Camp Magic 2011 - Camp Crew

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	KATHERINE MCLEOD (Canada) Founder, Storyteller, Drummer, Writer, Illustrator FELUCCA CREW - June/July 2011 SOLSTICE CREW - December 2011/January 2012 Camp Magic all started 12 years ago in an emptied out school classroom filled with paints, costumes, re-cycled junk, drums, puppets and 15 excited and enthusiastic children! Today, Camp Magic is thriving in Singapore with over 100 children per week in our June/July program. Due to the success of this program, and amazing feedback from both children and parents, Katherine started up Camp Magic Solstice in December 2010, and in Melbourne (July 2010) and Mumbai (in January 2011). A true traveler at heart, Katherine has spent the past 20 years on the road. She thrives on meeting different people and experiencing their cultures through language, food, and stories. Camp Magic is a celebration of this amazing world community we share. By giving children the opportunity to connect through stories, Katherine believes that the imagination can be further ripened and revealed to the listener. The story is the "jumping off point" for all the discovery that our Camp Magic programs bring.Please see her website www.katherinemcleod.com for more information on her performances, workshops, and background.

	BRUCE HOME (Canada) Director of Camp Operations, Art Program Director, Storyteller, Stilts Support FELUCCA CREW - June/July 2011 MUMBAI CREW - December 2011/January 2012 Bruce has been helping out with Camp Magic from the very earliest days. He organizes the bus service in Singapore each year, oversees camp operations, and has helped to develop the unique story-art program that is offered at all camps. Bruce is originally from Quebec, Canada. His earliest dream was to be a fireman! He also enjoyed painting as a young boy. Bruce returned to that early love of the canvas 10 years ago. After studying with Australia's Tony Griffiths, the colours began to dance off the brush, swirling and creating beautiful abstract pieces. When it came time to choose a career, he got serious and joined the Toronto Stock Exchange after graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration. After wearing a suit and tie for two years, Bruce began to exchange his belongings, instead of commodities on the world exchange. He traded his suit for a bike, packed up his apartment and bought a one-way ticket to Amsterdam. Although he visits his Canadian homeland at every opportunity, Bruce has lived overseas for the past 20 years. His passions are teaching (at United World College, East Campus, Singapore), running, gardening, spending time with his family, and storytelling. He spins tales for his students at school, his children at home, and each week at Camp Magic. Bruce is a funny, fun, and very helpful person. We love that he helps us to run each program throughout the year. Thank you, Bruce!

	AMANDA SANDOVAL (Philippines/France) Actress, Imaginator, Poi Trainer, Storyteller, Facilitator FELUCCA CREW - June/July 2011 SOLSTICE CREW - December 2011/January 2012 From a young age, Amanda enjoyed making up her own stories, and re-creating the characters through voice and movement. Parting with this love of stories, role play and her dreams of stage stardom, Amanda studied business management. Shortly after receiving her degree from the Ateneo de Manila University, she re-connected with her earliest passion, however. This was ignited partly through the memories of seeing her Uncle on stage when she was very young. Knowing that a career as a stage actress was indeed possible, Amanda began working towards her Masters of Theatre Arts at the Universite Catholique de Louvain. She continues to work towards her masters, whilst living and working as an actress in France.Amanda had a fantastic time with the children again this past June/July, and looks forward to her third Camp Magic this year as she joins us in December and January! She will be continuing and further developing the poi program at Camp Magic, bringing flag poi and a new style of swing poi to Solstice. She will also be bringing more stories to the children, as she has been working hard to hone her storytelling skills this past year.Welcome back Amanda! We are looking forward to more of your beautiful enthusiasm with the children.

	ALBERTO MARTINEZ (Spain) Actor, Stilt and Flag Trainer, Assistant Performance Director SOLSTICE CREW - December 2011/January 2012 When Alberto was a little boy, he couldn't hear enough bedtime stories from his father. The joy of listening to tales, hearing his father's voice, and entering into the story spaces that were created. His father is a self-taught musician, and as Alberto got older, he began to tell the stories himself, whilst his father played the flute!When it came to deciding what he wanted to do as an adult, there were so many things he enjoyed... it was so hard to decide. Why not become an actor, where you could be all the things you wanted to be, never having to choose one, but allowing yourself the freedom to be all?Alberto left his homeland, Spain, and studied at the Conservatory of Dramatic Art in Liege, Belgium for 3 years. Since finishing his degree he has worked in both classical and contemporary theatre. More recently, Alberto has started mixing dance, theatre, and music together. He is passionate about exploring different cultures and their forms of performance, always merging what he has learned into his new work projects.We enjoyed the skill and talent Alberto brought to our Solstice program last December. From his care and creativeness with the 3-4year olds to directing the flag formations at each performance, Alberto always gave the children and crew 100%. We look forward to seeing Alberto back with us this December, as he helps out with our performance development each week, storytelling, plus continues flag and stilt training.

