Melissa holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance from McGill University and a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia. Melissa is active as a performer, voice instructor and stage director. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Bravo Academy. Her studies have taken her throughout Canada and Europe including having studied Bel Canto Opera at Liceo Musicale “F. Manzato” in Treviso, Italy. Melissa performs both nationally and internationally in opera, operetta, oratorio, musicals, and concerts.

Melissa has performed with companies such as the Toronto Operetta Theatre, International Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Opera Association, Summer Opera Lyric Theatre, Brampton Lyric Opera and Royal Opera Canada. Melissa has performed in musicals such as: West Side Story, Annie, Sound of Music, A Christmas Carol and operas such as Don Giovanni as Zerlina, Hansel & Gretel as Gretel, Die Fledermaus as Adele and Le Nozze di Figaro as Susanna. Melissa has stage directed a number of shows including Cinderella, Oklahoma, Fame, Les Miserables, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Seussical Jr., Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr., G2K Once Upon a Mattress for Bravo Academy, The Old Maid and the Thief for Opera McGill, La Traviata, Don Giovanni, Carmen and Barber of Seville for Opera York.

As a teacher, Melissa’s students have received great success in attaining professional music theatre roles with various companies such as the Sterling Festival, Mirvish Productions, entrance to various university and college classical music and music theatre programs such as University of Toronto, National Theatre School, Western, Queens, McGill, Dalhousie, entrance to programs such as Claude Watson, Etobicoke School for the Arts and Cardinal Carter School for the Arts and entrance to internationally recognized summer classical music academies such as Tanglewood. Her students have received gold and silver medals in RCM and Conservatory Canada (CC) music exams and numerous scholarships and awards from the Kiwanis Music Festival, Davenport Music Festival, Rising Star Competition, NYCO, OMFA and ORMTA auditions.

Melissa is a member of the Central Toronto Branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association (ORMTA) where she has served a term as the Vice-President. Melissa is also a proud member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Melissa loves to share music and the performing arts!

“Young, lovely and captivating soprano…” -Opera Canada

“Enthusiastically at home on stage…endlessly energetic and animated
interpretation.” -Halifax Herald

An accomplished opera and concert artist, Maureen’s selected opera credits include Le nozze di Figaro (Susanna), La dame blanche (Jenny), Così fan tutte (
Despina), Don Giovanni (Zerlina), The Old Maid and the Thief (Laetitia), The Maid Mistress (Serpina), Ten Belles Without a Ring (Limonia), and The Impresario (Miss Silverpeal). As an actor, she has appeared in productions of Measure for Measure, Oh, What a Lovely War and Caucasian Chalk Circle. She has also appeared in productions of Carousel, Grease and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Maureen’s formal training includes a Master of Music from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Music from Dalhousie University, and a Bachelor of Arts (languages) from St. Thomas University. She is an alumna of the St. Andrews Opera by the Sea workshop, the Halifax Summer Opera Workshop, the Casalmaggiore International Music Festival, and the Daniel Ferro Vocal Program in Italy.

Fun facts:

Maureen has had the distinguished honour of being invited to perform for Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan during their visit to Ottawa, marking 80 years of diplomatic ties between Canada and Japan. And, with the St. James Choir in Toronto, she sang for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburg.

She was accepted into one of Canada’s most competitive BEd programs, but loved singing so much she chose to pursue her BMus instead. Her love for teaching has always been apparent: Maureen worked as a substitute teacher, for all ages and subjects, in the public school system during her BA; and, she has been teaching voice privately for a decade.

Maureen founded a redhead society during her first undergrad (for redheads and the redheaded at heart).

More recently, Maureen co-founded an opera company called Essential Opera. Its first production was held in February 2011. And its second season is fast approaching.

This past summer, as part of the BlackCreek Music Festival Chorus, Maureen had the honour of singing with Plácido Domingo, Sondra Radvanovsky, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Raul Esparza, Jane Krakowski, Martin Short, Adrianne Pieczonka, Ekaterina Metlova, Richard Margison and René Pape.

Maureen is positively delighted to be part of the Bravo team!

www.maureenbatt.com
www.essentialopera.com

Marcelle Boisjoli holds a Masters of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from McGill University where she studied with Lucille Evans. She has performed nationally in opera, operetta, oratorio and in recital.
Recent performance credits include Dorabella in Opera York’s production of Cosi Fan Tutte. Her numerous operatic roles include Flora in Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw, Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Ilia in Idomeneo, both by Mozart, Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief, Mercedes in Bizet’s Carmen, Echo in Ariadne auf Naxos by Strauss, as well as Pauline in Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne. Marcelle has also participated in the Banff Centre’s Opera as Theatre program, and sang in the Banff Centre’s production of the Canadian opera Filumena.

