on the MOVE – 2014 Presenter

Biographies

Gerry Atwell - Grant Writing Born and raised in Winnipeg, Gerry Atwell is a multi-disciplinary artist who has worked professionally in Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Film, Radio and Television. Gerry has composed music and performed narration for Dance performances by choreographers such as Sharon Moore and Casimiro Nhussi and has served on the board of Winnipeg's NAfro Dance Company. As a musician, Gerry has won a Juno Award with the band Eagle & Hawk. As a writer, his award winning teleplay The Hands of Ida was directed for television by Guy Maddin, winning a Blizzard award and a Gemini nomination.

As a grant writer, Gerry has raised over 1.5 million dollars for arts and community organizations including St. Norbert Arts Centre, Theatre for Young People, Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY), Manitoba Arts & Disability Network, Manitoba Cultural Society of the Deaf, Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba, Black Educators Association of Manitoba, Urban Indigenous Theatre Company Inc., Mary Jane's Cooking School and more.

As a consultant for not for profit agencies and corporations, Gerry has been instrumental in creating a number of highly effective youth programs including Broadway Neighbourhood Centre's Hip Hop Academy program (song composing, performing and recording), Stage Crew / Backstage Pass (youth learning employment skills by working as stage crew for bands), The Path Home (inner city Aboriginal youth working with artists and elders to create a video about reconnecting with their traditions and culture), and JustTV, the highly successful music video training program for youth.

Gerry is currently Chair of St. Norbert Arts Centre and continues to perform in numerous bands including Ministers of Cool, Indian City, Rockalypso, Eagle & Hawk and Hit Boss, the house band for McPhillips Station Casino.

Clara Birnie, BSc, Registered Dietitian - Nutrition Seminar Clara Birnie graduated with distinction from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutritional Sciences. She went on to complete a dietetic internship with Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program.

Clara values evidence based nutrition information and has a strong interest in research. She is a member of the College of Dietitians of Manitoba, Dietitians of Canada and the Canadian Obesity Network.

Clara is passionate about fostering healthy habits in both individuals and communities. Along with her nutritional consulting practice out of Corydon Physiotherapy Clinic, she also works with several organizations aimed at bettering the lives of Manitobans. These organizations include the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba, which provides nourishment programs to school age children, Healthy Start for Mom and Me, which educates parents and parents-to-be about healthy eating, and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority in public health. She enjoys working with clients to create realistic goals aimed at helping them achieve a lifelong approach to healthy eating and living. Dance has been a part of Clara’s life for the past 18 years, and she continues to enjoy her dance classes at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

PATTI CAPLETTE - Director/Choreographer/Writer/Producer

As Artistic Director of Koba Entertainment, Patti Caplette oversees the creative and educational elements of each licensed property, including all original music, dance, scenic and costume design, and age-appropriate storylines. Patti safeguards the style, standards and integrity of Dora the Explorer, Max & Ruby, Caillou, Franklin the Turtle, the Backyardigans and other well-known, beloved characters as they make the transition from television and book medium into KOBA live touring theatrical productions.

Patti’s performance career spanned 20 years, with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal, then Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, evolving to an offstage career which continues to challenge her creatively. Between 1973 and 1995, she travelled the globe, performing in more than 400 cities in 19 countries including United States, Canada, England, France, Russia, Japan, Egypt, Mexico, and starring in numerous ground-breaking productions by international choreographers. Highlights include a Paris engagement of The Who’s seminal rock opera ballet Tommy, Stravinsky’s Firebird at the Herod Atticus theatre in Athens, Greece, Peter Wright’s Giselle in Tokyo, Japan, and Van Danzig’s Romeo & Juliet at the famed Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Post stage career Patti became a director/choreographer/producer, creating a multitude of one-of-a- kind productions for the large and small stage. With Paquin Entertainment, her love of music spurred her to collaborations with numerous stars in the Canadian music and theatre industries. Her credits include: Opening Night, an original evening of musical theatre starring Michael Burgess (Les Miserable), Ma Anne Dionisio (Ms Saigon), Tyley Ross (West-Side Story) and Melissa Thompson (Beauty and the Beast); the Pan-American Games, The Juno Awards Gala, Her Majesty the Queen’s Royal Visit to Winnipeg’ and “The World Needs More Canada," for the Federal Government of Canada tour Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.

