Susan Jarema, Founder

Susan has spent many years researching ways to make learning at home fun. Spurred on by her love for her two young children, she envisioned the Googol Power Math Series. She is an experienced instructor, writer, and entrepreneur with degrees from the University of Manitoba and Simon Fraser University. In addition to the Googol Power Math Series, she has published two children's books, the Discovery Multiplication Math Program and a series of educational articles for parenting magazines.

Known locally as "The Learning Lady," Susan loves to share her passion with other families. She and her Googol puppets offer lively and motivating workshops to spread ideas for making math part of everyday family activities.

David Pavane, Music Director

In addition to creating and arranging Googol Power's unforgettable music, David maintains his own solid career as an actor/singer/songwriter and musician. He performs with the well known country band "Bucklerash", as well as playing guitar, keyboard and singing back-up vocals for award winning performer Aimee Pettersen.

David's myriad of character voices stems from his fifteen years of acting experience. He also provides vocal and performance training for adults and children within the school system and through private coaching. His wife, Krista, and their four children are all part of the Googol Power creative team.

"Mr. I" Yurgen Ilaender, Singer/Songwriter

A long time performer of children's music, Yurgen currently teaches his Musical Rainbow program each year to over 300 students between the ages of 3 and 8. To date, he has released 16 CDs and composed music for 13 theatrical plays for children. Mr. I uses his music to promote peace and tolerance for others throughout the world and is now promoting math in the 'Crazy 4 Math" show.

Gary Huntbatch, Singer/Songwriter

Gary's experience in a wide variety of musical styles (including folk, jazz, blues and rock 'n' roll) has helped bring color to the song list of Multiplication Vacation. Before emigrating from England to live in Canada in 1974, he played drums for the popular band Steve Bret & the Mavericks.

Jon Hemingway, Recording Engineer/Singer/Songwriter

With 20 years in the music industry, Jon balances his time providing recording services for others with his own formidable career. He has given performances at the Merritt Mountain Music Fest and the Orpheum Theatre, and released a CD of his own original music in 1999. His music can be heard on radio stations across Canada.

Christine Frandsen, Singer/Voice Talent

A rising star of BC's country music scene, Christine has proven the strength of her talent in lending her voice to the female Googol Power characters. When she's not in the studio, she can be found composing her own music and singing at Nat Bailey Stadium, at the Ridge Mountain Opry, or the Crossroads Hospice Society.

Mick Dalla-Vee, Recording Engineer/Singer/Songwriter

A main stay in the Canadian music scene for 20 years, Mick Dalla-Vee's musical talent runs the gamut from smooth jazz to heavy thrash. He regularly performs with his main band Cease & Desist and as the bass player/vocalist for Randy Bachman, and has a long list of radio and television credits. A long time member of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Mick has sat on the panel as a judge for Canada's Juno Awards.

Doug Lucas, Video Producer/Director

Since the age of 14, entertainment has been a major part of Doug's life. He started out as the lead vocalist of a rhythm and blues band; a profession that allowed him to travel across Canada a number of times and earned him three Top Male Vocalist awards. In 1997, Doug formed ANSUN Productions Inc., a corporate video production company that since its inception has been proud to produce a number of community and life enriching videos. It is because of his years of community involvement and his understanding of the need for a strong family foundation that Doug recognizes the benefits of the Googol Power educational series.

Kerry Stewart-Lackner, Animator

Kerry graduated with a BMA in Animation from the Emily Carr Institute in Vancouver. She recently completed a short film entitled "The Man on the Hill." Kerry also studied painting and sculpture at the University of Alberta and has been producing design and illustration work for various clients over the past 6 years.

Krista Pavane, Creative Consultant

With 20 years experience in live theatre, Krista has come to focus most of her energy behind the scenes at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam. While many of her nights are spent backstage, her days provide her time to further her work as a published author, songwriter, poet and playwright. Krista's "clips" include feature articles in the Vancouver Sun, The Province, the Coquitlam Now and BC Parent News magazine and a new series of baby books.

Guillermo Serrano, Puppeteer

Guillermo creates puppets that work on the edge between entertainment and education — blending story telling, music, and marionettes. He has performed for the Knowledge Network, The Vancouver Public Library, Canadian Festivals, and as a puppeteer in the recent film, "The Impossible Life of Martin Pranks". Guillermo is a regular member of the Vancouver Guild of Puppetry and founder of the Urban Culture Club, a Vancouver-based, inter-disciplinary artist troop performing puppet's theatre. In 2004, he became a member of Kids on the Block, an educational puppet program enlightening children about the issues of disability awareness, medical- educational differences, and social concerns.

