I am excited about the upcoming year and all that I'll be doing in my community, across the country and with Free the Children. The experience in competing and becoming Miss Teen Canada-World has been fabulous and I know this next year will be unbelievable.
I'll be blogging about my experiences so stay tuned as my journey begins!
Judges
Miss Teen Canada-World strongly believes that each finalist in the competition deserves fair and equal consideration. Therefore, we select those individuals who are the best in their field and they are chosen from a variety of fields such as Modeling, Television, Magazines, Pageantry and more. There will be up to six judges scoring in a compulsory categories and each one will be looking for specific qualities that reflect the individual's leadership, poise, commitment, presence and behavior.
Meet Our Judges
Elmer Olsen
Founder, Elmer Olsen Model Management in Toronto
Elmer has the eye - a gift for discovering great beauty. In shopping malls, on tiny islands, on dusty country farms and on crowded city streets, he's found them everywhere. He is world famous for consistently finding the right girl with the right look at the right moment. Fashion editors, designers, photographers and big agency clients around the world trust Elmer for his expertise and watch him closely for who he will find next.
Lorraine Zander
Lorraine has spent the last decade creating a positive and inspiring magazine, Faze, for young women .Faze offers its teen readers an insightful look at current affairs, health and beauty, entertainment, careers, fitness, technology, and much more.
Lorraine has a Bachelor of Science degree in Exceptionality in Human Learning from the University of Toronto, and is a graduate of the Ryerson Magazine Publishing Program.
As an expert in the youth space Lorraine has appeared on Much Music, Entertainment Tonight Canada, Global TV, CTV News, Slice TV, Canada AM and CBC Radio. She has also been featured in The National Post, The Ottawa Citizen, The Vancouver Sun, Flare and many other publications.
Lorraine also spends much of her time working hands-on with teenagers through focus groups, co-op placements, internships and volunteer programs, and is often invited to speak in schools and at various events.
John Eltom
John Eltom resides in Alberta, John has gained knowledge of the fashion industry at a variety stages for over 37 years, he's been a business owner, product spokesperson, a feature makeover artist on Breakfast Television for 4 years, magazine contributor/cover artist, and is currently the Creative Director for M.C. College group, a private post secondary training institute for hairstyling, esthetics, and fashion.
Clarence Ford
When Clarence Ford talks about his career in entertainment, the passion, energy and focus driving his ongoing success are evident in his every word. Over the course of his career, this director/choreographer/producer & teacher has developed a keen understanding of what it takes to entertain and exceed audience expectations on stage or on screen. This visionary counts James Brown, Robbie Williams, Cirque Du Soleil, Reebok, Adidas & Pepsi among his long-standing clients.
Clarence began his career on stage when he became the youngest performer of Soul Express, a musical group that toured nationally and eventually landed its own TV Special. Clarence's transition from being one of Canada's top performers to one of Canada's top and most respected choreographers was a natural one. Basing himself in Toronto, Canada, Clarence's roster is broad based, ranging from choreographing figure skating specials such as “Star's on Ice” and prize winning routines for international stars such as Kurt Browning Victor Kraatz and Shae-Lynn Bourne to various award shows such as the Juno's, the Genie's and the Gemini's, which are Canadian Music, Film & TV. Most recently, Clarence choreographed So You Think You Can Dance & Robbie William's top rated music video “Radio” which can be seen worldwide on MTV, VH1 and Much Music.
Clarence's unique vision has led him to choreograph the latest Cirque Du Soleil creation KOOZA. , Director/choreographer several live events including, 96th & 95th Grey Cup with Lenny Kravitz, (1/2time & pregame show) UNICEF Against Aids concert with Avrill Lavigne, Sarah McLachlan & John Mayer. One x One with Wyclef Jean as well as fashion shows for Reebok, Fashion Television and London England's George Clothing Line. Clarence has produced and directed shows for Ford Motor Company, Labatt, Camel Cigarettes US & Canadian Club & Concert series, Imperial Tobacco's Definiti Canada Tour, and the Art Gallery of Ontario's Dreaming With Open Eyes. As a producer/director, Produce/Direct/Choreograph The NBA Toronto Raptors' opening ceremonies and half-time shows.
Clarence's expertise has led him to work on concerts for Alanis Morissette, Arrested Development, former President Bill Clinton Foundation Gala, Soul Decision, Del La Soul, and the Canadian Pop Stars Sugar Jones.
Clarence's passion for film has taken him to around the world, including Los Angeles, the West Indies, and all over Europe; his film credits include The Tuxedo (Jackie Chan/ Jennifer Love Hewitt), Billy Madison (Adam Sandler) How To Deal (Mandy Moore), Gossip (Kate Hudson), Undercover Brother, (Eddie Griffin/Billy Dee Williams) and Ladies Man with Will Farrell.
On television commercials, Clarence's talent is evident in over 60 commercials, including American Express, Pepsi, Advil, Reebok, Kodak, Coke, Tylenol and Budweiser.
As a director/choreographer/producer & teacher, Clarence brings a plethora of expertise to the table. He has built a solid international reputation as an innovative, energetic and hard working professional.
