Our Entertainers
Amanda Martinez: Singer/Songwriter
Amanda Martinez is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter whose music exultingly blends her unique Mexican and South African roots with latin soul.
Her third and latest CD "Mañana" was helmed by GRAMMY-winning producer Javier Limón. Limón, whose production credits include acclaimed singers such as Buika, Mariza and Diego el Cigala, hails Martinez as "one of the greatest voices in the world." ‘Mañana’ and her previous solo albums have earned her three Latin Jazz Artist of the Year nominations at Canada’s National Jazz Awards.
Her songs have appeared on three Putumayo world music collections: Bossanova Around the World, Latin Dreamland and most recently, Cafe Latino.
Martinez has headlined at the legendary Blue Note jazz club in New York, at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Festivities in South Africa, and at the 2011 PanAmerican Games in Guadalajara, and is now honorary co-chair of the 2015 Pan Am games Ignite program. She will be performing in a series of countdown concerts to the 2015 Games, as well as speaking at selected events. Amanda also co-chairs the City of Toronto’s Music Advisory Board.
Amanda has worked as a radio host (launching Canada's JAZZFM91 Latin Jazz program), TV personality (BRAVO Arts & Minds, Star TV!) and actress (Regnesis and Disney's Life with Derek). She recently created and hosts the new series Toronto The World Lives Here to promote Toronto’s arts and culture scene and also hosts and coproduces Ingredients for a Good Life—picked up by Air Canada-- to promote Mexico to Canadians.
Amanda recently visited Namibia as an ambassador for SOS Children's Villages, a global organization that helps abandoned and orphaned siblings stay united as families. She spent just over a week caring for a family of eight children. A young mother of three, Martinez calls the SOS mission "a cause close to my heart." A regular performer in Canada's most respected halls, her work has been highlighted by Canada's mainstream media and most recently been recognized by CNN on the launch of her tour in the USA.
Amanda holds a masters degree in international business from York University and a biology degree from the University of Western Ontario. Most recently Amanda was awarded a place in the Top 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians by the Minister of National Revenue.
Listen here to one of her performances.
Her third and latest CD "Mañana" was helmed by GRAMMY-winning producer Javier Limón. Limón, whose production credits include acclaimed singers such as Buika, Mariza and Diego el Cigala, hails Martinez as "one of the greatest voices in the world." ‘Mañana’ and her previous solo albums have earned her three Latin Jazz Artist of the Year nominations at Canada’s National Jazz Awards.
Her songs have appeared on three Putumayo world music collections: Bossanova Around the World, Latin Dreamland and most recently, Cafe Latino.
Martinez has headlined at the legendary Blue Note jazz club in New York, at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Festivities in South Africa, and at the 2011 PanAmerican Games in Guadalajara, and is now honorary co-chair of the 2015 Pan Am games Ignite program. She will be performing in a series of countdown concerts to the 2015 Games, as well as speaking at selected events. Amanda also co-chairs the City of Toronto’s Music Advisory Board.
Amanda has worked as a radio host (launching Canada's JAZZFM91 Latin Jazz program), TV personality (BRAVO Arts & Minds, Star TV!) and actress (Regnesis and Disney's Life with Derek). She recently created and hosts the new series Toronto The World Lives Here to promote Toronto’s arts and culture scene and also hosts and coproduces Ingredients for a Good Life—picked up by Air Canada-- to promote Mexico to Canadians.
Amanda recently visited Namibia as an ambassador for SOS Children's Villages, a global organization that helps abandoned and orphaned siblings stay united as families. She spent just over a week caring for a family of eight children. A young mother of three, Martinez calls the SOS mission "a cause close to my heart." A regular performer in Canada's most respected halls, her work has been highlighted by Canada's mainstream media and most recently been recognized by CNN on the launch of her tour in the USA.
Amanda holds a masters degree in international business from York University and a biology degree from the University of Western Ontario. Most recently Amanda was awarded a place in the Top 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians by the Minister of National Revenue.
Listen here to one of her performances.
Emilio Zarris
Emilio was an Original Cast Member in the Canadian Premiere of ‘Miss Saigon’ for its entire run. He then proceeded to perform leading roles in several multi-million dollar productions for over 5 years onboard several major cruise lines. He has had the privilege of opening for international best-selling author Marianne Williamson, renowned personality Arun Gandhi (the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi) and Stephen Lewis, the former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.
