News
Pair of Humber Polytechnic alumna come up big at the JUNOs
Tue, April 01, 2025
The JUNO Award winners have been announced and a pair of Humber Polytechnic alumna along with a pair of faculty members are showing their brilliance with wins.
Many Humber Polytechnic connections among this year’s JUNO Award nominees
Fri, March 28, 2025
The nominees for the JUNO Awards have been announced and there are a number of Humber Polytechnic connections among them.
Friends, fun and making video games – a perfect weekend for these students
Mon, March 24, 2025
Humber Polytechnic hosted a site for this year’s Global Game Jam.
From Behind the Lens to Building Legacies: Meet Desiree Thomas
Fri, February 14, 2025
From two-time Humber Polytechnic graduate to internationally published photographer and brand creator, Desiree Thomas is living her dream.
Marc Colangelo on the Impact of Contemporary Art and Design at Dutch Design Week
Wed, February 12, 2025
In October 2024, I led a group of Humber students to Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, where they explored contemporary art and design and collaborated with design students from Fontys University.
The faculty-led international trip afforded students and faculty a unique opportunity to experience remarkable art and design projects from leading design teams of established creators to recent graduate work from renowned design academies from across Europe. Beyond the obvious inspiration these works evoke, there was a myriad of benefits to this initiative for both faculty and students.
The creative work showcased dealt with a range of issues and variables that impact and shape contemporary art and design. These emerging and present issues go beyond the traditional considerations of form and function, such as use and influence of AI, accessibility, inter-disciplinary collaboration, social design, and sustainability. These issues helped shape much of the work displayed at DDW and underscored the importance of these developments in design and art. Far from hindering the creative process, these variables allowed for further innovation amongst designers and artists.
Students and faculty were able to view the works in person, including speaking directly to the creators about how these variables were parsed out in the creative process. Many of the works of art and design exhibited highlighted the need for expertise in one’s area, balanced by the ability of all artists and designers to work collaboratively together.
As faculty, I was struck by the absence of barriers between the fields of art and design. In the Netherlands, and across Europe, the lines that delineate the boundaries between these two disciplines are blurred. Strong art contains great design, and vice versa, strong design contains great art. Many of these creative works exhibited at DDW 2024 were done in unison between artists and designers, and in some instances, incorporating the work of engineers and scientists. This confirms the importance of and re-affirms the aims of Humber Polytechnic for more robust collaboration: between programs within FMCAD, between faculties at the college, and the institution and international, education partners such as Fontys.
After touring through the various areas of Eindhoven that housed these projects, from design studios to fully immersive, art installations, students were well grounded in the terrain of contemporary art and design and its demands. The students’ experience of DDW culminated in a collaborative brain-storming session with students and faculty from Fontys Interactive Design program. The focus of the session revolved around the use of AI – the ways artists and designers can leverage this tool, while retaining one’s autonomy and creativity.
I encourage faculty and students within FMCAD to partake in this wonderful opportunity to attend DDW and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects that confront issues of accessibility, AI use, and sustainability that will shape our future designs.
Marc Colangelo is the Program Coordinator and Faculty member of the Visual & Digital Arts and Art Foundation programs. Click here for more on Faculty-led International Trips.
Creative advertising students face off in Humber’s Sprint Week
Tue, February 04, 2025
Sprint Week at Humber Polytechnic brings together students, faculty and industry professionals for a whirlwind of creativity and competition.
Students collaborate to redefine Canadian Black history through innovation
Tue, February 04, 2025
What happens when storytelling meets cutting-edge tech and immersive creativity? Students across multiple programs at Humber Polytechnic discovered firsthand, thanks to this collaboration.
Bachelor of Public Relations students percolate business-growth ideas for OHO Coffee
Tue, January 28, 2025
Students developed ideas for their Business Fundamentals class with the winning pitch receiving a $600 prize from NEXT, Humber’s internal advertising agency.
Online collaboration enters the real world: Humber and Danish students team up on media campaign
Fri, December 13, 2024
Media Communications students work with their peers from Business Academy Aarhus in Denmark, creating a dynamic cross-cultural learning experience.
Radio Grad Wins 2024 Premier's Award
Wed, November 27, 2024
Humber Polytechnic alumnus George Stroumboulopoulos has received a 2024 Premier’s Award in the Creative Arts and Design category.
Humber Grads Making Their Mark as Entrepreneurs
Wed, November 20, 2024
Humber grads with a passion for business often start their own companies. This includes Advertising & Graphic Design graduate Renata Reis.
Fourth Film by Film Degree Prof Gets Theatrical Release
Fri, November 15, 2024
Kazik Radwanski's latest film also screened at the 2024 Berlin and Toronto International Film Festivals.
Bachelor of Creative and Professional Writing Students Launch Literary Magazine
School for Writers
Mon, October 21, 2024
Arrival showcases the work of emerging writers from Canadian post-secondary writing programs.
Alumnus Views Life Through the Lens
Thu, September 12, 2024
Photography grad John Narvali is a strong supporter of Humber Polytechnic.
Emerging Writers Dazzle in Flash Fiction Contest
School for Writers
Thu, July 18, 2024
The winners of the Bachelor of Creative and Professional Writing’s (BCPW) annual Flash Fiction Contest have been announced.
Humber Students Take Home Multiple Rocket Awards
Mon, July 15, 2024
Students with Humber’s Bachelor of Industrial Design program had a successful showing at an annual design competition where they won several awards.
Bachelor of Industrial Design Students Participate in BRP International Design Competition
Wed, May 10, 2023
The Industrial Design program was invited to return and participate in the BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) International Design Competition!
Industrial Design Third Year Students Design for Modern Living in Umbra/Humber Studio Project
Fri, March 24, 2023
Driven by innovation, Toronto-based Umbra has become a global leader in product design, known for pushing boundaries in its approach to original design.
Annual By The Lake Book Club Scholarship Awarded to Emerging B.C. - Based Writer
Mon, February 27, 2023
Layla Reeves, a Vancouver Island writer and student in Humber's Creative Writing Graduate Certificate program, is the 2022 recipient of a $1,500 scholarship.
Designs Created by Fast Students Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
Wed, February 01, 2023
Prof. George Paravantes (FMCA) and Dr. Dennis L. Kappen (FAST) proudly unveiled the results of the 2022 ARROW HMI - Humber Industrial Design competition.
Interior Design Students Visit Toronto’s Newest Athletic Fashion Stored
Wed, February 01, 2023
Our Interior Design students headed downtown to visit Toronto’s newest athletic fashion store and its unique design.
Bachelor of Interior Design Students Gain Inspiration From Idea Exchange at Designto
Wed, February 01, 2023
Our 4th year Bachelor of Interior Design students attended Mason Studio for an Idea Exchange as part of DesignTO.
Class of 2022 Bachelor of Industrial Design Program
Wed, June 01, 2022
The Bachelor of Industrial Design program Class of 2022 impressed industry professionals at the in-person Thesis Show themed “Perfectly Imperfect.”
Today's Designers are Tomorrow's Visionairies
Sun, May 01, 2022
The Interior Design Show is Canada’s premier showcase of new products and furniture, superstar designers and avant-garde concepts.
Industrial Design Alumni Spotlight
Sun, May 01, 2022
Cristian Loria
Bachelor of Industrial Design, Class of 2020
Interior Design Prof and Students Design Entrepreneurship Hub in the Maldives
Tue, February 01, 2022
Bachelor of Interior Design professor Zaiba Mian and two of her students, Lily Donald and Nicola Klahre, participated in the Maldives Enhancing Employability and Resilience of Youth (MEERY) project.
Industrial Design Third Year Students Design for Modern Living in Umbra/Humber Studio Project
Mon, January 17, 2022
This year’s theme was “Outliers”, challenging students to explore new categories, new ideas and really push boundaries with the Umbra brand.
Catherine Chong Selected Design Judge for Canadian Interiors 2021 Best of Canada Awards
Mon, January 17, 2022
Catherine Chong, professor in our Bachelor of Industrial Design program, was selected as a design judge for the Canadian Interiors 2021 Best of Canada Awards!
Bachelor of Interior Design Graduate Earns Scholarship to SCAD
Mon, January 17, 2022
We are beaming with great pride that Interior Design graduate, Suwan Mak-Mancuso has been accepted to the Master of Arts Design Management program at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Industrial Design Students Design With Global Standards
Mon, December 06, 2021
How we design and make products today shapes the world we will inhabit tomorrow.
