Learn from the Best

Alexander possesses a degree in Architecture and a Masters in Urban Design from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Soon after, he discovered that special makeup effects was his true passion and he attended CMU’s Complete Makeup Artist Program. Since graduating Alexander has worked in the film and television industry both on set and in special makeup effects labs. His film and television credits include Defiance, Incorporated, Man Seeking Woman, People of Earth, Cardinal, and The Silence.

Barbara’s career in fashion makeup artistry has spanned over 30 years. Her industry experience includes editorial work, television commercials, episodic TV, and on-air appearances. Her work has appeared in major fashion magazines including Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Barbara was the co-founder and VP Product Development for Cargo Cosmetics and was also responsible for trend forecasting for FACES Cosmetics. She was the recipient of the Canadian Network of Makeup Artists (CNoMA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.

David’s career in film and television spans over 25 years. His artistic vision and talent has led him to work on major films including Resident Evil: Afterlife, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Dawn of the Dead, 300, The Incredible Hulk, Silent Hill 2, and Jason X. His television credits include Murdoch Mysteries, Remedy, Mutant X, and Todd and the Book of Pure Evil. He has been nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards for his work on the television mini-series Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town (2010) and the feature film Backcountry (2016). David also owns and operates his own special makeup effects company, Form & Dynamics.

Dino has over 30 years of experience in the makeup worlds of entertainment, business, and education. He built his reputation across Canada’s beauty industry through regular appearances on Cityline with Tracy Moore for 25 years. Dino has also worked within the makeup departments of CBC and City TV. His clients have included the Barenaked Ladies, Justin Bieber, Kim Cattrall, Marilyn Denis, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, and Rachel McAdams. He has worked with international fashion designers such as Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta, has been published in numerous fashion magazines and newspapers, and has served as brand ambassador for major companies including Revlon Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart. Dino also operates his own private makeup studio and manages his own cosmetics line, DDB Makeup.

As a long-standing makeup artist for the Canadian Opera Company and a member of the film union IATSE, Jennifer has worked on principal performers, chorus members, leading actors, and models. Her work has appeared in over 100 Canadian Opera Company productions including La Bohème, Otello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Madame Butterfly, La Traviata, The Magic Flute, and The Barber of Seville. Jennifer has also worked on films including X-Men and Cinderella Man and on musical theatre productions such as The Lion King and Ragtime.

Jorge Chaves is a professional photographic retoucher who specializes in commercial advertising. He has over 17 years of experience and is often sought out by top Canadian photographers. Jorge’s client list includes Toyota, Mill Street Brewery, FedEx, Kraft, Royal Bank, Subaru, Dairy Farmers of Canada, and Crimestoppers. His work is regularly featured in print and billboard advertising throughout North America.

Kat is an alumna of CMU and completed a Bachelor of Arts from York University. Since graduating 9 years ago, she has amassed over 65 credits within the film and television industry, and many of her films have premiered internationally at TIFF. Kat’s celebrity clients have included Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss, Sophie Turner, Darryl Hannah, Laura Vandervoort, Francis Conroy, Daniel Stern, Eliza Dushku, Rose McGowan, Tom Felton, Ian Somerholder, and Lights. Kat also regularly hosts master classes with top industry brands. It is not uncommon for her to bring CMU graduates onto set with her.

Liz is a fashion makeup artist who remains at the cutting edge of her industry. She has worked for some of the world’s most recognizable beauty brands such as Bobbi Brown, NARS, Laura Mercier, and Stila. Her list of commercial and advertising clients includes Holt Renfrew, Pink Tartan, Gosh Cosmetics, Ford, Nike, Pepsi, and Roots. Liz’s work has appeared on celebrities during TIFF and has been showcased in numerous fashion magazines. Her celebrity clients include James McAvoy, Bryan Cranston, Sass Jordan, and Stephan Mocchio.

Lynda has had an impressive career with over 84 film and television projects to her credit. She worked as Makeup Department Head for shows including Bitten, Flashpoint, Lost Girl, Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning, Saving Grace, Fugitive Pieces, The Listener, Shades of Black, and Born to be Blue. She has also amassed many movie of the week credits. Her celebrity clients include Wesley Snipes, Sidney Poitier, Ethan Hawke, Shirley MacLaine, Paul Gross, Lara Flynn Boyle, Gordon Pinsent, and Megan Follows.

