Meet the Leaders

The Heart & Soul Drama Club leaders are professionals who volunteer their time, talent, experience, and knowledge to bring affordable, high-quality arts education to the children of East York.

Elizabeth Welke

Artistic Director

Elizabeth Welke, BA, MA, OCT, has been an educator for nearly three decades. With training in both the performing and visual arts, she founded the Heart & Soul Drama Club because she believes in the transformative value of arts education for all children.

Jessica Riley

Music Director

Jessica Riley, DMus in Vocal Performance, is a professional opera singer and an educator with over twenty-five years of experience teaching voice to students of all ages. She has taught in schools, universities, choirs, and private studios, helping each student develop skill, confidence, and a deep love of music.

Julie Stanley

Choreographer

Julie Stanley, BA, MSc, OCT, is an educator with forty years of dance experience. Trained in ballet, jazz, and modern styles, including Brazilian samba and salsa, she enjoys helping young performers grow in confidence, narrative expression, and self-expression through dance.

Rachel Davies

Associate Director

Rachel Davies, MCISc, is an Occupational Therapist with a lifelong love of musical theatre performance. She has twenty years of experience working with East York children and youth, coaching sports and teaching drama, and believes in the power of teamwork and creativity to support inclusion and personal growth.