Jennifer has come home from yet another wonderful lesson with you. She so enjoys each session with you. She goes each time, not because she is forced to or she is obliged to. Jennifer sings and goes to her lessons with you because she WANTS to and because she finds it so satisfying, challenging and rewarding spending that hour with you. With your encouragement, support and tutelage, Jennifer has grown and developed in so many ways along her musical journey and we shall always be forever indebted to you, as her vocal teacher.

You took a young child who loved to sing and carefully, methodically and safely developed her instrument beyond our wildest imagination. Along the way, you exposed her to a multitude of musical genres and exceptional performance opportunities. From master classes at university music departments, Kiwanis Festivals, conservatory exams and community benefit concerts to musical theatre, opera and Stratford performance classes, Jennifer has had an exceptional experience with you. And even though she was accepted at a prestigious performing arts academy in the States, she told me that she didn’t want anyone else to train her voice except you.

But Sarah, you didn’t just take an interest in her instrument. You also supported her academics and her other passion as a competitive sprint kayaker. She has been able to pursue it all because of the support she has been given. As parents, one of our goals is to help our children find their place of belonging and paths of passion. With your combined experience, expertise and excellence, you have given Jennifer the purest and ultimate gifts, the remarkable gifts of voice, appreciation for, and enjoyment of music, that she will carry with her for the rest of her life.

Please know what a difference you have made in our daughter’s life and how grateful we will always be to you.

With much appreciation,
Nancy and Hans Thunem

I saw the Charlie Brown show on the weekend. All I can say is WOW! I have been a professional choreographer for the past fifteen years in Montreal. For me to see great choreography in a community theatre is rare. Further more for me to find lead actors, teenage and youth ensembles participating in  tight choreography is very rare. Your cast was together and in a great performance zone.

I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The commitment to excel was obvious. In particular I was impressed with Erin Brewster playing Lucy. What a difficult role that was and she nailed it. Also of great note were both Charlie and his little sister, Sally. Please compliment Joe Adams on his understanding of the emotional disparity of Charlie, played really well. Sally ( Rhiannon Kyle) was hysterical. What a superb actress. Funny, comedic timing that excels and clearly a top singing instrument. She was probably your most polished actor up there. As I reflect upon the rest of the cast I have to say they are all of note. Linus comedic faces in My Blanket, Schroeder’s voice in Beethoven day and Snoopy in particular Red Baron, fantastic.

We all benefited from the laughter this production brought.

Thanks again

Cathy Spectre

Sincere thanks for giving us good entertainment.

Jim Martelli
Toronto Star
Legal Department

Congratulations on another fantastic weekend of performances. We loved both Charlie Brown and Secret Garden. Two very different plays equal a weekend of great entertainment.

We laughed out loud so many times during You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Often, when we see a play and discuss it afterwards, there is one scene, one character that really is a favourite, but with Charlie Brown it was one favourite moment followed by the next. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, and Snoopy…we thought that everyone did such a good job at bringing their Peanuts character to life. Of course, we loved the teens and the Dalmatians too and the wonderful choreography. Everyone on stage looked like they were totally into their characters, it was a joy to watch! Over the weekend our family has had fun trying to determine which “new philosophy” is our favourite!

Our feelings on Secret Garden can’t be put into words. So much to take in and absorb, so many beautiful voices, not knowing what voice to focus on, an abundance for the ear. It was the fastest 3 hours of our lives, wanting it to go on and seeming to be over too soon. I heard someone crying, come spirit come charm and the finale gave us goose bumps. We are already wishing that we could see it again.

We would like to thank you as well for the extra opportunity that Jessica was given to be part of the Secret Garden cast. She really appreciated and valued her time with “the grown ups” and feels very proud to have been a part of such a powerful performance and to stand on the stage with such a talented group of people.

We appreciate the way that all the cast treats the children, full of praise and kind words and always taking the time to notice the effort that they put in. The fact that everyone takes the time to make them feel a valuable part of the performance makes them burst with pride.

Thank you so much for the another entertaining weekend.

The Richers

I just want to congratulate the lighting designer for Little Women (I think it was Chris Roberts?).  Every time I look at the slideshow of Little Women on the website, I am struck by the lighting and how evocative and lyrical it was.

(I was very impressed by Little Women – it was a very polished production, very engaging. Along with the usual things, brilliant acting by Caileigh & Rhiannon, all kinds of excellent singing, another thing I remember being impressed by was your speaking voice – your tone and accent was very convincing of the character and the period.)

I feel like upcoming Secret Garden is a great focused cast – I really believe this will be the best Secret Garden yet.
–
Michael

Gabriella

I am writing this note to thank-you for the wonderful production of Little Women last weekend.  I was amazed at the talent pool you have in your company.  Many strong male actors and singers are hard to find in one show.  But you had at least five.  As well, your female leads were professional.  Jo March, was incredible.  Beth March was outstanding, both performers professional quality.  Meg March was convincing and Amy March was terrific, not to mention Marmee who brought incredible energy to the stage and sang with the most beautiful voice.

I have spent a bit of time going to see local productions and they always have nice costumes and sets, but they didn’t seem to care about the staging so much and the characters were never believable.  Your production was downtown.  What I mean by that, is that it should have been on a Mirvish stage.  Excellent direction and excellent talent.  I think what I have discovered about your production in comparison to other companies is that they can’t buy your eye, and your direction.  You can’t dress up a present with a pretty set if the gift isn’t top quality, and other companies are suffering in their final product.  Aurora Performing Arts Group has a fine quality gift to share.

I have contacted Newmarket Theatre and purchased tickets to the next two productions.
Thank-you

James Gomes

The love, passion and dedication invoked by the Kyle family and the Kyle family women and the Marsh family has catapulted me forwarded to open another chapter of my life.

I thank you for the healing journey you, your family, the girls and APAG have set me on!
 
I am truly blessed to be a part of the APAG family!
 
Jackie vO