SCHOOL OF THE
ARTS, MEDIA,
PERFORMANCE
& DESIGN



SCHOOL OF THE
ARTS, MEDIA,
PERFORMANCE
& DESIGN



SCHOOL OF THE
ARTS, MEDIA,
PERFORMANCE
& DESIGN




DEAN’S FOREWORD
I like to think I know at least most of what is happening in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) at York University. In just the last year, I attended over 100 in-person events in AMPD, including exhibitions, performances, screenings, displays, research presentations, receptions and more.
Beyond AMPD, I celebrated the achievements of faculty emeriti such as Tim Whiten, attended the work by alumni at Soulpepper and Factory Theatres, and saw the great contributions of York Design alumni in DesignTO. It was a great pleasure to participate in the many amazing events in York’s Year of the Arts.
And yet, as I read through the report on AMPD’s activities for 2022/23, I am amazed by just how much work the excellent faculty, staff, students and alumni create. Their contributions this year are truly inspiring, not only for their achievements but even more for the impact their work has left on audiences and communities. I hope you will enjoy this dynamic recollection of our remarkable year.
Looking forward,
Dean Sarah Bay-Cheng







DEAN’S FOREWORD
I like to think I know at least most of what is happening in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) at York University. In just the last year, I attended over 100 in-person events in AMPD, including exhibitions, performances, screenings, displays, research presentations, receptions and more.
Beyond AMPD, I celebrated the achievements of faculty emeriti such as Tim Whiten, attended the work by alumni at Soulpepper and Factory Theatres, and saw the great contributions of York Design alumni in DesignTO. It was a great pleasure to participate in the many amazing events in York’s Year of the Arts.
And yet, as I read through the report on AMPD’s activities for 2022/23, I am amazed by just how much work the excellent faculty, staff, students and alumni create. Their contributions this year are truly inspiring, not only for their achievements but even more for the impact their work has left on audiences and communities. I hope you will enjoy this dynamic recollection of our remarkable year.
Looking forward,
Dean Sarah Bay-Cheng







DEAN’S FOREWORD
I like to think I know at least most of what is happening in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) at York University. In just the last year, I attended over 100 in-person events in AMPD, including exhibitions, performances, screenings, displays, research presentations, receptions and more.
Beyond AMPD, I celebrated the achievements of faculty emeriti such as Tim Whiten, attended the work by alumni at Soulpepper and Factory Theatres, and saw the great contributions of York Design alumni in DesignTO. It was a great pleasure to participate in the many amazing events in York’s Year of the Arts.
And yet, as I read through the report on AMPD’s activities for 2022/23, I am amazed by just how much work the excellent faculty, staff, students and alumni create. Their contributions this year are truly inspiring, not only for their achievements but even more for the impact their work has left on audiences and communities. I hope you will enjoy this dynamic recollection of our remarkable year.
Looking forward,
Dean Sarah Bay-Cheng









TOP 100
UNIVERSITIES
in the world for Performing Arts
AMPD’s high-quality academic programming continues to position York
University as a leader in
post-secondary education and drive positive change,
both nationally and internationally.
In
the QS World University Rankings category of Arts and Humanities, AMPD
ranked in the top five
universities in Canada for performing arts. Nationally,
AMPD’s performing arts programs is one of six
York University programs to rank
in the top 5 in Canada. Globally, AMPD’s performing arts programs is
one of only
three York University programs to rank in the top 100 in the world.


TOP 100
UNIVERSITIES
in the world for Performing Arts
AMPD’s high-quality academic programming continues to position York
University as a leader in
post-secondary education and drive positive change,
both nationally and internationally.
In
the QS World University Rankings category of Arts and Humanities, AMPD
ranked in the top five
universities in Canada for performing arts. Nationally,
AMPD’s performing arts programs is one of six
York University programs to rank
in the top 5 in Canada. Globally, AMPD’s performing arts programs is
one of only
three York University programs to rank in the top 100 in the world.






TOP 100
UNIVERSITIES
in the world for Performing Arts
AMPD’s high-quality academic programming continues to position York
University as a leader in
post-secondary education and drive positive change,
both nationally and internationally.
In
the QS World University Rankings category of Arts and Humanities, AMPD
ranked in the top five
universities in Canada for performing arts. Nationally,
AMPD’s performing arts programs is one of six
York University programs to rank
in the top 5 in Canada. Globally, AMPD’s performing arts programs is
one of only
three York University programs to rank in the top 100 in the world.




























YEAR
OF THE

OF THE
ARTS

YEAR
OF THE

YOTA
AMPD Celebrates
Year of the Arts
From September 2022 to May 2023, AMPD
hosted a Year of the Arts to celebrate the
power of
imagination in creating positive local
and global change.
More than 60 scholars, artists and designers ran 20+
events, including curated installations, exhibits,
performances and presentations. They engaged in
meaningful dialogues with diverse communities on York
University Campus, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA),
across Canada and around the world.





AMPD Celebrates
Year of the Arts
From September 2022 to May 2023, AMPD hosted a Year of the Arts to celebrate the power of
imagination in creating positive local and global change.
More than 60 scholars, artists
and designers ran 20+ events, including curated installations, exhibits, performances and
presentations. They engaged in meaningful dialogues with diverse communities on York University
Campus, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), across Canada and around the world.





YOTA


From September 2022 to May 2023, AMPD hosted a Year of the Arts to celebrate the power of imagination in
creating positive local and global change.
More than 60 scholars, artists and designers ran 20+ events, including curated installations, exhibits, performances and presentations. They engaged in meaningful dialogues with diverse communities on York University Campus, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), across Canada and around the world.





