Hi - I'm Julia – the owner & artistic director of Express Yourself Performing Arts. Next to my wonderful family (my dogs “Sultan & Georgie” and cat “Music”), the most important thing to me is helping to develop confident human beings, regardless of age.. I believe that the world would be a happier place if we all took a little time to discover our artistic/creative side. As a child and teenager, I found my own balance and self-confidence in the performing arts.
Certainly, it is a little idealistic to think that the world would be a better place if we all just spent time singing, acting & dancing, but the basic thought is a serious one for sure. Without creative expression in our everyday lives, what would our world & communities be like? When Winston Churchill was asked during World War II if he would cut arts funding in favour of the war effort, he replied: “Then what are we fighting for?” To me, it is that important.
I believe that we should be able to have fun while learning all the skills that performing arts can teach such as collaborative teamwork, responsibility and great communication skills just to name a few. So, that is my goal – a fun environment while developing life skills through the arts. Along the way, we know we will help bring out the “star” in you.
Certainly, it is a little idealistic to think that the world would be a better place if we all just spent time singing, acting & dancing, but the basic thought is a serious one for sure. Without creative expression in our everyday lives, what would our world & communities be like? When Winston Churchill was asked during World War II if he would cut arts funding in favour of the war effort, he replied: “Then what are we fighting for?” To me, it is that important.
I believe that we should be able to have fun while learning all the skills that performing arts can teach such as collaborative teamwork, responsibility and great communication skills just to name a few. So, that is my goal – a fun environment while developing life skills through the arts. Along the way, we know we will help bring out the “star” in you.
MEET OUR TEAM!
JULIA JOHNSTON
Artistic Director
Choral Director (kid & adult)
Vocal/Drama Coach (kid's program)
As the Owner & Artistic Director of Express Yourself Performing Arts, Julia loves to share her passion for singing, acting & dancing with children, teens and adults in the Orillia area. She is a performance and music theatre loving, individual. Trained at Randolph College for the Performing Arts she is known as a "triple threat performer". She enjoys passing on her knowledge with children and adults who strive to improve their confidence levels onstage and offstage. Julia is a professional singer and has acted for years in communities all over Eastern Ontario. Julia has acted under the talented direction of Bea Quarrie and Rosanna Saracino and has sung under the baton of many great directors including Dr. Canon Giles Bryant, Syd Birrell, Christine Slevan, Jeffrey Huard, Jeannie Wyse, Mitchell Pady, Blair Bailey, Renee Cingolani and Scott Hurst.
Julia is excited to continue bringing choirs for women to Simcoe County and take on the fun of a children's choir called O.C.C.C. (Orillia Community Children's Choir).
She has taught children and adults both in group lessons and privately for almost 12 years. Julia has been the Kempenfelt Community Players music director for their Junior shows for 2018-2020. She finished (April 2019) fulfilling a life-long dream of playing the role of Narrator for a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Julia has also gone back to school (2020) to fulfill her dream of earning a degree in the environmental sciences at Lakehead University and Georgian College.
Julia loves to encourage children and adults to utilize the amazing gift that is their voice. Her challenge is to prove to each individual that they have a voice, and the world wants to hear it. From music theatre to classical (including conservatory training), Julia has trained with some of the best in the industry and enjoys passing that knowledge along to be learned by future generations. She finds training in both singing and speaking to be just as important as the other.
Artistic Director
Choral Director (kid & adult)
Vocal/Drama Coach (kid's program)
As the Owner & Artistic Director of Express Yourself Performing Arts, Julia loves to share her passion for singing, acting & dancing with children, teens and adults in the Orillia area. She is a performance and music theatre loving, individual. Trained at Randolph College for the Performing Arts she is known as a "triple threat performer". She enjoys passing on her knowledge with children and adults who strive to improve their confidence levels onstage and offstage. Julia is a professional singer and has acted for years in communities all over Eastern Ontario. Julia has acted under the talented direction of Bea Quarrie and Rosanna Saracino and has sung under the baton of many great directors including Dr. Canon Giles Bryant, Syd Birrell, Christine Slevan, Jeffrey Huard, Jeannie Wyse, Mitchell Pady, Blair Bailey, Renee Cingolani and Scott Hurst.
