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The cmtc experience: Seminars and workshops
The CMTC Experience: Seminars and Workshops
As part of the CMTC experience, contestants gain access to over 12 seminars and workshops led by top industry experts and model & talent scouts. These sessions are carefully designed to educate, inspire, and prepare aspiring models and performers, while offering direct exposure to the very professionals who attend CMTC in search of new models and talent.
Our seminars and workshops provide an exclusive opportunity to learn from industry leaders with the insider knowledge and expertise essential for success in the highly competitive fields of modelling, acting, singing, and dance.
Explore below to discover the distinguished professionals who have presented at CMTC and learn why these sessions are invaluable for aspiring talent.
Runway Coach: Mandy Dyonne Lieveld
Mandy Dyonne Lieveld has travelled from New York City to CMTC for the past three years to host our exclusive runway workshops.
With over a decade of experience as a professional model walking in national and international fashion shows, Mandy brings both deep industry knowledge and academic expertise to her coaching. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Ballet from the Dance Academy, as well as both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Psychology, a unique combination that enhances her focus on confidence, mindset, and personal presentation in the modeling world.
Mandy has coached models represented by top agencies such as Elite, Ford Models, NEXT, and The Society. Her impressive resume includes collaborations with major fashion houses like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Mugler, and Bottega Veneta. She has also coached global celebrities including Paris Hilton and Angela Bassett, and worked behind the scenes at shows with icons like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner. Mandy also served as a runway coach and judge on Holland’s Next Top Model.
In recognition of her outstanding work, Mandy was named Best International Runway Coach at the 2024 New York Fashion Awards.
Improv Coach: Linda Kash
Linda has hosted the Improv Warm-Up Workshop at CMTC for many years.
Linda Kash began her career at the Second City Theatre in Toronto, where she performed, directed and conducted workshops. She is easily recognizable as Canada’s beloved Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese Angel – one of Canada’s most successful commercial campaigns. Throughout her career, Linda has appeared in and directed a number of plays, films and television shows throughout Canada, the US, Europe, Russia and New Zealand.
Film credits to Linda’s name include Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, the multi-nominated Cinderella Man, Are We Done Yet?, Full Court Miracle, Cadet Kelly, and many more. She has appeared in television series such as Seinfeld, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Monk, Everybody Loves Raymond, Ellen, Sabrina, Saving Hope, and Haven. She has also appeared as a regular on Fargo Season 3 opposite Ewan McGregor.
Casting Director: Caroline Liem
Los Angeles-based casting director and coach Caroline Liem has worked on award-winning films, TV series, pilots, and animated projects for major studios like Paramount, Disney, Sony, and networks including Netflix, ABC, and Fox.
Credits include Gone in Sixty Seconds, Pearl Harbor, Gangs of New York, X-Men 2, Blade Trinity, Rust Creek, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! She has also cast popular video games like Assassin’s Creed III and Far Cry.
With a background in music, acting, and casting, Caroline brings a well-rounded, authentic approach when she attends CMTC to host her acting workshop.
Casting Associates: Sarah Sheps & Dan Falk
Sarah Sheps is a Casting Director at Mann Casting and a proud member of the Casting Directors Society of Canada with over 15 years in the industry. A graduate of Sheridan College’s Music Theatre program, she toured internationally with children’s shows like Strawberry Shortcake Live and Dora the Explorer, and has cast over 5,000 commercials. Passionate about Toronto’s emerging talent, she’s excited to meet you!
Daniel Falk is an actor with credits in Pretty Hard Cases, Murdoch Mysteries, Nightmare Alley, and over 60 commercials. At Mann Casting, he directs audition sessions and self-tapes, and has led commercial audition workshops for ACTRA, Seneca, Humber, and Sheridan.
Sarah and Dan’s high-energy and dynamic personalities make them the perfect hosts for the Reel Kids Workshop at CMTC.
Improv Coach: Jennine Profeta
Jennine is an actor, improviser, teacher and writer. She was a member of The Second City’s National Touring Company (Canadian), spent a year performing sketch and improv comedy for The Second City aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and was an improv facilitator for The Second City Training Centre (Toronto) & The Second City Works (Toronto & Chicago). As a writer, Jennine has written for the Gemini and Genie Awards, CBC, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent and Best Health magazines. She’s appeared in various commercials and summer theatre productions, and was a principal player in Howie Mandel’s “Howie Do It” for NBC. When not teaching improv, Jennine can be seen touring the country with her all funny, all female sister act, Girls Nite Out.
Jennine has hosted the Improv Warm-Up Workshop at CMTC.
