Elizabeth Chau
Artistic Director and Principal
Elizabeth, a UBC Economics alumna, is a performing arts enthusiast in addition to being a professional realtor who pursued her childhood dream and founded Childlike Faith Academy of Music and Theatre back in 2014. This is her 22nd year in children and music ministries as director and leader along with her many years in teaching.
The passion commenced at age five when she was selected to be the principal dancer on the first day of class. Her dance genres include: ballet (RAD), traditional Chinese dance, folk dance, jazz, hip-hop, Latin and ballroom. Her music background also includes piano and music lessons at age six, leading to becoming a music teacher in 2002. Always striving to bring the best out of her students, she has guided and empowered all of her students to successfully obtain higher grades in their RCM exams. In 2006, she joined Sacrificium Society of Production and was recruited to be one of the lead actress and had opportunities to work with Hong Kong actors and singers throughout the years. In 2007, she was invited to a dance tour to China and Hong Kong.
Jill Raymond
Theatre Director
Currently living in Vancouver, BC - Jill Raymond is a Multi-Talented Award-Winning International Performance Artiste. Over the last ten years she has trained, performed and worked on three continents as an Actress, Singer, Dancer, Performer, Facilitator, Songwriter, Teacher, Choreographer, Model, Puppeteer, Skin Performer, Producer, Director... You name it, she has probably lent her hand (or face or body or voice) to it - the living breathing Jill-of-all-Trades, constantly developing and refining her skills in her craft.
www.jillraymond.com
Julie Murphy
Musical Instructor & Choreographer
Julie is a multi-award-winning dance choreographer and dancer originally from Edmonton. She has been a company member with Viva Dance Co., Toy Guns Dance Theatre, and MOD Contemporary Dance Movement. Julie holds bachelors degrees in Education and Drama from the University of Alberta and is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dance (Adv II). Julie is the founder and creative director of Proximity Movement: a company which offers dance and theatrical violence/intimacy choreography for theatre and film. Other musical production choreography credits include Newies, Footloose, Evil Dead, Shrek the Musical and The Little Mermaid. Julie is currently in rehearsal for CATS with Theatre Under the Stars. Be sure it check it out at Stanley Park this Summer… and enjoy Matilda Jr with CFA!
www.proximitymovement.com
Eva Tavares
Musical Instructor
Eva Tavares is a Vancouver based singer, dancer, actor, director, and coach. Most recently starring as Christine Daae in the North American Tour of Phantom of the Opera, Tavares is a graduate of the UBC Opera Program, the LAMDA Shakespeare Short Course and the Banff/Citadel Theatre Professional Training Program.
Previous live performance credits include: Marta in Kiss of the Spider Woman, Maria in West Side Story, Anne in A Little Night Music, and the world premiere of Sousatzkastarring Victoria Clark. Tavares is also a coach and mentor across North America and the UK. She runs Behind the Mask Masterclass alongside Jennifer Andersen, guiding participants to their most authentic selves within their musical storytelling.
www.evatavares.com
Estefania Gomez
Musical Instructor
For the past eight years Stefie has been the leader of Fidartes, a Performing Arts school located in Mexico City. During this time, she has had the opportunity of being part of the evolution of numerous students, she has witnessed the influence of arts in their lives and the improvement of their well-being. She has always dreamt about making a positive contribution to the world and she is convinced that the best way to do it is by the power of art.
Furthermore, she has ten years of experience in following syllabus such as Royal Academy of Dance and Rock School of London, as well as creating Performing Arts programs for children and adults. As an instructor, she showed initiative, team work and leadership skills with enthusiasm in order to celebrate and enhance each student potential.
Emily Jane King
Musical Instructor
Emily is a voice and speech coach, performer, musician, and multi-disciplinary theatre artist. A graduate of the Studio 58 Acting Program, she has performed in shows such as Infinity by Hannah Moscovitch, Mx by Lili Robinson, and Spirit of Christmas Past with Gateway Theatre. She teaches voice at Vancouver Film School and Viva Voce Speech Arts Studio. Emily believes in learning and educating through play, and is passionate about finding joy and connection through theatre.
