Category: In The News

Toronto – March 21, 2013

CTV’s etalk anchor Tanya Kim will be participating in the 2013 Sporting Life 10K on Sunday, May 12, 2013, which raises funds to send children battling cancer to Camp Oochigeas. The run will begin at the front of the Sporting Life store (2665 Yonge Street, Toronto) and end at Coronation Park near Prince’s Gate. Those interested in donating to this cause can visit: www.ooch.org/TanyaKim.

Relying on the generosity of its volunteers and donors, Camp Ooch works to ensure over 800 children are able to participate in the camp experience every year at no cost to their families, allowing kids to focus on who they are, instead of what they have.

Camp Ooch provides year-round programs for children affected by childhood cancer at their campsite in Muskoka, The Hospital for Sick Children and in the community. Camp Ooch offers Leadership programs where they take camp leaders affected by cancer on wilderness expeditions, enhancing their leadership and team building skills. As well, Campo Ooch offers programs within the city, such as Ooch Downtown and In-City, which teaches kids skills like cooking and baking.

“Camp Ooch is a great program that makes a big impact on the lives of children,” says Tanya Kim. “Each and every child deserves and fun life full of bright memories and that’s exactly what this camp offers.”

Tanya feels it is important to stay grounded and connected with the community she lives in. She is grateful for the endless support she has received and gladly shows her appreciation through her participation in a variety of charitable community events. As a philanthropist, Tanya actively helps with causes that are close to her heart which include the Ontario SPCA, Blessings in a Backpack, MusiCounts, CARE Canada and Free the Children’s We Day.

Tanya Kim is widely recognized as one of Canada’s top television personalities on CTV’s etalk. Tanya has hosted a variety of red carpets and covered events like the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games for CTV, The Prince William and Kate Middleton Wedding and the 2013 Academy Awards. She has also interviewed some of the entertainment industry’s most notables including Jake Gylenhaal, Rod Stewart, Jamie Foxx, and Belinda Carlisle.

For more information visit:
www.tanyakim.ca

Like Tanya Kim on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/OfficialTanyaKim

Follow Tanya Kim on Twitter:
@Tanya_Kim

Follow Pennant Media Group on Twitter:
@PennantMedia

Available for interviews:
Tanya Kim

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For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

Toronto – March 4, 2013

Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, actors and co-founders of The National Theatre of the World (NTOW) are bringing their three-time Canadian Comedy Award winning improvised play series Impromptu Splendor to Berlin, Germany and Tel Aviv, Israel.

Participating in the 2013 International Festival for Improvisational Theatre (IMPRO) for the second year in a row, Impromptu Splendor will be performed at the Ratibor Theater in Berlin on March 21, 2013 at 8:30 PM. NTOW will be presenting stories in the styles of various authors like Tennessee Williams and Woody Allen.

Running from March 15 – 24, 2013, IMPRO is a celebration of improv theatre featuring 27 shows with 48 artists from countries all around the world.

In addition, the NTOW is making its debut in Tel Aviv, Israel this March 27-30, 2013 alongside improv trio Three Falling at the Centre Stage Theatre.

Now in its fourth season, Impromptu Splendor is performed by Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus. The play is a fresh and spontaneous narrative that always collaborates with its audience.

Matt Baram is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s Fine Arts Acting Conservatory (with distinction) and is an alumnus of the Legendary Second City Comedy Theatre in Toronto, Canada where he wrote and performed in six hit revues. In 2012, he received a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Male Improviser and can be seen on City’s new comedy series Seed as Jonathan, an insecure yuppie eternally struggling to win his daughter’s affection.

Naomi Snieckus is a Canadian Comedy Award winner, Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists Award (ACTRA) nominee and Second City Toronto alumna who has written and performed on theatre stages across Canada. Naomi can be recognized for her role as Bobbi on Mr. D, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s hit comedy series nominated for a Canadian Screen Award as well as The Listener and Being Erica. Naomi has worked alongside world renowned comedians like Colin Mochrie of Whose Line is it Anyway? and Martin Short. Naomi can also be seen sharing her thoughts on the CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight where she is a featured and regular panelist, commenting on current events in a comedic light.

The National Theatre of the World is a Toronto-based theatre company that creates exciting, provocative, and instantaneous theatre through the art of improvisation. Founded in 2008 by Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, NTOW creates new Canadian work and encourages theatre and improvisation communities to come together.

