Meet the Team

Christina is inspired by the role the arts play in uplifting, inspiring, and celebrating communities. Born and raised in Toronto, Christina has over a decade of experience in the international arts /non-profit sector having held leadership positions in arts organizations in Canada and abroad. She is an alum and Board member of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and holds an MA in Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship from Erasmus University Rotterdam. Christina is thrilled to join NorthYork Arts as Executive Director as of August 2021.

What does art mean to you?

Creativity breathes life into community

Originally from Brazil, Cecilia holds a BFA in film studies. After arriving in Canada in 2014, she received a diploma in arts management and has since volunteered and worked with multiple arts organizations in Toronto. She is thrilled to be at NYA to help to build communities through the arts.

What does art mean to you?

Art creates connections and community!

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Julián is a multifaceted, colourful and vibrant queer Latinx Canadian Arts Manager/Producer with over 19 years of experience managing and delivering arts festivals and cultural events. He has worked across the city leading, coordinating, and producing both small and large-scale projects, developing marketing concepts, and has significant experience managing staff and building strong community relationships across cultural boundaries.

What does art mean to you?

The Big Bang of my life

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Janice believes that the arts are a powerful tool in shaping the future, especially for the next generation. Having a background in psychology, early childhood, and special education, Janice has integrated into her pedagogical approach creative ways to engage children in art playing and art-making. She believes that arts bring an array of benefits to children’s development including increased self-confidence, enhanced communication skills, and improved cognition.

She has recently completed her post-graduate diploma in Arts Management at Centennial College and is delighted to have her internship at North York Arts.

What does art mean to you?

Art is one of the highest forms of expression

Chantel was born and raised in Bermuda and moved to Canada in 2012 for university, where she obtained a BA in Business and a BBA in Communications. She is a business-minded creative with a background in non-profit programming, arts and events. As an immigrant learning to navigate Canada and build confidence in her identity, she was relieved to find solitude in creative communities. Chantel is delighted to contribute to the North York Arts team as she gets the opportunity to nurture community through the arts while supporting people on similar journeys.

What does art mean to you?

Freedom – a space to express a truth that sometimes there are no words for. 

Davinder Malhi is an actor, playwright, and community organizer based in Toronto. He is a graduate from York University and holds a BFA in Theatre. He is the co-founder of Saawan Collective, a South-Asian theatre collective focused on producing new Indo-Canadian plays and creating space for emerging South Asian playwrights. He is thrilled to begin his work at NYA.

What does art mean to you?

Humanizing change