Avi Sarkar
Board President
Avi brings extensive experience in leadership, nonprofit governance, and strategic planning to No Strings Theatre. With a background spanning both corporate and nonprofit sectors, he has successfully led large-scale transformation projects and held various leadership positions that have shaped his expertise in building inclusive environments and driving organizational growth.
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Avi has a strong track record of developing impactful fundraising strategies and re-engaging boards, skills that will be instrumental in helping No Strings Theatre grow its reach and empower the next generation of performers.
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Avi is deeply committed to equity and inclusion, having spearheaded several diversity initiatives in his previous roles. He is excited to bring his passion for the arts, education, and community development to No Strings Theatre, helping the organization thrive and continue its mission of fostering an equitable and inclusive space for emerging artists.
Ian Corlett
Board Chair
Ian Corlett brings a rich background in law and governance, holding an LL.B. from the University of London (UK), with advisory experience on boards such as St. Peter and St. Simon Anglican Church. A Toronto native and dedicated musician, Ian’s early journey as an instrumentalist evolved into a passion for opera, where he now trains professionally as a lyric tenor and performs as the tenor lead in his parish choir.
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Ian’s connection to No Strings Theatre began with their summer opera program. Today, he is honored to serve as Chair, committed to advancing No Strings Theatre’s mission of nurturing the next generation of performing artists.
David Stone
Community Engagement
David Stone is a dynamic, versatile musician and award-winning educator, known for his ability to inspire and shape the musicians of tomorrow. With a background in classical and jazz music, David is as comfortable in concert halls as he is in jazz clubs, theatres, and recording studios. An accomplished double bassist, jazz performer, and musical theatre director, David has studied under Canada’s top jazz musicians, including Oliver Jones and Pat LaBarbera, bringing a broad musical depth to all his work.
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David’s compositions have been featured by leading ensembles like the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Gryphon Trio, with performances across North America and Europe and broadcasts on CBC Radio. With a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto, he has studied composition under esteemed mentors such as Christos Hatzis and John Hawkins, and his works have been commissioned by organizations from the Capitol Theatre to Penthelia Singers.
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As the Director of Toronto Music Alliance, David continues to lead music education with his founding philosophy, "Making Music Make Sense." He brings over 20 years of teaching experience, dedicated to making music accessible and engaging for all ages. David lives in Toronto with his wife, two sons, and their family of pet bunnies.
Karen Sampson
Secretary
Karen Sampson, a dedicated law clerk, brings her expertise in administration and organization to her role as Secretary on No Strings Theatre’s board. With a passion for theatre and a strong commitment to community service, Karen combines her professional skills and love for the arts to support and strengthen our mission. Through her work with No Strings Theatre, she finds a meaningful way to give back and stay deeply connected to the creative community.
Kevin Mao
Treasurer
Kevin Mao is a Senior Strategy Manager at Telus and serves as Treasurer for No Strings Theatre. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Kevin holds a Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting from the Rotman School of Management and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting & Economics from Rotman Commerce, University of Toronto. Kevin leverages his financial acumen and strategic expertise to ensure strong fiscal stewardship for No Strings Theatre, supporting its mission to make a lasting impact in the arts community.
Matthew Seely
Marketing and New Business Development
Matthew Seely brings a unique blend of business acumen and artistic insight to No Strings Theatre. With a Master’s of Science in Business Administration specializing in Strategic Management, Matthew combines his corporate expertise with a passion for the arts and learning. In his day job he works closely with senior executives from Fortune 500 companies to design and deliver impactful corporate education events that inspire growth, adaptability and effective leadership.
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As an actor, writer and improviser, Matthew has appeared on television and stages across Toronto and at festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada. A graduate of The Second City’s Conservatory Program, his background in live performance has equipped him with a deep understanding of storytelling, audience engagement and agility under pressure.
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Matthew is also an accomplished educator, having taught improv at Milne Acting Studio and The Assembly Improv. He also leads private workshops and classes for businesses and professionals, helping them leverage the principles of improvisation to strengthen communication, collaboration and creative problem-solving.​
A firm believer in the transformative power of the arts in other areas of life, Matthew has presented at the Applied Improvisation Network’s virtual conference, sharing his insights on how the skills learned through improv can be applied to fields like leadership, team development and client engagement.
