JUDY MARSHAK: ACTRESS & MUSICIAN 

An award winning Actress/Singer/Songwriter,  Judy has enjoyed a long and celebrated career in music, theatre, television, film, voiceover and animation.  As a singer, Judy has graced jazz clubs and concert halls across the country, having sung for legendary Hollywood composer Harry Warren (’42nd Street’,‘You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby’),  worked with Grammy award winning team Richard Maltby (Miss Saigon) and David Shire (Saturday Night Fever), and shared billing with Ian Tyson and Jim Carey at the iconic Imperial Room in Toronto’s Royal York Hotel.

As a stage actress, she has starred in such hit musicals as Beauty and the Beast, The Drowsy Chaperone, Anne of Green Gables, Guys and Dolls, and many more, receiving Best Actress nominations for both ACTRA and Dora Mavor Moore Awards. Most recently, Judy appeared in a sold out concert performance at Halifax’s 1000 seat Rebecca Cohen Auditorium,  of “Could I Have This Dance”, an exciting new stage musical by Geordie Brown & Belinda Hart, featuring the greatest hits of Anne Murray (who personally endorsed the show and signed her name alongside ours on the official poster!) Stay tuned for future developments!

On screen, you may have seen her recently on Vision Network’s Friday night hit variety show “Your All Time Classic Hit Parade”, now in it’s 3rd season and preparing to shoot Season 4 summer 2020; OR in Hallmark’s Christmas movies “Angel Falls”(2018) and “Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday” (2019); OR as Mother Nature on Universal Kids award winning cartoon series, “Norman Picklestripes”. **And watch for her in the upcoming brand new Netflix cartoon series “Go Dog Go”.

A recent film highlight for Judy in 2018 was appearing with Oscar winner Richard Dreyfus, as well as Colm Feore and Graham Greene, in the heartwarming new film “Astronaut” (now available for viewing on Crave TV – don’t miss this one!) A few past onscreen projects have included ”The Stone Angel” with Ellen Burstyn and “All The Good Ones Are Married” with Daryll  Hannah.

Long praised as a gifted singer, Judy’s highly acclaimed solo CD ‘A Matter of Time’  established her as a fine songwriter. Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues named Judy’s song “Broken Radio” Outstanding Jazz Winner in his ‘Songwars Songwriting Competition’. Her album is featured regularly on JazzFM91 (having made their ‘Favorite New Releases’ list in 2009), CBC Radio, and internet radio stations around the world. Available on iTunes or by emailing Judy personally for your own copy. Email: judemarshak@gmail.com

                         JUDY MARSHAK: UKULELE TEACHER

Thirty years ago, I bought my first ukulele. The first song I ever learned was “Dinah”, and soon perfected my own version of it, based on the old Inkspots recording from the 30’s. That eventually became a highly requested party piece at gigs and benefits. And back then, I was unique. A woman with a ukulele. Cute. Funky. Different. Now, the fever has taken hold, and the uke has become a worldwide force. EVERYONE plays the ukulele. It’s an epidemic. Yay! So I’ve whittled my collection down to 7, and aside from expanding my repertoire and skills tenfold, and enjoying a healthy fanbase for my performance life, I have evolved into a really good teacher, and revel in the pleasure of sharing what I know with hungry learners. Their exhiliaration and smiles and personal letters have made this part of my career more imporant than I ever could have dreamed.

I believe in infecting people with the JOY of playing and singing, not through rigorous repetitive drilling but rather through creative play and learning easy but stimulating tunes from all genres – folk, jazz, pop, motown, oldies, country – (no ‘Row Row Your Boat’ for me!). Through mastering each song, you gain pleasure, power, and skill.

My experience is that once a person learns a couple songs and can play them well, it gives a sense of accomplishment and confidence, and inspires the desire to move forward. Traditional classes will usually focus more on musical theory, and I do understand that many folks want that. I’ve discovered that what I do as an actress and musician is more instinctive than studied, and so I teach what I know best – how to use all your senses to become the artist you want to be, to develop a ‘good ear’, to approach a song in your own way, to use your instincts, to be brave and push your limits, and to never say “I have no musical abilities”. You’d be surprised how many people say that on their first session. It’s my job to prove you wrong.

Classes and workshops are held here in Newmarket where I am based, as well as Toronto and all of the GTA. If you are outside those perimeters, contact me and we can try to work something out.  SKYPE is always an option, so distance never has to be a problem.