AMPD Celebrates
Year of the Arts

YOTA




































AMPD AT A GLANCE



worth of scholarships, bursaries, and awards available to AMPD students.
scholarships, bursaries,
and awards dedicated to
AMPD students.
potential student receipts of AMPD scholarships, bursaries, and awards.








Actively Funded Research Projects in AMPD
Awarded to Endowed research chairs, post-doctoral fellows and student research assistants
Alumni in Top Leadership Positions
at Arts Organizations in Canada
Nominees
2023 Canadian Screen
Award Nominees








Royal Society of
Canada Member
Awards
Research Chairs
Research Chairs
Chair
Molson Prize
Governor General’s Gold
Medal Award (Doctorate)
AMPD AT A GLANCE






worth of scholarships, bursaries, and awards available to AMPD students.
scholarships, bursaries,
and awards dedicated to
AMPD students.
potential student receipts of AMPD scholarships, bursaries, and awards.








Actively Funded Research Projects in AMPD
Awarded to Endowed research chairs, post-doctoral fellows and student research assistants
Alumni in Top Leadership Positions
at Arts Organizations in Canada
Nominees
2023 Canadian Screen
Award Nominees





Royal Society of
Canada Member
Awards
Research Chairs
Research Chairs
Chair
Molson Prize
Governor General’s Gold
Medal Award (Doctorate)
AMPD AT A GLANCE






worth of scholarships, bursaries, and awards available to AMPD students.
scholarships, bursaries,
and awards dedicated to
AMPD students.
potential student receipts of AMPD scholarships, bursaries, and awards.








Actively Funded Research Projects in AMPD
Awarded to Endowed research chairs, post-doctoral fellows and student research assistants
Alumni in Top Leadership Positions
at Arts Organizations in Canada
Nominees
2023 Canadian Screen
Award Nominees





Royal Society of
Canada Member
Awards
Research Chairs
Research Chairs
Chair
Molson Prize
Governor General’s Gold
Medal Award (Doctorate)

RESEARCH
& INDUSTRY

RESEARCH
& INDUSTRY

RESEARCH
& INDUSTRY

RESEARCH AWARD
WINNERS







President’s Research Impact Award (PRIA)
Remarkable Artistic and Creative Accomplishments
President’s Emerging Research Leadership Award (PERLA) in SSHA



QUILICO

RESEARCH AWARD
WINNERS










QUILICO

RESEARCH AWARD
WINNERS







QUILICO













“I find design solutions after understanding the systemic challenges. If you design services and technology
for people without understanding their needs and abilities, most of them, including able-bodied people, find
them difficult to use.”
Shital Desai is combining her expertise in robotics with
product design to create innovative solutions that are both inclusive and inspired. As the principal
investigator for AMPD’s Social and Technological Systems Lab (SaTS), she addresses the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (Un SDGs) 3 and 4 concerning good health and well-being and quality education.
Using inclusive technologies to enhance quality of living with Shital Desai






“I find design solutions after understanding the systemic challenges. If you design services and technology
for people without understanding their needs and abilities, most of them, including able-bodied people, find
them difficult to use.”
Using inclusive technologies to enhance quality of living with Shital Desai

Shital Desai is combining her expertise in robotics with product design to create innovative solutions that are both inclusive and inspired. As the principal investigator for AMPD’s Social and Technological Systems Lab (SaTS), she addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Un SDGs) 3 and 4 concerning good health and well-being and quality education.



“I find design solutions after understanding the systemic challenges. If you design services and technology
for people without understanding their needs and abilities, most of them, including able-bodied people, find
them difficult to use.”
Using inclusive technologies to enhance quality of living with Shital Desai




Shital Desai is combining her expertise in robotics with product design to create innovative solutions that are both inclusive and inspired. As the principal investigator for AMPD’s Social and Technological Systems Lab (SaTS), she addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Un SDGs) 3 and 4 concerning good health and well-being and quality education.






Marissa Largo is creating space for change-making conversations about identity and equity with X Marks the
Spot and the 2022 Ontario Galleries (GOG) award-winning exhibition Elusive Desires.
Elusive
Desires won the Best Exhibition Design and Installation award at the 2022 Ontario Galleries (GOG) Awards. The
exhibition traces the intimacies and (be)longings of two queer Asian diasporic artists: Ness Lee and Florence
Yee, who are creating a space where the often-obscured subjectivities and intimacies of queer Asian diaspora
are brought to the fore.
Refocusing the conversation inside and outside the gallery with Marissa Largo






Marissa Largo is creating space for change-making conversations about identity and equity with X Marks the
Spot and the 2022 Ontario Galleries (GOG) award-winning exhibition Elusive Desires.
Elusive
Desires won the Best Exhibition Design and Installation award at the 2022 Ontario Galleries (GOG) Awards. The
exhibition traces the intimacies and (be)longings of two queer Asian diasporic artists: Ness Lee and Florence
Yee, who are creating a space where the often-obscured subjectivities and intimacies of queer Asian diaspora
are brought to the fore.
Refocusing the conversation inside and outside the gallery with Marissa Largo

Marissa Largo is creating space for change-making conversations about identity and equity with X Marks the
Spot and the 2022 Ontario Galleries (GOG) award-winning exhibition Elusive Desires.
Elusive
Desires won the Best Exhibition Design and Installation award at the 2022 Ontario Galleries (GOG) Awards. The
exhibition traces the intimacies and (be)longings of two queer Asian diasporic artists: Ness Lee and Florence
Yee, who are creating a space where the often-obscured subjectivities and intimacies of queer Asian diaspora
are brought to the fore.
Refocusing the conversation inside and outside the gallery with Marissa Largo













