RTA Faculty

RTA’s professors bring an incredible wealth of knowledge, creativity, and experience to our students. Professors and part-time instructors have varied backgrounds, including as producers, engineers, artists, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and researchers.

  • Beckstead, Lori

    Associate Chair B.Sc., B.A.A., B.Ed., M.A.

    Lori Beckstead is a professor of audio & digital media in the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University in Toronto, where she teaches courses in radio production, sound design, and digital media production.  She took on the role of Associate Chair for RTA in 2010.  Also a sound artist, she... read more

    LoriBeckstead

  • Bernstein, Deborah

    Course Instructor Ed.D.

    Deborah has worked in the film and television industry for 30 years. She spent most of her career at the CBC English Television Network where she held a number of positions including: Executive Director, Arts & Entertainment Programming; Creative Head of  Drama; and, Creative Head,... read more

    Deborah Bernstein

  • Bociurkiw, Marusya

    Professor B.F.A., M.A., Ph.D

    Marusya Bociurkiw is professor media theory in the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University in Toronto. She's also a media artist, award-winning writer, and blogger. She received  her Ph.D. In Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on cultural studies, from the University of British Columbia.... read more

    Marusya Bociurkiw

  • Braithwaite, Finlay

    Course Instructor B.A.

    Finlay has a passion for all things audio; recording, editing, mixing, and performing. Credits include mixing Malcolm Ingram’s Bear Nation, Andrés Livov’s A Place Called Los Pereyra, and Josh Raskin’s I Met the Walrus. The latter recently became part of the Guggenheim’s permanent... read more

    Finlay Braithwaite

  • Brown, Scott

    Course Instructor B.A.A.

    Scott has worked as a Director of Photography and Lighting Cameraman for well over 20 years.  His experience includes broadcast and industrial television work as well as dozens of EPK packages for film and television projects. Scott has been a sessional instructor with the RTA School of Media... read more

    Scott Brown

  • Carver, Rob

    Course Instructor M.B.A., M.A.

    There was no such thing as a co-op or volunteer program in the 1970s when Rob Carver went to the new local cable station in Vancouver with a half-inch, black and white reel-to-reel videotape of a school project in hand looking for airtime. What followed was one of the first after-school credit... read more

    Rob Carver

  • Ceperkovic, Slavica

    Course Instructor B.F.A., Grad.Dip.

    Slavica Ceperkovic currently is the English market digital media specialist for Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund (CMF) program Administrator. The CMF Experimental Stream encourages the creation of leading-edge, interactive, digital media content and software applications. Slavica has worked in... read more

    Slavica Ceperkovic

  • Clarfield, Stuart

    Course Instructor MBA

    Stuart Clarfield is a film-maker and media producer with over twenty years of experience in documentary, drama and live event production. As Executive Producer of The Mission Media Company Inc., he creates new work for documentary production for international television and education, on... read more

    Stuart Clarfield

  • Cohen, Maayan

    Course Instructor B.A.

    Maayan Cohen is a new media producer who has been working in the media industry for the past six years. An artist and an entrepreneur at heart, she continually seeks to break boundaries and forge connections between stories, creative expression and innovative technology. Originally from Israel,... read more

    Maayan Cohen

  • Coomey, Marion

    Professor

    ... read more

    Marion Coomey

  • Corston, Jim

    Course Instructor B.A., M.A.

    In his 35 years in media production, Jim Corston has been a Production Executive, an award winning Producer and a Technical Producer of live televised events. He has produced programs for the CBC, CTV, TVO, YTV, Global, The Comedy Network, City-TV and W and internationally with BBC, Showtime, HBO,... read more

    Jim Corston

  • Coutanche, Michael

    Professor B.A., B.A.A., M.F.A.

    Michael Coutanche’s area of expertise is in teaching writing for Television, Film, Radio and Digital Media. His research focus is on the continuing evolution of the dramatic form and the dynamics of creative collaboration. One of his current interests is studying the function of core dramatic... read more

    MichaelCoutanche

  • Dahya, Reza

    Course Instructor B.A.

    Since attending RTA, Reza has seen success in several facets of the entertainment industry. He left Ryerson with 5 Tara Awards including Best of Show for his practicum project (the first time an audio project had taken home the coveted award). Building off the success of the project, Reza and his... read more

    Reza Dahya

  • Davis, Charles

    Edward S. Rogers Sr. Research Chair in Media Management and Entrepreneurship

    Charles Davis is a professor in Ryerson Unversity's RTA School of Media (Faculty of Communication and Design) and is cross-appointed with the Entrepreneurship and Strategy Department in the Ted Rogers School of Management.Charles currently teaches and conducts research on management and policy in... read more

    Charles Davis

  • Dempsey, Jill

    Course Instructor B.A.

