COLLABORATORS
Meet some of the collaborators who have contributed to TUЯИOUT Radio’s production and broadcasting throughout our programming history
CO-FOUNDER/ HOST/ PRODUCER
Nicole Inica Hamilton is an award-winning choreographer and the Founder/ Artistic Director of Inica Dance Industries. A certified educator and teaching member of Dance Masters of Canada / Dance Masters of America, Hamilton has served as a guest teacher, mentor and speaker at institutes across Canada including; George Brown College, University of Toronto, York University and University of Calgary.
Hamilton is a counselling member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and a member of Healthy Dancer Canada. She works actively in the dance health and science sector. Her creations and research have examined and explored diverse realities and experiences of the human condition, healing practices, and care centered ecosystems. Hamilton’s research on injury prevention, holistic teaching practices and impacts of psychological stress have been presented at national and international conventions including; the En Avant-RAD World Convention, the Toronto Dance Teacher Expo, and the Performing Arts Medicine Association. Hamilton is a counsellor at Jörgen Dance.
Hamilton reports on the current news affairs of our time with special focus on arts, health, career, and business news at CIUT 89.5 FM. She is the in-suite moderator for the Dora Mavor Moore award-winning dance Immersion, and has operated as a guest correspondent and host on media and discussion platforms across Canada including the Career Buzz Show, Evi-Dance Radio, the AMANI Project, and Fall for Dance North’s Mambo Podcast. Her voice has been featured on national commercials, film, television networks and stages where she has moderated, and facilitated conversations with leaders across the world. Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicoleinicahamilton
CO-FOUNDER
Current founding Artistic Director of The Chimera Project Dance Theatre, Malgorzata Nowacka-May created over 20 critically acclaimed works described as “most exciting” and “most original in Canada” (The Globe and Mail) and garnered accolades including Top 10 performances of the year in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, NOW and FASHION.
Malgorzata Nowacka May’s work showcased at the Canada Dance Festival, Dancing on the Edge Festival, DanceWorks Mainstage Series, Dance Victoria, and internationally. Between 2015-2018, Nowacka-May created works seen across Canada for Canada’s Ballet Jörgen. In 2014 she created Bears Stars and Trees for the Algoma Fall Festival, guided by Missanabie Cree First Nation elder Shirley Horn which has been touring since.
Nowacka-May also created Chimera’s Company B, a program that supported 33 young dance artists since 2010, and in partnership with Harbourfront Centre, FRESH BLOOD (2009-2016), an annual festival that brought 297 artists to stage. Learn more about Malgorzata Nowacka-May HERE.
CO-FOUNDER
Samara Thompson is an independent choreographer and dance educator, specializing in the integration of computer technology with dance.
Thompson has presented her choreography across Canada, was the recipient of a Paula Citron Dance Award for choreography, has spoken at the CORPS de Ballet International Conference, and written for the Dance Current. Thompson graduated with her MA and Honours BFA in Dance from York University. She trained in Canada and the United States with many notable artists, and performed in works by Dana Reitz, Carol Anderson, Chuck Davis, and Trish Armstrong.
Thompson currently teaches dance at York University and is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Dance Ontario. Learn more about Samara Thompson HERE.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Natasha Ama Eck is an Afro-Caribbean dance artist, creative producer, educator, Kemetic Yoga practitioner, and advocate for the health and wellness of girls and women. Her practice centers African knowledge systems, sacred arts, and embodied memory, viewing the body as a site of healing, resistance, and ancestral wisdom.
Trained at Bird College (UK), Natasha performed as a company member with COBA (Collective of Black Artists) and with V’Works, led by Vivine Scarlett. Mentorship from Dr. Yanique Hume and Diane Roberts has deeply influenced her engagement with ritual, storytelling, and ancestral transmission through movement. With over a decade of experience, Natasha has demonstrated her ability to create and facilitate culturally relevant and responsive arts education programs and projects.
Natasha is also the founder of Ama PM, a project management consultancy that bridges the gap between artistic vision and operational infrastructure, guiding artists and organizations in bringing projects to life with clarity, care, and strategic insight. Follow Natasha on Instagram @amapm.ca and @kemeticflow
ASSIST. PRODUCTION MANAGER/ EDITOR
Amber Downie-Back is a dancer and interdisciplinary artist interested in integrating dance in collaborative contexts with other media such as music and video art. Her practice views the reflection of natural spaces in the digital world through transformative experiences that are intimate, communal, and atmospheric.
Downie-Back has a BFA in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University and has performed professionally at Festival TransAmeriques (2019), Montréal Fringe Festival (2018), Art Matters (2018), and others. Her creations have been exhibited by the Toronto Harbourfront Centre, Impulse Theatre (Victoria), Leonardo Institute, and Kalyx Collective (Montréal). Her works have been funded by Concordia University, Healthy Dancer Canada, and the BC Arts Council.
