AMPD Testimonials

Wondering what it's like to study at York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design? Our students and alumni share their inspiring stories, career wins and how AMPD shaped their path across film, theatre, media, art, design and other creative fields. Get a glimpse of the experiences that could await you!

My time at AMPD as both a master’s and doctoral student was a crucial part of my development as a composer and musician. As a student, I developed several compositions and concepts that synthesized my musical influences, and the music of Immersed is a direct continuation of that journey. My professors supported me in pushing the boundaries of my creative process while learning to see potential through multiple critical lenses.

Justin Gray (MA ’14)
Composer, Bassist & Producer
Grammy Award Winner, Best Immersive Audio Album

Read our feature on Justin’s journey.

Most training is foundational for an artist and York was no exception. At York I began to develop both my creative practice as well as my voice as an artist. I'm grateful for the four years of exploration. I also think theatre school is a great training ground for long hours, and a rigid schedule. That was helpful when I left and started booking work.

Nadine Bhabha (BFA ‘16)
Actor, Heated Rivalry (2025)
Canadian Screen Award Winner

AMPD’s Dance program has given me the chance to explore everything from kinesiology and production to ballet and dance styles from around the world. Now, as a fourth-year student, I’m serving as Assistant Artistic Director, helping with choreography and production.

Jacqueline, fourth-year Dance Student

Performed with the National Ballet of Canada (The Nutcracker)

In AMPD’s Dance program, you can study anything from kinesiology and production to ballet and more. We also get exposure to dance styles from around the world. One of my most memorable experiences was working backstage on upper-year shows in my first year. Now, as a fourth-year student, I’m on the other side as Assistant Artistic Director, helping with choreography and supporting the production. Seeing that growth has been very meaningful to me. The support from my professors has also helped me take on professional opportunities outside of school, including performing with the National Ballet of Canada, while still balancing my studies.

I love how the program balances hands-on learning with theory. As much as you’re writing and exploring ideas, you’re also refining technical skills and learning how to work behind the camera as part of a crew. We had opportunities to visit YUMMS at Cinespace Studios and talk to industry professionals and TV writers. It’s a very driven and collaborative environment where everyone wants you to succeed.

Daniela, third-year Film Production student

My time at York and the opportunity to experience a plethora of different theatre classes helped to cultivate respect and understanding about all the hard work that occurs behind the scenes. At AMPD, I had classes about costuming, lighting, and carpentry, and each class taught me new skills and gave me a new appreciation for the people who have made careers out of these skills.

Ellise Roth (BFA ’22)
Actor (Theatre and Film)

The media industries are constantly evolving, so you have to reinvent yourself to stay relevant. I credit the depth of my York education for giving me the perspective to understand new challenges and the agility to tackle them.

Michael Emberley (BFA Film Production, ’00)
Award-winning television editor

At AMPD, I learned how essential it is to stay organized, manage my time and approach each project with a clear method for breaking down a script. Acting taught me the importance of storytelling and understanding an audience.

Asha James (BFA Theatre, ’18)
Dora Award winning actor

My time at York gave me the foundation I needed to step into professional design work. I was encouraged to develop my artistic voice and translate that into my designs, and many of the artists I met there remain collaborators to this day.

Michelle Tracey (BFA Theatre ’13)
Award-winning costume & set designer

AMPD gave me permission to take my internal world seriously. It was a place where I learned to experiment, to trust the odd or intuitive impulses in my work, and to develop a visual vocabulary that still anchors my practice today. The grounding in drawing and material thinking that I developed at York continues to shape how I build images, whether I’m working on a small aluminum panel or a 10,000-square-foot mural.

Rebecca Munce (BFA ‘13)

First
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
...
13
Last