London Performing Arts Academy is a not for profit organization. We provide a unique triple threat experience where London and area youth can express themselves, buid confidence and fulfill their passion to perform live. We make sure everyone involved in our programs has the opportunity to shine.
LPAA donates $2.00 from every ticket sold to the Ontario Brain Injury Association, and $2.00 from every ticket goes into our scholarship fund to help families in our community needing financial assistance to our programs.
Alex Kost
After graduation Alex began working towards his ARCT certification with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Alex started playing Viola at the age of 12 with El Sistema Aeolian.
He then moved to the London Youth Symphony and eventually found his love of vocal music. Alex has sung with choirs at David Geffen Hall as well as Carnegie Hall as a member of the London Singers and later spent a season with Western Singers while in grade 12.
He is very excited for the opportunity to work within the theatre industry teaching vocal performance as he continues his own musical education and career.
Lauren Da Silva
Lauren is currently working on her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at The University of Western Ontario. She began doing theatre when she 3 yrs old in the production "3 of a Kind". Lauren has over 10 years of training in vocal music, and has received awards for her achievements including Outstanding Performer-Junior Concert Choir, as well as Highest Standing in Vocal Music. She has been teaching early level music lessons for 2 years. Lauren was the Head counsellor, Summer Program Coordinator and Director of our summer Mini-Musicals. She has been Assistant Director with LPAA's past productions of the Jungle Book Kids and Descendants Junior. Some of Lauren's credits include; "Bricoux" in The Grand Theatre's production of Titanic the musical, "Gabriella" in LPAA's production of High School Musical, "Dragon" in St. Mary's Choir's Production of Shrek the Musical as well as other lead roles in youth productions such as, "Mary" in Mary Poppins, "Eponine" in Les Miserables, and "Glinda" in the Wizard of Oz. Outside of theatre, Lauren also plays hockey and soccer and values physical education. In her spare time she loves to sing, play piano and the guitar, and spend time with friends and family. Lauren has always had a passion for musical theatre and inspiring young performers. She is so excited and proud to be involved another year with our LPAA youth performers and can not wait to see them thrive on a live stage doing what they love to do!
Courtney Murray
Courtney is working on her Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences focusing on Political Science at The University of Western Ontario. She began dance lessons at 3 yrs old and dancing competitively at 8. She received multiple dance awards over the years including a national award, "1st Place Solo Dancer" in the Canadian Model and Talent Competition. Her training in dance includes Certificates from the "Royal Academy of Dance" for Ballet, while studying under the talented Kelly Maxwell, as well as a certification from "Adapt" for Student Assistant Teacher. She has volunteered and worked as a Student Teacher for 7 years teaching Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Acro to junior and intermediate dancers aged of 5-16. Also a competitive cheerleader at the time, has won an American National title in Buffalo, as well as winning a spot in the prestigious D2 Summit at ESPN wide world of sports in Florida. Her love of singing began in 2015 when she received the National award "2nd Place Solo Vocalist" award at the Canadian Model and Talent Competition. She was picked up by American and Canadian Talent agencies, and signed with her Parent Agency in Toronto. She has sang the National anthem at many sporting events in including the London Lightning. She started in youth theatre at 12, with acting lessons and acceptance into the Summer Conservatory in New York City at AMDA, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy where she spent the summer immersed in life on Broadway. She was later accepted into their Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Recently, Courtney participated in Master class vocal lessons at Ripley Grier studios in New York City led by Broadway's Laura Bell Bundy and Erika Henningson. There, she also participated in Dance and Choreo workshops with Broadway's Sarah Meahl and Greg Zane.
Notable roles include "Kate Mullins" in The Grand Theatre's High School production of Titanic The Musical, "Sarah Brown" in Lyte's Guys and Dolls, "Heather" in MPT's Something Wicked, "Wednesday" in LPAA's Addams Family, "Dorothy" in The Wizard of Oz, "Cinderella" in Into The Woods, "Princess Fiona" in Shrek, "Alice" in Alice in Wonderland, and "Wendy" in Peter Pan. She also appeared in the Ensemble of "Prom Queen The Musical" at The Grand Theatre in London. Courtney's professional credits include a supporting role in a Toronto based web series, commercials, a national CAA campaign, and a short film that won an award of Merit at Indie Fest in Toronto, Semi-Finalist at the Rhode Island Film Festival, San Antonio Film Festival and was an official selection of the Toronto Independent Film Festival and London's own Forest City Film Festival.
Tanner Hamlin
Tanner is currently enrolled in his 3rd year of Sheridan College's Musical Theatre Performance Program. Tanner graduated from the Beal Musical Theatre Program in London. He has been involved in Musical Theatre since he was 9 years old. Tanner was cast 4 years in a row in The Grand Theatre High school Projects. He was "Wallace Hartley" in Titanic,The Grand Theatre High School Project, "Napoleon" in Prom Queen,The Grand Theatre's HSP, "Ensemble" in Evita, The Grand Theatre's HSP and "Gavroche US/Ensemble" in Les Miserables, The Grand Theatre's HSP.
In 2019, Tanner won a Brickenden award for "Best Male Youth Actor" for his role as "Horton" in LYTE's Seussical. Also in 2019, Tanner played "Skye Masterson" in LYTE's production of Guys and Dolls.
There he also played "Pugsley" in their production of Addams Family.
This will be Tanner's second year working with our Mini Musical summer participants and we are so excited to have him back. His incredible talent is matched only by his kind hearted nature and the care he takes to make sure each student in our programs has a chance to shine while they learn and grow with us.
Tanner is beyond thrilled to be working with young performers and watching them shine as the bright stars they are,