Hemispheric Encounters, led by AMPD Associate Dean, Research Laura Levin, and Zoë Heyn-Jones, facilitated a platform for embodied learning and sharing of knowledge of alternative food futures with Visualizing Foodways Field School (VFFS). Players from all parts of the supply chain including artists, migrant labour organizers and chefs can explore the nexus between arts-based research and food justice practices and mobilize meaningful collaborations supporting sustainable food systems.
Visualizing Foodways Field School designs global systems for food security, sovereignty, and justice
RELATIONSHIPS TO FOOD & LAND






Hemispheric Encounters, led by AMPD Associate Dean, Research Laura Levin, and Zoë Heyn-Jones, facilitated a platform for embodied learning and sharing of knowledge of alternative food futures with Visualizing Foodways Field School (VFFS). Players from all parts of the supply chain including artists, migrant labour organizers and chefs can explore the nexus between arts-based research and food justice practices and mobilize meaningful collaborations supporting sustainable food systems.
Visualizing Foodways Field School designs global systems for food security, sovereignty, and justice
RELATIONSHIPS TO FOOD & LAND




Hemispheric Encounters, led by AMPD Associate Dean, Research Laura Levin, and Zoë Heyn-Jones, facilitated a platform for embodied learning and sharing of knowledge of alternative food futures with Visualizing Foodways Field School (VFFS). Players from all parts of the supply chain including artists, migrant labour organizers and chefs can explore the nexus between arts-based research and food justice practices and mobilize meaningful collaborations supporting sustainable food systems.
Visualizing Foodways Field School designs global systems for food security, sovereignty, and justice


RELATIONSHIPS TO FOOD & LAND
NUIT BLANCHE
+ RUTAS SYMPOSIUM
A Home for Our Migrations


NUIT BLANCHE
+ RUTAS SYMPOSIUM
A Home for Our Migrations


NUIT
BLANCHE
+ RUTAS
SYMPOSIUM
A Home for Our Migrations








The Hemispheric Encounters Partnership celebrated the in-person return of Nuit Blanche Toronto and the RUTAS Festival 2022 by bringing together scholars, artists, and the community for the Nuit Blanche + RUTAS Symposium: A Home for Our Migrations. Over 60 invited presenters engaged with lively dialogues, workshops, presentations, and performances on transnational artistic practices, and artworks responding to growing migration and environmental crises.








The Hemispheric Encounters Partnership celebrated the in-person return of Nuit Blanche Toronto and the RUTAS Festival 2022 by bringing together scholars, artists, and the community for the Nuit Blanche + RUTAS Symposium: A Home for Our Migrations. Over 60 invited presenters engaged with lively dialogues, workshops, presentations, and performances on transnational artistic practices, and artworks responding to growing migration and environmental crises.



The Hemispheric Encounters Partnership celebrated the in-person return of Nuit Blanche Toronto and the RUTAS Festival 2022 by bringing together scholars, artists, and the community for the Nuit Blanche + RUTAS Symposium: A Home for Our Migrations. Over 60 invited presenters engaged with lively dialogues, workshops, presentations, and performances on transnational artistic practices, and artworks responding to growing migration and environmental crises.









Patrick Alcedo recognized with Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award
Canadian Immigrant magazine named Patrick Alcedo as one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2022. Alcedo was selected from a list of 75 finalists nominated by the Canadian public for his use of dance and film in spotlighting the rich complexity of Filipino culture and the incredible contributions of Filipinos in Canada.



TRAILBLAZERS
Tim Whiten recognized with the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts and Gershon Iskowitz Prize
For over 50 years, Tim Whiten used bone, leather and glass to navigate the human condition and its transformative potential. This year, Whiten won two prestigious awards, the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts and Gershon Iskowitz Prize, for his drawings, sculptures, and installations.



For over 50 years, Tim Whiten used bone, leather and glass to navigate the human condition and its transformative potential. This year, Whiten won two prestigious awards, the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts and Gershon Iskowitz Prize, for his drawings, sculptures, and installations.




TRAILBLAZERS
Tim Whiten recognized with the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts and Gershon Iskowitz Prize


Patrick Alcedo recognized with Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award

Canadian Immigrant magazine named Patrick Alcedo as one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2022. Alcedo was selected from a list of 75 finalists nominated by the Canadian public for his use of dance and film in spotlighting the rich complexity of Filipino culture and the incredible contributions of Filipinos in Canada.



For over 50 years, Tim Whiten used bone, leather and glass to navigate the human condition and its transformative potential. This year, Whiten won two prestigious awards, the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts and Gershon Iskowitz Prize, for his drawings, sculptures, and installations.



Tim Whiten recognized with the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts and Gershon Iskowitz Prize


Patrick Alcedo recognized with Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award

Canadian Immigrant magazine named Patrick Alcedo as one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2022. Alcedo was selected from a list of 75 finalists nominated by the Canadian public for his use of dance and film in spotlighting the rich complexity of Filipino culture and the incredible contributions of Filipinos in Canada.


TRAILBLAZERS


Sundar Viswanathan takes home a JUNO
Sundar Viswanathan and his band Avataar, were presented with this year’s Jazz Album of the Year: Group at the 2022 JUNO Awards for their new album, worldview. The album serves as a musical commentary on the state of the world, the pandemic, and the inability of leaders to lead with integrity, honesty and compassion.



Christina Petrowska Quilico named 2021 Order of Ontario appointee
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, appointed Christina Petrowska Quilico to the Order of Ontario for her world-renowned career.





Brandon Vickerd’s “The Heights” is a 41-foot lesson in harmonizing history and innovation on a grand scale
Drawing inspiration from the one-room Elia Public School that stood near the sculpture’s current location between 1873-1956, Vickerd’s “The Heights” neatly connects the past with the present, highlighting how both Elia Public School, and York University has helped to shape and drive the community it belongs to.