Grad Feature: Cassandra DePetrillo
Wed, April 07, 2021
Cassandra DePetrillo has been working in the film and television industry since she graduated from the Film and Television Production program in 2011.
Grad Feature: Anne Logan
Wed, April 07, 2021
Anne Logan graduated from the Creative Book Publishing program in 2008 and has been involved in the Canadian book industry for the past 12 years.
Grad Feature: Katie Versluis
Wed, April 07, 2021
2015 grad Katie Versluis is a sales manager at NetGalley.
Humber Music Alumni Support Music Educators
Tue, April 06, 2021
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.
Making Waves: A Q&A with Atcheleh Aryee
Tue, April 06, 2021
Atcheleh Aryee is an 18-year-old trumpet major and multi-instrumentalist in her first year of Humber’s Bachelor of Music program.
A Q&A with Kait Rak
Wed, January 27, 2021
Kait Rak graduated from Humber’s Photography program in 2013.
Young Lion Reflects on the Ad Industry and Humber Experience
Wed, January 27, 2021
Ellen Porteous is a 2017 graduate of the Bachelor of Creative Advertising and is currently working as a copywriter at boutique agency, Abacus.
Meet Yvonne Shek, M.Sc.
Mon, December 14, 2020
As a user experience (UX) practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in the field, I’m excited to bring my passion and experience to my new role at Humber College.
Which Media & Creative Arts program is for you?
Thu, November 19, 2020
Find out at an upcoming program information session!
From Monday, November 23, 2020, to Friday, January 29, 2021, the Faculty of Media & Creative Arts is hosting one-hour virtual information sessions at various times. Connect with our professors to hear how you'll get hands-on experience through Live Labs, performances, and ongoing work-integrated learning, and learn the industry-specific business skills needed wherever your career and your story take you. Your professional future starts here.
World Audio Drama Day 2020
Fri, October 30, 2020
October 30th is World Audio Drama Day. To celebrate, we're singling out standout original dramas created by our Broadcasting- Radio students.
Emmy Award-winning grad shares secret to her success
Tue, October 06, 2020
Film & Television Production grad Katie Halliday is a 2020 Primetime Emmy Award winner for sound editing the season three finale of Stranger Things.
She spoke to Humber Today about her work, what it's like to collaborate with the Duffer Brothers, and how she went from Humber Film to Hollywood sound editor. Read her full interview.
Humber to light up the night during virtual Nuit Blanche Toronto
Fri, October 02, 2020
Humber College and Humber Galleries are hosting five projects for Nuit Blanche Toronto Online on Saturday, October 3.
Humber is the only participating postsecondary institution and the five projects--available for online viewing for 12 hours starting at 7 pm--are the most by any participating institution.
Learn more about Nuit Blanche Toronto 2020, or find out more about the Humber-sponsored projects, including a short film by students in the College's Indigenous Transmedia Fellowship and a composition by a Bachelor of Music graduate.
Humber Music alumnus wins 2020 Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Jazz Artist Award
Thu, October 01, 2020
Saxophonist and composer Jesse Ryan, a Bachelor of Music graduate, is the recipient of this year's Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Jazz Artist Award.
The annual $10,000 cash prize recognizes the accomplishments of an emerging jazz musician, and supports "the pre-production, production, and/or recording of original music composed by the recipient."
Read more about Jesse Ryan and his work.
Humber writing and journalism grads nominated for awards
Fri, September 25, 2020
Alumni of Humber's creative writing and journalism programs have been honoured for their work as essayists and documentary filmmakers.
Michelle Doyle and Cathrin Hagey, graduates of the creative writing program, were recently named to the CBC Nonfiction Prize longlist. Doyle was nominated for "The Intensive," an excerpt from her recently completed memoir about identity and personal development, and Hagey was nominated for "The Fringe," an essay about a difficult moment in her childhood.
Postgraduate journalism alumni Lucy Lau and Harmony Multani are nominated for the People's Choice Award at the Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival for their short film, Pearl Under Pressure: The Impact of Violence Against Children in Uganda. The film, which documents the work of the The Denmark Uganda Vietnam Exchange (DUVE), was shot over a week in January 2020 as part of an international learning opportunity through Humber College. Read more about the film and Lau and Multani's experience in Uganda.
Industrial Design Student Wins at BRP International Design Competition
Fri, July 24, 2020
Industrial Design student, Bradley Staite, recently won the 2019 Bombardier Recreational Products’ (BRP) International Design Competition.
A Q&A with Marthese Fenech
School for Writers
Mon, July 20, 2020
For Marthese Fenech, the inspiration for her novels struck when she was just a teenager, and it has stuck with her ever since.
A Q&A with Sidura Ludwig, author of You Are Not What We Expected
School for Writers
Wed, July 08, 2020
You Are Not What We Expected, a new collection of stories by School for Writers graduate Sidura Ludwig, wasn’t the book she expected it to be.
A Q&A with Sharif Khan
School for Writers
Mon, July 06, 2020
School for Writers graduate, Sharif Khan, published his first novel, Brave Fortune. He told us how it came to be and how Humber helped along the way.
A Q&A with Madhur Anand, author of This Red Line Goes Straight To Your Heart
School for Writers
Thu, July 02, 2020
Two-time School for Writers grad, Madhur Anand, told us a bit about her latest book and about what she learned during her time at Humber.
Humber Music Solidarity
Mon, June 29, 2020
An open letter from the Humber Music faculty to our students, alumni and community.
Take A Deep Breath, Reflect, and Take A Chance
Tue, June 16, 2020
For the majority of students, the pandemic has meant having to adapt to online learning, remote internships, and seizing new opportunities.
Nadia L. Hohn’s Essential CanLit for Young Readers
School for Writers
Tue, March 31, 2020
We asked children’s author, educator and Humber School for Writers alumna Nadia L. Hohn to recommend her top Canadian books for young readers.
Humber Industrial Design Chair Show
Mon, March 09, 2020
FAST and the Bachelor of Industrial Design program hosted the annual Chair Show on March 9th, 2020 at the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation.
Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology (FAST) Design Networking Event 2020
Thu, February 06, 2020
The annual Design career event, hosted by FAST’s Co-op & Work Placement Services, brought together students and employers.
Rising Stars: Humber Today Profiles Grads
Mon, January 27, 2020
Four Theatre Performance grads graced the Winter 2016 cover of Humber Today and we couldn't be prouder.
Three Hats Are Better Than One
Mon, January 27, 2020
When Joseph Recinos graduated from Humber’s Theatre Performance program in 2011, he had already signed with an agency.
Nominated for Five Video Game Awards
Fri, January 24, 2020
Kaitlin Tremblay, a graduate of Humber's Creative Book Publishing program, has been nominated for five video game awards.
Grad Spotlight: Fadi Sara
Tue, January 21, 2020
Fadi Sara graduated from 3D Animation in 2015 and is now the Tracking and Layout Department Lead at Mr. X in Toronto.
Fadi was recently featured in The Focus Magazine for his team's work on the dramatic scene where Brad Pitt's character plummets 80,000 feet to Earth from an antenna that extends outside the planet's atmosphere.
We caught up with Fadi to find out more about what he does and how Humber helped him get there.
What is your current job title and what does that mean on a daily basis?
My current job title is "Tracking and Layout Department Lead" at Mr.X Inc in Toronto, Ontario. The tasks I perform in a day can vary, so here are some of the things that I do:
Lead - I oversee a team of 8 others on a daily basis as part of my duties as lead. I work with them to address any issues or concerns they have, as well as just general supervision, support, and direction.
New Show Setup – I work with the technical leads in the studio to set up new shows. I help ingest the data that’s been given to us by clients and set up the foundation required for each show so they’re ready for our artists to work with. This includes things like dictating render resolutions, color spaces, and software templates.
Interviews – I conduct interviews alongside my manager to scout for potential new hires in the Toronto tracking and layout department.
General Troubleshooting – I work alongside all the artists in my department to help them with any issues they may have. This can be related to the specific shot/show that they’re working on, or it could be one of our proprietary tools that needs bug fixes.
Pipeline Overseeing – I manage and oversee the pipeline for the Tracking and Layout department across all 3 locations. The "pipeline" is the technical term for the proprietary toolsets that allow for the transfer of data from one department to the other. I discuss, oversee and approve any development that affects the data coming into or going out of the tracking and layout team.
Training – Having worked with a team to pioneer the current training system in place for Tracking and Layout, I still oversee the training to this day. New hires for Toronto are seated next to me and get 1-on-1 time as they are introduced to the tools and workflow. Once they’re at a comfortable level, we put them into production. During this phase, they continue to sit next to me so I can oversee their work and troubleshoot any hiccups they may experience.
