New York City Campus 211 West 61st Street New York, NY 10023 Phone (212) 787-5300 Toll Free (800) 367-7908 Fax (212) 247-0488 Los Angeles Campus 6305 Yucca Street Los Angeles, CA 90028 Phone (323) 469-3300 Toll Free (866) 374-5300 Fax (323) 469-5246 info@AMDA.edu

Brooks Almy (Musical Theatre, Los Angeles) - Actor. Performed on Broadway in Grand Hotel, Beauty And The Beast, The Little Prince, A Change in the Heir, and Play Me A Country Song. Off Broadway and National Tour credits include Nunsense, Annie Warbucks, Shylock and Torch Song Trilogy. New York City Opera performances include Candide, Pajama Game, Music Man, Sweeny Todd and South Pacific. Performed regionally in Shirley Valentine, The Sisters Rosensweig, Dancing at Lughnasa, Blithe Spirit, Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, The Merry Window, Jane Eyre, Gigi, George Abbott's Broadway, Sweeney Todd and Carousel. Additionally has performed with Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Pittsburg Public Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Houston Grand Opera, LA Opera, Alley Theatre, California Music Theatre, Encore LA, Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities. TV credits include: “CSI,” “West Wing,” “Without a Trace,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Frasier,” “Alley McBeal,” “Dharma and Greg,” “The Practice,” “Judging Amy,” “The Guardian,” “Any Day Now” and “Party of Five.” Film Credits include Erin Brockovich, Life, Annie, Song of the Lark, Anastasia, The Thirteenth Floor, Never Get Outta the Boat. Training: University of Hawaii. Additional training: David Craig and Charles Conrad.

Lacy Altwine (Stage Combat, Los Angeles) - Actor, teacher, stunt woman, fight director. Acting and Stunt performance credits for Film and TV: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Andrew Jackson, Mulletville, M.O.G., The Three Musketeers, Going Straight, Merv's Tavern, B.U.S.H. League and The Accordion Killer. Stage: Enchanted April, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, All in the Timing, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Henry V, Voice of the Prairie, Belle of Amherst and Chapter Two. Fight Direction credits: In the Heart of America, Romeo & Juliet, R - The Swashbuckling Tale of Anne Bonny & Mary Read, Chapter Two, 1001 Arabian Nights, Two Noble Kinsmen, Stages, Music Man and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Recognized as a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. Training: Tarkio College (BFA).

Mary Amorosia (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) - Listed on file with the Metropolitan Opera Studio. Performed in various productions including Mozart's Marriage of Figaro and Ralph Vaughn Williams' Riders to the Sea, as well as musicals including Gilbert and Sullivan. Since retiring from performing, she has coached students who have been chosen for such prestigious music programs as the San Francisco Women’s Summer Opera Program, and Voice of America Summer European Tour. Trained with Jack Prenner, coach for Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Training: B.M., Manhattanville College; Juilliard School of Music.

Keith Andrews (Musical Theatre, New York) - Keith attended and received a BA (cum laude) from the State University of NY at Albany with a major in English Literature.  He then moved back to NY after college and started auditioning for musical theater.   He then worked for the next 13 years performing in tours and regional shows all over the country and Europe.  US National tours performed in include:  7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Mame, Carousel, The Goodbye Girl, and West Side Story.  European tours include:  Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, and West Side Story.  Keith also performed for 4 years in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.  As a director/choreographer, Keith has directed the National Tours of The Full Monty and Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah. Keith has also directed recent productions such as :Dirty Rotten Scoundrels starring Joe Piscopo.  He directs and choreographs all around the country and has done productions of Dames at Sea, Barnum, The Wedding Singer, Urinetown, Little Shop of Horrors, In the past 2 years, Keith has directed and/or choreographed over 25 productions, including 2 World Premiere musicals The 7 Little Foys and Cold as Ice.- the first original book- musical on ice and starring gold medallist Oksana Baiul.  He also directed The Full Monty starring Sally Struthers, Adrian Zmed and Broadway star Hunter Foster.  In his brand-new area of ice skating expertise, Keith is very proud to have directed “Stars, Stripes and Skates” a yearly benefit for the survivors and families of the 9/11 tragedy, as well as “Home for the Holidays” – staring 2008’s National Ice Dancing Gold-Medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto and 2008’s National Men’s Champion—Evan Lysacek.  

Garineh Avakian (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) – Garineh Avakian, mezzo-soprano, is originally from Los Angeles, currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance at the University of Southern California.  She holds a Bachelor and Masters in Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, also a Graduate Certificate Diploma from the University of Southern California.  She has minored in both piano and conducting during her graduate studies. In addition to being on voice faculty at AMDA, she is also the Music Director at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Granada Hills, Ca. She has appeared as Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aenaes, Madame de la Hartiere in Massenet’s Cendrillon, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, the role of Arsamene in Handel’s Xerxe, Arnalta in Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea, the role of Sandman in Hansel and Gretel, Athamus in Handel’s Semele, and as 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 at the San Francisco Symphony, 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 Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein with the Monterey Symphony.  In the early 1990’s, Ms. Avakian released two cassette tapes (E Zen Hayer & Ganche Hoghin) consisting of Armenian patriotic and national songs in support of Armenian orphans living in Armenia. All proceeds totaling over $65,000.00 was sent primarily for the children and their families.  In addition to her professional engagements Ms. Avakian regularly performs for non profit organizations such as the Lark Musical Society, Hamazkayn Armenian National Committee, and at various fundraising functions throughout the United States.

David Jay Barry (Acting, Los Angeles)  - A graduate of The American Conservatory Theatre with an MFA in acting, David has taught Acting, Voice and Speech, Dialects, and Shakespeare at The American Conservatory Theatre, University of San Francisco, University of Santa Clara, and The Stella Adler Academy.  He is a founding member and Artistic Director of 3KO Broadway Theatre Company in Los Angeles and has directed many plays, including Freedomland, A Lie of the Mind, Curse of the Starving Class, Romeo and Juliet, Within The Skins of Saints, and The LA Weekly Loves Us.  Previously, he wrote, directed, and performed in the one-act comedy, Over-The-Counter at the Sidewalk Theatre in Burbank.    LA acting credits include Bash at 3KO, Richard III at the Secret Rose, Othello at the Stella Adler Theatre, The Inspector General at the Hollywood Court, and Steve Martin’s WASP at the Sidewalk Theatre.  Additional acting credits include lead roles in the independent feature films, Stan, Surviving Paradise, Mike’s Kids and Scattering Mother, and theater productions of Love’s Labours Lost, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cyrano de Bergerac, and many others. Education: B.S., University of California, Irvine, M.F.A, Acting, American Conservatory Theatre

Spencer Beglarian (Critical Studies, Los Angeles) Award-winning educator, writer and director who received his BFA from USC and MFA from Yale Drama School. As an educator, he is currently the Language, Culture and Speech Instructor for international students and professionals in the MBA, IBEAR, and MBA.PM programs at the USC Marshall School of Business. Winning the Faculty Award for three consecutive years, he is also a general studies instructor, consultant and lead educator at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, teaching courses in English, Critical Thinking, Film, Acting, Theatre History and Public Speaking for over a decade. He develops and leads numerous enrichment workshops for educators and business professionals, is a member of the Alumni Schools Committee for Yale and interviews prospective students applying for admission to Yale. In addition, he has taught Shakespeare and directed staged productions within the inner-city school systems of Harlem and the South Bronx and taught acting courses at Marymount Manhattan College, Bard and USC.  He also serves as an editor for Barron’s Educational Series, consulting on its Shakespeare Made Easy Series, SAT and PSAT test preparation publications. As a writer and director, he has created the annual thesis presentations for the International Manufacturing and Product Development Advanced Study Program at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and wrote the video comedy series, BRENDA BANKRUPTCY: A FINANCIAL FABLE SERIES, commissioned by the State of California’s EdFund Organization, which promotes financial literacy for teens and young adults. His award-winning short films have been released on DVD and shown on BRAVO and IFC, and his feature screenplays have won several nationally and internationally recognized competitions.  He recently served as an official juror for the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films, which awards prizes in both student and professional categories and qualifies recipients for Academy Award consideration. 

Ronald Bemrich (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) - Ronald Bemrich has been member of the voice faculty at AMDA in both New York and Los Angeles. With degrees in Music Education, Voice, Opera, and Choral Conducting, he has worked as a teacher, performer and conductor in both Europe and North America.  He has taught as a faculty member at institutions such as the University of Miami, Florida International University, New World School of the Arts, the International School of Brussels and the University of Windsor in Canada. As Conductor/Music Director he has prepared and led numerous professional and amateur choral and orchestral organizations such as the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Carnegie Hall Link-up Concerts Chorus, the Monmouth Civic Chorus and the Cocoanut Grove Playhouse. Mr. Bemrich’s singing credits include solo work with the Opera of Flanders, the Royal Theatre of Mons, the Vlaams Kameropera, the Cocoanut Grove Playhouse in Miami as well as numerous solo recitals including a series for the Ministre de la Culture Française. Mr. Bemrich holds undergraduate degrees from Northwestern University, l’Académie de musique in Brussels and a Masters Degree from Wayne State University. His voice teachers have included most notably Gerard Souzay in Paris and Cornelius Reid in New York.

Marina Benedict (Dance, Los Angeles) - Professional dancer as series regular and guest star for television series on the WB, CBS, Fox, and TNN. Dance coach and choreographer for music videos, live performances, concerts, and commercials for entertainment companies such as MTV, BMG, and A&M Records, as well as for musicians including N’SYNC, Moby, and RunDMC. Training: Cornish College of the Arts, Joffrey School of Ballet and The Royal Academy of Dance in London.

Susan Benkin (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) - Mezzo-Soprano. Opera, operetta and musical singer. Performing experience: Over 50 roles performed in theaters across Europe and America including the Bavarian State Theater in Munich, Germany; Cincinnati Opera; Duesseldorf Opera, and the Tallin Theater in Estonia. Contract engagements: Theater Dortmund, Theater Bielefeld, Theater Flensburg. Opera: Aida (Amneris), Il Trovatore (Azucena), Hansel and Gretel (Witch) Marriage of Figaro (Marcellina). Musical Theatre:  Hamburg production of Cats (Jenny-Any-Dots); Godspell (Gilmer), Studio Arena Theater, Buffalo, NY [at age 16]; Fiddler on the Roof (Golde). German premieres of modern operas: The Silver Tassie and Dr. Ox's Experiment by Gavin Bryars, co-productions with the English National Opera, London; The Second Mrs. Kong (Sphinx), Heidelberg Opera. Voice teacher and vocal coach for various productions in German theaters. Training: B.M./B.M.E., SUNY at Fredonia; M.M./Opera Diploma, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Richard Berent (Accompanist, Los Angeles ) - 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 7 years.   Staff member of Idyllwild Arts summer program. Musical director for 8 years of the Christmas benefit Help Is On The Way in San Francisco. Training: B.A. Piano, State University of New York at Binghamton; M.M. Choral Conducting, University of Michigan.

James Bontempo (Acting, Los Angeles ) - Writer, director, coach. Creator and writer of the soon to be released short film ALTER-EGO, a new kind of Superhero. Winner of the New Noises Playwrighting Award and finalist in the Palm Springs International Playwrighting Festival for the drama A Place at Forest Lawn, which received its world premiere at the Arvada Center for the Humanities in Colorado where it garnered rave reviews. The play has since been published by Dramatists Play Service. Writer, producer and director of the short film, Third Strike. Directed extensively for the New York and Los Angeles stages and continues to coach professional actors, directors and writers in all disciplines. Acting Consultant on Exposure, directed by Academy Award nominated Walter Salles, Jr., Disney's The Jungle Book, and the recently released Lucky 13 as well as numerous other film and television projects. Performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in national tours. Teaching credits include: the Nina Foch Studio, Ltd., Hollywood Way Studios, and USC School of Cinema-Television in the directing and writing programs. Training: Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York, Upsala College, New Jersey .

Chris Bratten (Musical Theatre, Accompanists, Los Angeles) - Teacher, Music Director, Singer/Songwriter, Composer.  Music director for Upright Cabaret (www.uprightcabaret.com) since 2006.  Performed with countless Broadway/Film/TV stars including Eden Espinosa, Shoshana Bean, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Michael Urie, Tracie Thoms, Chad Kimball, Valarie Pettiford, Tiffany and Alan Cumming.  Other MD credits include Altar Boyz, Little Shop Of Horrors, Cabaret and an original adaptation of the movie Sideways with music/lyrics by Christopher and sister Melessa Bratten.  On stage, local theatre credits include: Big River; Barnum; Joseph; Brigadoon; Fiddler; Into The Woods; You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Wizard Of Oz.  Teacher of piano, voice and musicianship for six years.  Member of ASCAP.  Graduate of the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Bachelor’s degree.

Todd Patrick Breaugh (Acting, Los Angeles) - Actor and director. Film credits include YMI, Contact, Gang Related, Firestarter: Rekindled, Innocent Victims, and The Deadline. Television credits include Guest Starring roles on “Haunted,” “Baywatch,” “Hunter,” “General Hospital,” “Port Charles,” “Men Behaving Badly,” and “The Chronicle.” Performed major roles at regional theatres around the country, including The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C., The Orlando Shakespeare Festival, PCPA Theaterfest and Sierra Repertory theatre among others. Roles include Truscott in Loot, Brian in A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, and Anton in The Inspector General. Regional stage directing credits include The Tempest, Les Belles Soeurs, and the world premiere of Fool’s Gold by award winning playwright Norman Allen. Film and television directing credits include The Lie, and the television pilot “Spirit Connections”. Has appeared in over 100 commercials, voiceovers, and industrials. Emmy Blue Ribbon Panel Judge for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Training: M.F.A. Acting, University of South Carolina. Member: SAG/AFTRA/AEA.

Carrie Brewer

(Stage Combat, New York) - Fight Director; Carrie has been choreographing, teaching and performing fights for the last 12 years. She has worked in TV, Film, Off-Broadway, Regional and NYC Indie Theatre and has taught stage combat workshops around the country. She has training in Taekwando, Hapkido, Kendo, and many Western historical sword fighting styles – and spent several years as a professional actor, singer and stunt performer. Fight choreography credits include: Cherry Lane, PS 122, The Wild Project, Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Boomerang Theatre Co., Treasure Island Casino (LV), and the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival. She spent 6 years as the Founder/Artistic Director of the award-winning Lady Cavalier Theatre Company. Other stage combat teaching credits include: Yale School of Drama, NYU, The School for Film & TV, Open Jar, Emerald Curtain Prod., and Broadway Classroom. Training:

B.F.A, Acting, University of Connecticut.  WWW.CARRIEBREWER.NET

Michael Brill (Musical Theatre, Musicianship, Los Angeles) – Composer/Lyricist, Conductor, Vocal Director, Pianist, Teacher.  Conducting/keyboard credits:  National Tours of Annie Get Your Gun, The Will Rogers Follies, Grease!, Fiddler on the Roof and A Chorus Line; 100+ stock/cabaret shows.  Composing credits:  30+ songs recorded/performed by NY cabaret artists; musical adaptation of the hit art house film Big Eden. Since 2005, Michael has been developing and teaching a Musicianship curriculum based on the revolutionary, research-based Music Learning Theory created by internationally renowned music educator Dr. Edwin E. Gordon.  Michael contributed original music and arrangements to Marilyn Lowe's ground-breaking Music Moves for Piano--the first piano method created in cooperation with Dr. Gordon.  Music Moves… is taught in the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, South Korea and elsewhere--and Michael is on its International Advisory Board. Training: Missouri State University, B.S., UCLA, Film Scoring Certificate.  Member: ASCAP, AFM

Tim Brown (Stage Combat, Los Angeles) - Actor, stuntman, fight director, teacher. Highlights include, Film: Resident Evil: Extinction, Head Hunter, Street Warrior for Spike TV, critically acclaimed short Breach. Television: “Monk,” “General Hospital,” “The District,” “Haunted,” “One Life to Live,” “The Middleman.” Theatre: LA Opera, New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Pasadena Shakespeare Company, Kings County Shakespeare Company, Lantern Theater Company, Westbeth, Birnam Wood, The Mint Theatre, 68 Cent Theater. Has performed live stunt shows for Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios in Hollywood and Osaka, Japan. Has been Besides teaching martial arts, stage combat, and theatrical movement for over 10 yrs.

Michelle Bruckner (Dance, New York) - Michelle made her Broadway debut in Chicago: The Musical. She played Sheila in the National and European tours of A Chorus Line, and appeared in the National tours of  La Cage aux Folles, Grease, and Damn Yankees. Regionally she was critically acclaimed as Velma in Chicago and has performed in Anything Goes, Brigadoon, The Full Monty and many others. http://www.skylineartists.com/.

Anne Burk (Voice Production and Speech, Los Angeles) - Teacher, actor, director. Voice coach in the United Kingdom and the United States. Training: Fitzmaurice Voicework Credential; M.F.A., UCLA; B.A. with honors SJSU; Graduate of East 15 Acting School, London; B.T.E.C. in Performing Arts, Oldham College and Polytechnique.

Payson Burt (Stage Combat, Los Angeles) - Teacher, actor, sword master, fight director, stuntman. As a fight director, Payson has over 150 credits, working in theatre, opera, TV, film and outdoor drama.  Major credits include: The Mark Taper Forum, The Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Walnut St. Theatre, as well as university productions, live action shows for theme parks, and The Philadelphia Opera Company.  Certified as both teacher and fight director by the Society of American Fight Directors.  He is an expert in the martial arts of Wing Chung Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan.  Major stuntman credits include:  Second Hand Lions, The District, Bible Battles and The Last Stand of the 300.  Teaching credits: regional, national and international workshops, 11 years teaching at Temple University's M.F.A. and B.A. programs, 4 years at North Carolina School of the Arts B.F.A. program, 4 years at University of Colorado's B.A. program and many more.  Payson has written and published a book on Stage Combat titled “Of Paces: A Comprehensive System of Footwork for Stage Combat.”

David Caldwell (Accompanist, New York) – David Caldwell was the music director of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY for five years. He conducted the American premiere of Stephen Schwartz's CHILDREN OF EDEN, and recently music-directed THE ROAD TO QATAR at Lyric Stage in Irving, Texas. He is the composer and lyricist of ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN, UH-OH HERE COMES CHRISTMAS and THIRD WISH, all based on the writing of Robert Fulghum.

Education: B.F.A., Theatrical and Choral Music, Oberlin College

Jeff Caldwell (Individual Voice, New York) - Musical Director, vocal coach, operatic stage director. Broadway: The Producers, keyboard. NYC Opera, World Premiere chorus, Haroun and the Sea of Stories; La Fanciulla Del West; Cendrillon. Performances: Cosi fan tutte (Don Alfonso), Mikado (Koko), Yeomen of the Guard (Jack Point), Patience (Bunthorne). Teaching Experience: Juilliard School Drama Division, NYU Tisch School, CAP21, Cornish College of the Arts, University of Washington, Professional Actor Training Program. Training: B.M. Piano Performance, Oberlin Conservatory. M.S. Operatic Stage Direction, Indiana University. DMA Studies: Improvisation & Choreography, Opera Production, Alexander Technique, University of Washington.

Alexis Carra (Dance, Los Angeles) -  B.A. in Theatre Studies from Yale University.  She is thrilled to be on the AMDA faculty after teaching all across the States for organizations such as NYC Dance Alliance and Broadway Dance Center. Her Broadway credits include:  Fosse (1^st National), Wicked, Sweet Charity (u/s Nickie, Dance Captain).  Alexis recently moved to LA where she performed in Wicked at the Pantages Theatre, and also played Louise in Gypsy at Sacramento Music Circus. Other theatre credits include Fame on 42^nd Street, A Chorus Line, Tea and Sympathy, and her own solo show produced at Yale entitled Still Moving. Choreography credits include West Side Story, Bat Boy, Guys and Dolls, Damn Yankees, Fiddler on the Roof, Music Man.

Jason Chaet (Acting, New York) - Director, Story Consultant. Creative Consultant on award-winning feature film, Kissing Jessica Stein. Director, NY & LA workshops of Kissing Jessica Stein. Other Film: Scenes from Polite Society, The Suzy Prophecy. Co-Creator/ Director, “Off the Page” (HBO) produced at US Comedy Arts Festival, HERE, PSNBC. New York and Regoinal Directing Credits: Talk Radio, Acapulco, In Fireworks Lie Secret Codes, Worker Bee, Black Wannabe, All Men are Whores, Seven Pages Unsigned, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Crossing Delancey, Dead Bird, and Fool’s Mate. Asst. Director on world premiere David Mamet's No One Will Be Immune: Five Pieces for Theatre and NY premiere of Arthur Miller's Elegy for a Lady. Artistic Director, Stage One. Upcoming Feature Film: Putzel.Training: B.F.A. Acting/Directing, Syracuse University.

Amy Cheifetz (Individual Voice, New York) - Soprano, performer, voice teacher, vocal coach.Performing credits in opera, musical theater and theater around the U.S. include: Tales of Hoffmann (Antonia), Terrance McNally's Masterclass (Sophie De Palma), La Boheme (Musetta), Gianni Schicchi (Lauretta), Cosi fan tutte (Despina), Die Zauberflote (Papagena), Patience (Patience), and Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel). Recitalist both regionally and internationally at the Salle Cortot in Paris , France . Opera and classical music outreach programs with Metropolitan Opera Guild and Song as a Second Language. Frequent guest artist at Middlebury College . Visiting Professor of Voice at Ball State University . Masterclasses in both classical and musical theater throughout U.S. Apprentice Artist with Utah Festival Opera. Regional finalist in Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards. Maintains a private voice studio in New York City ; her students perform on Broadway (including Hairspray, Chorus Line), in National and International Tours (including Hairspray, Grease, Oklahoma !, Fiddler on the Roof), and Regional houses across the United States . Training:  M.M and D.M.A. (abd) in vocal performance, University of Washington; B.M. in vocal performance.University of California , Irvine. Studied voice with Cornelius Reid and Julian Patrick. www.amycheifetz.com

Catherine Christensen (Individual Voice, New York) - Soprano. Debuted with Igor Stravinsky and Santa Fe Opera in Die Nachtigal; performed Micaela in Bizet's Carmen. More than 65 operatic roles in US and abroad: Metropolitan Opera, Met Studio, NYC Opera, and many other US companies including San Francisco, Boston, Huston, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Detroit, Miami, and Charlotte. Guest performances in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Premiered works by Finnish composer, Heikki Sarmanto in NYC and Europe. Appeared in oratorio, chamber music and symphony engagements with Lincoln Center Mozart Festival and New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago Israeli and Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestras. Known Viennese specialist, featured in Evenings of Viennese Music with National Symphony at Kennedy Center, Washington DC. Sang several musicals, including The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella); Camelot (Guenevere); Robert & Elizabeth, American premiere (Elizabeth). Catherine made over 100 commercials, appeared in over 25 films, and recorded for CRI. Training: American Conservatory of Music, Chicago; NYU; Hunter College; SUNY.

Robin Clarke (Accompanist, New York) - Pianist, musical director, coach. Broadway credits include James Joyce and The Dead. Regional credits include Ingersoll Theatre. Musical director credits include Tintypes, Something's Afoot, The Sound of Music, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Oklahoma, I Do, I Do, Damn Yankees. Pianist for National Ballet of Canada, Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Opera Repertoire. Training: M.M., Drake University; B.A. and B.S. Ed, French, Northwest Missouri State University.

Casey Colgan (Dance, New York) - Dancer, singer, actor, choreographer, director. Performed in The Wizard of Oz as the Scarecrow at Madison Square Garden and in the first national tour (starring Eartha Kitt and Mickey Rooney. European tours include A Chorus Line and My Fair Lady. Regional credits: Papermill Playhouse, St. Louis MUNY, Fox Theatres, and the Northshore Music Theatre. Some of his favorite roles include Tony in Shear Madness, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, Bobby Child in Crazy for You, Don Lockwood in Singin' in The Rain and both Roger and Carmen in The Producers. Director and Choreographer for the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Directing credits include:  A Chorus Line, Damn Yankees, Cats, Mame, Evita, 42nd Street, La Cage Aux Folles, The Producers, Camelot, Beehive, My Way, Some Enchanted Evening and Fiddler on the Roof. Directed and Choreographed "THE HIT PARADE" aboard the QE2 Cruise ship with Broadway Bound Entertainment.  Can be seen periodically on “Guiding Light” (CBS). Has been on the AMDA Dance faculty for 22 years. Training: The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Member: AEA, AFTRA.

