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Mark Masri

If Mark Masri wasn’t a singer he would be a medical doctor and was in fact studying to become one when he decided to pursue his first love, music. "Music is kind of like medicine, I guess; it heals the body and soothes the soul." This philosophy is what guides Mark to create the haunting lyrics and melodies that have become his trademark. With his powerful tenor voice, Mark is taking on the songs of love and loss, sorrow and hope. In his upcoming 2015 release, by multi-platinum producer Patrick Hamilton of Belgium, Mark is showcasing his unique theatrical pop style and exceptional writing skills with songs that will make you dance and songs that will make you cry. Whether he’s performing with The Vivaldi Orchestra in Moscow, headlining his own North American tour, or guesting on David Foster’s, Hitman Returns Television Special; Mark is opening hearts and minds with thought provoking songs, a charismatic stage presence and his sensuous tenor voice. Mark’s genre bending style and eclectic taste in music is evident in his previous releases. "See My Face" is a collection of covers and originals that lean toward soulful. “La Voce” includes songs in six languages and collaborations with Jon Secada, and Jim Brickman, highlighting Mark’s jaw dropping range and classical training. Mark’s 2011 album “Intimo” is a tribute to the most loved Italian songs set to classical guitar. Duets with international stars Olivia Newton-John and Delta Goodrem have become instant classics on adult contemporary radio. Regardless of style, Mark delivers emotion that will enchant any listener


Maryem Tollar

Over the last decade and more, Maryem Tollar has built a reputation as a performer who can live and thrive in a variety of milieus. She was born in Egypt and raised in Canada with frequent sojourns in the Middle East. She performs classical/traditional Arabic music as well as her own original music. She was a featured performer playing "Ariana" in R. Murray Schafer’s Dora Award-winning piece, "The Children’s Crusade". She has toured across Canada several times with a variety of projects including her own ensemble; Christos Hatzis’ multimedia project, "Constantinople" and his large scale work "Sepulcher of Life". She premiered “From the Song of Songs” by Christos Hatzis performed with and commissioned by Tafelmusik. She toured across Canada with Jesse Cook for his juno-nominated CD “Nomad” and recorded on Olivia Newton-John’s CD “Grace and Gratitude. 

Maryem has sung on several film and television scores including the theme music for CBC Television’s Little Mosque on the Prairie and A.R.Rahman's hit "Mayya Mayya" in the Bollywood movie "Guru". Her CD "Cairo to Toronto" was nominated for a 2009 Juno Award in the world music category. She performed and created the live music in Heather Raffo’s "Nine Parts of Desire" in May 2010, a play about nine Iraqi women, and was nominated for a Dora Award (Outstanding ensemble cast). In 2011, she collaborated with Natasha Greenblatt providing music, in her play The Peacemaker. Her music was adapted in Alumni Theatre’s production of Trojan Women, directed by Alexandra Seay. 
Maryem sings with Michael Occhipinti’s Sicillian Jazz Project (2009 juno nomination) and she is the lead vocalist for 2014 juno award-winning group “Odessa Havana”, featuring David Buchbinder and Hilario Duran. She will be back in the studio in August 2015 with her quartet "Turkwaz" (Maryem Tollar, Jayne Brown, Sophia Grigoriadis and Brenna MacCrimmon) to record their debut CD of music from Turkey, Greece, The Middle East and the Balkans. She is sharing her love of music from around the world with her children’s choir “Global Grooves Choir” which she leads with Shameema Soni.


Carlo Coppola

JUNO Nominee and Award winning singer-songwriter, Carlo Coppola crafts musical gems that transcend the generation gap. With a style that incorporates intelligent pop, melodic rock, and heartwarming ballads, Coppola showcases his remarkable voice and superb musicianship both in the studio and on stages around the world. Staying true to his roots is a testament to Coppola's stylistic influences while offering a fresh definitive musical statement all his own. A top 10 San Remo finalist and a multi-talented artist and gifted performer, Coppola sings and writes in English, Italian, Spanish and French, and has created the platform from which to capture the attention of audiences around the world. Coppola continues to forge forward winning over audiences and fans, all the while continually contributing songs and music to other artist camps and film and television. Points of Interest Include:showcases in Cuba with Z-103for Italian Month, showcase/headline at Carrasauga Multicultural Festivaland host for 2 years in a row, showcase at the San GennaroFestival in Hollywood, L.A., placed in the top 10 at Sanremo Festivaloriginal song contest, contributed 2 songs to JUNOnominated album, winner Urban Music Awardfor songwriting and performance, Top Choice Award for Best Male Recording Artist3 years in a row, performed at the historical Twinning of Toronto and Milano - Canadian Consulate, Milano IT, and performed for the President of Italy for the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America-CNE. One of Coppola’s most memorable moments came when he was invited to sing for Pope John Paul II.


