Marion Abbott's Performing Arts Studio: A Brief History and Overview

Marion Abbott's Performing Arts Studio was established in January of 2002; originally located in The Brampton Mall, the studio's main goal is to provide as many performing opportunities as possible for kids of all ages. To this end, MAPAS has produced numerous studio recitals, coffee houses, student solo concerts and many, many full-scale productions; these include "High School Musical", "Seussical", "Agatha Christie's Mousetrap", "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" and "All Shook Up". Due to the high caliber of performance the students achieve, MAPAS continues to receive invitations to perform at various events in the Brampton Community and the GTA, including MDAO's Mad About You Gala Fundraiser and the Canadian Pavillion of Carabram. Last year, at both the Kiwanis and Peel Music Festivals, MAPAS students maintained a 97% rate of being placed in the top three of every single class they entered - wow!

After a detailed juried process, MAPAS was invited to perform at Walt Disney World (Orlando, Florida) on May 5, 2009. A group of thirty, comprised of staff, students and proud parents, enjoyed a week long stay at the Walt Disney World Resort and were proud to be hailed as 'one of the most professional groups to perform in a long while'. We are pleased to announce that we've been invited back on May 10,2011! This time, a group of almost 60 plans to soak up the sun and enjoy every inch of the magical Walt Disney World - we can't wait.

The studio colour is purple, a hue long associated with royalty, strength and uniqueness. By maintaining the safest learning environment in the Peel Region, Marion Abbott's Performing Arts Studio strives to 'bring out the purple', the unique talents and strengths of every student and help them to develop and grow to be the best that they can be, on and off the stage - "Every student has the potential to be great."


Marion Abbott Piccin: Bio

Marion Abbott grew up in Scarborough, Ontario; her mother is a teacher and her father is a professional pianist. Marion began studying piano at the age of eight and in August of 1996, realized her dream by completing RCM's Performer's ARCT; then in the fall, realized another dream by studying musical theatre at Sheridan, graduating in May '99. 

While at Sheridan, Marion was taken under the wing of Christina James who recognized Marion's abilities and potential as an accompanist and afforded many opportunities to play for various performances, assessments, and eventually, entrance auditions. Upon graduating, Marion was hired to accompany vocal exams and to sub in for various classes, then was hired in September 2000 as part of the vocal faculty. Marion credits Sheridan with teaching her all about performing, immersing her in musical theatre repertoire and teaching her to search her soul, inside and out. 

Meanwhile, Marion had been teaching musical theatre to children since she was 16 years old; she started in various schools and churches in the Scarborough area and eventually ended up in Brampton, directing and producing such shows as Get On Board Children, Broadway 2000 and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. After teaching privately and working for The Brampton Theatre School, she realized yet another dream in January 2002, when she became the proprietor of Marion Abbott's Performing Arts Studio. Working with children and young people, Marion is known for her passion for finding and developing the unique gifts of every student she encounters, inspiring her students to be the very best that they can be ... and her inexhaustible energy! 

Marion lives in the Heart Lake area with her husband Giancarlo Piccin, a visual artist, and her young son Gianni. In her spare moments, Marion is a voracious reader and a huge film buff; Walt Disney is her personal hero and she enjoys reading about his life and legacy.