Studio DirectorS
Annie (Graham) Coulson
Annie “Graham’ Coulson is an experienced performer, teacher (dance, voice, acting and piano) and director. Favourite professional performance credits include: “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “The Music Man”, “Godspell” and “The Fantasticks”. Annie received a scholarship to the prestigious Broadway Dance Center in NYC where she trained and performed. She later worked as Casting Assistant to Stephanie Gorin of Gorin Casting and eventually held the position of Youth Talent Agent at The Talent House; Canada’s leading theatre agency in Canada and New York.
CYNTHIA BELASKIE
Cynthia Belaskie grew up in a magical world of sparkles, paint, rhinestones and music; some of which even existed outside her imagination. After seeing the Pembroke Little Theatre’s production of Annie, when she was around 9 years old, Cynthia enthusiastically pursued amateur theatre every chance she got, culminating in her favourite role as Nora in A Doll’s House. She has an honours degree in English and History and a Master's of Arts in British Gender History. Her true passion of over 40 years, however, is figure skating. She coaches Special Olympians, is the President of the Dundas Figure Skating Club and continues to compete internationally, winning her third World Masters title in 2024. Cynthia comes from a long line of artisans, makers and craftsmen who built that magical world of her childhood and continue to support her artistic endeavours. At her parents’ feet she learned to costume, build, engineer and sew just enough so that the show could go on. She is thrilled to be part of the Graham Academy so that even more children can grow up in a magical world of sparkles, paint, rhinestones and music.
INSTRUCTORS
LIZ RODRIGUES
Liz Rodrigues is a chart-topping, 2X Grammy Award Winning Canadian singer and songwriter; co-writing for and performing with artists like Céline Dion and Eminem to name a few...
Liz Rodrigues is a chart-topping, 2X Grammy Award Winning, Canadian singer and songwriter; co-writing for and performing with artists like Céline Dion and Eminem to name a few....
Highlights of her work include:
CÉLINE DION:
Courage (2019):
- “Courage” (co-writer)
- “Flying On My Own” (co-writer)
- “Say Yes” (co-writer)
- “Nobody’s Watching” (co-writer)
- “How Did You Get Here” (co-writer)
- “The Chase” (co-writer)
My Love (2008):
- “There Comes a Time” (co-writer)
EMINEM:
Recovery (2010) - Grammy-winning, No 1 Billboard:
- “Won’t Back Down” (co-writer)
- “25 to Life” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
- “Almost Famous” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
Bad Meets Evil - Eminem & Royce Da 59 (2012):
- “Echo” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
Marshall Mathers LP2 (2013):
- “Survival” (co-writer)
Southpaw - Major Motion Picture (2015):
- “Kings Never Die” (co-writer)
Revival (2017):
- “Castle” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
P!NK:
The Truth About Love (2012)
- “Here Comes the Weekend) (co-writer)
PITBULL:
Starring in Rebelution (2009):
- “Can’t Stop Me Now” (co-writer, ft. Liz Rodrigues)
NICOLE SCHERZINGER:
Killer Love (2011):
- “Casualty” (co-writer)
SID ZANFORLIN
Sid Santiago Zanforlin is a Chilean/Canadian director/writer originally from Montreal now in Hamilton. He is a DGC member and CFC graduate with a background as an IATSE cameraman, theatre director, writer/director of many shorts, music videos and over 90 episodes of TV.
Melanie Fletcher
Melanie Fletcher is excited to be joining The Graham Academy faculty! She is a former gymnast who has trained in Grimsby, Ontario for several years. Melanie first joined Zacada Circus School in 2018 through the aerial program, moving up to the elite show team in 2022. She has been a coach at Zacada since 2023 and is extremely passionate about circus arts, specializing in aerial silks. She uses her experiences to contribute to her technique and skills training, attributing her initial success to her base knowledge gained as a gymnast. She also has experience training and performing jump rope, spanish web, juggling, acro, and cyr wheel. Melanie is dedicated to the circus, continuing her training to learn, improve, and share her knowledge. She is extremely excited to see her students benefit from her teachings and grow as artists, performers, and people.
TRACEY BROOKS
Tracey Brooks is a seasoned improvisor and performer with a wealth of experience in Hamilton, Toronto and Vancouver's comedy scenes.
On stage, she has thrilled audiences at renowned venues like Social Capital Theatre (Toronto), Little Mountain Theatre (Vancouver), and currently as part of Hamilton's Staircase Theatre's in-house improv ensemble.
As well as improvising, Tracey has also honed her comedic chops in stand-up comedy, gracing the mic at popular Hamilton spots like Levity, The Centre for Talking Arts, and at Cafe Domestique's comedy nights in Dundas.
With a passion for nurturing creativity and spontaneity, Tracey brings her expertise to the classroom, empowering students to unlock their own comedic potential while also learning new skills and techniques to practise being in the moment and thinking on your feet.