford him a more stable,
financially secure life while the music career would have to ramp up over time and in the background, and would only be
financially relevant when the time was right.
Even before graduation, Ared had managed to secure a creative position at a downtown internet service provider, which
gave him the opportunity to enter the workforce and provide practical hands-on experience in design and technology.
This job became the first of a series of positions at different organizations that Ared would work at, each one building
greater financial stability than the next and allowing Ared to diversify his design skills exponentially.
Whether part of an award-winning creative team in a large agency or as the sole in-house designer at a printing company, Ared gained valuable insight and expanded his professional network with each new position. Over the years, he became increasingly proficient in Mac and PC platforms in a wide array of computer software, gained extensive experience
in the printing, advertising & marketing industries, and developed a strong knowledge of project management, branding,
and production technologies. With some additional work in family business ventures along the way, Ared also performed
within an entrepreneurial capacity and attained hands-on business experience through owning and operating a franchise
business.
With Ared's nearly 20 years of proven experience in digital media design across print, web, and new media, he is always
looking for new challenges to partake in. "I'm always open to new ideas and new partnerships, especially when they excite and inspire me. It's really what every creative individual should be open to. Creativity does not happen in a vacuum
or on a proverbial island - ideas need to be shared, interpreted, to reach their full potential."
Ared's musical aspirations also took an early start. About a year before his graduation from York University, Ared had
already co-written a hit single that charted at number 1 across Canada ("Open Up Your Heart" by Mia Minx). Shortly
after graduation, he continued his work in the music business as he co-wrote and co-produced 3 more hit songs, all
reaching the top 10 on the charts and achieving medium to heavy rotation on commercial radio stations across Canada.
Then in 1998, a handful of songs that Ared had written and produced were chosen as part of the soundtrack to the feature film "More to Love" (directed by Paul Lynch), which won the Feature Film Award for
Best Romantic Comedy (1999) at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival.
Page 2
Winters Alumni Newsletter
Message from Winters Alumni Chapter: Niko Markakis
Hello fellow Winters Alumni,
My name is Nikolaos Markakis and I am the current Winters Alumni Chapter
President. I would like to start off by thanking all those who have been able to
come out to our events. Without you all we would be nothing. To those who
haven’t been able to come out yet, don’t worry we have some exciting things
coming your way.
I am proud to announce that we will be hosting another Paupers pub night on
Thursday, January 22nd, 2015. Come join us after work to relax and catch up
with some old friends (and some new ones too).
If there is anything you need or want to share with your Alumni Chapter please
do not hesitate to email me at [email protected].
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
January 2015 Issue
Page 7
HOMECOMING
I am so proud to say that homecoming this
year was a blast. Even though we sadly lost to
our opponents we still know how to celebrate
and have a good time. Following the game
myself and a bunch of Winters alumni made
our way over to The Absinthe Pub and Coffee
Shop to sit down relax and catch up on some
old times. After sharing some nachos and a
couple of beers we raffled off a lovely basket
full of AB goodies.
Nikolaos Markakis
I hope everyone had as good
Message from WCC: Taneisha McAdam
Hello, and welcome back to another term at Winters College Council!
With another fall term come and gone, it seems like most of Winters College is
preparing to wind down and relax until the new term comes - except for Winters Council. With WCC’s two largest trips quickly approaching (Winters vs.
Montreal and Formal Gala, respectively) coming as quickly as the first term
ended, we can’t be more excited to bring you guys on for yet another series of
extremely memorable experiences. Having completed many EWAG Word
Nights, Themed Absinthe Pub events, and more band nights than we know
what to do with, WCC continues to act as a campus leader in student involvement and activity. We’re not only in the business of representing the student
voice on campus, but we’re in the business of offering one-of-a-kind experiences. As many as we
can.
After completing one successful term as a team of unified students all aiming to offer the best student events, we’re nothing but excited to keep the ball rolling and energy high. Winters stops for
nothing, and Winters College Council does its very best to exemplify that concept.
We hope that our vast array of alumni will be present at our pub events, as well as the various other small, intimate events that Winters runs. Winters is fueled by positivity, excitement, and you, the
Winters community. Without our students, fellows, and alumni offering the best support we could
ask for, none of this would be possible.
Welcome back to Winters. Hope to see you all at the Ab!
Taneisha McAdam
of a time as I did! Can’t wait to do it all again
next Homecoming!
-Niko Markakis
Alum Profile: Karen Elstone
My life since graduating from an Honours BFA in Classical Voice (in 2000) has certainly had its ups and downs.
