Brittanny Hann-Bowness MMus, BEd, BFA. - YPC Artistic Director / Instructor of Musical Theater, Teen Combo, Voice, Piano, Ukulele, Bass & Guitar.
Brittanny (she/her) is a local performing artist who resides in Lake Echo, Nova Scotia with her husband, Brett. She has been running performing arts programs since 2007. She has directed a multitude of young company musicals such as Grease, Aladdin, Wizard of Oz, Shrek: The Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Into The Woods, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Jack and the Beanstalk, Frozen, Footloose, Cinderella, Chicago, and Les Miserables. Her acting credits include 'Velma Kelly' in Chicago (Toronto), 'Maureen' in Rent (Toronto), 'Wicked Witch' in Wizard of Oz (PEI), 'Rizzo' in Grease (PEI), and 'Dragon' in Shrek (NS), to name a few. She has also performed with Feast Dinner Theatre (PEI) and Second City (ON) and has competed in National competitions such as Canadian Improv Games and TheatreSports. She is a member of Carl Orff Canada, Performing Arts Educators of Canada (Jazz), Royal Academy of Dance and NSMEA / CMEA. She studied Performing Arts at York University (Toronto, ON) and graduated in 2011 with a double major in Dance and Music (Jazz Vocal Performance). She then went on to complete her Bachelor of Education from Crandall University (Moncton, NB) and her Masters in Music Education from Western University (London, ON). She has presented at numerous education conferences for dance, drama and music, and conducted research in the field of vocal pedagogy with a focus on blues, jazz and theatrical vocal technique and contemporary vocal belting, which has recently been published. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies. She has taught grades P-12 in public schools through HRSB/HRCE, and currently teaches band and drama at Woodlawn High School. In addition to teaching public school, she has taught Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Break Dance, Musical Theatre, Voice, Piano, Ukulele and Guitar through Maritime Dance and Maritime Theatre School, Fall River School of Performing Arts, and Halifax Rec (Lake and Shore, Porter's Lake) where she founded and designed the successful "Broadway Bound" program. She is passionate about performing arts education and has been recognized by the Nova Scotia government for her efforts. She would like to thank all supporters of YPC for helping make it such a success!
Lyris Daye: Musical Theatre, Acting.
Lyris Daye (she/her) is a fourth year student at St Mary’s University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Lyris has a passion for all aspects of Performing Arts; including Broadway Musicals, singing/perfoming, writing composition and acting. Lyris is also known for her Neptune Theatre Debut as the youngest African Nova Scotian to cast in the Canadian Regional Premiere Production of The Color Purple. She has recently acted in the T.V series Diggstown and Books of Blood. Lyris is a former member of Broadway in the Hood Canada where she had the opportunity to perform in Las Vegas Nevada (Smith Centre), Rebecca Cohn and Alderney Landing. Lyris is currently more actively involved in music composition and is in the process of developing her first single. Currently, her latest collaboration with Artist Kirk Ovie has reached over 100k views within the first month. Aside from Performing Arts, Lyris is a model with agency Soli Productions under the direction and leadership of Solitha Shortte. Lyris is the 2nd oldest of 5 and when not performing, she loves spending time with family and giving thanks to God.
Sachiko Akikawa-Bauer: Violin, Viola & Piano
Born in Japan and raised half in Japan and half in Canada, Sachiko (she/her) had the unique opportunity to study violin and piano with a multitude of teachers and methods. She started piano at a young age in Japan and after her family moved to Nova Scotia, started violin with Jennifer Jones. She continued her violin studies when her family moved back to Japan. There, she learned strictly through the Suzuki Method from Shinei Kato, who studied with the late Dr. Suzuki. Sachiko studied piano with Rafael Alcolado while she was living in Halifax and played in the Kiwanis Music Festival where she placed first in several of her classes. She also studied piano with Nancy Carr and Diane Pittman. Sachiko got her Bachelor of Arts Concentration in Music degree from Dalhousie University studying under the tutelage of Philippe Djokic. During her time at the university, she spent her summers at Domaine Forget attending the string session they offered. At the session, she had the privilege of studying with teachers such as Claude Richard, Mark Fewer, and Yehonatan Berick to name a few. After graduating, Sachiko taught violin in Japan through the Yamano/Yamaha School of Music and taught piano privately. She also recently taught for five years in the school string system through the Halifax Regional Arts program (formerly Halifax All-City Music) and is well versed in their pedagogy and curriculum. Sachiko is currently an active member of the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra playing 1st violin and also in Nova Sinfonia in Halifax, and is the concertmaster of the Bedford Leisure Club Orchestra.
