Nikki Blakidis

Nikki had the privilege of attending the elite Claude Watson School for the Performing Arts in Toronto for both her elementary and secondary school education, where she was trained in dance, drama, music, visual arts and stage production. In high school, Nikki started teaching dance, music and drama to elementary school children, and produced 2 major high school productions a year. In 2003 Nikki directed an independent play that won "best director" and "best production" in the Sears Drama Festival's regional competition, performed at Hart House Theatre in Toronto. The play then went on to debut in Scotland's prestigious "Fringe Festival" in 2005.

During her four years at York University studying an honors BA in Humanities and English, Nikki choreographed and taught 4 dance classes a week for the City of Toronto's children and youth programs. She also had the opportunity to partner with Urban Promise, an organization founded to bring hope and direction to children and youth in the inner city, and traveled to Camden, New Jersey to teach alongside elementary school teachers desiring to see the youth in their city make positive change. After this experience, it was clear that a career in teaching children and youth, coupled with the Performing Arts and the focus of inspiring young people do serve their communities and push for active social change, was what Nikki wanted to pursue. 

For the past four years, Nikki has been serving in a youth group in Toronto, mentoring a small group of high school girls, as well as giving her time to another youth group in Oakville, where she spiritually and musically mentors young student leaders and musicians, while arranging and leading a student band. She has just recently returned from a compassion trip to the Amazon jungle in Ecuador, where she co-led a team of 25 students in serving the poor and developing lasting friendships with culturally diverse peoples. 

After graduating from York University in 2007, Nikki began working for Kerr Street Ministries, which is an organization that supports and cares for children, youth, and low income families in Oakville. Her service in the children's program allowed her to use her gifts and passions for teaching, creative communication, and investing in families in-need. She looks forward to directing Kerr Street's new Arts Camp in the summer of 2008, and seeing many children and youth discover their value, potential and gifts, and learn many ways in which to use those abilities for the good of the greater community.