And this summer's Super Supers:

 

Marla Albiston has been involved with YouthWrite as a super supervisor since 2006.  There is no other place she would rather be in the summer! Marla completed her Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta, where she met the wonderful, Gail Sobat (she was her professor!).  Since then, their student-teacher relationship has blossomed into a colleagueship, and most importantly, a friendship.  Marla is a full-time Dance teacher at Eastglen High School, works as a freelance teacher and choreographer, and dances in the Contemporary company, ViVA (who you can see in the Edmonton Fringe Festival, Aug 15-26, in Can’t Contain My Dance!).  Bring on a week of writing and fun!  Go YouthWrite, go!

 

 

Nicholas Carter is exceptionally pleased to be a part of YouthWrite (and 

Gail's heart) for his third summer YouthWrite. Nicholas is a creator of moving images and swirling sounds and is currently in the midst of producing two short motion pictures. His film, The Wandering Tattler premiered at the Edmonton International Film Festival and went on to screen on people's laptops all over the planet earth!  Also, Nicholas is a musician and performs frequently with fellow YouthWrite supervisor (and handsomem'n) Noel 'Thin Man' Taylor in a spoken word and accordion duo. They have a loyal following in Japan. It's one guy. But he's loyal. Thanks Kazuki!

 

 

 

Anna Cooley is a filmmaker from Calgary.  She writes, directs and edits her own independent projects, while also working on major productions in the Art, Set Decoration and Props Departments.  She took her first screen writing class when she attended YouthWrite as a teenager, which helped set her on her current path.  When not working, Anna tries to travel as much as possible, writing and photographing as she goes.  She is thrilled to be back for her third year as a YouthWrite Super and, of course, to work with Gail!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte Cranston is a lifeguard/swim instructor, SWYC member, improvisor, and tea enthusiast (particularly earl grey). She has been a writer ever since she wrote her first poem at the age of three, entitled "The Weeberzans". Last summer she taught improv at a youth theatre camp. Legend has it that Charlotte has been attending YouthWrite since the age of twelve, though no one really knows for sure; however, she can confirm that she loves Gail more than the other supers do combined.

Kristel Harder is elated to be back at YouthWrite (with Gail) for another amazing week of creativity and vitality.  Kristel first explored her love for the arts through composing epic musical play–by-play accounts of family road trips, performed at the top of her lungs to the pleasure…(?) of her family on said road trips. Since then she has studied piano, trumpet, euphonium, guitar and voice in the U of A’s Voice Performance program.  She has performed in ProCoro Canada, is a voice and piano teacher and a frequent clinician for high school and adult choirs. In 2010, Kristel joined the Canadian Team for the World Championship of Performing Arts in L.A, where she earned ten medals for voice and acting. Inspired partially by her experiences there, (but mostly by her desire to make Gail proud in the world famous YouthWrite BEEG shows) Kristel currently attends Grant MacEwan’s Theatre Arts program.

 

 

 

Morgan Moffatt is extremely excited to be joining YouthWrite and is very grateful to Gail who invited her to be a part of such a fantastic camp. Having discovered the joy of fine arts as she attended Ross Sheppard High School, Morgan pursued a Bachelor of Elementary Education (minoring in Fine Arts) at the U of A. Being a recent graduate, Morgan was fortunate to work part time at the same elementary school as Gail! When she isn't working her butt off tutoring (and working multiple jobs) Morgan likes to spend her time hiking and being outdoors as much as possible.

Caleb Nelson is a Wetaskiwin-born musician who moved to Edmonton to major in music and minor in physics at the U of A.  He has been singing and playing professionally in a number of capacities, including singing in ProCoro Canada (Edmonton's professional choir), and singing and playing in the T3 jazz band.  Much of his time is spent singing with, as well as composing and arranging music for, Epsilon, a popular a cappella group.  Caleb also teaches private voice lessons, and is a vocal clinician for several choirs around the province.  This is Caleb's fifth year at camp, and he is terribly excited for the chance to work with Gail, whom he adores! 

 

 

 Elisha Pinter is a math and drama teacher by day and a writer by night. She is intent on learning as many disciplines of the Arts as she can!  A talented improviser, after winning the illustrious Nosebowl TheatreSports Competition, Elisha performed with Rapid Fire as an improv Rookie. She also loves creating beautiful music with her guitar and ukelele, as song writing has become a passion of hers.  She is excited to be on the YouthWrite team and is looking forward to all of the creativity and inspiration that the weeks will bring.  Elisha wants all the supers to know that she adores Gail the most!

 

 

 

Noel Taylor is a teacher, writer, performer and has been involved withYouthWrite for 7 years now! He counts down the days to YouthWrite every year using an array of horsehair-strung counting beads. Noel has the fabulous job of teaching drama at McKernan Junior High right here in Edmonton. He performs with Hey Ladies at the Roxy Theatre Network every theatre season. As well as performing music in local rock and roll bands, he performs spoken word poetry with his best friend Nicholas. While doing all of these lovely things, Noel still finds the time to love Gail the most out of any other supervisor.

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Vanderhelm is a teacher of math, science and drama after having earned his BEd from the U of A, where he had Gail as a professor. Joe Vanderhelm is the associate artistic director of Rapid Fire Theatre. Joe Vanderhelm has improvised around the world including: Frankfurt, Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Atlanta and Edmonton. Joe Vanderhelm is a husband and owner of a teacup Yorkie named Lucy. Joe Vanderhelm is a lover of games both board and video. Joe Vanderhelm is proud to return in a supervisory role for his 7th summer of YouthWrite. But most importantly, Joe Vanderhelm loves and worships Gail Sidonie Sobat, probably the most.  

Gail Sidonie Sobat  is a multi-award-winning author for children, teens and young adults.  She is the creator and coordinator of YouthWrite and the director of SWYC (Spoken Word Youth Choir), in addition to being an instructor of creative writing at Grant MacEwan University, a teacher and a singer. Not With a Bang is her most recent YA novel, and her most recent title, How the Light is Spent, is a collection of poetry and her tenth book.  Gail adores the supers even more than they adore her.  YouthWrite is one of her deepest passions.