 

For more information visit:
www.thenationaltheatreoftheworld.com

Follow The National Theatre of the World on Twitter:
@The_NTOW

Follow Matt and Naomi on Twitter:
@MattBaram @snieckus

Follow Pennant Media Group on Twitter:
@PennantMedia

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Available for interviews:
Matt Baram
Naomi Snieckus

 

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

Toronto – February 4, 2013
Toronto actress Carrie-Lynn Neales stars as Rose, the leading lady in City’s newest comedy series, Seed, premiering on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 8:30 PM.

Carrie-Lynn’s character Rose is a beautiful yet neurotic single woman who is quite tired of dealing with men and the games they play; she is convinced she will meet Mr. Right after visiting a sperm bank. Seed shares the story of Harry, a laidback bachelor and bartender whose previous sperm donation leaves him with an offspring he is unaware of, until now. Seed explores Harry’s relationship with his newly discovered relatives, and the interactions of these families with one another.

Up next, Carrie-Lynn can be seen in the upcoming independent Canadian film Khoya, a feature film about a man travelling from Canada to India in desperate search for his birth family, only to discover the mysterious circumstances about his adoption. Carrie-Lynn can be recognized from her performances on the Emmy Award and People’s Choice Award winning show Nikita and The L.A. Complex and has also appeared on the Rick Mercer Report, in a skit poking fun at coffee barcode technology.

Prior to her focus on film and television she spent her early professional years playing classical theatre roles such as Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Ophelia (Hamlet), and Viola (Twelfth Night) with the Toronto-based The Classical Theatre Project, the only Canadian theatre company dedicated to performing for student audiences.

Drawn to performing since the early age of three, Carrie-Lynn took to the stage as a tiny dancer, beginning her career on stage; no matter the stage, if there was an audience Carrie-Lynn was ready to perform. Graduating from high school after performing in various school productions and winning awards through local drama competitions, Carrie-Lynn went on to study acting, singing, and dancing at Sheridan College.

In an effort to stay balanced, healthy, and focused, Carrie-Lynn practices and teaches yoga in Toronto on a regular basis and is an avid cyclist, farmer’s market goer, and animal lover. She often finds herself behind closed doors draped over her guitar, toying with the idea of one day performing at an open-mic night.

Aside from all of this, Carrie-Lynn takes time throughout her day to write – yet another creative release. Dreaming, laughing, crying. It is in one or all of these states Carrie-Lynn can be found in at any given moment.

For more information visit:
www.imdb.com/name/nm4489837/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Follow Carrie-Lynn Neales on Twitter:
@CarrieLynndor

Like Carrie-Lynn Neales on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/CarrieLynnNeales

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Available for interviews:
Carrie-Lynn Neales

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

Toronto – November 2, 2012
Canada’s multi-award winning fiddling sensation Karrnnel Sawitsky has just released his latest single titled 101. With a different take on the typical fiddle sound, 101 has a New York City feel – big city, modern, musically and stylistically diverse and of course, full of groove.

A spur of the moment decision led to shooting the video in New York City before the song even existed. Working on a tight deadline, 101 features the collective musical ideas from a variety of Karrnnel’s favourite people and musicians. 101 is a precursor for his solo album due out in 2013.

Karrnnel Sawitsky and his band The Fretless recently performed an official showcase at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre in Mississauga (6750 Mississauga Rd.) on Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13, 2012 for the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference. Attending the conference are agents, managers, buyers and artistic directors of music festivals.

In addition, The Fretless have been nominated for three 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Instrumental Group of the Year, Ensemble of the Year, and Pushing the Boundaries. The awards will take place November 15-17, 2012 at the Imperial Theatre in St. John, New Brunswick.

Karrnnel is one of four members in The Fretless who recently won Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2012 Western Canadian Music Awards. Having only been together for one year, The Fretless have already played music festivals across Canada, toured through the United States, and have an upcoming five-week tour in Germany, Switzerland and Holland. The Fretless released their debut album, featuring a track by Juno Award Winning Singer/Songwriter Ruth Moody, in early 2012, receiving rave reviews across Canada and are currently working on their latest album set for release in 2013.

Having established himself as one of the country’s most dynamic and original fiddler players, Karrnnel Sawitsky’s talent has been recognized nationally and internationally with numerous award nominations; this includes nominations at the 2012 Independent Music Awards, the 2011 Western Canadian Music Awards, a double nomination at the 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards, and the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee for Instrumental Solo Artist of the year. Karrnnel recently won People’s Choice for Instrumental Recording of the Year at the 2012 Independent Music Awards.

In 2010, Karrnnel alongside Juno nominated multi-instrumentalist Daniel Koulack, released ‘Fiddle and Banjo’ an album garnering one Western Canadian Folk Music Award nomination and two Canadian Folk Music Award Nominations for Instrumental Group of the Year and Pushing the Boundaries. Karrnnel released his extremely well received debut self-titled solo recording in February 2009; the album features 100 percent original music showcasing the diversity of the music he plays and writes.

