2024 Cast
Singers
Ali Powell*
Soprano
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Victoria Stolting
Alto
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Gabriel Macdonald
Tenor
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Peter Monaghan*
Bass Baritone
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Dancers
Kyla Couper-Cruickshank
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Hannah Bateman
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Abby Selva
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Camély Rouleau
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Sarah Sheehan
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Singers:
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Ali Powell* - Soprano Ali is a multi-disciplinary artist from Vancouver, BC - the unceded territory of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Coming from a musical family, Ali has always had a passion for all things artistic. Whether it be a professional production, or a midnight dance party, you’ll find her rocking a step-touch and a smile. Theatre (selected): Cinderella (Neptune theatre); White Christmas (Shaw Festival); Let’s Dance! (Terrabruce Productions); And I Never Stopped Dancing (Smile Theatre); The Sound of Music (Highlands Summer Festival); Head Over Heels, Concord Floral (Theatre Sheridan); Disney’s: NEWSIES (Theatre Under the Stars). Training: Sheridan College; Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre. Victoria Stolting - Alto
Victoria is thrilled to be a part of the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular this year. Born in Germany and raised in the Comox Valley, her passion for performing arts started at age 7 in various community theatre groups. Victoria has honed her craft through training at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, the Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts, On the Mic Voice Training, the Victoria Academy of Dramatic Arts, and more. Her career highlights include singing with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, performing at The Belfry Theatre, Hermann’s Jazz Club, and in a variety of film and television productions. Gabriel Macdonald - Tenor
Gabriel is a Toronto based performer. He grew up in Nelson B.C. where his passion for music and performing began at a very early age. He is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts, where he received the “Founders Award” for achievement in musical theatre performance. He has since played lead roles in shows such as Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, and Rocky Horror. As a vocal soloist, Gabriel has toured internationally, performed the baritone role in Carmina Burana and has shared the stage with artists such as David Foster, Rajaton and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. |
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Peter Monaghan* - Baritone
Peter is excited to be back with the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular family! Originally from Lethbridge, Alberta, Peter has performed professionally for musical theater and opera companies all across Canada, as well as overseas in Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Cuba and China. He has sung as a soloist with symphonies such as; Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, and the Okanagan. Some of his most recent credits; Massetto in Don Giovanni (Edmonton Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria), Colline, La Bohème (POV) and as Snug in Vancouver Opera’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Next you’ll find him on Pacific Opera Victoria’s stage for Le Nozze di Figaro this spring. |
Dancers:
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Kyla Couper-Cruickshank - Dance Captain & Dancer Kyla started dancing at the age of four, and her love of dance took her to New York City at age 15 to train for four years at the Joffrey Ballet School. Since graduating with a Certificate in Dance, Kyla has performed with DansArts et al., Ballet Kelowna, Coastal City Ballet, CollabArt Creations, and her own performing company, Coupé Dance & Co. Kyla holds a Bachelor’s Degree of General Studies in Education from Simon Fraser University, has been teaching dance for seven years, and runs her own dance studio in Richmond, BC. Kyla is excited to be back in the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular for a fifth season! Hannah Bateman - Dancer Hannah, from Chilliwack, BC, has pursued her passion for dance since the age of six, training in jazz, lyrical, stage, hip hop, tap, contemporary, and acrobatics. Her notable credits include Monster High 2, Riverdale, The J Team, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, Snow Day, and the Crazy, Stupid, Silly Love music video. She completed the Intensive Training Program certification at Harbour Dance Centre in Vancouver and frequently travels to Los Angeles to learn from top industry educators. Returning to the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular, Hannah is eager to continue inspiring audiences with her dynamic performances. Abby Selva - Dancer
Abby is a 23-year-old dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Qualicum Beach, BC, with over 19 years of extensive training and performance experience. Abby excels in technical dance styles such as ballet, contemporary, and jazz, and she has over six years of musical theatre training. Her dance journey took her to London, England, where she studied contemporary dance at the esteemed Trinity Laban Conservatoire. Upon returning to Canada in 2020, she joined The Source Dance Company, where her dedication and leadership led to her appointment as dance captain in her second season. She has had the pleasure of working with and assisting The Source Dance Company as well as Groove Street Productions regularly since her graduation from The Source in 2022. Abby is living in Vancouver, where she continues to dance and create as much as possible. Camély Rouleau - Dancer
