Camp Magic 2010 - Camp Crew

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	KATHERINE "CAMP CREATOR" MCLEOD Founder, Storyteller, Drummer, Writer, Illustrator (Canada) This is Katherine's 11th Camp Magic. Hard to believe that it all began in one classroom with 15 children! Now Camp Magic is hosted in three different locations, with a total of 150 children each week!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 Camp Magic brings.Please see her website www.katherinemcleod.com for more information on her performances, workshops, and background.

	BRUCE "ALWAYS-READY-TO-LEND-A-HAND" HOME Director of Camp Operations, Storyteller, Stilts Support (Canada) Bruce has been helping out with Camp Magic from the very earliest days. He organizes the bus service each year, greets children and parents every day, oversees all of the camp operations throughout the program, and helps to support 5 brave children as they learn to walk on stilts each week.Bruce is originally from Quebec, Canada. His earliest dream was to be a fireman! He also enjoyed painting as a young boy.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 18 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 comes back to help us every year.

	DAN "THE ACTING-STORYTELLING-MAN" JENKINS Camp Director, Actor, Storyteller, Movement Coach (Wales) When Dan was a little boy, he always wanted to be a clown. After a while that dream faded as he figured the shoes were way too big to fill. So then he thought, "Aha! I know, I'll be a Policeman!" But someone told him that if this was indeed his career path, he wouldn't always be so popular. So Dan figured, "why not be an actor? It doesn't matter how big or small my feet are, whether or not I'm well liked, because it's all just pretend anyway".After training for three years at the Guildford School of Acting, he received his degree in Theatre from Surrey University, followed by a teaching diploma from Guild Hall School of Music and Dance.Dan is also a bit of a mover and shaker. Aside from training to run and kick balls into the football net, his mother sent him to tap dance classes for several years to "strengthen him up". His dance training proved to be one of his greatest assets, helping him both on and off the field. For twelve years Dan has blessed our little island with his talents. Working as a drama teacher at Julia Gabriel for six years, followed by the last six at Centre Stage School of the Arts. He is also the current artistic director of DBS's Little Company and Young Company. Dan is on stage several times each year, leading the way in many productions. Some of his recent favourites were his role in Pillowman and Shakespeare In The Parks Midsummer Nights Dream (he played Oberon).We welcome you back to your second year at Camp Magic, Dan! And look forward to more of your wonderful stories and fun moves with the children.

	NATHALIE "I-CAN-DO-ANYTHING!" VACHON Art Director, Acrobat, Painter, Writer, Drama Facilitator, Singer, Smiler (Canada) Katherine McLeod and Nathalie Vachon met in 2006 while storytelling at the famous "1001 Friday Nights of Storytelling" in Toronto, Canada.Nathalie was telling one of her popular Emma May stories. It was in that moment that Katherine knew Nathalie was Camp Magic Crew material. With her friendly gentle voice and nature, quick sense of humour, plus multiple talents, we welcome you to camp this year.As a child, Nathalie was enthralled by her aunt and uncle who were professional clowns with Canada's very own Cirque de Soleil. It was then that Nathalie first learned how to perform acrobats. Being a very physical and sporty child, it was not until her mid teens that Nathalie discovered her passion for painting."I had this Picasso book that was given to me when I was 5. Each night I slept with it under my pillow. After choosing a first degree at university in business, I then woke up to my earliest dreams of becoming an artist."Nathalie didn't waste any time. She went to Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts and earned her MEd Creative Arts in Learning, followed by studies at the Banff Centre of Arts, Honolulu Academy of Art, and finally, a wonderful art adventure in Osaka, Japan.As her Emma May character says from the story Emma May's Magical Day: "With each step in life, we all have a choice. Cross your arms, close your minds, take a seat Or get your shoes on for walkin', your lips on for talkin', And be open to what you might meet." Please see Nathalie's website: www.nathalievachon.com to see some of Nathalie's latest work projects.