Julia is excited to continue bringing choirs for women to Simcoe County and take on the fun of a children's choir called O.C.C.C. (Orillia Community Children's Choir).
She has taught children and adults both in group lessons and privately for almost 12 years. Julia has been the Kempenfelt Community Players music director for their Junior shows for 2018-2020. She finished (April 2019) fulfilling a life-long dream of playing the role of Narrator for a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Julia has also gone back to school (2020) to fulfill her dream of earning a degree in the environmental sciences at Lakehead University and Georgian College.
Julia loves to encourage children and adults to utilize the amazing gift that is their voice. Her challenge is to prove to each individual that they have a voice, and the world wants to hear it. From music theatre to classical (including conservatory training), Julia has trained with some of the best in the industry and enjoys passing that knowledge along to be learned by future generations. She finds training in both singing and speaking to be just as important as the other.
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Dance Camp Instructor (kid's programs ONLY)
~ NICOLE FARRER ~ NICOLE's passion for dance began when she started Ballet at age three and has been a major part of her life ever since. Over the years, Nicole expanded her dance styles to Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. At the age of 13 she began successfully competing in these dance styles throughout southern Ontario and also obtained several certificates of excellence from the American Academy of Ballet. Nicole then quickly found her passion in teaching dance to students. She was an active participant in her high school drama community by acting, singing & dancing in many plays and in her final year, Nicole choreographed the musical Footloose for a cast of over 60. Nicole is really excited to share her dance passion with the dancers at Express Yourself! |
Administrator (SING-IT! ONLY)
Lorrie will be joining our team as Administrator. She will be assisting me in the day-to-day business of the Barrie, Midland and Orillia Sing It choirs and will be available to help existing and new members with questions about membership, music availability, performances, etc.
Lorrie was most recently a member and Administrator of Shout Sister choirs in Barrie, Midland and Orillia. She has extensive administrative experience and prior to her retirement was National Director of Administration for a local company. Her organization skills are a much appreciated asset to our growing concern.
Born and raised in Barrie, Lorrie spent a few years moving around Ontario, and came back home in 1990. When she’s not singing with our choirs, Lorrie enjoys spending her time with her six grandchildren, her children, her many friends, travelling and on the golf course.
If you ask her, Lorrie will tell you that she thoroughly enjoys singing in an organized choir. Besides the music itself, she enjoys the comradery, the sense of community, the joy of singing and the opportunity to perform with her fellow choir members.
Lorrie will be joining our team as Administrator. She will be assisting me in the day-to-day business of the Barrie, Midland and Orillia Sing It choirs and will be available to help existing and new members with questions about membership, music availability, performances, etc.
Lorrie was most recently a member and Administrator of Shout Sister choirs in Barrie, Midland and Orillia. She has extensive administrative experience and prior to her retirement was National Director of Administration for a local company. Her organization skills are a much appreciated asset to our growing concern.
Born and raised in Barrie, Lorrie spent a few years moving around Ontario, and came back home in 1990. When she’s not singing with our choirs, Lorrie enjoys spending her time with her six grandchildren, her children, her many friends, travelling and on the golf course.
If you ask her, Lorrie will tell you that she thoroughly enjoys singing in an organized choir. Besides the music itself, she enjoys the comradery, the sense of community, the joy of singing and the opportunity to perform with her fellow choir members.
Located in the Orillia, Midland and Barrie area, we offer classes in the performing arts. This includes drama (acting), music (vocal / singing) and dance. Putting all three forms of artistic expression together, our students (ages 4-16) experience the joy of musical theatre. Our program is open to kids of all experience and skill levels and our program is designed in a way that builds confidence for each individual student. Our students also develop excellent communication and team building skills, grow in self-esteem and enjoy the benefits of improved coordination and fitness levels. All of our students learn essential life skills that will stay with them throughout their life. Creative kids love our classes as we provide fun activities in the performing arts!
We offer summer camps which are an experience where lifelong friendships are formed, where learning about life and leadership skills are integral part of a fun musical theater camp experience. Campers experience a fun and exciting summer camp. Your child can fill their summer break with a fun musical theatre experience at our camps. We also provide choirs for both adults and children, which gives individuals opportunities to sing without the pressure of music-reading or auditions. We offer a casual women's choir which is fun if you love to sing.