	ADAM MARTENS (Canada) Circus Skills Trainer, Guitar Player, Facilitator SOLSTICE CREW - December 2011/January 2012 Adam is originally from Pinehurst, Nova Scotia- a town he claims is "in the middle of nowhere".The son of a former theatre stage manager turned cabinet maker, creating and working in performance runs in the family! Adam is an avid unicyclist, and spends his Saturdays helping Louis Legault run the Circus School at United World College.Adam has also coached gymnastics, and more recently worked with children in a Bangkok orphanage. He thoroughly enjoys his time collaborating with and teaching young people, and can't wait to join us for Solstice, plus our next June/July program.Aside from a deep interest in the circus arts, Adam also enjoys painting, craft, drama games, and playing awesome camp songs on his guitar. We are excited to have you with us at Camp Magic this year, Adam! There is so much the children will enjoy experiencing with you.

	CINZIA CIARAMICOLI (Italy) Actress, Facilitator, Street Theatre Director MUMBAI CREW - December 2011/January 2012 When Cinzia was little, she wanted to fly. She used to try all kinds of tricks, including flapping her arms with big leaves from the garden. One day she discovered the secret and special dust of a butterfly's wings, and knew that she had found the perfect solution. Gently wiping the dust from the wings and rubbing it onto herself, she, well, she's still trying fly!Aside from her childhood flight endevours, Cinzia spent much time in the world of story. Listening to her grandmother spin tales on the balcony overlooking the piazza, or telling her own as a teenager. This led her to working with the Abraxa theatre company in her native Italy. The company specialized in theatre on stilts. After some time she created her own company, Qabaloqua, with colleagues from South America. They also used stilts in their performances, along with Kathakali Indian Dance movements they had trained for.After some time, Cinzia finally discovered the form with which she could fully apply her incredible imagination. She traveled to Denmark, and here trained with the Odin Theatre, where she learned to use her whole body to tell a story.Cinzia was a big help in both our Singapore and Melbourne camps last year. She is an engaging, fun, lively facilitator, who has an incredible understanding of children. This gives her an enormous ability to seek out each child's strengths and work with them in creating beautiful performance pieces.We are delighted that Cinzia will be joining our Mumbai crew this year, Singapore's June/July program, plus working with us at Bali orphanages in August 2012! Welcome back to Camp Magic, Cinzia.

	GWEN MCHALE (Ireland) Dancer, Rainbow Movement Coach, Choreographer, Facilitator MUMBAI CREW - December 2011/January 2012 Gwen is a dancer/choreographer and dance teacher based in the West of Ireland. She is currently on residency with Daghdha Dance Company where she is developing her own choreographic practice. Gwen also holds a Masters in Community Development and is enthusiastic about creating work with a community focus.Some of Gwen's earliest memories are listening to the stories her grandfather told. He was apparently quite re-knowned for his gifts as a storyteller in the rural part of Ireland he called home. His twelve children remember that his tales were not only entertaining, but educational. They learned the value of kindness, how to avoid certain dangers, and the importance of looking out for your brothers and sisters.Gwen's parents taught ballroom dancing, and she remembers fondly how much everyone in the family was always dancing around the house. She studied tap and ballet as a child, and understands the importance of giving all children the opportunity to feel free in their bodies.For the last 5 years Gwen has been teaching 'Dancing the Rainbow'. This is a colourful and fun way for children to explore movement and creativity. Gwen uses the colours of the rainbow as a base to role play, dance, draw and write... She believes that this style of dance can "unleash a torrent of creativity you may never have dreamed was there at all!" We can't wait to see and experience what it's like to Dance the Rainbow!