You can listen to him here.
You can listen to him here.
Tré Armstrong: Choreographer/Actress/TV Personality
Choreographer, Actress, Dancer & Permanent Judge on CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Tré Armstrong has channeled her passion for dance into a successful career. A choreographer, actress and TV personality, Tre’ is a proven entity in the industry. Technically trained in ballet, tap and jazz, Tre’ later fell in love with latin, hip hop and urban dance, bringing out the inner teacher in the artist. She has travelled the world sharing her experience through workshops, seminars and classes in hip hop, urban and freestyle dance.
Along with her judging duties on CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Tré is the choreographer behind MTV’s film ‘Turn the Beat Around’, ‘Repo: The Genetic Opera’ (Lionsgate), ‘Breakin’ In: The Making of a Hip Hop Dancer’ (NFB) and assisted on the Sundance Film Festival favourite ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ (ABC). The versatile choreographer recently showed her acting skills in the film ‘How She Move’ and will appear in the up coming feature film ‘Sons 2 The Grave’ being shot in Toronto.
Tré has worked with various artists, including Jay- Z, Megan Fox, Jessica Alba, Sean Paul, Ne-Yo, Sarah Brightman, Phylicia Rashād, Missy Elliott, Jason Derulo, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Wyclef Jean, Rihanna and Ludacris.
Tré is actively involved in giving back to the community, supporting local and international charities, encouraging youth to “get active.” She is passionate about the urban dance youth program she created, called ‘D-Tour’, a division of Tre’s foundation, The Tré Armstrong Give Back Foundation. D-Tour is a nurturing 12 week program focusing on using urban dance to promote life-skill building in young girls and boys aged 14-20 in underserved communities across Canada.
You can watch one of her video performances.
Along with her judging duties on CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Tré is the choreographer behind MTV’s film ‘Turn the Beat Around’, ‘Repo: The Genetic Opera’ (Lionsgate), ‘Breakin’ In: The Making of a Hip Hop Dancer’ (NFB) and assisted on the Sundance Film Festival favourite ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ (ABC). The versatile choreographer recently showed her acting skills in the film ‘How She Move’ and will appear in the up coming feature film ‘Sons 2 The Grave’ being shot in Toronto.
Tré has worked with various artists, including Jay- Z, Megan Fox, Jessica Alba, Sean Paul, Ne-Yo, Sarah Brightman, Phylicia Rashād, Missy Elliott, Jason Derulo, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Wyclef Jean, Rihanna and Ludacris.
Tré is actively involved in giving back to the community, supporting local and international charities, encouraging youth to “get active.” She is passionate about the urban dance youth program she created, called ‘D-Tour’, a division of Tre’s foundation, The Tré Armstrong Give Back Foundation. D-Tour is a nurturing 12 week program focusing on using urban dance to promote life-skill building in young girls and boys aged 14-20 in underserved communities across Canada.
You can watch one of her video performances.
Michael Moon
Michael Moon is an award winning composer and musician specializing in healing music. His pioneering CDs are cherished by many alternative healers and body workers and found worldwide in yoga studios and healing centers.
Gentle yet powerful his music is often the first choice for alternative healers and body workers.
Michael’s music is created with a wide variety of instruments including vibraphone, hammered dulcimer, gongs, bells, guitars and vocals. His concerts are an interactive and engaging experience taking the audience on a magic carpet ride of mystical sounds and songs.
Michael knows intimately music’s power to heal. As a child, Michael was considered autistic and since has dealt with many chronic health issues. In his darkest moments he experienced a soothing rich inner landscape of music and the translation of this music became a passion and gateway to his own healing. Michael has since studied with Shamans, healers and musicians from around the world passionately imbibing the mystical and healing dimensions of sound.
Visit Michael's website: www.thetempleofsound.com
Gentle yet powerful his music is often the first choice for alternative healers and body workers.
Michael’s music is created with a wide variety of instruments including vibraphone, hammered dulcimer, gongs, bells, guitars and vocals. His concerts are an interactive and engaging experience taking the audience on a magic carpet ride of mystical sounds and songs.
Michael knows intimately music’s power to heal. As a child, Michael was considered autistic and since has dealt with many chronic health issues. In his darkest moments he experienced a soothing rich inner landscape of music and the translation of this music became a passion and gateway to his own healing. Michael has since studied with Shamans, healers and musicians from around the world passionately imbibing the mystical and healing dimensions of sound.