Scott Conner (Musical Theatre, Los Angeles) - Actor, Singer, Dancer, Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Arranger, Recording Artist, Composer/Lyricist. Worked with Broadway/National Touring companies of Annie (directed by Martin Charnin), Ragtime, Showboat, Kiss Me Kate, Suessical the Musical, Cinderella (starring Eartha Kitt), Mamma Mia, Billy Elliot, the Tony award winning productions of Rent and Cabaret(2004 revival),  and the Australian tour of Annie. Some favorite stage roles include Burn This (Larry),  Hot “L” Baltimore (Jamie), Orphans (Phillipe), Pump Boys and Dinettes (L.M.). Acted in the feature films Day Zero (with Chris Klein and Elijah Wood), Gracie (with Elisabeth Shue, directed by Oscar-winning Davis Guggenheim), Oh Snap, I’m Trapped In A House With A Crazy Lunatic Serial Killer and several indies. Toured Europe several times as an actor, singer or music-supervisor with musicals including Damn Yankees and Guys and Dolls, and concert revues Hooray for Hollywood and Remembering Mahalia Jackson, sitting down in famous historic venues such as the Frankfurt Alte Oper, Mainz Eltzer Hof and Rhein Main Halle. Works often as a director/choreographer (favorites include Annie, Mental the Musical-world premiere) as well as a show doctor, helping retool musical-theatre projects in development. As a voice coach/technician,  he has been particularly utilized to train highly demanding vocals for the Broadway stage including Elphabas (Wicked), Donnas (Mamma Mia), Lucys (Jekyll and Hyde) Nalas (Lion King). Clients include Rob Estes, Tony-nominated John Tartaglia and Kelli O’Hara. His students have performed with many recording legends including Aretha  Franklin,  Gladys  Knight,  Toni Braxton,  Whitney Houston, Sebastian  Bach,  Deborah  Cox,  Michael Crawford, Michael Jackson and Marc Anthony. He is also a record producer/arranger for all genres including R&B, pop, country, and hip-hop. Member: SAG, AEA, BMI, AFM.

Catherine Cox (Musical Theatre, New York) - Broadway Credits: leading roles in Footloose; Oh, Coward (Tony Nomination); Baby (Drama Desk Award); Rumors; Music Is; Whoopee!; Barnum; and One Night Stand. Off-Broadway: William Finn's In Trousers, Rap Master Ronnie, By Strouse, It's Better With A Band, The Waves, LA production City of Angels (Oolie). Has appeared extensively in regional theatre.  TV Credits: “The Cosby Show”, “Law and Order”, “The Guiding Light”, “Edge of Night”, “Loving”. Directing Credits: Baby, Quilters, Once On This Island, Seussical, Bye Bye Birdie.

William Cox (Accompanist Department Chair, New York) - Pianist, conductor. Arranger for over 50 productions, seven on Broadway. Worked with Angela Lansbury, Betty Buckley, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera. Conducted two Presidential Inaugurals; Guest conducted Boston Pops, Baltimore, Dallas, and London Symphonies. Conducted in Israel, Greece, Jordan, India. Winner: Fulbright Foundation, Ayrian Awards. Training: M.F.A., B.F.A., University of Buffalo. Member: AF of M (NY and LA).

Norma Jeanne Curley (Accompanist, New York) - Vocal arranger, musical director, actress, audition accompanist. Off Broadway Credits: understudy, multiple roles, The Club, Obie award-winning show written by Eve Merriam and directed by Tommy Tune. National Tour, understudy and off-stage pianist, The Last of Mrs. Cheney, starring Deborah Kerr. Musical director/actress, Depot Theatre, Westport NY. Muscial Director of Nunsense in its final two year run off-Broadway. Conductor and arranger for Broadway at the Y Chorus at 92nd Street, NYC. Faculty Member of The Art of Cabaret Workshop at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Center and Camp in Steamboat Springs, CO.Training: B.S. Speech & Theatre, University of Tulsa.

Charles Currier (Stage Combat, Los Angeles) - Charles Currier has been coordinating sword and stunt sequences for over twenty years. He has staged large medieval conflicts for live spectaculars in China and for BBC television in Lithuania, directed fights for the LA Opera, and performed more modern swordplay in the film Second Hand Lions and the popular “West Wing” series. He has just returned from 10 months in Australia, working as a military technical advisor on HBO’s miniseries The Pacific, produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Speilberg. Recent projects include choreographing fights for Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil 3 and complex military formations for Oliver Stone’s Alexander.

Dan Daily

(Acting, New York) - Theatre credits: Keen Company- The Dining Room (Drama Desk Award), In The Matter Of J. Robert Oppenheimer; The New Group- Sin: A Cardinal Deposed (Obie Award); Lincoln Center Theatre Company- The Tenth Man; The Pearl Theatre Company- Richard III, The Master Builder, Angel Street, The Gentleman Dancing Master, Heartbreak House, I Have Been Here Before, The Oresteia, The Country Wife, The Cherry Orchard, and others; CSC- The Scarlet Letter. Film: Duplicity, Blood and Wine, Seabiscuit, Daylight.  TV: “Law & Order: CI,” “Ed,” “The Prosecutors,” “Pete & Pete,” all NY soaps.  
Education: B.A., University of Notre Dame, M.F.A, University of Washington

Richard Danley (Accompanist, New York) - pianist, conductor, arranger, vocal coach, music editor/orchestrator.  Music director for cabarets, concerts and revues in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Hawaii, Montreal, Switzerland, Texas, Oklahoma and Los Angeles.  Performed at Carnegie Hall (twice), the Cotton Club and the Jolson International Festival.   Singer-pianist on five cruise ships.    Worked with Pat Boone, Kathryn Crosby, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Julie Wilson, Lea Salonga, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald, as well as  other notable Broadway performers.  In 2001, music director/pianist for the Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Music director/arranger for “Tonight We Sing”, the songs of Forbidden Broadway creator, Gerard Alessandrini, “The George M. Cohan Revue,”“The Seven Little Foys”,  the off-Broadway revival version of “What Makes Sammy Run?”,  and four productions for Merkin Hall in NYC. His orchestrations have been heard in Bulgaria, Turkey, Israel and Switzerland, as well as NYC.  Television credits include daytime dramas. Training: B.S. Music Education, David Lipscomb University.

Nick DeGruccio (Acting and Musical Theatre, Los Angeles) - Nick DeGruccio is a three-time recipient of the LA Ovation Award for Direction and has received the 2008 LADCC Joel Hirschhorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre.  He has received the 2009 BackStage Garland Award for Direction for an Outstanding Season of Work.  Nick most recently directed Kiss of the Spider Woman (4 LADCC Nominations, LADCC Award for Choreography) and the LA Premieres of Thrill Me (2 LA Ovation Award Nominations, LADCC Award for Lighting) and Dog Sees God (2 LADCC Nominations, 3 LA Weekly Nominations, GLAAD Media Nom) for Havok Theatre Company’s inaugural season, Zanna, Don’t! at West Coast Ensemble (LADCC Award for Direction, 2007 LA Ovation Nomination for Direction, Production), The Andrews Brothers for Musical Theatre West, Bad Apples, a World Premiere Play for The Rubicon Theatre Company and Beehive at the El Portal Theatre (5 2006 LADCC Award nominations including Direction/2 2007 LA Ovation Award Nominations) as well as Jekyll & Hyde for Cabrillo Music Theatre and Altar Boyz for The Welk Resort. He also directed The Laramie Project for the Laguna Playhouse having directed the LA premiere at The Colony Theatre, which received 3 LA Ovation Awards for Best Play, Best Direction, Best Ensemble and has raised over $36,000.00 for the Matthew Shepard Foundation.  He directed the LA premiere of Side Show, which received 8 Ovation Nominations including direction and was voted One of the Top 10 Plays of 2002 by The Los Angeles Times. He directed the production of 1776 at Performance Riverside receiving the 2004 LA Ovation Award for Direction and the production garnered 5 LA Ovation Awards including Best Musical.  Also, recently he directed The Last Five Years and I DO! I DO! in rep at The Pasadena Playhouse, The Full Monty for San Diego Music Theatre’s inaugural production and I Left My Heart…a tribute to Tony Bennett for the Welk Resort, San Diego. He directed the LA Premiere of A Man Of No Importance for MTG, which was nominated for 3 2006 Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Circle Awards as well as a GLAAD award for production. He directed Side By Side By Sondheim at the Rubicon Theatre which was moved to The Pasadena Playhouse (2004 LA Ovation Nominations for Production and Ensemble). He directed the west coast premiere of The Spitfire Grill at The Laguna Playhouse receiving the OC Award for Best Musical as well as My Way for McCoy-Rigby Entertainment at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center and for the Welk Resort in San Diego. He directed Guys and Dolls for Musical Theatre West which was nominated for 4 2005 LA Ovation Awards including Direction of a Musical and the The Fantasticks at Performance Riverside. He also directed a staged concert of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party at the Alex Theatre (MTG), Basic Training at 2nd Stage receiving an NAACP nomination for direction and La Cage Aux Folles for Musical Theatre West (which received 2 2004 LA Ovation Nominations). He directed the Colony Theatre Company productions of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, City of Angels (LA Ovation Award for Best Musical Smaller Theatre), the West Coast Premiere of Sondeim’s Putting It Together, (Garland Award and LA Ovation Award nomination for Direction) and Tennessee Williams’ Suddenly Last Summer.. Other directing credits include: Pippin for the BCLO, Two By Two and How Now Dow Jones for the Musical Theatre Guild at the Pasadena Playhouse, Happily Ever After...After All (voiceovers by Angela Lansbury), Jack & the Giant, Secret Garden, Oz! and Sleeping Beauty for the 9 O’clock Players, The Foreigner and The History of The Musical Theatre in 44 Minutes and 28 Seconds for MTG which is touring LA Schools. Nick is an alumnus of the Lincoln Center Theatre Director’s Lab West.

John R. DeLuise (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) - Singer, actor. Head of the Vocal Studio of John DeLuise since 1986; Singer, Actor, Musical and Choral Director since 1978, Took a one-year sabbatical (June ‘04 - June – ‘05) to Naples, Italy to study, teach and soak up Italian culture. Native of Long Island, New York. Highlights of professional credits: Vocal Instructor and Choral Director for a biannual summer arts workshop in Shelter Island, NY from 1988 to the present; training other coaches and conductors. Vocal coach for the Dick Clark television talent show "Your Big Break" for its two seasons, 1999- 2001. Musical director and lead tenor for the male a cappella group: The Upscales. Performer in the Second National Company of Les Misérables in San Francisco, CA from 1989-1991, in the role of Courfeyrac and understudy for Jean Valjean. Vocal coach and Choral Director at Life College in L.A., CA from 1987-1989. Director of Music at The Stony Brook School, Stony Brook, NY from 1982-1986. Featured Soloist with the Yale Whiffenpoofs from 1978-79; World Tour, 1979. Training: B.A Music, Theater and Education Yale University; State Certification in Music Teaching, Yale College; Graduate work at Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT and Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. Vocal Study with Dr. Charles Lindsley, Kristen Linklater and Robert Edwards.

Simeon Den (Dance, Los Angeles) – Choreographer, writer, photographer, video artist..   Professional credits include, Broadway: Pacific Overtures (original cast) directed by Hal Prince; King and I with Yul Brynner, Neferttiti, directed by Jack O'Brien, Pal Joey with Lena Horne, directed by Gower Champion; Television: Academy Awards, Tony Awards, various commercials and specials. Concert Dance: Joyce Trisler Danscompany, Danceworks Honolulu (managing/artistic director). Den is an award winning Dance-For-The-Camera choreographer/director, and is the sole proprietor of “Simeon Den Photography,” an actors and dancers’ headshot studio in Los Angeles. Training: University of Massachusetts; UCLA School of Art and Architecture, magna cum laude; Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, NYC.

http://www.simeondenphotography.com/

Gail Dennison (Acting, New York) - Actress, mezzo- soprano. Writer/member, The Heartless Floozies, an all female NY comedy group. Television credits: “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, numerous commercials. Starred at NADA, The Public Theatre, and The Knitting Factory in one woman show, That Gail. Training: The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, AOS Degree: Occupational Studies, Member: 3rd Year Production Company, The School for Film and Television.

Jay Dias (Musical Theatre, New York) - Music Director/Conductor: Lloyd Webber’s premiere German version of Sunset Boulevard (directed by Trevor Nunn, cast album on Polydor); Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (The Kennedy Center, et al); Hamburg Das Phantom Der Oper (directed by Hal Prince, starring Peter Hoffmann); Paris premiere Evita (Broadway World Tour); over fifty full-orchestra musicals in the United States, including since 2006 as Music Director for Lyric Stage (Dallas): world premiere 1927 Show Boat in Concert (also libretto & score preparation), world premiere restored original Broadway orchestration The King And I and Carousel, West Side Story (directed by Grover Dale), Funny Girl (starring AMDA grad Kristin Dausch), Bye Bye Birdie, My Fair Lady, and Sweeney Todd (in concert) at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. Guest Conductor: including Switzerland’s Luzerner Sinfonieorchester at Konzertsaal of the KKL Luzern (also Co-Artistic Producer of the live CD concert recording Sue Mathys Sings Broadway And Piaf on Phonag Records); Irving Symphony Orchestra.  NYC 2008 debut of Sue Mathys at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.  In Hamburg: Mozart’s Don Giovanni (in concert); Co-Producer/Conductor German national live radio broadcasts on NDR.  Playwright/Composer (with lyricist Clayton Stang): Stella Dallas (musical; in development); A Christmas To Remember (musical; book, additional music, vocal arrangements; multiple award winning premiere). Private conducting and vocal coach for Broadway.  Training: M.M. and B.M., Music, Ithaca College School of Music, studied Composition with two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Karl Husa, conducting with Pamela Gearhart, Tanglewood Institute (named “Outstanding Musician”), completed the BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop (composer). Member: Dramatists Guild, BMI, American Federation of Musicians.

Vicente Ditto (Accompanist, Los Angeles) – Accompanist for the Oakwood School, Mt. St. Mary’s College, and St. Monica’s Catholic High School.  Co-music director with Garineh Avakian at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Granada Hills.  B.A., Music, University of Rochester, New York

Marcia Milgrom Dodge

(Musical Theatre, New York)  - Made her Broadway directing and choreographing debut with the critically acclaimed revival of Ragtime after its sold-out run at the Kennedy Center (7 Tony Award Nominations including Best Director of a Musical, 9 Drama Desk Award Nominations, 2 Drama League Award Nominations, 2 Astaire Award Nominations, 4 Helen Hayes Awards including Outstanding Director of a Resident Musical.)  Her work as a director and choreographer has been seen throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain and South Korea.  Some of her projects include How To Succeed…  (Reprise Theatre Company); Seussical for Theatreworks USA (Off-Broadway & National Tour, 2 Lucille Lortel Award Nominations for Outstanding Choreography & Revival); Off-Broadway’s Cookin’, Radio Gals, Closer Than Ever, Romance In Hard Times (New York Shakespeare Festival), The Loman Family Picnic (Manhattan Theatre Club) and The Music Man at New York City Opera.  At the Kennedy Center Marcia also directed Tell Me On A Sunday (starring Alice Ripley) and choreographed Ken Ludwig’s Sullivan & Gilbert.  At the Arena Stage she choreographed Of Thee I Sing (Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography), Merrily We Roll Along and On the Town.  Her 1991 Virginia Stage production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ played in several regional theatres receiving two Barrymore Award nominations at the Philadelphia Drama Guild.  Bay Street Theatre, The Pittsburgh Public Theatre and the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston also produced Marcia’s version.  She has directed many shows at Music Circus, Bay Street Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Lyric Stage, Pittsburgh Public, Goodman Theatre and Goodspeed.  Her collaborators on new musicals and plays include Julie Andrews (Simeon’s Gift), Rupert Holmes (Thumbs!), Robert Falls & John Logan (Riverview) and Des McAnuff (Elmer Gantry).  Also a playwright, Marcia and her husband Anthony Dodge have written the books for two musicals: Look Homeward Honky Tonk Angel (with songs by Larry Gatlin) and Hats!  Their first play was the Edgar Award nominated Sherlock Holmes & The West End Horror.  In addition to being on the faculty of AMDA, Marcia has been a frequent guest director and instructor at New York universities and conservatories including Fordham College, University at Buffalo, New York University, Marymount Manhattan College.  Marcia is a proud Executive Board member of the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society (SDC).  Coming up: Marcia is directing the 141^st edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.  Training: B.A., Speech Communications and Theatre/ Minor in Dance, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  Faculty at Marymount Manhattan and CAP21.  Conducted workshops for MTI Broadway Teachers, ATW Springboard, University of Buffalo and Carnegie Mellon University.  For more, visit www.marciamilgromdodge.com.

Andrew Dolan (Acting, New York) - NY credits: Pink, Ted Kaczynski (SPF), American Daughter (Broadway), Strictly Dishonorable (Vineyard), What Then (Clubbed Thumb), Tree House (NY Stage & Film), Ms. Santos Dream (Drilling Co.), Measure for Measure (Target Margin). UK: Edmond (National Theatre), The Woods (National Studio), Boy from the Book (English Touring Theatre), Long Day's Journey (Bristol Old Vic). Regional: Mamba's Daughters (Spoleto Festival), Burn This, Cyrano, 12th Night (ACT), Substance of Fire, Savage/Love (Magic Theatre), Loot, Amadeus (Arizona Theatre Co.), Road to Nirvana, Down the Road Coming Attractions (Encore).TV/Film: Unstoppable, Partners in Crime, 28 Days, Ash Tuesday, Deal Breakers, Being Human, “The Bill,” “David Letterman,” “Law & Order (CI, SVU),” Conviction,“Guiding Light,” Crash Life. Training: B.A., Bowdoin; M.F.A., ACT. Andrew is theformer artistic director of Encore Theatre Company and has taught at ACT, AADA and Stella Adler.

Greg Dolph

(Stage Combat, Los Angeles) - Writer, director, stunt coordinator of live action stunt shows for theme park corporations such as Six Flags, Busch Gardens, Water Ski Shows Inc., and Universal Studios, Hollywood. International work includes shows in Germany, Holland and Guyana. 20 years of combat experience and co-founder of The Los Angeles Fight Academy. Cast member for Universal Studios' Water World: A Live Sea War Spectacular. Film & TV credits: “The District,” Secondhand Lions, and Resident Evil: Extinction.  Stage credits: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, The Pasadena Shakespeare Company, Los Angeles Children’s Museum, and The Great American Children's Theatre. Training: M.F.A. Acting, University of Illinois, Theatre/Radio & TV – Bradley University, Peoria, IL; Member Society of American Fight Directors, Los Angeles Fight Academy, SAG, AEA, AFTRA

Terésa Dowell-Vest (Acting, Los Angeles) - Director, writer, actor (Stage and Film), Production Designer (Film). Professional credits: Worked on stages in New York City, Virginia, and Los Angeles.  Acting off-Broadway credits: Woman to Woman (NYC's Harlem Theatre). Regional: Macbeth, Educating Rita, Marisol, For Colored Girls, The Vagina Monologues, Countin' Stars & Smellin' Roses, Wit, Venus. Films: “Nothin' 2 Lose,” “Angels.” Directing credits: The Colored Museum, Everyman, Seven Guitars, Scratchy Glass, Educating Rita, The Darker Face of the Earth, Angelique, One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest, Blue Window, Flyin’ West (Nominated, Best Director 2008 NAACP Theatre Awards), A Piece of My Heart. She recently served as the Production Designer on three feature films: “7eventy5ive” (2006, Brian Hooks, Rutger Hauer), “Flip the Script” (2005, Miguel Nunez, Jr., Robin Givens), “Wifey” (2005, Brian Hooks, Jazsmin Lewis), and “Showstoppers” (2007). In 1999 wrote Vinegar Hill, a play commissioned by Live Arts Theatre in her hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. Vinegar Hill was reviewed by the Pulitzer Prize board in 2001. Reels available: www.youtube.com/tadv2k. Training: B.A. Theatre, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia; M.F.A. Theatre Management, California State University, Long Beach. 

Bruce Ducat

(Acting for Camera, Stage and Camera Auditions Los Angeles) Hollywood acting coach whose teaching credits include the Drama Studio London, Hollywood Arts, New College of California, UC Berkeley, Studio Actreel, Weist-Barron-Hill, and the Young Actors Space. Acting/Dialogue Coach on multiple television series and pilots, as well as numerous movies for television, and feature films.   He brings to AMDA his extensive real life experience in the profession. Previous incarnations have him working as an agent, manager, casting director, and stage director. He prefers to show you the results of his unique methodology in the overwhelming successes of his students past and present which includes the stars of Feature Films, Television Series, New Media, and On and Off-Broadway Stage Productions. Among the notables that he has coached are Julie Andrews, Rider Strong, Larisa Oleynik, Ben Savage, Jayne Meadows, Jennie Garth, Daytime Star Scott Clifton, Colleen Camp, Wil Shriner, Laura Kightlinger, Obba Babatund, the late Chris Farley and Eugene Roche, to name just a few.  Studied with Jack Garfein, Harold Clurman, Actors and Directors Lab. Graduate of Concordia University in Montreal with a BFA in Theatre Performance: Directing with Graduate work at University of Washington and New College of California. www.studioactreel.com

Jeffrey Dunn (Musical Theatre, New York) - Director. Directed European tours of Oklahoma!, Cabaret (in German), Chicago (in German and English), West Side Story (3 ½ years), Annie Get Your Gun, Guys & Dolls, On the Town and 42^ND Street. Directed the first NYC revivals of the musicals Two Gentlemen of Verona and The Streets of New York in addition to the premiere productions of musicals by Alan Menken, Micki Grant (original production of It’s So Nice To Be Civilized-Audelco Award Nominee for Best Director), and Gary Schocker. Directed regional productions of Cabaret (nominated for four Connecticut Critics Awards including Best Director & Best Production), Follies, How to Succeed..., The King & I, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, West Side Story, Show Boat, The Sound of Music & numerous others. Teaching experience: Marymount Manhattan College, Syracuse University, SUNY-New Paltz, NYU, Weist Barron, and American Theatre Dance. Has been a theatrical agent (Fifi Oscard Associates, Bret Adams Ltd.) and a casting director for Guber/Gross Productions, Search For Tomorrow (CBS-TV), Jay Binder Casting & many productions as an independent casting director. Wrote liner notes for musical theatre recordings and is one of the 16 contributors to THE THEATREMANIA GUIDE TO ORIGINAL CAST RECORDINGS. Training: Brooklyn College.

Eric Dzinski (Critical Studies - Los Angeles) - Mr. Dzinski’s work has appeared in Reason magazine, Short story “A Perfect Glass Sphere” won Newsom award in 2003. He holds a B.A. from Whittier College, M.A. from the University of Missouri and is a member of the American Philosophical Association.  Blogs at constantconjunction.wordpress.com

Angela Eckard (Voice Production and Speech, New York) - Actress, vocal coach. Dialect/dialogue coach for the Cameron Mackintoch national tours of My Fair Lady and Oliver.  Featured speaker at the ATHE national conference on “Becoming a Voice Teacher.” Performed in Richard II with Richard Thomas, Romeo and Juliet with Jean Stapleton, and Julius Caesar at The Shakespeare Theatre. Regional credits include New York stage and film, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Warehouse Theatre, Longstreet Theatre and Fleetwood Stage. Teaching experience: Marymount Manhattan College, Hofstra University, City College. Training: B.F.A., Point Park College, Pittsburgh; M.F.A., University of South Carolina. Member: AEA, VASTA.

Jim Elliott (Acting, New York) - Director, actor, screenwriter. Has directed off- Broadway and off-off Broadway in New York, at regional theaters and colleges around the country, as well as produced several plays in New York. Directs regularly for the Three Graces Theater Company and the ABC Diversity Showcase in New York. Intern Director for the Vermont Stage Company and The Theatre Gym, NY. Founding member of Cricket Pictures based in New York and co-producer of two films; one feature length comedy, and one dramatic short. Screenwriter and co-director of the award nominated film short, Helen at Risk with Didi Conn. Teaching Credits: University of Texas at Austin; Cooper Union; Juniata College; University of Tennessee; Norfolk School of the Arts; and Corporate Workshops. Training: M.F.A. Acting, University of Texas at Austin; B.A. English, Williams College. Member: AEA.

Jon Engstrom (Dance, Los Angeles) - Director/choreographer. Professional credits: Has worked as a director/choreographer throughout the United States, Europe & Asia. Has directed & choreographed the following shows for major venues: 42nd Street, Singin' In The Rain, My One And Only, Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, Fiddler On The Roof, My Fair Lady, Guys And Dolls, Can-Can, Evita, The Will Rogers Follies, Saturday Night, Into The Woods, Brigadoon, The Desert Song, Hello Dolly, Mame, West Side Story, They're Playing Our Song, Meet Me In St. Louis, No, No, Nanette, Bye, Bye Birdie, Anything Goes, Oklahoma, Damn Yankees, and Sweet Charity. Jon was a dancer with the San Francisco Ballet for five years, eventually becoming a soloist. He was an original member of the Eliot Feld Company & was also a guest artist with Lar Lubovich. Jon was a featured dancer in five Broadway shows: No, No, Nanette, Very Good Eddie, The Pajama Game, Whoopie, and 42nd Street, and two First National tours Seesaw and Chicago. Jon was also Dance Captain of the original Broadway production of 42nd Street. Jon has had the good fortune to work with such notable director/choreographers as Gower Champion, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Donald Saddler, Donald McKayle, Alan Johnson, Danny Siretta & Danny Daniels. Training: San Francisco Ballet School, American School of Ballet, Luigi, Charles Kelley, Bob Audy.

Mary Feeney (Individual Voice, New York) - Singer, actress. Received critical acclaim for performances in South Pacific, Angelique, Masquerade, Twelfth Night, and Love's Labours Lost with such companies as the St. Paul Opera Company and Michael Moriarity's Potters Field Theatre Company. Other credits include regional, stock, dinner theatre, opera, concerts, sacred music and cabaret. Previous teaching experience at the Metropolitan Music School. Training: B.M., Boston Conservatory of Music; graduate study, Boston University. Member: AEA, AGMA.

Kris Feldman (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) - Teacher, singer, songwriter, arranger, recording artist, flautist. Professional credits: Vocal and music director for theatrical productions of And The World Goes 'Round, Once Upon A Mattress, Zombie Prom, and Footloose. Vocal and music director for fundraisers including Project AIDS LA and The Leukemia Foundation. CDs released include It's Not About The Coffee (The Treblemakers), Land of the Diamond Sun (Melonball Records), The Wedding Collection (Arista Records), and background vocal work on several CDs for other artists. Commercial jingles include Barbie, Clorox, American Airlines, Keebler E.L. Fudge Cookies. Original compositions used by television and radio shows internationally. Private vocal instructor for over 20 years. Training: B.M. Jazz Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Vocal studies with Eileen Farrell, Indiana University. Ongoing vocal studies with Douglas Susu-Mago, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Chris Fields Chris Fields (Acting, Los Angeles) - Chris Fields is a Los Angeles-based director, teacher, and actor who is currently the artistic director of the award-winning Echo Theater Company, which he founded in 1996.  Most recently, he produced the critically acclaimed world premiere production of Wirehead for The Echo. He recently directed The Illustrious Birth of Padraic T. Duffy, the world premiere of Kate Robin’s What They Have at South Coast Repertory, the Los Angeles premiere of Jessica Goldberg’s Body Politic , Ovation nominated, Kate Robin’s Anon, Sarah Ruhl’s Melancholy Play, the world premiere of Paul Zimmerman's Pigs and Bugs, and the world premiere of Eat Me by Jacqueline Wright, which was nominated for six LA Weekly Awards including Best Director. He produced the Echo production of Bryan Davidson's War Music at the Los Angeles Theater Center, which won three Ovation Awards including one for Best Premiere Play and one for Best Ensemble.  Chris founded and was Artistic Director of the Ojai Playwrights Conference from 1996 to 2000. Additionally, as a director, he's worked with and staged plays by Adam Rapp, Christopher Durang, Ellen McLaughlin, Napoleon Ellsworth, Bernardo Solano, Deborah Prior, Neal Bell, Kira Obolensky, David Lindsay-Abaire, Herman Daniel Farrell III, and Quincy Long, among many others.  His work in film includes his adaptation of Neal Bell’s Out the Window, which he produced and directed, and his recent short Sunnyslope, which was awarded Best New York Film at the New York Film and Video Festival and nominated for Best in Fest at the Great Lakes Film Festival. As an actor, Chris has appeared on Broadway (Homefront), Off Broadway (Machinal at the Public, Aristocrats at Manhattan Theater Club and Orphans with Steppenwolf) and has numerous regional credits, among them Golden Boy, All My Sons, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, and 2.  His acting credits in film and television include Zodiac, Fight Club, Apollo 13, The Game, Jurassic Park, Alien 3, and Jacobs Ladder, as well as appearances on Sleepercell, ER, NYPD Blue, Boston Public, and Ally MacBeal to name a few.  Additionally, he was a proud member of the acting ensemble of the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Festival at the National Theater Center under Lloyd Richards. Chris was an adjunct professor of drama at SUNY Purchase and maintains a workshop in Los Angeles.

Barry Finkel (Dance Department Chair/Associate Director of Education, Los Angeles ) - Barry has been with AMDA for over 25 years. In addition to that work, he is still an active member of the entertainment industry. Film and TV appearances include: Crimes and Misdemeanors, “How I Met Your Mother,” “Weeds”, “ER,” “Help Me Help You,” “Law and Order,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “All My Children,” and the TV mini Final Approach with Dean Cain and Anthony Michael Hall.  Broadway credits include the original companies of Side Show, High Society, Late Night Comic, and featured performer in Jackie Mason’s Laughing Room Only. Off-Broadway he performed in the hit show, “Pageant,” “Lust,” and “Have I Got a Girl for You.” Barry has directed and/or choreographed for such companies as: Naked Angels Theater Company, AMAS Rep., The John Houseman Theater, Maine State Theater, and the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. Barry has also performed regionally, internationally, and in commercials. Training: Temple University, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Member: AEA, AFTRA, AGVA, SAG, SSD&C.  Visit www.barryfinkel.net for clips, resume and updates.

Joshua Finkel (Musical Theatre, Los Angeles) - Joshua Finkel coaches from his own Creative Combustion Acting Studio (www.ccactingstudio.com) and runs his Performers’ Workshop at the Academy for New Musical Theatre. In addition, Joshua teaches Acting, Stage Speech, Shakespeare and the Musical Theatre Emphasis at California Lutheran University. He also teaches his 11 master classes to actors worldwide and runs other programs in Musical Theater Actor Training. Started Musical Theatre Developmental Rep Company, The Academy Repertory Company (ARC) at the Academy for New Musical Theatre (ANMT) Selected Acting credits: Theater: KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Molina, opposite Chita Rivera/Original Broadway/London/Tour/India Companies.) Regional and Tour: LES MISERABLES (Thenardier, Original LA company and National Tour), BARK! (Ben, Original Cast/Recording), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Lumiere/Cabrillo Music Theater), AMOUR (The Painter/Goodspeed), BARK! (Ben, Original Cast/Recording), NEVER GONNA DANCE (Ricardo Romero, MTW), FUNNY GIRL (Eddie Ryan opposite Judy Blazer), LOST IN YONKERS (Uncle Louie opposite Erin Moran), ROMEO and JULIET (Tybalt opposite Hamish Linklater, directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher), THREEPENNY OPERA (Macheath, NJ Shakespeare Festival). Film: THE KID, THE LITTLE MERMAID (Prince Eric Live Action Reference) Television: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, GENERAL HOSPITAL, ALLY McBEAL. Selected Directing credits: THE SPITFIRE GRILL (Actors Co-op, Ovation Nomination), INTO THE WOODS (Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks), SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (San Francisco Premiere), 29Lives (The Lex Theater),HOLLYWOOD REVISITED (Ongoing Internationally)  Training: MFA in Classical Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Professional Theatre Training Program (now located at the University of Delaware), BA in Theater from UC-Irvine, Member of AEA, SAG, AFTRA and CAEA (Canadian Equity when working in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver), Tadashi Suzuki Actor Training with the Suzuki Company of Toga (SCOT), Togamura Japan, Member of  The Musical Theatre Guild (MTG), Member of Directors Lab West

John Fischer (Accompanist, New York) - For the past two years John has served as Music Director for the BROADWAY’S  RISING STARS and BROADWAY ORIGINALS concerts at Town Hall in NYC. Other NY credits include MD: ESPRESSO TRASHO NY Fringe Festival, conductor/pianist: TALK OF THE TOWN Bank Street Theatre, TAKE ME ALONG Irish Rep, NAKED BOYS SINGING New World Stages. Associate MD: AFRICA AND PLUMBRIDGE NY Fringe Festival, BROADWAY BACKWARDS II & III  American Airlines Theatre, STANDING OVATIONS Joe’s Pub. Regional MD credits HELLO DOLLY, THE KING AND I, GYPSY, NO, NO NANETTE, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, PETER PAN, OLIVER and many others. Originally from Hot Springs Village, AR, John studied Music Education at Henderson State University. He is currently working as rehearsal pianist for the Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY as well as an audition pianist and vocal coach in NYC. Member: Local 802 American Federation of Musicians.

Dan Fishbach

(Musical Theatre, Los Angeles) - Dan Fishbach is a theatre professor, director and producer.  Dan was the Director of The Groundlings Theater & School in Los Angeles from 2006-2008.  Prior to that he was Head of Performing Arts at Los Angeles’s prestigious Harvard-Westlake School. While at Harvard-Westlake he created PATASC, The Performing Arts Teachers Association of Southern California, and hosted its first annual conference. He has taught acting, directing, improv & musical theater at the high-school and university levels, as well as at the professional level. Dan is first and foremost a director, having most recently directed Company, Bat Boy: The Musical, Private Eyes by Steven Dietz, and One Night Stand: An Improvised Musical in Edinburgh, Los Angeles & North Carolina for producer Marc Platt (Wicked).   Additionally, Dan has directed for the Los Angeles-based ETC Theater Company.  Other directing credits include South Pacific, Hello, Dolly!, Little Shop of Horrors, The Glass Menagerie, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and others. Dan currently serves as co-president of Page One Productions, a theatrical production company based in Los Angeles. Under Dan, Page One recently produced the critically acclaimed play An Oak Tree at The Odyssey Theatre with actors Jason Alexander, Alan Cumming, John Rubinstein, Peter Gallagher and Michelle Monaghan among others.   Dan is also on the faculty at the University of Southern California School of Theatre, where he teaches musical theatre.  Dan graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in theater and also attended The National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Connecticut. 

Laura Flanagan (Acting, Los Angeles) - Actor, teacher. Off-Broadway:  Messalina (Summer Play Festival), Unbecoming (45th St. Theater), Lemkin's House (McGinn Cazale), Thunderbird (Cherry Lane Theater). Off-Off Broadway: Salt Theater, Soho Rep,  La Mama, PS 122, 78th St. Rep, House of Candles, Clubbed Thumb, Target Margin, Abington Theater, among others.  Regional credits include Magic Theater, Florida Stage, Shakespeare Festival of New Jersey,Wilma Theater. Winner of 2006 Charles Bowden Award for Acting from New Dramatists in New York, as well as member and development director of Obie Award winning Salt Theater.  Film & TV credits:  Paramount Pictures Denial, independent feature Honey, numerous shorts and webisodes. Certified Fitzmaurice Voice Instructor.  Teaching credits at Long Island University CW Post, Harvard College, European College of Liberal Arts in Berlin, NYU. Student of Ron Van Lieu and Catherine Fitzmaurice at Actor's Center in New York. Training:  B.A. with Honors, Yale College; M.F.A. Acting, Carnegie Mellon's Moscow Art Theater School program. web.mac.com/laurafgh.

Christian Fletcher (Individual Voice, New York) - Christian has had the great opportunity to study with such distinguished teachers as, Udo Reinemann (Paris), Oren Brown (The Juilliard), Susan Clickner (NEC), Lois Alba and Bill Schumann.  Mr. Fletcher has performed with the opera companies of Santa Fe, Banff, Vancouver, Houston Lyric, San Jose, Opera Northeast, Rockland, Boston Lyric, NYCO and The Manhattan School.  His concert work has taken him around the globe including concerts in London, Paris, Prague, Nice, Milan, Athens and the islands of Greece. He has frequently been a soloist with The New York Choral Society, Choral Society of the Hamptons and Moriches, Huntington Orchestra, Houston Grand Chorale, Baltimore Symphony and at The US Open Tennis Tournament. Musical Theater roles include: leads in many Gilbert and Sullivan productions, Tony in West Side Story (tour), Macheath in The Three Penny Opera (Rockland). He has originated roles in Enter the Guardsman, The Green Heart and The Wild Party (Lippa).  Christian has taught improvisation and voice at The Manhattan Theater Club, been the voice department chairman at The Eastern Suffolk School of Music, taught K-7 at The Hampton Day School and coached cabarets, corporate CEOs and Miss USA pageants.  Christian is Artistic Director of Forecast Productions, which produces concerts in Central Park, cabarets and for outreach programs, also Forecast Talent, an agency for career counseling and career advancement. In addition to his varied accomplishments, Christian is an accomplished chef and is working on two books.  Training: BFA, The Peabody Conservatory of Music of The Johns Hopkins University, Graduate Diploma, The New England Conservatory of Music, Artists Certificate, The Banff Centre of Fine Arts, Canada. Member AEA, AGMA.

Ian Forester (Acting, Los Angeles) - Ian Forester is an actor and award-winning director, having won the 2008 LA Weekly Award for Best Comedic Direction for John Clancy's Fatboy.  Film: In Memoriam, produced and shot in Chicago.  Chicago Theater: Cadillac, Chicago Dramatists (dir. Ed Sobel); The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow, Collaboraction; Men of Steel, Theater Wit; and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Steep Theater.  Ian is the Associate Artistic Director of needtheater, a Los Angeles based company dedicated to developing and presenting regional and world premiere plays.  He is a graduate of Northwestern University and The School at Steppenwolf.  As a director Ian is currently developing world premieres with playwrights Lucy Thurber, Michael John Garces, and Stephen Adly Guirgis.  He is planning to go to New York this spring to take part in the America’s Off-Broadway Festival at 59E59 as an actor and producer with a re-mount of Cadillac, directed again by Ed Sobel.  B.S. in Performance Studies from Northwestern University, Certificate from The School at Steppenwolf (CHI), AEA member in good standing.

Ramon Galindo (Dance, New York) - Performer, choreographer. Broadway credits: Cats, The Most Happy Fella (assistant choreographer), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Song and Dance (with Bernadette Peters), and Merlin Off-Broadway: Funny Feet and the national tour of Bob Fosse's Dancin'. Ramon has choreographed shows at the Media Theater in Pennsylvania and the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Tom Gallaher (Accompanist, New York) On Broadway, Tom has worked on Chicago, The Light in the Piazza, The Music Man, and Big. He was the composer and musical director of Make My Doris Day at the New York Fringe Festival. He was the musical director of Far From The Madding Crowd at the New York Musical Theater Festival.  Tom was the principal pianist on three national tours of the hit musical Chicago, and the conductor of a national tour of South Pacific. He was also the pianist for a national tour of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, starring Michael Bolton.  Afterward, he was invited by Mr. Bolton to accompany him in appearances with symphony orchestras nationwide.   He has done over 20 shows in regional theaters including the premier of Little by Little at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, Florida.  Tom has also appeared in concert with Bianca Marroquin in Mexico City.   Tom is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music.

Phillip George (Musical Theatre, New York) - Actor, director. Credits include 12 editions of Forbidden Broadway in New York, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, and the national tour. Directed Forbidden Hollywood in New York and Los Angeles. Collaborator on Whoop-Dee-Doo, directing the New York and London productions. Associate Director on When Pigs Fly (Douglas Fairbanks). Directing credits: La Mama, PS 122, Here and Nada, Return to the Forbidden Planet, Philemon, The Roar of the Greasepaint, and A Doctor in Spite of Himself. Resident director, King's Head Theatre, London. Acting roles include: Forbidden Broadway, The Remarkable Ruth Fields and regionally in The Importance of Being Earnest, As You Like It, Side by Side by Sondheim, …Forum, and 1776.  Training: B.A. Hunter College, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Playwrights Horizon

Rachel Goldberg (Acting, Los Angeles) - Rachel Goldberg is a director, writer and actor who earned her MFA in Directing Theatre and Film from the California Institute of the Arts, and her BA in Theatre from the University of Pennsylvania. She has served as the Director of Education at the Los Angeles Feature Film Academy, the Director of Development for the 1 Second Film, and worked in the editing department of Kill Bill: Vol. 2. As a Jewish Impact Films Fellowship recipient she was one of 16 filmmakers chosen from around the world to study with David Sacks (The Simpsons) and Jason Venokur (Third Rock from the Sun). She has directed numerous productions for stage, film and television including Apple, Salome, Wonder of the World, Tango Palace, The Butterfly, Bottle Rockets, Reach and more. She has appeared in commercials, films, television and theater productions including: When Faeries Thirst, Fefu and Her Friends, Comings Goings/Savage Love, A Dream Play, CSI, One Night With You, Bust, and Sunday Afternoon. As a writer, her work has been commissioned by numerous production companies and producers, including Red King Films and Departure Entertainment. In 2005, she was a Guest Playwright at the Lincoln Center’s Directing Lab, and her original plays have been staged on both coasts. She has taught acting, writing and directing at the University of Pennsylvania, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Los Angeles Feature Film Academy, and elsewhere. Education: MFA in Directing for Theatre and Film from the California Institute of the Arts and BA in Theatre from the University of Pennsylvania. Alliance of Women Directors, Member of Phi Beta Kappa, AFTRA, SAG

Igor Goldin (Musical Theatre, New York) - Professional directing credits: 3 productions of YANK! (Gallery Players – GLAAD Award nomination, 2008 New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical; Diversionary Theatre, San Diego – Best Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Direction of a Musical, StageScene L.A.; New York Musical Theatre Festival – Outstanding New Musical of 2005, Talkin’ Broadway). Two productions of Like You Like It. (Gallery Players and Theatre Under the Stars/Sam Houston State University joint production). Three productions of On A Glorious Day, formerly The Chocolate Tree (National Alliance for Musical Theatre with Cady Huffman and Christopher Sieber, The New Jersey Rep, and ACE in Eugene, OR). Two productions of the musical comedy Love, Incorporated (Roper Performing Arts Center, Norfolk, VA; Midtown International Theatre Festival, 2008 Award for Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical). Main-Travelled Roads (Richard Rodgers Award for staged reading). Unlock’d (York Theatre Developmental Reading Series; NYMF, 2007 Best In Fest Award, Outstanding New Musical of 2007, Talkin’ Broadway). Common Grounds (NYMF, 2006 NYMF Award for Excellence in Direction). Other Regional Credits: Violet, The Spitfire Grill, The Full Monty, The Complete History of America (abridged), Blithe Spirit, Dracula. Recipient of three OOBR Awards for this work Off-Off Broadway. Training: North Carolina School of the Arts. Member: Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC). www.igorgoldin.com

Gillien Goll (Acting, New York) - Actor, director, writer. TV: “Sex & the City”, “The Sopranos”, “Chappelle's Show”, “Saturday Night Live”, “Late Night with Conan O' Brien”, “100 Centre Street”, “All My Children”, pilot “Crisis Point”, “The Stephanie Miller Show”, commercials. Film: Hungry Years, Seize the Day, Looking Up, The Sun & the Moon, She Devil. Webisode: The Onion. Theatre: The Circle Repertory, Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center, La MaMa, Peculiar Works Project’s Off Stage: The West Village Fragments (Obie Award), one woman play, Hector.  Artistic Director: The Centaur Stage. Private Acting Teacher and Coach. Taught Acting, Scene Study, Monologues, Commercials, and/or Film: Fordham University, Piero Dusa Acting Conservatory, Actors' Arena, Total Theatre Lab, ACTRA (Canada).  Hosted nationally syndicated radio show, “Steppin’ Out.”  Writer/story editor for Linda Yellen Productions (film/TV). Training: B.A., Barnard College, M.A. Directing, Hunter College, studied with Darryl Hickman, Rae Allen, Harold Clurman and Lloyd Richards.  Member: SAG, AEA, AFTRA. www.gilliengoll.com

Kyle Gonyea (Individual Voice, New York) - An accomplished musical theatre performer, Kyle’s credits include the German Company of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera (Raoul/Phantom u/s performed); Beauty and The Beast (Beast) at Allenberry Playhouse; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Reuben) at Sacramento Music Circus, CA; Cats (Old Deuteronomy) at Media, PA; Nights at The Circus (Jack Walser) at NYC Fringe Festival; Camelot (Lancelot) at Bucks County, PA just to name a few.  Kyle has maintained a private voice studio for many years in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Germany, and New York, as well as teaching master classes in voice for the musical theatre department of The University of California at Irvine’s New York City satellite program.  He is also on Faculty at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York. Currently Kyle is the National Representative/Artistic Director and performer for a world wide corporate entertainment company. Training: B.M. Music from The Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, CT.  Originally from Worcester, Massachusetts Kyle calls New York City home.

Mark Goodman (Accompanist, New York) - Musical director, accompanist. Conducted the European tour and Cleveland Opera production (starring Bebe Neuwirth) of West Side Story. As Conductor, national tours include: Mame starring Juliet Prowse and Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ted Neeley. As Assistant Conductor, national tours include: Woman of the Year starring Lauren Bacall, Evita, and the 1981 revival of Oklahoma! Assistant Conductor for the Broadway and national tour productions of Zorba starring Anthony Quinn. As Conductor, regional credits include: Papermill Playhouse, Manhattan Theatre Club, Actor's Theatre of Louisville, Walnut Street Theatre, and North Shore Music Theatre, St. Louis Municipal Opera. Training: B.S., M.M., University of Maryland.

Robert G. Goodwin (Stage Combat, Los Angeles ) - Sword master, stunt/fight coordinator. Has worked in film and television the past twenty years and as a fight director for theatre since 1985. He has forty-five years of Asian martial arts experience and has been studying European martial arts the last twenty-five years. Theatre credits include off-Broadway's Second Stage, The Utah Shakespearean Festival, The Mark Taper Forum, and Syracuse Stage.  He has directed skirmishes for other regional theatres in the U.S. with such noted directors as Tony Kushner and Anna Deveare Smith. Has taught at and choreographed productions for many universities from NYU and Syracuse in New York to UCLA, USC and Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Robert also runs his own private training studio, Film Fighting LA, where he trained actors to fight in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Christian Bale for Batman Begins. Sword master to Kristanna Loken, Ron Perlman and Eric Roberts. Coordinated fights on stage for Ving Rhames.  Most recent work includes being the movement consultant for Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx for Joe Wright's film, The Soloist; teaching annually in London for the BASSC and other combat organizations at "The Paddy Crean Workshop" (in Canada); an appearance in the Twentieth Anniversary re-release of The Princess Bride, where he was interviewed, demonstrated and lectured on the sword styles and fencing masters mentioned in the film; stunt coordinated The History Channel’s production of Andrew Jackson where he cast twelve AMDA students and alumni for roles, fights and stunts; and appearing as the martial arts teacher in the movie Little Hercules In 3D in addition to being the sword master for the film.  www.StuntFightingWorkout.com

Eve Gordon (Acting, Los Angeles) - Theater roles include Cunegonde in CANDIDE (Chicago’s Goodman Theater), Rhoda in AFRICANIS INSTRUCTUS (Music Theater Works off-Broadway, Festival d’Automne in Paris, Madrid and Lille), and JJ in DOONESBURY (Broadway).  Directed by Peter Sellars (HANG ON TO ME, Guthrie Theater), Dan Sullivan (Seattle Rep), Richard Foreman, and John Madden (MEASURE FOR MEASURE and THE SUICIDE at Yale Rep).  LA Theater:  West coast and World premieres of THE END OF THE DAY (with Neil Patrick Harris) and INFLUENCE (by Shem Bitterman).  Recent films include HAPPY TEARS and RECOUNT; also starred in TV projects directed by Michael Apted, David Chase, and Norman Lear, as well as HONEY WE SHRUNK OURSELVES, FELICITY, Summer Tickler-Hoogerhyde in VERSAILLES (coming soon) and recent appearances on TWO and a HALF MEN, MEDIUM, and GLEE.  Eve has played Marilyn Monroe (in the Emmy-winning A WOMAN NAMED JACKIE) and Shirley Jones (in THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY STORY). She is a member of the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences, and judges for the Emmys each year. B.A., History (with Honors). Brown University, M.F.A., Acting, Yale University. Private study with Patrick Stewart (Shakespeare) and Jeffrey Tambor. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys) - 20-year member. AEA, AFTRA, SAG

Jill Gorrie (Dance, New York) - Dancer, Choreographer. Film: The Stepford Wives (starring Nicole Kidman), “A Clear Blue Tuesday,”  Fantacy in Dutch (NYMF). Theatre:  the NYC premiere of The People Vs. Mona (choreographer); Atlantic Theatre in NYC’s 24 Hour Musicals (choreographer); Comden and Green's New York Choreographer, Chashama Theatre. National Tour, State Fair starring John Davidson; European tour, Grease. Restaged Grease productions in Zurich, Berlin, Frankfurt and Istanbul. Regional Theatre: Funny Girl (Vera), Oklahoma!, and Hello Dolly (Associate Choreographer) at Westchester Broadway Theatre; 42nd Street, Crazy for You, Barnum, The Will Rogers Follies, Guys and Dolls, Showboat. NYC Theatre credits: Nothing Like A Dame Benefit for BC/EFA at St. James Theatre. Dancer for New York City Gay Men's Chorus at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Training: B.F.A. Dance, NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.