Consistently amazing audiences with his music and passion, Karrnnel Sawitsky is increasingly in demand for solo appearances, recording sessions and concerts. As a spirited performer and composer, Karrnnel’s music draws from the various styles he plays – Canadian Old Time to Métis, Ukrainian to Scottish, Bluegrass to Jazz, and everything between.

Karrnnel recently won the 30 Below Award at the 2012 Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Arts Awards held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on September 18, 2012. This award recognizes young artists who have earned significant recognition in their artistic career and show exceptional promise.

The youngest of three siblings, Karrnnel Sawitsky began playing the fiddle when he was just four years old. With his father playing the accordion, he grew up performing in a family band touring Canada and the United States.

For more information visit:
www.karrnnel.com

Like Karrnnel on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/karrnnelmusic

Follow Karrnnel on Twitter:
@karrnnel

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Available for interviews:
Karrnnel Sawitsky

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

Toronto – October 31, 2012
Leading brand management and licensing company, DECOSTA, known for its digital work with Hollywood’s biggest names including Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Jamie Foxx, and The Jacksons and
more, is teaming up with PBI Sports, a progressive North American sports management company.

DECOSTA Marketing and PBI Sports (a Pinnacle Business Company) are pleased to announce the creation of DECOSTA – PBI Sports Management creating a seamless offering to their existing and new clients, combining the creative marketing component with the Business Management side of individuals’ personal brand.

The PBI Sports’ roster includes names like World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Jamie Sale, Zurich Lions Head Coach Marc Crawford, Sports and News Anchor Dara McIntosh, and Hockey Night in Canada Broadcaster Craig Simpson.

With over 20 years of experience, this joint venture alliance will operate as DECOSTA – PBI and both Jesse DeCosta, President of DECOSTA Marketing and Neil Glasberg, President, PBI Sports and Pinnacle Business Inc. are focused on their respective growth trajectories by offering clients expert advice, counsel, guidance and management of their particular affairs.

“Our alliance with PBI Sports will strengthen DECOSTA‘s offering to the entertainment business, by providing a holistic approach to complete brand management” says DECOSTA President, Jesse DeCosta. “Business management services are in demand by some of the biggest names in Sports and Entertainment, and with DECOSTA – PBI our company is now the total solution”

“This is a very exciting day in the evolution of sports representation services and in particular, the life cycle of PBI Sports,” says Neil Glasberg, PBI Sports President. “Providing personal branding solutions to athletes, coaches and media personalities is a huge differentiator from typical agency services. It’s time that those with celebrity status are proactively guided with wholesome, creative strategies that align to personal career and business objectives.”

For more information, visit:
www.decostainc.com
http://www.pbisports.com/

Become a Fan of DECOSTA on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/D-E-C-O-S-T-A-Marketing

Follow DECOSTA on Twitter:
@decostainc

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Available for Interviews:
Jesse DeCosta, President, DECOSTA
Neil Glasberg, President, PBI Sports

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

Toronto –September 27, 2012

MEI International Academy, an international school offering high school students the opportunity to travel overseas, learning on location in the world’s greatest cities, kicked off their 2012 Fall Asian Odyssey Semester Program on September 23, 2012.

The Fall Asian Odyssey Semester Program, running until December 12, 2012, allows students to enrol in one English course, one humanities course, one business course and one physical education course. Students will travel to Beijing, Hong Kong, South Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Mount Everest Base Camp, Delhi, Agra and Goa.

Upon touching down in Beijing, students will venture into the heart of China, tracing the steps of emperors through the Forbidden City and journeying along the legendary Great Wall. From Beijing, students will continue to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, and finally to India where they will reflect on their three month Odyssey of the East.

Recognized as a leader in international education, MEI International Academy encourages its students to view the world with new eyes and integrate “real life” into their academic studies. With a commitment to provide students with the skills that will prepare them for their post-secondary education, MEI International Academy provides education outside the four walls of a classroom.

The MEI International Academy provides a rich variety of experiences for students; there are a number of program options to choose from, depending on their preference of course length and location.

Students looking for a March break unlike any other can take part in the MEI International Academy March Break Excursion travelling to Paris, New York City, London or Costa Rica; students will be enrolled in a 40-day online course and spend 10 days at their destination.

Recognizing academic achievements, MEI International Academy offers scholarships to students with an average of 80 percent or above; annually $100,000 is rewarded to these exceptional students. Students attending this worldly school tend to see success in their lives; 95 percent of students end up where they want to be doing what they want to do.

