Holiday Hero nominee: Denise Krawczuk

Denise Krawczuk is the very spirit of the season, and she lives it all year long. Through her work as a vocal coach Denise helps students from as young as four all the way up into adulthood to gain confidence in themselves and to share their voices with the world. One parent said "I have a child who didn’t talk, didn’t really have friends and struggled in school. I wanted to put her in something that would help bring her out of her shell and a few people recommended Denise. Since meeting Denise my daughter is a completely different person! Through Denise’s instruction and leadership, she’s discovered her love for the stage and for music! She now has friends and does well in school and has so much confidence! I was so happy with how much she thrived I had my youngest daughter join Applauze and Denise had the same effect on her as well! And now, I myself have joined the adult musical theatre! Something I never in a million years thought I would do! We are so grateful for everything she has done!" Her motto is "where every star shines" and she lives it.
Denise seeks out and provides opportunities for her students to shine in the community at events like the Staal Foundation Open, the CIBC Run For the Cure, Ribfest, The Craft Revival, Operation Red Nose, the RFDA and many more. These provide students with a chance to perform and to show off what they are working on, and continue to build that confidence as well as being active and engaged members of their community. Another student said "There are many good things to say. She is very uplifting and makes you feel good about yourself" and yet another said "since joining Applauze, and being mentored by Denise my confidence as both a performer and as a person, has grown so much and it was that confidence that led me to apply to University in Theatre Performance, and that confidence helped me to pass my audition and get a spot in the program"
Monthly Denise performs for the residents of Bethammi Nursing Home, to provide entertainment but also to soothe those who suffer from Alzheimer's and Dementia.
Through her studio she fosters not only performers but leadership skills, taking developing performers and giving them opportunities to step into leadership roles in classes and as instructors, thus helping to develop the next generation of artists and mentors in our community.
Through concerts and performances in the past she has raised funds and awareness for Sick Kids, Camp Quality, Special Olympics, and the Alzheimer's Society to name some, and there are many others.
Denise believes in giving back to the community, and providing positive arts experiences for people of all ages, encouraging good citizenship, and sharing the gift of music and that is why we consider her to be our Holiday Hero.