Esmeralda Enrique

Esmeralda Enrique is one of the most celebrated Flamenco dance artists in Canada. Lauded internationally as a choreographer and teacher, Esmeralda Enrique is the founder of the Academy of Spanish Dance and the Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company, renowned for its innovation, versatility and artistic excellence. Esmeralda Enrique grew up in the flamenco tradition, studying dance as a child and was working professionally by the age of 14. She toured Canada and the western United States with the company of Luisa Triana and shortly after with the prominent company of José Greco. Esmeralda's talent and determination took her to Spain where she perfected her art under the watchful eyes of Spain's greatest masters including Victoria Eugenia, María Magdalena, Pedro Azorín, Paco Fernández and José Granero. She performed in Europe, the Middle East, Mexico, and the Caribbean with the renowned companies of Paco Ruíz, Miguel Sandoval, Antonio del Castillo, Sara Lezana and Cristóbal Reyes. In 1981 Ms. Enrique immigrated to Toronto and established the Academy of Spanish Dance and in 1982 the Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company which has emerged as one of Canada's foremost flamenco dance and music ensembles. Her vision and passionate commitment to flamenco have earned her acclaim across the country as a teacher, performer, and artistic director. Esmeralda has received numerous awards including the Guía Hispana's Raíces Hispanas Award in 2003 and was named one of the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians in 2008. She received the Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Vision Award for Arts and Culture and the inaugural Young Centre for the Performing Arts Dance Award as Senior Artist in 2012, the year that marked the thirtieth anniversary of both the school and company. Ms. Enrique has also been honoured with Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations for Outstanding Performance in 1997, 1999, 2002, and 2006 and for Outstanding New Choreography for Cantos de la Tierra in 2009. Esmeralda's infinite creativity, energy, and passion will continue to convey a true love for the art of flamenco for generations to come.


Aviva Chernick

“Aviva Chernick is a fearless musical adventurer. Her clear and persuasive voice takes us places we wouldn’t know to go on our own.” Tom Allen – CBC Radio 2. Those who have experienced Aviva Chernick’s intoxicatingly soulful vocals never forget where they heard them first. Whether in her self-titled project of original devotional songs When I Arrived You Were Already There, as the lead singer with twice Juno Award-nominated world music ensemble Jaffa Road, or singing the Balkan Judeo-Spanish repertoire, Aviva’s passionate voice blurs the lines between sacred and secular. Writing, recording and touring an original combination of world music sung in Hebrew, Ladino, English and French, this multi-lingual singer collaborates with some of Canada’s best world music makers as well as international virtuosos such as Yair Dalal and Frank London. Aviva was recently awarded a Virginia Folk Life apprenticeship to continue her studies with ‘American Treasure’ and Sephardic musician Flory Jagoda. She celebrates this Balkan Judeo–Spanish folk tradition with a contemporary reimagining of the music in a duo project with musical partner Joel Schwartz. Aviva’s collaborative recordings have garnered nominations and awards including Juno nominations for Jaffa Road’s albums Sun Place (2010) and Where The Light Gets In (2013) and a Canadian Folk Music Award Nomination for When I Arrived You Were Already There (2012) and Under the Canopy(2008).  Aviva and her co-writers from Jaffa Road won the John Lennon International Songwriting Grand Prize for their rendition of “Lo Yisa Goy”, a prayer for peace. Aviva is also a shlichat tzibur, leading prayer at congregations in and around Toronto as well as travelling to congregations around North America as a guest leader and teacher. She has begun leading sessions in spiritual direction through singing and is the Artistic Director of the annual symposium on The Music of Prayer, Tehilah. This year, Aviva is delighted to be celebrating 10 years of giving concerts and leading prayer. She is also thrilled to be reuniting to celebrate this music with Levon and the ensemble.


Anastasia Bethanis Arnokouros

Anastasia is a founding member of the most dynamic Greek orchestra North America has ever seen, First Generation. She has performed throughout Canada, the United States and Venezuela, entertaining thousands of people with her soaring and versatile voice. Anastasia moves effortlessly from the power ballads of Whitney Houston and Adele to the warmth of sing songs of Haris Alexiou and Nana Mouskouri with equal passion and presence. Her distinct voice has been featured on one of the most successful Greek dance compilations ever produced, Party Mix volume 1 and 2, which became staples for any DJ who plays international music.
Anastasia has a Bachelor degree in Music from the University of Toronto, and a teaching degree from York University. She is currently completing her first solo CD and hopes to tour with her new material. In the meantime, she is a fiercely dedicated music teacher who conveys her passion for music to all of the students she teaches, striving daily to impart her love of music to them.


Roula Said

Roula Said is a vocalist, dancer, musician, actor and playwright. One of Canada’s leading lights in the world of bellydance, Roula is the director of Om Laila Studio and the vocalist, dancer and percussionista of Gypsy/Arabic funk band, Nomadica (which she co-leads with Juno-Award Winning trumpeter and composer, David Buchbinder).  Stay tuned for Nomadica’s first recording which will be released in the fall of 2015. Roula has recently appeared in the Canadian Arab Institutes and Koerner Hall Co-production, Sultans and Divas as well as many theatre and festival stages across Canada. She was a featured singer in Routes of Andalusia at the Agha Khan Museum in 2014 as well as The Three Faces of Jerusalem at Koerner Hall in 2013.  Roula continues to sing muwashahat and Arabic folk songs with Maryem Tollar and to teach Arabic songs and dances to her students. Roula has appeared in numerous films and theatre productions over the years including Ruba Nada’s film, Sabah, and in her own one woman play, 40 Days which is currently in development.  She is thrilled to be part of Mediterraneo.


Tamara Bernier Evans

Tamara is best known for her portrayal of Tanya in Mamma Mia! on Broadway, in Las Vegas and in Toronto. She played Rose Narracott in the Mirvish/National Theatre production of War Horse.  She spent four seasons at The Stratford Festival of Canada and performed in the world premieres of Mimi (Tarragon Theatre); Seven Lears, It’s All True (Necessary Angel); and Anything That Moves (Nightwood Theatre). At Canadian Stage she played Claire in Proof and also performed in the musical Outrageous.  She played Maggie in the jazz opera The Wrong Son at The National Arts Center in Ottawa and at Theatre Calgary she played Christine Colgate in the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.  Most recently, she played Cathy in the ANTE UP production of And Now The End for Summerworks Festival 2014.



©Global Village Creative Inc. 2015