CLUB STRUCTURE
Membership is organized by artistic discipline, so members join sections based on their artistic focus. Sections meet to discuss Club business such as planning events and group activities, but also regularly hold workshops and discussions on topics of interest to their members. Members may attend the meetings and workshops of any section in the Club, not just the section of their artistic focus, if the topic of the workshop or discussion is of interest.
Club activities are envisioned, planned and executed by Club members working on a voluntary basis. They are organized and overseen by a variety of committees comprised of Club members. As a result, volunteerism is a fundamental aspect of Club membership.
The Club incorporated in 1922 as a nonprofit, and is governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of Club members representing a cross-section of artistic practices and other expertise.
Club activities are envisioned, planned and executed by Club members working on a voluntary basis. They are organized and overseen by a variety of committees comprised of Club members. As a result, volunteerism is a fundamental aspect of Club membership.
The Club incorporated in 1922 as a nonprofit, and is governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of Club members representing a cross-section of artistic practices and other expertise.
CLUB sections
For information on the activities and membership of any specific section, please click on the section below:
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Co-Vice President: Susan Bellan
Originally from Winnipeg, Susan Bellan graduated from University of Manitoba and then McGill. She then spent two years in Botswana working first as an economist and then as a buyer for the national handicraft company. Next she travelled solo from Botswana through east Africa and then across Asia from Afghanistan to Indonesia. For two years, based in London, Susan was an international consultant specializing in African handicraft export development. She returned to Canada in 1978, set up, ownedand managed Frida Craft Stores/Timbuktu on Front Street and then Yonge Street until 2014. The storesold handmade clothing, furnishings, masks and sculpture from all over the world. In the early 1990’s during a bruising recession, Susan became the Chair of Banking issues for the Canadian Organization ofSmall Business and lead a national campaign to get improved access to capital and better treatment for small businesses from Canada’s banks. In 2002, she founded and ran Breaking Bread for Women in Afghanistan, which raised several million dollars via pot luck dinners held across Canada for teachers’ salaries to increase literacy amongst Afghan girls and women.
Changing direction, Susan studied mediation from 2008-2010 and has worked as a mediator, settlement officer and dispute resolution agent for the Ontario government, ADR Chambers, Canadian Armed Forces and has her own private mediation practice. A member of the Heliconian Club’s Music Section since 2024, Susan has composed the music and lyrics for a musical she has written with playwright Ron East called City by the Lake, about Toronto in the late 1970’s, featuring world and Canadian Celtic-inspired music.
Originally from Winnipeg, Susan Bellan graduated from University of Manitoba and then McGill. She then spent two years in Botswana working first as an economist and then as a buyer for the national handicraft company. Next she travelled solo from Botswana through east Africa and then across Asia from Afghanistan to Indonesia. For two years, based in London, Susan was an international consultant specializing in African handicraft export development. She returned to Canada in 1978, set up, ownedand managed Frida Craft Stores/Timbuktu on Front Street and then Yonge Street until 2014. The storesold handmade clothing, furnishings, masks and sculpture from all over the world. In the early 1990’s during a bruising recession, Susan became the Chair of Banking issues for the Canadian Organization ofSmall Business and lead a national campaign to get improved access to capital and better treatment for small businesses from Canada’s banks. In 2002, she founded and ran Breaking Bread for Women in Afghanistan, which raised several million dollars via pot luck dinners held across Canada for teachers’ salaries to increase literacy amongst Afghan girls and women.
Changing direction, Susan studied mediation from 2008-2010 and has worked as a mediator, settlement officer and dispute resolution agent for the Ontario government, ADR Chambers, Canadian Armed Forces and has her own private mediation practice. A member of the Heliconian Club’s Music Section since 2024, Susan has composed the music and lyrics for a musical she has written with playwright Ron East called City by the Lake, about Toronto in the late 1970’s, featuring world and Canadian Celtic-inspired music.
Treasurer: Trish Leacock
Email: [email protected]
Photo to come
Trish Leacock is a visual artist whose professional career was in financial services but has always made the arts central in her life. Her extensive background with a major banking institution involved working in a variety of areas including administration, operations, client services, acquisition integration, and learning design. The roles required strong skills in problem solving, organizational structure, interpersonal skills, risk management, to name a few. In addition Trish has a BA in Administrative and Commercial Studies and an OISE certificate in Adult Education.
