THEARTs

EFFECT

 CREATE.  PERFORM. INSPIRE.

THE ARTs EFFECT

 CREATE.  PERFORM. INSPIRE.

The Arts Effect: Create. Perform. Inspire. is a student-led fundraiser dedicated to making the arts more accessible for youth, both locally in Vancouver and globally. On November 27, 2025 and September 12, 2026, young artists came together to share their talents through performances, while raising awareness and funds for two incredible organizations: Arts Umbrella and Hogar de Gina. Our mission has always been simple: create opportunities, perform with purpose, and inspire change through the transformative power of the arts. We are so excited to announce that, together, we raised an incredible

$71,540.18

for both organizations! We truly cannot thank you enough for your support. From our performers and volunteers to everyone who attended, donated, and helped spread the word, this would not have been possible without you. Thank you for creating, performing, inspiring, and making a difference with us.

About the Organizations

Arts Umbrella is a nonprofit arts education center in Vancouver that makes the arts accessible to all youth, regardless of financial means. Both Danika and Victoria have participated in programs here since they were young, exploring dance, acting, music, and visual arts, and have experienced firsthand how special this place is. We’ve seen how Arts Umbrella nurtures creativity and confidence, and we support them because every young person deserves the chance to explore their imagination, discover their potential, and grow through the arts. This fundraiser helps make those opportunities available to even more youth. 

Arts Umbrella

Learn more about Arts Umbrella here: Arts Umbrella

Hogar De Gina

Hogar de Gina is a home for girls in Peru that provides safety, care, and opportunities for young girls who have faced extreme hardship.

Victoria and Danika has been involved with Hogar de Gina throughout high school and built a strong bond with the girls. After traveling to Peru, they saw the challenges the girls face, including limited resources, education, and basic necessities. Despite this, many of them have natural talent and a deep passion for the arts. This fundraiser helps provide supplies and creative opportunities for them to explore music, dance, acting, and visual arts.

Learn more about Hogar de Gina here: Hogar de Gina

SILENT AUCTION

We’re excited to feature a silent auction at this year’s event, with a variety of incredible items and experiences. Highlights include an original artwork by Marie Khouri, a one-week stay in Whistler, gift cards, catered dining experiences, styling sessions, and more. We are incredibly grateful to all of our generous silent auction donors.

CLICK HERE TO Click Here to View the Silent Auction

donations

We encourage and appreciate donations towards Arts Umbrella and Hogar de Gina. You’ll also have an opportunity to make donations during the event on September 12th. When donating to Hogar de Gina, please include a note that says “The Arts Effect and Hogar de Gina.”

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO HOGAR DE GINA
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO ARTS UMBRELLA

About the Organizers

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Danika Sung

Hi, my name is Danika Sung, and I’m a grade 12 student with a passion for the arts. Since I was little, I’ve loved dance, music, and visual arts. From the moment I took my first steps, I was dancing, and ever since, I’ve spent my time in the studio or on stage exploring a variety of styles. Around the same time I learned to speak and write, I picked up a guitar, and by age nine, I was performing and singing at a local guitar shop. In high school, I found myself drawn to the visual arts studio, spending my free time imagining new worlds and bringing them to life on canvas. Art has taught me to see the world through a different lens: one with passion, purpose, dreams, and drive. Whether I’m on the stage or in the studio, art is how I’ve come to understand myself. But more than that, it has shown me how powerful creativity can be,  and now, I want to share that experience with others. As I continue to grow and create, I hope to give others the chance to connect with who they are through art, just like I have.

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Victoria sun

Hello, my name is Victoria Sun, and I am a Grade 12 student who has always found joy and self-expression in the arts. I began ballet at the age of four, and for the past twelve years, it has been my home, a place where movement became freedom and classmates became family. Though I no longer dance competitively, ballet remains a part of me. Over time, I also discovered public speaking and theatre, where I would explore voices and characters unlike my own. Whether portraying a father’s grief in court or a girl’s first encounter with love, I learned to see life through different perspectives. The arts have taught me many lessons. They have given me a voice, and they have shaped who I am. More importantly, they have shown me that expression is not just personal, it is universal. My hope is to carry that forward, helping others find their own voice and discover the same strength and connection that the arts have given me.

Meet the Artists

  • Nirvana Bandi

    SINGER

    Nirvana Bandi is a Vancouver-born musician with so much passion for the arts. Singing since she was 3 years old, she fell in love with music and hasn’t looked back since. Find her on instagram @vanabmusic! 

  • Laica Morse

    Laica Morse

    SINGER

    Laica Morse is a Sarah McLachlan’s School of Music alumna who has participated in both SoM’s Choir and Musical Theatre programs. Alongside her duet partner Prince, she has performed at several events across Vancouver. One of her most memorable performances took place in 2024, when the duo opened for Sarah McLachlan’s Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Tour at the Pacific Coliseum. Since graduating from SoM, Laica has continued to perform while focusing on her post-secondary studies. This fall, she will begin her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Langara College.

  • Harold Wang

    CELLIST

    Harold Wang is a cellist, pianist, and singer from Vancouver. He enjoys expressing himself through different styles of music, and he is excited to impact the community through the arts.

  • Rory Bollivar

    DANCER

    Rory has had a passion for the arts since he was little. He loves to dance and has turned it into something that he can do not just for himself, but for others to enjoy and connect to as well. He is honoured to be a part of this amazing event and to make an impact through the arts.

  • Rose Finlayson

    MUSICIAN

    Rose is a 17-year-old musician from Vancouver BC who has loved music since she was born. She. performs a soulful set of pop/indie-inspired vocal covers while playing piano or guitar. Rose is thrilled to be apart of such a meaningful cause that demostrates the power of the arts.

