Studio DirectorS
Annie (Graham) Coulson
Annie “Graham’ Coulson is an experienced performer, teacher (dance, voice, acting and piano) and director. Favourite professional performance credits include: “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “The Music Man”, “Godspell” and “The Fantasticks”. Annie received a scholarship to the prestigious Broadway Dance Center in NYC where she trained and performed. She later worked as Casting Assistant to Stephanie Gorin of Gorin Casting and eventually held the position of Youth Talent Agent at The Talent House; Canada’s leading theatre agency in Canada and New York.
CYNTHIA BELASKIE
Cynthia Belaskie grew up in a magical world of sparkles, paint, rhinestones and music; some of which even existed outside her imagination. After seeing the Pembroke Little Theatre’s production of Annie, when she was around 9 years old, Cynthia enthusiastically pursued amateur theatre every chance she got, culminating in her favourite role as Nora in A Doll’s House. She has an honours degree in English and History and a Master's of Arts in British Gender History.
Her true passion of over 40 years, however, is figure skating. She coaches Special Olympians, is the President of the Dundas Figure Skating Club and continues to compete internationally, winning her third World Masters title in 2024. Cynthia comes from a long line of artisans, makers and craftsmen who built that magical world of her childhood and continue to support her artistic endeavours. At her parents’ feet she learned to costume, build, engineer and sew just enough so that the show could go on. She is thrilled to be part of the Graham Academy so that even more children can grow up in a magical world of sparkles, paint, rhinestones and music.
INSTRUCTORS
LIZ RODRIGUES
Liz Rodrigues is a chart-topping, 2X Grammy Award Winning Canadian singer and songwriter; co-writing for and performing with artists like Céline Dion and Eminem to name a few...
Liz Rodrigues is a chart-topping, 2X Grammy Award Winning, Canadian singer and songwriter; co-writing for and performing with artists like Céline Dion and Eminem to name a few....
Highlights of her work include:
CÉLINE DION:
Courage (2019):
- “Courage” (co-writer)
- “Flying On My Own” (co-writer)
- “Say Yes” (co-writer)
- “Nobody’s Watching” (co-writer)
- “How Did You Get Here” (co-writer)
- “The Chase” (co-writer)
My Love (2008):
- “There Comes a Time” (co-writer)
EMINEM:
Recovery (2010) - Grammy-winning, No 1 Billboard:
- “Won’t Back Down” (co-writer)
- “25 to Life” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
- “Almost Famous” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
Bad Meets Evil - Eminem & Royce Da 59 (2012):
- “Echo” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
Marshall Mathers LP2 (2013):
- “Survival” (co-writer)
Southpaw - Major Motion Picture (2015):
- “Kings Never Die” (co-writer)
Revival (2017):
- “Castle” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
P!NK:
The Truth About Love (2012)
- “Here Comes the Weekend) (co-writer)
PITBULL:
Starring in Rebelution (2009):
- “Can’t Stop Me Now” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
NICOLE SCHERZINGER:
Killer Love (2011):
- “Casualty” (co-writer)
melanie miles
Melanie Miles is a dedicated theatre professional and acting coach who has mentored hundreds of students throughout her career. She founded Liberty Junction Theatre Inc. in Mississauga, a children’s theatre company running 14 years. During her tenure, she directed over 30 musicals and created a dynamic space where young performers could take risks, grow, and develop their craft.
Melanie has a diploma in Film from Vancouver Film School. She specializes in a range of acting techniques, including Laban movement, accent training, and improvisation.
She is thrilled to join Graham Academy, where she looks forward to coaching improv and continuing to inspire the next generation of performers.
Some of her Directing credits include:
Matilda 2019
The Lion King 2019
Newsies 2018
Beauty and the Beast, 2017
The Little Mermaid, 2016
Seussical 2011, 2016
Hairspray, 2014
Willy Wonka, 2014
The Wizard Of Oz, 2013
Alice in Wonderland 2013
Peter Pan 2012
Annie 2010, 2016
The Sound of Music 2012
Producing Credits:
Grease, 2019
The Addams Family 2020-2022
The Wizard of Oz, 2019
SID ZANFORLIN
Sid Santiago Zanforlin is a Chilean/Canadian director/writer originally from Montreal now in Hamilton. He is a DGC member and CFC graduate with a background as an IATSE cameraman, theatre director, writer/director of many shorts, music videos and over 90 episodes of TV.