    Jill has worked as a part time instructor at Ryerson Univeristy for more than ten years.  Her day (or morning) job is on CBC Radio One's Metro Morning. Jill got her start at Toronto's City-TV, working behind the scenes as a writer and producer. She came to CBC in June 1989, anchoring Calgary's... read more

    Jill Dempsey

  • Ehrlick, Steven

    Professor B.A., M.A., J.D.

    Steven Ehrlick has over 20 years experience practicing law within the music industry. He was the V.P. of  Legal & Business Affairs at two major record companies in Canada, BMG and EMI as well as The Enclave, a US based label in New York where he also served, at times, as the general manager,... read more

    Steven Ehrlick

  • Elder, Don

    Course Instructor

    Don is a veteran of the video wars. He spent many happy years at CBC where he was Executive Producer of Children’s Television. He was producer of the Children’s classic Mr. Dressup, and he organized and produced a famous sit com called Coming up Rosie which featured some of the Canadian actors... read more

    Don Elder

  • Elmer, Greg

    Bell Globemedia Research Chair & Professor PhD

    Greg Elmer is associate professor of Communication and Culture and Radio & Television Arts at Ryerson University. Greg’s research and teaching focus is on new media and politics, information and communication technologies, computer networks, and media globalization. Greg provides analysis and... read more

    Greg Elmer

  • Falzon, Charles

    Chair, School of Radio and Television Arts B.A.A., M.A.(M.S.), Th.M. (abd)

    Charles has had a distinguished career in the entertainment industry and brings to RTA global experience in brand direction and commercial strategy. An industry veteran in his home country of Canada, Falzon has managed operations in the UK, US, Japan, Latin America and Malta. His professional... read more

    Charles Falzon, RTA Chair

  • Girardo, John

    Course Instructor

    ... read more


  • Grunberg, Rick

    Professor B.A.A., M.A.

    Rick Grunberg has been searching for a contented mix in life of technology, artistry and education. For the past twenty five years he has amassed a wealth of knowledge through his studies in Engineering, BA in Radio and Television Arts, MA in Communication Culture, and his forays into still... read more

    RichardGrunberg

  • Haberfellner, Helga

    Course Instructor B.A., Grad.Dip.

    In more than 30 years in the TV industry Helga has won: a Gold Hugo a Golden Sheaf an Honourable Mention at the Yorkton Festival an Honourable Mention at the Columbus International Film Festival the Anderson Consulting Award for Information Technology Writing 2 Prix Anik 3 Gemini... read more

    Helga Haberfellner

  • Jarvis, Ginger

    Course Instructor B.A., M.A.

    Ginger Jarvis is an accomplished graphic and web designer, compositor and motion graphics artist. She spent four years working with Lenz Entertainment as a graphic designer and compositor on children’s television shows for Nickelodeon, CBC, YTV, Disney, and the BBC. Her most recent role was as a... read more

    Ginger Jarvis

  • Johnson, Stacey

    Course Instructor B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

    Stacey Johnson is a story editor/writer/producer/director in the field of factual entertainment television and documentary. An industry professional with over 10 years of creative experience in the field, she has delivered programming to HGTV (Canada & US), Slice Network, W Network, TVO and the... read more


  • Lace-Kelly, Deborah

    Course Instructor B.F.A., M.A.

    Deborah Lace-Kelly joins RTA from a twenty year career in television news.  At CanWest Global’s Toronto station she has worked alongside journalists and crew in the control room, in editing, and and field producing.  As a freelance editor she was part of the production team for six Gemini and... read more

    Deborah Lace Kelly

  • Lachman, Richard

    Professor B.C.S., M.A.S.

    Richard Lachman is Assistant Professor, Digital Media in the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University, and a Technology and Creative Consultant for entertainment and software-development projects.  Richard has a Bachelors in computer-science graduate of MIT, holds a masters degree from the MIT... read more

    RichardLachman

  • Lee, Dana

    Professor B.A.A., M.Ed.

    Dana Lee began teaching at Ryerson University’s RTA School of Media in 1994. He holds a B.A.A. from RTA and an M.Ed. From York University. Before joining Ryerson University, Dana worked for Citytv. For the last twelve years at CHUM Television, he was the Operations Supervisor of MuchMusic,... read more

    Dana Lee

  • Martin, Elizabeth

    Course Instructor B.A.

    Elizabeth is an RTA graduate, class of 2002, who spent a year working as a full time lab assistant before landing a job at CHUM television. What started off as a part-time freelance job working with on-air talent recording voice overs, turned into a full time position, and when CHUM became CTV... read more

    Elizabeth Martin

  • Miller, Bentley

    Course Instructor

    Bentley Miller has carved out a niche as one the leading lighting director/designers for television in Canada. Over his 32-year career he has designed lighting for a range of genres from children’s television to drama and live music.  As a director of photography he has worked on the dramas... read more

    Bentley Miller

  • Misener, Dan

    Course Instructor B.A., B.A.A.

