BECKY TROOCK
Alma mater: Pinetree
Inspirations: "My inspirations are in my close circle of peers and role models are Natalee Fera, my drama teacher who spent countless hours pushing us and giving us opportunity outside of school; Brian Gleckman, who influenced my contemporary taste; and my mom for telling me to do what I felt most passion for."
Arts background: "The majority of my performing arts background was developed in high school. Our drama department was expected to invest a massive amount of time and effort into our productions. It made our team incredibly passionate. For visual arts I worked at home and took classes at the Port Moody Arts Centre."
Next month: Douglas College, theatre program
The dream: "I hope one day that through pursuing the arts I am able to possibly create film or work for a company such as Disney that emphasizes a high level of storytelling. I would love to freelance photography, painting and writing as well."
Words of wisdom: "My advice to those pursuing the arts? Do it. Do not question it. Do not ponder it. Be confident and take criticism. You may not succeed the first or second time but each time you will learn and progress in a way your peers will not understand."
I have always believed that there are reasons you may not make it the first time. You meet a mentor that challenges you or a person that will open doors or experience events that will advance you as a person - things you would not have experienced if you had been busy getting in to the art school or getting the job."
IRIS HUNG
Alma mater: Gleneagle
Inspirations: "Gleneagle has a very strong arts program in terms of visual arts, theatre and music so the whole school takes a lot of pride in what we do." She singles out band and vocal teacher Ed Trovato as a mentor.
Arts background: Piano with Marjory Purdy at Place des Arts in Coquitlam after watching her sister, Louise, play for a couple of years. In June, Hung was awarded the Conservatory Canada Medal of Excellence for the highest mark in B.C. for grades 1, and 4 to 8 piano exams as well as the national Lynda Rehder Medal of Excellence for the highest mark in Canada for grades 9 and 10.
Next month: UVic, music major with commerce minor (studying under May Ling Kwok with the help of a $26,000 entrance scholarship)
And after: Perhaps MBA
The dream: "I'd like to have a career that integrates what I've learned - anything from teaching piano to researching developmental psychology and neurology in relation to music or to business and economics within the music industry. I'm pretty excited to see what's in store for me."
Words of wisdom: "I think there are more career and financial opportunities out there than what some people say."
JENNIFER GILLIS
Alma mater: Gleneagle
Inspirations: The Lindbjerg family (Lindbjerg Academy of Performing Arts) and Ashley Freeborn, Gleneagle's drama teacher who cast her as Ariel in Footloose this spring.
Arts background: "I guess it's pretty safe to say that I have been performing my entire life. I haven't stopped singing since the day I was born, as my mom says." After Gillis signed on with a talent agency, she appeared in TV commercials and shows, radio ads and did animated voice-over work. In 2012, Gillis captured national attention when she placed seventh on the CBC-TV reality show Over The Rainbow, where she worked with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Kristin Chenoweth and Andrea Martin. The next year, she sang the national anthem on Parliament Hill on July 1.
Next month: Capilano University, musical theatre program
And after: Broadway
The dream: "I want to inspire and captivate people through the arts. I think musicals, songs and plays are all such beautiful ways of capturing humanity and reflecting who we are as individuals."
Words of wisdom: "This industry is such a tough business to break into and it is very important to believe that you are enough and you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it."
NATHAN SARTORE
Alma mater: Heritage Woods
Inspirations: "Ms. Shanda Walters, the amazing theatre teacher at Heritage Woods, inspired me throughout my high school years, and will continue to inspire me."
Arts background: Sartore started at the age of six with training at the Tri-City Dance Centre. Since 2007, he has been coached in voice and acting with Lonnie Delisle. His credits include Hello, Dolly!, Bye Bye Birdie and Oklahoma! with the Royal City Musical Theatre. This summer, he was cast in Legally Blonde: The Musical with Theatre Under the Stars. At Heritage Woods, he played lead roles in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Next month: Sheridan College, music theatre performance
And after: "Auditioning non-stop, trying to find consistent work and striving to always be performing"
The dream: Broadway. "In July of 2012, I travelled to New York City for the first time. The first Broadway musical that I saw was Newsies. As a male musical theatre performer, I was taken aback by the inspiring talent. I imagined myself on that stage, seeing the audience from a different perspective. At this exact moment, I knew that I had to be on that stage."
Words of wisdom: "Train and work toward your ultimate goal."
SAVANNAH MAXWELL
Alma mater: Riverside
Inspirations Nicole Roberge at Riverside secondary and Kim Page at Broadway Bound in PoCo.
Arts background: For 11 years, Maxwell has been involved with Broadway Bound. She has had classes in on-screen acting with Tarlington Training and last year was casted in Shallow Graves. At Riverside, Maxwell portrayed Fantine in Les Miserables and Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown.
Next month: Sheridan College, musical theatre performance
And after: Musical theatre in Toronto or on Broadway.
The dream: "I think almost every musical theatre enthusiast dreams of starring on Broadway and seeing their name in lights and I can't help but fantasize about that as well. Though something else I dream of is having the Canadian arts stand tall and proud and be recognized and appreciated. Too often these are the first programs or classes to be cut for whatever reason and I believe them to be crucial or just as important as any other class and often get over-looked."
Words of wisdom: "Don't be afraid of a family member - or your own self - telling you that you can't because it never hurts to try and as an actor your going to hear 'No' a thousand times but just take those 'No's' and turn them into 'Not yet.'"
