Founded in 1977 by Dr. Dasha Goody, Edmonton Musical Theatre (EMT) is a performance-training organization unique to Western Canada. EMT is an independent, non-profit society without affiliation to any educational institution or with any amateur theatre.
How It All Started:
Dr. Goody began her own music career as a vocalist at the age of fourteen. In 1952, along with young pianist Tommy Banks, she started Orion Theatre and discovered a deep commitment to the musical training of young people. In 1977, Dr. Goody's desire to work with young talent resulted in the founding of Edmonton Musical Theatre, to which she devoted her time, talents, and passion for musical theatre until her death on June 7, 2001. During her lifetime, Dr. Goody was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades in honour and recognition of her dedication to musical theatre instruction, including the Woman of Distinction Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Training of Young People in 1991, an Honourary Doctor of Letters from the University of Alberta in 1994, and an induction into the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame in 1996.
A graduate of the Theatre Arts Program at Grant MacEwan College, Steffni Ault has worked professionally throughout North America and around the world as an actress, dancer, and choreographer. Steffni has worked with Grant MacEwan College, Red Deer's Centre Stage, Stage Polaris, and the St. Albert Children's Theatre. She was one of the or
A graduate of the Theatre Arts Program at Grant MacEwan College, Steffni Ault has worked professionally throughout North America and around the world as an actress, dancer, and choreographer. Steffni has worked with Grant MacEwan College, Red Deer's Centre Stage, Stage Polaris, and the St. Albert Children's Theatre. She was one of the original founding dancers of Kompany!, and co-founder and co-director of the Gold Dust Dancers, a performance troupe which has appeared in Las Vegas, Japan, and all across Canada, including a Royal Command Performance for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa. Steffni started with Edmonton Musical Theatre as a very young dancer in 1978 and returned to the organization 18 years ago as a dance instructor and choreographer. Steffni served as Artistic Director for 6 years and has taken on the newly created role of General Manager beginning in the fall of 2007.
Brad graduated with honours from the Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto and Grant MacEwan University Music Program. He is an accomplished Piano player, composer, arranger and producer. As well, Brad has been an accompanist and musical director for many dance and theatre companies, most notably the Alberta Ballet, the Citad
Brad graduated with honours from the Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto and Grant MacEwan University Music Program. He is an accomplished Piano player, composer, arranger and producer. As well, Brad has been an accompanist and musical director for many dance and theatre companies, most notably the Alberta Ballet, the Citadel Theatre and Festival Place Players. Brad was commissioned to write the score and arrangements for original productions such as Blood and Fire, and The Aha Experience. You may have heard Brad play in several Fringe shows, with his band, The Hitlist, or at the La Ronde Revolving Rooftop Restaurant. Brad is excited to be back with Edmonton Musical Theatre as Musical Director.
Anna has been studying the voice and its powerful connection to life, harmony and vibration for over twenty years. Anna started her career as a singer in musical theatre at Edmonton Musical Theatre and then moved out into the world as a jazz singer and original recording artist.
She has performed and toured in various parts of the world an
Anna has been studying the voice and its powerful connection to life, harmony and vibration for over twenty years. Anna started her career as a singer in musical theatre at Edmonton Musical Theatre and then moved out into the world as a jazz singer and original recording artist.
She has performed and toured in various parts of the world and has many accomplishments to her credit.
To mention only a few she has opened for the likes of Dr. Maya Angelou, Deepak Chopra and has performed with Tommy Banks and Mary Wilson of the Supremes.
As a songwriter has penned theme songs for Canadian Breast Cancer, Children’s Health Foundation and the World Championship in Athletics and has 4 CD’s to her credit, her latest called “The Doorway” which is a collection of songs written to the poetry of the mystical poet Rumi.
As a Teacher of singing and authenticity for the past 25 years Anna helps and assists others to express themselves and connect to their
voice through private and group ‘Your Authentic Voice’ classes and workshops.
With her training in Integrative Body Psychotherapy, Voice Dialogue and the Voice Anna helps others to uncover their voice and connect to the profound beauty that lies within each and every one of us.
Her integrative approach combines the worlds of singing, energy, psychology and spirituality to help you unlock the doors to your authentic voice.
Since 2016, Sonja Gould has been the drama instructor for Edmonton Musical Theatre Teen Program. This past season she was a guest drama instructor for the Adult Program. Since she was young, Sonja has been pursuing her passion of performing onstage in theatrical productions, drama classes, school choirs, and taking part in a variety of ho
Since 2016, Sonja Gould has been the drama instructor for Edmonton Musical Theatre Teen Program. This past season she was a guest drama instructor for the Adult Program. Since she was young, Sonja has been pursuing her passion of performing onstage in theatrical productions, drama classes, school choirs, and taking part in a variety of holiday ceremonies. After high school Sonja took a break from studying and discovered she was missing having the arts in her life. Once accepted into St. Thomas University the following year in Fredericton, New Brunswick, she studied and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English with a Concentration in Drama and a minor in music. Throughout her four years at university, she was cast in a number of productions which ignited a desire to pursue acting as a career. After graduating from St. Thomas University, she was accepted into the Pre-Professional Training Program and Musical Theatre Foundation Program at Neptune Theatre School in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For two years she studied acting, music theory, a variety of dance styles, and singing. After graduating both programs, she began auditioning for local theatre companies and was hired as an actor/server at a local dinner theatre. Seeing the lack of paid/unpaid work in Halifax, Sonja decided to pack up her life in her car and drive to Edmonton, Alberta. Since arriving in Edmonton, Sonja has been cast in a number of theatrical productions throughout the Edmonton area as well as started a career in film/TV acting. She has been fortunate to be the lead in a number of short local films and voiceovers as well as be a part of provincial commercials and national television shows and films. Recently, she was hired as the Drama and Musical Theatre Director for Phoenix Academy for Theatre Arts in Camrose.
Sonja always looks forward to teaching at EMT every year. She hopes that each season she can inspire and support the students as they pursue their own dreams.
Stacey Highbaugh returns as the Artistic Instructor for the Rising Star Program and is delighted to bring her years of experience as an early childhood educator to the program. We are excited that this year, Stacey will also be joining the artistic team of the Junior Program as the director/drama instructor. An accomplished performer in h
Stacey Highbaugh returns as the Artistic Instructor for the Rising Star Program and is delighted to bring her years of experience as an early childhood educator to the program. We are excited that this year, Stacey will also be joining the artistic team of the Junior Program as the director/drama instructor. An accomplished performer in her own right, Stacey is an EMT alumnus whose past performances include shows with the group We Are Family and several EMT workshop and year-end shows. Stacey is also an instructor at CDI College for their Early Childhood Education Program.
Joyce Mellott - President - joyce@edmontonmusicaltheatre.com
Rod Caroca - Vice-President
Marjorie Stefanyk - Secretary / Treasurer
James McBride - Director
Daisy Cheers - Director
Robyn Wispinski - Student Representative
Melanie Dobos - Student Representative
Susan Rasko - Director / Graphic Designer - srasko@edmontonmusicaltheatre.com
- William Shakespeare
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