Although not a formally trained artist, Trish has taken a plethora of classes at Toronto’s major institutions such as the AGO, OCAD, and TSA as well as through private studios. She has taken advantage of courses offered in other Canadian provinces as well as abroad in Mexico, USA, France, and Italy. She and her husband are active in the local art scene both as collectors and participating in art activities and shows.
In 2022 Trish retired and started attending the Monday Life Drawing Group (MLDG) at the Heliconian Club, joining the Club the following year. In addition to being an exhibiting member of the Visual Arts section, Trish is also Co-convenor of the Club’s Monday Life Drawing Group, part of the Hanging Committee, and has a convened a number of art shows to date.
Email: [email protected]
Photo to come
Trish Leacock is a visual artist whose professional career was in financial services but has always made the arts central in her life. Her extensive background with a major banking institution involved working in a variety of areas including administration, operations, client services, acquisition integration, and learning design. The roles required strong skills in problem solving, organizational structure, interpersonal skills, risk management, to name a few. In addition Trish has a BA in Administrative and Commercial Studies and an OISE certificate in Adult Education.
Although not a formally trained artist, Trish has taken a plethora of classes at Toronto’s major institutions such as the AGO, OCAD, and TSA as well as through private studios. She has taken advantage of courses offered in other Canadian provinces as well as abroad in Mexico, USA, France, and Italy. She and her husband are active in the local art scene both as collectors and participating in art activities and shows.
In 2022 Trish retired and started attending the Monday Life Drawing Group (MLDG) at the Heliconian Club, joining the Club the following year. In addition to being an exhibiting member of the Visual Arts section, Trish is also Co-convenor of the Club’s Monday Life Drawing Group, part of the Hanging Committee, and has a convened a number of art shows to date.
President: Velma Ko
Email: [email protected]
Velma Ko is a professional musician raised in Victoria, British Columbia. Ever since hearing Don Messer and his band perform at the local curling rink at the age of four, Velma has dedicated herself to pursuing a life filled with music. Velma received her Bachelor of Music (Performance) from Brandon University and won the Young Artists of Canada competition in her senior year. Upon graduation, she attended The Juilliard School’s Meadowmount Summer School of Music, in Elizabethtown, NY on a Canada Council Grant. She subsequently took her Bachelor of Education at University of Western Ontario. Velma settled in Toronto, working as a freelance musician, teaching as a public and separate school board itinerant string teacher, and starting her private violin studio. A Life Member of the Toronto Musicians Association, Local 149, Velma continues to freelance as a professional violinist and violist in community orchestras, chamber ensembles, and as a soloist. In 2011, Velma joined the Heliconian Club where, in addition to being active in the Music and Humanities Sections, she previously served five years on the Board of Directors, as Director-at-Large and four years as Secretary and enthusiastically supports every aspect of Club life. In January 2024 she was added to the Board to fill a vacancy and subsequently became President. She returns to that role in 2026-27.
Email: [email protected]
Velma Ko is a professional musician raised in Victoria, British Columbia. Ever since hearing Don Messer and his band perform at the local curling rink at the age of four, Velma has dedicated herself to pursuing a life filled with music. Velma received her Bachelor of Music (Performance) from Brandon University and won the Young Artists of Canada competition in her senior year. Upon graduation, she attended The Juilliard School’s Meadowmount Summer School of Music, in Elizabethtown, NY on a Canada Council Grant. She subsequently took her Bachelor of Education at University of Western Ontario. Velma settled in Toronto, working as a freelance musician, teaching as a public and separate school board itinerant string teacher, and starting her private violin studio. A Life Member of the Toronto Musicians Association, Local 149, Velma continues to freelance as a professional violinist and violist in community orchestras, chamber ensembles, and as a soloist. In 2011, Velma joined the Heliconian Club where, in addition to being active in the Music and Humanities Sections, she previously served five years on the Board of Directors, as Director-at-Large and four years as Secretary and enthusiastically supports every aspect of Club life. In January 2024 she was added to the Board to fill a vacancy and subsequently became President. She returns to that role in 2026-27.
