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 Instinctively, I knew one day I would be an actor.
My first experiences performing came at a early age competing in ladies singles figure skating. Those early days helped prepare me for the dedication and focus necessary for a performer, where important skills were imbedded in my subconscious, skills such as the discipline, awareness, and patience which one needs to achieve their passions and be successful at anything in life. The similarities between the worlds of acting and skating is uncanny and the transition between the two was a natural for me.
Being one to just go for it with reckless abandon, I jumped feet first into my first acting class and appeared in a national commercial soon after. With beginners luck fueling my passion and enthusiasm, I went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. A few years later I had the great fortune to train extensively with Mel Tuck, one of Canada's premier acting coaches. No amount of words can express the gratitude I have for AADA and Mel as the training I gained from both has and continues to serve me well.
The contradictions present in all individuals along with the extraordinary vulnerability and frailty of humanity are what attracts me to performance. It's fascinating to me how even the strongest, most one-dimensional, power-hungry characters become living, breathing people by revealing their underlying vulnerabilities. The balance between one's contradictions and perceived lack thereof creates our unique individuality. The driving force behind my work, therefore, is to honestly portray this humanity in all it's complexity.
In order to flourish, I constantly pursue challenges, for I believe that without growth, you die. This aspect helps me choose my next roles, those that pose the largest challenge is where I thrive. One of the great things about being an actor is you must have an open mind and sense of adventure when faced with portraying characters who have qualities that you, as a individual, do not share in order to do the things you would never do. It's always an exciting having the opportunity to experience new situations and circumstances by living vicariously through your characters and to gain insight into humanity as a whole.
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