Camély Rouleau is a bilingual multi-disciplinary artist from Gatineau Qc. After graduating from the Canadian College of Performing Arts, she moved to Vancouver to keep following her dreams. Since moving there, she has stared in various short films, including playing Sam in Lady Luck. Some of her dance credits include Chiaro:Scuro, Knotted and 1000 Pieces of Pi with Broken Rhythms Victoria. This upcoming spring, she will be touring the play Au grand jour with Théâtre de La Seizième. Camély is very excited to be joining YPCS for the first time this season! Sarah Sheehan - Dancer
Sarah is a multi disciplinary artist raised in the Comox Valley who is now pursuing a career in the performing arts in Vancouver. As a young student at Pantuso Dance Studio, Sarah dreamed of joining the YPCS dancers on stage and is thrilled to have the opportunity for the 2024 season. Recent on camera highlights include a Google Gemini commercial and soon to be released indie films. With a start in musical theatre and dance, Sarah’s love for the performing arts has grown into her life passion. |
Musicians
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James Mark - Music Director & Violinist
James was born and raised in western Canada and completed his undergraduate degree in music at York University. James earned his Masters degree in violin performance and composition at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) where he went on to become a faculty member teaching theory and musicianship. Currently James is the chair of the music department at Vancouver Island University and teaches courses in digital music notation and studio recording. James also teaches violin performance at VIU and at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music. He is a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony and is continually working as an arranger and composer. Since 2007 James has been the arranger, musical director and violinist for the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular. |
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Patrick Courtin - Piano
Patrick Courtin is a BC-based pianist, music director, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and tourist artist. He is delighted to be back again with the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular for a sixth year. Patrick is a classically trained pianist and he holds a bachelor's degree in jazz piano from Vancouver Island University. When it's not Christmas time - you'll find him touring nationally and internationally in Piano Heist with Nico Rhodes, and also working in Barkerville Historic Town where he is a music director, musician, actor and historic interpreter. Merry Christmas, everyone! |
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David Baird - Double Bass & Electric Bass
Dave studied jazz up at VIU. Since then he has performed with dozens of projects in a wide variety of musical styles, ranging from cruise ship lounge bands to touring with rock bands. His latest venture had him performing three shows with Theatre Newfoundland all summer long. Including his debut as an actor where he played the role of Captain English in The sinking of the SS Ethie, for the Gros Morne theatre festival. He teaches bass privately, and is an avid bird watcher in his spare time. |
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Steve Jones - Guitar & Saxophone Steve is a retired career music teacher with 44 years of experience at every level from elementary to university. He leads Decadence, a ten-piece jazz/funk band for which he composes and plays sax. Steve has performed and taught at jazz camps and workshops in western Canada and Yukon and has adjudicated at many festivals and competitions. He has recorded a CD called Chester's Waltz and has received the City of Nanaimo s Excellence in Culture Award. He has performed in the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular for many years and is pleased and excited to be involved again. |
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Adam Robertson - Drums
Born and raised in Powell River, BC, Adam Robertson is a versatile drummer, percussionist and composer with strong West Coast roots. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Vancouver Island University and regularly performs with artists and ensembles spanning the worlds of both popular and art music. Since moving to Vancouver Island in 2016, Adam has gained notoriety for his interactive approach to the drum set, combining elements from a variety of contemporary and world music genres into the jazz drum set tradition established by the masters. In addition to leading his own groups, Adam can be heard in venues across Vancouver Island with an eclectic mix of artists and ensembles including Keanu Lenco, Andrew Homzy’s NOLA Nighthawks, and free-jazz-noise-rock trio Dry Goods.. |
Back-stage
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Shelby Matthews - Stage Manager & Lighting Technician Shelby has lived on Vancouver Island all her life and graduated in 2013 from Vancouver Island University with a degree in Theatre. After graduation she continued to work in the Nanaimo arts community, stage managing for the Vancouver Island Symphony, The Nanaimo International Jazz Festival Association, youth theatre, as well as event manager and board member for The Nanaimo Fringe Festival. Shelby first worked with Razzle Dazzle Productions in 2017 on Nanaimo’s historical show Blackstone’s & Bathtubs and is excited to be back working with them on this years Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular. She hopes you enjoy the show! |
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Joanne Swain - Costume alterations
Joanne is please to be joining this year's Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular. Her past experiences have been in the wardrobe department at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, and has filled in as properties co-coordinator at Chemainus Theatre. She is currently volunteering as Head of Wardrobe at the Nanaimo Theatre Group where she oversees the costumes and contributes to various productions. After watching the previous Christmas Spectaculars, she’s excited to get up close and to work on the fabulous outfits you see today. |
*The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors' Equity Association under the provisions of the DanceOperaTheatre Policy (DOT)