Tina Powell (Award Recipient) Tina Powell uses her talent as a writer to make the world a better place and give children a voice. Tina Powell has enjoyed much success as a children's book writer and journalist. All of Tina's children's books are Canadian bestsellers and have helped raise money for various charities. Tina's writings have appeared in Canadian Business, Chickadee Magazine, Time Magazine, Financial Times, The Toronto Star and The Mississauga News.
				David Yee (Finalist) David Yee is a playwright, actor and Artistic Associate with fu-GEN Theatre Company. His plays have been produced in Toronto, Ottawa, London, Rochester and Manhattan. He attended the Theatre and Drama Studies joint program at the University of Toronto/Sheridan College and is currently developing new work as a member of Factory Theatre's Playwrights Lab.
				Eric Walters (Award Recipient) The writer of 36 published novels, all of which have become Canadian bestsellers and are sold in countries around the world, Eric Walters has won more than 25 different awards for his novels. A dedicated volunteer to the community, Eric has been involved with the coordination of the Terry Fox Run Day since 2003 and is involved in numerous youth sports groups.
				Samuel Chow (Award Recipient) Born in Hong Kong, Samuel Chow moved to Mississauga in 1989. An interdisciplinary media artist and educator, his artistic works exploring issues of diversity have been screened across Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia. His award-winning videos have been screened at the National Film Board Theatre in Toronto, the Gene Siskel Film Centre in Chicago and adapted for CBC Radio. Samuel is currently studying at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
				Jon Garcia (Finalist) Entering his final year in the Sheridan College Media Arts Program, Jon Garcia has created a wide variety of films, both experimental and entertaining in nature. Jon has been involved in all aspects of film production: directing, writing, animating, editing, set and sound design. His films have won numerous "best of year" awards at Sheridan College.
				Jason R.M. Saunders (Award Recipient) Jason R.M. Saunders received his BFA in Music Theory and Composition in 2004, from Concordia University. Currently mid-way through his MA in composition at York University, his interests include Art theory, philosophy and history, and current projects include exploring the potential of semiotics as a compositional and analytical tool set.
				Maria Natalie Sbrocchi (Finalist) A versatile performer, Maria Sbrocchi was born into a musical family. Maria graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Music. She has performed with McMaster's Big Band, jazz legend Oliver Jones and Brampton Music Theatre. She is lead soprano of St. Josephs' choir and a conductor at St. Mary's. Maria has just completed an intensive music program in New York City and will be pursuing future studies at Brock University.
				Bozidar Vitkovic (Finalist) Bozidar is a Yugoslavian word that means a gift from God. A child prodigy, he made his concert debut at age 12. Bozidar's playing style ranges from classical precision, through sunny flamenco, to popular music with classical flavour. Bozidar has performed extensively through Canada, the United States and Europe, at prestigious venues such as CBC's Glen Gould Studio, Manuel de Fallo Concert Hall in Spain and The Coliseum in Italy.
				Lilac Caña (Finalist) An exceptional vocal artist equally at ease with opera, art songs, jazz and contemporary vocal styles, soprano Lilac Caña graduated with honours from the University of Toronto's Opera Performance Program, appeared with the Canadian Opera Company Chorus, created lead roles with Tapestry Music Theatre, Opera Mississauga, and enjoys soloist concert work with orchestras and choirs in Canada, New York City, and the Philippines. Lilac is currently recording her new CD album, to be released in November 2005.
				Krisztina Szabó (Award Recipient) Mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó is a true-blue Mississaugan, born and raised. Ms. Szabó graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England after completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Western Ontario, where she received the Deral Johnson Award. A second-prize winner of the Mozart Competition in 1988, she has also been the recipient of the Emerging Artist grant from Canada Council.
				Nancy Walker (Finalist) Pianist and composer Nancy Walker is the winner of the 2003 Montreal Jazz Festival's Grand Prix de Jazz. With a background as a sideperson for international concert and recording acts, Nancy's own fourth recording When She Dreams was released in 2004. In 2005 she was nominated in four categories at the National Jazz Awards. The Globe and Mail's Mark Miller calls her music "a fine example of the modern jazz musician's art".
				Erinoak Drama Program (Award Recipient) Since 1999, the Erinoak Drama Program and its performers have grown immeasurably, discovering in themselves new possibilities for thought and dramatic expression. In bringing theatre by the differently-abled to the community, the program has filled gaps by increasing the options open to individuals and by enriching theatrical opportunities for the community as a whole.
				The Knockouts (Finalist) The Knockouts are Anthony Carone, Thomas Dallan, Emily Ferrell, Dana Gray, Jeremy Kleynhans, Sacha Noelle, and Justin Zoltek. This newly formed pop/punk/ska band features talented young Mississauga musicians. Anthony is the winner of the Oscar Peterson Award for aspiring young musicians, and he and four other members of The Knockouts study jazz at Humber College. The Knockouts' tunes have made the band well known on myspace.com and have rocketed the band to #1 on soundclick.com.