Margot’s talent for creating unconventional looks was first developed when she trained at Vidal Sassoon as a hairstylist. Since then her hair and makeup expertise has helped her land coveted jobs in television, magazines, and online. Margot is a regular contributor to Fashionmagazine.com. Her celebrity clientele has included Boy George, Ryan Gosling, Pitbull, the Backstreet Boys, Wyclef Jean, and Peaches. Margot has also worked extensively in advertising and in television, including on the series Heroes Reborn. She has taught at LA Makeup Academy (Dublin), London College of Fashion UK, and OCAD. When she’s not teaching, Margot takes private clients and provides consulting services to film and television production companies including the CBC.

Mason is an expert sculptor, lab technician, and fine artist. He brings a wealth of experience into character creation and concept development. Mason previously worked as a Studio Technician at OCAD, where he taught students the technical methods of clay modelling, mould making, woodworking, and bronze casting. His knowledge of fabrication techniques and his lifelong interest in film and television drive him to inspire and educate future digital makeup effects artists.

Paul has formal training in Digital Visual Effects, Digital Character Animation, and Classical Animation. He is an expert in digital sculpting and ZBrush, the industry standard for digital character modeling. His extensive career in visual effects and 3D digital sculpting has led him to work for Disney, Cineplex, and The Globe and Mail. Paul also runs his own multi-disciplinary production studio, Rune Entertainment, which specializes in commercial, digital, and animation productions.

Robert’s artistry has appeared on the pages of magazines, within music videos, and on famous faces for over 15 years. His work has been seen in publications including InStyle, VMan, Fashion Magazine, The Globe and Mail, People, and The Kit. His celebrity clients include Nelly Furtado, St. Vincent, and Anna Wintour (Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Magazine). Robert is known for beautifying Toronto’s social elite and has travelled with many of them to international fashion events. He is regularly featured in style blogs and was named among Toronto’s “25 Most Stylish People” by Toronto Life’s Style Book in 2012.

Ryan has worked in the makeup industry for over 15 years. He is an alumnus of CMU and of George Brown College for Film Direction and Screenwriting. Ryan’s work has appeared on Nanalan’, Death Race, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Big and Small, Monster Warriors, The Man Who Loved Flowers, and Mr. Meaty. When he’s not teaching, Ryan co-runs his own company, The Butcher Shop, which specializes in creature design, prosthetics, and special makeup effects.

Samantha is a multi-talented artist and an alumna of CMU. Since graduating from the Comprehensive Makeup Artist Program, Samantha has worked in prestigious special makeup effects shops including Tinsley Studio, Spectral Motion, Optic Nerve, and Fractured FX, Inc. She specializes in special makeup effects, as well as silicone and foam painting and fabrication. Her film and television credits include Stranger Things, Santa Clarita Diet, American Gods, The Knick, American Horror Story: Freak Show, Westworld, and Insidious.

Stephen has had an extensive career in film and television. He worked as Head of Makeup Department for major television shows and movies including Queer as Folk, Slings and Arrows, Long Day’s Journey into Night, Haven, and Camp Rock. He was also the recipient of the 2016 and 2018 Canadian Screen Awards for Best Achievement in Television Makeup for the hit show Orphan Black. His work and artistic prowess has been spotlighted in magazines including Vanity Fair, InStyle, Glamour, and Make-Up Artist Magazine. Stephen has made valuable contributions to CMU as both an advisory board member and as an instructor for the Film & Television course.

Steven is an alumnus of CMU who has had a rich career in special makeup effects. Over the past 15 years, he has worked with directors including David Cronenberg and Oscar-winning makeup artists Stephan DuPuis and Dave and Lou Elsey. Steven’s film and television credits include Pacific Rim, Maps to the Stars, Resident Evil: Retribution, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Wolves, Silent Hill, Clown, Saving Hope, Bitten, and Remedy.