A Day in the Life of a Student at ESA!
Learn about our school’s various arts programs and academic departments, and see what it’s like to attend ESA.
Get to know current ESA students!
School
Etobicoke School of the Arts is the oldest and most established high school for the arts in Canada. Established in 1981, it trains students in six arts disciplines: Visual Art, Drama, Dance, Instrumental Music, Film, and Music Theatre, along with a robust academic program and extensive extra-curricular activities. To learn more about our school, click here for more information.
Department
The Music Theatre Department at ESA was established in 1981, offering training in the “triple threat” disciplines - singing, acting and dancing. Through expert teachers, experienced guest artists and professional collaborations, students are educated in areas such as music theatre history, performance practices, choral singing, equity in theatre and music/theatre creation.
Our department uses several spaces within ESA - our vocal studio, the Paul Aikins Studio for Drama and Dance, our large theatre and our black box mini-theatre.
Courses
All students study two courses each year in Music Theatre:
ADB 1O1/2O1/3M1/4M1 focuses on drama and dance. Our regular schedule includes one 75 minute dance class per week (taught by a professional dance instructor), and one to two drama classes.
AMV 1O1/2O1/3M1/4M1 focuses on vocal music and musicianship, including music theory, ear training and sight singing.
How to Apply
Starting this year, students will apply to programs at ESA through an online form. All students who submit a complete application will be part of the random selection process when interest exceeds available spots which will determine the successful candidates. 20% of available spots will be reserved for students from systemically marginalized communities that self-identify on the application.
For complete details regarding how to apply for ESA, visit esainfo.ca/admissions
Staff
David Ambrose
Drama/Dance and Vocal Teacher
David Ambrose has been part of the Music Theatre Department at ESA since 2009, teaching both Drama/Dance and Vocal Music. He is the founder and conductor of the WoCo treble chorus and co-conducts the Lunch Bunch choir and TSO choir. He has also been the stage director for several shows, including the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and the groundbreaking production of Rent. He also coordinates the technical areas for the department’s productions and concerts. Outside of ESA, Mr. Ambrose is still active as a stage director and choral conductor. He worked as a professional performer, conductor and director for many years in both musical theatre and opera with such companies as the Canadian Opera Company, Festival 500 and Kawartha Lakes Summer Playhouse. He currently serves as the Artistic Director for Mississauga Festival Choir, conducting its 175 voice choir and chamber choir. He also is the Director in Residence for Mississauga Symphony’s Opera Series, staging Carmen, La Boheme and La Traviata since 2018. Mr. Ambrose is a graduate of the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto (Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Graduate Diploma in Opera Stage Direction) and OISE (Bachelor of Education)
Drama/Dance and Vocal Teacher
David Ambrose has been part of the Music Theatre Department at ESA since 2009, teaching both Drama/Dance and Vocal Music. He is the founder and conductor of the WoCo treble chorus and co-conducts the Lunch Bunch choir and TSO choir. He has also been the stage director for several shows, including the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and the groundbreaking production of Rent. He also coordinates the technical areas for the department’s productions and concerts. Outside of ESA, Mr. Ambrose is still active as a stage director and choral conductor. He worked as a professional performer, conductor and director for many years in both musical theatre and opera with such companies as the Canadian Opera Company, Festival 500 and Kawartha Lakes Summer Playhouse. He currently serves as the Artistic Director for Mississauga Festival Choir, conducting its 175 voice choir and chamber choir. He also is the Director in Residence for Mississauga Symphony’s Opera Series, staging Carmen, La Boheme and La Traviata since 2018. Mr. Ambrose is a graduate of the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto (Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Graduate Diploma in Opera Stage Direction) and OISE (Bachelor of Education)
Patricia Warnock
Department Head, Vocal Teacher
Patricia Warnock received both her B. Mus and M. Mus in Music Education and Vocal Performance from the University of Toronto. She has extensive experience working with both community and school choirs, including Artistic Director of the Mississauga Festival Youth Choir, guest clinician at the University of Toronto, and conductor and member of the Oakville Chamber Choir. She has had the opportunity to study conducting with Sir David Willcocks as a recipient of a conducting scholarship, as well as Lydia Adams, OCE. Solo vocal performances include the award-winning Ardeleana Chamber Trio. Under her direction, the Etobicoke School of the Arts Chamber Choir has achieved the gold standard at the Ontario Vocal Festival every year for over a decade, and regularly attends Musicfest Canada. Patricia was also the conductor of GLO, ESA's award-winning female Show Choir.
Heather Saum
Drama/Dance Teacher
Heather Saum has over twenty five years of experience in dance education and the performing arts. She holds a Master of Arts degree from York University (Dance Performance) and a Bachelor of Arts Education degree from the University of Regina. Originally from Saskatchewan, Heather trained in ballet, jazz, modern, jazz and loved improvisation! Professionally choreographing and performing in musical theatre, commercials, rock concerts, and various dancing adventures. Within Toronto's dance community, Heather has engaged in multiple artistic collaborations with leading dance artists and organizations such as Dance Ontario, Canadian Dance Assembly, and the Fringe International Dance Festival. She has also served as a board member for The Dance Umbrella of Ontario. Heather enjoys being a supernumerary (character actress) with her husband for the National Ballet of Canada. Currently, Heather trains young dancers for Toronto District School Board. She is an instructor for the Dance Additional Qualification certification program at York University in the Education Department. As a passionate teacher and artist, Heather is excited to offer professional level training to children and teachers while advocating for dance education.