Shot Work – If there’s nothing from the above list on my plate for that day, I work on individual shots alongside my team.
What was your career path to get where you are now?
My career path after leaving Humber has been fairly single track. I was hired at Mr. X while still in my third year and have been here ever since. I was brought in as an "Entry Level Tracking Artist". Over the years, I was presented with more responsibility and higher-level tasks as my skillset, knowledge, and experience grew.
In the fall of 2017, I worked with my supervisors to restructure and establish an entirely updated training program for new hires in our department. This training has been widely successful. Over 10 artists have gone through it since and almost all are now at a senior level.
In the spring of 2018, I was given the opportunity to travel to India. We opened a branch in Bangalore and I was sent there to train the staff of the tracking and layout department in our proprietary toolsets and workflows. I held live demos, recorded hours of video training documentation, established personal connections and rapport with the individual artists, and continued communication with them afterwards, overseeing their work and progress.
In the fall of 2019, the position for department lead became available and I was presented with the promotion. I’ve been in that role since.
How did your time at Humber prepare you for what you’re doing now?
Humber did a fantastic job of preparation me for my career.
The education I received allowed me to build a portfolio that helped me acquire the position in the first place.
The outreach to former students and industry professionals prepared me by helping set up an in-depth network of resources and contacts. This helped me understand the importance of communication and references. It was a Humber grad I met through this networking that recommended me for the position at Mr. X, helping me secure the job.
Studio tours and guest speakers hosted by the professors gave me insider knowledge about the workings of the industry, and supported everything the instructors were telling us. Humber also helped prepare me with useful pointers on how to set up my demo reel, website, and resume to stand out more than other applicants.
Find out more about Fadi Sara on IMDB and read the articles where he and his team were featured:
https://www.thefocus.com/news/ad-astra-fall-brad-pitt-mr-x-fall-from-space
https://www.thefocus.com/news/ad-astra-brad-pitt-fall-mr-x-visually-chaotic
Grad Spotlight: Ross Munro
Tue, January 21, 2020
Ross Munro graduated in 1986 from the Film & Television Production Program. We asked Ross about his journey from Humber student to filmmaker.
What are you doing now and what was your career path to get here?
After gaining valuable experience in all facets of film work, I decided to specialize in Screenwriting and, a few years after graduating, found myself writing and directing my first feature film "Brewster McGee" which was shot on 16mm black and white film. Over the next several years, I continued my filmmaking journey here in Vancouver with my documentary short "Broken Palace" as well as my most recent feature film "A Legacy of Whining" (which I also acted in). I have just completed (along with my Producer/wife Maria) our new documentary "European Tour '73".
Tell us some of your favourite Humber memories.
The memories that I cherish most from my time at Humber are of the many great friendships that I made with my fellow Humber film students and the amazing (and sometimes nerve wracking) moments we spent getting our film projects across the finish line in time!
Also, upon arriving at Humber College, I immediately found the offices of the campus newspaper "The Humber Voice" and became the film critic for the paper for the next three years. This allowed me to received a press pass to cover the Toronto International Film Festival which was enormously exciting ("Hey! Is that Roger Ebert getting on the elevator...!).
How did Humber help you get where you are now?
I think the best thing about studying film at Humber College was how well it prepared me for real life in the film world. Just like in the film business, we had to learn how to exist and get along within a group of fellow crew members and be able to respect and listen to each other's creative ideas and to balance and be productive amongst all the different personalities and viewpoints involved. Also, the course's expectation of having us learn all the different functions and duties in the film world gave us a very well-rounded and valuable opportunity for some incredible hands-on learning.
Share a tip for upcoming filmmakers.
I think it's important for potential filmmakers to get a solid understanding of their craft - whether it's going to film school or learning online or especially going to as many movies as possible - that's key. When I went to Humber, I used to jump on a bus downtown almost everyday after class and see as many movies as I could (they used to have a collection of very cool repertory movie houses that featured amazing film titles from North America and around the world!).
Also, I think it shouldn't be overlooked just how important it is for filmmakers to get out and meet as many like-minded individuals as possible (yes, that dreaded word "networking"!). Making a film is a social experiment at all times and you will need as many people pulling in the same direction as you as possible. Get out of your comfort zone and start being part of your chosen community! Help other filmmakers on their sets, support other filmmakers and creatives - the love will make its way back to you!
Watch the trailers for Ross's films "A Legacy of Whining" and "European Tour '73".
Grad Spotlight: Steve Onotera, The Samurai Guitarist
Tue, January 21, 2020
Steve Onotera AKA The Samurai Guitarist graduated from Humber's Bachelor of Music program in 2012.
Back in his third year at Humber, Steve made a case for a business which, he happily reports, has been his full time job for nearly 5 years. He told us a bit about the business and how Humber helped him make it a reality.
What are you currently working on and what was your career path to get there?
In 2014, I started a YouTube channel called the Samurai Guitarist. Since then I have built a following of 500k followers with over 54 million views. I've branched out to doing sponsored deals, merchandising, an online guitar course and a number of other things that have built a comfortable and fulfilling life in music. I've traveled the world because of this and can't go into a guitar store without being recognized (this is still weird for me).
What other projects have you worked on since leaving Humber?
A failed country band.
How did your time at Humber prepare you for what you’re doing now?
It was very beneficial, many of the skills I learned at school I still use on a regular basis. From working in the studio to my music business class with Andy Scott, there is very little I learned that I don’t use regularly.
Photo credit: Jenny Marrin
Grad Spotlight: Keisha James
Tue, January 21, 2020
Keisha James's work is easy to find - just take the TTC to Dundas station.
Keisha graduated from Humber's Film & Media Production Program in 2018 and we caught up with her to find out more about the project.
Your work is prominently displayed at Dundas station in Toronto. Tell us more.
This is the end result of a year-long artist residency with VIBE Arts and RBC called "Desire Lines". VIBE is a non-profit organization delivering free arts education workshops to marginalized youth across the GTA, and as one of the emerging artists on the roster I was incredibly happy to be a part of this project. I produced a short film, the stills of which are being displayed alongside my headshot and poster on the TTC Pattison panels for one month in Dundas station.
Along with that, I am currently working on my next short film, which is being produced through another program at VIBE. I am an artist in the NExT program, which is a mentorship opportunity specifically for young, Black artists. I will be filming my project next month, which will then be exhibited at a gallery with an opening reception sometime in March.
What other projects have you worked on since leaving Humber?
I produced a short documentary/proof of concept for a future, longer film; I applied for and received a grant from ArtReach for a project I will be running this summer involving workshops and a gallery; and in general have been planning my next film projects.
I also work as a freelancer, so I have continued to do freelance editing and filming since graduation, as well as working as a contract facilitator at some non-profits in the city, as I am passionate about working with and mentoring youth through arts education opportunities.
How did your time at Humber prepare you for what you’re doing now?
I made some of my closest friends while at Humber, and I still work with my crew today. It feels good to be able to collaborate with each other outside of the school setting, and it's great when I'm able to pick who I want to work with.
Photo credit: Aniqa Rahman.
Find out more about Keisha at @keishajamesvideo and @thebrokegallery on Instagram. Her current project is on Instagram at @wtdtyfilm. You can also read more about the VIBE Arts projects here:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/12/27/vibe-arts-brings-emerging-artists-work-to-ttc-subway-stations.html
https://www.toronto.com/news-story/9781496-vibe-arts-brings-emerging-artists-work-to-ttc-subway-stations/
Faculty Spotlight: Kelsley Grant
Mon, January 20, 2020
Talent is often the result of experience and hard work. I have consistently witnessed talent and natural gifts surpassed by dedication and focus.
"Sirfing" At Humber: Research Projects Benefit Students and Faculty
Mon, January 20, 2020
Dr Andrew Scott, Acting Head of Humber’s Music Degree program (2014-2015 academic year) has been out SIRFing.
A Q&A with award-winning children’s author Nadia L. Hohn
School for Writers
Mon, January 13, 2020
Over the last four years, Nadia L. Hohn has written both fiction and non-fiction, publishing picture books, literacy primers, and early readers.
Success Story: Dan McCarthy
Tue, November 26, 2019
Dan McCarthy graduated from Humber's Community Music program in 2001. He recently moved back to Toronto from New York City and
his first project after arrival involved making a recording with his former Humber instructors.
Dan told us more about the CD and what he learned at Humber.
