Briar Boake is a professional educator, an established entertainer and a locally renowned Yoga Maven.
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Briar lived in Nantes, France while studying languages at Trent University. She left her university studies to pursue a performing career and subsequently continued her education at Sheridan College for training in Musical Theatre.
Briar returned to the University of Toronto to complete her languages degree, graduating in 2011 with High Distinction and a BA in Teaching and Learning Second Languages, with French as a second language. She works with school-age children as a private tutor and coach for reading and writing in both English and French. Briar travels to schools throughout the GTA as a storyteller and mindful movement facilitator.
Briar began her professional performing career as a singer and dancer in the “Solid Gold Revue” featuring a live 10 piece band at Canada’s Wonderland. From there she toured Ontario clubs and lounges with a nightclub act called “Nightlife” then moved on to join two Canadian Armed Forces show tours: “Parade of Stars” in Germany, Israel and Cyprus and “Northern Express” that traveled to Alert Bay near the North Pole. Briar was also a production singer in 2 Vegas-style shows sailing the Caribbean on the Carnival cruise ship “Inspiration”.
Briar worked as an actor in T.V., many commercials, film and musical theatre from the early 1980’s until 2001. She married jazz musician Brigham Phillips in 1996 and thereafter became a mom to 2 children. When she met up with other former ‘show-girls’ who had also become moms, Briar put together a troupe called Diva Moms and produced many high-energy shows in order to help with school fundraising and to perform at community events.
Briar is also a Certified YogaKids Facilitator and has been teaching Yoga to adults, children and families since 2002. She leads classes in Yoga and Chair Yoga for Seniors, pre and post natal Yoga, matwork Pilates and conducts workshops on Practicing Yoga with Children and learning to incorporate Yoga and Mindfulness techniques into a busy lifestyle. Find out more about Briar’s Yoga teaching.
Contact Briar via email at briar@briarboake.com.