2013 - 2014 Elevated Grounds Cast

PHYLICIA
My name is Phylicia Carter and I am a part of Elevated Grounds as an educating artist - singing, and acting while encouraging others to take care of their mental health. I joined the team because I am not only passionate about creative expression through music, but I'm just as passionate about de-stigmatizing mental illnesses. I want to let others like me know that they are not alone and there is hope on their road to recovery. My most favorite and most memorable EG experience was when we performed at a school back in February and I got to sing with one of the students who also happened to be a singer herself. We both have similar songs down to where the titles are almost the same so we sang a mashup version of our song in front of her school! That was a very precious and cool moment for me. The most important thing I have learned in Elevated Grounds (Other than I am NOT alone) is "When you share your pain you cut it in half. When you keep it to yourself..you double it." This line is very true for me every single day. That is also my favorite quote. When you talk out your problems you set yourself free from inner ruin; never let it build up. That's what I am learning to do everyday even outside of the EG premises. I hope to reach many more schools, not only within the province but hopefully branch out outside of the country in the future with our services.
My name is Phylicia Carter and I am a part of Elevated Grounds as an educating artist - singing, and acting while encouraging others to take care of their mental health. I joined the team because I am not only passionate about creative expression through music, but I'm just as passionate about de-stigmatizing mental illnesses. I want to let others like me know that they are not alone and there is hope on their road to recovery. My most favorite and most memorable EG experience was when we performed at a school back in February and I got to sing with one of the students who also happened to be a singer herself. We both have similar songs down to where the titles are almost the same so we sang a mashup version of our song in front of her school! That was a very precious and cool moment for me. The most important thing I have learned in Elevated Grounds (Other than I am NOT alone) is "When you share your pain you cut it in half. When you keep it to yourself..you double it." This line is very true for me every single day. That is also my favorite quote. When you talk out your problems you set yourself free from inner ruin; never let it build up. That's what I am learning to do everyday even outside of the EG premises. I hope to reach many more schools, not only within the province but hopefully branch out outside of the country in the future with our services.

HEAVY STEVE aka STEVEN RAFAEL GOMEZ SALGUERO
I am an emcee, rapper, actor, poet, motivational speaker, youth leader, workshop facilitator, bass player.
Being with EG has given me the chance to express my life story and spread mental health awareness through the arts.
The most memorable moment being with EG was when i broke down while we were on tour. I shared the situation with the whole school and explained why its important for men to speak about their emotions.
I am an emcee, rapper, actor, poet, motivational speaker, youth leader, workshop facilitator, bass player.
Being with EG has given me the chance to express my life story and spread mental health awareness through the arts.
The most memorable moment being with EG was when i broke down while we were on tour. I shared the situation with the whole school and explained why its important for men to speak about their emotions.

BRYANNA
My name is Bryanna Carter and I am primarily an actress. I really like performing on stage and using the theatre arts to engage audiences because it has proven to be a very effective medium to get people thinking. I also enjoy doing some improv and writing on the side.
I chose to join this production because I strongly believe that mental illness is something that is very prevalent in our society and yet, we have such a hard time talking about it and seeking out help because of the stigma that surrounds it. Within my own experience mental illness is something I have to deal with regularly and I feel like by reaching out and helping other people, I am also helping myself, this isn't just about me anymore, mental illness affects everyone, whether it be directly or indirectly.
By working with EG I have learned that mental illness is everyone's business and we need to find healthier, more sustainable solutions that work for everyone and that just because a large majority of people share the same diagnosis it doesn't mean they share the same reaction or treatment to it. Learning to work with your own mental illness can be an extremely personal choice.
“Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.”
― Anaïs Nin
My name is Bryanna Carter and I am primarily an actress. I really like performing on stage and using the theatre arts to engage audiences because it has proven to be a very effective medium to get people thinking. I also enjoy doing some improv and writing on the side.
I chose to join this production because I strongly believe that mental illness is something that is very prevalent in our society and yet, we have such a hard time talking about it and seeking out help because of the stigma that surrounds it. Within my own experience mental illness is something I have to deal with regularly and I feel like by reaching out and helping other people, I am also helping myself, this isn't just about me anymore, mental illness affects everyone, whether it be directly or indirectly.
By working with EG I have learned that mental illness is everyone's business and we need to find healthier, more sustainable solutions that work for everyone and that just because a large majority of people share the same diagnosis it doesn't mean they share the same reaction or treatment to it. Learning to work with your own mental illness can be an extremely personal choice.
“Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.”
― Anaïs Nin

TANISHA
Singer/Songwriter Tanisha Clarke was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. This young vocalist began performing at the tender age of 12. Joining Elevated Grounds in early 2013, having already performed on such stages as The Toronto Centre for the Arts, Hard Rock Cafe (Toronto), and the Phoenix Concert Theatre, Tanisha came to Elevated Grounds with a strong rooted performance background. Through Elevated Grounds, she is able to utilize her passion for music and the arts, as well as learn a great deal about the importance of taking care of your mental health. EG has improved her public speaking, and ability to facilitate. Every performance is an amazing experience because every show is different, within every school lies special young people with special stories. "The best part of being in EG is that fulfilling feeling after you've finished a show or a talk back and you have this glow inside because you know you've helped someone take a step forward, towards their own personal wellness."
Singer/Songwriter Tanisha Clarke was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. This young vocalist began performing at the tender age of 12. Joining Elevated Grounds in early 2013, having already performed on such stages as The Toronto Centre for the Arts, Hard Rock Cafe (Toronto), and the Phoenix Concert Theatre, Tanisha came to Elevated Grounds with a strong rooted performance background. Through Elevated Grounds, she is able to utilize her passion for music and the arts, as well as learn a great deal about the importance of taking care of your mental health. EG has improved her public speaking, and ability to facilitate. Every performance is an amazing experience because every show is different, within every school lies special young people with special stories. "The best part of being in EG is that fulfilling feeling after you've finished a show or a talk back and you have this glow inside because you know you've helped someone take a step forward, towards their own personal wellness."

LINDSAY
Lindsay Bess is an artist, writer, and educator from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Throughout her career, Lindsay has worked as a teacher and commissioned artist in Taiwan, Grenada, and Canada.
Lindsay has been working behind the scenes with Elevated Grounds for about 7 years, working mostly on artistic resources, script writing and talent scouting. She recently added acting to her repertoire, doing periodic shows with the rest of the cast.
She loves working with Elevated Grounds and the youth cast, and finds their work on mental health a healing forum for her, given the daily stressors that can wear us down.
She is currently writing a book and painting murals.
Lindsay Bess is an artist, writer, and educator from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Throughout her career, Lindsay has worked as a teacher and commissioned artist in Taiwan, Grenada, and Canada.
Lindsay has been working behind the scenes with Elevated Grounds for about 7 years, working mostly on artistic resources, script writing and talent scouting. She recently added acting to her repertoire, doing periodic shows with the rest of the cast.
She loves working with Elevated Grounds and the youth cast, and finds their work on mental health a healing forum for her, given the daily stressors that can wear us down.
She is currently writing a book and painting murals.