				Chuck Jackson and the All-Stars (Finalist) Chuck Jackson began his singing career applying his versatile voice to a wide range of musical styles. Chuck has played on the soundtracks of numerous TV shows including the 80's hit "Miami Vice". Chuck has apprenticed with Bo Diddley and James Cotton. Chuck Jackson has also appeared on the JUNO nominated album Good Times Guaranteed and Lucky 13. The All-Star Band includes Pat Carey, Michael Fonfara, Garth Vogan, Jim Casson and Terry Martel.
				Mississauga Children's Choir (Award Recipient) The Mississauga Children's Choir promotes the musical education of young singers though performances, touring, and service to the community. Directed by Thomas Bell, the MCC has grown to 120 members in three graded choirs. In July, the Choir toured England, presenting concerts at Windsor Castle, Tower of London, Salisbury Cathedral, Oxford University and Stratford-upon-Avon. The choir celebrates its 25th anniversary this season.
				Mississauga Choral Society (Finalist) The Mississauga Choral Society was founded in 1975 by a group of enthusiastic amateur musicians at the University of Toronto's Erindale College campus. Under the artistic direction of Chrys A. Bentley for the past twenty-eight years, the Society has blossomed into a well-respected, semi-professional ensemble of ninety-plus voices. The 2004-2005 Season, which featured Handel's Messiah, David Passmore's Majora Canamus, Baroque Treasures, and Medelssohn's Elijah - marked the Mississauga Choral Society's 30th season of choral music-making.
				Thonn Geenen (Finalist) Thonn was born in the Netherlands and attended the Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague. Upon retirement, Thonn attended four years of Fine Arts History courses at the University of Toronto, Visual Arts Mississauga and the OCA. He has exhibited in the U.S.A and Canada, and is a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America.
				Lydia Panart (Award Recipient) Since her arrival in Mississauga in 1998, Lydia has made a splash in the artistic community - she was a finalist at the 2004 Mississauga Arts Awards and has displayed her artwork across the GTA; at Visual Arts Mississauga, Living Arts Centre and Hummingbird Centre. Her splash continues to spread by working with Visual Arts Mississauga, Colour and Form Society, Art Gallery of Mississauga, Living Arts Centre and the City of Mississauga to bring art to the community.
				Natalie Woyzbun (Finalist) Natalie completed her Hon. BFA at Mount Allison University in 2003. She has received numerous awards for her creativity, including the Philips Drawing Award and the Gardiner Fine Arts Scholarship. She is a national award recipient in the 1st Annual Invitational Student Art Competition and continues to exhibit her artwork across Canada. Natalie is presently working on her Masters in Curatorial Studies in New York.
				Susan Collacott (Finalist) Susan Collacott lives and paints in Port Credit. She earned her Master of Fine Arts and MA at Northern Illinois University and, a B.Ed. at U of Toronto and an Honours BFA at University of Windsor. She taught advanced painting at the Art Gallery of Ontario and at Bishop Strachan School. Her work has been exhibited in the USA and Toronto. She now works full-time on her art and is represented on the ccca.ca web site.
				Peter Locke (Award Recipient) Knowing Peter Locke is to know a lifelong humanitarian, which is reflected in his artistic talent, as well as his career as a teacher of art and graphic design. A 32 year resident of Mississauga, his award winning work has been exhibited throughout Ontario. Peter studied at the Ontario College of Art and has worked as a graphic designer.

Dr. Roger Beck Dr. Roger Beck, winner of this year's Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts Award, envisaged and helped develop the widely-celebrated Theatre & Drama Studies (TDS) program which is taught jointly by the University of Toronto at Mississauga and Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Oakville. The TDS program annually attracts several hundred candidates from across Canada and beyond, only 24 positions are offered in the first year. Graduates have gone on to acting careers at Stratford, CanStage, alternate theatres in Toronto, Fringe Festivals, summer stock and many regional theatres. They have moved into other aspects such as film and television, writing and directing, pursuing graduate degrees or teaching high school theatre arts. Dr. Beck's effort has rippled beyond the borders of Mississauga to national and international significance. In turn, TDS graduates in diverse fields publicize Mississauga as an important centre for artistic development. Dr. and Mrs. Beck have both endowed annual scholarships for TDS students, but equally importantly they attend as many performances as possible that feature the work of students and graduates. In the classical definition of the term, as befitting a classical scholar beloved by countless graduates Dr. Beck's vision, encouragement and financial support truly make him a Patron of the Arts.

The Mississauga Arts Council gratefully acknowledges the support of the 2005 Mississauga Arts Awards Sponsors: