FACULTY Directory

With a passion for the performing arts and a devotion to developing and inspiring new talent, there is no better person to creatively and artistically lead AMDA than David Martin. As a producer, director, actor and teacher, Martin has done it all, from staging New York, London and regional productions of Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen and Wilde, to producing numerous television shows with actors John Houseman, James Earl Jones, Edward Herrmann and Sam Waterson, to gala events such as Broadway Plays Washington at the Kennedy Center featuring Beatrice Arthur, Pearl Bailey, Ellen Burstyn and Debbie Reynolds. In his early days at AMDA, Martin produced and directed many critically acclaimed fundraising productions that helped establish the school’s reputation as a world-class performing arts conservatory, includingSing Happy, a tribute to John Kander and Fred Ebb starring Liza Minnelli, Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera; You’re the Top, a tribute to Cole Porter featuring Kevin Kline, Dick Cavett and Lucie Arnaz; and Hey, Look Me Over, a tribute to Cy Coleman starring Neil Simon, Imogene Coca and Mel Torme. Then, in the late 1970s, AMDA founder Philip H. Burton passed the torch on to Martin, who took over as Artistic Director. In the three decades since, Martin has overseen significant expansion, transforming the school into a thriving, fully accredited institution with campuses in both New York and Los Angeles.

Voice, Performing Artist, Pianist, Conductor, Musicianship/ Music Theory.  Garineh Avakian, mezzo-soprano, is originally from Los Angeles. In addition to being on voice faculty at AMDA, she is also the Music Director at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Granada Hills, Calif. She has appeared as Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aenaes, Madame de la Hartiere in Massenet’s Cendrillon, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, Arsamene in Handel’s Xerxe, Arnalta in Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea, Sandman in Hansel and Gretel, Athamus in Handel’s Semele and Rosina in Scarlatti’s The Triumph of Honor. Recently Ms. Avakian sang the role of Fay Doyle in the West Coast premiere of Lowell Liebrmann’s Miss Lonelyhearts, based on Nathanael West’s novel. In 2006, she received an honorable mention at the Western Regional Finals of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Described by the San Francisco Classical Voice, “Avakian is a singer of student age, not a student singer. The young mezzo sings with power and charisma, showing a veteran’s stage presence, delivering every note on the money, with great diction.” Ms. Avakian is equally at home on the operatic as well as the concert stage. She has performed as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the San Francisco Symphony and alto soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with Maestro Carl St. Clair conducting the USC Chamber Orchestra and Choral Artists. She has performed with the San Jose Symphonic Choir as a soloist in Bach’s St. Mathew Passion and with the Monterey Symphony in Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. In the early 1990s, Ms. Avakian released two cassette tapes, E Zen Hayer and Ganche Hoghin, consisting of Armenian patriotic and national songs in support of Armenian orphans living in Armenia. The proceeds, totaling over $65,000, were sent primarily for the children and their families. In addition to her professional engagements, Ms. Avakian regularly performs for nonprofit organizations such as the Lark Musical Society and Hamazkayn Armenian National Committee and at various fundraising functions throughout the United States.

Eileen Barnett began her career in Chicago, performing in professional summer stock companies and receiving her Equity card at the age of fifteen.  In her second season of stock, she was cast in the role of Maria in WEST SIDE STORY. While she was in high school and college she continued working during her summer vacations. Prior to attending the University of Iowa, Eileen studied voice at Roosevelt University and at the Chicago Conservatory of Music.  She also studied ballet at several schools in the Chicago area. Eileen’s first job in New York was in Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY. After that she worked continuously, touring in companies of JACQUES BREL…. and off Broadway in BERLIN TO BROADWAY. Since moving to the West Coast Eileen has enjoyed a career in television, ranging from daytime dramas to nighttime comedies. Soap fans may remember her best as the evil Stephanie Woodruff on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.  Some of her guest starring credits include MAD MEN, HARRY’S LAW, STILL STANDING, FRAISIER, ER, WORKAHOLICS, THE GILMORE GIRLS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS and KNOTS LANDING, where she played Michael York’s wife and Donna Mills’ adversary for several episodes. She moved back to New York to star on Broadway opposite Sergio Franchi in Tommy Tune’s Tony Award winning musical, NINE. She played the role of his wife, Luisa Contini. Eileen also starred as Vi Moore in the national tour of Broadway’s FOOTLOOSE. She recently reprised her role in JACQUES BREL at the Rubicon and Colony Theatres. Some of her favorite regional theatre roles include Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA,  Lucille in NO, NO, NANETTE and Julie in SHOWBOAT. As a member of the Los Angeles Musical Theatre Guild, Eileen performed the leading role of Fosca in the critically acclaimed West Coast premier of Stephen Sondheim’s PASSION. She also starred in MTG’s presentations of LADY IN THE DARK, RAGS, PLAIN AND FANCY, ALLEGRO, STREET SCENE, A NEW BRAIN, LITTLE WOMEN, CALL ME MADAM and MY FAVORITE YEAR. Eileen has produced many shows in MTG’s concert series and has also served on Musical Theatre Guild’s Board of Directors and on its Executive Committee, which acts as the Artistic Director of the company. Recently Eileen performed in a new musical based on A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, by Truman Copote. It premiered at Theatreworks in Palo Alto. She appeared in the hilarious smash hit, RADIO GALS at the Pasadena Playhouse and at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. She won a Dramalogue Award for her role in that production as well as for her starring role in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. She appeared in DEATHTRAP at the Southbay Playhouse and was heard in the Los Angeles Theatre Works production of WORKING. Other California stage appearances include Billy Barnes’ MOVIE STAR, QUEEN OF THE STARDUST BALLROOM, with Tyne Daley and Judith Viorst’s LOVE AND SHRIMP, which was also presented at The Ballroom in New York, where she starred with Bonnie Franklin and Mariette Hartley.  She starred in Amanda McBroom’s HEARTBEATS, enjoyed a long run in Neil Simon’s RUMORS with Bernie Kopell, and was in the West Coast premier of Stephen Sondheim’s PUTTING IT TOGETHER at the Colony Theatre. Eileen performs her cabaret act in New York and Los Angeles where she recorded a live CD. She performed a one-woman show at the Colony Theatre and will be reprising that show at Sterlings at the Federal. She can also be heard on the original cast recording of RADIO GALS, on BILLY BARNES’ DIVAS and with Billy on his MOVIE STAR CD.  Eileen is very proud of her recording for children, BROADWAY WITH A BEAT, which won a NAPPA Award (National Parenting Publications Award). Eileen is presently teaching in the Musical Theatre Department of AMDA in Los Angeles. She is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association. She lives in Los Angeles with her several dogs and wonderful husband, actor, Bruce French.
 

LAURENA BARROS is a performer, choreographer, and educator.  She had the wonderful privilege of dancing as a Radio City Rockette, touring the U.S. as well as performing on the “great stage” of Radio City Music Hall.  She travelled the country on the tour of Annie Get Your Gun, danced on the high seas on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, as well as performed in multiple musicals at highly esteemed regional theatres.  Her favorites were West Side Story, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Evita, Guys and Dolls, and Chicago, among many others.  Laurena has danced in film and TV, and can be seen on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. network teaching crafts to children.  She has taught dance and theatre, to all ages, all over the New York metropolitan area.  She choreographed Children of Eden at the famous Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Camp in NY, served as the Program Director for American Dance Training Camp in VT, and taught theatre and dance at Palisades Country Day Camp in NJ.  She currently teaches Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Music Theatre dance at studios in New Jersey.  Recently, she choreographed dancers at the 25th Anniversary Los Angeles and New York premiers of the film Dirty Dancing.  Laurena is the creator of Young Performers Project, a performing arts program for children (www.youngperformersproject.com).  She holds a B.A. in dance from the University of MD and has trained at some of the top schools in the country, including:  New York University, Broadway Dance Center and Steps On Broadway in NYC, American Dance Festival in NC, and Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp in CO. Some of the top choreographers/teachers in the U.S. have counted her as a loyal student.  Laurena is also Pilates Mat certified.

