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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.
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Renee Fajardo (she, her, hers)
Programs Coordinator
Renee is a Filipino opera singer and producer, and the current Programs Coordinator at Gateway Theatre. She has performed across in the Philippines, UK, Europe and is an active collaborator in the music and theatre communities in Canada. Renee believes that the arts are a place where everyone should feel like they belong!
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Peter Abando (he, him, his)
Instructor
Peter composes, directs, teaches, improvises, and performs all over Metro Vancouver. When he’s not teaching K-7 music in West Van, you’ll find him collaborating on new musicals, music directing for local productions, performance and audition coaching, and never too far from a piano. Past productions include Dear Evan Hansen (Laughing Matters Theatre), 9 to 5: The Musical (Capilano University), and the Ovation nominated 2019 Vancouver Fringe hit, Amélie (West Moon Theatre). Peter holds degrees in education and music composition, and secretly wishes everyone sang their feelings more often, words optional!
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Megs Calleja (she, her, hers)
Instructor
Megs is a theatre artist, screen actor, novelist, and playwright, who grew up in musical theatre. She trained in foundational theatre at Dalhousie University, Shakespeare with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and has been an educator for 15 years. Some favourite roles: Miss Stacy (Anne of Green Gables), Yente (Fiddler on the Roof), and originating the role of Josie (Twentysomething)—for which she was shortlisted for a Playwrights Guild of Canada award. Megs is an acting coach for stage, film, and television, and blends classical training with creativity while teaching. She believes acting unlocks confidence, empathy, and self-reflection.
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Nicola Davies (she, her, hers)
Accompanist
Nicola is a pianist, music director, and arts administrator, and this is her first year working with Gateway. Her theatre work encompasses over forty productions as music director and pianist, including Carmen (Opera Kelowna), Sweeney Todd (Secondary Characters), and The Addams Family (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.
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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.
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