Visit Michael's website: www.thetempleofsound.com
Johann Lowenberg
Johann Lowenberg was born on Yorkville Avenue, springtime 1950 in Toronto, Canada. He was all of fourteen when he first jumped onto the stage of 'The Hawk's Nest' to play a few tunes. It wasn't long after seeing the Beatles up close and personal at Maple Leaf Gardens that he started his first coffee house, the precursor to the famed "Fat Alberts" open stage. His good friend and lead guitarist Roger Mayne of 'The Ugly Ducklings' cited Johann as To's first 'rock 'n' roll baby'. With 40 years of songwriting under his belt, he's still knockin' 'em out of the park ..... one at a time!
You can listen to his music by visiting this page on CBC
You can listen to his music by visiting this page on CBC
Student Entertainers
Justin LeRoy
Justin is a 16 year old dancer who is currently enrolled at St. Marguerite D'Youville Secondary School. He is also a member of the "A New DAEI Dance Studio" owned by Ms. Tre Armstrong and is part of the studio's Elite Dance Crew. His dance credit's include Sean Desmond's MOVE, World of Dance and the MMVA's. Justin pushes himself to the limits everyday so that he may one day achieve his goal of becoming a professional dancer & choreographer.
Justin is a 16 year old dancer who is currently enrolled at St. Marguerite D'Youville Secondary School. He is also a member of the "A New DAEI Dance Studio" owned by Ms. Tre Armstrong and is part of the studio's Elite Dance Crew. His dance credit's include Sean Desmond's MOVE, World of Dance and the MMVA's. Justin pushes himself to the limits everyday so that he may one day achieve his goal of becoming a professional dancer & choreographer.
Mark Meisner
Mark wasted no time following in the footsteps of his musical family. Mark is a grade 10 instrumental music major at St. Roch CSS and plays various instruments including piano, cello, double bass, guitar and trumpet. He is also a part of 3 different choirs and 3 bands at school which has given him a chance to travel to NYC and Nashville. Mark has performed in 14 musicals around the GTA, has been a top 10 finalist in Brampton Fall Fair's Got Talent for two seasons and earned the privilege of spending 9 days in master classes with internationally acclaimed a cappella group called PENTATONIX.
Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkPMeisner
Mark wasted no time following in the footsteps of his musical family. Mark is a grade 10 instrumental music major at St. Roch CSS and plays various instruments including piano, cello, double bass, guitar and trumpet. He is also a part of 3 different choirs and 3 bands at school which has given him a chance to travel to NYC and Nashville. Mark has performed in 14 musicals around the GTA, has been a top 10 finalist in Brampton Fall Fair's Got Talent for two seasons and earned the privilege of spending 9 days in master classes with internationally acclaimed a cappella group called PENTATONIX.
Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkPMeisner
Achona Roberts
From the early age of 6, singing has been a passion of the now 16 year old Achona Roberts. Music is something that she strongly ties to her identity and can often be found humming to herself. Achona is a believer in the saying "if the performer can't connect with the song, it's not a good performance." Achona has just begun performing outside of school and is excited to gain the skills needed to grow as a performer.
Follow Achona on Twitter: @ECHXS_
From the early age of 6, singing has been a passion of the now 16 year old Achona Roberts. Music is something that she strongly ties to her identity and can often be found humming to herself. Achona is a believer in the saying "if the performer can't connect with the song, it's not a good performance." Achona has just begun performing outside of school and is excited to gain the skills needed to grow as a performer.
Follow Achona on Twitter: @ECHXS_
Daniel Salij
Daniel Salij is a multidisciplinary artist with a strong spiritual focus. His mentality of ‘by any means necessary’ has him creating artworks and spreading his message through music, visual art, theatre and videography. The aim of his artwork is to illuminate the ever-present spiritual reality thereby encouraging people to grow, evolve, and transcend perceived barriers.
Daniel Salij is a multidisciplinary artist with a strong spiritual focus. His mentality of ‘by any means necessary’ has him creating artworks and spreading his message through music, visual art, theatre and videography. The aim of his artwork is to illuminate the ever-present spiritual reality thereby encouraging people to grow, evolve, and transcend perceived barriers.
