The Cast

The Singers

MICHELLE NASH

Michelle is a Toronto-based performer originally from Ottawa, Ontario. Since graduating from the Theatre and Drama Studies program at Sheridan College and UTM, she has performed and worked joe jobs all around the city. Recent credits include: Zombie Apocalypse (TBD Theatre Company), The Tin Forest (National Theatre of Scotland), Mixed Messages (Mixed Company Theatre), Maria in The Sound of Music and Princess Fiona in Shrek: the Musical (Lower Ossington Theatre). You can catch her playing Glinda in The Wizard of Oz this December in Niagara Falls at the Scotiabank Convention Centre. Michelle is extremely excited and slightly terrified to be portraying the iconic Edith Piaf.

DANIK MCAFEE

Headshot & Bio Coming Soon!

MATT RAFFY

Matt Raffy is a Toronto-based triple threat performer, originally from Toulouse, France. Graduated from Vancouver Film School and The Randolph Academy for The Performing Arts, Matt has been in many exciting productions ever since. 'I Hired a Contract Killer' (Directed by Bruce Pitkin/Annex Theatre; Broadway World nominee for his Break Out performance) and '25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' (Directed by Anne Allan/Annex Theatre), 'The Adventures of Pinocchio' (Directed by Matt Willis/Creativiva) and recently finished touring 'Puss In Boots' (Directed by Trudy Moffatt/Diversified Theatre).
Growing up in the south of France, Matt was always surrounded by Edith Piaf's music, so he was thrilled to get the opportunity to be a part of this amazing show.
"A chaque fois j'y crois et j'y croirai toujours... Ça sert à ça, l'amour."

The Dancers

SAMANTHA RAYMOND

Samantha Raymond is a recent graduate of the Performance Dance Program at Ryerson University, completing the program with honors. Before Ryerson, she attended Mayfield Secondary School in the regional arts program for dance, where she received the Desiree Meyer Dance Scholarship. During Samantha’s time at Ryerson, she has been fortunate enough to work with artists such as Apolonia Velasquez, Ofilio Sinbadinho, William Yong, Kenny Pearl, Robert Glumbek, Roberto Campanella, John Ottman, Hanna Kiel, Vicky St. Denis, Nadia Potts, and Alysa Piers to name a few. Some of Samantha’s most memorable achievements are when she travelled to Greece in the summer of 2013, to dance and perform for the annual Women in War project, directed by Peggy Shannon, and dancing alongside Emilio Colallilo at Fresh Blood Choreographic Festival 2013, where the duo received the Paula Citron choreography award for Avidita. Upon graduating Ryerson, Samantha participated in the Kenny Pearl and ProArte Danza summer intensives to further develop her training, and she is currently a company member for Point of View Dance Project in Toronto. Samantha is looking forward to the start of her career as a Toronto dancer and is thrilled to be performing in Piaf: Songs of the Nightingale!

DUSTIN GEORGE

Dustin George - Born and raised in beautiful BC, Dustin is a graduate of Capilano University's Musical Theatre Program. New to Toronto, but not new to the stage and screen, Dustin has worked with the Actors Foundry under Matthew Harrison, at The Second City and Professional Actors Lab. Fresh from performing in A Wicky Wedding, Dustin is excited to be working on Illuminite 2014 and Piaf: Songs of the Nightingale.

LUKE OPDAHL

Luke Opdahl is a performer and choreographer who hails from prairies of Saskatchewan. He started tap dancing at the age of six and hasn't stopped performing and adding genres of dance to his skills since. He moved to Toronto to attend and graduate from the Randolph academy's triple threat college program. Since then he has worked as a performer and choreographer for musicals, dance shows, cabarets and events across Canada. He is currently in rehearsals for Oklahoma with first Act productions where he will be playing Will Parker this January. Luke has also worked as a choreographer and instructor at workshops, private classes and schools and for all age ranges. He is very excited to be working on his first full dance show as a choreographer and performer and is truly inspired by the amazing life of Edith Piaf of whom he is a new fan.

JULIEN DESGAGNÉS

Julien was born and raised in Quebec city. He's always been interested in any form of dance and movement since he was young. He grew up as a competition dancer, receiving training in various styles. New to the Toronto scene, Julien has had the chance to work with different artists such as Eryn Waltman in the Conteur dance academy first year show, Tamina Pollack-Paris with the Boys club academy, and Ryan Schell for the official WEDAY video and event 2014 at the Air Canada Center. Julien is now training and working with Cadence contemporary ballet company under the direction of Courtnae Bowman. He is really thrilled to be part of Piaf: Songs of Nightingale and showcase the beautiful story of Edith Piaf.

KELLEN MCRAE

Kellen McRae was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He has been in competitive dance and acting since he was 5. Kellen moved to Toronto two and a half years ago to attend Randolph Academy for the performing arts. He played as Jesus and Judas in “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” and performed in “The Killing Game” which were both directed by Rosanna Saracino and performed in the Annex Theatre. Kellen also played the role of Kyle the UPS man in “Legally Blonde the Musical” directed by Lezlie Wade and performed in the Randolph Theatre. Kellen has also performed in the musical “Into the Woods” as Cinderella’s father. He recently played as Ligniere in “Cyrano de Bergerac” by Amicus Productions at the Papermill Theatre. Kellen would like to thank everyone involved for letting him do some dancing again!

JAMES TROWBRIDGE

James is a Toronto based dancer, originally born and raised in Guelph, Ontario. He is currently completing his fourth year at Ryerson University to obtain his BFA in Performance Dance. He began his dance training in Acton, Ontario under the direction of Lynda Yurkin. As he continued his training, he trained under other professionals such as Nadia Potts, Karen Duplisea, Vicki St. Denys, Tanya Evidente, Kenny Pearl, Arsenio Andrande, John Ottman, Robert Glumbeck, Linda Garneau, Hanna Keil, Robert Jensen and Andrew Prashad. James has had the opportunity to perform and train all over the world including New York, California, Texas and Las Vegas. He recently performed as an acrobatic dancer in a production of The Adventures of Pinnochio in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. James is absolutely thrilled to be apart of such an incredible story and to be working with so many other talented artists.