Acting, Directing, Scene Study and Audition Technique.  London West End Theatre Credits; Mother Courage and her Children,  The Power Book at The Royal National Theatre starring Fiona Shaw and directed by Deborah Warner (CBE) Julius Caesar- West End and International Tour- Directed By Deborah Warner (CBE) Staring Ralph Fiennes and Fiona Shaw. Troilus and Cressida- West End and International tour for Cheek by Jowl, Directed by Declan Donnellan.   Mother Claps Molly House- The Royal National Theatre and West End Transfer- Aldwych Theatre-Directed by Nicholas Hytner. Lady Salsa-  The New London Theatre. You Can’t Take It With You- Southwark Playhouse.  Other Theatre (UK): Baghdad Othello-The Tricycle Theatre, Lettuce and Loveage-Birmingham Alexander Theatre, Glow, Theater Centre-National Tour,  The Wedding Dance- Bolton Octagon-National Tour. Macbeth and The Tempest-Edinburgh Festival. Theatre (US): Follow-  The Company of Angels Theatre Co. (LA).  Television: “Oscar Charlie”, “Murder in Mind”, “Down To Earth”, “Holby City”, “The Inspector Lynley Mysteries”, “The A-Z Of Politics”, “The Message, New Street Law”, and “EastEnders” - all exclusively for the BBC.  Film: “10/34”(Sussed Productions),“Plato’s Breaking Point” (Robark Pictures), “Virtuality” (Burnt Orange Productions), Psychi (Icontact Films), “Trace” (Kuruji Films).  Film (US): “Room 712” (Title01 Productions), “Snow” (USC Productions, LA).  Directing Experience: Shakespeare Project 2010 AMDA (LA), Henry IV Part 1, The Winters Tale, Faith Hope and Charity 2009 Birmingham Theatre School (UK).  Assistant Director- 2009 (Graduation Show) Birmingham Theatre School (UK).  Premiere and the first drama school in the world to perform the epic 7 hour Russian masterpiece as listed on Wikipedia.

Cheryl Baxter has been in the entertainment business for over 30 years working in theater, commercials, film and television. She started her career as an assistant choreographer to Gene Kelly and Kenny Ortega in Coppola’s film, One From the Heart and went on to work with Meryl Streep in Death Becomes Her. She has worked on over 20 films including Xanadu, Tap, Pennies from Heaven, 500 Days of Summer, and the new Muppet Movie. She has danced beside such legends as Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis Jr. The Nicholas Brothers and Donald O’Connor. Television credits include Glee, General Hospital, the Academy andGolden Globe Awards, How I Met Your Mother, Community and Mike and Molly. Cheryl has performed in the Los Angeles and First National companies of Cats and 42^nd Street and was in the Broadway telecast of Sophisticated Ladies. She has directed and choreographed theater productions nationally and internationally and choreographs actors in sitcoms, soap operas, commercials, and film.

