Our Team
Kate Hilliard creates through movement, digital media, writing, and conversation. Her performances closely examine themes of transformation, and her process invites collaboration. Kate is the Artistic Director of Arts Orillia in Ontario, Canada, where she programs residencies and festivals to invite learning and community gatherings. She is faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University, teaching dance and acting students in the areas of creation and production. Hilliard’s work has been presented in North America and abroad. She studied Art History at the University of Toronto and holds an MFA in Creative Practice from the Transart Institute through Plymouth University in the UK. Kate lives with her family on the Black River in Washago.
Kate Hilliard
Artistic Director
Jeanette Heywood
General Manager
Jeanette Heywood brings more than 25 years of charitable sector leadership to her role as General Manager of Arts Orillia. Since joining the organization in 2023, she has strengthened its operational foundation through disciplined budgeting, financial processes, strategic planning, and team collaboration. Working closely with Artistic Director Kate Hilliard, Jeanette helps translate Arts Orillia’s vision into programming that delivers meaningful arts experiences for youth and the broader community. As Principal of The Other Half Consultants Inc., she has guided organizations in sustainability, strategy, fundraising, and impact communications. A collaborative leader and certified coach, Jeanette remains an active contributor to the charitable sector through AFP Central Ontario and Imagine Canada’s Standards Program.
Sean Rees is a graphic designer specializing in typeface design, branding, and website design. He has made work for companies and individuals in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Sean is also a University Professor in Graphic and Web Design teaching branding, typography, user experience, web design, and drawing. Sean also has an art practice in graphic design, drawing, photography and fabric art. He's shown in galleries in the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
Sean Rees
Design Manager
Alondra Vega
Artistic Producer
Cuban-born Alondra Vega-Zaldivar is a passionate artist that has learned many skills by wearing many hats. Composer, opera-singer, producer, and teacher, she joined the Arts Orillia team thanks to the Metcalf Internship and is now Artistic Producer.
Alondra is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, as well as member of the Ontario Region Board, and part of the ACC committee. Her pieces have been performed across Canada, the United States and reaching as far as Croatia. She is currently working on a new family opera based on the legend of lake Simcoe’s ‘Kempenfelt Kelly.’
Alondra teaches piano and vocals at Modern Music, and in her free time, she Music Directs for South Simcoe Theatre.