ELLY BARLIN-DANIELS
Elly Barlin-Daniels is a producer, public relations professional, mentor, and accomplished writer with 40 years experience in all facets of the communications industry. She has worked with many of Toronto’s non-profit theatres, and is currently the lead producer on a new Broadway-bound musical.
A children’s music and media expert, Elly has worked closely with many prolific Canadian authors, musicians, and theatre artists.
Driven by a strong desire to serve and support her community, Elly acts as an advisor to many non-profit organizations and individuals, skilled in event management, editing, speech writing and media relations.
"Throughout her career promoting artists and supporting arts creation, Elly has always impressed me with her creativity and her commitment to bringing projects to life. Her ability to collaborate with all involved in a creative work, her innovated ideas, and her tremendous work ethic have been demonstrated in her work as a marketing and publicity professional, artist representative and producer."
Janice Price, President & CEO, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
LET'S START AT THE VERY BEGINNING...
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana to pharmacist Hyeman (‘Scotty’) Barlin and his wife Zelda, Elly is the youngest of four children. She spent her childhood in Toronto, relocating with her family to Winnipeg at age 12. She graduated from The University of Manitoba, with degrees in Communications and Psychology.
Elly began her career at CKY-TV (CTV) Winnipeg and CKND-TV working as a television producer, writer, public relations professional and on-air host. She returned to Toronto, where she worked in artist, corporate and board public relations and publicity at CBC Enterprises, First Choice Canadian Communications Corporation (The Movie Network), and eventually CTV as the National Publicist for Entertainment Programming.
Embracing her passion for the performing arts, Elly continued her work in public relations and publicity at Roy Thomson and Massey Hall, working alongside legendary artists such as Ella Fitzgerald; Liza Minelli; Marvin Hamlisch; Harry Connick Jr.; and Rosemary Clooney.
"For the record, Elly is one of my favorite people. She is a tireless, selfless volunteer with such a dedication to children's literature. She is one of the foundation pieces to I Read Canadian. She sees the world in such a creative way."
Eric Walters, Governor General's Award Winning Children's Author
CANADIAN CHILDREN'S BOOK & MUSIC
A central figure in the Canadian children's book and music community, Elly served on the board of the Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) for six years, and later joined the board of World Literacy Canada. She created and runs the marketing and social media campaign for the successful I Read Canadian initiative, spearheaded by celebrated Canadian Author Eric Walters.
Elly sponsors the Claire Mackay Memorial Lecture at CANSCAIP’s Packaging Your Imagination conference; sits on the national judging panel for B'Nai Brith Diverse Minds Creative Writing Competition; and most recently established the CCBC Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy.
Elly's is also a children's author herself, with her first book being published by Cormorant/DCB books. For the past 25 years, Elly has worked closely with Juno-Award Winning children’s musicians Jack Grunsky and Martha Johnson ('Martha and The Muffins'), and became involved with Mariposa in the Schools and Prologue for the Performing Arts.
A profile of Elly's life and work appears in the Spring 2021 edition of the CANSCAIP Newsletter, written by Bev Katz Rosenbaum.
"We have known Elly personally and professionally for over two decades. In that time, she has worked tirelessly to support and advocate for artists across many disciplines and genres...she is inspiring in her own right as a source of creative and intelligent ideas which, along with her experience and skills, continue to enrich our creative and cultural landscape."
Martha Johnson and Mark Gane, Martha and the Muffins
THEATRE PRODUCER
Elly has worked with many of Toronto’s non-profit theatres as a producer, board member, and advisor. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of Crow's Theatre, and on the Advisory Board's of The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company and Eclipse Theatre Company. In 2014, she was the Associate Producer of Theatre 20's production of Stephen Sondheim's “Company,” directed by Gary Griffin, and starring Brent Carver, Louise Pitre, and Nia Vardalos.
As President of Barlin-Daniels Productions Inc., Elly is lead producer on a new Broadway-bound musical. She is also an investor in the Broadway production of Matthew Lopez’s “The Inheritance,” which received the 2021 Tony Award for Best Play. and numerous Canadian theatre productions.
Elly recently founded the Barlin-Daniels Emerging Artists Initiative as part of the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, supporting a new generation of Canadian performing artists.
"Ms. Daniels was one of the earliest supporters of Friends for the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and has been a true ambassador, friend and advisor for a number of years. Ms. Daniels has gone above and beyond to assist our fundraising efforts as an enthusiastic volunteer and strategic advisor, and has played an important role in helping to secure the Museum's success. She has always been so generous with her time and knowledge."
Mena Gainpaulsingh, Chief Executive Officer of The Canadian Museum for Human Rights
ACTIVISM AND PHILANTHROPY
As a philanthropist and community activist, Elly supports and advocates for a breadth of causes. She has chaired events for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, and served on the event committees for The Brazilian Ball, and The Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner event for Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care.
Elly has also chaired events for the The Royal Conservatory of Music and The Children's Broadcast Institute; served as a committee member for The National Ballet of Canada's Mad Hot Ballet; and is a former board member of Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Elly sponsored the Children’s book art auction at the National Gallery on behalf of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre; financed the Polish Edition of “Witness,” a book by the International March of the Living published by Second Story Press; and has acted as an advisor to the Koffler Centre of the Arts, sponsoring the children’s book prize for their annual Vine Jewish Book Awards.