Dance on screen projects were honed whilst starring in Agnes de Milne’s Fall River Legend, Brian MacDonald’s Tam Di Delam, and Rudi Van Danzig’s Romeo and Juliet. Patti’s fascination with dance on film led to creation of an original dance drama Journey~ A Mythical Dance Fantasy for BRAVO!, starring prima ballerina Evelyn Hart. Journey won a Blizzard Award for the Best Performing Arts Film and a Gemini Award for Best Production Design. Autumn Lady for Global TV took home the bronze medal at the New York International Film and Television Festival. The CBC Canada Day Indigenous Peoples Tribute on Parliament Hill starred singer Tom Jackson and actor Graeme Green. Actor/dancer couple Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi engaged Patti to coach for the feature dance film Without a Word. Patti’s undeniable talent for translating a creative vision from stage to screen was invaluable as Content Producer for The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s recent film production of Moulin Rouge~ the Ballet showing in Cineplex Theatres.

Alicia Faucher - ACI Manitoba After spending her post-secondary years dabbling in music, theatre, dance, and art, Alicia Faucher found herself graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Fine Art. Now, as the Independent Artists Programs Manager at the Arts and Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba (ACI Manitoba), she is in charge of developing and coordinating entrepreneurial and business skills training for creative entrepreneurs and artists, as well as running The Art of Managing Your Career course and Creative Entrepreneurship symposium. She is always eager to help emerging and mid-career artists figure out how to turn their passions into their career.

Dominique Genest-Crozier Adv. RMT, Osteopathy (current study) Dominique studied at the Wellington College of Remedial Massage Therapy in Winnipeg. She completed her basic training in 1997 and graduated from the advanced program in 1999. She received the Don Bennett Award of excellence in 1997 and was the recipient of an award in 1999 for her thesis on ERS and FRS dysfunctions of the lumbar spine. Dominique first worked as a massage practitioner from November 1997 to July 1999 and as a massage therapist since then at Provencher Therapeutic Massage Thérapeutique. Dominique is also certified in pre and post-event sport massage, myofascial release, craniosacral levels I, II and sommato-emotional release. She also trained in Thai massage levels I and II in 2003 with the Lotus Palm Center in Montreal. She is certified in basic manual lymphatic drainage. Dominique began the osteopathic program at the Canadian College of Osteopathy in 2010. This is a 5 year program, at the end of which a thesis must be written and completed within 2 years. In June 2014, Dominique will have completed her 4th year of the total program.

During her career, Dominique has volunteered many hours working with athletes at the Canada Games in Brandon, Pan Am games, the provincial cycling team, and Manitoba marathon. She has and continues to work with runners, dancers, gymnasts, synchronized swimmers and with athletes of every kind.

Dominique has experience teaching massage therapy and its relevant subjects at the Wellington College. She believes "no pain no gain" is not a principal applicable to manual therapy, whether it be massage therapy or osteopathy and easily adapts her approach and style to each individual. Her massage techniques can be gentle and light as well as deep, firm and specific according to the preference and need of the person being treated. In osteopathy, it is truly the body's requirements which indicate the techniques to be used. There is a time and place for every technique from more soft tissue base release to the more firm osteoarticular impulse. All aimed at returning the individual's inherent capacity to adapt and function in a maximal state of homeostasis. Dominique considers the human body as a fascinating and beautiful machine regardless of its size, shape, ability and colour."

Paul Kohlmeier, BPE, RMT, R.Ac. Paul shares the belief that healthcare needs to be financially accessible to be effective with his community at Straight to the Point Community Acupuncture (STTPCA).

As one of the acupunks at STTPCA, he offers affordable acupuncture in comfortable recliners in a large room. Through his training and experience, he applies acupuncture using simple and effective point combinations.

Paul brings his 19 years of experience in the complementary medical healthcare community to work every day. In the two years he has been at STTPCA he has treated doctors, teachers, military personnel, salesmen, construction workers, dancers, athletes, wait staff, and pretty much anyone else who have wanted relief from pain, stress, emotional disorders, who wanted to support wellness and nurture themselves through the ups and downs of their lives.

Graduating with a Physical Education degree from U of M, a Diploma in Massage Therapy from Wellington College and Diplomas in both Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the Hua Xia Acupuncture and Herb College of Canada, he has a wealth of information looking for ways to get out of his head. You can tap into that deep well at STTPCA.