***
NOW
I recently released a new CD called City Abstract, featuring teachers from my Humber days: Ted Quinlan, Pat Collins, and Ted Warren. I had been living in NYC for the last 15 years and just moved back this spring, and this was the first project that I wanted to do. All three musicians had a huge impact on me when I was studying at Humber in the late 90’s, and it was an honour to be able to do a record with them.
THEN
I released a record in March of 2019 that features Steve Swallow on bass, Ben Monder on guitar, and Mark Feldman on violin. It was an absolute thrill to get to record with these legends, especially Steve Swallow, who played bass on all of my favourite Gary Burton records from the 1970s. So incredible!
I also did a trio recording with Thomas Morgan on bass and Rudy Royston on drums; that should be released in 2020. I'm very excited about this record too.
HUMBER
For me, it was huge to get to study with people that were actually out there playing on a regular basis. It really has a huge impact on young players, getting to learn from masters already out on the scene playing and doing their own thing.
***
Follow Dan on social media at @DanMcCarthy on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. (Photo credit: John Rogers)
Humber Lakeshore Wins at Adobe Creative Jam
Tue, November 26, 2019
Four students in Humber’s Advertising & Graphic Design program won first place in the 2019 Adobe Creative Jam.
Competing in a field of 72 teams from six college, Team “A-Block” -- comprised of Nicolas Diaz, Emily Little, Julia Laing, and Chelsea Speck – created an app to address academic integrity. Check out some images of the app here.
The Adobe Creative Jam is a design challenge that asks students to create a visual or motion design concept based on a theme revealed at the event. After three hours and no rules, the teams present their work to the jury in front of a rapt audience. The 2019 Jam drew over 300 students from Sheridan, George Brown, Seneca, OCADU, Algonquin College, and Humber.
Congratulations to all the students who competed, and especially to Team “A-Block”!
Success Story: Erik Smith
Thu, November 21, 2019
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.
We caught up with him to find our what he's been working on.
***
NOW
I recently completed the 48 Hour Film Project. It was exciting, partly because it’s a fast-paced creative project that forces you through all of the creative processes of film-making in a very short time-frame, and partly because I used it as a way to test myself as both a director and producer.
THEN
Since Humber, I’ve worked on a number of projects. I produced and acted in a couple episodes of a small web series called Business Inc. that Robbie Woods and I wrote together, I worked as a Knight at Medieval Times, and I’ve been involved with a number of different film projects. The latter were largely in a production support capacity and have been great for learning to eventually create my own work. Business Inc. is one of the projects I’m proudest of, and I eventually want to remake it with the production skills I’ve learned since then.
HUMBER
My time at Humber was really great for getting comfortable with my own voice, both on and off the stage. Learning about story structure and joke construction and then getting to practice both through performance was a pretty cool combination to get comfortable with all aspects of the creative process. Humber also gave me an opportunity as a work-study student to learn about more technical and production skills like stage lighting and managing performers; those skills have served me very well in my production endeavors since then.
***
Find out more about Erik on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, all under the handle @eriksmithcomedy. (Photo credit: Sammy Lo.)
World Audio Drama Day
Wed, October 30, 2019
October 30th, the anniversary of the War of the Worlds broadcast, is World Audio Drama Day.
To celebrate, we're singling out three standout original dramas created by Radio and Media Production students for a second-semester course.
Students design data for future airport installation
Thu, October 17, 2019
Students in the Graphic Design and Web Design and Interactive Media programs had one day to design a physical installation for airports across Canada.
The project is part of the Global Affairs Canada division of the Federal Government and aims to highlight the support Consular Services offer to Canadian travellers.
The hackathon event took place in the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation and started with an introduction to the design challenge and a briefing call with the client where students were provided the information, materials and inspiration they needed to start their projects.
“When a client is involved, the experience is holistic and involves every aspect of working in the field,” says Bianca DiPietro, program coordinator of the Graphic Design program. “The dynamic between client and student is much more professional and holds a certain level of recognition.”
DiPietro and David Neumann, program coordinator of the Web Design and Interactive Media program say the opportunity for their students to work with real-life clients is great exposure—allowing students to communicate effectively, problem solve and work collaboratively with others.
The students gathered in small groups to design a concept while working with their faculty and advisors to complete their project proposals by the end of the day. Faculty will review the submissions and select up to eight concepts based on uniqueness, creativity and execution. The selected submissions will be shared with Global Affairs Canada to consider the concepts further.
For one group, their concept is a three-dimensional, hollow hemisphere that resembles a globe and features data and information within it. User-friendly to all ages, the globe can be tilted or spun around to allow users to see inside the globe and learn about Consular Services.
“Projects like this give validation to the program and show trust in us as working professionals by allowing us to have our work showcased and potentially have our work attached to the Government of Canada,” says Gizaham Jones, third-year Graphic Design student.
Using different skills and methods, a Web Design and Interactive Media group’s concept includes movable Plexiglass panels. With infographics and data printed or engraved onto the materials, the installation will allow natural light in airports like Toronto Pearson Airport to reflect onto it. The concept also features QR codes and Near-field communication (NFC) codes, which lead users to find more information on the government’s website using their smartphones.
“Being able to have clients give you an open-ended project to work with is a great way to get your creativity and development moving and apply what we’ve learned so far,” says Paul Cudmore, second-year Web Design and Interactive Media student.
The hackathon is part of Humber’s Data storyLAB, which is an innovative hub for data-driven storytelling. Based out of the North Campus, the storyLAB will produce year-round research and partnership opportunities for student learning and engagement.
“StoryLAB is an opportunity for students to pair with reporters, developers and coders to discuss the influence data can create in different journalistic settings. The lab demonstrates how data can transform and impact politics, social justice, and the day-to-day lives of Canadians,” says DiPietro.
Humber’s storyLAB and The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting recently created a storyLAB Data Journalism Grant to support independent data-driven journalism.
For the inaugural grant, Humber and The Pulitzer Center are accepting proposals for stories related to Indigenous lands and property rights. The grant will provide up to $10,000 for a freelance journalist or team of journalists to explore a related story from a data-driven perspective.
---------
This article, by Alysia Burdi, was first published by Humber Today on September 20, 2019. Read the article in it's original context.
Humber professors nominated for prestigious literary awards
School for Writers
Wed, October 02, 2019
Professors David Bezmozgis and Nicola Winstanley have been nominated for two of Canada's most prestigious literary awards.
David Bezmozgis, co-ordinator of Humber’s creative writing graduate certificate, has been shortlisted for the Giller Prize for Immigrant City, his sophmore short story collection. Bezmozgis is no stranger to Giller nominations; his novels, The Free World and The Betrayers, were shortlisted in 2011 and 2014 respectively. The $100,000 prize will be presented at a gala on November 18.
Nicola Winstanley, co-ordinator of Humber’s Media Foundation program, is a finalist for a 2019 Governor General’s Literary Award in the Young People's Literature – Illustrated Books category. How to Give Your Cat a Bath is the fourth book by the acclaimed children's author. She is a past recipient of both an Ezra Jack Keats Foundation New Writer Award and a Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award nomination. The winners of the Governor General's Literary Awards, valued at $25,000 in each category, will be announced on October 29.
Congratulations, David and Nicola!
Aaron Berhane Wins 2019 Writers-in-Exile Scholarship
School for Writers
Thu, September 26, 2019
Aaron Berhane is the recipient of the 2019 PEN Canada-Humber College Writers-in-Exile Scholarship.
Bria Hiebert Wins 2019 Tim Sims Encouragement Award
Wed, September 11, 2019
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.
A Q&A with David Kloepfer, author of Cheap Thrills
School for Writers
Thu, August 22, 2019
In October, after a decade of writing and rewriting, submitting and resubmitting, David Kloepfer’s first novel, Cheap Thrills, will hit bookstores.
Comedy: Writing and Performance Student Success: Ashley Comeau, Part 2
Thu, August 22, 2019
Ashley Comeau shares her recent experiences writing and performing comedy in Toronto.
Bachelor of Music Student Success: Lydia Persaud
Mon, July 22, 2019
Lydia Persaud has been busy. Very busy since graduating from Humber’s Bachelor of Music program in 2013.
Comedy: Writing and Performance Student Success: Erika Ehler
Mon, July 15, 2019
Award winner and student Erika took this year’s North West heat of the Chortle Comedy Awards by storm.
A Q&A with Hannah Brown, author of Look After Her
School for Writers
Fri, July 12, 2019
A good mentor doesn’t only suggest areas for improvement; they highlight your strengths and encourage you to embrace them.
