Performing Arts & Music Success Stories

Everyone knows that college is a time for learning and developing skills. For those in Humber’s music programs, it’s also a time for developing your network of future collaborators.

Atcheleh Aryee is an 18-year-old trumpet major and multi-instrumentalist in her first year of Humber’s Bachelor of Music program.

Find out at an upcoming program information session!

Humber College and Humber Galleries are hosting five projects for Nuit Blanche Toronto Online on Saturday, October 3.

Saxophonist and composer Jesse Ryan, a Bachelor of Music graduate, is the recipient of this year's Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Jazz Artist Award.

An open letter from the Humber Music faculty to our students, alumni and community.

Four Theatre Performance grads graced the Winter 2016 cover of Humber Today and we couldn't be prouder.

When Joseph Recinos graduated from Humber’s Theatre Performance program in 2011, he had already signed with an agency.

How does a Toronto actor and improviser end up co-founding an improv festival in Cape Town, South Africa? Ashley Comeau shares her story.  

Steve Onotera AKA The Samurai Guitarist graduated from Humber's Bachelor of Music program in 2012.

Talent is often the result of experience and hard work. I have consistently witnessed talent and natural gifts surpassed by dedication and focus.

Dr Andrew Scott, Acting Head of Humber’s Music Degree program (2014-2015 academic year) has been out SIRFing.

Dan McCarthy graduated from Humber's Community Music program in 2001. He recently moved back to Toronto from New York City and

Erik Smith is a 2016 graduate of our Comedy program, but his career path since then demonstrates both his diverse interests and his diverse skillset.

October 30th, the anniversary of the War of the Worlds broadcast, is World Audio Drama Day.

Bria Hiebert may have graduated from Humber only this spring, but she’s already making a name for herself as a stand-up comic, writer and actor.

Ashley Comeau shares her recent experiences writing and performing comedy in Toronto.

Lydia Persaud has been busy. Very busy since graduating from Humber’s Bachelor of Music program in 2013. 

Award winner and student Erika took this year’s North West heat of the Chortle Comedy Awards by storm.

Ewan is a trumpet player, composer and arranger, but he’s also an entrepreneur and craftsman.

"My time at Humber prepared me immensely. It helped give me the discipline that is required for this industry."

The 2008 graduate attended Humber Music as a trumpeter, but now makes a living as an audio engineer and entrepreneur.

Noah Farberman graduated in 2018, but his collaborations with the Humber Comedy Writing and Performance community continue.

"With only graduating Humber less than a year ago, I am super grateful for the opportunities I have been granted in music, TV and film."

While theatre may have been Glenys Marshall’s first love, comedy is her true love. The match is a successful one for the Humber Comedy graduate.

Performer, director, writer, theatre company founder, workshop facilitator -- Yolanda Bonnell juggles many roles.

With the improvisation, and music business courses Humber Music has to offer, theory might not seem like the most exciting subject.

The Theatre Arts – Performance instructor is an actor, director, singer, composer, and one of Canada’s most sought-after dramaturges.

Fourth-year Bachelor of Music student Agneya Chikte put his own business skills to the test in September during week of networking and mentoring.

Spencer is a host on YTV’S The Zone and performs in various improv shows around Toronto.

"It's amazing to see how much story can be told just with breathing and your eyes."

Some subjects are so traumatic or personal that it is difficult to address them through art.

2008 Humber Music graduate Francois Klark, who found a community of like-minded musicians at the College.

Forging a successful career in theatre requires a high level of commitment to craft, but that doesn’t mean the work can’t be a joy.

"I can say that our faculty’s strong emphasis on being professional and being prepared for the shoot has proven to be fundamental."

Nathan Whitney loved his time studying music at Humber so much that he graduated twice.

Emily Rockarts, a Toronto musician and Bachelor of Music grad, wasted no time starting her singer/songwriter career after graduation.

"Humber Acting for Film and Television provides a great tool kit to those who are passionate about acting."

The 2017 graduate and past recipient of the Eugene Levy Award for Comedy Writing was named the winner of the 2017 Tim Sims Encouragement Award.

Carlos Albornoz shows, good acting training is transferable – especially when it’s supported by lots of talent and hard work!

"Community is unbelievably important to me both in my artistic practice and my experience as a person in the world." 

Colin Bruce Anthes’ path from Humber has led him to theatre and film work and multiple cities.

Humber’s own Joe Bowden—program assistant to Acting for Film and Television, Theatre Arts – Performance and Theatre Arts – Production programs.

Larnell Lewis, a Humber Music alumnus, instructor and world-renowned musician, talked to us about his amazing year.

Since graduating in 2012, Sina Gilani has been making a name for himself as both an actor and a playwright.

"When you come to the conclusion that the only thing you can do is make movies, buckle up, because it’s one heck of a ride."

Chris Robinson was runner-up at the 2016 Homegrown competition at Just for Laughs.

Anthony is the creator/executive producer/head writer of BBC's Secret Life of Boys.

Michael Orlando graduated in 2007 and now runs Theatre Lab.