Louise Pitre
An award-winning singer and actress, Louise Pitre has had a career rich with success, and nobody will argue that this is only the beginning. Pitre's awards include the DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARD in Toronto, the National Broadway Touring Award in New York, a special award from the San Francisco Theatre Critics Circle, a New York Theatre World Award and a Tony nomination for her role as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, the ABBA inspired musical that took Canada and the United States by storm.
In addition to dazzling audiences on Broadway, Pitre released All of My Life Has Led to This, a CD featuring two French songs composed by Pitre. In 2005, Pitre released Shattered, her 3rd full-length CD. Shattered is a musical journey of heartbreak songs that Pitre sums up as cathartic. Pitre also boasts a successful concert career, performing as a solo artist with accompanist Diane Leah, George Koller and Tom Jestadt, and as a guest artist with various symphony orchestras. In addition, the multi-talented performer is currently collaborating with her husband, actor Joe Matheson, and Diane Leah on a new musical.
Pitre was catapulted to national fame in 1992 when she portrayed legendary French singer Edith Piaf in three different productions of Piaf. She also earned accolades for her work in Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; The World Goes 'Round; Blood Brothers; Tartuffe; Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd; Applause; and Rock 'n' Roll. Throughout her distinctive career, Pitre has been honored with three of Toronto's prestigious Dora Mavor Moore Awards for her titanic performances in Mamma Mia!, Piaf, and Blood Brothers.
One of Canada's most popular and enduring musical performers, Pitre is sure to dazzle audiences once again playing Annie Oakley in one of broadway's most beloved shows, "Annie Get Your Gun" in Toronto. One can only imagine what this true talent will add to this incredible production.
Maureen Fenn (Moe)
Maureen is our seasoned expert in the art of guiding people from all walks of life. She shines when it comes to helping them to find their place in the world …… through counselling, motivating, and coaching.
Maureen had great success as a founder and co owner of a prominent Toronto based recruitment firm for many years. Mo's next career move –which spanned 16 years - found her matching …….once again….. only this time in the role of the Executive director of the largest modeling and acting academy in North America. Not one to give up on enhancing peoples lives, she became the leader of a successful team of relationship consultants – (who matched romance seekers and life partners) across the GTA.
Mo joined the team of career matchmakers at DWP in 08…. bringing with her a colourful persona, joie d'vivre, and contagious enthusiasm.
Aside from her obvious flair for style and fashion, Mo has enjoyed time as a baseball player, drag racing competitor, an active volunteer counsellor with the breast cancer society, and a motivational speaker to college students!
In addition to this busy schedule – Maureen is often found on the side lines!!! Still motivating, still coaching – supporting her young grandchildren's hockey “careers'.
Christopher Healy
Christopher Healy is an accomplished acting teacher and public speaking coach employing his teaching method of empowerment through the lens of the camera.
As Artistic Director and principle Acting Instructor with the Toronto Academy of Acting for Film and Television and the children's acting camps, Christopher has coached and developed Canadian and American youth and adults on various skills from how to do auditions to marketing yourself. He has placed dynamic "unknown" talent with the most reputable theatrical agencies and managers in Toronto, Vancouver, New York and Los Angeles and coached students in preparation for performing arts school entrance auditions and Model & Talent Conventions in New York and Hollywood. Christopher has served on judging panels for the International Model and Talent Association of America. His achievements have included writing screenplays and directing live performances. He co-executive produced the reality series pilot, Starmaker, and most recently produced and directed two seasons of an internet reality series, "Acting Up", soon to be aired online on www.SCNTV.tv.
Christopher is also authoring a new book, starting Celebrity Online Magazine, and launching his new internet broadcast company, Studio City North (www.SCNTV.tv), featuring his training series, the "Actors Success in the Making".
Melani Chong
Melani Chong has become one of Canada's top fashion and lingerie models with the Ford Agency for over 15 years, amassing a global clientele that includes MAC Cosmetics, L'Oreal, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Oscar de la Renta, Roberto Cavalli, La Perla, La Senza, Wayne Clarke, Izzy Camilleri, Dolce Gabanna, Hugo Boss, Birks, Cartier, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Elle Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Nokia, American Express, Calvin Klein and Jones Apparel Group.
Her work has taken her to locations such as Milan, Rome, Hamburg, Munich, Switzerland, Spain, Seattle, Miami, New York, Taipei, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong where she was a major media spokesperson during the Hong Kong Change-Over events. With a diverse breadth of experience in fashion, film, television and documentary, she has lent her acting, hosting and interviewing talents to such productions as Fashion Television, CityTV's Cityline, Entertainment Tonight, CBC, CTV and GlobalTV productions.
Melani has also held several dynamic positions which include being a course instructor for modeling, Fashion Editor/Stylist for Canada's Urban Lifestyle magazine, Corporate Designer for Vision Group's DuMaurier Club Events, and Creative Director for The Renaissance Court Toronto International Film Festival Fashion Gala.
Julian Brass
Julian Brass is the Founder and CEO of NotableTV.com, a digital entertainment brand for all things notable. Since its launch in early spring, Notable TV has already been nominated as one of Canada's Top 5 Emerging Digital Properties by nextMEDIA and was featured in Financial Post magazine and on Bizlaunch.com. This twenty-something jet-setter has established a solid portfolio amongst the who's who of the web and entertainment world, ultimately resulting to his return to Toronto where he saw the opportunity to create an online destination connecting brands with the city's scenesters to find out what's really happening.