Mezzo Soprano Rose Beattie grew up near Seattle WA and moved to Los Angeles to attend the USC Thornton School of Music where she received her BM
in vocal performance. She has since completed her MM, and DMA at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Ms. Beattie has sung Hippolyta/A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM as a guest artist for the Seattle Opera Young Artists Program, and Santuzza/CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA with Lyric Opera Northwest. Additionally, the International Festival Society sponsored Ms. Beattie to sing in Austria with TOP Opera. Opera credits include; Madame Flora/THE MEDIUM, Principessa/SUOR ANGELICA, Dorabella/COSI FAN TUTTE, Mercedes/CARMEN, and Fate in the premiere of Ian Krouse’s LORCA, CHILD OF THE MOON. Rose also sings with the Los Angeles Opera. Recently, Ms. Beattie premiered Yotam Haber’s DEATH WILL COME AND SHE SHALL HAVE YOUR EYES as well as Christopher Tin’s cross-over piece BEBER. On Los Angeles concert stages, Ms. Beattie has performed Wagner’s WESENDONK LIEDER, Jake Heggie’s STATUESQUE, and Berlioz’s NUIT D’ETE. Rose’s Los Angeles Master Chorale solos include Ricky Ian Gordon’s GRAPES OF WRATH and Handel’s MESSIAH. As a member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale Ms. Beattie frequently performs at the Walt Disney Concert Hall (and with the LA Phil) working with such conductors as Gustavo Dudamel, Esa Pekka Salonen, and Grant Gershon. In her free time, Rose loves jumping into cool fresh lakes or streams, or trying not to drive a manual too fast on scenic coastal roads, i.e.—she travels.

Brian Beery is an award winning screenwriter and playwright. He recommended Sideways to director Alexander Payne, which won an Oscar for best Adapted Screenplay. After Sideways, Brian worked with many other filmmakers including Spike Lee, M. Night Shyamalan and Tony Scott. Brian was a Medical Researcher in the Writer’s Room for the television series Bones. His work was later published in Bones: The Official Guide. Brian won the George Mayr Award for Excellence in Screenwriting, the Kodak 35mm Award for his short, Speed Dating, and the Ellen Idelson Playwriting Award. Brian is a vested member of the Screen Actors Guild due to his acting in film, television and commercials.

Marina Benedict has worked extensively on stage and screen as a professional dancer, actor, vocalist and choreographer. Her acting credits include series regular, recurring and guest star appearances for television (CSI Miami, Desperate Housewives, Southland, ER, Without a Trace, Angel, Wasteland, Wheels of Justice and Nikki) as well as series regular roles in pilots for CBS and Fox. Marina recorded two albums on the BMG label, reached Top 40 on the European charts and toured extensively though-out Europe as a pop music artist. She has worked as a dancer, vocalist, coach and choreographer for music videos, commercials, awards shows and live events (MTV, BMG, BMW, N-Sync, Run-DMC, Moby). She has appeared in 2 full-length feature films, numerous award winning short films, commercials and musical theater stage shows. She continues to work professionally as a dancer, choreographer and actor. Her most recent acting work was opposite John Glover in a short film project and dancing in a short film starring Jason Alexander and Valarie Pettiford choreographed by Jane Lanier. Marina was classically trained at Cornish College of the Arts, Joffrey Ballet School, Royal Academy of Dance, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Village Theater and UCLA. Previous teaching experience: Idyllwild Arts, Norris Center for the Performing Arts and Marymount Los Angeles (Dance Program Director).

Piano accompanist, musical director and composer. Works steadily in Los Angeles as a musical director of both musicals and cabaret shows. Frequent pianist at auditions and open mikes. Composer of numerous musicals having regional productions throughout U.S., most recently his adaptation of Snow White. Musical director of Wayne State University Dance Department for seven years. Staff member of Idyllwild Arts summer program. Musical director for eight years of the Christmas benefit Help Is on the Way in San Francisco.

Nicole Bergeris an award winning dancer and accomplished choreographer for stage and screen. She is classically trained in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Indian and African dance. She began her professional career in NY as a soloist in Mark Dendy Dance and Theater and at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, performing as Janis Joplin. She has since performed in numerous films, TV shows and international stage productions, most notable as a principle dancer in the film, Across the Universe. She is currently the resident choreographer for ABC’s hit comedy, Happy Endings. Additional credits include national and international commercials and music videos for artists such as rap legend Foxy Brown and Indie Rock Star Adam Green. She has choreographed for the Radio City Rockettes and the Hartford Stage Company and worked closely with Julie Taymor at the MET Opera in NYC and on the film Across the Universe. She is the Artistic Director of the Los Angeles based dance company Moveable Feast Dance Theater.