Joe Goscinski

Voice Production and Speech Department Head, New York) - Actor, director, vocal coach. Regional credits include Hamlet, The Elephant Man, Henry IV: Part 1. Previously served as Artistic Director of Cold Comfort Productions in Castine, Maine. Television credits include “Late Night With Conan O'Brien”, “One Life To Live”, “Law and Order”. Training: National Shakespeare Conservatory, Royal National Theatre of London, Raphael Kelly Shakespeare Studio. Additional training: Robert Perillo, Patsy Rodenburg. Education: B.F.A, Theatre

Thomas Webster Greene (Acting, Los Angeles) - Thomas began studying Story theatre and Improvisation at the age of eleven at The Piven Theatre Workshop. Tom attended DePaul University and Columbia College in Chicago. Among Tom’s theatre credits are a production of A Raisin in the Sun at The New American Theatre in Rockford, IL and Madison Rep. in Wisconsin, as well as a play titled Ritual performed at the Chicago Theatre Company and Theatre Off Park in New York. Tom is an alum of The Second City National Touring Company. Tom taught at The Second City both in Chicago and Los Angeles for a decade. Tom’s on camera credits include the NBC mini series A Will of their Own and a PBS American Playhouse entitled The Roommate based on a short story by John Updike. Presently Tom is a member of two Improv groups that perform throughout Los Angeles: The Outfit and The Nation of Improv.

Hector Guerrero

(Dance, Los Angeles) - Choreography credits include OFF-BROADWAY: "Gimme a Break;" "Concert of Excellence" (Lincoln Center).  REGIONAL: "Aida;" "A Chorus Line;" , "42nd Street;" "Godspell;" "West Side Story." Performing credits include BROADWAY TOURS: "West Side Story" (Chino); "Evita;" "42nd  Street;" "The Goodbye Girl" (with Debbie Gravitte and Gary Sandy).   REGIONAL: "A Chorus Line" (Paul, Mark, Larry with Bebe Neuwirth); "Bells are Ringing" (Carl); "42nd Street" (Andy Lee); "Mame" (Ito U/S with JoAnne Worley); "No, No, Nanette (with Susan Egan).  CONCERTS/REVIEWS: "Broadway Bares" (with Jane Krakowski); "Gypsy Awards" (with Donna McKechnie); "Love is all that Matters" (with Christina Applegate); "Revelations" (with Jasmine Guy).  WORKSHOPS: "Thoroughly Modern Millie." FILM: "Cool as Ice." TV: "Regis and Kelly;"  "Backstreet Boys in Concert." COMMERCIALS: Gap; Scope (with Ryan Seacrest). VIDEOS: Bjork; Foo Fighters; Ice-T.  Currently, he is a swing in Disney's "Aladdin." He has taught at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (New York); Broadway Dance Center; 92nd St Y; Houston's Performing Arts High School; U.S. Performing Arts Camp.

Danny Gurwin (Musical Theatre, Los Angeles) - Performed on Broadway in Little Women, Urinetown, The Full Monty (also National Tour), The Scarlet Pimpernel, Kismet (Encores!), and A Little Night Music (NYC Opera and Kennedy Ctr.).  Off-Broadway, he has been seen in Shakespeare’s R & J, Forbidden Broadway, A New Brain, The Thing About Men, Kuni-Leml, Captains Courageous, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Tol, and A Majority of One. Numerous regional productions include plays and musicals at the Philadelphia, Delaware, Source, and Pioneer Theatre Companies, as well as the Muny and McCarter Theatres, Sacramento Music Circus, the Great Lakes20Theatre Festival, as well as the O’Neill Theatre Center and Sundance Theatre Lab. In Los Angeles, Mr. Gurwin recreated his Henrik in the Los Angeles Opera production of A Little Night Music starring Judith Ivey and Victor Garber, and recently appeared in the new musical Most Wanted at La Jolla Playhouse and in the A.P.L.A. benefit concert of Promises, Promises opposite Vicki Lewis. Danny has performed concerts with the Grant Park Symphony, New Haven Symphony, Avery Fisher Hall, the Library of Congress as well as numerous solo evenings across the country. He has guest starred on “Desperate Housewives” and “Law & Order” and can be heard on numerous cast recordings. As a guest artist Danny has taught at Western Michigan University, Youngstown University, the Las Vegas High School of Performing Arts, the Showchoir Camps of America, as well as adjudicating at theatre festivals across the nation.Training: B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan.

Robert J. Hamilton (Stage Combat Department Chair, Los Angeles) - Actor, Teacher, Director and Fight Director.  Robert J. Hamilton, Chair of Stage Combat Department, Los Angeles. Robert has over 20+ years of teaching experience having instructed stage combat in over 17 states and overseas. Robert is recognized as a Certified Teacher with the SAFD and a Certified Pistol Instructor with NRA. Fight Direction and Choreography credits include work in New York, Los Angeles and Germany. Recent work includes the History Channel’s “Warriors” series, the L.A. Opera and Holiday Park Amusement Park. Acting credits include work with the Lady Cavaliers, Hypothetical Theatre, American Theatre of Actors, the Georgia and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festivals, PCPA, Sacramento Theatre Company, Pioneer Theatre and the Public Theatre. TV and Film credits include Jingle Hell, All My Children, Third Watch, One Life to Live, and Spin City. Robert holds degrees from PCPA - Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, Stephens College (BFA) and Temple University (MFA).

Scott Harlan (Musical Theatre, Los Angeles) - Scott has been seen in LA with Carol Burnett in the world premiere of the new musical, From the Top and in the new musical Radio Gals at La Mirada and the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami. Prior to that, Scott appeared in the national companies of Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, and The Rocky Horror Show. Regionally, Scott created the leading Role of Ignatious J. Reilly in Frank Galati’s adaptation of A Confederacy of Dunces, was seen in Des McAnuff’s production of 80 Days at the La Jolla Playhouse, appeared as Sancho in Man of La Mancha with Jon Cypher, (and more recently with John McCook at South Bay CLO), as Mr. Bumble in Oliver with Arte Johnson, and Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd  with Amanda McBroom. Movie roles have included Stan Licata in Risky Business opposite Tom Cruise, Ralph Andropwicz in Power opposite Richard Gere, and a leading role in the recently released Creampuff  (best actor nomination-Methodfest). Television audiences will remember Scott as series regular Ralph Friedman on the CBS series WIOU, and in such episodic shows as High Incident, China Beach, Wiseguy, Good Advice, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., Buffy, The Vampire Slayer, and as Johnny Heckle on the daytime drama Search for Tomorrow. Scott can be heard as a singer on Electra/Nonesuch’s release of Lady Be Good with Jason Alexander, on SONY Music’s Paris In The Spring written by Leslie Bricusse, in Disney’s animated film A Goofy Movie, and is the voice of Shakespeare in Disney’s sequel to Pocahantas, Pocahantas II: The Journey Home. Scott recently was the music director of They’re Playing Our Song with Lea Thompson for Reprise, Swingtime Canteen, and It’s a Grand Night For Singing at La Mirada for McCoy/Rigby, and the LA company of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at the Coronet Theater. He was the music director for Princess Cruises for five years and resident music director of the American Girl Theater in LA for three years. He recently conducted Casa Manana’s production of Little Shop Of Horrors in Fort Worth, and is currently a faculty member at the LA campus of AMDA teaching the BFA program in Musical Theater. He received a Joseph Jefferson award and four L.A... drama critics awards for his work as co-creator and musical director/arranger of the Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle companies of Berlin To Broadway with Kurt Weill. He has been the musical director for productions at LATC and Long Beach Civic Light Opera in Los Angeles, and over 100 productions regionally, at such theaters as the Drury Lane and The Apollo in Chicago. Scott recently received a nomination for best musical direction from LA Weekly for his work on Good, Bad, But Beautiful at The Coast Playhouse, and was commissioned by the American Heartland Theater in Kansas City to create the score for a new Irving Berlin revue, Christmas at The Ritz.. As an arranger, Scott has arranged over 90 acts, and his arrangements can be heard on Randy Graff’s album Doing Something Right for Varese-Sarabande (Randy Graff sings Cy Coleman). Scott is married to actress Winifred Freedman, and is still her biggest fan.

John Harnagel (Acting, Los Angeles) - John most recently appeared at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in DA, directed by AMDA faculty member William Mesnik. He has also been seen at the Pasadena Playhouse, The Carmel Performing Arts Festival, the Fremont Centre Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum, Shakespeare Festival/LA, Syracuse Stage Company, New York Shakespeare Festival, The Negro Ensemble Company, The Westside Theatre, The Seattle Rep, The Empty Space, The Group Theater of Seattle, and the Yale Repertory Theater. T.V. credits include Big Love, Desperate Housewives, Star Trek Enterprise, Medium, Lyon’s Den, Miracles, Malcolm in the Middle, Everybody Loves Raymond, X-Files, etc. John is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.

Victoria Hart (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) – Dr. Victoria Hart has taught vocal technique for more than 15 years to students of all voice types and genres.  A specialist in vocal rehabilitation, Dr. Hart’s anatomically-based approach quickly identifies vocal issues and provides specific and highly effective solutions which enable singers to achieve their true vocal potential.  Dr. Hart’s students have sung leading and supporting roles at opera houses and with musical theater companies around the country, and on television.  Dr. Hart has been a member of the voice faculty of Cerritos College, Westmont College, and the Artistic Repertory Theater School in Orlando Florida.  Each spring she travels to Croatia to give concerts, master classes and seminars as part of the International Voices Festival in Sisak.  Dr. Hart also maintains a busy private voice studio in Los Angeles.  Equally at home in comedy as well as drama, contralto Victoria Hart has appeared in leading roles with opera and musical theater companies around the country.  In recent seasons she has sung with the Knoxville Opera, Cabrillo Music Theater, Sacramento Opera, Fresno Opera, Greensboro Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Eugene Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Long Beach Opera and Rimrock Opera.  In addition to her work on the operatic and concert stage, Dr. Hart has written works which were performed at Lake George Opera, Music Academy of the West, and SUNY Purchase.  Her articles on vocal technique have appeared in Classical Singer and Sounds of Santa Barbara magazines.  In 2000 Dr. Hart was featured in a nationally televised commercial for Merrill Lynch, and has been heard on KDB radio. Website:  www.victoriahartcontralto.com

Education: B.M., Professional Music (Jazz and Pop), Berklee College of Music, Boston, M.M., D.M.A, Vocal Performance (classical), University of California, Santa Barbara, American Institute of Musical Studies, Graz, Austria.  Member: AGMA, NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing)

Michele Hart-Haviland (Dance Department Assistant Chair, New York) - Dancer, educator, choreographer. National Tours: A Chorus Line, My One and Only, and Ziegfeld: A Night at the Follies. Harah’s Casino in Atlantic City: My One and Only, Anything Goes, Ziegfeld: A Night at the Follies. Regional Credits: The King & I, Cabaret, 42^nd Street, George M!, and My Fair Lady at the N.C. State Theatre (Artistic Director, Terrance Mann). International:  Hello Dolly! under the direction of Lee Roy Reams at the Chatlet in Paris. Industrial: Flagstar Companies. Teaching Experience: Adjunct professor in Ballet and Modern Dance at Fuman University; ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement, and director of Jazz Company for Let’s Dance Inc.; various master classes at dance studios around the country. Choreography: South Carolina Operetta Co., Miss S.C. Pageant, Gilda Marx fashion shows, various musicals for high school productions, AMDA Dance Workshop. Training: B.A. Dance Education, Furman University; post-grad work in Elementary Education; extensive dance training in NYC with various teachers.

David Dean Hastings (Stage Combat, New York) - A native New Yorker, David has been studying and teaching stage combat for 15 years. As an actor, fighter and Fight Director. His work has been seen from coast to coast. Fight Direction credits include: The Wild Party, Twilight Los Angeles 1992, Jihad (OOBR winner), Exhibit #9, The Red Rose (World Premier), Brave Brood, Raps, The London Cuckolds (OOBR winner), Raps, Ceremony of Innocence, The Lion in Winter, Bedroom Farce, Merlin Redux, The Tales of Robin Hood, Brilliant Traces, The Winters Tale (OOBR winner), Othello, Hamlet, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Richard III (with Austin Pendleton), The Taming of the Shrew and many others. David has trained with The Society of American Fight Directors in Unarmed Combat, Single Rapier, Broadsword, Quarterstaff, Shoalin Spear, Rapier and Dagger, Smallsword, Knife and Sword and Shield. David has taught Stage Combat at such institutions as Juilliard, NYU, Brooklyn College, Stella Adler, Columbia University, Pace University and The Public Theater.

Sheila Head (Acting, New York) - Teaching Credits: Williamstown Theatre Festival, ACTeen, Arts Genesis, Theatre for a New Audience, various corporate workshops, several years as artist in resident in NY and NJ public schools. NY and LA credits: PS NBC, Arts Nova, Ensemble Studio Theatre, HBO Workspace IO West, Catch A Rising Star. Voice Credits: several characters on Comedy Central’s “Odd Todd.” Writing Credits: ABC/ Disney, Garrison Keillor, PBS’s “Cyberchase.” Creator/writer of Oxygen’s “The Ruth Truth,” based on personal experiences as a private investigator. Playwriting Credits: The Egg Game, Hollywood Nurses, Head Games.

Jeff Hochhauser (Musical Theatre, New York) - My Vaudeville Man! co-written with Bob Johnston was very recently a mainstage production at the York Theatre, off-Broadway in New York City. It was directed and choreographed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett. The original cast album has been released on Ghostlight and Sh-K-Boom Records.. Jeff also wrote the musical ANNE & GILBERT, co-written with Bob Johnston and Nancy White which will play its sixth summer on Prince Edward Island this year. Recently, it had a separate production tour in Ontario and was published by Samuel French. Theda Bara & the Frontier Rabbi, co-written with Bob Johnston has had productions off-Broadway and all over the country. In 2006 he was commissioned by the Yip Harburg Foundation to create a new book for the Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg, Fred Saidy musical Jamaica. It was produced in New York as part of the York Theatre’s Musicals in Mufti series.  Jeff studied at Bensalem College (Fordham University), The Pratt Institute and was a member of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop with renowned conductor Lehman Engel.  He has participated in the ASCAP and Dramatist Guild Musical Theatre Workshops.

Brian Holman (Sight-Singing, New York ) - Pianist, conductor, coach. Conducting/music preparation credits: Regina Opera (Die Fledermaus, L'elisir d'amore, Un ballo in maschera, Madama Butterfly, La bohème, Tosca, Rigoletto, Lucia di Lammermoor), New Rochelle Opera (Tosca, Rigoletto, Hänsel und Gretel, Aida), Modus Opera (Le nozze di Figaro), Opera Company of Astoria (Don Giovanni). Solo and vocal recital appearances in the United States and Europe, appeared with Norwalk Youth Symphony at Carnegie Hall and Arizona State University Symphony on KBAQ radio (Phoenix). Staff accompanist at Mannes College of Music. Training: M.M. Piano Performance, Manhattan School of Music; B.A./B.M. English/Piano performance, Arizona State University; Diplome EAMA, École Normale de Musique de Paris.

Mary Hurlbut (Individual Voice, New York) - Singer. Performance credits include opera, oratorio, recitals, and chamber music Mary Hurlbut   has participated in performances with Down Town Music Productions, Gravesend Players, American Landmark Festivals, Brooklyn Baroque, Music Downtown, The Lark Ascending,   American  Festival of Microtonal Music, The New Music Consort, Cygnus Ensemble, The NJ Percussion Ensenble and SoHo Baroque Opera. She has been featured on Fortay, Frog Peak and Tarmac recordings.  Ms. Hurlbut   has premiered works by John Cage, Elodie Lauten, Jim Theobald,   Jackson Maclow, Anne Tardos, Franz Kamin,   Casey Mullen,   Harold Seletsky and Dan Levitan.  She has had the good fortune of performing in Merkin Hall,   Symphony Space, LaMama La Galleria,   The Knitting Factory, Roulette   and   Weill Hall.  Ms. Hurlbut currently   teaches at The American Musical and Dramatic   Academy , Greenwich House Music School, The Dwight Englewood School and The Vaughn College of Aeronautics.  She has been a student   of   Antonia Lavanne, Angelica Lozada, Priscilla Woodley and Chiara Caffarelli.  In addition to voice,   Ms. Hurlbut has studied piano   with Elka Kirkpatrick, Michel Ashmore and Bernice Sjogren.  She received a MM, The Mannes College of Music, BA, William Paterson University and AA Cottey College.

Martin C. Hurt (Individual Voice, New York) - Actor, Singer, Musical Director. National Tours: Cats (Old Deuteronomy), Strike up the Band (Horace J. Fletcher),  Yeston/Kopit’s Phantom (Leading Tenor). Regional Credits: Titanic (Henry Etches), Carousel (Mr. Snow), The Wizard of Oz (Cowardly Lion), Guys and Dolls (Nicely-Nicely Johnson). Operatic Credits: Animal Tales (Horse), Family Opera Initiative; Les Contes D'Hoffman (Spalanzani), Utah Festival Opera Company. Finalist for Rehfuss Singing Actor Award, Orlando Opera. Musical Direction: Parade and Oklahoma, Coastal Carolina University; A… My Name is Still Alice and Red Noses, VA Commonwealth University. Training: M.M., Manhattan School of Music, B.M., VA Commonwealth University, Institute of Voice Performance, Richard Miller (Oberlin Conservatory), McClosky Institute of Voice. Member: National Association of Teachers of Singing; New York Singing Teachers Association.

Billy Johnstone (Dance, New York) - A native of New Britain, CT. Has appeared on Broadway in both the record-breaking and final company of Cats (Coricopat) as well as touring the United States and internationally with A Chorus Line (Paul), West Side Story, and Cats (Mungojerrie). Recent performances include regional productions of Cabaret (Emcee), …Forum (Hysterium),  and  A Grand Night For Singing for which he won a Connecticut Critics Circle Award. Directing and/or Choreography credits include professional productions of A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Batboy: The Musical, Once On This Island, Gypsy, the world premiere of John Sebastian DeNicola’s Megillah at the Goodspeed Opera House in CT, and in May 2005 the U.S. school premiere of Cats at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, CT. Most recently he directed/choreographed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the historic Ivoryton Playhouse in CT, for which he received two Connecticut Critics Circle Award nominations for Outstanding Director and Choreographer of a Musical. The show was awarded the 2008 Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical. Training: Boston Conservatory, MA.

Jamison Jones (Acting, Los Angeles) -
Actor, director, producer. Most recent film credits include The Lodger with Alfred Molina and He Was a Quiet Man with William H. Macy and Christian Slater. Other film work: Two: Thirteen, Destiny with Casper Van Dien and William Fortsythe, Water Under the Bridge, Radioland Murders, Dark Blue with Kurt Russell, Hollywood Homicide with Harrison Ford, and Actor and Producer credits for Gettin’ Lucky and West of Brooklyn with Joe Mantegn.
On Television he can be seen in multiple episodes the hit TV series “24.” Other Television: “CSI: NY,” “N.C.I.S.,” “Crossing Jordan,” “Kamen Rider,” “Alias,” “That 70’s Show,” “General Hospital,” “Strong Medicine,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “The Division,” “Conan,” “Will & Grace” and “JAG.”
 Theater appearances: Fool For Love at The Stella Adler Theater with Iconic film actor Geoffrey Lewis, the critically acclaimed Thérèse Raquin at Ensemble Theater in Santa Barbara, starred opposite General Hospital’s Tyler Christopher in the critically acclaimed Bent by Martin Sherman, The Foreigner with the three time Tony-nominated producing team of McCoy/Rigby Entertainment at the La Mirada Theater for the Arts where he also starred in The Lion in Winter with Mariette Hartley, All My Sons, Dancing at Lughnasa and The Rainmaker. Other theater appearances: Timon of Athens at CSUF’s Little Theater, How the Other Half Loves at the Pasadena Playhouse, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Angels in America at The American Conservatory Theater, Cyrano de Bergerac at A Noise Within and the European premieres of Tennessee in the Summer and Purple Hearts in Edinburgh, Scotland . Training: Master of Fine Arts degree from The American Conservatory Theater and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater arts from California State University, Fullerton.

http://us.imdb.com/Name?Jones,+Jamison

http://jamisonjones.nowcasting.com

www.jonesfilms.com

Marla Jones (Individual (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) - Soprano, musician, composer, arranger, music director, recording artist. Has appeared in concert at numerous venues throughout Southern California, the Southwest, and the Chicago area singing and specializing in the great American songbook, show tunes, standards, international music (five languages), inspirational and jazz. Venues have included a concert at the Crystal Cathedral, numerous concerts with Bob Ralston of the Lawrence Welk show, the Paris Casino in Las Vegas, City of West Covina and City of Palm Springs concert series. Hotel and club appearances include: Ritz-Carlton, Century Plaza Hotel, Catalina Bar and Grill, Lunaria Restaurant & Jazz Club, and the Gardenia. Local show credits: Company, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Beggars Opera, and Earl Carroll Revisited. Music director, composer and arranger for numerous events (LA Dodgers 65 Roses Club, Cystic Fibrosis Annual Celebrity Fashion Show and more), vocal groups, Agoura Hills Community Church, and the award winning musical fairy tale series for Santa Monica City TV Productions. In 2001, Quarterfinalist for the 8th annual McAllaster American Traditions Competition at the Savannah Onstage International Arts Festival. Currently has two CDs in release, Over the Rainbow & Beyond and I'll Be Seeing You, Home for the Holidays, with a new CD in production. Training: B.M. Applied Voice, Northwestern University School of Music. Film Composing, UCLA Extension (Certificate Program). Several years of private voice training in Los Angeles with Ron Anderson. Arranging and theory lessons with Don James and Hummie Mann. Member: AFTRA, AFM, ASCAP, ASMAC, NATS. www.marlajones.com

Michael Joviala (Sight Singing, New York) - Michael Joviala is an active performer, composer and teacher in New York City. Training: B.A. in Jazz Performance University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA; Dalcroze Eurhythmics certification from Juilliard School of Music; Graduate studies at Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens, NY; Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA. Faculty: Lucy Moses School, Bloomingdale School of Music, New York City. New York theater credits as music director include Most Happy Fella and Merrily We Roll Along (Gallery Players), Jamaica (Paul Robeson Theater), and Mississippi Night (Amas Musical Theater, composer and music director).

Kristi Kelly (Individual Voice, New York) - Opera/Concert Singer. Mader her Carnegie Hall Debut in 2007. Opera credits: La Traviata, Riverside Opera (Violetta); Carmen, Hudson Opera Theater (Frasquita); The Magic Flute, Hudson Opera Theater (First Lady); Hansel and Gretel, Commonwealth Opera (Dew Fairy); I Pagliacci, COSI (cover, Nedda). Two seasons as a young artist with the Natchez Opera Festival. Concert Credits: Vivaldi Gloria with Mid-America; Strauss’ Four Last Songs, and Brahms’ Requiem with UMass Festival Orchestra; Handel’s Messiah with Commonwealth Opera; Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Guest Artist Recital with the Fairbanks Symphony. Prize-winner in both the NATS and Schubert Club competitions; finalist in both the Connecticut Opera Guild Competition and the Jenny Lind Competition for Sopranos. Training: M.M., University of Massachusetts Amherst; B.M., Viterbo University, LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

David Kelso (Individual Voice, New York) - A native of the state of Delaware, he proudly displays the characteristics of both his New England family history and his collegiate years in America’s Deep South.  David revels in breaking every possible stereotype. A versatile performer, he played Old Deuteronomy in the European tour of Cats and has appeared in regional houses as the title role in Sweeney Todd, Albin/Zaza in La Cage aux folles, Juan Peron in Evita, and leading roles in 110 in the Shade, Oklahoma!, Forum, South Pacific, Drood!, Greater Tuna and Of Mice and Men. He has survived both touring and summer stock.  His reviews have universally praised the beauty of his voice, dramatic abilities, and comic timing. He is often asked to create roles in the development and readings of new musicals. As an operatic tenor he received grants and scholarships from the Lauritz Mechior Heldentenor Foundation, New York Wagner Society and the American Center for Musical Arts. He sang both Siegmund and Siegfried in the Mexico City Ring Cycle. As a soloist his recent oratorio appearances include Bach’s Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah, Of Rage and Remembrance by Corigliano and The Seven Last Words by Dubois. David is currently a vocal instructor for the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and the CAP 21 at NYU/Tisch in New York City. He also maintains a private studio and conducts master classes on body based breath support.  His students have performed on Broadway in The Producers, Hairspray,  Les Miserables and Legally Blonde and the tours of Phantom of the Opera, Legally Blonde, Seussical and Spring Awakening. Other students have been accepted into programs including Spoleto Italy and Sherrill Milnes' VOICExperience, and as performance majors at Northwestern, Indiana, Boston, and Rutgers Universities, and Westminster, Hunter, and Queens College. Training: Shenandoah Conservatory and Florida State University.