	MATTHEW NOONE (Australia/Ireland) Musician, Storyteller, Facilitator MUMBAI CREW - December 2011/January 2012 We are delighted to welcome Matthew back to Camp Magic! After joining our Singapore crew in 2005, 2006, and 2007, Matthew skipped off to Ireland and married the wonderful Gwen McHale (who will also be part of the Mumbai Crew).Matthew has been working there with a band where he plays the Sarod. He also works as a primary years teacher. Aside from his talents as a Sarod musician, Matthew plays the guitar, hand drums, and the Irish Whistle. He is an incredible storyteller, and has toured internationally with both his stories and his music.One of Matthew's favourite jobs at Camp Magic in Singapore was working in the Little Lands room. Here he delighted in igniting the imaginations of children through the use of re-cycled materials from around the house. He thinks it is important for children to recognize the value of taking care of our environment, and learning the art of re-using.Although originally from Australia, now living in Ireland, Matthew has spent an extensive amount of time in India studying Sarod. He looks forward to the opportunity of returning to a land that he loves doing some of the things that he best loves: working with children, telling stories, playing music and creating performances!

	JAKE HOME (Canada) Camp Photographer, Poi trainer, Guitar Player MUMBAI CREW - December 2011/January 2012 Jake is our Camp Photographer Extraordinaire, Poi trainer in both India and Singapore, he plays the guitar, leads the lunch-time soccer, plus assists in the art room! Since he was 4 years old Jake has been participating in Camp Magic, and has enjoyed growing into the position of Crew. This year Jake will be returning to our Mumbai Magic program. He cannot wait to meet up with the children there again, plus enjoy some delicious Masala Chai!

	JOHNNY GILLETT (United Kingdom) Storyteller, Guitar Player, Drummer, Director FELUCCA CREW - June/July 2011 Johnny has been performing and working with children for over twenty years. Originally trained in Mime, Theatre, and Dance, Johnny now celebrates his passion for performance and learning through travelling near and far as The Journey Man. He tells stories to everyone he meets, including the very young and the very old. He sings, dances (mainly traditional Indian dance), plays guitar and drums, teaches drama, plus enjoys painting pictures!Johnny has worked in youth theatre now for several years, directing and coaching older children and teens as they find their own voices through theatre and storytelling. He has also worked at Julia Gabriel with younger children (nearly ten years ago now) and is excited to come back to Singapore to work after living in the UK for the past 8 years.Johnny's passion for stories started with his Mum and Dad, who used to read to him every night. Being the oldest of five boys, he in turn told tales to his brothers. This then grew into telling stories to other people. Sharing stories grew into his passion.He says: "I always wanted to travel. Perhaps being part of a big family in a small house- I wanted to get out and find some space! I originally wanted to be a zoologist- studying animals in the rainforests of the world. But I am more of a performer, so instead I tell stories from rainforests, and deserts, and snow, and woodland, and hilltops..." It sure sounds to us like Johnny gets to travel to many different places.We look forward to seeing Johnny again in Singapore next year for our June/July program 2012. Stay tuned for more of his amazing storytelling, guitar playing, drumming, and spectacular drama games!

	LOUIS LEGAULT (Canada) Circus Skills Crew Trainer, Juggler, Unicyclist, Poi and Diabolo expert, Facilitator FELUCCA CREW- June 2011/July 2012 Louis Legault loves to make the impossible possible! He'll never forget the first time he learned to juggle. That feeling of seeing something that seemed to him impossible to do, become a possibility, gave him such satisfaction, he has made it his mission to bring circus skills to as many children as possible! Born into a large family in rural Quebec, Canada, Louis enjoys living now in Singapore where he works at United World College (UWC) teaching Physical Education and Circus Skills to primary aged children at the East campus. Louis believes that many children these days do not have the opportunity to develop their upper body. Circus skills like juggling, poi, and plate spinning not only develop incredible hand/eye co-ordination, but work on those upper body muscles. Unicycling works on core strength in older children, which is also essential in our body's development.We are thankful to have Louis joining our crews. His positive energy and incredible generosity have been hugely beneficial whilst training our Felucca Crew to develop their own circus skills. We can't wait to have Louis join us again next year!

	AUDREY LEDBETTER (Singapore/United States) Co-Ordinator of Craft Room and Little Lands (Singapore) FELUCCA CREW- June 2011/July 2012 Audrey is a self proclaimed Queen of Organizing. In our craft room and little lands, there is a constant flow of materials that needs to be organized each day before the children arrive. Audrey is our woman to do it! She also enjoys creating new craft ideas, and taking the time to help children of all ages to master the art of cutting, gluing, stringing, colouring, and joyfully creating. We enjoyed Audrey's help these past two years. Thank you Audrey for your hard work! It was much appreciated by all.