Amber is currently living on the traditional, ancestral unceded territory belonging to the Lekwungen Peoples, on whose territory she is grateful to perform and dance. Follow Amber Downie-Back HERE.
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Casey Spector is a Toronto-based actor, social media strategist, and marketing manager. In addition to her work at Turn Out Radio, she serves as marketing manager for both Jörgen Dance and George Brown Dance, and serves as the PA announcer for George Brown College athletics. A graduate of George Brown Theatre School’s class of 2021, Spector has presented in; “Planet Munsch” (Skunk), “A Woman of No Importance” (Mrs. Arbuthnot), “Poof” (Loureen), “Stop Kiss” (Sarah), and “Winter’s Tale” (Paulina). Alongside her acting career, Spector is passionate about supporting businesses in the digital space. She specializes in creating impactful social media campaigns, content development, curation, graphic design, creative writing, and fostering community engagement. When she isn’t managing marketing efforts or crafting digital content, Spector continues to pursue her love for the performing arts and voice acting.
ADMINISTRATOR
Ellie Govinden is an interdisciplinary performance artist, burlesque performer, and performance researcher. She is a graduate of the Theatre and Performance Studies MA program at York University. Govinden spent three years living in the United Kingdom where she completed her undergraduate degree in English and Drama at Queen Mary, University of London. Her academic research explores burlesque and the history of black female bodies and their depictions in a variety of mediums. She is also interested in how these bodies become fetishized and how they can attain autonomy through performance. Her burlesque work has been featured at The Rainbow & The Bourbon Room in Ottawa, Burlesque Idol in the United Kingdom, and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto.
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Brittany Baah, is a graduate of Fanshawe’s accredited Radio Broadcasting program and Audio Post-Production graduate program. Her career has included working as station staff at Fanshawe’s “106.9 The X”, and as Marketing Rep for ELMNT FM “106.5”. Selected credits include operating as Recordist/Producer at the “Jazz Junction” Radio Show, and as Camera Operator at the “Share The Land 2023” Concert. Baah is the recipient of Bell Media’s “Radio Producer of the Year” at the 2022 Fanshawe Broadcast Awards.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Sara Shanazarian has worked as a CBC producer/reporter for “Newsday in BC”, television host/content writer for “Burnaby Connect” — a Shaw Community Access show, and as an on-air host/creator/writer for “Various Voices” on CJSF Radio.
Shanazarian has worked in New York at Stewart/Whitley Casting, where she managed/organized Broadway auditions, as well as liaising with a variety of clients from dance, music, film, TV and stage. As of late, Shanazarian has had the opportunity to host on-air at Boom 97.3 FM.
Shanazarian runs her own theatre company Party Time Productions, which produced the award-winning musical comedy “Twinsations.” Shanazarian is a former competitive dancer with credits throughout Canada and the U.S.A. Follow Sara Shanazarian HERE.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Keira Marie Forde is a multi-disciplinary physical performer and creator. Keira is passionate about creating cross cultural physical work that explores her connection with the Canadian Caribbean community. Keira is a recent graduate of Humber’s Theatre Performance Program, and the George Brown Dance Performance Preparation Program.
Her recent credits include: Relay with Expect Theatres Beats and Intentions; Infinity Machine with Sharron Moore at Humber Theatre; Unleashed with George Brown Dance and The North American Film Awards with Diva Diverse.
Keira is a recent grad of the mentorship program in the Coco Collective window of opportunity program. Keira and her creative partner Montana Summers are current artists in residence at the “Wee festival” with their company 4Thought Dance Theatre.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT INTERN
Kimya Hypolite [pronounced Ki-MYA HIPPO-lit] is a triple-threat performing artist from Toronto, Canada. She is a recent graduate of the world-renowned Bachelor of Music program at Humber College in Toronto, where shestudied under and worked with some of Canada’s, and the World’s, top musicians. She is a Dancer in the Caribbean Dance Theatre Company, and a Teacher/Choreographer at the Roots & Branches Children’s and Youth Dance Program. She sings lead vocals in Toronto World Pop band, “Really Big World,” as well as directs her own band, “All of the Above.” Kimya has also starred in leading roles in both the Toronto Fringe and Summer Works Theatre Festivals. Her talents extend to Songwriting, Music Production, and Modelling. She represented Canada at the 2016 Miss Legacy International Pageant in Jamaica, placing 3rd. Kimya recently recorded her first solo album, as well as produced the debut album of Contemporary Latin band, The Nazca Project.” A diverse artist, Kimya’s dance and music background covers Jazz, R&B, Pop, Latin, African, Calypso, Soca, Gospel, Reggae, Classical, Musical Theatre, and Rock. Learn more about Kimya Hypolite HERE.