Director-at-Large: Susan Mackle
A little over a year ago I joined the Heliconian Club. Being in the Humanities section has been a great fit. I like being actively involved and believe that I could contribute to the continued success of the club. I have no hobbies but a variety of interests and enjoy working with people in order to problem solve, explore how other organizations solve similar problems and test new approaches. Reaching goals is important to me. I am retired, married with two adult children and four wonderful grandchildren.
My work career focused on the philanthropic sector being the lead fund raiser for Trent University as VP Advancement for 17 years followed by 12 years as a senior search consultant on a national level. Clients included hospitals, education, social services and the cultural community including the Shaw Festival, TVO and JazzFM. (I did two searches for each of these organizations.)
Volunteering is an important part of my life. I have served on many boards with interests ranging from healthcare to horticulture, life-long learning to parliamentary democracy and the United Way. I have learned a great deal from these opportunities and the challenges these institutions face. I have benefited from friendships I have made along the way. I am committed to putting time and energy into serving on the Board of the Heliconian Club.
A little over a year ago I joined the Heliconian Club. Being in the Humanities section has been a great fit. I like being actively involved and believe that I could contribute to the continued success of the club. I have no hobbies but a variety of interests and enjoy working with people in order to problem solve, explore how other organizations solve similar problems and test new approaches. Reaching goals is important to me. I am retired, married with two adult children and four wonderful grandchildren.
My work career focused on the philanthropic sector being the lead fund raiser for Trent University as VP Advancement for 17 years followed by 12 years as a senior search consultant on a national level. Clients included hospitals, education, social services and the cultural community including the Shaw Festival, TVO and JazzFM. (I did two searches for each of these organizations.)
Volunteering is an important part of my life. I have served on many boards with interests ranging from healthcare to horticulture, life-long learning to parliamentary democracy and the United Way. I have learned a great deal from these opportunities and the challenges these institutions face. I have benefited from friendships I have made along the way. I am committed to putting time and energy into serving on the Board of the Heliconian Club.
Co-Vice President: Kye Marshall
Email: [email protected]
Kye Marshall is a professional composer, cellist and nature photographer. She combines her love of melody with her facility as a classical and jazz / avant-garde improviser to create unique styles of composition. She has written for full orchestra and numerous chamber ensembles. Kye's full length opera Pomegranate was presented by the Canadian Opera Company in June 2023. Her credits also include four film scores, forty jazz compositions, and music for theatre, dance and CBC radio drama. Her work has been performed widely: in the USA, Austria, Italy (I Solisti Veneti) Canada and numerous locations in Toronto including CBC, TVO, Jazz.FM. An eclectic musician, Kye has performed jazz, classical and free music with multiple ensembles including as principal cellist in the O’Keefe Centre Orchestra and the New Chamber Orchestra, the National Ballet Orchestra (assistant principal cellist ), the Kye Marshall Jazz Quartet / Duo, Heliconian PianoTrio, Epic String Quartet, and Heliconian String Quartet. She has six CDs to her credit. Her website is: www.kyemarshall.com
Photo Credit: Linda Briskin
Email: [email protected]
Kye Marshall is a professional composer, cellist and nature photographer. She combines her love of melody with her facility as a classical and jazz / avant-garde improviser to create unique styles of composition. She has written for full orchestra and numerous chamber ensembles. Kye's full length opera Pomegranate was presented by the Canadian Opera Company in June 2023. Her credits also include four film scores, forty jazz compositions, and music for theatre, dance and CBC radio drama. Her work has been performed widely: in the USA, Austria, Italy (I Solisti Veneti) Canada and numerous locations in Toronto including CBC, TVO, Jazz.FM. An eclectic musician, Kye has performed jazz, classical and free music with multiple ensembles including as principal cellist in the O’Keefe Centre Orchestra and the New Chamber Orchestra, the National Ballet Orchestra (assistant principal cellist ), the Kye Marshall Jazz Quartet / Duo, Heliconian PianoTrio, Epic String Quartet, and Heliconian String Quartet. She has six CDs to her credit. Her website is: www.kyemarshall.com
Photo Credit: Linda Briskin
Secretary: Leslie McIntosh
Email: [email protected]
Leslie is a retired lawyer who holds a B.A., LL.B. and an LL.M. For many years she practiced with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General in the areas of labour and employment law, human rights and administrative law. Upon her retirement as General Counsel in 2011, Leslie was honoured with three awards for excellence in the practice of public sector law. Leslie taught at both Osgoode Hall and U of T Law Schools and is the author of numerous legal articles and publications including contributing to an administrative law textbook. Leslie has considerable experience on the boards of non-profit organizations including the Association of Law Officers of the Crown, the UWO Alumni Association and as the Warden of St. Peter’s-on-the-Rock Anglican Church.