CMTC 2026 Presenters & Sessions
Explore the exciting lineup of expert-led seminars, workshops, and Q&A panels from CMTC 2026. These sessions were designed to educate, inspire, equip, and connect aspiring models and talent with top industry professionals from across the globe. All registered contestants had full access to these valuable sessions, as they are included as part of the CMTC experience.
CMTC 2026 Seminars:
- The Business of Commercial Print: Putting Your Best Face Forward
Charlie Winfield – FFT Models – New York - Two Sides of the Coin: How Actors & Agents Work Together
Maya Ritter – Ritter Talent Agency – Toronto
Matt Gogal – Cultured Artists – Los Angeles & Mexico City - Bonjour Paris: The Model Experience
Christel Vatasso – City Models – Paris - Knowledge Is Power – Tips To Succeed In Fashion Modelling
Jorge Urena – The Industry – New York, Miami, & Los Angeles - What it Really Takes to Succeed in the Modelling Industry
Corrie Caster – Elite Europe – Paris, Milan, London, Barcelona, & Copenhagen - A Peek Behind The Curtain With IMG Models
David Grilli – IMG – New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Milan, Sydney - Made in Canada
Brandon Hall – Sutherland Models – Toronto
Adele Sarjeant-Nicholls – Together Model Mgmt – Montreal - Parents in the Biz
Ted Maier – Avalon Artists – Los Angeles & New York
- Talent Industry Q&A Panel
Meet top talent agents and casting directors from across North America:- Shawn Brogan – The Brogan Agency – Los Angeles
- Raynard Pearson – Work! Talent – Los Angeles
- Nigel Mikoski – Connekt Creative – Vancouver
- Adam Smith – TalentInk – New York
- Bim Narine – Falcon/Narine Casting – Vancouver
- Maya Ritter – Ritter Talent Agency – Toronto
- Micheline Blais – CastNorth – Sudbury
- Emily Klama – ART Agency – Toronto
- Melanie Liatsis – Premier – Toronto
- Alicia Beekman – DDO Artists – Los Angeles
- Matt Gogal – Cultured Artists – Los Angeles & Mexico City
- Entertainment Industry: Singing & Dance Q&A Panel
Featuring major music and dance industry professionals:
- Big Billy Clark – Big Billy Clark Enterprises – Los Angeles
- James Lugo – James Lugo Music – Nashville
- Eric Johnson – NI Music Group & Infinity – Los Angeles
- Farley Flex – Plasma Management & Productions – Toronto
- Jr Regisford – RedOne Productions – Los Angeles
- Deon Herring – Jaded Records – Atlanta
- Juliette Hagerman – Hagermans International Casting – Los Angeles
- Jacqueline Kirkpatrick – Watersound Entertainment – New Jersey
- KJ Rose – The Rose Effect – Los Angeles
- Robert Blume – Step Forward Entertainment – New York, Los Angeles & Florida
Why CMTC Seminars and Workshops Are Invaluable for Aspiring Models and Talent
CMTC seminars and workshops offer an exclusive opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders who have the insider knowledge and expertise necessary to succeed in the competitive worlds of modelling, acting, singing, and dance. Here’s why they are so valuable:
Access to Industry Experts: Sessions are led by top agents, managers, casting directors, producers, and seasoned professionals who share real-world advice, tips, and strategies that you won’t find anywhere else.
Hands-On Learning: These interactive workshops provide practical training on essential skills such as runway walking, audition techniques, portfolio building, branding, social media strategies, and much more.
Inside Industry Insights: Gain a deep understanding of how the industry works, including what scouts and reps look for, how contracts and bookings operate, and how to build a sustainable career.
Personalized Feedback: Many workshops offer participants the chance to receive direct critiques and guidance from the experts, helping you refine your craft and stand out.
Networking Opportunities: Beyond the formal sessions, these workshops create an environment where you can connect with peers and industry professionals, building relationships that can open doors to future opportunities.
Confidence Building: The knowledge and experience gained empower contestants to approach auditions, castings, and bookings with greater confidence and professionalism.
By participating in these seminars and workshops, CMTC contestants equip themselves with the tools and insider knowledge essential for turning talent into a thriving career. All seminars and workshops will be listed in the official CMTC itinerary.
Explore industry insights and sharpen your skills at CMTC by attending the engaging seminars throughout the convention weekend. Seminars previously hosted at CMTC include: The Business of Commercial Print: Putting Your Best Face Forward, Mastering a Self-Tape, The Art of Prepping for a Fashion Industry Callback, Modeling 101 in the USA & Europe, The Model’s Journey: Development & Personal Branding, The Modelling Industry in the Era of Social Media, A Peek Behind the Curtain with IMG Models, Made in Canada, Parents in the Biz and more!