GUEST HOST
Ilter Ibrahimof is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Fall for Dance North, Toronto’s Premier International Dance Festival. Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Ibrahimof moved to North America in 1998, first to attend Emerson College in Boston and then living and working in New York City and Montréal before settling in Toronto. As a creative mind in the dance field, Ibrahimof is regularly invited to participate in various festivals and conferences in Canada and around the globe as a curator and speaker. In 2020, Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame awarded Ibrahimof the Sandra Faire Next Generation Award. Learn more about Ilter Ibrahimof HERE.
GUEST HOST
Travis Knights—an internationally celebrated tap dancer, storyteller, and cultural leader. Born in Montreal and introduced to tap at age 10 by the legendary Ethel Bruneau, Travis has since performed across four continents with renowned companies including Tap Dogs and Tapestry Dance Company, as well as through his own Tap Love Tour. A recipient of the Jacqueline Lemieux Prize and a Dora Award winner, Travis is committed to reclaiming and uplifting the legacy of tap within the Black community. His recent works include the documentary Restorative Culture: Johnathan Morin and the full-length dance production The Mars Project. He also hosts The Tap Love Tour Podcast, where he interviews inspiring voices in the tap world. Learn more about Travis Knights HERE.
GUEST HOST
Nathaniel Chua has been training since the age of 4 and has been competing in dance for 8 years. He has now transitioned to the professional ballet program at the National Ballet of Canada.
In 2016 Chua performed live onstage with Justin Bieber in Minneapolis for the WORLD PURPOSE TOUR. In December 2019, he performed in the 2 -week run of the Nutcracker at the Four Seasons in Toronto. Chua is the 2018 Canadian National Exhibition’s Rising Star Junior Grand Champion and has appeared in several music videos and commercials for the MiniPop Kids.
Chua is grateful to have worked with Hip Hop Choreographers Misha Gabriel, Randi and Hefa for performance opportunities in Las Vegas and Orlando. Follow Nathaniel Chua HERE.
GUEST HOST
Emma Lesly Francis is a native New Yorker, born to a Haitian mom and Jamaican dad, and is a big sister to her best friend, Jayme. She is an exceptional student, who models, writes, and acts. Francis is a trained dancer who studies tap, ballet, contemporary, street jazz, hip hop, and Afrobeats. She is already being mentored by some of the best, including Chloe and Maud Arnold, Charis Moses, Darlene Niara Arrington, Charles Smith, and Nicole Ohr. Francis has an already promising resume that includes music videos (Fatman Scoop and Eddy Kenzo), tapping at Radio City Music Hall (Chloe & Maud Arnold and the Syncopated Ladies), and television appearances that include Saturday Night Live with Chance the Rapper, and the Disney Channel. Follow Emma Lesly Francis HERE.
GUEST HOST
Allison Toffan is a producer, curator, dancer and choreographer and the Artistic Director of the Toronto International Tap Dance Festival. She was thrilled to bring the vision of TITDF to fruition in June of 2017. The inaugural festival marked the official launch of Toffan Rhythm Projects – bridging the goals, mandates, and facilitation of her professional body of work rooted in collaboration, creation, curation, and community development. Her work has been presented at Fall For Dance North (Union Station Series), Dusk Dances, The Edwards Summer Music Series, Toronto Body Percussion Festival, TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, and the Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival.
GUEST HOST
Beginning her training age of three, Juliana Kelly studied in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, pointe, and acrobatics at a competitive level, where she competed across Canada and the United States. Since 2004, her focus has shifted to specializing in tap dance. Upon graduation of high school, Juliana joined Downbeats Tap Company under the direction of Cathy Duncan where she danced for two years performing in the East Coast Tap Conference (ECTC), Taking the Rhythm Train, Embrace the Rhythm, Toronto’s Live in Culture Campaign and many other shows across Ontario. Juliana works as a contributing artist with the Toronto Rhythm Initiative (TRI), a collective of tap dancers committed to voicing the artistry of Toronto’s professional tap dance community.
GUEST HOST
Blessyl Buan is a multidisciplinary dancer, choreographer, and Doctor of Chiropractic. She leverages her diverse expertise as a movement coach, clinician, and dancer to craft a training method that imparts advanced knowledge and embodiment of anatomy and kinesiology. Most importantly, she recognizes performers as spiritual, energetic beings with stories to share. Her philosophy underscores that movement proficiency and intention unlock creative expression. Learn more about Blessyl Buan HERE.