Marcelle greatly enjoys recital work, recently having performed with tenor Michael Barrett at the Gross Morne Summer Music Festival in Newfoundland.  Other recital experience includes the 7 city “Bel Canto” recital tour throughout southern China and multiple benefit concerts.
She has happily been teaching at Bravo Academy for 5 years. As a teacher, Marcelle is passionate about passing on the joy of music to her students.  Her goal is to help each student perform at their best by creating confident, intelligent and expressive musicians!

 

Nicole recently completed her second Master’s in Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Toronto, studying with Mary Morrison. Previously to studying at the University of Toronto, Nicole earned her first Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Western Ontario. She has performed numerous operatic roles across Canada, Musetta (La Boheme), Despina (Cosi Fan Tutte), Blonde (Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail), Gabrielle (La Vie Parisienne), Sister Genevieve (Suor Angelica), Norina (Don Pasquale), Pamina (Magic Flute) and Susanna (Nozze di Figaro). Nicole has also toured the Canadian opera The Brothers Grimm, and Hansel and Gretel as Gretel. Roles in musical theatre and operetta include Lily (Secret Garden), Carrie (Carousel), Fiametta (The Gondoliers) and Lisi (Wiener Blut). She can be heard in recordings of Handel’s Rinaldo and Purcell’s Theatre Music under the baton of Kevin Mallon (on the Naxos label).

Nicole has enjoyed teaching a variety of ages and levels for nearly a decade. She has taught both privately and in conservatories, from her native Calgary, to London, Ontario, to Toronto.

As a vocal teacher, she teaches a variety of styles, from classical to broadway, from folk to pop. Focusing on developing a healthy and free technique, she is happy to work with all levels of ability. As a piano teacher, she teaches beginner and intermediate levels. Developing good technique, strong musical skills and joy in music making are at the heart of her teaching. She has helped prepare her students successfully for performances, auditions, competitions and exams, or has simply helped them to achieve their own personal goals. Nicole is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing).

Sophie has been teaching violin and beginner piano for nine years to students of all ages, both privately and in groups. She has held positions as a regular teacher at music schools in Edmundston and Halifax, where she taught privately and to groups. She has also worked at music summer camps as a violin teacher, orchestra director, ensemble coach and camp coordinator.

Sophie recently completed her Bachelor Degree in Music Composition at Dalhousie University. She is currently attending University of Toronto for a Master Degree in Composition. While at Dalhousie, Sophie has performed with Dalhousie Chamber Orchestra, Dalhousie Symphony Orchestra and Chebucto Symphony Orchestra. Also, she received several awards for her academic achievements including Dalhousie University Music Department Medal, Dalhousie Alumni Association (Women's Division) Prize in Music, and James and Abbie Campbell Memorial Scholarships.

Abigail holds a Bachelor of Music (Music Education) from the University of Toronto as well as a Master of Music (Voice Performance) from Binghamton University, New York. She has also attended programs at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Orford Arts Centre and the New York Opera Studio and has worked with many renowned musicians.

Engagements have included Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony and Village Voices, Handel’s Messiah, J.S. Bach’s Cantata, Wachet, betet and his St. Matthew Passion with the Georgetown Bach Chorale. With the Mississauga Choral Society, she has appeared as Soprano Section Lead as well as Soloist in The Very Best of Gilbert & Sullivan and J.S. Bach’s Wachet auf. Roles have included Fanchette (Le marriage aux lanternes), Ilia (Idomeneo), Lakmé (Lakmé), Adina (L’elisir d’amore), and Adele (Die Fledermaus).

As a teacher, Abigail has taught at several well known and respected music schools in the Toronto area and was a Teaching Assistant at Binghamton University, teaching undergraduate level singers, piano classes and voice classes. Abigail has adjudicated both voice and piano at the Merriam School of Music Festival and the Glenburnie Performing Arts Challenge. As a clinician, she has lead workshops in language and diction as well performance skills. An experienced choral conductor as well, she has led the choir at the Toronto Faculty of Music and was Apprentice Conductor for the Earl Haig Girls’ Chamber Choir, the Toronto Children’s Chorus, and the Toronto Children’s Chorus Junior Choir. For the renowned Toronto Children’s Chorus, she has also served as Theory Tutor, Sight Singing Teacher and Assistant Camp Director for several summers.