Siobhan Kolker (Individual Voice, New York) - Singer, actress. Regional credits: Kennedy Center Sondheim Festival, Washington Opera, Baltimore Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Opera Vivente (Baltimore), Toby’s Dinner Theatre. New York Performances: New York City Fringe Festival, Verge Theatre, Innovative Stages, One World Symphony. Training: M.M. Voice Performance, Peabody Conservatory of Music, Johns Hopkins University; B.M.A./High Honors Voice and History, University of Michigan.

Jerome Kurtenbach (Accompanist, Los Angeles ) - Composer, conductor, accompanist, arranger, director, screenwriter, producer and musician. As a film composer and conductor he has recently scored the short Sandstorm, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. He works with American Apparal, scoring international human resource commercials. He also wrote, directed, produced, and scored four short films under his production company Greenlake Entertainment. His score for the full length feature For The Common Man along with over twenty other short films showcases his unique combination of sounds and styles. He has premiered over forty works for the concert stage, including three orchestral pieces, two song cycles, and various other ensemble pieces. As a musician, Kurtenbach’s extensive skill in piano and organ, as well as several other instruments, brings expansive knowledge to his compositions.  He served as Music Director and Arranger for the World Premiere of the New Musical Town Without Pity, which had performances both in New York and Los Angeles. He also served as Music Director for the premiere of One Way Ticket to Hell and Music Director/Arranger for I Want My 80’s Musical for Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. In 2007, he received a postgraduate advanced certificate from USC in their film-scoring program.  He studied under industry leaders including James Newton Howard, John Frizzell, Christopher Young, and John Ehrlich, and recording at Warner Bros. and Capitol Records. Training: Bachelor & Master of Music in Composition, Oklahoma City University studying under national award-winning composer Dr. Edward Knight. He serves as business manager and a director of Q6 Studios, Inc. in downtown Los Angeles. Member: ASCAP.  Look for more at www.q6studios.com!

MaryEllen Landon (Individual Voice, New York)  - Singer, voice teacher. Roles include Praskovia in The Nose at Santa Fe Opera with Edo de Waart, conductor; Gilda with Anton Coppola and The Brooklyn Philharmonic opera in the park series; Madam Goldentrill in Impresario with Lukas Foss and his setting of the dialogue in recitative; Rodelinde at San Bernadino, CA Handel Festival with Richard Barrett, conductor. Over twenty-five roles in new American operas with After Dinner Opera Company, NYC. Off-Broadway roles includes Jane in Boy Meets Boy, dancer/singer Lily in Mary at Equity Library Theater, Polly Peachum in Beggar's Holiday with Luther Henderson. Some favorite roles performed include Anna in the King and I, Ann in A Little Night Music, Eliza Doolittle In My Fair Lady, April in Company as well as numerous Off-Off Broadway showcases. Soprano soloist in Vivaldi's Chamber Mass, Bach's Magnificat, Haydn's Paukenmesse and  Handel's Crudel tiranno amor with El Paso Pro Musica. Top prize winner of Societa dei concerti vocal competition in Santa Margharita Ligure, Italy. Young Audience Award, NYC for Intro to Opera (ADOCO). National print work (Anacin, Macmillan Publishing, Eileen Sport). Lead singer with big band Bobby Earl and His Orchestra. Training: BM, WVU; MM, NMSU. Graduate work in drama, further operatic study at American Institute of Music, Graz, Austria. Vocal study with Louigi Veccia, Jerry Forderhase, Lazzaro Ferrari, Frances Yeend, Walter Weaver. Coaching with Marshall Williamson, Joan Dorneman, Languages: Robert Cowart, Acting: Michael Shurtleff, Wesley Balk, Janet Bookspan. Currently resides in NYC with her husband, daughter, three cats, and dog. Other interests include design, travel, skiing and tennis.

Jane Lanier (Dance, Los Angeles) - Teacher, choreographer. Professional credits: choreographed The Wild Party, Blank Theatre Co. (LA Weekly and Garland Awards); Smokey Joe's Café, 5th Avenue Theatre Seattle; Associate Choreographer for Pippin, 5th Avenue Theatre; Johnny Guitar, Century Theatre NYC; Nightingale, Vineyard Theatre NYC; Kiss Me Kate, Musical Theatre West Long Beach; Guys And Dolls, Little Night Music, and The Music Man, Interact Theatre Co. LA; On The Town, Pajama Game, Kiss Me Kate, and Some Like It Hot, Hamilton Academy LA; Ernest In Love, Fremont Theatre LA; HBO's “Dream On,” The ABC mini-series Summer Stories, Night Fever for Silver Seas Cruise Line, several S.T.A.G.E. & Actors Fund Benefits, and many national commercials. She has directed Smell of the Kill, Interact Theatre Co.; Interact's Funny Valentine; a staged reading of The Swan; and a reading of the new play Yesterday Quicksand. On Broadway in Fosse (Drama Desk Award Nomination); Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Tony Award Nomination); Guys And Dolls and Anything Goes, directed by Jerry Zaks; Sweet Charity, directed by Bob Fosse; and On Your Toes, directed by George Abbott. On film she danced with John Travolta in Michael and co-starred in the independent film Mercy. On television she has been seen on “The Shield,” the recurring role of Susan Dominick in “Murder One,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “One Life To Live” and “Passions.” Regional credits include Pippin (Fastrada); Guys And Dolls (Adelaide); Pajama Game (Gladys); Elegies For Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens; Counsellor-At-Law, (LA Drama Critics Circle, Drama-Logue, and Ovation Awards); World Goes Round; A Chorus Line (Cassie); Can-Can (Claudine); On The Town (Ivy); Sweet Charity (Charity); A Little Night Music (Petra); Second Story Man; Hills Like White Elephants; The Swan; Tangents; and Splitsville.

Victoria Lavan (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) - Singer, Actress, Voice Teacher/Vocal Coach, Director. Highlights of professional credits include work with the Sundance Institute in collaboration with San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows, American Opera WorkCenter, Minnesota Opera Institute, Salt Lake Opera Theatre. Representative roles performed include Rosina, Gilda, Musetta, Letitia and Lucy. Concerts and Recitals: Los Angeles Opera Benefit, Getty Center Museum, Albuquerque Chamber Orchestra, (Douglas Dunston, cond.), New West Symphony (Boris Brott, cond.), Ventura Music Festival (Vance George, cond.), Raitt Rectial Hall at Pepperdine University, Johnny Mercer Foundation. Musical Theatre/Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar, with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson, Rubicon Theatre Company; Brigadoon (Fiona), Promised Valley Playhouse; Love Letters (Melissa), Rubicon Theatre Co.; Deathtrap (Myra), Egyptian Theatre, Park City, UT. Cabaret: Glitter and Be Gay:Tribute to Barbara Cook, El Portal Theatre (Regional Tour); various shows in theatres and clubs in Los Angeles and Hollywod including the Cinegrill, M Bar, Bel Age Hotel; Eccles Performing Arts Center, University of Utah; Royce Hall, UCLA; Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Center, Colorado.  Recordings: Isabella's Music Box Lullabies; Holiday Romance; Bella Notte.  Directing credits include: Ernest Worthing and Hobson’s Choice, new opera theatre works by John Biggs. Past faculty appointments include Ventura College and Pepperdine University. Currently a Visiting Professor with UCLA Musical Theatre Dept. in addition to serving on the voice faculty at AMDA. Training: B.A. and M.A., University of Utah, University of Phoenix and Almeda University. Vocal study with Ray Arbizu, Bonn Opera; Natalie Limonick, Los Angeles. Performance training with Wesley Balk, Carol Weiss, Craig Carnelia, Sabin Epstein. Member: Theatre West, Los Angeles; National Opera Association; President, Los Angeles Chapter of National Association of Teachers of Singing.  www.victorialavan.com

Blake Lawrence (Acting, New York) - Director. Associate Artistic Director, Drama Desk winning, Keen Company.  Founding Artistic Director for The Themantics Group. Direction: The Fourposter (Keen), Children of a Lesser God (Keen), and World Premieres by Naomi Iizuka and Winter Miller for the Keen Teens Education Program, which she also produces. Hazard County and NY premiere of Brad Fraser's Snake in Fridge, Pirandello's Naked (Themantics). Freelance Direction: over two dozen new plays as well as published works, including Patrick Hamilton's Angel Street, The Misanthrope. Named one of Eight Hottest Directors of Off & Off-Off Broadway by “Show Business Weekly”. Profiled by NYTheatre.com, and “Backstage.” Member:  Lincoln   Center Director's Lab.  Also on faculty at NYU and One on One Studios, as well as private coaching. Training: Northwestern University.

Holly Leggett (Individual Voice, New York) - A native Texan balances her two passions in New York City: teaching voice and performing. In addition to AMDA, she has a private studio (teaching both in Manhattan and Staten Island).  Holli travels around the country teaching Musical Theater classes and Fine Arts Workshops, recently giving workshops in the Catskills in Upstate New York and Houston, TX.  Holli earned her Master’s Degree at Sam Houston State University.  As a performer, Holli had the pleasure of premiering three new operas in New York City, two of which were written for her.  Other roles include Violetta in La Traviata, Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief, and Ida Strauss (the one who stays with her husband) in Titanic.  Holli was an Executive Producer with Opening Doors Theatre Company for two seasons. She served as Producer with their critically acclaimed Closing Notice Series for productions of It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman! and Flora, the Red Menace.

Regina Leon (Individual Voice, New York) - Singer, coach, musical director. Performance credits include opera, oratorio recitals and concerts. Operatic performances include: La Boheme (Mimi), Don Giovanni (Zerlina), Le Nozze di Figaro (Susanna), Gianni Schicchi (Lauretta), Hansel and Gretel (Sandman/Dew Fairy), The Magic Flute (Second Spirit). Her solo concert repertoire includes Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate, Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Magnificat in D, and Faure’s Requiem. Musical Director and soprano for Amici Cantanti Vocal Quartet. Training: B.S. Music/Applied Voice, SUNY New Paltz; Arts Management, SUNY Purchase. Further studies with: Barbara Hardgrave, Anne Cotton, Cornelius L. Reid, Gary Norden.

Stu Levin (Acting, Los Angeles ) - Emmy Award-winning actor, writer and director. Performed major roles in over 300 plays including Oscar in The Odd Couple and Julius in the world premiere of The United States vs. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Television credits include co-starring roles on ABC's "Boston Legal," “The Practice,” and “Once and Again” and USA Network's “The Huntress,” and "Side Order of Life" as well as guest starring roles on “Murphy Brown,” “Coach,” “General Hospital” and "Strong Medicine." Stu is a busy "Voice Artist" and can be heard in various vocal characterizations on the "Avatar" TV series and on several video games. Feature film credits include Disney's Distinguished Gentleman with Eddie Murphy and Universal Pictures' The Fortune Cookie.

Yoav Levin

(Dance, New York) - Originally from Israel. Favorite credits as a performer, National Tour/Off-Broadway/Regional: The Pajama Game, Eve's Turn, Ideal Viewer, Séance On a Wet Afternoon, Wagon Wheel, A Kid's Life, Roadkill and Other Love Songs ,Man of La Mancha, Meet Me in St Louis, Promises Promises, Sugar, Evita, The Producers, All Shook Up, A Chorus Line, Thoroughly Modern Millie and West Side Story.  Training: B.A. Sports Education, The Wingate Institute for Sports, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York

Joan Lindstrom (Individual Voice, New York) - Singer, writer. Five seasons, New York City Opera. Other New York credits: soloist, opera, oratorio, symphony, concert, recital, cabaret, and film work. Musical Theatre: 35 Broadway shows, stock, tours. English diction coach, Metropolitan Opera National Company (inaugural season). SAG conservatory, Brain Gym workshops. Sings in 11 languages. Over 40 arts-related articles published in newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times and The Westsider. Training: M.A., Manhattan School of Music; B.A., Augustana College. Additional study: educational kinesiology, Brain Gym. Member: AEA, AGMA.

Kendra Lynch (Individual Voice, Las Angeles) - is pleased to be returning for her second semester as a vocal instructor at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Kendra also teaches voice at Los Angeles Harbor College and recently taught at the well-respected Orange County High School of the Arts.  She currently teaches 30+ students voice and piano in her private studio, is the worship leader of the contemporary service at Covenant Presbyterian Church of Long Beach, performs regularly in the community as a soloist, pianist, and quartet caroler, and is the alto soloist/section leader at both the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana and the Camerata Singers of Long Beach. Some favorite roles include Rizzo in Grease and Woman 2 in Closer than Ever.  Ms. Lynch is also an accomplished pianist and director and has served as an accompanist for several different choirs and as the director of various community and church children's choirs.  Ms. Lynch has received numerous vocal awards in both the classical and jazz genres (NATS, Ella Fitzgerald, jazz festivals, etc.). Training: B.M. in choral/vocal studies and an M.M. in vocal performance, California State University at Long Beach; studies with Marian Bodnar. Member: NATS; SCVA.

Diana MacNeil (Dance, Los Angeles) - Teacher, dancer, choreographer. Professional credits: Lewitzky Dance Company, dancer, choreographer, teacher, costumier 1977-1986, 1990-1996; Idyllwild Arts Academy, Chair of Dance 1986-1990; PostHouse Dance Group, Artistic Director 1997- present. Training: Modern/composition with Bella Lewitzky, Sean Greene, Loretta Livingston and ballet with Tatiana Riaboushinska, Stanley Holden, Mia Slavenska, Gloria Bowen.

Mike Mahaffey

(Stage Combat, Los Angeles) - Actor, director, teacher, fight director, sword master and stunt performer. LA acting credits include work with Odyssey Theatre, Ricardo Montalban Theatre, National American Shakespeare Theatre, Knightsbridge Theatre.  Regional theatres: Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Houston Grand Opera, Tacoma Actors Guild, the Warehouse Theatre, Theatre Memphis. TV and film credits: : Resident Evil: Degeneration, Warriors, The Last Stand of the 300, Chronicles of Narnia, The Three Musketeers, Crown of the Forest, Recast, Harmony Bar, Bowling Green, Bushleague. Fight directing credits include productions at English Theatre of Frankfurt, Artworks Theatre, Odyssey Theatre, Greek Theatre LA, Powerhouse Theatre, Seattle Public Theatre, Tacoma Actors Guild, Empty Space Theatre, Theatre Schmeater, Village Theatre. Has also trained actors and stunt performers at the following universities and training programs: University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Willamette University, The University of Washington, Greenville School of the Arts, and Cornish College of the Arts. Recognized as a Certified Teacher and Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.Training: Masters, University of South Carolina-Columbia, and Whitman College. Martial Arts: Aikido, Taekwon-Do, foil and epee fencing.

Robert Manning Robert Manning (Acting, Los Angeles) - Robert is a graduate of the University of Washington’s Professional Acting Training Program, where he received his MFA in theater.  As a proud member of Playwrights 6 Robert has written two feature films, two pilots for television, a theatrical play and a number of short works.  He most recently received a best screenplay nomination for his latest short film entitled “Reticence”.  As an actor, recent guest and co-star credits include: Southland, South of Nowhere, The Unit, Criminal Minds, Young and the Restless, General Hospital and Over There.  Robert has performed in regional theaters across the country portraying such roles as Cassio in Othello, Banquo in Macbeth and Capt. Lee King in Pasadena Playhouse’s production of John Patrick Shanley’s new play entitled Defiance in which he received a 2008 NAACP Theatre Award Nomination in the Best Lead Actor Category.  For more information on Robert and samples of his work, please visit robertmanningjr.com and alphaandomegafilms.com

David Dent Martin (Artistic Director, New York & Los Angeles) - Producer, director, teacher, actor. Staged productions of Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen, Wilde, and Shaw, as well as contemporary American and British playwrights. New York, regional, and London stage productions as director and producer. Television production credits include various television series and work with actors John Houseman, James Earl Jones, Edward Herrman, Sam Waterson, and Nancy Marchand in addition to such gala televised presentations as Broadway Plays Washington at the Kennedy Center with Beatrice Arthur, Pearl Bailey, Barry Bostwick, Ellen Burstyn, Ann Reinking, Debbie Reynolds, and Melba Moore. Lincoln Center credits include the following all-star AMDA benefits: Sing Happy, a tribute to John Kander and Fred Ebb with Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, Gwen Verdon, and Chita Rivera; You're the Top, a tribute to Cole Porter with Barry Bostwick, Kevin Kline, Dick Cavett, and Lucie Arnaz; and Hey, Look Me Over, a tribute to Cy Coleman with Neil Simon, Imogene Coca, Mel Torme, and Juliet Prowse. Training: B.A., Baylor University; graduate study at Trinity University. Additional study with Charles Laughton, Alice Gachet, Etienne Decroux, Martha Graham, and Agna Enters. Member; SSD&C.

Mark McQuown (Critical Studies, Los Angeles) - Actor/Director/Teacher, Mark has Directed and taught in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver & Boulder Colorado, faculty at The University of Colorado, Boulder, California Institute of The Arts, Pasadena City College & Saddleback College, Mission Viejo.  Directed & Designed The Robber Bridegroom, Noises Off, Celebration, Roar of The Greasepaint and Smell of The Crowd  and Directed, I Do, I Do, the World Premiere of The Triumph of Death  by Frederic Rzewski and the World Premiere of the opera “Rocky Flats” in Colorado.  Produced Playwright/Screenwriter, Art Director for television and motion picture for fifteen years, member of AEA, SAG and The New York /Dramatist Guild.  Mark is now directing The Tempest for The Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival with an opening date of July 16, 2010.  Mark’s film “PJ” is available on Netflix – starring John Heard, Vincent Pastore, Robert Picardo and Hallie Kate Eisenberg.  Training: MFA Directing, School of Theatre, Film and Television, UCLA, BS Theatre, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Acting Classes - HB Studios, New York City

Jenny Mercein (Acting, New York) - NY Theater credits: The Keen Company Good Morning, Bill, Synapse Productions Animal Farm and Grimm Tales, The Public Theater/ New Georges Hillary.  Regional Credits include: Twelfth Night (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival), Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis), Othello (The Pioneer), As You Like It (Connecticut Free Shakespeare), Rabbit Hole (Florida Studio Theater), Pride's Crossing (The Fulton Opera House). Television: The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (ABC, Stephen King), “Law & Order.” Training: B.A. Yale; M.F.A. University of Washington.

William Mesnik

(Head of Acting - Los Angeles) Actor, Musician, Playwright, Director. Directed AMDA’s inaugural BFA production of Balm in Gilead. His music-drama about folk singers during the blacklist, Three Songs garnered Critic’s Choice in the LA Times, an LA WEEKLY nomination for best ensemble, several regional productions, and a film option. The Open Fist theatre in Hollywood will be staging his Songs Of Sin in late summer 2010. Other LA productions: Jackson Pollock – Painting on the Edge, and Muckrakers - An Evening of Presidential Campaign Songs and Family Dysfunction, which opened on the eve of the 2000 presidential election. The soundtrack is available on The Splendor of Bohemia label. His comedy Lundquist in the Sky with Diamonds was produced by Los Angeles Clown in 2004. As an actor Bill's theatrical resume encompasses Broadway (La Bete, Oh! Calcutta!), Off-Broadway (Modigliani, A Weekend Near Madison, The Good Times Are Killing Me, The Rimers of Eldritch, among others), such major regional venues as Yale Rep, The Old Globe, McCarter Theatre, The Kennedy Center, and Actors Theater of Louisville, and a European-America collaborative productions of Shakespeare's King Lear and Chekhov’s Ivanov. He is a familiar face on television from his numerous commercial, episodic and sitcom appearances. His feature credits include “Minority Report”, “Titanic”, “Eye For An Eye”, “Stonebrook” and John Schlessinger's “The Next Best Thing” with Madonna and Rupert Everett.  Other L.A. stage appearances: several at A Noise Within, most notably as Holofernes in Love’s Labours Lost for which he received an Ovation nomination and The School for Scandal (DramaLogue Award). Bill is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.

Paul D Mills

(Sight-Singing, New York) - Pianist, singer, and composer began his studies at the age of three.  Toured nationally and internationally with the acclaimed Continental Singers (Ventura, CA) as pianist, singer/dancer, assistant director, and musical director.  After which, he joined Sight and Sound Theatres® (Lancaster, PA) for productions of Daniel and Miracle of Christmas (2002-2003).  He returned in 2004, by special invitation, as a guest artist and assistant musical director for the production, Christmas Spectacular.  Is also Founder and Executive Director of New Face Theatre.  Paul is the school piano technician.  Apprenticed at Avery Piano Co. (Providence, RI) and was upright piano technician for Bösendorfer New York.  Has tuned for: Billy Joel, Emmanuel Ax, Josh Groban, Boston Pops, Helen Hull at Lincoln Center, the French Institute, Norwegian Cruise Line, and the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Training: Columbia International University, South Carolina, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York, Master Class, Wayne Stuart (Piano Australia, Ltd.), studied with Dr. Rod Lewis, Dr. Larry Shackley and Mrs. Donna Krieger. www.PaulDMills.com 

Thomas Mills (Musical Theatre, New York) – Resident director/choreographer for Obie Award winning theatre company, “Musicals Tonight!” for which he had directed over 50 productions. He also directed and choreographed A Little Night Music for Utah Opera’s Cultural Olympiad production, in conjunction with the 2004 Olympics, and has worked regionally throughout the county directing productions such as Pippin, Smokey Joe’s Café, Jaques Brel…, and Comfortably Numb (a new musical based on Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”), to name a few. He has also directed new Off-Broadway productions of Rasputin, Relationships on the Rocks with a Twist, and Hexed (for which he also wrote the book.) Mr. Mills has also choreographed for Houston Grad Opera, The Hampton Shakespeare Festival, the national tour of In The Mood, and Off- Broadway hit, Wrong Way Up. He served for three years as resident director of The American Song Series for the Smithsonian Institute Museum of American History and is the recipient of a Backstage Bistro Award for outstanding direction.

Carine Montbertrand

(Voice Production and Speech, New York) - Off-Broadway and New York acting credits include two seasons with The Acting Company (also Education Coordinator on tour), Frankenstein at Soho Rep, the Young Playwrights Festival, Fringe NYC, La MaMa ETC, and others. Regional: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park ("Acclaim Award" for supporting performance as Emilia in OTHELLO), Actors Theatre of Louisville, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Pioneer Theatre Company, The Riverside Theatre, Capital Repertory Theatre, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Clarence Brown Theatre, The Independent Shakespeare Co., The Hangar Theatre and Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. She has narrated 50 audiobooks, mostly for Recorded Books Productions ("Earphones Award", The American Library Association’s “Notable Recording” and “Selected Audio”). In addition to her work in voice and speech, she has given numerous workshops in neutral mask, Commedia, and clown around the country.  At the University of Delaware, she teaches acting and is a company member of the Resident Ensemble Players. Training: B.A., Drama (Magna Cum Laude), Tufts University, M.F.A. Acting, Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Delaware, Le Conservatoire National Superieur d’Art Dramatique, Paris.  Member: AEA, AFTRA

Kathy Morath (Musical Theatre, New York) - Actress, singer. Broadway credits include Joseph Papp's Pirates of Penzance and Nick & Nora. Off-Broadway has appeared in the role of The Girl in The Fantasticks, Personals, The Wonder Years and David Ives' All in The Timing among others. Regionally has played leading roles at The Guthrie Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Dallas Theatre Center, Baltimore Center Stage, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Barter Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera, Chatauqua Opera, Wolf Trap and The Kennedy Center. TV & Film credits include “Law & Order”, “Walker: Texas Ranger”, “Alice in Concert”, “Hostage”, “All My Children”, “General Hospital”. In addition, has written (with Bruce Coyle and Dennis Bailey) Channeling Doris Day, which she has performed extensively across the country. Has also served as an adjudicator for the National Endowment for the Arts. Education:  B.A., Semiotics, Brown University.