GUEST HOST
Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Jamie Hodgins has danced for MADONNA, ARIANA GRANDE, NICK JONAS, KIESZA, DEMI LOVATO, The JONAS BROTHERS, VITA CHAMBERS, SHILOH, and many more. On-screen, you can see Hodgins as a featured dancer in Disney’s CAMP ROCK 2. He was one of the top 5 male Triple Threat finalists on CBC’s hit reality TV series, “TRIPLE SENSATION.” Following the run of the TV show, Hodgins was cast in the last professional Broadway production of HAIRSPRAY (Charlottetown Festival). He played the role of FENDER and was thrilled to share the stage with George Wendt (Norm from “Cheers”). His Film/Video credits include leading roles in the award-winning History Television feature, “Death or Canada,” TVO’s “Explore My World,” CBC’s “Breakout!,” and the Much Music Video Awards. Follow Jamie Hodgins HERE.
GUEST HOST
Ashleigh Powell began her ballet training in Ottawa at the Kanata Ballet School. In 2009, she graduated from Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program with Distinction. During her training at the NBS she obtained her teaching qualifications with the Cecchetti Society of Canada, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and the Royal Academy of Dance – as well as her Advance II dancing qualifications from all three organizations. Powell is the recipient of both the Carole Chadwick Award and the Betty Oliphant Award for teaching and holds an Honours Degree in History and Sociology from the University of Toronto. In addition to teaching, Powell works as a choreographer.
Learn more about Ashleigh Powell HERE.
GUEST HOST
Jeff Dimitriou is a World Renowned Choreographer, director, creator and artist. His artistic projects include creating for film, television, world ceremonies, theatre, live events, and art installations. He is the creator of JDX Creative, his very own production entertainment funhouse. He has created 6 original JDX Creative theatrical stage presentations that are currently playing worldwide with ongoing plans to open a satellite office in Mumbai, India to bring acclaimed musicals to a new market. Dimitriou has the rare privilege of working in many different genres of the arts and production. Learn more about Jeff Dimitriou HERE.
GUEST HOST
Since her professional beginning in 1995, Amy Wright has become one of Canada’s most in-demand Choreographers. Her work includes feature films, movies of the week, television series, reality TV, commercials and stage musicals, including Canada’s prestigious SHAW FESTIVAL. Wright is the Casting Director, Choreographer and Producer for the sensational television series The Next Step watched by millions around the world. Most recently, Wright has choreographed dances with Jason Priestly for PRIVATE EYES (Global), a Christmas Pageant for ANNE WITH AN E (Netflix and CBC), the series finale of KILLJOYS (Crave), spectacular Vaudeville routines for AMERICAN GODS (Amazon Prime), and lots of cheerleading for DARE ME, a pilot for NBC/USA Network. Learn more about Amy Wright HERE.
GUEST HOST
Ryan Foley has had the opportunity to study and perform with many talented artists over the years. Foley currently teaches and performs in Toronto with the Toronto Rhythm Initiative, City Dance Corps, the Tap Dance Center, Millennium Dance Complex and his family-owned studio Performing Dance Arts. He has worked with TRI in many live shows since their conception in 2011, featuring music from a wide range of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles and many more. In the summer of 2013, Foley was a featured artist at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival and performed in Tap Internationals as part of the NYC Tap City Festival. Foley’s most recent ventures have been as a guest teacher and performer at ECTC (Eastern Canadian Tap Conference ) as well as a guest teacher and performer at Tapper Fest. Learn more about Ryan Foley HERE.
GUEST HOST
Michael Caldwell is a Toronto-based choreographer, performer, curator, and arts advocate. An ‘intense dynamo on stage’ (Scene4) with ‘exceptional interpretive skills’ (Globe & Mail), Caldwell has performed/collaborated with over 50 of Canada’s esteemed dance creators/companies, including Peggy Baker, Sylvie Bouchard, Emmanuel Jouthe, James Kudelka, Laurence Lemieux, Tedd Robinson, Santee Smith, Heidi Strauss, and William Yong, among others, and has worked internationally with Antony Hamilton (Australia), Tomeo Vergés (France), and Sacha Steenks (Netherlands). He has performed across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. His performances have earned him two (2) Dora Mavor Moore Awards for outstanding performance in dance. Follow Michael Caldwell HERE.
GUEST HOST
Jay T Schramek is a Dora nominated performer, choreographer, teacher and one of the nation’s most prolific dance adjudicators. Onstage, he has performed for Mirvish, Stratford, Drayton & Broadway Tours. For over 20 years he has taught at some of North America’s finest arts institutions such as Sheridan College, Randolph College, St.Lawrence College, Etobicoke School for the Arts, Duboforce Mexico and the Eastern Arkansas Ballet. Schramek is a former Mr. Dance of Canada and a graduate of Ryerson University. He is the Host/Co-Ordinator for Dance Attack Competitions and the Exclusive Distributor of Miller and Ben Tap Shoes. Learn more about Jay T. Schramek HERE.