Students of Abigail have auditioned successfully into arts schools and university music programs, such as York University, Claude Watson Arts Program, Cawthra School for the Arts, Etobicoke School for the Arts and Cardinal Carter School for the Arts. Students have also competed successfully in the Kiwanis Music Festival, Peel Music Festival and Davenport Music Festival. A pianist or singer can expect a music curriculum filled with all aspects of music literacy tailored to suit his or her individual needs, including; technique, music history, theory, ensemble, reading, rhythm, ear training, sight singing, composition, improvisation, musicality and above all, a sense of enjoyment, enrichment and accomplishment.

Sam is currently studying at the University of Toronto as voice major in the Music Education department.  Sam Moffatt was a private voice student of Melissa Bencic for 4 years where he completed his gr. 10 RCM Voice exam with First Class Honours and he currently studies under the tutelage of Peter Barnes at U of T.  Sam actively teaches beginner voice, guitar and piano and is an accompanist at Bravo Academy.   Sam studies musical theatre as well as classical voice.  Some of his roles include Jose Vegasfrom Fame, Jean Valjean from Les Miserables, Laurie Lawrence from Little Women, Mathew and Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables, Conrad Birdie from Bye Bye Birdie and many others in excerpt shows. Sam is also a singer/songwriter and has finished his first CD Prologue and had a debut concert in April.  Sam also actively plays the Theatre Organ.  His studies have taken him to Los Angeles California after winning the George Wright Fellowship award and he has also traveled to England and other parts of the United States.  Sam enjoys teaching and accompanying for various classes at Bravo Academy.  

Elizabeth (Beth) Polese is currently working on achieving her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) diploma (A.R.C.T) in voice performance.  As well, in September Elizabeth will be working towards a B.Mus in Vocal Performance from the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Mary Morrison.  Beth has been studying voice with Melissa Bencic for 4 years and studies piano with Daniel Tsang. Beth has performed and competed provincially and has received numerous awards and scholarships from organizations such as the Kiwanis Music Festival of the G.T.A, the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (O.R.M.T.A.), the Davenport Festival of Music, and the Ontario Music Festival Association (O.M.F.A.) competition, in categories such as musical theatre, opera, operetta/light opera, and classical and art song categories.  As an active performer, Beth has performed in musicals across the city and has performed many roles – favourites include Serena (Fame, Bravo Academy), Ado Annie (Oklahoma!, Bravo Academy),Jo March (Little Women: The Musical, Bravo Academy) Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables, Bravo Academy) and Miss Adelaide (Guys & Dolls Jr., TYMTC). Her opera credits include being a chorus member in La Nozze di Figaro (NOCC) and Don Giovanni (Opera York), as well as being a member of Bravo Academy’s Opera Class where she performed roles and scenes from various operas. 

Beth has a passion for music and performance and loves to share her passion with her students!

Jennifer is a Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts grad (Toronto), and International Student Alumni of Broadway Dance Centre (New York). Favourite credits include: The Fifth Element (Catalyst the Company), Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company’s Encore (New York Musical Theatre Festival), The Wizard of Oz (Fallen Rock Productions), The Shift (Toronto Fringe Festival), Footloose, Into the Woods, Lion in the Streets, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines. Film/TV: A&E Biography, MTV Canada, Bravo!FACT. Currently performing, teaching, and studying human kinetics in Toronto, Jennifer continues to extend herself as an artist of all kinds through opportunities that enable her to explore and share movement with a refreshed focus and intention.

Nicole Strawbridge is currently in the final stages of completing her Musical Theatre Diploma at The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. Nicole has been studying Voice for 7 years and Musical Theatre for 4 years under the tutelage of Melissa Bencic. Credits include: Carmen Diaz in Fame, Cosette in Les Miserables, Jo March in Little Women, Anne Shirley & Miss Stacey in Anne of Green Gables &Cinderella in Cinderella. Nicole also appeared as chorus and main gypsy in La Traviata with Opera York.

Most recently Nicole is involved with a Randolph production of Top Girls in which she plays the roles of Griselda & Louise. Nicole has won numerous scholarships and awards for voice in the categories of opera, operetta, musical theatre and art song. She is an active performer performing for various festivals, charity functions, recitals and concerts.  Along with her vocal studies, she is active studying dance; ballet, jazz & tap. Nicole holds her grade 9 RCM in Voice and is working towards her grade 10. Nicole has been teaching Musical Theatre at Bravo for 3 years now and loves working with the young kids!

Vincent is a professional actor and director for theatre, film and television, Vincent has been a stage combat artist, fight director and equestrian for over 17 years. His fight choreography has been seen on stage and in film, as far away as Hong Kong, all across Canada and abroad. Specializing in Medieval combat and horses, after many years as a knight at Medieval Times, he earned his certification with Fight Directors Canada (FDC), where he broadened his horizons over 3 years to include many other styles, eras and weapons to his creative combat arsenal.