Sundar Viswanathan takes home a JUNO
Sundar Viswanathan and his band Avataar, were presented with this year’s Jazz Album of the Year: Group at the 2022 JUNO Awards for their new album, worldview. The album serves as a musical commentary on the state of the world, the pandemic, and the inability of leaders to lead with integrity, honesty and compassion.



Christina Petrowska Quilico named 2021 Order of Ontario appointee
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, appointed Christina Petrowska Quilico to the Order of Ontario for her world-renowned career.





Brandon Vickerd’s “The Heights” is a 41-foot lesson in harmonizing history and innovation on a grand scale
Drawing inspiration from the one-room Elia Public School that stood near the sculpture’s current location between 1873-1956, Vickerd’s “The Heights” neatly connects the past with the present, highlighting how both Elia Public School, and York University has helped to shape and drive the community it belongs to.




Sundar Viswanathan takes home a JUNO
Sundar Viswanathan and his band Avataar, were presented with this year’s Jazz Album of the Year: Group at the 2022 JUNO Awards for their new album, worldview. The album serves as a musical commentary on the state of the world, the pandemic, and the inability of leaders to lead with integrity, honesty and compassion.



Christina Petrowska Quilico named 2021 Order of Ontario appointee
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, appointed Christina Petrowska Quilico to the Order of Ontario for her world-renowned career.





Brandon Vickerd’s “The Heights” is a 41-foot lesson in harmonizing history and innovation on a grand scale
Drawing inspiration from the one-room Elia Public School that stood near the sculpture’s current location between 1873-1956, Vickerd’s “The Heights” neatly connects the past with the present, highlighting how both Elia Public School, and York University has helped to shape and drive the community it belongs to.





















FACULTY &
STUDENT SUCCESS


FACULTY &
STUDENT SUCCESS

FACULTY &
STUDENT SUCCESS



Sihwa Park joins AMPD in the Department of Computational Arts. He is a sound interaction designer, media artist, and researcher in interactive audiovisual software art, computational algorithms and audiovisual interfaces emerging technologies. Park’s data-driven audiovisual arts reflecting the relationship between humans and machines, data and algorithms has been showcased at international venues including.
NEW
FACES


Hector Centeno joins AMPD in the Department of Creative Technologies. He is a digital media creator with over two decades of experience as an independent artist, interactive systems programmer and designer, digital media technician and media arts instructor.



Sihwa Park joins AMPD in the Department of Computational Arts. He is a sound interaction designer, media artist, and researcher in interactive audiovisual software art, computational algorithms and audiovisual interfaces emerging technologies. Park’s data-driven audiovisual arts reflecting the relationship between humans and machines, data and algorithms has been showcased at international venues including.
NEW
FACES


Hector Centeno joins AMPD in the Department of Creative Technologies. He is a digital media creator with over two decades of experience as an independent artist, interactive systems programmer and designer, digital media technician and media arts instructor.




Sihwa Park joins AMPD in the Department of Computational Arts. He is a sound interaction designer, media artist, and researcher in interactive audiovisual software art, computational algorithms and audiovisual interfaces emerging technologies. Park’s data-driven audiovisual arts reflecting the relationship between humans and machines, data and algorithms has been showcased at international venues including.
of AMPD
FACES

Hector Centeno joins AMPD in the Department of Creative Technologies. He is a digital media creator with over two decades of experience as an independent artist, interactive systems programmer and designer, digital media technician and media arts instructor.


Katherine Dowling joins the Department of Music in AMPD. Praised by the New York Times for her “crystalline performances, gestural expressiveness, and careful attention to color”, award-winning pianist Dowling performs across North America and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician.
Katherine Dowling


Yasmine Espert is joining the AMPD Department of Visual Art & Art History at York University, brining expertise in the field of visual art and art history production and scholarship from her experience with Seen, a journal published by BlackStar Projects, MoMA’s Museum Research Consortium, the Oxford University Press and the Studio Museum in Harlem.


Dance artist and educator Syreeta Hector is joining the Department of Dance. As a highly accomplished performer, Hector has worked for internationally recognized companies like Adelheid Dance Projects, Citadel + Compagnie, and Toronto Dance Theatre. Her solo work “Black Ballerina” won the Stratford Festival Lab Award for Research and Creation and received a Dora Mavor Moore nomination.


Katherine Dowling


Katherine Dowlingjoins the Department of Music in AMPD. Praised by the New York Times for her “crystalline performances, gestural expressiveness, and careful attention to color”, award-winning pianist Dowling performs across North America and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician.
Yasmine Espert is joining the AMPD Department of Visual Art & Art History at York University, brining expertise in the field of visual art and art history production and scholarship from her experince with Seen, a journal published by BlackStar Projects, MoMA’s Museum Research Consortium, the Oxford University Press and the Studio Museum in Harlem.


Dance artist and educator Syreeta Hector is joining the Department of Dance. As a highly accomplished performer, Hector has worked for internationally recognized companies like Adelheid Dance Projects, Citadel + Compagnie, and Toronto Dance Theatre. Her solo work “Black Ballerina” won the Stratford Festival Lab Award for Research and Creation and received a Dora Mavor Moore nomination.




Katherine Dowling joins the Department of Music in AMPD. Praised by the New York Times for her “crystalline performances, gestural expressiveness, and careful attention to color”, award-winning pianist Dowling performs across North America and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician.
Yasmine Espert
is joining the AMPD
Department of Visual Art & Art History
at York University, brining
expertise in
the field of visual art and art history
production and scholarship from her
experience with Seen, a journal
published by BlackStar Projects,
MoMA’s Museum Research
Consortium,
the Oxford University Press and the
Studio Museum in Harlem.

