THE DIRECTORS ARTISTIC FOUNDERS PRODUCERS
Darnell Thomas
A Canadian-born, with Trinidadian roots, Darnell Thomas is a passionate and versatile vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, educator, entrepreneur, philanthropist. He possesses the versatility to sing and play several genres including but not limited to Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk, Pop, Musical Theatre, Rock, Classical and Latin. Darnell currently holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance & Ethnomusicology from York University.
In 2020, he joined the faculty at Sheridan College as a full-time Vocal Professor and Vocal-Music Discipline Lead in the Music Theatre Program. He is a holistic educator who strives to inspire, motivate and teach young aspiring performers of all disciplines to be their best. As an educator with extensive knowledge of performing arts pedagogy, he has also been involved in mentorship and curriculum and program development at many schools including York University, Sheridan College and St. Elizabeth Catholic High School RAP Program. His voice studio comprises students of all levels ranging from hobbyists to award-winning professionals that can be seen in film/TV shows like American Idol and on the radio. He regularly participates in education workshops in New York City, led by established Broadway directors, artists and performers. He has received tutelage from some of the world's renowned voice teachers. He has served on numerous arts and charity related boards. He most recently formed and currently chairs the York University Music Alumni Network. In 2008, he competed in the World Championships of Performing Arts, held in Hollywood, where he won four gold medals and won the Grand Champion of the World Title – Instrumental category playing the Steel Pan.
Professionally, Darnell has done musical work for hit TV shows like Glee and Disney's “Overruled!”. He has produced, directed, written and performed in numerous musicals and songs featured in films and tv shows. Select music directorial credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, Footloose, Beauty & The Beast, Grease, A Killer Party, Urinetown, Enchanting and Mamma Mia.
As an entrepreneur, he co-founded The Institute For The Performing Arts, Cue The Lights Productions, Vocalics Music Group, D & The Groove Factory all housed under his holding company, TDM Creative Group. His philanthropical initiatives include several years of work with UNESCO (an arm of The United Nations), The Arts Access Fund and his own foundation, Keys To Dreams Foundation, which provides financial assistance through scholarships to performers. He is also a member of National Association of Teachers of Singing, Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance and ACTRA RACS.
Liana Del Mastro
is a director, actor, producer, playwright and arts educator. She has been involved in theatre and arts education for over 30 years, teaching, directing and developing curriculum and programming for a number of arts organizations and schools.
Liana has produced, directed and written numerous plays and musicals. Select directorial credits include, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, The Twits, Enchanting, Mamma Mia, A Killer Party and many original shows.
She has worked with arts organizations like the Avenue Road Arts School, Arts for Children & Youth of Toronto (VIBE Arts), Young People’s Theatre, The Drama Workshop and The Georgian Theatre Festival. As an educator with extensive knowledge of theatre pedagogy, she has also been involved in curriculum and program development and assessment. As someone who truly believes in the power of the arts, Liana is an arts advocate, and has served on numerous theatre and arts boards including the Arts Access Fund – an organization committed to making the arts accessible to children, who could otherwise not participate because of financial constraints.
Liana is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Institute For The Performing Arts, Cue The Lights Productions, Vocalics Music Group, D & The Groove Factory, all housed under her holding company, TDM Creative Group. She was the Executive Director of the Avenue Road Arts School for over 25 years. She has performed professionally in both plays and musical theatre productions in Canada and Europe, having worked with both International and Canadian directors like Robert Lepage and Berliner Ensemble, Herbert Olschok. She toured Germany in a production of The House of Bernarda Alba (Angustias), which received rave reviews and saw its closing performance in Milan’s famous theatre, Il Piccolo Teatro di Milano. Other select shows include Macbeth, Les Liaisons Dangereuse, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Touch, In The Wings Of Eden, Line One, The Witnesses, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Three Penny Opera and The Fantasticks. She has also worked with numerous educational theatre companies touring Ontario with classical and contemporary shows.
Liana holds an Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto with a Specialist in Drama. She also studied Speech & Drama and Classical Singing at The Royal Conservatory of Music. A lifelong learner, she continues to study new techniques and approaches to theatre and acting, including Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Linklater, Viewpoints, as well as Intimacy Direction, to name a few. Each summer, Liana participates in theatre education workshops in New York City, led by established Broadway directors, artists and performers.