Marni Levitt * Multidisciplinary Artist & Educator/Facilitator
c: 416-910-3114
www.marnilevitt.com marnilevitt@yahoo.com
Education
2006-2013
OISE at University of Toronto
-Intermediate Drama
-French as a Second Language
-Special Education
Additional Teaching Qualifications
2011 & 2012
Performing Diaspora Workshops
(Harriet Tubman Institute – York University)
-MBemba Bangoura and others
Toronto, ON
2012-present
African Dance Workshops
(Lua Shayenne)
Toronto, ON
2012
Djembe and Dance Intensive Training
(Cobra du Mandingue – Mohamed Diarra)
Guinea, West Africa
2011
Express Dance Workshop for Teachers
(Kaeja d’Dance)
Toronto, ON
2011
Groove Method for Teachers
(Fit2Dance)
Toronto, ON
2011
Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators
Conference
Barrie, ON
2011
Apprenticeship Training in Teaching Voice
(Fides Krucker – Humber College Theatre Dept.)
Toronto, ON
2011
Summer Intensive dance training (Afro-Caribbean) Toronto, ON
(Ballet Creole)
2010
Village Du Guinea – drum, dance workshops
(Cobra du Mandingue)
2010
Mandingue Summit – drum, dance workshops
(Baobab Afrikan Arts)
Hull, Quebec
Toronto, ON
2010
Yoga Buds: Teaching Yoga to Children
(Temmi Ungerman-Sears)
Toronto, ON
2010 & 2011
Summer Intensive dance training (Afro-Caribbean) Toronto, ON
(Ballet Creole – Patrick Parsons)
2010
Summer Music Education Workshops
(Musicplay and Ontario Curriculum – Denise Gagne)
(Body Percussion/Bucket Drumming – Oliver Kutz) Hamilton, ON
2010 & 2011
Vipassana (Insight) Meditation Course
(Spring Rain Sangha)
2009
Yoga for Kids Workshop
(Yoga and Pilates Conference)
Rochester, NY
Toronto, ON
2009
2009
Intro to ORFF Music Pedagogy
Vocal Music Part 1
(Royal Conservatory of music)
additional teaching qualification
Toronto, ON
Teaching Jewish Texts Through the Arts
(Lola Stein Institute)
Toronto, ON
Introduction to Clowning
(Flemming College)
Haliburton, ON
Drum Circle Facilitator Training
Rhythmic by Nature
Toronto, ON
2007
Sivananda Hatha Yoga Instructor
Val Morin, Quebec
2003 to present
African/World/Other drumming, dance, music (Toronto, ON):
Drum/Dance Teachers:
Steve Mancuso (Cuban, Brazillian)
Justine Gogua (Ivory Coast)
Amadou Keinou (Burquina Faso)
Elisha MacMillan (Guinea-style)
Mohamed Diaby (Guinea-style)
Kwasi Dunyo (Ghanaian – Royal Conservatory of Music)
Muhtadi Thomas (Afro-Caribbean)
Njacko Backo (Cameroon)
Patrick Parsons (Afro-Caribbean)
Other:
Jean Fojeba (Guitar, various styles/Cameroon)
Sienna Dahlen (Jazz Vocal)
Fides Krucker (Voice Training)
2002
Interactive Children’s Media
(Ryerson University)
2001 to 2003
Bachelor of Applied Arts, Radio and Television Arts
Specialist in Audio Production
Ryerson University, (Toronto, ON)
2004 to 2005
Bachelor of Education, Primary/Junior
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
1999
Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Women’s Studies
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
1989 – 1994
Various private guitar lessons (Toronto, ON)
1987
Royal Conservatory Piano - Grade 4 (Toronto, ON)
2008
2008
Toronto, ON
Performance Highlights
The Story of the Kudu, Interactive Performances for Children (Bob Abate CRC), Toronto summer 2013
The Story of the Kudu, Interactive Performances for Children (Palmerston Library), Toronto summer 2013
1st Celebration of Prof. Wangari Maathai (Jamaican Canadian Centre) w/Sonia Aimy, Toronto, Sept. 25, 2012
Xaware Toronto: Festival of the New Griots w/Tamsir Seck, Toronto, Sept. 1, 2012
Camp Tournesol: The Story of the Kudu, Interactive Performances for Children, GTA, various dates, Summer 2012
Night Without a Moon: Jewish Women’s Cabaret (JCC), Toronto, March 2011 & 2012
Marni Levitt Collective Tour (Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal), Aug 17-21, 2011
Muhtadi International Drum Festival (Queen’s Park, North Stage), Toronto, June 2011
w/Drumhand (Merchants of Green Coffee), Toronto, January 2011
Harambee Wanawake: w/Layah Jane, Justine Gogua & various artists (Trane Studio), Toronto, November 2010
Fundraiser for school Cameroon w/Amadou Kienou, Njacko Backo & others (Gladstone Hotel), Toronto, May 2010