  • Veronica Jiang

    ACTOR

    Veronica is a Vancouver-based performer who has been involved in the arts from a young age. She began acting at the age of five and has since explored performance through speech arts, dance, music, modelling, and drawing. Having trained extensively at The Bolton Academy of Spoken Arts, Veronica holds an ATCL diploma in Speech and Drama and has earned numerous nominations and placements at the provincial and national levels in Speech Arts. Beyond performing, Veronica works with younger students in speech arts and has dedicated hundreds of hours to volunteering within her arts community. She is grateful to be part of The Arts Effect and to use the art forms that have shaped her life to support a meaningful cause.

  • Raymond Chen

    ACTOR

    With a passion for the arts, 15-year-old Raymond has been acting, singing, and drawing since he was young. Having trained at The Bolton Academy of Spoken Arts for nine years, placing first for Speech Arts & Drama at Canada West Festival 2025, and having trained at the Arts Umbrella Musical Theatre program, he has a strong dedication to performance and enjoys challenging himself. Raymond is very grateful and humbled to support the Arts Effect’s causes while getting the opportunity to share his work.

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    Rachel anand

    SINGER

    Rachel has been singing and performing since the age of two, building her vocal skills through private voice lessons and classical training. She has a deep love for musical theatre and has placed in provincials and various local performing arts festivals, all while learning from many talented artists around Canada. Rachel is so thrilled to be performing at such a meaningful event!

  • Essi Mindell

    MUSICIAN

    Essi Mindell is a 14-year-old singer-songwriter from Vancouver, BC! He's loved the arts for as long as he can remember. Being part of this event means a lot to him, since he's seen firsthand how much of a difference the arts can make for kids.

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    Vanessa Huang

    DANCER

    Vanessa is a dancer trained in multiple styles but her passion for Hip Hop is what drove her love for dance since the very beginning. Being a proud member of the Team Canada’s Hip Hop team, she is always looking for more opportunities to push herself as a dancer. Vanessa is thrilled to be part of the Arts Effect event and to share her love for dance wit others.

  • Charlotte Neyestani

    DANCER & SINGER

    Charlotte is a 17-year-old performer who has loved the arts for as long as she can remember. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has recently begun training in musical theatre, something she has always been interested in. Charlotte is honoured to be a part of The Arts Effect and to make an impact doing what she loves.

  • Shanell burns

    ACTOR & SINGER

    Shanell is a 17 year old student from Vancouver that has expressed a passion for the arts from a young age. She loves learning and improving her skills with the help of her teachers and parents whether that be with singing, acting or painting. She is grateful and excited to be a part of such a meaningful event.

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    Addison Jones

    DANCER

    Addison has been dancing since she was two years old and hopes to continue professionally both commercially and in musical theatre. She is thrilled to be part of such a special event where she can make an impact doing what she loves most.

  • ALEEYA BAIRD

    SINGER

    Aleeya is a 14-year-old singer, actor, dancer, musician, and artist from Vancouver, BC. She has always had a passion for the performing arts and loves to express herself through music. Throughout her life, she has participated in various bands, orchestras, choirs, musical theatre productions, singing showcases, art fairs, and more! Aleeya is thrilled to continue developing her performance skills and to give back to the community through what she enjoys doing most.

  • Mikayla Morris

    DANCER

    Mikayla is a 16-year-old, North Shore-based dancer who has been training for over a decade. She has loved dance from a young age and regularly competes at competitions ranging from local events to national finals. She is excited to be part of this event and very grateful for the opportunity to use an art she has loved for so long to support such an important cause.

  • Ellington Campbell

    SINGER

    Ellington is a 17 year-old performer who has been involved in the arts from a very early age. She has been in the Pre Professional Half Day Program and Musical Theatre Troupe at Arts Umbrella for five years now, dedicated to improving her craft and growing as a young artist. Ellington is incredibly grateful and honoured to be a part of the Arts Effect and to use the art forms that have shaped her life as a way to support a meaningful cause. 

  • Quinlan McDonald

    MUSICIAN

    Quinlan McDonald is a grade nine student with Self Design Learning Community and participates in the 1/2 day Professional Training Program for Musical Theatre at Arts Umbrella. Quinlan is excited to perform for Arts Effects and is thrilled to support an initiative that helps to make the performing arts more accessible to all.

  • Jasmine Lemieux

    SINGER

    Jasmine Lemieux is a 13 year old Byng Arts and Arts Umbrella student with a passion for singing and dancing.  She is thrilled to be able to perform for Art Effects to raise funds and give back to the community so the love of arts can be shared with everyone.

  • Lily Patton

    SINGER

    Lily Patton She/Her, is a talented young actress and singer. She has completed four  years at Arts Umbrella’s Musical Theatre program, and her third year in the Pre-Professional Half Day program. Shows she has performed in include: Annie, The Quest, NEWSIES, As You Like It, Love and Information, and the film U.N.D.E.R. Achievers. She loves to collaborate, create, and learn, and is excited to share her craft with you.

  • Christian Haselden

    MUSICIAN

    Christian Haselden is a Grade 10 student at West Point Grey Academy. He has been playing guitar for 8 years and is a member of the WPGA Jazz band, WPGA combo ensemble and the WPGA R&B band. In addition to playing guitar, Christian is an avid skier, mountain biker and climber.

  • Audrey

    SINGER

    Audrey is a passionate 14 year old musical theatre performer and dancer, who is currently training at Arts Umbrella. She is happy to join the Arts Effect this year!