Heather Saum has over twenty five years of experience in dance education and the performing arts. She holds a Master of Arts degree from York University (Dance Performance) and a Bachelor of Arts Education degree from the University of Regina. Originally from Saskatchewan, Heather trained in ballet, jazz, modern, jazz and loved improvisation! Professionally choreographing and performing in musical theatre, commercials, rock concerts, and various dancing adventures. Within Toronto's dance community, Heather has engaged in multiple artistic collaborations with leading dance artists and organizations such as Dance Ontario, Canadian Dance Assembly, and the Fringe International Dance Festival. She has also served as a board member for The Dance Umbrella of Ontario. Heather enjoys being a supernumerary (character actress) with her husband for the National Ballet of Canada. Currently, Heather trains young dancers for Toronto District School Board. She is an instructor for the Dance Additional Qualification certification program at York University in the Education Department. As a passionate teacher and artist, Heather is excited to offer professional level training to children and teachers while advocating for dance education.
Guest Artists
Monique Romasco
Monique is an ESA Alumni and a Ryerson University graduate. She has been a guest artist for ESA's Music Theatre program for over 3 years. Monique is an established choreographer as well as an experienced dancer and teacher. Monique’s style reflects her technical background as well as her ability to fuse physical dynamics with organic expressiveness. Monique has toured and danced all across the United States, Canada, and Europe. With credits spanning the globe, Monique has worked with some of the most established artists, actors and directors in the industry. Monique’s choreographic assistance was featured on CTV’s hit show, So You Think You Can Dance Canada and also had the opportunity to choreograph for film and television shows such as, The Handmaid's Tale, Bomb Girls, Kim's Convenience and most recently worked with Canadian Actress Sarah Gadon and the very popular James Franco in Hulu’s mini series 11-22-63. Monique has choreographed and performed for many worldwide touring productions, from shows aboard Princess Cruise Lines to international touring sensations like Grease and Hair. Monique has also had the privilege to choreograph in the opening ceremonies for The International Children's Games and FINA hosted in Windsor Ontario, and the The Welcoming and Closing ceremonies of the 2016 Pan American Games hosted in Toronto, Ontario. Monique has taught in schools and studios all across the country. Her students have gone on to achieve outstanding and flourishing dance and theatre careers. Her choreography has won several awards and overall recognitions. Monique is constantly inspired by her students and fellow creatives everyday and enjoys finding new ways to explore her creative boundaries through teaching and choreography.
Sharon Heldt
Sharon Heldt has over 38 years’ experience in the acting profession. A graduate of Humber College, Sharon continues to work on stage as well as film and television. She has worked in notable theatres such as: Stratford Festival, Blyth, Grand Theatre, Theatre Aquarius, MTC, Tarragon, Factory, Theatre Passe Muraille, Buddies, Drayton, Lighthouse Festival, Upper Canada Playhouse, NYCMF (Music Theatre Festival in NYC) and Banff Advanced Actors’ Masterclass. Sharon also has experience working for film and television, including: 11-22-63 (Warner Bros.), Queer as Folk (Showtime), Avenging Angelo (Warner Brothers), Remembrance (NBC), More Tears (CBC) and many national commercials.Sharon is honoured to have been brought into the creative ESA Music Theatre team in 2016 by Paul Aikins.
Directing credits: (2016-2020) A Chorus Line, On Broadway, Cabaret, Raise Your Voice and Fiddler on the Roof. Sharon is grateful to continue coaching music theatre through the virtual platform. For fifteen years, Sharon Heldt’s own company, ACTING OUT Kids Theatre has trained students for their arts high school auditions and offers many other drama opportunities.
Directing credits: (2016-2020) A Chorus Line, On Broadway, Cabaret, Raise Your Voice and Fiddler on the Roof. Sharon is grateful to continue coaching music theatre through the virtual platform. For fifteen years, Sharon Heldt’s own company, ACTING OUT Kids Theatre has trained students for their arts high school auditions and offers many other drama opportunities.
Louise Kennedy
Louise began her career in the UK (where she is from). She trained at
London Studio Centre and performed in shows,TV shows and industrials
before heading off to sea to dance & company manage on Cruise ships.
Since moving to Canada Louise has staged musicals for Jean Ann Ryan
Productions, toured the US with ‘Abba Mania’, was an assistant
choreographer to David Connolly for many years and worked on
‘Doodlebops Live’ & ’Doodlebops Rockin’ Road Show’. Louise was
associate Choreographer for both Drayton Entertainment and Neptune
Theatres productions of ‘High School Musical’, and Assistant
Choreographer/ Director for Drayton Entertainment’s Forever Plaid.
Louise staged The Tenors Christmas show, was Assistant Choreographer
on CBC’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and has worked on
numerous industrial and Fashion Shows. Louise began teaching in Canada
at Randolph Academy and has been at ESA for more than 10 years, first
working with SPLASH and later asked to become a guest artist by the late
Paul Aitkins.