Community Performances (Rhythmic by Nature Drum Circle), Toronto, 2011
Community Performances (Sorauren Farmers Market & Dufferin Grove Farmers Market), Toronto, 2009-2011
Women in Song (Moonshine Cafe), Oakville ON, October 2009
Last Friday (Regent Park Focus), Toronto, 2008, 2009, 2010
Big on Bloor Festival (Concord Cafe), Toronto, June 2008
w/Anna Sudac/Trevor Campbell (Concord Cafe), Toronto 2008
w/Halfful, Ritallin & various artists (Trane Studio), Toronto 2008
With Amy Campbell, (Rasputin's), Ottawa, 2005
Fundraiser for Fulvio Boletta (Lula Lounge), Toronto, 2005
Fundraiser for War Resisters (Lula Lounge), Toronto, 2005
'Sistah's Voices' Fundraiser for TRCC-MWAR (B-Sweet), Toronto, 2004
Chickapalooza Cabaret (Oasis Pub), Toronto, 2004
Kingston Women's Arts Festival, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011
Pure Spirits Patio Stageá(Toronto Distillery District), 2003
Rock City Women's Fest, Wakefield, Quebec, August 2002
Toronto Pride, June 2001 & 2002
'I'm Not Your Little Lady' (The 360), Toronto, March 2002
'Consider This' Roadshow (Chandler's Pub), Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, July 2001
CD Release Party (C'est What), Toronto, June 2001
North By NorthEast (Oasis), Toronto, June 2001
The Marty and Avrum Show (ONTV), Toronto, 2001
'Consider This' Compilation Release Party (The Reverb), Toronto, 2001
Marty and Avrum - The Food Guys (CFRB 1010), Toronto, 2000
Documentary, "I Am A Rose: A Father's Journey"
Open for Veda Hille, Montreal, 1999
CKUT Live Broadcast (ISART), Montreal, 1998
Montreal Fringe Festival, 1998
Open for Lindy (Le Cirque), Montreal, 1998
Montreal Urban Folk Festival (Fofounes Electrique), Montreal, 1997
YAWP! (Cabaret Music Hall), Montreal, 1997
Open for Kinnie Starr (Fofounes Electrique), Montreal, 1997
Recordings
2011
2009
2000
Marni Levitt Collective Demo, independent (Toronto, ON)
“The Drummer”; “Opening Me”; “Bebe” singles, independent (Toronto, ON)
“Origin” EP released independently (Toronto, ON)
Grants
2000
FACTOR manufacturing grant (Toronto, ON)
Professional Associations
SOCAN
Press
various incl. The Canadian Jewish News
Other projects
ongoing
painting with acrylics and mixed media
Employment
Currently
Owner/Artistic Director; Songwriter/Performer; Music & Yoga Teacher
Marni’s Move-N-Music: Growing Bodies Minds and Hearts Through the Arts
(Toronto, ON)
for ages pre-K to adult
Currently
Artistic Associate (workshop facilitator and performer)
HOZA! Hoza is an African word that we take to mean STOP, START or CHANGE!
(Toronto, ON)
Currently on roster
Instructor
Dramaway: inclusive arts programs for people of all abilities (Toronto, ON)
Currently on roster
Artist Mentor
The Amy Project: Artists Mentoring Youth (Toronto)
Currently
Music Teacher
Lord Dufferin Public School, Toronto District School Board
Grades K - 3
2011 – 2012
Music/Dance Teacher
Rene Gordon Public School, Toronto District School Board
Grades K-5
2010-2011
Music Teacher
Ancaster Public School, Toronto District School Board
Grades K-5
2009 - 2010
Music, Drama & Dance Teacher
The Grove Community School, Toronto District School Board
Grades K-3
2008 - 2009
Drum Workshop Facilitator (West African drumming)
Rhythmic by Nature, Toronto, ON
for children aged 2 - 14
Sept. 2005 - 2009
Special Education Teacher
Sunny View P.S., Toronto District School Board
Grades/levels preK-5
Developed and implemented programs for children with physical and
developmental disabilities; child-centered, holistic, skills-based
program based on learning through the arts
Coordinated events, performances, workshops for Environment Committee,
Black History Month, drumming groups; developed adapted/integrated yoga
program
Nov.1 2001 to Nov. 2002
Floor Director and Video Jockey
PrideVision TV, Toronto, ON
monitored audio, set-up camera, shot and logged video footage
wrote scripts, introduced shows on camera
Nov.2000 to April 2001
Writer, Editor, Transcriber
Canadian Communications Foundation Website, Toronto, ON
edited audio and video clips, wrote content for educational website