Academy Faculty

Ruth McIntosh (she, her, hers)
Education Manager
A professional actor for 20+ years, Ruth has worked in theatres across Canada and has taught across the Lower Mainland, including at Gateway Academy and the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. A Dramaturg and Writer for dance theatre, Ruth is a graduate of the Vancouver Playhouse School of Acting, and recipient of the 2018 Mary Phillips Prize for Behind the Scenes Achievement.

Sean Bayntun (he, his)
Accompanist
Sean is a multi-genre keyboardist, composer and music director who is excited to be teaching at the Gateway Academy for the first time. He has received numerous accolades, including the Jessie Richardson award for his work on The Light in the Piazza (PSP) and an Ovation award for Herringbone (PSP).  He has a Master's degree in classical piano performance from Rice University in Texas, has performed as a soloist with the VSO, and is a prolific member of the Vancouver music scene, playing synthesizer and keyboards in Leisure Club and DAñSE.  Sean has an undying love of the expression available through music and song and is excited to accompany and play with the newest generation of artists.

Megs Calleja (she, her, hers)
Instructor
Megs is a theatre artist, screen actor, novelist, and playwright. Megs grew up in community musical theatre productions throughout Ontario. She trained in foundational theatre at Dalhousie University, studied Shakespeare with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), and has been working in education for 15 years. Some of her favourite roles include Miss Stacy in Anne of Green Gables, Yente in Fiddler on the Roof, and originating the role of Josie in the contemporary play Twentysomething; but nothing beats a tap-dancing ninja turtle when she was six. Megs blends playfulness, classical training, and professionalism into every class she teaches. She believes acting helps unlock self-confidence, empathy, and self-reflection, while also being fun!

Bill Costin
Accompanist
Bill is a musician, songwriter, musical theatre accompanist, and is teaching at Gateway Academy for the 2nd time. Bill has an Education Degree from UBC, and has played piano in the orchestra and for rehearsals for the Gateway Theatre's Thouroughly Modern Millie, and Sound Of Music. Bill thinks everyone should sing and dance all the time!

Nicola Davies (she, her, hers)
Accompanist
Nicola is a pianist, music director, and arts administrator, and this is her second year working with Gateway. Her theatre work encompasses over forty productions as music director and pianist, including Carmen with Opera Kelowna, Sweeney Todd with Secondary Characters, and The Addams Family with the Winnipeg All-Dentist Musical. She holds a Masters in Collaborative Piano from the University of Manitoba, and also studied vocal performance, conducting, and biology. Music and theatre teach us much about ourselves and about being a caring human, and Nicola loves to create opportunities and be part of this discovery process with students.

Isabella Halladay (she, her, hers)
Instructor
Isabella is a Vancouver based performer, working and playing on the unceeded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. After receiving her Bachelors of Music from the University of British Columbia, she has performed in musicals, opera, and theatre in BC, New York, and Europe, while working as a choreographer and vocal coach. An interdisciplinary artist, Isabella is always excited to connect the worlds of theatre, music, dance and physical storytelling. She is thrilled to be supporting youth who are passionate about musical theatre, and is always excited to support young artists in finding their own voice.

Manami Hara (she, her, hers)
Instructor
Manami is an actor, playwright, instructor, interpreter/translator, dramaturge, and director originally from Tokyo, Japan. She has worked with companies across Canada including Arts Club, The Cultch, Gateway Theatre, and many more. She is a Jessie Richardson Award winner and nominee for her acting and collaborative creations. Most recently she was seen in Marjorie Chan’s China Doll at Gateway Theatre and vAct’s production of Tetsuro Shigematsu’s Kuroko at the Cultch. She feels extremely privileged to be part of the awesome Instructors and Education team at the Gateway Academy as she is passionate about teaching youth the magic of theatre-making, acting, storytelling, and ensemble spirit.

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Nathan Kay (he, him, his)
Instructor
Nathan is a Vancouver based actor and instructor, and is very excited to be teaching at Gateway Academy. Nathan is a graduate of Studio 58's acting program in 2016 and has appeared in shows across Canada and in 2019 travelled to Hong Kong with Neworld Theatre's King Arthur's Night. Nathan's work as an instructor has centred around making sure everyone's ideas are honoured and respected as well as challenging students to find what they love and go after it!

Eri Kikuchi (she, her, hers)
Accompanist
Eri is the piano accompanist for the musical theatre program on Saturdays. Eri's piano training was at the Arts Connection School in Steveston, following the Royal Conservatory of Music program, both of which gave her opportunities to perform on the piano at the Gateway Theatre. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business degree and a Diploma in Expressive Arts Education. She teaches piano in Vancouver and is involved in composing music for another theatre production called the Rizal Intercultural Theatre. Eri looks forward to playing the piano to give the children's stories a musical layer!

Magda Ochoa (she, her, hers)
Instructor
Magda is an actress, drama teacher, and director, and she is excited to begin teaching at the Gateway Academy for the first time. Originally from Mexico, she performed as an actor and taught acting at a professional level for many years. She later moved to Canada and studied theatre at Université Laval, in Québec. In 2019, Magda became the artistic director of Le petit théâtre at Alliance Française of Vancouver, putting on a Feydeau. In March 2022, she directed a community francophone play De la plume à la scène, a project collaboration with La Boussole of Vancouver. Currently, she teaches drama in a francophone high school in Vancouver. Magda is a passionate educator and strongly believes acting is a wonderful tool to develop at any time, at any age—previous experience not required.

Malissa Palliyaguru (she, her, hers)
Instructor
Malissa is an actor, choreographer, singer and performing arts educator, and is very happy to be teaching at Gateway Academy! She has performed across BC, as well as overseas, in musicals, operas, and theatre productions and has spent the last 10 years teaching community theatre and dance to children and adults from all walks of life. Malissa is a firm believer in the powerful and transformative nature of theatre - where everyone's differences are celebrated and accepted in a supportive, inclusive, accessible, and exciting community where everyone has a voice that deserves the space to be heard.

Darylina Powderface (she, her, hers)
Instructor
Darylina is a digital media artist, storyteller, actor, writer, filmmaker, and producer. She graduated from the BFA Theatre Performance Program at SFU and performed in Tophilia directed by her mentor and Professor, Steven Hill. She taught youth at the RayCam Community Centre, hosting a kids’ theatre workshop, as well as devising in Dream Machine with Leaky Heaven. Darylina also taught in the Acting for Film and Television Program at the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts), and directed Between Spaces. As an Artistic Associate at Savage Society, she is inspired and working to create spaces for aspiring and established Indigenous artists and storytellers. Darylina hopes that her teaching inspires more Indigenous youth to pursue their desires and reach their goals.

Daniela Santi (she, her, hers)
Instructor
Daniela is a musical theatre artist and instructor and is teaching at Gateway Academy for the first time. Daniela is from Argentina, where she got her degree in Musical Theatre. She moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and has performed in many shows including Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Sister Act, among others. Daniela believes that theatre is a safe space for everyone to express themselves, have fun, and stay connected to our inner child.