Amanda graduated in 2008 and is excited to have received a grant to continue work on her play, Unknown Territory.

"Nothing is more valuable than good training and your network of people."

Michael is known for his work in Bitten, The Basement, and The Intruders.

Bahareh Yaraghi heads to Stratford for the 2016 season.

"The AFTV program was so full of different teaching techniques that I couldn't possibly list all the ways it prepared me for this industry."

"I’ll always be indebted to the faculty and to John Bourgeois... when someone believes in you, it means the world. You never forget that."

Matthew Gouveia can be seen from April 5 - 24 in Coal Mine Theatre's Killer Joe.

"I’m proud of booking a role that would normally be cast as a Caucasian. Major props to Suits for being inclusive."

Open to high school and post-secondary students, first round application/Scholarship Deadline March 15th, 2016.

Grace Thompson hasn't yet graduated, but she hasn't let that stop her from creating her own work.

Michael Kras graduated in 2015 and is already developing exciting new theatre.

Kurtis Conner graduated in 2015 and has already made a name for himself on Vine.

Sean Robertson Palmer graduated Humber in 2005 and returned 10 years later as an instructor.

When Dan Watson graduated from Humber in 2002, he already knew that the program had changed his life, personally and professionally.

A memorial scholarship has been set up in honour of the late Dr. Kira Payne.

Alessandra Vite can be seen throughout the month of December in the Second City Christmas show Unwrapped.

Final exams mean more than papers and written exams in Humber's music department.

Yes, Humber has a gospel choir and, with over 40 members this year, it's the largest Humber ensemble in the history of the music program.

Final exams mean more than papers and written exams in Humber's music department.

"Nothing is more valuable than good training and your network of people."

The first-ever Listening Party was a great success, with students, faculty, and many industry insiders all listening to amazing student recordings!

Rebecca Addelman graduated from Humber’s Comedy Writing & Performance program in 2005.

"Timeless Classics Volume One: Straight Up Groovin’" is a great introduction to the wealth of talented musicians associated with Humber College.

If you’ve ever wanted to walk the walk of somebody other than yourself, Humber faculty member Kelly McEvenue is the person to help you.

Tyler Morrison is an award winning Canadian comedian and writer quickly emerging as one of the most talked about young headliners in the country.

Humber's annual "Jazz in the Schools" program was a great success in 2015.

Nominations for the 2015 Juno Awards were announced this week.

Just about every gig that I have done over the last 38 years of my career has had some sort of a Humber connection.

It is always inspiring to hear what our talented faculty are up to when they are not in the classroom molding musical minds.

“I didn’t even apply for the audition – honestly, I didn’t even know they were looking for that role!”

My time at Humber College is one the best of my life! I attribute my success so far directly to the time I spent there.

"The Theatre Performance program at Humber allowed me to hone my practical actor skills and develop a solid foundation in performance."

Many people would rather do just about anything than work with their parents. But not alumna Nina Gilmour.

"The Humber Theatre Performance program made life outside of school very accessible."

Giacomo Gianniotti graduated from Humber’s Theatre Performance program in 2012.

In 2003, Josh Saltzman entered  Humber’s comedy program planning to do improv, but he emerged  a comedy writer.

Humber helped introduce me to a variety of performance opportunities in the comedy world as well as to it’s history.

Levi MacDougall has been called “one of Canada’s finest young comics” by Time Out New York.

"There is a good reason Humber's AFTV program attracts the highest quality instructors."

"The teachers at Humber were wonderful with their ability to shape and mould young up-and-coming actors such as myself."

"I would recommend this program for any aspiring actor..."

"This program prepared me for the reality of working as a film and television Actor."

"Humber's acting program is responsible for helping me find deeply rooted passion and learning to harness it as a refined craft."

Richard Young is a South Asian-Canadian actor/screenwriter.

"The Acting for Film and Television program at Humber is the best experience a young actor looking for training could have."

"At Humber, I learned that the best way to succeed in acting is to reach out to the peers and colleagues in your community for help and support."

Steph Tolev is a stand up and sketch comic born and raised in Toronto. 

K. Trevor Wilson, the self proclaimed "Man Mountain of Comedy" has been performing for over 15 years.

Jason Rouse is a renegade touring stand-up comedian taking the mainstream comedy world and turning it upside down.

Michelle Shaunessy is a native of Peterborough Ontario.

From a blue collar background, Nick Beaton cuts through the garbage of an overly bureaucratic society that takes itself way too seriously.

Fielder has managed to both escape disaster and illustrate something fundamental to his comedy.

Labow’s an über-successful Humber Comedy alumni who came to speak to us at one of our “Prime Time” seminars this week Sept 26/2012.

Nikki Payne was born in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia in 1976. She starred in FRO - The Movie and Wolf Canyon.

"I really enjoyed my time at Humber. I found the teachers to be professional and very helpful."

Kenny Wheeler, a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, died earlier this fall at the age of 84.

Humber music welcomed Ryan Truesdell as Composer in Residence from Oct. 17th to 19th 2012.

One of the most exciting recent Humber initiatives is the Humber New Venture Seed Fund.