	ROSS "NOISEMAKER" LYNDE Musical Director, Musician,Singer/Songwriter/Performer, and Facilitator (Canada) Ross has been making music ever since he could crawl. When the family piano was within reach of his young fingers he embarked on a mission to discover music. As he grew so did his thirst for learning and performing every instrument he came across (including piano, guitar, bass, jaw harp, drums, ukulele, trumpet, gut-bucket, spoons, and most notably his voice.) Ross is a founding member of the Juno-Nominated vocal group 'CADENCE' and spends his time with his group performing in theatres, clubs and schools at home and abroad.Having been active in the music scene in Toronto for over 25 years, Ross has appeared in commercials, recorded music with various artists including a recent movie soundtrack starring Kevin Spacey and has shared the stage with jazz legend Bobby McFerrin on numerous occasions. He holds a B.A. in Music Performance from York University in Toronto, Canada.Camp Magic has been on his radar for several years and Ross is excited to have a chance to collaborate with so many gifted professionals and young budding artists from all over the world, and to help them explore music and find their voice. To learn more about Ross and the band he regularly sings with Cadence, please see their website: www.cadence-unplugged.com.

	JAYANTHI "YOU-MAKE-ME-FEEL-LIKE-DANCING" SIVA Dancer, Movement Guru, Facilitator (Singapore) When Jayanthi was 10 years old, she had a teacher who made dancing so much fun. Since then, she continues to create movement and dances that connect her to this bliss. Jayanthi is well respected in her field of both Contemporary and Traditional Indian Dance. Well sought after as both performer and choreographer in both Singapore and overseas, Jayanthi also enjoys teaching. She says, "There is no one who has two left feet- everyone has rhythm and movement in their bodies. As a teacher, I enjoy working with children and adults to bring out their individuality. We should be asking people to move as themselves, and not simply mimic and copy the movements of others." After receiving several years of dance training at the Singapore Indian Fine Art Society and the Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society of Singapore, Jayanthi then went on to Brisbane where she received her Bachelor in Drama and Masters of Fine Art in Dance. She returned to Singapore in 2003, and has been the Associate Artist at the Substation since then. Welcome to Camp Magic, Jayanthi! We are looking forward to Jayanthi's opening dance in Monday's Crew performance, and all of her wonderful help with the children throughout the week.

	BILL "BLOW-YOUR-HORN" LEDBETTER Musician, Actor, Amazing Facilitator of Camp Magic's Youngest (United States) 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.We warmly welcome Bill back to his third year at Camp Magic, as he guides our youngest group along the Silk Road of Fun.

	WILLY "JUGGLING UNICYCLIST CLOWN" BADGER Unicycle and Juggling Coach, Facilitator for the 9-11 year group (Canada) 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 his time here that he was called to his Scottish Castle in 1996, and has been performing there ever since. An award winning, multi-lingual performer, The Willy Show is featured at many different venues throughout Japan; schools, festivals, weddings... you name it, he's been there.We look forward to seeing Willy as our Camp Clown, and also the facilitator for our oldest group of children. He will offer lessons in unicycle, balancing and juggling. Please see our activities section for more details. To see Willy in action, please visit his website www.willyshow.com.

	SUMIE "SWASHBUCKLING" MOROTA Queen of Silk and Paper Crafts (Japan) Sumie met her husband Willy Badger at the Scottish Castle in Japan while displaying her Kendo Sword skills. As a high school student, Sumie won the championship in her age category for her Japanese swashbuckling skills. For this years camp, Sumie is looking forwad to bringing her skills as seamstress and craftswoman. She enjoys sharing with children the art of origami. In our first week of camp she will be creating a silk kimono with the children. Each week she will continue to create amazing silk crafts with the children.We welcome you to Camp Magic, Sumie!

	AUDREY "DOT-THE-T'S-AND-CROSS-THE-I'S" LEDBETTER Co-Ordinator of Craft Room and Little Lands (Singapore) 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.