Our Team

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 Elsa Hsieh studied both piano performing and teaching at Birmingham Conservatoire, in the UK. She was awarded the 1st prize in the Wales Tystysgrif piano competition in 1988. Elsa also formed her Dolce De Soleil Music group which has performed in many multicultural events. Elsa Hsieh is an executive music director, and also the peace ambassador of the International Peace Festival and a full-time realtor in Century 21 Green Realty with outstanding achievements. Besides all the concert events, Elsa recently was given an award by the Toronto Waterfront Magazine's Celebrating Outstanding Women annual event. 

  Frank Caruso was inducted into the North Bay Musicians and Entertainment Hall of Recognition in June, 2017, for his lifelong contribution in music, theatre & film. 

In 1980 Frank pursued commercial theatre and lists 45 plays that he has contributed to as director, producer or actor.

In 1990, Frank transitioned into filmmaking with Caruso Films and went on to act, write, produce and direct feature films, shorts, documentaries, music videos and commercials. He has three movies presently airing on Amazon Prime, USA. Frank has 12 Feature Films to his credit and is currently working on several projects to be produced in the near future.

Angela H. Kim is a contemporary artist, freelance curator, art educator and a co-founder of HEIMAT Art. Through 10+ years of art making and curatorial practices, she was able to bring artists and audiences together, and empowered artists for their professional growth.

Angela's works have been displayed in local galleries, featured in forums, articles and magazines, and collected by individuals and corporations globally,

Tina Tran was born in the Ha Long Bay, North Vietnam. After years of war, she escaped Vietnam and lived in a Hong Kong refugee camp eventually emigrating to Canada. Tina lost two younger brothers to drug overdose however her sister has helped her become spiritual, and now she remains strong. Tina has transformed herself, and now she lives as Buddhist and teach others to say no to drugs. She is now a cool mother to five boys and living a life with purpose as a proud mother, filmmaker, actor, and gifted role model who lives to teach and help transform people’s lives. 

Angelica (Angela Johnson) is a Pianist, Singer Songwriter, Composer & Producer, with 5 CD’s of original music, available in stores, in the pop and classical music genres. Angelica entertains a wide variety of audiences with a repertoire of over 3500 songs, performing concerts, shows & festivals as a soloist and in bands, including touring on cruise ships as a “Piano Bar Entertainer”, for Disney, Holland America & Carnival Cruise Lines. Angelica is enjoying an ever-increasing profile as one of Canada’s finest performing and recording artists.

Monique Kurnath aka NIKKI-MONIQUE (250-CYT, 95-CCYT, FNE, PTS, FIS, C.Ht.), is a Certified Hypnotherapist, a Reiki Practitioner/Master, a Certified Yoga Teacher for Adults/Seniors and Children, a Meditation Specialist, a Certified Fitness Instructor/Trainer, a Nutrition Specialist and a Healthy Lifestyle Coach.  She is the founder of BMPOWHERD® by Nikki-Monique - a Health/Wellness/Fitness Holistic Business that specializes in Alternative & Movement Therapies.  Her passion is her purpose as she shares her vision of Empowering lives to be Healthy, Happy & Well-Fit through the Mind, Body & Spirit™.

NIKKI-MONIQUE is a 2x International Best-Selling Author and is a Featured Columnist/Writer for wellness online publications & print magazines. She works with children & women and those living with mental health issues, in abusive situations and/or impoverished communities. 

Dr. Vinita Puri is a highly skilled Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Registered Social Worker Mediator, Coach, and Consultant. For over 20 years, she has worked with diverse populations across organizational and community-based settings; including correctional facilities, hospitals, educational institutions, addiction/recovery treatment centers, and regulatory Boards. At the present time, she works with the Workplace Interventions Department of Homewood Health Inc.

Starting out as a crew member on feature films more than 20 years ago, she has held job titles as Executive Producer, Producer, and Director of Development working on film productions that included directors Alan Rudolph and Paul Haggis. She was a juror for the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards and Canada Council for the Arts and has been featured on CBC Radio and Newstalk 580 as well as a panel participant in the Diversity in Canadian Television Roundtable for the CRTC. As a Creative Producer and Media Artist, she is currently creating The Reluctant Canadian Immigrant project and completing the film One Man’s Journey. Her work reflects her vision and experiences on what it is to be a minority Canadian of African and Irish descent. Modiste recognizes that opportunities for stories identifying and told by BIPOC filmmakers are few and looks forward to the BIPOC Film Festival to ensure BIPOC inclusion and the celebration of diverse filmmakers.