45+ AMPD alums nominated for Canadian Screen Awards

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television nominated over 45 York University School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) alums for Canadian Screen Awards across more than 30 different categories, from Best Motion Picture and Best Supporting Performer, Comedy to the Barbara Sears Award for Best Editorial Research.  The Academy is the largest non-profit professional media arts organization …

Jenna Phoa and Kat Khan on their latest project, GAY MEAN GIRLS

Article by Sydney Ewert for Excalibur. Featuring two York alumni in leading roles, Jenna Phoa and Kat Khan, GAY MEAN GIRLS premiered their second season on Feb. 24 on Youtube. GAY MEAN GIRLS explores the dynamics and challenges of young queer women, non-binary folks, and people of colour (POC) in Toronto. Prior to GAY MEAN GIRLS, Phoa explains that she …

Alum Lenka Lichtenberg wins 2023 JUNO Award for global music album “Thieves of Dreams”

AMPD music alum Lenka Lichtenberg (MA ’93) took home the 2023 Juno Awards for Global Music Album Of The Year with her latest album, Thieves of Dreams, at the ceremony in Edmonton, Alberta. 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 …

AMPD hosts Women in the Arts Roundtable for International Women’s Day

York University School of the Arts, Media Performance and Design (AMPD) Dean, Dr. Sarah Bay-Cheng, sits down with York alumni Amanda Cordner  (Actor, HBO Max’s Sort Of), Laura Friedmann (Producer, Wrapped Productions inc.), Jennifer Holness (Founder, Hungry Eyes Media), Beth Janson (Chief Operating Officer, TIFF) and Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu (Artistic Director, Obsidian Theatre) to talk about …

The Government of Canada invests nearly $4M to support mental health of creative arts, design students  

AMPD to receive $200,000 over three years to adapt and implement mindfulness practices for students, faculty and staff.   On February 21, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced the Government of Canada’s nearly $4 million investment in support of post-secondary student mental health through The Mindful Campus Initiative. The funding will enhance students’ coping …

Ysabel Garcia, Emerging dance artist and photographer presents at PROTOTYPE

Ysabel Garcia is a fourth-year student earning a double major in dance choreography and performance, and law and society. Garcia was first introduced to photography through a class at her performing arts high school. “I found it inspiring to take pictures of my peers who were dancing. I loved capturing the beautiful ephemeral moments that …

Mary Fogarty releases first Hip Hop dance anthology published by an academic press

Professor Mary Fogarty released the first Hip Hop dance anthology published by an academic press with The Oxford Handbook of Hip Hop Dance Studies, co-edited by Imani Kai Johnson. Engaging with a broad range of research and performance genres, The Oxford Press states the anthology offers the most comprehensive research on Hip Hop dance to date. …

Word, Sound, Power annual celebration shines spotlight on Black artists

On February 8, Members of the York University community congregated on campus to celebrate Black artistic talent with Word, Sound, Power: An Annual Celebration of Black Artistic Expression. The Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora presented the showcase of music, dance, spoken word and performance.  The Black History Month event spotlights Black cultural …

World-Renowned Bayanihan Dance Company to perform at York’s Dance Showcase

Pamela Corales and Leo Lorilla, two core dancers from the Bayanihan: the National Dance Company of the Philippines, will perform at the York’s Annual Dance Showcase, “Cardinal Points,” on February 15–17, 7:30pm, at the Sandra Faire and Ivan Theatre. Anchored in the theme of global collaboration, “Cardinal Points” is directed by Susan Lee and will …