    When he’s not teaching first-year audio production at Ryerson University, Dan Misener makes radio for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He works on Spark, CBC’s national technology and culture show, and is the technology columnist for eighteen local afternoon shows across Canada. In no... read more

    Dan Misener

  • Moncarz, Brian

    Course Instructor B.A.A.

    Brian Moncarz, a graduate of RTA, is a successful music producer and entrepreneur. Brian opened his first music recording studio in 2000 and is currently co-owner of Rattlebox Studios as well as president of the online mixing website,... read more

    Brian Moncarz

  • Murphy, Michael

    Professor B.Sc. B.A. M.B.A. Ph.D.

    Michael is a professor in the RTA School of Media and is also the principal investigator of the AccessFabrik Lab (http://accessfabrik.rcc.ryerson.ca). He is the former Director of the Rogers Communication Centre. His is also a professor in the York-Ryerson Joint Graduate Program in Communication... read more

    Michael Murphy

  • Nadler, James

    Professor LL.B., M.B.A.

    James joined RTA’s faculty in 2004.  He teaches Broadcast History and writing and producing for television.  He has also taught Media Ethics, EFP, Children’s Television Production and Senior Capstone Lectures. This year, he heads up RTA’s Internship Program. A recovering lawyer, James... read more

    james-nadler

  • Nenych, Laura

    Professor B.A.A., LL.M., J.D.

    Laura Nenych has been a full-time professor at Ryerson University since 2003.  She is currently the Director, Graduate Program in Media Production, and teaches in the areas of Entertainment Law, the Music Business, Audio Production, and Media Management, at both the graduate and undergraduate... read more

    LauraNenych

  • Petrou, Laurie

    Professor B.F.A., M.A., Ph.D

    Laurie Petrou is an artist, a writer, and an academic, and teaches digital media and writing at RTA. With a background in fine art, design and fiction, Laurie continues to garner attention for her works in these areas. Her first book, Between, was a Globe and Mail Top 100 Book, and she has recently... read more

    LauriePetrou

  • Rinkenbach, Lynda

    Course Instructor B.A.H., B.A., M.A.

    Devoted to the art of communications, Lynda currently serves as COO with Stonehenge Media Group, managing the daily operations of the production firm. Specializing in corporate videos, broadcast commercials and television programs, Lynda strives to continuously motivate, educate and often inspire,... read more

    Lynda Rinkenbach

  • Ross, Susan

    Course Instructor B.A.A.

    Susan Ross has more than tweny years of experience managing and growing television businesses in Canada. Most recently she was Executive Vice President and General Manager for specialty and Pay TV for Corus Entertainment. In this role, she oversaw the operation of Canadian TV channels W Network,... read more

    Susan Ross

  • Shelton, David

    Course Instructor B.A., M.Sc.

    David is a marketing problem solver with an extensive background in integrated marketing and over twenty-five years experience as a manager, consultant, entrepreneur and educator. He has created and managed some of Canada’s largest and most decorated integrated marketing programs for companies... read more

    David Shelton

  • Thompson, Jason

    Course Instructor B.A., M.A.

    Blending business and creative experience together, Jason Thompson is an accomplished animator who believes in the power of story. His background in children’s television, video gaming and advertising fuels his passion for meaningful visual communication. An accomplished freelance illustrator, he... read more

    Jason Thompson

  • Till, Adam

    Course Instructor J.D., M.B.A.

    Trained as a lawyer, Adam graduated from the Osgoode Hall Law School/Schulich School of Business combined J.D./M.B.A. program in 1999, and was called to the bar in 2001. At this point Adam made the transition to screenwriting, penning two short films, one, entitled The Human Kazoo, with... read more

    Adam Till

  • Tucker, David

    Professor B.F.A., M.F.A.

    David Tucker holds a terminal degree in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts and an Honours BFA in Film. He is also a Gemini Award-winning filmmaker. As past Chair of the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University, David spearheaded the development of its first graduate program in Media Production. Before... read more

    David Tucker

  • Warwick, Henry

    Professor B.F.A., M.F.A.

    Henry Warwick comes to Ryerson University from a long career in software and graphic design, having worked with cutting edge technology teams at Apple (Final Cut Pro), Napster, and goFish; designed type for fontBank and type development for Microsoft, and graphic design for countless clients. He... read more

    HenryWarwick

  • Zamaria, Charles

    Professor B.F.A., M.A.

    Charles Zamaria is a full professor in the RTA School of Media and the Faculty of Graduate Studies at Ryerson University. His specialization includes the study of business aspects and production practices in all media program production, and policy studies for various media industries, with... read more

    Charles Zamaria