Thomas Morrissey

Morrissey (Musical Theatre, New York) Tom is the one of three Producing Artistic Directors of ReVision Theatre, a professional Equity regional theatre in Asbury Park, NJ along with David E. Leidholdt and Stephen Bishop Seely. Tom has directed regionally Gypsy, Oklahoma, No No Nanette, Camelot, The King & I, Two By Two, The Pirates Of Penzance, Bye Bye Birdie, Annie Get Your Gun and Hello Dolly!. In New York Tom directed the Genesius Theatre Guild’s productions of The Glass Mendacity by Maureen Morley and Tom Wilmorth, Frank Stancati’s Just Us Boys, and Dalliance In Vienna by Douglas Braverman. Alos at Genesius Theatre Guild Tom developed a critically acclaimed cabaret program, a nationally distributed CD called Our Heart Sings, featuring Kristen Chenoweth, Alice Ripley, Emily Skinner and others, and the annual Genie Awards. He has also worked as a director at Circle Repertory Company (Circle REP LAB member), Ensemble Studio Theatre, Naked Angels and is a founding member of the Professional Directors Company at New York University. Tom produced Genesius Theatre Guild’s premiere production of Jonathan Tolin’s The Last Sunday In June prior to its commercial New York run at the Century Center Theatre.  Tom has taught acting, musical theatre classes and workshops at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), Wagner College, New York University and The Creative Acting Company in NYC. A member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC) and Actors’ Equity Association (AEA). His website can be found at www.ThomasMorrissey.com.

Karen Morrow (Musical Theatre, Los Angeles) - Karen Morrow starred on Broadway in I Had A Ball, A Joyful Noise, I’m Solomon, Music Music, The Selling of the President, The Grass Harp, the Tony Award winning Mystery of Edwin Drood and the National Company of Showboat. On television, Karen was a regular on “The Jim Nabors Hour,” “Friends,” “Tabitha,” “Ladies Man,” “Goodnight Beantown,” “Song By Song,” “Great Performances” on PBS, and “Singin’” for CBS cable.  She has guest starred on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “The Tonight Show,” “The Today Show,” “Alice,” “Too Close for Comfort,” “Loveboat,” “Falcon Crest,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Night Court,” “Trapper John M.D.,” “The Trials of Rosie O’Neile,” “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” and has been a featured favorite on radio’s A Prairie Home Companion. Ms. Morrow has performed at Carnegie Hall, the US Library of Congress, The White House, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Hollywood Bowl… just to name a few. Karen has received an Emmy, the coveted Theatre World Award, an Ovation nomination, five Dramalogue Awards and an LA Drama Critics Award.  She has recorded thirteen albums, the most recent being the original cast recording of the stage production White Christmas. She has sung with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as the Honolulu, Pacific, Minnesota, Milwaukee and Metropolitan Symphony Orchestras.  Ms. Morrow is currently on the faculty of AMDA, LA and conducts Master classes at major universities and Arts conferences across the country.  A sought after adjudicator for national vocal competitions, she conducts a bi-monthly Master Class in performance and audition skills. www.karenmorrow.com

Elizabeth M. Moulton (Individual Voice, New York) - Opera Singer, vocal coach. Artist apprentice at Utah Festival Opera in summer of 2002 as well as Sarasota Opera in Winter/Spring of 2003. Performed La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica and Zita in Gianni Schicchi at the American Singers Opera Project in the summer of 2003. Most recently performed the role of Miss Todd in Old Maid and the Thief with the New Jersey Concert Opera as well as the role of Third Lady in the Magic Flute with Stoneybrook Players. Training: B.A. Art History, University of New Hampshire; M.A. Theatre, University of Maine; M.M. Vocal Performance, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Additional Study: Ariel Bybee and Ellen Shade.

Cynthia Murray (Dance, New York) - Choreographer, dancer, actress, singer. Performance credits include roles in Cabartet, 42^nd Street (European Tours) Cinderella, 42^nd Street (National Tours).Regional credits include roles in West Side Story, Showboat, Joseph…, Dames At Sea, …Forum, Anything Goes, The Robber Bridegroom, Annie, Hello Dolly!, Me and My Girl, State Fair, Phantom (Yestons), and No No Nanette. Performed throughout the Los Angeles and Las Vegas areas with various dance companies, as well as filmed a dance-themed children’s television pilot entitled “The Magic Land of Dance”. Choreography credits include Cabaret (European Tour), 42^nd Street  (Paper Mill Theatre), West Side Story, Anything Goes, Cabaret (Ivoryton Playhouse), Stravinsky’s A Soldier’s Tale (Bergen County Arts). Has created talent pieces for the Miss America Pageant circuit. Training: The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Further studies with Bert Prival, Pat Rico, Joe Tremaine, Dean Barlow, and the Joffrey Ballet.

Chris Neher (Voice Production and Speech, New York) - Actor, vocal coach. Performed in premiere of Feral Music in the role of Arturo and as Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Training: M.F.A., The Ohio State University. Additional training: Saratoga International Theatre Institute and Catherine Fitzmaurice.

Taylor Nichols (Acting, Los Angeles) - Taylor Nichols made his feature film debut in Whit Stillman’s Academy Award nominated Metropolitan and then went on to star in Barcelona.  Other feature credits include The American President, Congo, Headless Body in Topless Bar and The Next Step, which he also produced.  Nichols also starred with Charlton Heston and Shelley Winters in Gideon and was seen in New Line Cinema’s Boiler Room and Jurassic Park II.  He recently completed Blackmail and The Air I Breathe with Forrest Whitaker and before that starred in the HBO series The Mind of the Married Man.  His work in TV movies includes Evolution’s Child for USA and Norman Jean and Marilyn for HBO.  He is currently on Friday Night Lights and recent recurring roles including ER, Las Vegas, Without A Trace, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, CSI and Man of the People (series regular).  Nichols is an award-winning short filmmaker having directed Two Heterosexual Men Get Ready to Go Out (One has a Girlfriend) a twelve minute movie starring Jay Thomas as Tom a heterosexual male, (available for download @ iTunes) and he wrote, produced and directed Last Train a 4 minute epic shot in NYC subway system.  He is a working theater director with North Beach, Plunge and Oleanna to his credit.  In the theater Nichols’ credits include Boy Gets Girl at the Geffen Playhouse, Plunge at Playwrights Horizon in New York, The Lonely Planet at the Fountain Theater and the National tour of Sugar Babies with Rip Taylor.  In a past life Nichols was an accomplished tap dancer having performed in 42^nd Street, My One and Only and On Your Toes.  He is endlessly working on a script about Harold Lloyd, the silent film comedian, and writing a children’s book, Lofty and Sir Knight.  Mr. Nichols is a graduate of the University of Michigan (Bachelor Degree with concentration in Theatre and Business Administration) and studied acting with Terry Schreiber in NYC. Also holds a degree in Journalism from University of California at Los Angeles, UCLA. He is co-founder of A.C. Tryworks an acting/writing workshop where he lives in Los Angeles, CA. AFTRA, AEA, SAG

George Nieves

(Dance, New York) Artistic Director of Broadway Dance Arts in New Windsor, NY. As a Choreographer his work, on projects as varied as Plays, Musicals, Industrials, Concerts, Benefits, and Recitals, has been seen on the stages of Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln center as well as Regional Theatres, Concerts Halls, Cabarets and Nightclubs around the county. His Choreography can be seen on 50 plus dancers in the premiere music video “Collide” for the up and coming band The Ruse (You Tube It). Other credits include Performing in 49 out of our 50 states at Venues such as Maine State Music Theatre, The St Louis MUNY, Atlanta’s Theatre of the Stars, Houston’s Theatre under the Stars., Portland Center Stag , and The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, in Shows such as West Side Story (Chino & Bernardo), A Chorus Line (Larry & Paul), 42^nd Street (Andy Lee), Cats (Pounciful), La Cage Aux Folles (Mercedes), Kiss me Kate (Gremio), Follies (Young Theodore/Young Vincent), White Christmas (Dance Captain), Mame (Dance Captain), Sophisticated Ladies (Ass.t Dance Captain), and Victor Victoria to name a few.

Regina O'Malley (Musical Theatre, New York) – Regina O’Malley has been a professional actress for over thirty years. She has appeared on Broadway, national tours, regional companies, off-Broadway, with opera companies, television, and many national commercials. Her credits include Broadway: Blood Brothers (Mrs. Johnston and Mrs. Lyons); the first national tour of Les Miserables (Madame Thenardier); several renditions of Forbidden Broadway (New York and elsewhere). Her regional credits are vast and extensive: Guys and Dolls (Sarah) for Seattle Rep; Ken Ludwig’s Sullivan and Gilbert (Violet) Huntington, Boston; the world premiere of Maury Yeston’s In The Beginning (Dottie) for Maine State; Boys from Syracuse (Adrianna) at Goodspeed Opera House, as well as numerous operas and operettas.  She took some time off from stage performing to raise her family (who are now in college and beyond). Quite by accident she found a new love in teaching. She has recently returned form China, where she taught her acting master class in Shanghai for Broadway Asia, and continues to teach both art and acting throughout the New York region. Training: B.F.A. Drama/Musical Theatre with a voice minor, Boston Conservatory; studied Meisner Technique with Kathryn Gately at the Gately/Prole School on Theatre Row; Graduate studies in arts-in-education, Marymount Manhattan College.

Giovanni Ortega (Voice Production and Speech, Los Angeles) - Giovanni Ortega is an actor, singer and dancer who currently performs in and around Hollywood Appearances include: Imelda (President Marcos) for East West Players; Conjunto for Playwright's Arena; The Odyssey, and Bully, for Will & Company; Gilgamesh for Boston Court; Latino Theater Company; American New Musical Theater; Colony and Dogeaters for Kirk Douglas Theater. Film credits include: Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima, Ray of Sunshine (Newport Beach Film Festival), Twixter, Coffee Date, "CSI" and the critically acclaimed NBC series "Heroes". In addition, he has done numerous commercial and voice-over work. He studied at the University of Illinois (Chicago), where he wrote and directed Colonial Mentality, a Hip-Hop Theater piece that combined traditional Indian dance with Hip-Hop Music. He also performed his one man show Ako, the spoken word Griot Speaks Out. Thereafter, Giovanni attended Graduate school at the UCLA MFA program in Theater, Film and TV. While in UCLA, he curated musical pieces such as Felicity is a Cynical Art, Noche de Cultura, Carnal Cabaret and Corazon Perdido (Fowler Museum). In addition, he was also a dancer for Do Brasil Dance Co. and Akimbo Dance Project. Giovanni is the founder of the Arts Collaborative MEZÇLAÕ, in which he directed Rocka in the La La Land of Lights, Pagbabalik, Vida y Muerto and hosts Noche de Artistas. As an educator, he was an instructor at the Asian American Theater Workshop in San Francisco, Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts (YADA) as well as Spectrum Theater, which spans Shakespeare to Hip-Hop Theater at the UCLA Arts workshop. He teaches Hip-Hop Theater at Irving Middle School, and Spoken Word creative writing for Upward Bound in addition to Voice and Speech at AMDA, During the Fall, he goes on a University tour with Playfair, a one-man show that deals with Diversity and Community. www.giovanniortega.com

Kevin Owers (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) - Singer. Actor. Stage productions include European and British tours of Jesus Christ Superstar (Caiaphas), The Mikado (Nanki Poo), in On Your Toes with Natalia Makarova (Sidney Cohn). Other productions include the European premiere of Sondheim's Pacific Overtures and Sir Peter Hall's production of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream at Glyndebourne. Upon arriving in Los Angeles in 1996 Kevin landed a memorable role in Titanic, with other film credits including Ballad of a Nightingale, and the yet to be released Rat Thing. TV credits include “West Wing,” “Angel,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Goggle Eyes.” B.A., Guildford School of Acting.

Evan Pappas

(Musical Theatre, New York) - Director/Actor.  Actor; Broadway: Parade (Britt Craig), My Favorite Year (Benjy), Putting It Together (Observer), A Chorus Line (Paul). Off-B’way: I Can Get It For You Wholesale (Outer Critics Nomination), The Immigrant, Pera Palas, etc. London West End: Merrily We Roll Along, Follies. Regional/Tours: Lucky Stiff (Helen Hayes Award), Pajama Game (Joseph Jefferson Nomination), The Heidi Chronicles, Lend Me A Tenor, False Admissions, Falsettos, Canterbury Tales, Promises, Promises, Dreamgirls, etc. Director; 7 Brides/Brothers (Bay Area Critics Best Production Award, Director nom), Funny Girl (BATC Director nom), Parallel Lives, Daily Sounds, Covent Garden Festival, A Man of No Importance, AMDA Showcases, etc. Training: Studied Acting with Bob Krakower, Fred Kareman and Ed Moorehouse, Voice with Joan Lader and Stephanie Samaras, Dance with Berle Davis and Jayne Zaban.

Randolf Pearson (Acting, New York) - Director, acting coach. Directed at the Dallas Theatre Center, Callier Theatre of the Deaf, Theatre Onstage, Actors Outlet, Manhattan College, and Fordham University. Productions include Goethe's Faust, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Joe Egg, Buried Child, The Apple Tree, and The Snow Queen. Artistic Director of On Stage Productions in N.Y.C. Directed Boys' Life with AMDA alumni company, The Lofty Theatre Company. Teaching experience: Hockaday School, University of Texas, Kean College, and Seton Hall University. Training: M.F.A., Trinity University; B.F.A., Southern Methodist University.

Michael Perilstein (Acting, New York) - Actor. Has been acting professionally on television, film, radio, an the stage since the age of eight. Broadway credits include Frankenstein and Really Rosie. Regional credits include Radium Girls, Escape from Happiness, Hay Fever, Good Person of Sichuan, Into the Woods, Suddenly Last Summer, Picnic, Same Time Next Year, An Evening with Bill Irwin. Appeared in television on “New York Undercover” and “The Guiding Light”.  Co-author of The Complete Professional Autition: A Common Sense Guide To Auditioning for Musicals and Plays, (Back Stage Books). Training: M.F.A., University of Virginia. Additional training: BADA, Juliet Stevenson, Fiona Shaw, Mark Wing Davey. Member: AFTRA, Equity, SAG. www.completeprofessionalaudition.com 

Robert Pescovitz Robert Pescovitz (Acting, Los Angeles) - Robert Pescovitz is an ensemble member of the Furious Theatre Company at the Pasadena Playhouse. His credits there include: Pa in the World Premiere of the play Canned Peaches in Syrup and the West Coast premieres of The Godbotherers, and Tearing the Loom. He also recently directed the critically acclaimed Los Angeles premiere of The Night Before Christmas for Furious. His other Los Angeles area theatre work includes Shakespeare Orange County, twelve years with A Noise Within, The Mark Taper Forum, The Court Theatre, The Odyssey Theatre, Shakespeare Festival L.A., and several plays with L.A. Theatre Works. Regional credits include San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, The Cincinnati Playhouse, American Players Theatre, and the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival. Recent television credits include Without a Trace, Raines, Cold Case, Close To Home, Brothers and Sisters, and General Hospital. He also appeared in the Feature Film Blood in Blood Out directed by Taylor Hackford. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and The American Conservatory Theatre. Robert is a recipient of a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Lead Performance.

Elaine Petricoff (Musical Theatre Department Chair, New York) – Elaine has dedicated the past fourteen years to the development and excellence of the curriculum, faculty, and teaching methods of AMDA’s musical theatre department. Prior to AMDA she was an accomplished actress, singer, and director. Broadway credits include: Rizzo in Grease (with John Travolta and Barry Bostwick); Catherine in The Me Nobody Knows and End of the World (directed by Harold Prince). Off-Broadway: Pins and Needles at the Roundabout Theatre; Cole at the Manhattan Theatre Club; Hijnks at the West Side Arts Center. Toured as Anita in West Side Story with Leslie Uggams and as Chava in Fiddler on the Roof with Leonard Nimoy. She has also appeared in numerous stock productions, industrials and commercials. Directed A Little Night Music and Falsettos for the Skylight Opera Company, and Uncle Vanya for New York University. Assisted director Tommy Tune and playwright Arthur Kopit. Taught at Berkshire Theatre Festival where she also directed and choreographed at the Unicorn Stage. Training: B.S., Syracuse University; private studies with Sanford Meisner.

Heather Petruzelli

(Individual Voice, New York) - Soprano, Heather Petruzelli, is a native of New Jersey and currently resides in Astoria, NY. She has been on the AMDA voice faculty since 2001. Since moving to New York City, she has appeared with such companies as Cantiamo Opera, Liederkranz Opera Theater, Henry Street Opera, New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, Opera Northeast, The Astoria Symphony, The Opera Company of Astoria and The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players.  Civic Symphony Orchestra of Northeastern, PA; May, 2010, Soprano soloist for Opera Italiana: A Nation Finds Its Voice, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, NY; July 2010, Pit Singer for Promises, Promises.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in music from Wilkes University followed by a Master’s degree in music from Boston University. Heather is a former student of Phyllis Curtin and currently continues her vocal studies with Beth Roberts. Teaching Credits; CAP 21, NYU Tisch Summer High School Program for the Arts and Wilkes University.

Laura Pierce (Acting, New York) - Director, actor. Has directed over 15 Off and Off-Off Broadway productions at theatres such as the Judith Anderson Theatre, The Westbank Theatre, and the Phil Bosakowski Theatre. Founding member of the Theatre Project Ensemble. Recent acting credits include performing with the improvisational troupe, The Resident Company; This Thing in Darkness at the Just Add Water/West Festival; and Dr. Larroque in the independent film, Dead Dog. Training: B.A., Stony Brook University; M.F.A., New School University.

Bill Plake

(Alexander Technique - Los Angeles) Bill Plake works both as a movement teacher, and professional musician. He is an AmSAT certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, and maintains a busy private teaching practice working with performing artists of all kinds, helping them to move more freely and avoid injury. He is also a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and combines his knowledge of movement, functional anatomy and corrective exercise to design safe and effective fitness programs for people of all ages. As a musician, Bill performs regularly on saxophone and flute, having appeared throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. He has worked with such modern jazz luminaries as Ravi Coltrane, James Newton, Nels Cline, Vinny Golia and Michael Vlatkovich. He is also a composer, and his compositions and playing have been favorably reviewed in such publications as Jazz Times, Downbeat, Cadence and the New York Times.

Markus Potter

(Acting, New York) - Markus is an actor, director, and acting teacher.  Markus is the Artistic Director of New York Rep (NewYorkRep.org) where he just directed the world premiere of WALLS. Acting credits in New York and the regional theatre credits include Hamlet, Lee Blessing’s The Road that Leads Here, Kelli Stuart’s The New New, at The Guthrie Theatre: Long Wharf Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Studio Theatre, DC.  US premiere of Peter Gill’s The York Realist; A Noise Within, LA: The Homecoming; Berkeley Repertory: Metamorphoses; American Conservatory Theatre: Juno and the Paycock; California Shakespeare Festival: Othello, Richard the Third and As You Like it, Scapin; San Francisco Shakespeare Festival: Much Ado About Nothing, Two Gentleman of Verona, Chautauqua Theatre Company: Hay Fever with Harriet Harris, and The Laramie Project. Weston Playhouse: As you Like it, and Death of a Salesman opposite Christopher Lloyd. Taught at the Denver Theatre Center, National Theatre Conservatory's MFA program, the BFA program at The Guthrie Theatre, University of Minneapolis, Fordham University, Center Rep, The University of Colorado, and the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. Training: B.A., Drama, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, M.F.A., Acting, Columbia University  Member: SAG, AEA, AFTRA

David Rada (Accompanist, Los Angeles) - Accompanist, classical pianist, musical director, playwright, performer. Debuted as solo pianist at age 13 with San Gabriel Valley Symphony. Musical director of numerous Off-Broadway and LA musicals. Co-wrote, performed and toured with singer/comic/spouse Hal Pederson for 10 years as award-winning gay cabaret duo Hal & David. Accompanist for musical theatre workshops taught by Charles Nelson Reilly and Karen Morrow, among others. Co-book writer with Mr. Pederson of new 1930's musical College Rhythm, based on the songs of Gordon & Revel. Training: B.A. Piano Performance, Stanford University.

Teri Ralston (Musical Theatre, New York) - Teri Spent her formative years in New York right out of college.  Her first show in New York was Jacques Brel... This was followed the same year with the original productions of Company, A Little Night Music, and Baker’s Wife.She went back to CA with a show and it didn't let her go until last year when she moved back to New York. Since returning to New York in 2007, Teri has performed in a workshop of Natural Woman, with music by Carole King, for director Michael Blakemore. She has also appeared in Bajour at the York Theater, Hats: The Musical in Denver, and a workshop production of a show called Unbeatable due in New York in Fall of 2008. Most recently, she had a featured role in the play Marcy In The Galaxy, directed by Jack Cunningham III with Transport Group. Teri’s association with Sondheim’s work has continued over the years. She has performed in and/or directed many productions of Sondheim’s shows. As a performer, she has appeared in Side By Side By Sondheim several times…once with Peggy Lee! She played Sally in three different productions of Follies, Mamma Rose in Gypsy, and Yvonne in Sunday In The Park With George. In Los Angeles, she was the ‘stand by” for Desiree in A Little Night Music…and for Carol Burnett in the Mark Taper Forum production of Putting It Together. She starred in a new Sondheim revue called Moving On at the Laguna Playhouse. Recently she was asked to play Night Music’s Madame Armfeldt at South Coast Repertory. Teri has also found much satisfaction in her directing career. She

directed the aforementioned production of Side By Side By Sondheim, in which she starred with Peggy Lee, and also directed a production of Follies while playing Sally alongside brilliant castmates Julie Wilson, Betty Garrett, John Raitt, Harvey Evans, and Kurt Peterson. Other directing gigs include Into The Woods, …Forum, and A Little Night Music. Lest you think she does only Sondheim works….she has also directed No, No Nanette; My One And Only; Me and My Girl; Man of La Mancha, Jacques Brel…; Quilters, Candide, Side Show, The Fantastick, The Baker’s Wife, The King and I,—and Los Angeles premieres of Octette Bridge Club and Gloria Duplex.Teri’s credits outside of musical theater include: soloist with Michael Feinstein, and performing with the New Mexico Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl in Gershwin concerts. As a cabaret artist, she has performed in nightclubs across the county, and was the featured entertainer with Crystal Cruises for two years. She is featured on five original cast albums and 3 CDs recorded in London . Television credits: “Frasier,” “Dharma and Greg,” Geppetto, “George Carlin,” “Wings,” “Murder She Wrote,” “The Slap Maxwell Story,” “One Day at a Time,” “Married With Children,” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.” While performing, Teri has also managed to continue teaching, which she loves. In CA she taught at UC Irvine, San Francisco State, Idllywild Performing Arts High School, OCSHA, and CA Conservatory of the Arts, and has always maintained a number of private voice students. She's pleased to continue teaching sessions at AMDA.

Kevin Ramsey (Dance, Los Angeles) - Kevin Ramsey is a multi-talented artist who continues to cross-over varied artistic mediums, ranging from serving as the Co-Producer/Director/Writer on the award-winning short film Tap Rap, starring Savion Glover, to starring on Broadway in the award-winning Cy Coleman musical The Life, which garnered him an Outer Critics Circle nomination. This ’08’-09” season the Milwaukee Rep (MRT) commissioned him to write and direct his latest project Fire On The Bayou, a musical celebration and tribute of his hometown of New Orleans. Last year his critically acclaimed musical Grafton City Blues, which tells the story of Paramount Records, also premiered at MRT.  Kevin’s company Urban Musical Tours, LLC is in development to produce the national tour, Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul, which had a world premiere at the Delaware Theater Company. Recent directorial and choreographic credits include the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway R&B musical From My Hometown, as well as, the national television commercial spots for GM Pontiac’s “It's in the Blood,” and Prilosec’s “The Purple Pill,” as well as, a number of industrial corporate films. As an actor, Mr. Ramsey has made numerous guest starring and/or recurring appearances on such network television shows as ”Cold Case,” “Saving Grace,” “Judging Amy,” “24,” “The District,” “The Hughley's,” “State of Grace,” “Charmed,” and “As The World Turns.”  Film credits: Sidney Lumet's Night Falls On Manhattan (supporting role opposite Andy Garcia); Trial By Jury, with William Hurt; Evidence of Humanity, with Peter Falk. Other Broadway credits:  The Lion King (LA),  Black and Blue, Five Guys Named Moe, and Oh, Kay, which garnered him the Astaire and Theater World Award for Best Performance on Broadway. Kevin has numerous theater, film, and television projects in development. He is a distinguished graduate of the New York University School of Arts theater/film program.  http://www.umtllc.webs.com/

Stephen Randoy (Accompanist, New York) - Stephen Randoy is a composer, teacher, voice coach, and accompanist. He has been music director for over seventy shows on stages all over the country, including  ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at Maryland University, A CHORUS LINE at Montgomery College, GODSPELL at Roundhouse Theater, TWO BY TWO at Theater J, ROCKY HORROR at Woolley Mammoth, WORKING with Signature Theater for “Voice of America”, LUNA Stage in Montclair, NJ where he worked with Sheldon Harnick on a new production of his musical DRAGONS. He music directed a reading of FAIRHAIRED BOY by Mr. Harnick and David Baker at Playwright’s Theater of New Jersey.  Mr. Randoy has written music and lyrics for over a dozen musicals with productions in Seattle, Maryland, Vermont, California, and New York.  His work includes: PERFECT FOOLS, MIDNIGHT STREET, THE ONLY YEAR THAT EVER WAS and IN ORBIT, which premiered in Vermont with Gwynneth Paltrow in the lead.  FIRST NIGHTS was produced by the Washington Jewish Theater and LOVERS’ KNOT was commissioned by Seattle Theater Arts.  His music and lyrics were presented in John Zndarsic’s Songbook Series at Donnell Library with performers including Marla Schaffel, Nancy Anderson, Julie Reyburn, and D.C. Anderson who has also recorded several songs they have written together. Stephen studied composition with Ingolf Dahl at the University of Southern California, Joseph Schwanter at Pacific Lutheran University and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in performance and composition. He has taught music theatre and voice at the Jewish Community Center of Bethesda, MD and LUNA Stage in NJ. Stephen is a member of the Lehman Engel-BMI Advanced Musical Theater Workshop and has presented his work at the ASCAP workshop.  He is a member of the Dramatist Guild.