Bachelor of Music Student Success: Ewan Divitt
Wed, June 26, 2019
Ewan is a trumpet player, composer and arranger, but he’s also an entrepreneur and craftsman.
BDES Student Wins First Place at the Boundless 2019 Competition
Thu, June 13, 2019
Anushka Jadwani, a student the Bachelor of Design, has won first place in the Boundless 2019 Competition, the 7th annual Enabling Change competition.
For this year's competition, DX invited students studying in all design disciplines to submit proposals that develop creative solutions focussed on the accessible navigation of public spaces. Anushka's winning project was called “Connexus”, and the concept was a set of wearable bracelets for young children or older adults with cognitive impairments. The bracelets helped ensure caregivers were able to monitor the safety and location of their ward and help provide directional support and a feeling of security for the wearer.
Anushka and her team came up with the initial concept during a class project earlier this term, where BDES students hosted an ideation session with Fontys students in March. Anushka then refined this concept as part of her class project, submitted it to the competition and won! She was awarded $1500, and her work will be on display at the Design Exchange.
Congratulations, Anushka, on this stellar achievement.
Ashley Comeau
Mon, June 10, 2019
How does a Toronto actor and improviser end up co-founding an improv festival in Cape Town, South Africa? Ashley Comeau shares her story.
A Q&A with Sonia Saikaley, Author of The Allspice Bath
School for Writers
Thu, June 06, 2019
Every writer hears the advice “write what you know” at some point in their professional development. But Sonia Saikaley has always wanted to do that.
Marc Senior: Demanding Discipline
Mon, May 27, 2019
"My time at Humber prepared me immensely. It helped give me the discipline that is required for this industry."
Bachelor of Music Student Success: Patric McGroarty
Wed, May 22, 2019
The 2008 graduate attended Humber Music as a trumpeter, but now makes a living as an audio engineer and entrepreneur.
A Q&A with Katie Munnik, Author of The Heart Beats in Secret
School for Writers
Wed, May 22, 2019
Writing advice isn’t hard to find, but sometimes it’s hard to take—especially when it’s your own.
Comedy: Writing and Performance Student Success: Noah Farberman
Tue, May 07, 2019
Noah Farberman graduated in 2018, but his collaborations with the Humber Comedy Writing and Performance community continue.
A Q&A with Carolyn Bennett, author of Please Stand By
School for Writers
Tue, April 09, 2019
She’s worked as a standup comic and a TV writer, so it’s only natural that Carolyn Bennett’s new project would draw on both of those experiences.
Bachelor of Music Student Success: Isaiah Gibbons
Wed, March 27, 2019
"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."
David Albertyn’s Undercard is a knock out with publishers
School for Writers
Wed, March 13, 2019
It’s a familiar motif in literary circles: the unpublished manuscript in a desk drawer or dark corner of a hard drive.
A Q&A with Leslie Timmins, author of Every Shameless Ray
School for Writers
Tue, January 22, 2019
Writing is often a solitary activity, but connecting with other writers, even informally, has benefits that extend far beyond the social.
Graphic Design Students Collaborate on Brand Strategy for Oxford Hack
Wed, January 16, 2019
3rd-year students from the Graphic Design Advanced Diploma Program and PhD students from the University of Oxford collaborated together.
They created a new brand and digital strategy for Oxford Hack, an annual hackathon that is hosted at the University in the UK. Main deliverables for this project were a new brand identity, social assets, website design, print materials, and promotional items.
It wasn't easy. With the time difference and also other obligations of both the Graphic Design students and the collaborating students in the UK, it was a bumpy road.
Fast forward to December 2018 and the result is an absolutely amazing outcome of such a messy but beautiful collaboration. The students created a beautiful brand, style, and collection of collateral that was used at the Oxford Hack 2018 on Nov 24 & 25 at the University of Oxford.
You can view the students' work on the Oxford Hack website and Facebook page.
The students experienced real-life struggles, design difficulties, and the challenges of working as a group internationally.
A big thank you to Vojtech Havlicek and Klaudia Krawiecka, PhD students at the University of Oxford for their openness to collaborate and provide a meaningful experience for the Graphic Design students at Humber College.
A Q&A with Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli (a.k.a. Rosanna Battigelli), author of La Brigantessa
School for Writers
Fri, January 11, 2019
As Robert McKee said, “Writing is a marathon, not a sprint.”
A Q&A with Kate Blair, author of The Magpie’s Library
School for Writers
Wed, December 19, 2018
For some, third time’s the charm. But Kate Blair has been three-times lucky.
Glenys Marshall Wins Tim Sims Encouragement Award
Wed, December 12, 2018
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.
Applications Open for 2019 Summer Workshop in Creative Writing
School for Writers
Tue, December 11, 2018
Connect with writers and get expert feedback from established authors and publishing professionals in our Summer Workshop in Creative Writing.
Yolanda Bonnell: Telling Stories
Thu, December 06, 2018
Performer, director, writer, theatre company founder, workshop facilitator -- Yolanda Bonnell juggles many roles.
Humber School for Writers Partners with Toronto Writers' Centre to Offer Exclusive Discount
School for Writers
Wed, November 28, 2018
Working on a new project? Need a quiet space to write and to connect with other professionals? The Toronto Writers’ Centre can help!
Otis Williams
Mon, November 19, 2018
With the improvisation, and music business courses Humber Music has to offer, theory might not seem like the most exciting subject.
Karin Randoja: Theatre for Theatre’s Sake
Wed, November 14, 2018
The Theatre Arts – Performance instructor is an actor, director, singer, composer, and one of Canada’s most sought-after dramaturges.
MusiCounts gives Humber student an inside look at the music industry
Mon, October 22, 2018
Fourth-year Bachelor of Music student Agneya Chikte put his own business skills to the test in September during week of networking and mentoring.
A Q&A with alumna Anita Kushwaha, Author of Side by Side
School for Writers
Tue, October 16, 2018
While the proverb assures us that practice makes perfect, writing and publishing are never without challenges.
Humber's Film and Television Production Program Student Wins Prestigious Cinematography Scholarship
Fri, September 28, 2018
Humber’s Film and Television Production, Advanced Diploma Program congratulates third-year student Michael Kashuba.
Michael is the winner of the William F. White/Vilmos Zsigmond Cinematography Scholarship for 2018.
This prestigious award is given to a successful full-time post-secondary Canadian student who is currently enrolled in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of studies at an accredited College or University Cinematography program.
Paul Bronfman, Whites Chairman and CEO, and Rick Perotto, VP of Business Development, presented Kashuba with the award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sept. 11, 2018 at a gathering of industry professionals.
“Never in my life (this early anyway) did I picture myself speaking in front of the people I read about in Canadian Cinematographer,” says Kashuba. “[These are people] whose work I watch on the big screen, and whose methods and dedication to cinema inspire me everyday.”
A Q&A with Liz Harmer, 2018 Journey Prize Nominee and the Author of The Amateurs
School for Writers
Wed, September 26, 2018
If you didn’t already know her name from her essays and stories, you certainly know it now.
Second Annual Writers-in-Exile Scholarship Announced
School for Writers
Wed, September 26, 2018
Onder Deligoz is the recipient of the 2018 PEN Canada-Humber College Writers-in-Exile Scholarship.
A Q&A with Lindsay Wong, Author of The Woo Woo: How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug Raids, Demons, and My Crazy Chinese Family
School for Writers
Tue, September 11, 2018
In 2015 Lindsay Wong joined Humber's Creative Writing - Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Poetry program, where she worked with author Jami Attenberg.
Spencer Litzinger
Thu, July 26, 2018
Spencer is a host on YTV’S The Zone and performs in various improv shows around Toronto.
Alino Giraldi
Wed, June 20, 2018
"It's amazing to see how much story can be told just with breathing and your eyes."
A Q&A with alumna Glynis Guevara, author of Under the Zaboca Tree and Black Beach
School for Writers
Tue, June 12, 2018
While many writers know their vocation from a very young age, others realize their calling later in life.
One On One With Industry Leaders
Wed, April 25, 2018
Radio and TV broadcasting students had the opportunity to spend time with news directors and award-winning journalists.
They did this at the Radio-TV-Digital News Association (RTDNA) Central Canada meeting on Saturday, April 25 at Humber College, North Campus. The format was like speed-dating where students spent five minutes with a news director or journalist.
Along with the networking opportunity, students were able to bring along a sample of their TV or radio work on a phone or tablet for some instant feedback and coaching.
