TORONTO, July 24, 2014 /CNW/ - TEDxToronto is announcing its speaker and performer line up today. The 6th annual ideas conference is shaping up to be the most impressive event yet, with John Cruickshank, Rachel Parent, Margot Taylor and Choir! Choir! Choir! taking the stage on October 2nd, 2014 at the Royal Conservatory of Music's Koerner Hall.
This year's speakers and performers were all chosen for their dedication to following a passion and their embodiment of this year's theme "Relentless Pursuits."
"We're so excited to be able to share our first round of speaker and performer releases, who are sure to leave you inspired and energized," said Melody Khodaverdian, Co-Chair of TEDxToronto. "They each represent incredible passion and devotion to their work and the commitment to cultivating and amplifying the innovative ideas that we hope will make Toronto — and the world — a better place."
This year's speakers and performers include:
John Cruickshank: John Cruickshank is the Publisher of the Toronto Star and President of Star Media Group. He has enjoyed a distinguished career in newspapers and television in both Canada and the United States. John's continent-wide experience provides him with an in-depth knowledge of both the editorial and business side of media companies. He previously served as Publisher of CBC News, Publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times, Editor-in-Chief of the Vancouver Sun and Managing Editor of The Globe and Mail. He also worked for the Montreal Gazette and started his journalism career with the Kingston Whig Standard.
Rachel Parent: At age 12, Rachel did a school project on Genetically Modified Organisms and became alarmed by what she learned. This sparked her into activism fighting for GMO labels to become a law in Canada. By 14, she had a heated TV debate with Kevin O'Leary, which instantly went viral. Now a veteran of the media public speaking circuit, Rachel is part of the United Nations Youth Leaders Education program and founder of Kids Right to Know, an organization created to inform the public, especially the youth, about food safety.
Dr. Margot Taylor: Dr. Margot Taylor is the Director for Functional Neuroimaging and Diagnostic Imaging at The Hospital for Sick Children. Her research focus has always been on the brain, with an emphasis on brain function. Her current work investigates the neural bases of cognitive development and frontal lobe functions. Her research determines the temporal and spatial properties of the development of frontal lobe functions, such as working memory, inhibition and mental flexibility, and how these cognitive skills are impacted by neurodevelopmental or traumatic events.
Choir! Choir! Choir! (Performers): Choir! Choir! Choir! is a no-commitment choir based in Toronto, co-founded by Nobu Adilman and Daveed Goldman in 2011. Meeting twice weekly in downtown bars, it has quickly become a citywide phenomenon. Bryan Adams has tweeted his praise; they've sung with Patti Smith at the Art Gallery of Ontario; and most recently rocked the Juno Awards with Tegan & Sara on Closer, the group's Single of the Year. To date, they have recorded over 250 awesome songs that include Bruce Springsteen, Haim, The Smiths, Big Star, Daft Punk, and so much more.
The TEDxToronto team will announce the next round of its remaining 13 speakers, performers and demonstrators in August.
Delegate Applications Open
Applications to attend TEDxToronto 2014 as a member of the audience are now being accepted (Click here to apply).
Conference organizers look for enthusiastic applicants who are committed to attending the event, and those who are eager to share knowledge beyond the conference itself. Delegates are selected based on a process that considers only the information provided on the application form. The deadline to apply to be a delegate is Thursday, September 4th at 11:59 p.m.
To learn more about the speakers and the conference, visit www.tedxtoronto.com.
Photos of the speakers are available upon request.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a conference in California 1984, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with many initiatives.
At a TED conference, the world's leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes or less. TED speakers have included Roger Ebert, Sheryl Sandberg, Bill Gates, Elizabeth Gilbert, Benoit Mandelbrot, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Brian Greene, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
On TED.com, talks from TED conferences are shared with the world for free as TED Talks videos. A new TED Talk is posted every weekday. Through the Open Translation Project, TED Talks are subtitled by volunteers worldwide. Through our distribution networks, TED Talks are shared on TV, radio, Netflix and many websites.
The TEDx initiative grants free licenses to people around the world to organize TED-style events in their communities with TED Talks and live speakers. Selected talks from these events are also turned into TED Talks videos.
The annual TED Prize grants $1 million to an exceptional individual with a wish to change the world. The TED Fellows program helps world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities. TED-Ed creates short video lessons by pairing master teachers with animators, for use in classroom instruction or independent learning.
For information about TED's upcoming conferences, visit http://www.ted.com/registration
Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED
Video with caption: "Video: Hundreds of Torontonians gather at a downtown bar twice a week and perform pop songs. They are Choir! Choir! Choir!, and they are performing at the 6th annual TEDxToronto conference on October 2nd at Koerner Hall in Toronto.". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER3iwliOYAo#t=14
Video with caption: "Video: Dr. Margot Taylor has spent her career trying to decode the secrets of the brain, and at this year's TEDxToronto conference (October 2nd, Koerner Hall, Toronto) she'll explain what's she's learned and how it impacts those living with brain injury or impairment.". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzORQy25GUg#t=32
Image with caption: "2014 TEDxToronto speakers Rachel Parent (Founder, Kids Right To Know), Dr. Margot Taylor (Hospital for Sick Children) Nobu Adilman and Daveed Goldman from Choir!Choir!Choir! (founders), and John Cruickshank (Publisher, Toronto Star) will take the stage on October 2nd at Koerner Hall in Toronto. (CNW Group/TEDxToronto)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140724_C2687_PHOTO_EN_4491.jpg
SOURCE: TEDxToronto
For interviews with TEDxToronto organizers or speakers: Candi Jeronimo, Public Relations Manager, TEDxToronto, [email protected]
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