A major supporter of women in the arts and a prodigious reader, Leslie joined the Heliconian Club in 2021. In addition to being a key member of the Literature Section, helping to organize salons and other functions, she actively supports all Club events and is involved in organizing and shaping the Artist-in-Residence program. Recently Leslie successfully undertook the redrafting of the Club’s Constitution and By-Laws along with a few other members who lent their considerable expertise to this endeavour.
Email: [email protected]
Leslie is a retired lawyer who holds a B.A., LL.B. and an LL.M. For many years she practiced with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General in the areas of labour and employment law, human rights and administrative law. Upon her retirement as General Counsel in 2011, Leslie was honoured with three awards for excellence in the practice of public sector law. Leslie taught at both Osgoode Hall and U of T Law Schools and is the author of numerous legal articles and publications including contributing to an administrative law textbook. Leslie has considerable experience on the boards of non-profit organizations including the Association of Law Officers of the Crown, the UWO Alumni Association and as the Warden of St. Peter’s-on-the-Rock Anglican Church.
A major supporter of women in the arts and a prodigious reader, Leslie joined the Heliconian Club in 2021. In addition to being a key member of the Literature Section, helping to organize salons and other functions, she actively supports all Club events and is involved in organizing and shaping the Artist-in-Residence program. Recently Leslie successfully undertook the redrafting of the Club’s Constitution and By-Laws along with a few other members who lent their considerable expertise to this endeavour.
Director-at-Large: Roz Train
Roz Train has been a member of the Heliconian Club for one year, in the Humanities Section. She is a retired lawyer who worked first in private practice then as a civil litigation lawyer with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Roz has been involved in volunteer activities all her life, which have included sitting on the volunteer board of directors of her synagogue, sponsoring refugees, and at present participating in the fight against antisemitism and antizionism through advocacy, particularly on the role that discrimination and hate speech play in undermining civic
society. Roz appreciates the very good work of the Heliconian Club and is pleased to be able to contribute.
Roz Train has been a member of the Heliconian Club for one year, in the Humanities Section. She is a retired lawyer who worked first in private practice then as a civil litigation lawyer with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Roz has been involved in volunteer activities all her life, which have included sitting on the volunteer board of directors of her synagogue, sponsoring refugees, and at present participating in the fight against antisemitism and antizionism through advocacy, particularly on the role that discrimination and hate speech play in undermining civic
society. Roz appreciates the very good work of the Heliconian Club and is pleased to be able to contribute.
Staff
Heather Dale, Club Manager
The Club Manager (CM) oversees the operations of the Toronto Heliconian Club and Heliconian Hall, reporting to the Board of the Heliconian Club. Operations include general oversight for staffing (including training), communications, finance, facilities, safety, policies and procedures, membership, scheduling (rentals and staff), and not-for-profit compliance.
Maria Nguyen, Membership Coordinator
The Membership Coordinator (MC) assists the Club Manager as directed, mainly responding to member requests about communications, website access, and event planning. The MC collaborates with the Membership Committee to integrate new members.
Sarah Moteelall, Rental Supervisor
RENTALS: 416-922-2431, [email protected]
The Rental Supervisor (RS) manages all Heliconian Hall rentals, including promotion, booking, contracting, assistant instructions, and payment follow-up.
Peter Ramdeholl, Property Manager
The Property Manager (PM) maintains Heliconian Hall in good repair, attending to issues of cleanliness, safety, servicing of equipment, and the upkeep of supplies.
Please ring the side doorbell (up the driveway), or call 416-922-3618 for entry.
Appointments encouraged.
Please leave a voicemail or email
OFFICE: 416-922-3618, [email protected]
Office Staff 10:00am-3:00pm Monday to Friday
Appointments encouraged.
Please leave a voicemail or email
OFFICE: 416-922-3618, [email protected]
Office Staff 10:00am-3:00pm Monday to Friday
