Faculty

Nicole Strawbridge
Owner/Artistic Director

Nicole is a Singer, Dancer, Actor, Instructor born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She started training in classical voice at the young age of 7. After completing high school and her voice exams with the Royal Conservatory of Music, Nicole contemplated auditioning for Opera Performance programs or Musical Theatre. The passion led her down the musical theatre path and she ended up studying at the Randolph College for the Performing Arts, graduating in 2009 with a "Triple Threat" diploma. Nicole performs in and around Toronto for many different festivals, corporate functions and special events. Favourite stage credits include: Miss Honey in "Matilda", Johanna in "Sweeney Todd", Julia in "The Wedding Singer", Mary Poppins in "Mary Poppins", Laurey Williams in "OKLAHOMA!", Cosette in "Les Miserables", Sarah Brown in "Guys & Dolls", Natalie Haller/Ed in "All Shook Up", Maria in "West Side Story", Sister Mary Leo in "Nunsense II", Audrey in "Little Shop Of Horrors", Jo March in "Little Women" and Carmen Diaz & Serena Katz in "FAME! The Musical". Owning, operating and instructing for her own youth theatre company has been a lifelong goal. It's a dream come true to be able to share her knowledge and passion with these young artists, preparing them for the crazy world we call theatre!

Sam Moffatt
Music Director/Voice & Piano Instructor/Mentor

Sam Moffatt is a graduate of the prestigious University Of Toronto in the vocal education program. Sam is a singer, guitarist, song writer, pianist, accompanist, vocal coach, music theatre performer and church organist. He teaches private vocal, guitar and piano lessons and music directs for shows in and around Toronto. Some performance credits include: Ren in Footloose, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Hudson in the Canadian Premiere of Teenage Dream, Curly in Oklahoma and Man 1 in Songs For A New World. Some musical direction credits include: Songs For A New World, Les Miserables, Seussical, 13, Guys & Dolls, Hairspray, All Shook Up, Fame and Little Shop Of Horrors. Sam is excited to be the rehearsal accompanist and Keyboard 1 player for Oshawa Little Theatre's upcoming production of: Matilda the Musical!

Colin Frotten
Music Director/Voice & Piano Instructor

Originally from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, tenor Colin Frotten is a graduate from Mount Allison University, and is currently based out of Toronto, Ontario. New to the Toronto scene, Colin has enthusiastically launched himself into the city’s vibrant music community. He performs regularly throughout the city, both as a tenor and pianist. Recent performances includes work with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir (Beethoven 9), the Fredericton Symphony Orchestra (Beethoven 9), and Opera Atelier (Dido and Aeneas). Previous roles include Grimoaldo in Handel’s Rodelinda, and Little Bat in Britten’s Susannah (both with the Halifax Summer Opera Festival), the title role in Albert Herring (excerpt) and Nemorino (L’elisir d’amore - excerpt) with the Mount Allison Opera Workshop. He is also tenor soloist and section- lead at Bloor Street United Church in downtown Toronto.

In addition to his performing, Colin has acted as Music Director, Vocal Director and Rehearsal Pianist for various productions in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and continues to collaborate with various organizations. As a passionate educator and arts advocate, he has a very active piano/voice studio both privately and at Elite Music Academy, and works as General Manager of Toronto’s That Choir.

Benjamin Conroy
Theatre Technician, Stage Manager, Director, Choreographer

Benjamin Conroy is a young triple threat performer from Oshawa, Ontario. He is an alumni student of First Act Youth Company and is excited to now be a part of the faculty as a director, choreographer and stage manager. Benjamin first collaborated with FAYC when he did a double credit co-op with his high school. He attended the specialized arts program at O’Neill C.V.I. while also taking voice lessons and participating in many shows at First Act. Prior to that Benjamin took 2 years of intensive dance training at Hoofers Performing Arts in Oshawa, ON.

In 2019, Benjamin moved to Victoria, BC to continue his musical theatre training at the Canadian College of Performing Arts where he spent his days studying acting, dancing and singing. While absolutely loving studying away from home, he was always eager and excited to come back during breaks to share his knowledge and passion with the young artists at FAYC. Now that he is officially a graduate of the program, he works as a full time theatre technician, stage manager, director, & choreographer here at FAYC!

Jennifer Pullon
Bootcamp Director/Choreographer, Guest Teaching Artist

Originally from Yorkshire, England - Jenny is the owner of First Position Dance Academy. She started her training at the Selby Dance Centre while also becoming an associate student with The Northern Ballet Theatre. At age 16, she became a full time student at The Northern Ballet School in Manchester where she was awarded with a full government scholarship. After graduating, she took her first professional contracts dancing aboard 4 ships with Carnival Cruise Lines. For 2 of these contracts, she was selected to install brand new shows and had the opportunity to work directly with choreographers in Las Vegas. Back on land, Jenny has performed in music videos, films and many musicals including FAME (as Iris Kelly), Little Women the Musical (as Amy March) and as a featured dancer/dance captain in Hair with First Act Productions. After deciding to leave the stage, Jenny continued to work creatively as a choreographer and teacher all over Toronto and the GTA. She is thrilled that she is following her dream by opening her own Academy and hopes to inspire the next generations to love the stage.

Taylor Hubbard
Musical Theatre Director & Administrative Assistant

Taylor is a singer songwriter, actor, improvisor and comedian based out of Toronto. She is a very passionate performer who loves to learn and teach. She is a graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts and the Second City Longform Conservatory. Her favourite stage credits include: Liesel in “The Sound of Music”, Maureen in “RENT”, Diana Morales in “A Chorus Line”, Thea in “Spring Awakening”, Rose Fenny in “Dogfight” and Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre in “The 25th Annual Putnman County Spelling Bee.” She is also a nominee for the 2019 Theatre Critics Pick Award for her performance in First Act Productions' production of Dogfight. Taylor is thrilled to be joining the team at First Act Youth Company!