A trio of recent Yorkville University grads have parlayed their Bachelor of Creative Arts degrees into post-graduate studies this fall.
Class of 2024 alums Rhys Whitham and Yilu Zhu are now headed to York University and the University of Birmingham, respectively, to pursue their Master’s degrees, while Class of 2023 grad Tyler Salerno will be continuing her educational journey at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Alexander Carson, Associate Chair of the BCA program, said he’s ‘immensely proud’ of the three, and is excited for them to begin their scholarly pursuits at the Master’s level.
“The diversity of graduate-level programs chosen by these talented students speaks to the strength of the BCA program to provide a robust undergraduate foundation for our students, regardless of their artistic backgrounds or areas of creative research,” said Carson.
“On behalf of the BCA Faculty, I wish to congratulate these three graduates on their wonderful accomplishments at Yorkville University, and to wish them well on their future journeys in academia.”
Whitham and Salerno recently sat down with Yorkville University to talk about their experience in the BCA program, how it helped prepare them for their Master’s level studies, and what they’re most looking forward to in this next chapter of their education.
Here’s what they had to say:
Rhys Whitham (they/them)
– Class of 2024 Bachelor of Creative Arts (Online) Grad
– Currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Gender, Feminist & Women’s Studies program at York University
Tell us a little bit about you and what brought you to Yorkville University to study in the Bachelor of Creative Arts program?
I have worked as an actor, musician and performing artist in Toronto for the past five years, after getting a diploma in musical theatre from Randolph College. I decided to enroll at Yorkville because I thought the program rounded out the areas of the industry that I hadn’t covered throughout my diploma. I also thought it would be a great stepping stone for continuing my education.
What drew you to the Master of Arts in Gender, Feminist & Women’s Studies program at York University and how are you enjoying it so far? How do you think your studies in the BCA program at Yorkville U might have helped prepare you for this next chapter of your education?
I’m a Queer and Trans arts worker, and my peers are mostly other queer and disabled artists workers. I think experiencing the theatre/music/film industry over the past five years and hearing my peers’ experiences kind of made me realize how many assumptions had been made about what diversity and accessibility actually mean and what it looks like. I think the BCA program gave me a thorough understanding of what goes into pre-production of creative projects, and how there are opportunities in the pre-production to de-construct certain barriers. I also realized that applying for grants is easier with educational credentials rather than lived experience. I decided I wanted to pursue an MA in Gender, Feminist & Women’s Studies because it’s an opportunity to bridge the gap between my identities and my professional experiences.
What are your long-term goals after earning your Masters degree?
My long-term goal is to build an arts-collective that serves as a body of professionals who can provide programming, training, and consultations around accessibility within theatre and performing arts. The ‘working title’ of the collective is Blank Slate, and the goal is that companies would work together with the collective to build actionable measures for providing and ensuring accessibility through their funding, budgeting, bodies, and spaces. I hope to use my MA to build the framework, and then perhaps continue into a PhD in either Gender, Feminist & Women’s studies, or Critical Disability studies.
Do you have any advice for BCA students who might be considering following in your footsteps into Masters-level programs after they graduate from Yorkville U?
If you’re thinking about it, take the time to look into it. Even if you are feeling unsure, there is no harm in reading through the program. If the school has an admissions or program consultant, don’t be afraid to reach out to them! It can really help put all the elements into perspective.
Tyler Salerno (she/her)
– Class of 2023 Bachelor of Creative Arts (On-Campus) Grad
– Currently enrolled in the Master of Digital Media program at Toronto Metropolitan University
Tell us a little bit about you and what brought you to Yorkville University to study in the Bachelor of Creative Arts program?
I’m a Swiss-American international student with a diverse background in various artistic disciplines such as hairstyling/barbering, special effects makeup/prosthetics, pastry arts, and mixed media/sculpting. From a young age, I have always had big dreams and knew I wanted to pursue a career as an artist. In 2017, I came to Canada with the goal of refining and expanding my artistic skills and chose the BCA program at YU to achieve this. This program is perfect for any artist looking to continue their studies and prepares them for entrepreneurship, leadership, and a global perspective in the arts.
What drew you to the Master of Digital Media program at Toronto Metropolitan University and how are you enjoying it so far? How do you think your studies in the BCA program at Yorkville U might have helped prepare you for this next chapter of your education?
The Master of Digital Media program appealed to me because it emphasizes collaborative, project-based learning, as well as providing hands-on experience developing immersive experiences. With this next chapter in my education, I’m looking forward to merging the physical and digital realms and incorporating extended/virtual reality into my artistic practice.
My interests aligned with the project management and cultural arts studies in the Bachelor of Creative Arts program, I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. During my undergraduate studies at Yorkville University, I developed a project/business plan showcasing women and queer Indigenous emerging artists.
What are your long-term goals after earning your Masters degree?
The goal is to establish a successful career as an immersive artist, gaining valuable experience along the way. Eventually, I aspire to become an art director or project manager for large-scale exhibitions, utilizing my skills and creativity to bring immersive and captivating experiences to audiences.
Do you have any advice for BCA students who might be considering following in your footsteps into Masters-level programs after they graduate from Yorkville U?
I advise students who are considering pursuing a master’s degree not to limit themselves and to dream big! Make a plan for your next steps and ask yourself what you need to do in order to reach your educational and career goals. You should seek guidance from your professors and utilize the resources available to you through your school/program.
