Executive Director

Sophie Lea McLeod graduated from the Honors Bachelor of Musical Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College. She has performed across Canada with her highlight experience being in Mamma Mia in Winnipeg at 7 months pregnant with her first son Wyatt! Sophie took over as head of Innovative in 2020 and is committed to innovation to uphold the name as well as the studio’s reputation of excellence.

Founder

Nathan McLeod founded Innovative Arts in 2012 after wrapping season two of Life with Boys on YTV. Nathan opened Innovative Arts to ensure students in Halton had access to incredible training in Musical Theatre and Acting for Film. Nathan is now studying Midwifery at McMaster University! Although Nathan is on an exciting new journey, he is still involved in shaping Innovative Arts and supporting the students as an audience member each season!

General Manager

Bethanie Hughes (she/her) is as an arts educator and administrator who has been passionate about building and facilitating creative programming for young people since she began teaching dance at age 16. She holds an undergraduate degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies from the University of Guelph and a postgraduate degree in Arts Management from Humber College. Bethanie has had the pleasure of developing and implementing arts and recreational programming in schools, private studios, and community centres throughout Ontario and New Brunswick. Bethanie loves being a part of the Innovative team where she is able to help develop a safe, inspiring space for students to explore the performing arts and build self-confidence.

Artistic Director

Samantha Holland (she/ her) has been a proud member of the Innovative Arts team since 2017! Over her tenure, she has had the pleasure of directing over 30 theatrical productions, establishing the Innovative Academy of Dramatic Arts as the founding Head Of Drama, and witnessing hundreds of brave young performers develop into compassionate creative leaders. As a director, producer and educator she has worked for companies such as: The Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Summerworks Performance Festival, The Living Arts Centre, The Rose Theatre and Theatre By The Bay, to name a few. Samantha studied classical theatre in George Brown College’s distinguished acting conservatory.

Vocal Director

Megan Miceli is a professional opera singer, voice teacher, musical director, creator, and administrator. She has a Master’s degree in Voice and Opera Performance and a Graduate Diploma in Performance from McGill University as well as an Honours BA in Music and Sociology from the University of Guelph and has performed across Canada, the US, and Europe. She has been fortunate to work in the music arts field for over 10 years and has been teaching private voice for over 7 years. Megan is passionate about implementing, curating, and coordinating stronger educational programming that is inclusive, accessible, fun, and meaningful for all kids.

Acting for Film Director

Katrina is a graduate of the St. Clair Musical Theatre Program. Having worked in Arts Education for the past fifteen years, Katrina has directed over fifty youth productions and has won awards for both direction and performance. Katrina has taught classes ranging from Acting, Voice, Improv, Shakespeare, Dance, and Musical Theatre to all ages from 3 to seniors, and has worked as a production manager, actor, and has years of experience developing programs for arts education and in arts administration.

Musical Theatre Teacher

A recent graduate from Seneca's Acting for Camera and Voice Program, Chris is thrilled to share fresh training, and the perspective of a newly-working actor and die-hard nerd for the art of storytelling. A graduate from Etobicoke School of the Arts (Music Theatre Major) and 2018's 1st place Canadian Musical Theatre division champion (FCMF, Saskatoon Nationals), Chris has had the pleasure of performing in countless productions on stage and on screen, growing up in the world of theatre. He's thrilled to bring his passion full circle!

Musical Theatre Teacher

Emma Ratcliffe is an actor, singer, and vocal instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Certificate from the University of Toronto/Mississauga and Sheridan College's Acting Program. During her time studying, she honed her performing craft playing roles ranging from Queen Elizabeth I (The Glove Thief), to Gollum (The Hobbit), and beyond. She is looking forward to returning to Oakville to pass on this recent training she received in the city to passionate young artists in a welcoming and encouraging environment.

Musical Theatre Teacher

Andrew is a graduate of the Sheridan Music Theatre Performance Program and has been working professionally since 2014. Select credits include 300+ shows at Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Theatre, Rocky Horror Picture Show LIVE! (Rocky 4X), 5 seasons at The Haliburton Highlands Summer Theatre Festival. Andrew co-founded the contemporary youth theatre company CTRL + ART + DEL which had its debut season earlier this year and has been continuing with children/youth theatre camps (Suitcase Theatre in Toronto) and the Early Stages program while starring in HSF productions. His other passions include competitive olympic weightlifting, being a full time professional spiderman, and visual lyric art. He is looking forward to his debut production with IA and leading the casts of Into The Woods Jr.

Musical Theatre Teacher

Joseph Zita (he/him) is a bilingual Toronto based actor, singer, and theatre artist. He was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and grew up in Mississauga, ON. Select Theatre Credits include: The Antipodes (Coal Mine Theatre), Peter Pan (Neptune Theatre, Halifax), Lilies; Or, the Revival of a Romantic Drama (lemonTree Creations/Why Not Theatre/Buddies in Bad Times), Picture This (Soulpepper), Richard III (Shakespeare BASH'd), Kitsault: A New Canadian Musical (Staged Reading - Al Green Theatre), In the Heights: In Concert (We Are Here Productions), Beauty and the Beast: In Concert (Angelwalk Theatre), and several new works for the Toronto and Hamilton Fringe Festivals. Film/Television: Locke and Key, Firehouse Dog, Mayday, and the upcoming Paramount/CBS Series "Cross". He holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Windsor, and has also studied at the Stella Adler Studio in New York City.

Musical Theatre Teacher

Ariana used to be a student at Innovative Arts and has grown up learning at this studio since she was nine years old. She is now a third year Musical Theatre student at Sheridan College and is hoping to pursue a career in performing. Ariana started volunteering for Innovative Summer camps when she was in high school and through that experience, she found her passion for teaching. From being a volunteer, to now teaching the Saturday morning theatre classes, she is thrilled to be teaching at the same studio she grew up learning and growing at!

Acting for Film Teacher

Reena (she/they) is a graduate from the University of Toronto-Mississauga and Sheridan College's joint Theatre and Drama Studies Program, and an Innovative Arts alumna! Reena has directed, performed in, produced, and created numerous artistic projects-from plays and short films to digital immersive song cycles and dance dramas. Reena is passionate about working with youth to develop their skills and artistic identities, and is fueled by the art of "discovery" in all of her work. After eight years, it's an honour to be returning to the place that inspired Reena to pursue a career in the arts, and it's even more of an honour to continue that work for the young artists of today!

Acting for Film Assistant

Olivia is thrilled to be joining the team this season as the Acting for Film Assistant! She is an Innovative Arts alumni, having performed in five musicals and three episode studies. Olivia is eager to provide a space where students can be their true, authentic selves, while building their confidence and artistic skills. She is entering her second year of Sheridan College’s Child and Youth Care Program and has a wealth of experience working with children and youth ages 4-18, with a wide range of abilities in camp, school, and medical settings.

Marketing Creative & Social Media Manager

Milan is a current Music Theatre student at the Etobicoke School of the Arts. He performed with Innovative Arts for six seasons before joining the team behind the scenes! Milan has been Innovative Arts’ Marketing Creative & Social Media Manager since 2020, and has worked to enhance Innovative’s presence online.