The events drew students from Humber College and other broadcasting programs in and around the GTA.
Industry leaders at the event included Paul Rogers, Senior Vice President of CTV, Mike Crawley, CBC reporter, Kym Geddes, News Director at Newstalk 1010 and City News reporter Amanda Ferguson.
A Q&A with alumna Rebecca Higgins, author of The Colours of Birds
School for Writers
Mon, March 12, 2018
When the best-laid plans go awry, they sometimes do so with serendipitous results.
Q&A with Joyce Grant about U Gloucestershire MA
School for Writers
Tue, February 27, 2018
Author Joyce Grant was so pleased with her experience at the Humber School for Writers.
Yvonne Wallace: Writing with Honesty
Mon, November 13, 2017
Some subjects are so traumatic or personal that it is difficult to address them through art.
Francois Klark
Thu, November 09, 2017
2008 Humber Music graduate Francois Klark, who found a community of like-minded musicians at the College.
Peter N. Bailey: Dedication and Diversion
Thu, November 09, 2017
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.
Carlos Felipe Martinez
Wed, November 01, 2017
"I can say that our faculty’s strong emphasis on being professional and being prepared for the shoot has proven to be fundamental."
Carolyn Boll, Author of Social Dance: A Book of Ballroom Poetry
School for Writers
Wed, November 01, 2017
A good creative mentor is one whose wisdom and guidance carries you forward as you hone your craft and build your career.
Nathan Whitney
Tue, October 24, 2017
Nathan Whitney loved his time studying music at Humber so much that he graduated twice.
An Interview with Music Grad Emily Rockarts
Thu, October 19, 2017
Emily Rockarts, a Toronto musician and Bachelor of Music grad, wasted no time starting her singer/songwriter career after graduation.
Winnie Nwakobi
Tue, October 17, 2017
Arts administration means different things to different arts managers.
Photography Grad Provides Cover for Snowboard Canada Magazine
Mon, October 16, 2017
Please join us in congratulating Chris Fitzsimmons on his current publication on the cover of Snowboard Canada Magazine!
Chris is a recent graduate of the Photography program and has been working part-time with the School of Media Studies for the past 2 years. Outside of Humber, Chris continues to work on career development and honing his craft behind the camera. A natural result to his outstanding efforts, Chris’ hard work has been deservedly rewarded.
Snowboard Canada Magazine has been Canada’s premier national snowboard magazine for more than two decades, and has outsold all other snowboard magazines since their launch in 1992.
Chris will also be featuring a collection of his work at his first solo art exhibit “Busy Boarding”, this Saturday, October 13, 2018, and Moguls in Mocean in Orangeville, from 5:30 to 8:30pm. All are welcome to attend.
We are fortunate to have someone like Chris on our team, and we wish him even more success in the future!
Michelle McLeod
Wed, October 04, 2017
"Humber Acting for Film and Television provides a great tool kit to those who are passionate about acting."
Inaugural PEN Canada-Humber College Writers-in-Exile Scholarship Awarded to Ava Homa
School for Writers
Tue, September 19, 2017
Echoes from the Other Land Author to work with David Bezmozgis on new manuscript.
Success Story: Dan McKinnon
Tue, September 12, 2017
Like many arts managers, Dan McKinnon juggles a busy creative practice with an even busier day job helping fellow artists.
Jordanne Brown Honoured with 2017 Tim Sims Encouragement Award
Thu, September 07, 2017
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: On Stage and Screen
Thu, September 07, 2017
Carlos Albornoz shows, good acting training is transferable – especially when it’s supported by lots of talent and hard work!
Sara La Selva
Mon, August 21, 2017
"Community is unbelievably important to me both in my artistic practice and my experience as a person in the world."
Colin Bruce Anthes: In It Together
Fri, August 11, 2017
Colin Bruce Anthes’ path from Humber has led him to theatre and film work and multiple cities.
Joe Bowden: Master of Reinvention
Thu, August 10, 2017
Humber’s own Joe Bowden—program assistant to Acting for Film and Television, Theatre Arts – Performance and Theatre Arts – Production programs.
Humber Students Collaborate with Legalswipe to Redesign Mobile App
Thu, July 27, 2017
Students from Professor Robert Blain's second-year Web Design and Interactive Media class were asked to redesign Legalswipe's innovative app.
The app aimed to provide users with quick, accurate knowledge on their legal rights when confronted by a police officer. However, after the apps initial launch in 2015, Legalswipe soon discovered there were several usability growing pains. Users could not reliably navigate the app in the heat of the moment, and as such, were not fully enticed to use the app.
Legalswipe reached out to Humber for help, and that's where Robert Blair and his students entered the picture. The students took on this Applied Research project and used Humber's state-of-the-art Usablity Lab to redesign the Legalswipe app to be more dynamic and aesthetically appealing. In the end, the students exceeded Legalswipe Co-Founder Christien Levien's expectations. He remarked that the students succeed in making the app more fun and intuitive to use.
The opportunity proved to be an excellent real-world learning experience for the students and a great piece to add to their portfolio. Congrats to the second-year Web Design and Interactive Media students for their hard work and their contributions to making this important app a success.
An Interview with Rising Star Larnell Lewis
Thu, July 27, 2017
Larnell Lewis, a Humber Music alumnus, instructor and world-renowned musician, talked to us about his amazing year.
Student Success: Laura McCallum
Mon, July 17, 2017
"When I declared in my third year of theatre school that I didn’t want to be an actor anymore, no one was surprised."
Sina Gilani: Creation and Collaboration
Mon, July 17, 2017
Since graduating in 2012, Sina Gilani has been making a name for himself as both an actor and a playwright.
Student Success: Samyuktha Sharath Punthambekar
Mon, April 10, 2017
Arts Administration and Cultural Management graduates are in demand. Just ask Samyuktha Sharath Punthambekar.
"None of the Above" Airs on TVO
Mon, February 27, 2017
As part of a Short Doc Contest, TVO aired Humber's FMTV's "None of the Above" on February 26th, 2017.
None of the Above is a second-year documentary by Film & Television Production students, Tassja Graf (Director) and Madeline Ciuffreda (Producer). It is a story about Elliot, a young student living in Toronto who identifies as agender.
Student Success: Jessie Rivést
Mon, November 14, 2016
Jessie Rivést graduated in 2016 and has recently started as a manager as Musicworks Magazine.
Deepam Wadds on Winning Writing Prizes
School for Writers
Mon, November 07, 2016
Humber School for Writers grad Deepam Wadds recently won The Writers' Union of Canada's 23rd annual Short Prose Competition.
Sid Sawant
Wed, August 24, 2016
"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
Sat, August 06, 2016
Chris Robinson was runner-up at the 2016 Homegrown competition at Just for Laughs.
Breath of Life - A Student Documentary
Mon, August 01, 2016
Helene Campbell was an average teenager when she discovered she had a life-threatening illness.
In Breath of Life she recounts her struggle to survive, the arduous task of waiting for treatment and how she has accepted her new-found role as a champion of organ donation awareness.
Breath of Life is a second-year documentary from Film & Television Production students Fiona Cleary (Director) and Justin MacDonald (Producer). The film was available on all of Air Canada's in-flight entertainment systems, as part of this year's EnRoute Film Festival. The film was in competition, along with 12 other films, and won Air Canada enRoute Film Festival People’s Choice award.
Anthony Q. Farrell
Wed, July 06, 2016
Anthony is the creator/executive producer/head writer of BBC's Secret Life of Boys.
Cathie Borrie: Getting a Book Deal When No One Wants to Publish Your Book
School for Writers
Mon, June 20, 2016
Humber School for Writers grad Cathie Borrie wrote The Long Hello in 2008, just as the economy crashed.
Michael Orlando: Hustle, Don't Wait
Mon, June 13, 2016
Michael Orlando graduated in 2007 and now runs Theatre Lab.
Amanda Nicholls: Unknown Territory
Tue, June 07, 2016
Amanda graduated in 2008 and is excited to have received a grant to continue work on her play, Unknown Territory.
Anne Bishop: Breaking Out At 65
School for Writers
Fri, June 03, 2016
Humber School for Writers grad Anne Bishop recently won the top prize for an unfinished manuscript in the Atlantic Writing Competition.
Lovell Adams-Gray
Tue, May 24, 2016
"Nothing is more valuable than good training and your network of people."
Michael Luckett: Foundations
Mon, May 23, 2016
Michael is known for his work in Bitten, The Basement, and The Intruders.