Dance artist and educator Syreeta
Hector
is joining the Department of
Dance. As a highly accomplished
performer, Hector has worked for
internationally recognized companies
like Adelheid Dance Projects, Citadel +
Compagnie,
and Toronto Dance Theatre. Her solo work “Black Ballerina” won the Stratford Festival Lab Award for Research
and Creation and received a Dora Mavor
Moore nomination.



AMPD Senior Teaching
Award Winner
ERIC
ARMSTRONG

“The OER we are creating now will serve as
models for others to get involved and to
show that it
can be done. People start to
think differently about the nature of
teaching, the nature of
resources and the
nature of our responsibility to create a
different kind of learning
experience.”
Eric Armstrong has taught voice, speech,
dialects and text to
aspiring and established
artists across North America. Armstrong’s
web-based technologies approach
to voice
coaching extends to approach to voice
coaching extends to his pedagogical

philosophy as he pioneers the world
of open education resources (OER).
This year,
Armstrong converted his
textbook, Lexical Sets for Actors, into an
internationally accessible OER
– a free,
digitally accessible textbook and learning
guide. He approached the creation of the
textbook learner with accessibility and
demographics variability, including BIPOC,
LGBTQ+
and non-binary communities,
in mind.



“The OER we are creating now will serve as
models for others to get involved and to
show that it
can be done. People start to
think differently about the nature of
teaching, the nature of
resources and the
nature of our responsibility to create a
different kind of learning
experience.”
Eric Armstrong has taught voice, speech,
dialects and text to
aspiring and established
artists across North America. Armstrong’s
web-based technologies approach
to voice
coaching extends to approach to voice
coaching extends to his pedagogical
philosophy as he pioneers the world
of open education resources (OER).
This year,
Armstrong converted his
textbook, Lexical Sets for Actors, into an
internationally accessible OER
– a free,
digitally accessible textbook and learning
guide. He approached the creation of the
textbook learner with accessibility and
demographics variability, including BIPOC,
LGBTQ+
and non-binary communities,
in mind.
AMPD Senior Teaching
Award Winner
ERIC
ARMSTRONG

philosophy as he pioneers the world of open education resources (OER).
This year,
Armstrong converted his textbook, Lexical Sets for Actors, into an internationally accessible OER – a free,
digitally accessible textbook and learning guide. He approached the creation of the textbook learner with
accessibility and demographics variability, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and non-binary communities, in
mind.



AMPD Senior Teaching
Award Winner
ERIC
ARMSTRONG
“The OER we are creating now will serve as models for others to get involved and to show that it can be done.
People start to
think differently about the nature of teaching, the nature of resources and the nature
of our responsibility to create a
different kind of learning experience.”
Eric
Armstrong has taught voice, speech, dialects and text to aspiring and established artists across North
America. Armstrong’s web-based technologies approach to voice coaching extends to approach to voice coaching
extends to his pedagogical philosophy as he pioneers the world of open education resources
(OER).
This year, Armstrong converted his textbook, Lexical Sets for Actors, into an
internationally accessible OER – a free, digitally accessible textbook and learning guide. He approached the
creation of the textbook learner with accessibility and demographics variability, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and
non-binary communities, in mind.


Pianist, composer, educator and scholar –
Noam Lemish’s prolific career is global,
playing across
the world from the United
States to Bhutan. This year, Lemish earned
the AMPD Junor Teaching Award
for his
excellence in inspiring young musicians
through jazz studies, composition, Jewish
music, improvisation and more.

Learning doesn’t stop outside the
classroom. In collaboration with the
Koschitzky Centre for
Jewish Studies,
Lemish secured a $40,000 gift from the
Azrieli Foundation to support the Jewish
Music at York pilot project. The project sees
leading musicians representing the cultural
diversity of Jewish musical expression
sharing performance tools and techniques
with
students on campus.

AMPD Junior Teaching
Award Winner
NOAM
LEMISH


Pianist, composer, educator and scholar –
Noam Lemish’s prolific career is global,
playing across
the world from the United
States to Bhutan. This year, Lemish earned
the AMPD Junor Teaching Award
for his
excellence in inspiring young musicians
through jazz studies, composition, Jewish
music, improvisation and more.
Learning doesn’t stop outside the
classroom. In collaboration with the
Koschitzky Centre for
Jewish Studies,
Lemish secured a $40,000 gift from the
Azrieli Foundation to support the Jewish
Music at York pilot project. The project sees
leading musicians representing the cultural
diversity of Jewish musical expression
sharing performance tools and techniques
with
students on campus.



AMPD Junior Teaching
Award Winner
NOAM
LEMISH



AMPD Junior Teaching
Award Winner
NOAM
LEMISH
Pianist, composer, educator and scholar – Noam Lemish’s prolific career is global, playing across the world
from the United States to Bhutan. This year, Lemish earned the AMPD Junor Teaching Award for his excellence in
inspiring young musicians through jazz studies, composition, Jewish music, improvisation and
more.
Learning doesn’t stop outside the classroom. In collaboration with the Koschitzky
Centre for Jewish Studies, Lemish secured a $40,000 gift from the Azrieli Foundation to support the Jewish
Music at York pilot project. The project sees leading musicians representing the cultural diversity of Jewish
musical expression sharing performance tools and techniques with students on campus.

















STUDENT
& ALUMNI

STUDENT
& ALUMNI

STUDENT
& ALUMNI

LEADERSHIP
AWARD
winner creates
positive change

The 2023 Dean’s Leadership Awards recognizes Devonte Ellis (4th Year Music) for their exceptional leadership and contributions to the environment and well-being of the AMPD community. Devonte aspires to become an arts educator who builds bridges between schools and communities, and creates an environment where students feel like they belong.