BRENT LOTT began his professional dance career with Dance Collective followed by Ruth Cansfield Dance, then danced for Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers from 1999 to 2004 under Tom Stroud, during which time he also became his assistant. Brent was appointed the Artistic Director of WCD in June of 2005 when Mr. Stroud left the company to pursue his first love, theatre. As a choreographer, Brent has been actively creating for over a decade. His most recent full-length work, 97 Positions of the Heart, “…an extraordinary heart-stopping fusion of movement and text.”-Alison Mayes, was performed at the 2012 Canada Dance Festival. Other full-length works include STRUCK (2008), Coming Into Autumn, with actor Naomi Cooke, His Banner Over Me, with clarinetist Lori Freedman and a co-production with Christina Medina titled as long as now. Brent is a member of the faculty of the Professional Program of SCD and a past faculty member of the Professional Program of RWB. Brent is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, a national organization whose mandate is to help dancers make the necessary transitions into, within, and from professional performing careers.

Keith Macpherson, BA, CTI Trained Coach Love yourself unconditionally. Only then can you achieve your dreams and be a positive influence to others. As an accomplished speaker, life coach, yoga instructor and musician, this is Keith Macpherson's mantra.

Known for his inspirational spirit, motivational voice and dynamic presence, Keith empowers people to silence their inner critic and fulfill their life purpose.

“To really love ourselves is an internal job. There’s nothing externally that will complete us. I think we are living in a culture in North America where we’re looking for self-love outside of ourselves, when it already exists within us.”

Keith tries to instil this belief in others during his work as a yoga and wellness leader. He is a professionally certified Moksha Yoga instructor, has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Winnipeg, and is working toward his International Coaching Federation life coach certification.

“The foundation of what I’m doing is education and teaching,” says Keith. “As time has gone on, I’ve realized how much of a teacher I am.”

An incredibly creative individual, Keith also lives his musical dreams as one-half of country-pop duo, Keith and Renee. He holds the honour of having been a musical ambassador for international charity, Free the Children and has spent over 15 years touring globally to Africa, Dubai, India, the UK and United States. Keith's songs have charted on Canadian country radio – and he is a former Canadian Idol finalist (2006).

As a strong and articulate voice for self- love, personal transformation and social change, Keith is a dynamic professional speaker. He has led workshops and given keynote talks to a diverse collection of audiences including the Human Rights Commission, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Child and Family Services, Manitoba Alive and Siloam Mission.

Some of Keith Macpherson’s keynote addresses include:

 Spring Cleaning Your Life: Waking Up to Who You Really Are  What's Your Dream? Unlocking your Life Purpose and Inner Potential

 Your Authentic Self: Connecting to Inspiration and Creativity

Keith's areas of expertise:

Professional Speaker: Keith's professional speaking engagements centre around the concept of self-love. He wants his audiences to know that they are the most important people in the world, and that happiness begins within themselves. “It's really telling when you ask someone to stand in front of a mirror and look at themselves in the face and say, 'I absolutely love you' - and to feel that. The resistance to that idea makes me realize we’re living in a culture that’s living an epidemic where we rebel against ourselves." Keith's mission is to have people create a positive inner belief system, allowing them to find fulfilment and life purpose in the world. With mentors including Dr. Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay and Michael Bernard Beckwith, Keith inspires those who also wish to be of service and love on this planet. Keith's clients include the Human Rights Commission, Child and Family Services, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and registered charity Free the Children. His workshops and lectures can incorporate, music, lecture, yoga and creative writing.

Moksha Yoga Instructor: Keith is a professionally certified yoga instructor and has trained under the direction of Ted Grand and Jessica Robertson of Moksha Yoga and also with the internationally celebrated, Seane Corn. His unique self-expression and inspirational style incorporates both the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga into his classes. Keith has created a brand of yoga known as co-active yoga which joins together both the "being" and "doing" aspects of life into one integrated practice. Keith is also an energy worker and has been trained in both Reiki and Huna Kane spiritual healing practices.

Musician: Keith has been involved in Canadian music over the past fifteen years as an artist, songwriter and producer. Keith currently performs with Canadian duo, Keith and Renee. Aside from this, Keith is well- known for his appearances on Season 4 of Canadian Idol in 2006. Keith was also nominated for a Juno Award for his work on the This Is Daniel Cook Album and can be heard singing the theme song to popular Treehouse Television program, This Is Emily Yeung. Keith is a Western Canadian Music Awards winner and has had his music placed in popular television shows including One Tree Hill, Life Unexpected and Degrassi. Keith is also known for his humanitarian work with Canadian charity, Free The Children. As a songwriter, Keith wrote a song with country band, Jetty Road that went #1 in Australia.