Shari Lapena: Sixteen Years to Overnight Success
School for Writers
Tue, April 26, 2016
Humber grad Shari Lapena's latest novel and first thriller, The Couple Next Door, is due out this summer.
Student Success: Meghan Hunter-Gauthier
Mon, April 25, 2016
Meghan Hunter-Gauthier graduated in 2015 and has recently moved to Prince George, B.C. to become the Acting Assistant Curator at Two Rivers Gallery.
Student Competitions: Award-Winning Creativity
Mon, April 18, 2016
Humber Creative Photography Students Shine at the Professional Photographers of Canada National Salon.
The 2016 Professional Photographers of Canada National Salon was held in Calgary on April 18, 2016. Humber Creative Photography students won three of four awards available to students.
Humber Creative Photography students entered the salon in three image categories: Commercial, Portrait, and General. During the competition, the students' images were mixed in with those of professional photographers and judged by a panel of nine Master Photographers. The jury was unaware of the status of the image-makers in the initial judging phase and after the first round of judging, the student images that were accepted were separated from the professional pictures and re-judged to find the best photographs in the Commercial, Portrait, and General student categories.
Bahareh Yaraghi
Tue, April 05, 2016
Bahareh Yaraghi heads to Stratford for the 2016 season.
Evan Marsh
Mon, April 04, 2016
"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."
Alex Bird
Thu, March 31, 2016
"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: From Clown to Chekhov
Mon, March 28, 2016
Matthew Gouveia can be seen from April 5 - 24 in Coal Mine Theatre's Killer Joe.
Farid Yazdani
Mon, March 21, 2016
"I’m proud of booking a role that would normally be cast as a Caucasian. Major props to Suits for being inclusive."
Study with the Pros at Humber's Summer Jazz Workshop
Tue, March 15, 2016
Open to high school and post-secondary students, first round application/Scholarship Deadline March 15th, 2016.
Grace Thompson: Devising Life
Fri, March 04, 2016
Grace Thompson hasn't yet graduated, but she hasn't let that stop her from creating her own work.
Michael Kras: Always Be Curious
Sun, February 28, 2016
Michael Kras graduated in 2015 and is already developing exciting new theatre.
Kurtis Conner
Mon, February 22, 2016
Kurtis Conner graduated in 2015 and has already made a name for himself on Vine.
Sean Robertson-Palmer: Questioning Status Quo
Mon, February 22, 2016
Sean Robertson Palmer graduated Humber in 2005 and returned 10 years later as an instructor.
Ceileigh Mangalam
Fri, February 19, 2016
Ceileigh Mangalam is the Editorial Intern for Simon & Schuster Canada and couldn't be more excited about the work she's doing there!
Lawyer/ Writer…Writer/Lawyer
School for Writers
Thu, February 18, 2016
In early 2011, after my first novel, “Old City Hall,” was published, I was fortunate to move my criminal law office into Eddie Greenspan’s building.
Dan Watson: Personal & Professional
Wed, February 17, 2016
When Dan Watson graduated from Humber in 2002, he already knew that the program had changed his life, personally and professionally.
Mina Walking Receives "Discovery Award" at Canadian Screen Awards
Tue, February 09, 2016
FMP grad, Andrew Korogyi and FMTV grad, Yosef Baraki, have been honoured again for their film, Mina Walking.
The film has been awarded the first-ever 'Discovery Award' at the Canadian Screen Awards!
Jordyn Martinez
Fri, January 22, 2016
Jordyn Martinez graduated from Humber's Creative Book Publishing Program (CBPP) in 2015.
Dr. Kira Payne Memorial Scholarship
Fri, January 01, 2016
A memorial scholarship has been set up in honour of the late Dr. Kira Payne.
Alessandra Vite on Second City's Mainstage
Thu, December 17, 2015
Alessandra Vite can be seen throughout the month of December in the Second City Christmas show Unwrapped.
Schedule for 2015 Performance Week Released
Tue, December 01, 2015
Final exams mean more than papers and written exams in Humber's music department.
Singing in Diaspora Screening
Mon, November 09, 2015
Congrats to Film and Media Production student Sabchu Rinpoché on the screening of his film Singing in Diaspora at the Ottawa Tibet Film Festival!
The Ottawa Tibet Film Festival is an emerging festival, with a strong lineup of films. Singing in Diaspora will be screened as part of the festival on March 20, 2016, at the Mayfield Theatre.
Humber Has a Gospel Choir??
Sun, November 01, 2015
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.
Schedule for Performance Week Released
Sun, November 01, 2015
Final exams mean more than papers and written exams in Humber's music department.
Grads Create iBook for Hennessy
Mon, October 19, 2015
Congratulations to Advertising Account Management grads Tony and Matt and Multimedia Design and Development grads Andrew Langemann and Kenny St.Jean.
These for alumni launched their work for Angle Media Group on the brand new Hennessy book - Shaken and Stirred: Hennessy Crafted Cocktails and Mixed Drinks as part of Angle Media Group!
Grads Work on Large New Endeavour for Canadian Tire
Tue, October 13, 2015
Congratulations to Multimedia Design and Development grads Andrew Langemann and Wale Sholubi on their work on a new endeavour from Canadian Tire.
As part of Angle Media Group, Andrew and Wale worked on the launch of Canadian Tire's new campaign " How To Videos' with the tag line " Don't Worry... You got this!" Wale worked on the pre-production and Andrew edited all the videos in English and in French. Congratulations on the great work!
Student Success: Vivia Kay
Thu, October 08, 2015
Vivia says her love of the arts goes back to her childhood.
Student Success: Rachel Gauntlett
Thu, September 17, 2015
Rachel Gauntlett graduated from Humber and is already working as the Operations Manager for Canada's only full-sized contemporary orchestra.
Comedy Grads Voted Funniest Stand-Up Comedians in Canada
Mon, September 14, 2015
Brittany Johnson
Wed, July 22, 2015
"Nothing is more valuable than good training and your network of people."
Inaugural Listening Party a Resounding Success
Tue, April 28, 2015
The first-ever Listening Party was a great success, with students, faculty, and many industry insiders all listening to amazing student recordings!
Elizabeth Hilborn
Tue, February 24, 2015
How many people can say they’ve met Margaret Atwood, Chris Hadfield, Jason Priestly, and Elaine Lui in person?
Rebecca Addelman
Wed, February 11, 2015
Rebecca Addelman graduated from Humber’s Comedy Writing & Performance program in 2005.
Humber Faculty Release New CD of Timeless Classics
Sat, January 17, 2015
"Timeless Classics Volume One: Straight Up Groovin’" is a great introduction to the wealth of talented musicians associated with Humber College.
Kelly McEvenue: Walking the Walk
Thu, January 08, 2015
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.
Student Success: Nina Lee
Wed, January 07, 2015
"Hi, my name is Nina Lee, and I’m a freelance Arts Administrator."
Tyler Morrison
Mon, January 05, 2015
Tyler Morrison is an award winning Canadian comedian and writer quickly emerging as one of the most talked about young headliners in the country.
"Jazz in the Schools" program reaches over 10,000 students
Thu, January 01, 2015
Humber's annual "Jazz in the Schools" program was a great success in 2015.
Humber Well-Represented in 2015 JUNO Nominations
Thu, January 01, 2015
Nominations for the 2015 Juno Awards were announced this week.
Happily Busy, Al Kay, Head of Brass Department
Thu, January 01, 2015
Just about every gig that I have done over the last 38 years of my career has had some sort of a Humber connection.
Faculty Updates and Successes
Thu, January 01, 2015
It is always inspiring to hear what our talented faculty are up to when they are not in the classroom molding musical minds.
Tiffany Davidson
Mon, November 17, 2014
“I didn’t even apply for the audition – honestly, I didn’t even know they were looking for that role!”
Dienye Waboso
Mon, November 17, 2014
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.
Alisha Stranges
Mon, November 03, 2014
"The Theatre Performance program at Humber allowed me to hone my practical actor skills and develop a solid foundation in performance."
Nina Gilmour: It Runs In The Family
Mon, November 03, 2014
Many people would rather do just about anything than work with their parents. But not alumna Nina Gilmour.
Cara Ricketts
Mon, November 03, 2014
"The Humber Theatre Performance program made life outside of school very accessible."
Giacomo Gianniotti: "It never feels like work"
Fri, October 31, 2014
Giacomo Gianniotti graduated from Humber’s Theatre Performance program in 2012.