LEADERSHIP
AWARD
winner creates
positive change
The 2023 Dean’s Leadership Awards recognizes Devonte Ellis (4th Year Music) for their exceptional leadership and contributions to the environment and well-being of the AMPD community. Devonte aspires to become an arts educator who builds bridges between schools and communities, and creates an environment where students feel like they belong.


LEADERSHIP
AWARD
winner creates
positive change
The 2023 Dean’s Leadership Awards recognizes Devonte Ellis (4th Year Music) for their exceptional leadership and contributions to the environment and well-being of the AMPD community. Devonte aspires to become an arts educator who builds bridges between schools and communities, and creates an environment where students feel like they belong.



Collette Murray earns two awards for work advancing diasporic dance styles
Murray’s multifaceted approach to anti-racism in dance earned her the 2022 Racial Justice in Creative Arts award and the 2022 Women Who Rock Awards for her efforts in cultural education and amplifying Black arts and diasporic styles of African dance vernacular.




Levon Ichkhanian is the Toronto Musicians’ Association‘s 2022 Musician of the Year
Ichkhanian joins Shawn Mendes, Nelly Furtado and former York University chancellor Oscar Peterson with his dedication to excellence in all aspects of music and high standard of professionalism and artistry.




Michelle Peraza wins 2022 Petry Award
Nancy Petry Foundation and the Joe Plaskett Foundation announced AMPD alum Michelle Peraza (MFA 2022) as the recipient of the 2022 Petry Award, labeling her an outstanding emerging Canadian artist in the field of painting.




Collette Murray earns two awards for work advancing diasporic dance styles
Murray’s multifaceted approach to anti-racism in dance earned her the 2022 Racial Justice in Creative Arts award and the 2022 Women Who Rock Awards for her efforts in cultural education and amplifying Black arts and diasporic styles of African dance vernacular.




Levon Ichkhanian is the Toronto Musicians’ Association‘s 2022 Musician of the Year
Ichkhanian joins Shawn Mendes, Nelly Furtado and former York University chancellor Oscar Peterson with his dedication to excellence in all aspects of music and high standard of professionalism and artistry.





Michelle Peraza wins 2022 Petry Award

Nancy Petry Foundation and the Joe Plaskett Foundation announced AMPD alum Michelle Peraza (MFA 2022) as the recipient of the 2022 Petry Award, labeling her an outstanding emerging Canadian artist in the field of painting.


Collette Murray earns two awards for work advancing diasporic dance styles
Murray’s multifaceted approach to anti-racism in dance earned her the 2022 Racial Justice in Creative Arts award and the 2022 Women Who Rock Awards for her efforts in cultural education and amplifying Black arts and diasporic styles of African dance vernacular.




Levon Ichkhanian is the Toronto Musicians’ Association‘s 2022 Musician of the Year
Ichkhanian joins Shawn Mendes, Nelly Furtado and former York University chancellor Oscar Peterson with his dedication to excellence in all aspects of music and high standard of professionalism and artistry.





Michelle Peraza wins 2022 Petry Award

Nancy Petry Foundation and the Joe Plaskett Foundation announced AMPD alum Michelle Peraza (MFA 2022) as the recipient of the 2022 Petry Award, labeling her an outstanding emerging Canadian artist in the field of painting.
DESIGNTO






After two decades of graduating some of the top designers working in Canada and beyond, the York University Design program hosted the first gathering of alumni projects as part of DesignTO – a non-profit arts organization that aims to increase interest and appreciation for design.

DESIGNTO





After two decades of graduating some of the top designers working in Canada and beyond, the York University Design program hosted the first gathering of alumni projects as part of DesignTO – a non-profit arts organization that aims to increase interest and appreciation for design.


DESIGNTO





After two decades of graduating some of the top designers working in Canada and beyond, the York University Design program hosted the first gathering of alumni projects as part of DesignTO – a non-profit arts organization that aims to increase interest and appreciation for design.




Lenka Lichtenberg wins 2023 JUNO Award for Global Music Album
Lichtenberg uses her late grandmother’s, Anna Hana, recently discovered journals as inspiration for Thieves of Dreams: Songs of Theresienstadt’s Secret Poetess. Hana wrote the journals between 1940 and 1945, before and during her incarceration (1942-1945) in the Terezin (Theresienstadt) World War II concentration camp. Lichtenberg expertly weaves Hana’s powerful poems of love, relationships and dreams of far-away places into a stunning musical and spoken word performance.




Royal Canadian Mint selects alum Lily Kao to design minted Year of the Rabbit coin
The Royal Canadian Mint marked the lunar new year with AMPD alum Lily Kao’s (BDes ‘14) new 1 oz. pure silver coin design in honour of the Year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit Coin follows Kao’s Lunar Tiger Coin, released last year in honour of the Year of the Tiger, which is the second instalment in a 12-year series contract. Like last year’s Tiger took reference from the Chinese folk art Cloth Tiger, which is often gifted to children as a blessing for prosperity and good health, Kao’s Rabbit Coin sends a message of optimism for the year ahead.






Lenka Lichtenberg
wins 2023 JUNO
Award for Global
Music Album
Lichtenberg uses her late grandmother’s, Anna
Hana, recently discovered journals as inspiration for
Thieves of Dreams: Songs of Theresienstadt’s
Secret Poetess. Hana wrote the journals between
1940 and 1945, before and during her incarceration
(1942-1945) in the Terezin (Theresienstadt)
World
War II concentration camp. Lichtenberg expertly
weaves Hana’s powerful poems of love,
relationships and dreams of far-away places into a
stunning musical and spoken word performance.