Program director of MEI International Academy, Joe Mei, has been in teaching and overseas education for 20 years. His love for history and literature of all cultures inspired him to create this global academy. Prior to starting his mission of providing students life-changing educational opportunities, in 1997 Mei spent his summers working in Northern Ontario as a skilled labourer in the mining industry then followed his dream to become a teacher with the Peel District School Board.

You can follow along with the Fall Asian Odyssey Semester Program on Facebook at MEI International Academy. As the journey unfolds, you will find daily updates and recent pictures of the many adventures that will be had.

 

For more information, please visit:
http://www.meiacademy.com/

Like MEI Academy on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mei.international.academy.official.page

Follow MEI Academy on Twitter:
@meiacademy

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Available for interviews:
Joe Mei

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

Montreal, September 1^st 2012 – Exactly 75 years ago, Air Canada’s very first passenger flight took off. Travel, technology, fashion, lifestyles, and practically everything that shapes our daily life today has evolved since, partly through the new possibilities introduced by air travel. To celebrate its anniversary, Air Canada is launching today a series of digital initiatives telling both its history and the remarkable innovations in the world of aviation since 1937.

Highlights of the digital content created for Air Canada’s 75^th anniversary include:

A Facebook contest starting today, with daily prizes and a Grand Prize of 750,000 Aeroplan miles: enough for two business-class tickets to go around the world, with miles to spare! http://apps.facebook.com/acsevenfivecontest

The brand new 75.AirCanada.com with its multimedia and interactive timeline highlighting Air Canada’s rich history, including fashion milestones such as:

• In 1973, “A Uniform For Every Taste”: http://bit.ly/TJuX5v
• In 1978, “ Red, White, Blue And New”: http://bit.ly/T6BPwh
• In 1996, “Showing Our Canadian Colours”: http://bit.ly/PX7D3u
• On YouTube, “75 Years of Air Canada Fashion”: a video by Karim Zariffa: http://bit.ly/PjmCHi
• A 75^th anniversary Collector’s edition of Air Canada’s award winning enRoute magazine with a special report by Jeanne Beker on how inflight fashion – and the role of the flight attendant – has changed over the past seven decades: http://bit.ly/PTQASy

Other links you’ll love

• On Facebook: facebook.com/aircanada
• On Twitter: @AirCanada

Created by publishing and media company Spafax the initiatives offer a fascinating insight into the development of Air Canada. http://spafax.com/

About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline serving more than 175 destinations on five continents. Canada’s flag carrier is the 15^th largest commercial airline in the world and in 2011 served more than 33 million customers.

About Spafax
Spafax is one of the word’s leading providers of branded content solutions in the form of entertainment production and management, publishing and media sales. Clients include Air Canada, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Fairmount Hotels 7 Resorts, Lufthansa, Mercedes-Benz, THAI and many more. Spafax is a tenthavenue WPP company.

For information:

In Québec:
Martine St-Victor
Milagro PR Atelier
[email protected]
514-914-4145

In the Rest of Canada:
Kevin Pennant
Pennant Media Group
[email protected]
416-596-2978

Toronto – August 27, 2012

Toronto actress Raven Adamson stars in Foxfire, her first ever film, making its world premiere this September during the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Set in upstate New York in the 1950s, Foxfire is the story of a group of girls who form their own gang, defying there place in society.

Directed by Palme d’Or winner Laurent Cantent, Foxfire is an adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ captivating novel Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang. Raven Adamson stars as Legs, a character who was originally played by a young Angelina Jolie in the 1996 version of this film.

Margaret Sadovsky, better known as Legs, is a strong, self-liberated, incredibly honest young woman known for the unexpected. Raven felt an instant connection with this role as Legs is everything she admires and strives to be.

Attending Wexford Collegiate School of Arts in Toronto has allowed Raven to develop her acting skills and hone her creativity. She kicked off her acting career when she, alongside her other schoolmates, were selected to participate in what they were told would be an Industry Workshop. From there, Raven ended up landing her role as Legs.

When not acting Raven Adamson likes to dance, write, bake, draw, paint and work on her athletics; this multi-talented young lady was captain of her high school basketball team and has been training Shotokan Karate for eight years and now has her second degree brown belt.

Determined to take on even bigger and more challenging roles, Raven Adamson is a young Canadian talent to look out for. With plans for writing and directing, Raven will make her mark on all levels on the national and global film scene.