Certified Life Coach: Keith is a trained life coach with the Coaching Training Institute (CTI) based in San Rafael, California. Whether it's one-on-one sessions with individual clients or group coaching sessions,

Keith aims to help people live an extraordinary life. Keith is an official Lifebook leader - and leads self- improvement courses which help strengthen people's lives in 12 specific areas. Keith's Lifebook courses have become incredibly popular, with serval high profile clients including Winnipeg City Councillor Paula Havixbeck (Charleswood, Tuxedo and Whyte Ridge). Keith is working toward his International Coaching Federation life coach certification, and is a qualified school teacher with his Bachelor of Education from The University of Winnipeg. Andrea Mislan (AEA, CAEA, ACTRA, AFTRA/SAG) - Keynote Speaker With nearly two decades in the performance biz, Andrea has performed on stages throughout North America, Europe and Thailand. A native Winnipegger, Andrea graduated from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional Division and performed with the RWB company for several seasons before joining the original cast of Celine Dion’s ground breaking Las Vegas spectacular, A New Day. US regional productions include White Christmas (Judy Haynes/Dance Captain), Peter Pan (Tiger Lily); International Broadway tour Chicago the musical (June, Velma U/S, Mama Morton U/S). TV appearances include Oprah, Ellen, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, World Music Awards, Jerry Lewis Telethon, Anderson Cooper’s New Year’s Eve Live, A&E’s Biography, Inside the Osmond’s TV movie, The Toy Castle. Andrea has also served as choreographer in Utah, North Carolina and New Jersey on productions of White Christmas, Grease, Peter Pan, Cirque Risque, and has taught musical theater and dance master classes for The Las Vegas Performing Arts Intensive, Las Vegas Showdance Workshop, California’s Encore High School, Singapore’s Canadian International School; Fosse master classes in dance studios across the US as a member of Broadway Connection. She is also a certified yoga instructor.

Freya Björg Olafson - Creative Collaborations Freya Olafson is an intermedia artist who works with video, audio, painting and performance. Her creations have been presented and exhibited internationally. Freya’s solo performance AVATAR received the ‘Buddies In Bad Times Vanguard Award’ at the Summerworks Theatre Festival in and toured across 7 provinces in Canada, 4 states in the USA, three cities in Ecuador. Freya’s video work has screened in festivals across the globe with upcoming dates in and Hungary. Freya blends 6 years classical training with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and through her completion of the Bachelor of Arts Honors degree in dance from Winnipeg’s School of Contemporary Dancers in affiliation with the University of Winnipeg. She also holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in New Media from the Transart Institute / Donau Universitat in Krems, Austria.

Debbie Patterson is a Winnipeg playwright, director and actor. Trained at the National Theatre School of Canada, she is a founding member of Shakespeare in the Ruins (SIR), served as Theatre Ambassador for Winnipeg’s Cultural Capital year and was the U of W Carol Shields Writer in Residence 2012. Currently she is serving as Artistic Associate at Prairie Theatre Exchange, Playwright in Residence at Theatre Projects Manitoba and is a member of the PTE Playwrights Unit. Playwriting credits include Sargent & Victor & Me, the musical Head, Candy From a Baby, and Molotov Circus, which was nominated for the Harry Rintoul Award and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. She has written several adaptations for of Robert Munsch stories for PrairieTheatre Exchange which have gone on to be produced at theatres across the country. Directing credits include Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth and Taming of the Shrew for SIR, The Crackwalker for Sweet and Salty Collective and Saint Joan for Theatre by the River. As a performer, some of her favourite roles have included Zoya in Molotov Circus, the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, and Jenny in Threepenny Opera. She lives in Winnipeg with her family: Arne MacPherson, Gislina Patterson and Solmund (Salty) MacPherson.