	LINDEN FURNELL (Australia) Chief Musician, Singer, Facilitator FELUCCA CREW - June/July 2011 Linden joined us for our last Camp Magic Solstice in December. From the moment he walked through the door of studio inthegroove, the children could feel his electric, friendly personality. Originally from the Blue Mountains, Australia, Linden has that special ability to infuse a room with excitement and of course, a connection to music.Born into a family of musicians, Linden has been playing guitar and piano from a young age. Growing up in a home with an Opera Singer mother, and classical pianist/composer father, studying music was a natural choice. At home on the stage, Linden has played for an acclaimed rock band, Olivine, at the Sydney Opera House. He also loves to sing, dance, and compose his own songs.Linden is currently studying musical theatre at Lasalle School for the Arts in Singapore. He worked for a few years after graduating from high school as an insurance salesman (playing music in the evenings). Linden decided that music really was his life... all of it. Teaching, writing, playing, performing... Music is in everything he does.We look forward to seeing Linden again in our next June/July program, and wish him all the best as he finishes off his studies this year at Lasalle.

	BILL LEDBETTER (United States) Musician, Actor, Amazing Facilitator of Camp Magic's Youngest FELUCCA CREW - June/July 2011 Bill Ledbetter has been an incredible member of our crew for the past four June/July programs in Singapore. His constant enthusiasm with our youngest group has been outstanding, and willingness to help in all areas of the Camp Magic program both generous and inspiring. Bill is one of those guys who will lend a hand at every turn, and we have been fortunate to have him on our crews.Bill comes from a family of storytellers and musicians. He has fond memories of his father relaying some of the best stories around the evening dinner table. In his teens and early twenties, Bill was infatuated with the trumpet. He studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory where he received his Bachelor of Music. Soon after graduating, he decided musician's make way too much money, and he'd rather be a starving actor. Bill moved to New York and enrolled at the National Shakespeare Conservatory. After graduation and living in New York for several years on $2 slices of pizza, Bill packed it all in and came to Singapore where he joined Julia Gabriel at The Forum. He taught drama here for over 5 years. Currently Bill works in the kindergarten at the German European School. He is a well-loved teacher. At camp he works his magic with the little ones, helping them to feel comfortable, safe, and listened to from the moment they arrive.Aside from teaching, Bill continues to avidly pursue his acting career. He has been in many shows, from the recent Shakespeare in the Park's Much Ado About Nothing, to an experimental theatre production of Michael Corbidge's poetry, Body Chapters (Bill played the mad scientist!)At camp Bill brings his talents as musician to the children, sharing his skills at guitar, keyboard, harmonica, and trumpet.

	MONICA DEIOANNI (Italy/Scotland) Dance Artist, Puppeteer, Facilitator FELUCCA CREW - June/July 2011 Monica was born in Italy, and currently lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. With an extensive dance and theatre training background, it is no wonder that her skills are in demand throughout Europe. Here Monica has worked as a dancer, actress, puppeteer, choreographer, and dance/theatre facilitator.She has also worked as an Art-Science Communicator in Primary Education. Through games, arts, and crafts children are given the opportunity to stimulate their learning about the solar system, gravity, and aerodynamics.Monicas is a richly talented individual. She is constantly out in the world- learning and developing herself as an artist. Not surprisingly, Monica also spent over three years working towards her PhD in Enviromental Science! She worked on the Biochemical study of Oak trees.Her connection to nature is continuously apparent in the work she does with both children and adults. Her movements and thoughts are always in direct connection with the world surrounding her.We thank you Monica for your incredible commitment to helping out with our Rainbow Lotus Project at Bangli Orphanage in Bali, plus giving the children some wonderful movement and dance experiences at the Felucca of Fun this year!

	WILLY BADGER (Canada) Unicycle and Juggling Coach, Facilitator FELUCCA CREW - June/July 2011 Willy joined us again this year at our Felucca of Fun! Always patient, perky, and friendly, Willy is the ultimate team player who is there to serve and help the children wherever needed.The call to adventure for Willy Badger all started when he was working as a clown in Vancouver, Canada. It was there that he was recruited to perform at a Scottish Castle in Japan!However, he claims it all really began when he was the class clown in primary school. One of his earliest stage appearances was in grade 5. His teacher gave him the role of Prince Charming in Sleeping Beauty. Willy arrived on stage with his modified tricycle horse, purposefully tipping it over. The audience roared with laughter, and Willy's career as clown was well and truly born.After receiving his BA in Drama from Bishop's University in Quebec, Willy taught drama for three years, then moved out to western Canada. Here he joined a traveling performance troupe. It was during this time that he began working at the Scottish-Japanese Castle. An award winning, multi-lingual performer, The Willy Show has been featured at many different venues throughout Japan and Canada.