Donna S. Reid (Individual Voice, New York) - AMDA faculty since 1995, singing teacher, mezzo soprano, certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique (www.donnasreid.com). Career highlights include: the role of Eva in the world premiere of the opera Montag aus Licht by Stockhausen, at La Scala in Milan, Italy; numerous concerts and operas throughout Europe; appearances on Italian and German television.  Mrs. Reid was associate to and wife of Cornelius L. Reid (noted vocal pedagogue and author of five books) from 1996 up until his death in 2008.  Mrs. Reid is also a member of the vocal quartet, Amici Cantanti (www.amicicantanti.com). Training: The School of Music at Northwestern University and American Center for the Alexander Technique.

Matt Richardson Matt Richardson (Accompanist, New York) - Matt Richardson attended DePaul University with a major in piano performance. Assistant M.D. on Three Penny Opera at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Various benefits in NYC. Easter Rising and Ripley with Michael Arden. Assistant M.D. on AMDA showcases. www.myspace.com/mattrichardsonmusic

Mark Riherd Mark Riherd (Acting Department Chair, Director of Education,New York) - Resident actor with the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta; performed regionally in Nashville and Atlanta. Played the title role in Smith, a musical at New York Performance Alliance where he also performed in a revival of Detective Story. Performed in a one-man show in England, Robert Raikes: A Man and his Time. Played Detective Weber, a recurring role on “As the World Turns” (CBS). Teaching experience: New York Performance Works, New York University, California State University, and Bretton Hall College, U.K. Publications include chapters for Learning Through Theatre, a British text on Theatre-in-education, and Campus and Classroom: Making Schooling Multicultural, a university textbook. Education: B.A. Union University, M.A. Ohio University, Ph.D. Candidate, New York University

Jeff Rizzo (Accompanist, Los Angeles) - Teacher, conductor, music director, pianist, orchestrator, arranger, composer. Professional credits: Conductor of national tour, 42nd Street revival. Madison Square Garden's The Wizard of Oz starring Roseanne Barr, the subsequent national tour, and the Grammy nominated cast recording starring Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt. Associate conductor of the US premiere of Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, starring Glenn Close. Conductor, Annie, fourth national tour. Audition accompanist for the films of Dreamgirls and Hairspray. Countless shows for most of the major regional musical theater companies throughout the country. Composer of Jailbirds On Broadway, Wanna Play?! With partner Eric Andrist, co-founded the Musical Theatre Guild. Training: B.M. Music Composition, graduated cum laude from The University of Southern California.

A.J. Robb (Accompanist, Los Angeles) - Composer, Music Director, Pianist. Regional music direction: Beauty & the Beast, You're A Good Man..., Seussical, Almost Heaven, many others (Rocky Mountain Rep and elsewhere). Numerous premieres and workshops. Film: Listen to Your Heart starring Cybill Shepherd (pianist, music consultant, contributing composer, 2010). Performer for Disney Cruise Line. Music director for "Swing Dames" vocal trio. Education: Composition at Illinois Wesleyan University with David Vayo, Jazz studies with Alan Swain, Northwestern University music academy. More at www.ajrobb.com

JD Roberto (Acting, Los Angeles) JD is an honors graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he studied Acting.   His training includes Master Classes with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Uta Hagen and a year at the International Theatre School of Holland.  He also holds a Masters of Fine Arts  degree (with honors) in Writing for Stage and Screen from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.  JD has written for everything from game shows to commercials to infomercials, sold a number of screenplays (including The Brotherhood, Street Racers), been a regular contributor writer to the Los Angeles Times in the field of love and relationships as well as a working travel writer for Discovery Channel’s award winning World Hum.  He is also a featured blogger at Raw City where he opines about the wonderful/sublime/absurd world of Reality TV.  JD has numerous Film and TV appearances to his credit, including Frasier, All My Children, Passions, General Hospital, The Mask of Zorro, ‘Til Night, Nautilus, Family Matters, Step by Step and a recurring role on The New Adventures of Robin Hood.  His theatre credits include performances at New York's Theatre for the New City, SoHo Rep, Playwrights Horizons, The Metropolitan Opera and The Laguna Playhouse, where he played the title role in the critically acclaimed production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile.   JD Roberto is best known to Reality TV aficionados as host of ABC’s How To Get The Guy, the hit relationship show Outback Jack (TBS), Discovery Channel’s Alaskan Adventure Challenge,  as well as the behind the scenes sensation American Idol Extra and Reality Remix for the Fox Reality Channel. Game show fans know him from the long running game show Shop ‘Til You Drop, Animal Planet's You Lie Like a Dog, the competition cooking show Food Fight on the Food Network and the scavenger hunt game show Cut To The Chase for TBS. JD has also been a regular guest host for E! News Live. BFA with honors in Acting – New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Founders Day Award, NYU, for artistic and scholastic merit, MFA with honors in writing for stage and screen, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Member of: SAG, AEA, AFTRA, SAFD certified for 15+ years

Jason Robinson (Individual Voice, New York) – Joined AMDA Voice Faculty in September of 2005. Also faculty at Lucy Moses Summer Musical Theater Workshop.  First National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella starring Eartha Kitt. Regional appearances at Paper Mill Playhouse, St. Louis MUNY, Kansas City Starlight, Fulton Opera House, Helen Hayes Theater, Ogunquit Playhouse. Concerts at Lincoln Center and Kaufman Center with Stephen Schwartz, Charles Strouse, Sheldon Harnick, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, and Sean Hartley. Two seasons with the Opera Theater of Lucca, Italy as well as appearances with the opera companies of Lucerne, Switzerland and Beaumaris, Wales. Tenor soloist in the Mozart Requiem and Handel's Messiah. Training: Graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's Musical Theater program with a minor in Vocal Performance.  Vocal study with Ellen Shade.

Stephen Rockwell

(Acting, Los Angeles) – Actor, Director.  Professional Highlights: THEATRE: Resident Artist at A Noise Within, (California’s Classical Repertory Theatre Company) for 14 years where he was recently seen as Don John in Much Ado About Nothing and Frederick Fellowes in Noises Off. He also appeared as Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with The LA Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl; Seven Seasons with The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival in upstate NY; Other theatres include – ACT, LATC, Fremont Center Theatre. FILM & TV: The Mikes (Pilot), Rodney, In Justice, The Comeback, Hawaii, Miss Match, Good AM Miami, Malcolm In The Middle, E.R., Roswell, M.Y.O.B., The Drew Carey Show, 3^rd Rock From The Sun and several TV Commercials.  Training: BA in Drama from Vassar College, MFA from The American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) in S.F.

Lars Rosager

(Dance, New York) - Lars’ choreography  has been seen at Dance Theatre Workshop, Bay Street Theatre, American Ballroom Theatre, The New York Drama League, regional theatre, industrials, and benefits. He choreographed West Side Story for the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Company, The Marriage of Figaro for the Brooklyn Opera Company and has directed and/or choreographed productions of Sweet Charity, Anything Goes, and 42nd Street, among others.  He choreographed Moonwork’s acclaimed productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and What You Will. He has choreographed three concert pieces: Passing Fancy, Busby’s Last Dream and Migra for NYU’s Distinguished Faculty Concert. He danced on Broadway in the original cast of 42nd Street, directed by Gower Champion and the 1987 revival of Cabaret, directed by Harold Prince and choreographed by Ron Field; He has performed with Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon with the American Dance Machine, and has been featured in works by Graciela Daniele and Geoffery Holder with American Ballroom Theater. Appeared with Catherine Turocys’ New York Baroque Dance Company.  Television credits include “In Performance at the White House”, “The Best of Broadway” on A&E, and “Showstoppers” on PBS. Teaching experience: Circle in the Square, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, CAP 21 at Tisch School of the Arts, and is currently on the faculty at New York University’s School of Dance Education, and AMDA, where he directs the Dance Workshop. He has taught master classes in theatre dance at Whitman College in Washington State and Stephens College in Coumbia, MO. Served as Dance Director for the national tour of Broadway Dancin’.

Sadie Dawkins Rosales (Individual Voice, New York) - Singer, vocal coach. Appeared throughout the United States and Europe in opera and musical theater since making her professional debut with Lyric Opera Cleveland at the age of seventeen. Appeared in leading roles in many productions including A Little Night Music, Don Giovanni, The Rape of Lucretia, La Voix Humiane, La Finta Giardiniera, La Boheme, La Rondine, The Music Man and H.M.S. Pinafore. Additionally, appeared as a soloist in many sacred works including the Poulenc’s Gloria, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Haydn's Dixit Dominus and the Messiah. Received awards from the Metropolitan Opera Council and the National Association of Teachers of Singing as well as the Max Berman Prize in Opera and the Italo Tajo Prize in Opera. Training: Extensive theater, language and vocal technique training from The Cleveland Institute of Music, The Gallatin School at New York University, The Chautauque Voice Institute, Centro Studi Italiani and AMDA, NY.

Wendy Rosoff (Dance, Los Angeles) - Wendy has been seen on Broadway, regionally and in National and European tours. She has performed at Carnegie Hall and was recorded for the “Great Performances Series” in the PBS televised special My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies of Broadway as one of Broadway’s up and coming leading ladies. A few favorite credits include Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Rita) under the direction of Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Mrs. Claus), A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden under the direction of Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, and the Tony Award winning revival of 42nd St. choreographed by Tony Award nominated Randy Skinner.  Last year Wendy wrote, produced, co-choreographed and starred in a one woman show called Confessions Of A Christmas Banshee that premiered in Los Angeles to critical acclaim. In addition, she’s been seen singing and dancing on “The Tony Awards,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “The Late Show” with David Letterman, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and “The Today Show” among others. Other Film and Television include: The Prestige, Getting To Know You, a pilot for ABC called Good Behavior, and the hit comedy web series Goodnight Burbank as series regular Zoe Travis.  As producer and writer/director Wendy has the short “The End” and her brand new web series called “Groupthink” under her belt! For more:  http://www.wendyrosoff.com/ and http://www.bossypantsfilms.com/.

Deborah Ross-Sullivan (Voice Production and Speech Department Chair, Los Angeles) - Professional speech coach for actors in productions including The Cider House Rules, Dancing at Lughnasa, St. Elsewhere, Fame, and the Jim Henson Christmas Special. Voice-over projects include film narration projects for SAIC, Kaiser Permanente and Exxon; commercials for Fox Television, Kroger Supermarkets, Jack-in-the-Box, Baskin Robbins, and Buick. Training: M.A., New York University; B.S., Emerson College; Juilliard School of Music; High School for Performing Arts.

Karly Rothenberg (Acting, Los Angeles) - Actor, singer, voice actor, sketch/improv comedy performer. Film credits: Kicking and Screaming, starring Will Ferrell, Pirates of the Caribbean II, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton and various independent films. Television credits: Recurring role on the NBC hit comedy series “The Office,” Disney Channel's “That's So Raven,” and “7th Heaven.” Has also appeared in “Prison Break," "Weeds," "Big Love,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Arrested Development,” and “Close to Home,” as well as several Hallmark Channel Movies. Voice over credits include radio commercials for Sony Viao; Expedia.com; and Karly's favorites, The California Cheese Cows, and The Evil Rosa Klebb and Money Penny in the James Bond Video Game, From Russia with Love. Artistic director, improv instructor and voiceover coach of Avery Schreiber's Improvisational Workouts. She is also a guest instructor for the Cal  State  University, Northridge, Theater/Improv Department. Training: Graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NY; Stella Adler Conservatory, Los Angeles Master Class w/ Stella Adler; The Second City Training Center, Los Angeles; Dolores Diehl's Voiceover Connection, Los Angeles; Associates Degree Child Development, Los Angeles Valley College, CA; Cal State University, Northridge. Member SAG, AFTRA, AEA.

Bill Rubenstein (BFA General Education) - Bill Rubenstein got his BA in English at Harvard before working for producer George Litto at 20th Century Fox, where he oversaw projects with Oscar winning screenwriters. Later, Bill wrote Beyond Rangoon (nominated for the Palme D’Or at Cannes) produced by Oscar winner Barry Spikings (THE DEER HUNTER) directed by Oscar nominee John Boorman (DELIVERANCE) and starring Emmy winner Patricia Arquette and Oscar winner Frances McDormand.    The New Yorker called the film “A fearless masterpiece.”  Upon its European release, the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was freed after years of house arrest-- and thanked the film-makers. Bill moved to Europe in 1994, where he worked as a translator for art history books, films, and television. He translated the text of an essay by Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, written for the opening of a major show at Palazzo Venezia. He was creative consultant on Ferrari, which starred Italy ’s leading actor Sergio Castellito, and Ed Stoppard, ( son of Tom Stoppard). Bill maintained a transcontinental link with Hollywood, working from 2000-2006 as a screenwriter for New Line Cinema. After returning to America in 2007, Bill is now developing a film about Robert Kennedy, for which he has interviewed many of Kennedy’s closest friends and associates. Embarking on a teaching career, Bill not only works at AMDA, but also for the prestigious School for Young Performers, On Location Education (the leading provider of educational services for celebrities), Columbia College Hollywood (a leading film school), and in 2008 he made three documentary films with gifted and talented students in public schools. Bill has traveled to 53 countries. He’s trekked across the Himalayas, climbed Kilimanjaro, rafted the Zambezi, camped in the deserts of Arabia and toured America as staff photographer on two tours with the Irish rock band U2.

Tim Ryan (Voice Production and Speech, New York) - Actor, voice and speech coach, director. Select regional credits include Hippodrome State Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, Mint Theatre, The Public Theatre of Maine, Blackfriars Shakespeare, and Kings County Shakespeare. Toured nationally with Chamber Theatre, among many others. Performed the North American premiere of the Irish play, Language Roulette. Has worked on various daytime dramas and commercials. Training: National Shakespeare Conservatory and B.A. in Theatre from Russell Sage College. Additionally has trained with Robert Perillo, Raphael Kelly Shakespeare Studio and Guy Donahaye.

Kirsten Sanderson (Acting, Los Angeles) –

Kirsten Sanderson has directed numerous new works for the stage by writers who include, Michael John LaChiusa, Craig Lucas, Shel Silverstein, Steven Schwartz and Blake Edwards, at venues which include, The New York Shakespeare Festival, PS 122, Circle Rep, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Director's Company, Theatreworks USA, The Women's Project, The HBO Comedy Arts Festival, Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall and Town Hall. Her long running Off Broadway production of Todd Robbin's "Carnival Knowledge" was recognized as Best of the NY Fringe Festival in 2003 and was nominated for a 2004 Drama Desk Award. She directed the original production of Michael John LaChiusa's Obie Award winning "First Lady Suite" at the Public, and the original production of his "Lucky Nurse" at Playwrights Horizons. The cast album of her Blank Theatre Co. production of LaChiusa’s “Little Fish” starring Alice Ripley was recently produced by Ghostlight Records.  She has served as Director in residence at New Dramatists and as Director of the Ensemble Studio Theatre's National Theatre Colony. She has taught Music Theatre Performance at Playwrights Horizons Theatre School at NYU and at the Eugene O’Neil Center's National Theatre Institute. She is regularly employed as a directing and producing associate to filmmaker Blake Edwards.   

Mark Santoro

(Dance, New York) - Mark Santoro is one of the most sought after tap and jazz dance teachers in the industry today.  He has taught and adjudicated for every major dance organization in the United States, as well as internationally in Mexico, Canada and Italy.  He is the recipient of numerous dance awards given by Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America for his continuing education in jazz dance.  Mr. Santoro’s Broadway shows and touring credits include GYPSY (the first revival), SOPHISTICATED LADIES (Las Vegas Co.), THE TAP DANCE KID (national tour), CARRIE, CATS, Al in A CHORUS LINE (national tour), DAMN YANKEES (1994 revival), BUSKER ALLEY (pre-Broadway tour) and SHOW BOAT (1996).  He has worked with such notable choreographers as Danny Daniels, Debble Allen, Tommy Tune, Rob and Kathleen Marshall, Baayork Lee and Susan Stroman. As a choreographer his Regional Theatre credits include DAMES AT SEA (Studio Arena), DAMES AT SEA (theatre Row revival starring Kristen Chenoweth in NYC), FOOTLOOSE, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Gateway Playhouse), MAME, FORTY-SECOND STREET, and SOUTH PACIFIC (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina). Mr. Santoro has served on the faculties of the DMA Teacher's Training School and the Teacher’s Training Program for Dance Educators of America, and is a Jazz Instructor for the American Ballet Theatre Young Dancer Summer Workshop under the direction of Franco DeVita. He also teaches for The New Dance Group Arts Center and is currently on the faculty of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. 

Michael Sartor (Musical Theatre Chair, Los Angeles) - Director, Performance Coach, Composer/Lyricist, Actor. Previous Chairman of the Musical Theatre at AMDA, New York. Directed over 60 musicals in regional theatre and equity stock including recent productions of Seussical, Crazy For You, Little Mary Sunshine, Barnum, and Into The Woods. Performance coach for hundreds of musical theater performers including Idena Menzel, Zach Braff from “Scrubs”, John Stamos in Nine, Kathryn Helmond in Harold and Maude, Robbie Benson, Richard Thomas, and Tony nominated Jane Lanier. As a singing coach in the recording industry, he has helped to cast, record, and coach vocals for artists/groups such as Dream, Nobody’s Angel and No Secrets, all signed with major labels such as Jive, Hollywood Records and Capitol. He has also composed and written special material for Mary Martin, Rip Taylor, Cyd Charisse, and 2007 Tony Nominated Jay Johnson. Michael created Broadway Arts Workshops, a series of professional performance based training workshops for young actors and currently teaches them around the country (musicinla@msn.com). As an actor, Michael appeared in tours of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat with David Cassidy, Woman Of The Year with Carol Lawrence, and Do Patent Leather Shoes Reflect Up with Robbie Benson. Training: M.F.A. Texas Christian University; B.F.A. Bowling Green State University. Member of AEA, ASCAP, AFM.

Eileen Schauler (Individual Voice, New York)  - Singer, vocal coach. Following her New York City Opera debut in the title role of the American premiere of Shostakovich's Katerina Ismailova, she sang 24 leading roles with the company over 15 years including Tosca, Salome, Carmen, Lizzie Borden and La Boheme. Made her Broadway debut in the title role of My Darlin' Aida. Credits include Der Rosenkavalier with the Metropolitan Opera. Soloist with major symphonies such as The New York Philharmonic, Pittsburgh, Washington National and Cleveland Orchestra, plus extensive regional and Canadian opera appearances. More than 1,700 performances of operetta and musical theatre: Carousel, Sound of Music, Damn Yankees, The Merry Widow.  Recitals (in 7 languages) plus radio, and television appearances including “PBS's Live From Lincoln Center” as Anna Maurrant in Kurt Weill's Street Scene directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien.  Training: Diploma in Voice (with Honors), Piano Minor, The Juilliard School, Post-Graduate Diploma, Opera Theatre, The Juilliard Opera Theatre. Listed in Who's Who in Opera. Member: AEA, AFTRA, AGMA (Vice President for 10 years).

Jacklyn Schneider

(Individual Voice, New York) Soprano, vocal coach.  Sang the title role in several productions of Puccini’s Tosca, including with the Opera Company of Boston under the direction of Sarah Caldwell, the Kentucky Opera Association, on tour with Boris Goldovsky’s Opera Theatre, and Opera Northeast.  Other leading roles:  San Francisco Opera, Philadelphia Lyric Opera, Santa Fe Opera, the Aspen Music Festival and the Metropolitan Opera Studio.  Performed with Opera at Rutgers as Lady Billows in Albert Herring, Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos, and as Antonina in Donizetti’s rarely-heard Belisario.  Lecture-recitals include:  Wagner, Women and Redemption at Rutgers; Richard Strauss’s Krämerspiegel: Satire in Song at Skidmore, Mercer College, Rutgers University, Westminster Conservatory Faculty Recital Series and a benefit concert for the New York City chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.   Jacklyn portrayed the character Pauline Viardot-Garcia in a dramatic program at Marymount Manhattan College, Clara Schumann Reminisces by actress Julia Sandra Rand, singing songs composed by Clara.  Awards and grants:  J. Ralph Corbett, the Minna Kaufmann-Ruud, the William Mattheus Sullivan foundations and the Metropolitan Opera.  As a first-prize winner of the Joy in Singing competition, she made her New York recital debut at Town Hall.  She is the founder and artistic director of VOICES, a summer intensive program for musical theatre and classical singers. In 2003 she co-founded and is vice president of  Arts for Alzheimer’s Foundation, a not-for-profit, 501C organization.  Current teaching:  AMDA voice faculty since 1992; New York University, humanities faculty, adjunct lecturer on opera since 1999; private vocal studio in New York City and New Jersey; frequently serves as adjudicator at vocal competitions.  Former faculties:  Westminster Conservatory, Westminster Choir College; Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University.  Member of NATS, the National Association of Teachers of Singing.  Training:  D.M.A., Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University; B.M., Performer’s Certificate in Voice and Opera, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester.

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Barbara Schofield (Acting, Los Angeles) - Teacher, director, actor, theatre historian. Professional credits: Worked professionally as director or actor for such various theatre companies as New York's Roundabout (Susan Bloch Theatre), Jean Cocteau Repertory, Westbeth, The Producer's Club, The Kitchen, Boston's Lyric Stage, Missouri Repertory Theatre. Founder and artistic director of Manhattan's House of Candals Theatre Company. Has taught acting, directing, stage voice and theatre history at Tufts University, University of Missouri, and University of California. Training: PhD and M.A. Theatre, Tufts University, Massachusetts.; B.A. Drama, Schiller International University, Berlin and London.

Johannes Schwaiger (Individual Voice, New York) - tenor.  Johannes Schwaiger is a performing artist in opera, oratorio, concert and musical theater. He began his singing career at the age of nine, recording under his own label, HS Recordings. At age 15, he signed with CBS recording. He studied music and voice at the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich and graduated with a Master of Music degree in opera and performance where he received his performance certificate under Kammersänger Friedrich Lenz of the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. In August of 2008 The Richard Strauss Conservatory fused with the University of Music and Performing Arts, Munich. http://www.musikhochschule-muenchen.de He was awarded the Richard Wagner Stipend of Bayreuth and the Walter Kaminsky Stipend of Munich. Mr. Schwaiger received a scholarship to study at the College of Performing Arts, now the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and to continue his studies with the late John Alexander of the Metropolitan Opera, NYC. Johannes is a four-time award recipient of the Sergio Franchi scholarship foundation for young tenors.  He has appeared as guest soloist with the Philadelphia Opera Company, June Opera Festival in Princeton, Riverside Opera Ensemble, NYC, and the Wagner Society of NYC. He held the title role of Mengone in Joseph Hayden's Opera, "Lo Speciale", in Munich, as well as Eurindo by Siegesmund Kusser, a 14th Century opera in which he toured the castles of Europe. He sang Don Octavio in "Don Giovanni", Tamino from "The Magic Flute", and Bastien from "Bastien and Bastienne", by Mozart. In 1998and 1999, he performed Siegmund in "Walküre", by Richard Wagner and Max in "Freischütz", by Carl Maria von Weber. From 1992 to 1994 Mr. Schwaiger was engaged in the musical "Cats", Operettenhaus, Hamburg, Germany, in the title role of Old Deuteronomy and Gus Growltiger. On the oratorio stage, he has been the tenor soloist in Händel's Messiah, Sir John Stainer's Crucifixion, Camille Saint Saens, and Christmas Oratorio. He toured the Cathedrals of France with the world renowned Collegium Musicum of the University of Munich as tenor soloist in Elijah. He has appeared in numerous Radio and TV shows in Europe and the USA. His work with the Chassidic community in NYC was featured in “Der Weltspiegel” Prime TV-Germany and in “Stern” Magazine.  He and his wife, Tessa Lang, were the soloists for the International German/American Festival in Eisenhower State Park, Long Island, where they performed live for an audience of 15,000. He gave his solo NYC recital debut at the Theodore Roosevelt Theater as an award recipient of the Richard Tauber Foundation and in 2000 at the Citicorp/St. Peters. Mr. Schwaiger continues an extensive concert schedule in Europe and the United States of America. In addition to his performing schedule, Mr. Schwaiger has been a faculty member( 1997-prensent) of vocal performance at American Musical and Dramatic Academy www.amda.edu in New York City and is presently serving on the voice faculty at NYU – Tisch School of the Art/Cap21 in NYC as well.  He speaks and writes multiple languages. 