A professional fight choreographer for 5 years, his friendly, realistic approach to stage combat and his reputation for reliable service are quickly becoming a commodity. Vince has been the fight director with Bravo Academy on such shows as  West Side Story, Les Miserables, Oklahoma and Beauty and the Beast.  Vinceis thrilled to be involved with such enthusiastic young talent at Bravo Academy.

Daniel holds both a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and an ARCT in Piano and Vocal Performance. He also studied orchestral conducting at the Canford Summer School of Music in Sherborne, England under George Hurst and choral conducting with Michael Zaugg at the Montreal Choral Masterclass. Daniel has conducted the Durham Chamber Orchestra and Oakville Choral Society. He has been the pianist and choir director of the Rhenish Church of Canada. As an accompanist, he has collaborated with various soloists and choirs. While studying voice with Melissa Bencic, he was awarded the silver medal from the RCM Grade 10 voice exam where he received the highest mark in Ontario. He also received the Barwell Scholarship to study the organ with John Tuttle. As a composer, he has composed numerous instrumental and choral pieces. Recently he was a finalist of the International Music Prize™ for Excellence in Composition. Currently he is a teacher with the Toronto District School Board, a private piano and theory instructor and a freelance accompanist. Daniel is a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association.

Daniel enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels. He is experienced teaching different musical styles such as classical, pop, musical theatre and jazz. Daniel is currently composing a collection of short piano pieces that comprises various styles for his students to enjoy.

 

Hayley is originally from a small town just North of Edmonton, Alberta called Gibbons. She began classical voice training at age 11 with Diane Nelson and later attended Victoria High School of Performing and Visual Arts where she began training in Musical Theatre. Throughout high school Hayley performed with Kokopelli Choir and had the opportunity to participate in numerous festivals and performances across Canada, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, including at the 2002 world conference of The International Society for Musical Education in Norway.

Upon completion of high school, Hayley began teaching musical theatre summer camps with St. Albert Children’s Theatre where she directed Snoopy, Annie, and The Wiz. She went on to the triple threat program at Grant MacEwan College and graduated with a diploma in Theatre Arts. After college Hayley focused her training on film and founded her own theatre company called Revolution Productions.  She moved to Toronto in 2007 to pursue her acting dreams in the big city. Although Hayley loves Musical Theatre and it is always her passion. Favourite performance credits include: Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Ariel (Footloose), Paquette (Candide), Andrea (Jerry Springer the Opera), and Leila (John/Yoko Bed Piece). Hayley is thrilled to be part of the team at Bravo!

Born and raised in Vancouver, Jade now makes her home in Toronto. Jade first studied music at Douglas College in Vancouver. Later in Toronto, she received an ARCT in Piano Performance under the tutelage of Boris Zarankin and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education under the tutelage of Dr. Leslie Kinton. Later short term studies in Conducting at the Canford School of Music in the UK were undertaken. Jade’s volunteer work included being the Assistant Conductor with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets of the 800 Black Forest Squadron. In the past she was an accompanist and a vocal worship leader at Logos Baptist Church. Currently, she is a dedicated violin accompanist for a violin instructor. Jade has recently composed piano solos with classical, pop, and contemporary new-age style. A CD will be coming out in the near future

In Jade’s private instruction she teaches students in cello, violin, flute, and clarinet. Her students have successfully competed in the Kiwanis Music Festival as well as the Peel Music Festival. Classical, pop, and contemporary are but a few of the styles she explores in her teaching. She loves to share her passion of music with students of all ages and levels.

Neil holds a Bachelor's in Music in Jazz from the University of Toronto, as well as a Performance Diploma in Guitar from Grant Macewan College. Neil is originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, where he grew up studying piano.  From there Neil began studying guitar and tuba.  Neil has had the opportunity to study with some of the leading jazz guitarists in the country, such as Bobby Cairns, David Occhipinti, Geoff Young and Roy Patterson.  Versatility has allowed Neil to perform in a large variety of musical situations covering everything from solo jazz guitar to musical theatre and pop-rock.  Some of his collaborations include Najuah, Elastocitizens, Daniel Bernhard and Daniel Jamieson.  Neil is also an active composer and band-leader for Ninja Funk Orchestra, The Circles Quartet, and his own trio. Neil has performed both nationally and international in such places a Montreal, Germany, Chile and New York. 

As a teacher, Neil has almost a decade of experience with individuals and groups spanning all ages.  Neil's teaching approach has always followed the fundamental idea of 'leaning how to learn' so that the students can be free to take the instrument in any direction they choose.  Students learn a blend of technical and aural skills which can be applied to any style of music they choose to study.  Neil enjoys and takes great pride in helping students discover their skills and abilities.