Talia Pura - ACTRA Manitoba Talia Pura is the president of ACTRA Manitoba’s branch council and the National Councillor for Manitoba. She is an actor, playwright, filmmaker and aerial dancer. She is also the coordinator of a youth mentorship program in the arts for ACI Manitoba. Judy Slivinski – Networking Judy has over 20 years’ experience in leadership, management, research and training in Canada’s arts and cultural sector. For most of those two decades, Judy has been creating and facilitating workshops and panels for artists in Manitoba and across North America under her company EDGE Cultural Management. Judy was with Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers from 1998 to 2001, first as International Liaison and then as Executive Director, working with such dance pioneers as Rachel Browne and Stephanie Ballard. From 2010 to 2012, Judy was Senior Director of Marketing and Development at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, strengthening the brand of the renowned company and school nationally and internationally. She is currently Director of Development at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, where she is stewarding productive relationships as the WAG moves beyond its 100th anniversary celebrations and into an active capital campaign. A former practicing lawyer, Judy is an articulate and engaging speaker and trainer. Judy is a founding member of the Arts and Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba (ACI) and assisted in establishing the Arts and Cultural Management Certificate Program at the University of Winnipeg.

Dr. Alicia Snider – Podiatrist Dr. Alicia Snider grew up in England and graduated in 1991 with a degree in Podiatric Medicine. After graduating she specialized in podopaediatrics (children). She came to Winnipeg in 1995 for a 6 month job and 19 years later she’s still here.

Dr. Alicia Snider has her own practice in Charleswood and over the years she has held various positions on both the College of Podiatrists and the Podiatry Association. She is currently the Manitoba provincial representative for the Canadian Podiatric Medicine Association. In her free time she dances with an adult Tap group and enjoys golfing in the summer.

Sam Steinfeld, Physiotherapist Sam Steinfeld graduated from the University of Manitoba, School of Medical Rehabilitation in 1979. After four years working in a general hospital and rehabilitation hospital setting, he joined the Sports Physiotherapy Centre in 1983, becoming a practice partner in 1985 when the practice moved into the Pan Am Clinic.

In 2012 Sam began working with Centric Health Sports Therapy and Wellness in Winnipeg and continues to work there as a staff physiotherapist today. Sam also is part of the Canadian Faculty of the NeuroOrthopaedic Institute of Australasia, teaching pain neurobiology courses in Canada for this organization since 1997.

Sam was a physiotherapy consultant to some of the professional sport teams in Winnipeg in the past, including the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Team and the Winnipeg Fury Soccer Club and for the last 16 years has been the physiotherapy consultant to Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Natasha Torres-Garner (Performer / Creator) -DTRC Rep As a performer, Torres-Garner has worked with Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers as a company dancer for 6 years and has performed in a number of projects as an independent dancer. Her independent experience has given her the opportunity to work with Montreal’s Fortier Danse Création, Bill Coleman (Toronto),in repertoire by the late Jean-Pierre Perreault (Montreal), as well as with Winnipeg's Tom Stroud, Out of Line Theatre, TRIP Dance Company, Treasure Waddell, Nina Patel, Alex Elliott, Johanna Riley, Ali Robson and Ming Hon. As a choreographer Natasha Torres-Garner has presented half- and full-length works locally and internationally. In 2007 she created Spay, which was performed at Winnipeg’s Rachel Browne Theatre and Regina’s New Dance Horizons. In 2008 Natasha created a full evening work in collaboration with shotAG of Dresden, Germany. The winter of 2009 allowed her the opportunity to work on her first half- length solo performance, Real, which was performed at Winnipeg’s cre8ery in April, 2009. In the fall of 2009 she created a half length work entitled a way in, performed by The Toronto Dance Theatre, as part of their annual presentation of Four at the Winch. A way in was then developed into a full evening performance presented in Winnipeg at the Gas Station Theatre in April 2011. Her solo REAL was presented in St. John's in the fall of 2011 as part of The Festival of New Dance. In March of 2013 at Winnipeg's Gas Station Theatre, Torres-Garner presented two new solo works, A side Road performed by dance artists Ali Robson, and The Designer, performed by dance artist Johanna Riley. Throughout Torres-Garner’s experience she has received mentorship from senior choreographers Rachel Browne, Davida Monk, Serge Bennathan, Karen Kuzak, and Tom Stroud.

Torres-Garner is also a founding member and the Organization Director of Young Lungs Dance Exchange, a Winnipeg-based community organization offering performance and choreographic opportunity to emerging dance artists. As the Organization Director, she is responsible, with the assistance of the board of directors, for the planning and dissemination of each season based on the needs and desires of the membership.

In 2010, Torres-Garner was appointed Dance Ambassador by Winnipeg Arts Council for the 2010 Cultural Capital of Canada Award