Corrie Mosier, Puppeteer

Corrie has a background in comedy and physical theatre and, with over 20 years as a puppeteer, has developed into one of the Lower Mainland's most well-rounded performers. She continues to work with various Puppetry groups and has performed at major events and venues throughout the Lower Mainland. Over the years, Corrie has developed many shows and holds puppet workshops to teach the fine art of Puppetry. She creates puppetry presentations on request and prefers programs with an educational focus.

Gloria Hole, Puppeteer

Gloria Hole's puppetry experience includes performing with her own hand crafted marionettes, hand and rod, and shadow puppets. Six different puppet plays have been performed live and recorded on video since 1999. Most recently, Gloria had the opportunity to work as a puppeteer for two children's television pilots in the spring of 2004. This talented artist is looking forward to completing a run of theatre performances in the 20th International Vancouver Fringe Festival in September of this year. See her current work.

Leslie Hepburn, Trainer and Voice of Cardio

Leslie is a BCRPA certified fitness instructor and registered nurse. A successful mother of two and experienced nurse for over 20 years, she shares with others the importance of fitness and nutrition as part of a healthy lifestyle. Her motivational and lively spirit was the inspiration for Cardio.

Tracy Major, Camera Technician

With a BCIT education in television production and over ten years experience in community television, Tracy has worked on a wide range of projects, from TV series to short films. Her experience with Rogers Community Television included producing two award-winning news magazine programs, "Baakoyie" and "East Side Story". During the past few years, Tracy has also been working as a Set Dresser in the film industry. She freelances in a variety of positions, but is currently focussed on editing, DVD authoring and learning web design.

Darrin Pooghkay, Camera Technician

A professional camera operator with over ten years experience in broadcast sports, Darrin has covered numerous sporting events including NHL Hockey, NBA Basketball, Molson Indy, ACC Golf and NLL Lacrosse. His independent production experience includes live Liberal Open Cabinet meetings and the Kids in the Hall HDTV Special.

Alexandra Cox, Dance Choreographer

A student at Pinetree Secondary School, Alexandra has been dancing for over ten years. Her talents in ballet, acro and tap have won her numerous awards for both dance and choreography. Alexandra trains with the Port Moody School of Dance and is currently choreographing her 6th stage production with Theatrix Youtheatre.

Gloria Gustafson, Education Consultant

Gloria is the Coordinator for Curriculum and Staff Development in School District 43. Her area of expertise is the K-5 grade levels. Over the last six years, in her capacity as a coordinator, Gloria has designed and led many workshops and learning opportunities for both teachers and parents in the area of mathematics. As a professional she stays current with the latest research on numeracy development and acquisition, and best instructional practices that promote the learning of mathematical concepts. Gloria's interest and passion for mathematics instruction was piqued just over ten years ago when the new BC curriculum for K to 7 was introduced. She was seconded one day a week by Coquitlam District to study this new curriculum and to create a supportive resource for teachers, Toward the Twenty-First Century. Prior to her current position, Gloria was an elementary teacher for 24 years. She holds a Masters of Arts Degree from Simon Fraser University and is very active as an educational consultant, under the business name of Creatively Yours.

Barbara Walker, Astronomer / Consultant

Barbara is an amateur astronomer. She currently holds a BSc. in Computer Science and Astronomy (with a major in astrophysics) from UNISA (University Of South Africa). Barbara gives presentations on basic Astronomy to Grade 8 students and lectures on Celestial Navigation on a voluntary basis. She has spent many hours studying the night skies in the Southern Hemisphere through her Celestron 8" SMC telescope and delights in the mysteries of the Northern Hemisphere. Barb. follows the latest scientific journals and keeps up to date on current astronomical findings and observations.

Fenix Theuerkorn, Futurist / Consultant

Fenix Theuerkorn has a Master's Degree from Simon Fraser University in Managing Information Systems (MIS) and more than 20 years of technology background including four years as a manager at Deloitte & Touche. As an author and a futurist, Fenix has been fascinated with how technology is currently shaping our society and is a member of the World Future Society.

Rosanno Zollicker, Language Consultant

Rosanno Zollicker is a mother of three and a licensed preschool educator with seven years working experience teaching kindergarten in Mexico. She also teaches Spanish classes to young children. She has completed courses in preschool self-esteem and infant psychology.

Pamela Evans, Editorial Services

Pamela is our copy editor and a great one at that!