Charles Urich: Drums/Percussion & Rock Ensemble.
Charles Urich (He/Him) is a drum instructor originally from Sydney, Nova Scotia. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from St. FX. Charles has extensive playing experience, actively working with various local acts and teaching privately.
Charles is comfortable playing different styles of music and enjoys teaching rock, funk, jazz, and world styles. He has taught at Long and McQuade in Bedford and can often be seen playing live with various bands and artists throughout HRM.
Reuben Bauer - Woodwind and Brass
Growing up in Bedford, Reuben (he/him) took up the trombone at age 11 and performed as a student with the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra and Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble before earning a Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from Dalhousie University. He is principal/bass trombonist for the PEI Symphony Orchestra, tubaist and bass trombonist for the Bedford Brass Quintet, and bass trombonist for Nova Sinfonia and the Tuesday Night Band. Reuben has also performed with Symphony Nova Scotia, Scotia Brass, the Dalhousie Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Halifax Trombone Summit, the Back Alley Big Band, and the Acadia University Wind Ensemble. He currently works as an elementary and secondary instrumental music teacher for the Halifax Regional Center for Education
Noah MacLean - Dance (Ballet, Jazz, Song & Dance and Creative Movement)
Noah (he/him) is a dance teacher and former YPC student. He currently studies medical sciences at Dalhousie University. He has had dance training his entire life and voice lessons. Last year, Noah played Elle Woods in YPC Cast B’s production of “Legally Blonde” and currently teaches dance at both YPC and Coastal Dance. Noah has played "Sugar Plum Fairy" and "Coffee" in the Nutcracker last year and has even studied at the National Ballet of Canada.
Marissa Emberly: Musical Theatre, Ballet, Jazz and Creative Movement.
Marissa (she/her) has been a dance teacher and choreographer here at YPC for 4 years. She does the choreography for many of the pieces in the musicals and teaches Ballet, Creative Movement and Jazz. She loves getting to work with these amazing kids. Marissa has been dancing since she was 7. Her main styles of dance are ballet, jazz and modern. She also enjoys acting. She started acting when she was 10. Some of her past roles have been Matilda in Matilda the Musical, Fiona in Shrek the musical, Sandy in Grease, Regina George in Mean Girls, and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. She was a member of the the All city girls choir elementary and senior for a total of six years. Last year, she was YPC's "Instructor of the Year". When she is not teaching or performing, she tutors in French, plays soccer and is studies post-secondary education in Marine Biology.
Maegwin Halsey - Hip Hop, Jazz & Tap, Creative Movement, Classe d'Acteur:
Maegwin (she/her) is another one of our young, vibrant teachers here at YPC. She has been training in dance since she was a baby, studying ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and musical theatre dance. She is also a pre professional cast member at YPC. Past roles of hers include "Genie" in "Aladdin", "Lumiere" in "Beauty and the Beast", "Damien" in "Mean Girls: The Musical" and Kiki in Legally Blonde. She is also an active and proud member of the Mi'kmaq community! Maegwin has achieved many things in her young life but performing arts are her passion. She loves to teach as much as she loves to perform. She is also bilingual!
Maya Serbu - Acting / Musical Theatre:
Maya (She/Her) is an experienced performer and instructor who studied acting at Dalhousie University. She has performed on stage and screen her entire life, and is an accomplished singer and actress. She has played many roles, including Sandy in Grease, Motor Mouth Mabel in Hairspray, and her most recent performance as "Janis" in Cast A of "Mean Girls: The Musical" at YPC. Maya's love of performing, aids her (along with her professional experience) in her teaching style. She is passionate, energetic, fun and very knowledgeable. She is also a twice-published author!
Maggie Desaulniers - Acting / Song & Dance / Musical Theatre:
Maggie (she/her) is a recent graduate of Prince Andrew High and long time performer. She has recently played Marmie in Little Women at Neptune. As well as Vivienne in YPC’s Legally Blonde and Cady Heron in YPC’s Mean Girls, and Roxie Hart in PAHS's production of "Chicago". She has also been studying vocals for many years.