The Royal Canadian Mint marked the lunar new year
with AMPD alum Lily Kao’s (BDes ‘14) new 1 oz. pure
silver coin design in honour of the Year of the Rabbit.
The Rabbit Coin follows Kao’s Lunar Tiger
Coin, released
last year in honour of the Year of the Tiger, which is the
second instalment in a
12-year series contract. Like last
year’s Tiger took reference from the Chinese folk art
Cloth
Tiger, which is often gifted to children as a
blessing for prosperity and good health, Kao’s Rabbit
Coin sends a message of optimism for the year ahead.


Royal Canadian
Mint selects alum
Lily Kao
to design
minted Year of
the Rabbit coin





Lenka Lichtenberg
wins 2023 JUNO
Award for Global
Music Album
Lichtenberg uses her late grandmother’s, Anna
Hana, recently discovered journals as inspiration for
Thieves of Dreams: Songs of Theresienstadt’s
Secret Poetess. Hana wrote the journals between
1940 and 1945, before and during her incarceration
(1942-1945) in the Terezin (Theresienstadt)
World
War II concentration camp. Lichtenberg expertly
weaves Hana’s powerful poems of love,
relationships and dreams of far-away places into a
stunning musical and spoken word performance.





The Royal Canadian Mint marked the lunar new year
with AMPD alum Lily Kao’s (BDes ‘14) new 1 oz. pure
silver coin design in honour of the Year of the Rabbit.
The Rabbit Coin follows Kao’s Lunar Tiger
Coin, released
last year in honour of the Year of the Tiger, which is the
second instalment in a
12-year series contract. Like last
year’s Tiger took reference from the Chinese folk art
Cloth
Tiger, which is often gifted to children as a
blessing for prosperity and good health, Kao’s Rabbit
Coin sends a message of optimism for the year ahead.
Royal Canadian
Mint selects alum
Lily Kao
to design
minted Year of
the Rabbit coin



Graduate Signy Lynch’s PhD Dissertations Wins Governor General’s Gold Medal and Barbara Godard Prize
York dancers star in Toronto premiere of acclaimed show ‘Colossus’
Marilo Nuñez wins 2021 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize
Alum Abraham Oghobase joins MoMA’s distinguished Forum on Contemporary Photography





Graduate Signy Lynch’s PhD Dissertations Wins Governor General’s Gold Medal and Barbara Godard Prize


York dancers star in Toronto premiere of acclaimed show ‘Colossus’


Marilo Nuñez wins 2021 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize
Alum Abraham Oghobase joins MoMA’s distinguished Forum on Contemporary Photography





Graduate Signy Lynch’s PhD Dissertations Wins Governor General’s Gold Medal and Barbara Godard Prize
York dancers star in Toronto premiere of acclaimed show ‘Colossus’
Marilo Nuñez wins 2021 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize
Alum Abraham Oghobase joins MoMA’s distinguished Forum on Contemporary Photography
















LOOKING
FORWARD

LOOKING
FORWARD

LOOKING
FORWARD

In September 2024, AMPD will see the first cohort of Creative Technologies (BFA) students arrive on the York University Markham Campus. In the program, students will combine arts and innovative technologies to transform society. Anchored in a passion for social justice, students will refract the world's most pressing contemporary challenges through their unique, creative lens to forge a better tomorrow.
AMPD launches new Creative Technologies (BFA) program at York University’s new Markham Campus starting September 2024


In September 2024, AMPD will see the first cohort of Creative Technologies (BFA) students arrive on the York University Markham Campus. In the program, students will combine arts and innovative technologies to transform society. Anchored in a passion for social justice, students will refract the world's most pressing contemporary challenges through their unique, creative lens to forge a better tomorrow.
AMPD launches new Creative Technologies (BFA) program at York University’s new Markham Campus starting September 2024

In September 2024, AMPD will see the first cohort of Creative Technologies (BFA) students arrive on the York University Markham Campus. In the program, students will combine arts and innovative technologies to transform society. Anchored in a passion for social justice, students will refract the world's most pressing contemporary challenges through their unique, creative lens to forge a better tomorrow.
AMPD launches new Creative Technologies (BFA) program at York University’s new Markham Campus starting September 2024
THANKS
DONORS
It is never a task or a duty to express the gratitude that we in AMPD have for our supporters; rather it is a proud privilege to say a very genuine thank you for being part of our community, helping make things better for others.
Philanthropy is ‘giving back’, and it takes more forms than we might expect. There are countless examples within this report that point to just that, including Joan & Martin Goldfarb, the Nick Nurse Foundation and Justice Fund.
Hundreds of supporters, from individuals to foundations to companies have helped to support the work of AMPD, and ultimately our students, in the past year, and we will never tire of saying thank you.



ADVANCEMENT
LEN MILLEY




THANKS
DONORS
It is never a task or a duty to express the gratitude that we in AMPD have for our supporters; rather it is a proud privilege to say a very genuine thank you for being part of our community, helping make things better for others.
Philanthropy is ‘giving back’, and it takes more forms than we might expect. There are countless examples within this report that point to just that, including Joan & Martin Goldfarb, the Nick Nurse Foundation and Justice Fund.
Hundreds of supporters, from individuals to foundations to companies have helped to support the work of AMPD, and ultimately our students, in the past year, and we will never tire of saying thank you.



ADVANCEMENT
LEN MILLEY




THANKS
DONORS
It is never a task or a duty to express the gratitude that we in AMPD have for our supporters; rather it is a proud privilege to say a very genuine thank you for being part of our community, helping make things better for others.
Philanthropy is ‘giving back’, and it takes more forms than we might expect. There are countless examples within this report that point to just that, including Joan & Martin Goldfarb, the Nick Nurse Foundation and Justice Fund.
Hundreds of supporters, from individuals to foundations to companies have helped to support the work of AMPD, and ultimately our students, in the past year, and we will never tire of saying thank you.