But, as they say, everything happens for a reason. I’ve been in and out of administrative positions, feeling a
void…until I picked up my guitar and sang my favourite songs, worked on my own songs or recorded music. The
journey continues, but I am feeling more sure that I will get to perform on a more professional level, as well as
complete my first CD of original folk-rock songs. I have been putting the finishing
touches on this CD of 12 songs, which I hope to self-produce next year! I have another lead-guitarist on board to help me make the songs a bit more rocking’! I am
also planning to audition for the Canadian Opera Company’s chorus in January
2015, and hope to get into acting or musical theatre, even on a community level. The
arts are challenging, but I am not giving up. I may need to fall back on administrative
work. But, heck, it will pay for my artistic pursuits…who knows, I may even be able to
say goodbye to administration and hello to full-time performing and recording! You
just never know, unless you try…
January 2015 Issue
January 2015 Issue
Page 8
Alum Profile: Scott Kilmer
Scott Kilmer (now known as Scotty Kilmer, TV stage name from the past) remembers having a
great time with all those wild Canadians up at York. Three shout outs to the class of 1975 (yea
we’re all turning into old farts now.) They taught this American how to play ice hockey, gave him a
couple fake teeth while doing so, and taught him that borders mean nothing to real people.
Got to hang out at Rush’s studio north of town with Steven Jenkinson (another Yorkie), and did a
bit of thinking. University is a handy place for that.
BUT, fun times had to end sometime, and I went south, REALLY SOUTH.
All the way to Texas where I still reside. Now I’m working at being the universe’s most famous mechanic, on The Scotty Kilmer Channel on
YouTube. 61 million views and counting, and yes, I get lots of questions
from Canadians on the net that I always make time to answer. Grew up a
Leafs fan, and maybe this year is their year. Go Leafs.
121 Winters College
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
M3J 1P3
Hello Alumni,
Are you looking for an old
schoolmate or professor
that used to be a part of
Winters? If you are,
provide us with their
name and we will help
you find them. Contact us
at: [email protected]
OR
121 Winters College
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
M3J 1P3
416-650-8199
You can keep up to date
with us by following us on
Instagram and/or Twitter:
@winterscollege
ALUMNI PUB NIGHT
[email protected]
A message from The Master
In This Issue:
 Message from:
WCAC & WCC
Pg. 2
 Profile:
Ared Arzumanian
Pg. 3 & 4
Andrew Cleveland &
Christina McKenzie
Pg. 5
 Profile:
When...What?
Remember when life was easy? Your life revolved around
doing your own thing and hanging out with friends.
Okay, we studied hard. But, we also made memories to last us
a lifetime – through new experiences, through new people. We
were having the time of our lives and some of us didn’t even
realize it. All because we wanted to! A simpler time filled with
“ALL DRINK!!!”
Come relive those memories with us. Because we all know that
Thursday nights just haven’t been the same without Winters.
When was your last “ALL DRINK!!!”? If it has been too long to
remember, you should come on out.
On Thursday, January 22, 2015 join the Winters Alumni
Association for “When… What?” at Paupers Pub (539 Bloor
St. West, Toronto, ON). It will be an evening of catching up,
reminiscing and nostalgia! All Winters peeps are invited – oh,
and bring your friends! For more information check out the
When...What Facebook event or email [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]
Newsletter
416-650-8199
 Profile:
CONTACT US
Winters Alumni
Allana Robinson &
Jody Solta Mountain
Pg. 6
 Homecoming &
Profile:
Karen Elstone
Pg. 7
 Profile: Scott Kilmer,
Alumni Pub Night &
Contact Us
Pg. 8
INTERM MASTER:
John Mayberry
WCAC: Niko Markakis
WCC: Taneisha McAdam
NEWSLETTER EDITOR:
Kleanthi Markakis
Dear Winters Alumni,
It’s hard to believe that the year is flowing past
so quickly. Here we are, already well into the
winter term and watching the days getting longer, though it seems like just yesterday that I
stepped into the role of Interim Master.
It has certainly been a very full few months,
and I have been busy trying to learn about all
the different aspects of the job. Our Master
Emerita, Marie Rickard, has been gracious and
generous whenever I have asked her advice,
although I have noticed that when she comes
by the office for a visit she is always wearing
what I call the “sabbatical smile”. I am hoping
Marie will share photos of some of her adventures in a later newsletter.
I have been delighted by the number of alumni who have dropped me notes
or have visited me in the office to wish me well this year as Master, and I
thank you all for your support. As you may know, I was appointed Interim
Master until July, and there is a search now for the new Master, who will
take the reins at that point.
We are also looking for a volunteer to join the Absinthe Pub Management
Board as the Alumni Rep. If you are interested, contact Niko Markakis or me
for more information.
I was also pleased to see some of you at the Winters Holiday Concert last
term when we were entertained by our own WIBI, singer-songwriter Ian Bell,
the samba sizzle of Dance Migration, and music by Payadora Tango Ensemble.
Please continue to send us your news so we can let your fellow alumni know
what you’re up to, and I hope to see you at the various events your Winters
Alumni Association has planned for you. A Happy Winter to you all from a
Happy Winters!