James Yi
Acting Instructor
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, James Yi has been a Vancouver actor for over a decade. He played Officer Koh in The Interview and has played Appa in the award winning play, Kim's Convenience. He will also be appearing in season 3-5 in Kim's Convenience, the tv show as Jimmy Young. James has made many appearances in tv and film but his love is theatre. He is an avid golfer and a huge sports junkie.
Filmography:
IMDb credits
Interview:
Surrey Now Leader
Dr. Martin Wilson, DMA
Vocal Instructor
Dr. Martin Wilson holds a Doctorate in Vocal Performance from Indiana University. His early background was in science and he is also a TV/film actor. Put this all together and you have a passionate voice teacher who likes to attack the nuts and bolts of technique and use them to make storytelling with music. He has been teaching voice for over 20 years and specializes in the mechanics of making your voice the most efficient it can be. He is also a TV/Film actor in Vancouver. This leads him to look more at the text as a singer, and how it works with music to create drama.
www.drmartinvoice.com
Jasmine Wong
RCM Theory and Piano Director
Ms. Wong with over 20 years of tremendous experiences operating as the principal at Piano Place, training numerous piano teachers to become professional teachers, and teaching thousands of students. She is well-known for helping students to attain the highest scores in RCM practical, theory, history, and counterpoint and analysis exams in Canada and ABRSM in Hong Kong. She is also one of the lead singers of XOX band.
LRSM major in piano performance and theory at Trinity College in London, England
LRSM minor in vocal at Trinity College in London, England
Graduated at HK Music Institute Ltd. in 1992
Truman Chiu
Theatre Consultant
Truman is a well-rounded artist with a genuine passion in creative arts and theatre. He has more than 20 years of experience in theatre productions and stage management. As one of the main founders of Sacrificium Society of Production (SSOP), the pioneer Chinese drama organization in Vancouver, he created more than 100 productions since 1996. In 2006, Truman became the full time creative and administrative director for the society. Later on, he found his passion in children ministry and started to teach children drama in various Vancouver Chinese churches and community organizations. Truman also works as concert production and stage manager, internet radio host and graphic designer. Today, Truman is honored to be the drama teacher at the Childlike Faith Academy of Music & Theatre.
Andy Li
Scenic and Lighting Designer
Andy is well-known to be a rare gem (aka superman) in the theatre arts field for the last 2 decades. Not only he can build theatrical sceneries even within the shortest amount of time, he can also design all the lighting and sound for the productions, not to mention he is also a great actor and has many years of singing experience as a tenor. The list doesn't stop here, he is also the chairman and accountant of Sacrificium Society of Production (SSOP).
Gabriella Gubiotti
Music Instructor
Gabriella is a professional vocal coach, and a driven performer and songwriter. She fell in love with music at age eleven and has been pursuing this passion ever since. Gabriella graduated with a Diploma of Contemporary Music & Technology from Selkirk College, as well as a Diploma in Worship Music Ministry from Hillsong International Leadership College. She also has four years of musical theatre and choral experience.
Gabriella thoroughly enjoys imparting her love for music through teaching, and is blessed to have the opportunity to do so at Childlike Faith Academy of Music & Theatre.
Fiona Hui
Music Instructor
Fiona received a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of British Columbia. As a speech therapist, she works with children with a variety of speech and language disorders. She enjoys every aspect of her incredibly fun and rewarding profession. Fiona is also actively involved in the music ministry at church. Music has always been an integral part of Fiona’s life. She first discovered a love for music in a children's choir and then became a piano teacher at age 15. Many of her students received awards at the Kiwanis Music Festival and the Richmond Music Festival. Fiona believes that music is not exclusive to the talented but it is for everyone. Through teaching music at Childlike Faith Academy, she strives to make a positive impact on children’s lives by connecting with them, helping them express their feelings, and enhancing their self-confidence. Fiona feels blessed to have the opportunity to explore the excitement of music with children, to connect with parents, and to work closely with two exceptional instructors.