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 in high school. 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 for youth in schools, private studios, and community centres. Bethanie loves being a part of the Innovative team where she is able to foster a supportive, 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.

Music 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/Production & Design Teacher

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/Drama/Pop Teacher

Emma Ratcliffe (she/her) is a performer, voice teacher, music director, choreographer, and arts educator who has held a passion for inclusive and engaging performing arts education since her early days volunteering with her parents’ charity, Arts 4 All Kids.

She holds a dual degree from the University of Toronto Mississauga and Sheridan College’s Theatre and Drama Studies program, and has performed and taught across the GTA, Québec, and British Columbia. Emma considers it a joy and privilege to work with young people as they develop curiosity, creativity, and their own unique artistic voice.

Acting for Film Teacher

Reena Goze (they/she) is a Filipino-Canadian theatre artist, arts educator, Dora-nominated actor, graduate of the Theatre and Drama Studies program with the University of Toronto and Sheridan College, and Associate Producer of First Born Theatre. She is also a proud Innovative Arts Alumna! Reena finds inspiration in interactive theatre and mixed mediums, and is passionate about creating accessible artistic spaces for young audiences, equity-deserving communities, and non-artists. She loves: green tea, karaoke, free samples, and hot bowls of pho. Reena is honoured to be returning to the place that inspired them to pursue a career in the arts, continuing that work for the young artists of today!

Musical Theatre Teacher

Ariana Bonifaz (she/her) is a Toronto-based performer and recent graduate (Honour Bachelor of Arts) of Sheridan College's Music Theatre Performance program. She began with Innovative Arts at the young age of eight, and developed her craft through the Acting for Film and Musical Theatre programs. Now an honourary Innovative Arts alumna, Ariana is passionate about empowering and inspiring young performing arts students by helping them grow their arts skills and confidence. Innovative Arts was a fundamanetal part of Ariana’s development and growth as a performer, and individual. She has countless fond memories as an IA student and is honoured to incorporate her own personal experience in teaching the next generation of artists!

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

Joseph Zita (he/him) Toronto based actor, singer, and arts educator. 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, and several new works for the Toronto and Hamilton Fringe Festivals. Film/Television: Locke and Key, Firehouse Dog, Mayday, Cross, Cache-Cache. Since 2017, he has worked, mentored, and travelled extensively with TMI -Theatre Making Impact; a performance program dedicated to educating and empowering youth about social justice issues. 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

Anisa Sobhani (she/her) is a recent graduate of Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program. Originally from Halifax, Anisa grew up training at Neptune Theatre through their Young Company and Prep Program. It was then that she began teaching for Neptune’s Theatre School, sharing her love for theatre with the next generation. Drawing on her years of dedicated training across singing, music, acting, and dance, she brings a deep appreciation for the creative process into the room. Anisa is passionate about creating warm, inclusive rehearsal spaces, fostering curiosity and confidence over perfection, and celebrating each student’s unique artistic voice.

Acting for Film Assistant

Olivia is an acting for film teacher at Innovative Arts. As well as being an Innovative Arts alumni, Olivia has trained at professional acting studios including LB Acting Studio and Armstrong Acting Studios. She has a wealth of experience working with children and youth ages 4-18, including those with physical and developmental disabilities, in camp, school, and medical settings. Olivia is in her final year of Sheridan College’s Child and Youth Care program and is currently completing an eight month field placement at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in their child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient service. Olivia is passionate about combining her therapeutic and artistic skill sets to provide her students with a supportive space where they can explore their artistry authentically, build their confidence, and have fun.

Mini/Jr Musical Theatre Assistant

Olivia is a high school student who loves musical theatre, drama and creative writing. She also loves children and received a Oakville Youth Award of Appreciation this spring for her volunteer work with them. Innovative Arts is her happy place!

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!