Josh Saltzman
Thu, October 30, 2014
In 2003, Josh Saltzman entered Humber’s comedy program planning to do improv, but he emerged a comedy writer.
Adam Cawley
Thu, October 30, 2014
Humber helped introduce me to a variety of performance opportunities in the comedy world as well as to it’s history.
Levi MacDougall
Thu, October 30, 2014
Levi MacDougall has been called “one of Canada’s finest young comics” by Time Out New York.
Carolyn McNeillie
Wed, October 29, 2014
Carolyn McNeillie studied painting in university.
Sarah Smith-Eviemark
Wed, October 29, 2014
The Creative Book Publishing program was fundamentally important to building my publishing career.
Success Story: Charlotte Hegele
Mon, August 25, 2014
"There is a good reason Humber's AFTV program attracts the highest quality instructors."
"I would not have the career I do if it wasn't for the training I received from the unbelievably talented and dedicated faculty. Humber attracts the best because it is the best."
Follow Charlotte on Twitter @CharlotteHegele and read more about her on IMDb.
Success Story: Dwain Murphy
Mon, August 25, 2014
"The teachers at Humber were wonderful with their ability to shape and mould young up-and-coming actors such as myself."
"It’s a great program that just keeps getting better and I recommend it to anyone seriously interested in acting."
Born on the small Caribbean island of Dominica, Dwain Murphy came to Canada when he was four years old. An only child with an active imagination, he loved to perform.
However, he was seriously bitten by the acting bug as a teen while watching Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. When a high school teacher encouraged his talent in drama class, he resolved to pursue it earnestly and began looking into college-level programs after he graduated from high school.
Dwaine decided on Acting for Film & Television at Humber because, he says, it was local and not as expensive as some of the other schools he investigated. Dwain remembers that he auditioned doing a Charlie Brown monologue rather than the customary Shakespeare or scene from a movie. Nevertheless, he was accepted.
He didn’t, however, realize then just how much his time at Humber would change his life. Since leaving, he’s built up a pretty impressive list of credits including a starring role in the full-length feature How She Move; roles in Saving God and Poor Boy’s Game; a recurring role on Degrassi: The Next Generation; Guns, a mini-series; Three Rivers; and, most recently, Ghost Whisperer.
Success Story: Hubert Tran
Mon, August 25, 2014
"I would recommend this program for any aspiring actor..."
For someone who had no idea on how to approach the acting industry, the AFTV program at Humber college provided me with the essential tools in order to succeed.
The Business of Acting class proved very helpful in finding an agent for myself, the Auditioning class with Michael Caruana helped ease my nerves in the auditioning room, and having John Bourgeois and the rest of the staff coaching us students along the way helped me grow tremendously as an actor.
I would recommend this program for any aspiring actor wanting to propel their career forward.
Since I've graduated I've booked several commercials, a lead role on a web series and a recurring role on a television series called XIII. Had I not attended the AFTV program, I can confidently say that I would not have had the same opportunities.
Read more about Hubert on his
website: huberttran.com and follow him on
Twitter: @HubertTran
Success Story: Brock Morgan
Mon, August 25, 2014
"This program prepared me for the reality of working as a film and television Actor."
"With the coaching of establish professionals, I gained training and connections that has proved to be an essential building block to my career."
Follow Brock on Twitter @BrockM31 and read more about him on IMDb.
Success Story: Julian Robino
Mon, August 25, 2014
"Humber's acting program is responsible for helping me find deeply rooted passion and learning to harness it as a refined craft."
"Each class and teacher is a necessary inspiration for the industry."
Follow Julian on Twitter @JulianRobino and read more about him on IMDb.
Success Story: Richard Young
Mon, August 25, 2014
Richard Young is a South Asian-Canadian actor/screenwriter.
His screen acting credits include Taken (NBC), Jett (Cinemax), Endlings (Hulu-CBC), Kim's Convenience (CBC), Incorporated (SyFy) and The Strain (FX).
Besides being an alumnus of the Humber AFTV program, he's also an alumnus of both the Writers' Guild of Canada/Bell Media Diverse Screenwriters Program. He has written for the television cartoon 16 Hudson (TVO), co-created/wrote the digital series Sudden Master (OMNI/Rogers), and created the digital sketch series Off2Kali which screened at ReelWorld. Additionally, Richard serves as the ACTRA Toronto Treasurer.
Success Story: Danielle Watling
Mon, August 25, 2014
"The Acting for Film and Television program at Humber is the best experience a young actor looking for training could have."
"The teachers are all wonderful and go above and beyond to make sure that the right courses are taught so that grads enter the acting world feeling confident. I wouldn’t trade this training for anything in the world."
Danielle Watling graduated from Acting for Film and Television where she was the recipient of both the President’s Letter and the Academic Achievement Award. She studied improv after graduating from Humber in 2009 and is now also a graduate of the Second City Conservatory Program.
Danielle is very active in the improv community and began studying how to teach it at Second City’s LIT program. This led to the wonderful experience of leading a class of teens.
As a young actor, Danielle is busy developing her film and television credits. Currently, these include the Nickelodeon pilot Kicked in the Business, Forensic Factor-F2 and Breakout. She will make her first feature length film debut in A Kiss and A Promise. She’s also done voiceover work on the popular CBC Radio drama Afghanada, and her theatre credits include Ran-Tar the Terrible, Citizen Vain and Beyond the Moors.
She is also the co-creator of Hogan and Watling Productions. The young company recently produced Frosty The Show-Man, its first show, and Danielle played Cindy Lou-Who.
Success Story: Hannah Hogan
Mon, August 25, 2014
"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."
Hannah Hogan graduated in 2007 from Humber's Acting for Film and Television program where she received the Brian Linehan Scholarship for Outstanding Artistic Promise.
She credits the program with giving her the confidence to pursue acting as a profession, and for enabling her to approach acting as a technical craft. Since leaving, Hannah has done several commercials, as well as short and feature length independent films. She became a member of ACTRA a year after graduating, and enjoys working with the most talented artists in the Canadian film industry. Most recently, she can be seen starring in the YTV series That’s So Weird, which was nominated for several Canadian comedy and Gemini Awards. She is also working on producing a web series with fellow graduate Stephen Kew, and looks forward to increasing her profile as an up-and-coming Canadian actress.
Steph Tolev
Mon, August 25, 2014
Steph Tolev is a stand up and sketch comic born and raised in Toronto.
K Trevor Wilson
Mon, August 25, 2014
K. Trevor Wilson, the self proclaimed "Man Mountain of Comedy" has been performing for over 15 years.
Jason Rouse
Mon, August 25, 2014
Jason Rouse is a renegade touring stand-up comedian taking the mainstream comedy world and turning it upside down.
Michelle Shaunessy
Mon, August 25, 2014
Michelle Shaunessy is a native of Peterborough Ontario.
Nick Beaton
Mon, August 25, 2014
From a blue collar background, Nick Beaton cuts through the garbage of an overly bureaucratic society that takes itself way too seriously.
Nathan Fielder
Mon, August 25, 2014
Fielder has managed to both escape disaster and illustrate something fundamental to his comedy.
Jake Labow
Mon, August 25, 2014
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
Mon, August 25, 2014
Nikki Payne was born in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia in 1976. She starred in FRO - The Movie and Wolf Canyon.
Student Success: Elizabeth Waldorf
Mon, August 25, 2014
Elizabeth Waldorf says she enrolled in Humber's Arts Administration & Cultural Management program for a very specific reason: "to get a job I loved".
Student Success: Jillian Cockburn
Mon, August 25, 2014
"After completing a university degree minoring in dance, I knew that I wanted to work in the arts and cultural sector."
Success Story: Allison Dawn Doiron
Fri, August 08, 2014
"I really enjoyed my time at Humber. I found the teachers to be professional and very helpful."
"It was nice to be able to feel comfortable with them and take from their experiences in the industry. The program truly prepared me for what was to come for me in the industry."
Remembering Kenny Wheeler: Musician and Friend
Wed, January 01, 2014
Kenny Wheeler, a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, died earlier this fall at the age of 84.
Inside the Band, by Mike Downes
Wed, October 17, 2012
Humber music welcomed Ryan Truesdell as Composer in Residence from Oct. 17th to 19th 2012.
Humber New Venture Seed Fund
Sun, January 01, 2012
One of the most exciting recent Humber initiatives is the Humber New Venture Seed Fund.
Remembering Suyun Kim
Mon, December 12, 2011
So many of us at Humber Music are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Suyun Kim.
No news at this time.
No news at this time.