For more information, visit:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4622234/

Available for interviews:
Raven Adamson

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For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

Toronto – July 27, 2012

Singer/Songwriter Steve Foster has recently released his first album Sad Love Songs available on iTunes and amazon. This 11 track CD produces captivating lyrics and a mix of various genres that can relate to all listeners. Sad Love Songs is quickly climbing the horizon as it debuted above one of his inspirations, Michael Jackson’s Thriller on the iTunes pop chart.

For his debut album, Steve had a crystal clear goal in mind, “I wanted to create an album where each song has its place within the concept.” says Steve Foster, “The subject matter for most of the songs is bittersweet and yet, very optimistic in sound.”

Being an independent artist gave him the creative freedom to write and produce everything, with the exception of ‘Against The World’, which was written by Robin Thicke and Usher. He really pushed himself to create a pop album that incorporated all of the genres of music that have influenced him while remaining current. The final mixing and mastering of the album was completed by Nick Blagona who also mixed the greatest selling soundtrack of all time, ‘Saturday Night Fever.’

Steve has been listening to music for as long as he can remember. Giving his album more of a personal touch, he included an interlude of himself singing at 3 years old. It was only a matter of time before he created his own.

Being thankful for the piano classes he was forced to take and the ability to differentiate instruments and melodies from an early age, Steve Foster has set out to create an album that encompasses his deep appreciating and love for the music that shaped his childhood.

As a result, the songs on his album have a cohesive energy; a strong upbeat sound with touches of old school vibes, inspired by loss and love.

About Steve

As a kid, Steve Foster lived for every Friday when his mother treated him to a 45 single of his choice. Growing up in an artistic family as the last of 8 children, Steve was lucky enough to have been raised in an environment that celebrated many different types of music. He draws his inspirations from well-renowned artists including Burt Bacharach, Stevie Wonder, Gino Vannelli, Marvin Gaye, Jim Croce, Bob Marley and of course, the legendary Michael Jackson.

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Available for interviews:
Steve Foster

For more information, visit:
www.stevefostermusic.com

Follow Steve Foster on Twitter:
@mrstevefoster

Become a Fan of Steve Foster on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/mrstevefoster

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

Toronto – July 25, 2012
Stratford actor Dion Johnstone continues to hone his acting skills in upcoming television productions as he plays the wrongly convicted brother of Detective Ingrid Evans, Tyrone on the Showcase cop drama King. Also making guest appearances on The Listener as Harold Kalb, Dion plays an enraged protestor disguised as a waiter, eager to disrupt proceedings by hijacking the self-congratulatory speech; this episode aired on July 18, 2012 on CTV.

Dion will be appearing on CTV’s Flashpoint as well, playing Barnaby Howe, a senior project manager of a weapons’ manufacturing company. Action-packed Flashpoint depicts the emotional journey of the tough, risk-filled lives of a group of cops in the SRU.

Returning to his roots from February to March, 2013 Dion will become Marc Antony in the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre production of Julius Caesar. Known for its vibrant productions, The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre is a leading international company reflecting on Shakespeare’s genius storytelling.

This actor has made a name for himself playing in major productions like Stargate SG-1, the world premiere of the Lord of the Rings musical, The Sea Wolf starring Neve Campbell and Tim Roth, and The Tempest playing opposite Academy Award Winner Christopher Plummer directed by Tony Award winner Des McAnuff. Notably, he also starred opposite Gemini Award winner Colm Feore in the Stratford production on Macbeth, which was also directed by Des McAnuff.

As part of Black History month in February 2012, Dion played William Still in PBS and Rogers’ docudrama Underground Railroad: The William Still Story, telling the story of one of the most important yet largely unheralded members of the Underground Railroad.

Sharing his skills as an actor, text coach, voice coach and mentor, Dion sits on the board of Shakespearience Performing Arts. Founded in 1996, this non-profit professional educational theatre offers GTA youth three separate programs which are the in school workshop which is taken to classes all over the GTA, after hours workshops and a summer experience workshop.

“Nothing beats seeing a young person who never thought of themselves as smart or interesting, unlock and embody a piece of Shakespearean text and suddenly have a new world open to them,” says Dion Johnstone. “That look of wonder mixed with new found pride is incredibly exciting.”

Since returning to Toronto, Dion has rekindled his bond with Krav Maga, an Israeli self-defence system, where he also mixes up his practice with Muay Thai and boxing skills, which is both street smart and fun.

 

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For more information, visit:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0426909/
https://www.facebook.com/DionJohnst

Follow Dion Johnstone on Twitter:
@dionjohnstone

Available for interviews:
Dion Johnstone

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto416.596.2978
United States 855.596.2978