Kaitlyn Findlay - Dance (Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet & Creative Movement)
Kaitlyn (she/her) is 18 years old and attends Auburn Drive High school. She has just previously entered the theatre world but is enjoying every minute of it. Having been a jock in a production of High School Musical and a competitive dancer in jazz, hip hop and musical theatre, she debuted in YPC’s Legally Blonde just last year! As an experienced competitive dancer and cheerleader, she knows what goes into training a body to be an athlete and an artist.
Olivia Noble - Dance (Tap)
Olivia (she/her) is a recent graduate of Millwood High School. With YPC, she played Principal Duval and several ensemble characters in YPC’s production of Mean Girls, and Chutney Wyndham in Legally Blonde. She has also played roles like Ryan Evans in High School Musical and Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia. Olivia is an experienced tap dancer and child care worker. She is very excited to be teaching tap with YPC this year.
Maddie Haire-Burke - Song & Dance / Musical Theatre
Madison (she/her) is 17 years old and attends Woodlawn High School. Legally Blonde was Madison’s third year with YPC, she played Professor Callaghan. She was also Rusty in YPC’s “Footloose”, Janis in “Mean Girls” and Vince Fontaine in “Grease”. Maddie is also in her 6th year of voice lessons with Brittany Hann and is a junior instructor at YPC in our theater departments. Maddie also loves spending time with her little brothers.
Abigail Bourgoin - Dance (Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop & Creative Movement)
Abigail (she/her) is 15 years old. She played Caitlyn Caussin in “Mean Girls”, Pinocchio in “Shrek” and has done some singing lessons. Last year she was Margot in Legally Blonde at YPC and Patty Simcox in Grease at YPC. Abigail has been dancing for 13 years, in various styles including her favorite, Tap. Also she is a part of her school's drama/ improv club.
Ben Morgan - Guitar, Bass and Ukulele
Ben has been playing guitar, bass, and ukulele for many years and loves to share his knowledge and passion for these instruments with new, and experienced students! Ben has studied music at various places, some including The Canadian Conservatory of Music and the Walkerville Centre for Creative Arts Performance Program. He is currently in his 2nd year at Dalhousie University. When Ben isn’t playing the guitar, bass or ukulele he enjoys playing other instruments such as piano, drums, and singing.
Ben can adapt to whatever teaching style fits best for any particular student, and he will be sure to teach you what YOU want to learn!
Jack Fry - Beginner Guitar & Bass
Jack (he/him) has been a performer his whole life. He was in Rent as Roger, Shrek as Shrek, Annie as Mr Warbucks, Footloose as Chuck Cranston, Mamma Mia as Sam, Grease as Kenickie, Legally Blonde as Emmett and Mean Girls as Aaron Samuels. He has studied guitar, Bass and voice with Brittanny Hann-Bowness for many years. When not performing or teaching, he also works at Lake and Shore rec center as a camp counselor and theater instructor.
Adam Mallard - Guitar and Bass
Adam is new to our team but you may have seen him with Jack and many others on our YPC bandwagon during the Musquodoboit PRIDE parade, rocking out on his guitar. A grade 12 at auburn, he has been playing guitar since age 10. He also can play the harmonica extremely well! With mostly blues influences with a bit of country, Adam can play any genre and loves to jam.
Taighe Foster-Gallant - Seasonal Staff
Taighe foster-gallant (she/her) is 15 years old and attends Auburn high school. She has done a few shows with the YPC including: Jasmine in Aladdin, Dragon in Shrek, Sandy in Grease, Gretchen in Mean Girls and Pilar in Legally Blonde. Taighe also studies voice lessons with Brittany Hann-Bowness. An interesting fact about Taighe is that she one day aspires to be on Broadway.
Kayla Mallette - Seasonal Staff
Kayla (she/her) goes to Ecole Mosaique and has been performing her entire life. She is a trained vocalist, has been in more musical productions than she can count, and is a company member at Coastal Dance in Dartmouth. She recently played Vi Moore in YPC’s production of Footloose and was in The Nutcracker last Winter.