ADVANCEMENT
LEN MILLEY




THANKS DONORS
Our supporters have given of their time, generously
sharing their learnings and expertise - speaking to
classes, participating in podcasts and roundtable
discussions, mentoring students and providing
internship
and experiential education opportunities.
Supporters have donated artworks,
equipment, materials,
papers and, yes, money. They have given to AMPD from
bequests in their
wills, made monthly donations through
their credit cards, once a year ‘annual’ gifts, and set up
student scholarships and bursaries, some to last forever.
Dvoira & Kaethe
Yanovsky invested in Visual Arts research
to honour their late parents, Avrom and Anna. Martha
Jarrell and the friends and family of her late son Court set
up a permanently endowed award in his
memory for
Cinema & Media Arts students, and friends of the late
Patricia Bailey set up a
bursary for Visual Art & Art
History students.
AMPD alum Brendan Weaver, founder of
Underdog Studio,
created a scholarship for excellence in Design students,
and Markham Councillor
Amanda Yeung Collucci held a
fundraiser to create a scholarship for our soon to be





launched BFA in Creative Technologies at Markham
Campus.
MBS Equipment
completely outfitted our Motion Media
Studio with equipment, free of charge, at Cinespace Film
Studios (another of our long-time supporters), and
Keslow Camera and Canada Film Equipment
partnered
with us so that our students can have access to state of
the art equipment at little
or no cost.
As you see, philanthropy comes in many, many ways. Any
measure of giving back
helps our students and makes a
difference, and we are grateful for all of them. If we could
name
each and every one of you, we would.
It is a sincere pleasure to partner with people in creating
pathways and finding solutions, opening opportunities
and forging brighter futures. If you are
interested in
discussing how you might help, please reach out –
we’ll be happy to explore with
you.
Thank you, again and always, for your
generous support!
THANKS DONORS
Our supporters have given of their time, generously
sharing their learnings and expertise - speaking to
classes, participating in podcasts and roundtable
discussions, mentoring students and providing
internship
and experiential education opportunities.
Supporters have donated artworks,
equipment, materials,
papers and, yes, money. They have given to AMPD from
bequests in their
wills, made monthly donations through
their credit cards, once a year ‘annual’ gifts, and set up
student scholarships and bursaries, some to last forever.
Dvoira & Kaethe
Yanovsky invested in Visual Arts research
to honour their late parents, Avrom and Anna. Martha
Jarrell and the friends and family of her late son Court set
up a permanently endowed award in his
memory for
Cinema & Media Arts students, and friends of the late
Patricia Bailey set up a
bursary for Visual Art & Art
History students.
AMPD alum Brendan Weaver, founder of
Underdog Studio,
created a scholarship for excellence in Design students,
and Markham Councillor
Amanda Yeung Collucci held a
fundraiser to create a scholarship for our soon to be
launched BFA in Creative Technologies at Markham
Campus.
MBS Equipment
completely outfitted our Motion Media
Studio with equipment, free of charge, at Cinespace Film
Studios (another of our long-time supporters), and
Keslow Camera and Canada Film Equipment
partnered
with us so that our students can have access to state of
the art equipment at little
or no cost.
As you see, philanthropy comes in many, many ways. Any
measure of giving back
helps our students and makes a
difference, and we are grateful for all of them. If we could
name
each and every one of you, we would.
It is a sincere pleasure to partner with people in creating
pathways and finding solutions, opening opportunities
and forging brighter futures. If you are
interested in
discussing how you might help, please reach out –
we’ll be happy to explore with
you.
Thank you, again and always, for your
generous support!






MBS Equipment completely outfitted our Motion Media
Studio with equipment, free of charge, at Cinespace Film
Studios (another of our
long-time supporters), and
Keslow Camera and Canada Film Equipment partnered
with us so that our
students can have access to state of
the art equipment at little or no cost.
As you see, philanthropy comes in many, many ways. Any
measure of giving back helps our students and makes a
difference, and we are grateful for all of them. If we could
name each and every one of you, we
would.
It is a sincere pleasure to partner with people in creating
pathways and finding
solutions, opening opportunities
and forging brighter futures. If you are interested in
discussing how you might help, please reach out –
we’ll be happy to explore with you.
Thank you, again and always, for your
generous support!
Our supporters have given of their time, generously
sharing their learnings and expertise - speaking to
classes, participating in podcasts and roundtable
discussions, mentoring students and providing
internship
and experiential education opportunities.
Supporters have donated artworks,
equipment, materials,
papers and, yes, money. They have given to AMPD from
bequests in their
wills, made monthly donations through
their credit cards, once a year ‘annual’ gifts, and set up
student scholarships and bursaries, some to last forever.
Dvoira & Kaethe
Yanovsky invested in Visual Arts research
to honour their late parents, Avrom and Anna. Martha
Jarrell and the friends and family of her late son Court set
up a permanently endowed award in his
memory for
Cinema & Media Arts students, and friends of the late
Patricia Bailey set up a
bursary for Visual Art & Art
History students.
AMPD alum Brendan Weaver, founder of
Underdog Studio,
created a scholarship for excellence in Design students,
and Markham Councillor
Amanda Yeung Collucci held a
fundraiser to create a scholarship for our soon to be
launched BFA in
Creative Technologies at Markham
Campus.




THANKS DONORS

READ MORE


AMPD launches graduation preparation podcast series
Nick Nurse Foundation Summer Jazz & Groove Lab