Together Johannes and Tessa recorded a CD of 15 lullabies in 8 different languages. They premiered Dreamgates World Lullabies on May 12, 2008 under the title "Once Upon a Time…….. There was a Lullaby" in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall to a sold-out audience. For more information on his work on a worldwide scope, please visit their website: www.tessalang.com

Stephanie Scott (Musical Theatre, New York) - Actress, director, coach, script consultant. Directing: Into The Woods (Yale), Spectrum Stage (Director in Residence), West Bank, Manhattan Theater Club, NY Shakespeare Festival, Ensemble Studio and Westport Arts Center. Performance: Rum and Coke (NY Shakespeare Festival), The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Cincinnati Playhouse), I Ought To Be In Pictures (tour with George Maharis), Buddies and How To Say Goodbye (EST) Badgers (Manhattan Punch Line), Boogie Woogie (Urban Arts, dir. Vinnette Carroll), The American Imagination (dir. Richard Foreman), “One Life To Live” (ABC). Cabaret: Don't Tell Mama's, Danny's Skylight Room, Horn of Plenty. Script Consulting: Miramax. Teaching Experience: Yale, Hunter College, HB Studio, Singers Forum. Training: M.A. Performance Studies, NYU. B.A. Theatre, Smith College. Private study with David Craig, Felix Knight, Uta Hagen.

Pete Seibert Pete Seibert (Accompanist, Los Angeles) - Pete Seibert is a composer, conductor, and pianist living in Los Angeles, CA. Recent work includes conducting and playing piano for the new musical movie FAME, additional arrangement credits in the upcoming feature Dear John (starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried), and various work on Howard Benson-produced albums such as Creed's Full Circle, Adam Lambert's For Your Entertainment, and Allison Iraheta's Just Like You. At the age of 22, Pete moved to Los Angeles after completing his Distinguished Major at the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Music.  He has played for a variety of LA area shows including MTLA's production of West Side Story and Havok Theater's award-winning production of Kiss of the Spiderwoman.  Pete's music has been featured in films, commercials, concert halls, and on television.

Wendy Sharp (Individual Voice Department Chair, New York) Singer, Actress, Voice Teacher. Appeared as a soloist with Chicago Symphony, Grant Park Festival, and David Randolph’s Masterwork Chorus. Opera Performances with Santa Fe Opera, Illinois Opera Guild, New York-area and regional companies. Roles performed include Fiordiligi, Pamina, Mimi, Musetta, Suor Angelica and Lia in Debussy’s l’Enfant Prodigue.  Musical Theatre roles include Lola in Damn Yankees and Carrie in Carousel. Recipient of a Martha Baird Rockefeller Grant and a regional winner in the Metropolitan Opera auditions.  Founding member of Magic Circle Opera Repertory Ensemble.  Training: B.F.A., Chicago Conservatory College. Additional training:  The Juilliard School, Boston Conservatory of Music, Boris Goldovsky Opera Institute. Extensive voice study with noted master teacher, author, and pedagogue, Cornelius L. Reid and a proponent of his principles of “functional vocal training”.  Member: AEA, AGMA.

Stephen Shaw-Naar (Accompanist, Los Angeles) - MM, LRSM (Licenciate of the Royal Schools of Music, Piano)  In 1997, Stephen was awarded a full-tuition scholarship from Texas Christian University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance, graduating cum laude in 2001. At TCU, he was a piano student of José Feghali (gold medalist at the 7th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition), and an active member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia professional music fraternity.  Stephen was the 2001 recipient of the Prime Minister of Jamaica’s National Youth Award for Excellence in the Arts.  He holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the Flora L. Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he was a student of Dr. Stewart Gordon.  Throughout his musical study and later work, Stephen, has spent the greater portion of his time accompanying instrumental/vocal soloists and choral groups.  In Jamaica, he has been featured as accompanist and/or solo pianist in several concert series, including multiple seasons of: Classics in June (benefit), Wings of Song (opera review), and concerts of the National Chorale of Jamaica.  He has provided some combination of accompaniment and/or music direction for many college/community-theatre/high-school musical theatre productions since moving to LA in 2004, including: Seussical the Musical, Once on this Island, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and L’il Abner.  In addition to duties at AMDA, he serves as full-time staff accompanist at Long Beach City College, and pianist/substitute-organist for the El Segundo United Methodist Church. 

Mark Silence

(Stage Combat Department Chair, New York) - Actor, director, fight choreographer/ director. Fight Direction for Theatre: American Conservatory Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Grove Shakespeare Festival, Brava, Pulse Ensemble. Feature film & other media: Liar's Dice, Yerba City, Shockwave, Shockwave II. Acting credits: TV- “Beverly Hills 90210”, “The Adventures of Brisco County Junior”, “The Day After”. National/Regional Commercials. Theatre Credits: The Three Musketeers (Aramis), Hamlet (Laertes), Macbeth (Macbeth), Love's Labour's Lost (Berowne), Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, directed by Moises Kauffman. Training: B.F.A. Acting, University of the Arts; M.F.A., American Conservatory Theater.

Tracy Silver (Dance, Los Angeles) - Teacher, dancer, actress. Professional credits: Carnal Knowledge (with Burt Reynolds); world premiere of the musical The Thief (with James Mellon and Joe Church); Alvin Alley American Dance Theater; West Side Story international company, directed by Jerome Robbins; Hair; Chicago; The Time of Your Life opposite Tony winner John Glover. Feature film: Fast Forward, directed by Sidney Poitier for Columbia Pictures.

Steven Silverstein (Accompanist, New York) - Broadway: Blood Brothers, Swinging on a Star.  Off Broadway: A Naughty Knight, The Jazz Singer, When Pigs Fly, The Green Heart, A Child's Garden, The Ark and Annie Warbucks.  Vocal coach and pianist playing for Martha Stewart, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, Eric McCormick, Megan Mullally, Harry Connick, Jr., John Raitt, Deborah Gibson, Neva Small (In 2007, music director, for her one woman show, Not Just An Ingenue)  and Carole King.  Pianist: 2008 NYC Cabaret Convention.    Regional credits include: Hello Dolly with Tovah Feldshuh and Gypsy with Betty Buckley and Deborah Gibson (Papermill Playhouse), Goodspeed Opera House Westport County Playhouse.  Onstage pianist for “Gossip Girls” (CW). Composer: Human Heart (Billy Rose winner) and Boss in the Satin Kimono (2008 NYC Fringe Festival).  Contributing Composer to 10 Reasons I Won't Go Home With You (2010 Midtown Manhattan Fringe Festival)  Music director/arranger and composer on The Path You Choose  (John Treacy Egan's premiere CD: Count The Stars). Creator of The Fearless Audition.  On the faculty at Neighborhood Playhouse (junior division) and has served as faculty at Marymount Manhattan College, SUNY Purchase and NYU. Training: M.A. Music Education, New York University; B.A. Theatre, B.S. Finance, University of Bridgeport.
http://www.steven-silverstein.com/

Byron Singleton (Individual Voice, New York) - Tenor. Performs in opera and concert in the United States and abroad. Operatic Performance: Gianni Schicchi (Rinuccio), Opera on the Lake in Maine; Il Signor Bruschino (Floriville), Metropolitain Opera Guild; title role in Faust, Opera Company of Astoria; La Boheme (Rodolfo), Cantiamo Opera and the Crotan Symphony concert version; La finta giardiniera (Count Belafiore), Little Opera Company of New York.  Concert appearances: Mozart’s Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, both with Astoria Symphony; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Hudson Symphony. Most recently Mr. Singleton sang Schumann’s Dichterliebe with Hudson Opera’s Recital Series. In 2007 he sang in Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg with the Metropolitan Opera Chorus. In May 2008 he sings the role of Benedict in Beatrice et Benedict with Harbor Opera. In the 2008-2009 season he appears in La damnation de Faust, Gotterdammerung, and Verdi’s Requiem with the Metropolitan Opera.

Emily Skinner (Musical Theatre, New York) – Actress, singer.  BROADWAY: original companies of Side Show (Tony nomination, Drama League Award), Jekyll & Hyde, The Full Monty, James Joyce's The Dead (with Christopher Walken), Dinner at Eight (Outer Critics Circle Nomination). NATIONAL TOURS:  Billy Elliot, Disney's On The Record. OFF-BROADWAY: Jerry Springer The Opera (with Harvey Kietel) at Carnegie Hall, No Strings, Pardon My English, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (at City Center's Encores!), leading roles at Manhattan Theater Club, WPA Theater, Playwrights Horizons, Roundabout Theatre Company, York Theatre, Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Gardens.  REGIONAL:  multiple roles at The Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, The Hangar, Long Wharf, The Old Globe, and many others. Her numerous CD recordings may be found at Amazon.com. She has sung with symphonies internationally and is a very proud member of AEA.

John Sloman (Musical Theatre, Los Angeles)  - John Sloman has vast experience on Broadway, as well as in Television and Film.  Mr. Sloman appeared on Broadway in the 2000 revival of The Music Man, big, West Side Story, Whoopee!, The 1940’s Radio Hour, A Christmas Carol, and A Day In Hollywood/A Night In The Ukraine.  Off Broadway, he has worked at Joseph Papp’s Public Theatre, Irish Rep., New York Theatre Workshop, Circle Rep., The Manhattan Theatre Club, The Roundabout Theatre, The WPA, and The York.  Regionally, Mr. Sloman has played roles at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cleveland’s Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, The Westport Country Playhouse, The MUNY in St. Louis, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and has spent three summers workshopping new musicals at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Connecticut.  His Television credits include "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice," “Entourage,” “Las Vegas,” “Medium,” “Cold Case,” “Close To Home,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order SVU,” “Ed,” “Hope & Faith,” “One Life To Live,” “Guiding Light,” and “Days Of Our Lives,” as well as Sondheim’s Passion: Live From Lincoln Center.  John appeared in the film "The Ugly Truth" and is also featured in the opening number of the movie of The Producers.  His training includes a B.A. in Theatre (Magna Cum Laude) from the State University of New York at Geneseo, as well as further studies with Craig Carnelia, Freddie Kareman, Dr. Linda Carroll, William Alderson, Robert D’Avanzo, and Brian Reise.

Matt Smedal (Accompanist, Los Angeles) - Regional Music Direction & Associate Music Direction Credits: Jesus Christ Superstar (North Shore Music Theatre, IRNE nominations for Best Music Director and Best Musical), Once on This Island, Flora the Red Menace, Lil' Abner and Damn Yankees (Reprise Theatre Company), The Wizard of Oz and Scrooge (West Virginia Public Theatre), Gypsy, Oklahoma! and 1776 (Barn Theatre), The Jungle Book Kids! (Pittsburgh Musical Theater).  Los Angeles Keys Credits: Tommy and Chess (Flicker House Productions), Brain From Planet X (LA City College, world premiere). Orchestrations: Dakota Sky (Music and Lyrics by Kathleen Cahill and Deborah Wicks LaPuma). Synth Programming: Tommy (Flicker House). Matt is a doctoral fellow of West Virginia University. www.matthewsmedal.com

Cate Smit (Acting, New York) - Theatre: Mint Theatre, Jose Quintero Theatre, Center Stage, Kings County Shakespeare, Synchronicity Theatre, Westbeth, HERE Theatre, John Drew Theatre, etc. Comedy (and hosting): Original member of The Heartless Floozies, Theatresports, MTV, Gotham City Improv, Carolines, Luna Lounge, Luna Park (LA), Stand-Up NY, Stella, Toyota Comedy Festival, PS NBC, industrials, etc. TV: recurring role, “The Onion” (IFC), "Law & Order: C.I.", Nickelodeon, VH-1, MTV, HBO, Comedy Central. Film/TV: "Going the Distance" with Drew Barrymore (2010 release), "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" (Columbia Pictures), "I Do and I Don’t", "Everyday People" (HBO), "Last Days of Disco" (Castle Rock Ent.), "Happy Hour". Education: BFA, Syracuse University; Northwestern University (NHSI program); LAMDA; Arthur Storch, Bobby Lewis, Terry Schreiber, Kristen Linklater, Vivian Matalon. Appears regularly in national commercials and can be heard on the radio. Performs original material regularly in NYC and Los Angeles. Co-producer and casting director of the award nominated film short, “Helen at Risk” with Didi Conn. Teaching credits: Weist–Barron, NYU continuing education, corporate workshops. Member: AEA, SAG, AFTRA.

Holly Jeanne Sneed (Acting, Los Angeles) - Associate Producer, Grand Central Theatre, Santa Ana, CA. Regional stage credits include Laguna Playhouse, Utah's Old Lyric Theatre, Summer Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Under the Moon, Shakespeare Santa Barbara, Court Theatre, Grove Theatre, Studio Theatre as well as appearances with The Company Rep. Film and television projects include AdFight, Bowling for Soup: High School Never Ends, Net Neutrality, Distortion and Skid Marks! Past Contributing Editor, Quarto, publication for the Shakespeare Association of America, Associate Editor for The National Theatre Conference News, and contributing author for Backstage and Equity News. Training M.F.A. Theatre Arts, California State University, Fullerton; M.A.O.M., University of Phoenix; B.A. History, UCLA.

Devi Snively Devi received her B.A. in Liberal Arts/Dance from Sarah Lawrence College and MFA in Film from the Academy of Art.  She was one of 8 women in the American Film Institute’s 2007 Directing Workshop for Women.  She’s taught film writing, production and theory at Central Washington University and the University of Notre Dame.  Devi wrote and directed a feature-length documentary distributed by Berkeley Media and 9 short narrative films which have screened at over 200 film festivals worldwide, garnering over 40 awards and critical acclaim.  Her screenplays have placed in numerous competitions including Slamdance, Scriptapalooza and Writer’s Digest. She’s a featured director in Greg Lamberson’s Cheap Scares, a book about the next wave of horror auteurs.  She recently completed her first micro-budget feature film which has already won “Best Ensemble” and “Best Feature” awards.  She’s currently in post-production on a short film and in development for her next feature and a webisodes series. 

Ashkan Soltani (Acting, Los Angeles) - Filmmaker, Actor, writer, has a M.F.A. in film production from University of Utah. He studied acting in Iran an acted in several plays such as Chekove’s The Anniversary, The Three Sisters, and Ionesco’s Jack, or the Submission. He also directed a number of plays, most recently Paula Vogel’s Desdemona, a Play about a Handkerchief for Utah Art Alliance. His films have played in several film festivals and won numbers of awards and nominations. He is a member of University film and Video Association, And International Documentary Association.

Sean Spann (Voice Production and Speech, Los Angeles) – Actor, Teacher, Writer.  Trained and worked in the fields of Stage, Film, Voice-Over, Commercials, and Playwriting. Regional credits include Eccentricities of a Nightingale at the New Harmony Theatre in New Harmony, Indiana. Los Angeles credits include Richard III at the Colony Theatre and Machiavelli: The Art of Terror at the Hayworth Theatre. Film credits include Novem. Sean earned a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Evansville and an M.F.A. in Acting from the University of California-Irvine, where he also instructed Acting and Voice & Speech classes. Additional study includes work with Katherine Fitzmaurice, Neil Labute, Bill Rauch, and Donald McKayle.    

James Stenborg (Accompanist, New York) -

Broadway: "Side by Side by Sondheim", "West Side Story" (1980 revival), rehearsal pianist and pit of "Sweeney Todd", "Grand Hotel" , "Nine", "Alice in Wonderland".  Off-Broadway: “Birds of Paradise”. Orchestrations: "Yours, Anne" and "Pacific Overtures" (1987 revival recently done at the Donmar Warehouse and licensed by MTI). TV: “Making of West Side Story" (PBS) and worked on Bernstein’s recording.  Musical director of 23 shows and operettas for Musicals Tonight!, numerous stock and regional productions, and recordings of "Unsung Sondheim" and "Lost in Boston 1&2”. He has restored vocal scores for 4 Rodgers & Hart' musicals (2 for Musicals Tonight) and the piano/vocal score of Arlen's "St. Louis Woman" for City Center and the orchestration of Gershwin's "Tip-Toes" for the Gershwin estate, and staff member for 20 years at Goodspeed Opera House. He has taught in Paris, Bologna and Leningrad through the O’Neill Center. Training: B.A. in Music History, University of Minnesota; graduate study in conducting with Igor Markevitch and Herbert Blomstedt with the Monte Carlo Opera Orchestra.  He started at AMDA in 1978.

Christopher Stephens (Individual Voice, New York) - Musical director and pianist for many shows including Daydreaming: Channeling Doris Day (The Blank Theatre); Burly-Q (Amas); Shout! The Mod Musical (off-Broadway recording with Rhino Records); Screams of Kitty Genovese (NY Musical Theatre Festival); Miss Chase, Miss Lincoln (National Historic Theatre); Captain Louie (off-Broadway); Was (premiere); States of Independence (premiere). Pianist for Forecast Productions, Wing and Drop Theatre Co., Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, ReVision Theatre of Asbury Park. Pianist for Joseph Thalken, Ricky Ian Gordon, Tina Landau, Nancy McGraw, Jerome Kopmar, Catherine Fitzmauice. Teaching Credits include NYU, Wright State University, Auburn University, HB Studio, and Judith Blazer’s the Artist’s Crossing (http://theartistscrossing.com/). Private voice teacher and coach in New York City. Training: graduate of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.

Dr. Roxana Stuart (Acting, New York) Roxanna has acted professionally for many years in regional theatres from Boston to Key West, mainly in classical repertory, but also creating roles in new plays by Rosalyn Drexler, Donald Barthelme, and Tennessee Williams. She received her Master’s degree from the University of Arizona and her doctorate from the City University of New York.  She has taught Shakespeare, period acting styles, and performance theory at various schools and conservatories around the country.  She was the researcher and collaborator on Leonard Wolf’s The Annotated Dracula, and is the author of Stage Blood:  Vampires of the 19^th-Century Stage.

Dr. Peter Susser

(Sight Singing Department Head, New York) - Composer, cellist. Commissioned by a variety of orchestras and ensembles including: The Washington Square Chamber Players, Speculum Musicae, the Queen's Chamber Band, the Sage City Symphony, and the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra. Teaching experience: Columbia University, New York University. Awards: The MacDowell Colony, The Pablo Casals Prize and the Ravel Competition. Recordings: Albany Records, Capstone Records. Training: Doctorate, Music Composition, Columbia University; M.A. Cello Performance, Manhattan School of Music, B.M. Bennington College.

Claudette Sutherland (Critical Studies: English/Creative Writing, Los Angeles)  Originated the role of "Smitty" in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING.  Other Broadway credits include A SHADOW BOX and THE WOMEN.  Wrote and performed in the NY cabaret circuit while working extensively as a voice-over artist. In Los Angeles a member of the Matrix Theatre Company appearing in several productions. Film credits are A LITTLE ROMANCE and the indie film, MAN OF THE YEAR.  Wrote and performed  DOG MAN, a personal history produced by Joe Stern at the Matrix.  The solo show was invited to the Dublin Theatre Festival in 1996. Televsion credits are NYPD BLUE, GOLDEN GIRLS, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, SIX FEET UNDER, PICKET FENCES, CROSSING JORDAN among others.  Created a Los Angeles based creative writing program of writing exercises and constructive critiquing to keep the writer connected and in practice, at the same time offering workshops in Seattle, New York and Chicago. Over 2,000 classes have seen seven books coached to main stream publication. In this work the two careers of acting and writing are shown to be built on similar principles of language and structure brought alive by scrupulous attention to detail. Has contributed to Los Angeles Magazine, writes for the blog ONE FOR THE TABLE and is a member of PEN West. Member of AEA, AFTRA and SAG and elected to the Screen Actors Guild board both in NY and LA was also a trustee of the SAG Pension and Health Board. Education at Stephens College (Associate in Arts)  and a year at Yale School of Drama.

Abigail Taylor (Voice Production and Speech, New York)  - Theatre credits include: Clarence Brown Theatre, Cohoes Music Hall, Theatre at Lime Kiln, Vital Theatre Company, Theatre at St. Clement’s,  Bleeker Street Theatre,  Midtown International Theatre Festival, and the AMDA Alumni Company.  Abigail trained at the North Carolina Schools of the Arts, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A. Dramatic Art), The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York and True Pilates, New York.

Garret Taylor (Accompanist, New York) - Pianist, musical director, vocal coach, singer, actor. Broadway: Wicked (keyboard). Broadway National Tours: Sweet Charity (Molly Ringwald, Paige Davis), Little Women (Maureen McGovern). Training: B.M. Vocal Performance, Millikin University, IL; Centro Studi Italiani, Urbania, Italy. Voice study: Victoria Clark, Carolann Page. Member AFM.

Cynthia Thole (Dance, New York) - A veteran of the Broadway stage, currently works as a director/choreographer and teacher in the New York area. Directed and choreographed for Theatreworks/USA, Encores City Center Education program, Two Beans Productions, AMDA, TADA!, and Camp Broadway. She is on the dance faculty at AMDA, Montclair State University, and Fairleigh Dickenson University. Regional choreography and directing credits for the Allenberry Playhouse, Mill Mountain Playhouse, Reagle Players, Montclair Operetta Club, Penn State Univ., and Fairleigh Dickenson Univ. Her Broadway experience included working with theatre legends such as Susan Stroman, Agnes DeMille, Twyla Tharp, and Arthur Lawrence, to name a few. Performance Credits: A Christmas Carol, My Fair Lady, Nick & Nora, Meet Me in St. Louis, Me and My Girl, Singin' in the Rain, and 42nd Street. National Tours: 42nd Street, Oklahoma!, and Sugar Babies. She also appeared in the movie version of The Producers.Training: Butler University. Additional Training: Charlie Kakatsakis (acting), Jack Lee, Mark Planner (voice), Nancy Bielski, Finis Jhung, and Jackie Villemil(dance). Cynthia is also the proud mother of a wonderful teenage daughter.

Stacy Lee Tilton

(Musical Theatre, New York) Actress, singer, writer, director. Appeared on Broadway as Jane Ashton in Brigadoon. Co-wrote and starred in critically acclaimed one-woman show, Midway Point in New York City and Los Angeles. International credits include Not What It Seems To Be in Kiev, Ukraine and With Fairest Flowers in Shanghai, China. New York and Regional stage credits include the role of the Witch in Into The Woods, Woman 2 in Closer Than Ever, Mazeppa in Gypsy, Nancy in Oliver, Maria in The Sound of Music, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Anita in West Side Story and the Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. New York appearances at Don’t Tell Mama, The Triad, Danny’s Skylight Room, Back Fence, The Supper Club, Cornelia Street Café. Recordings: A Little Princess studio cast recording and This is America. Voiceovers for National Arts Awards and Human Rights Campaigns. Founder and Artistic Director of Life Wire Productions.  Two-time winner in the New York Singing Teacher's Association musical theatre competition. Member: AEA, AGMA. Training: B.A. in acting and directing, California State University, Long Beach, California; AMDA NY.

Julie Tomaino (Dance, New York) - Julie performs as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. She has had the opportunity to dance with the Rockettes on “The Today Show,” the “Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,” and at MSG Theater. Other performing credits include Celebrate Broadway starring John Lithgow and Linda Eder at the Kennedy Center; the National Tour of Crazy For You, and regional productions of The Producers, Chicago, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, and Evita. She can also be seen as Margie in the ABC TV Movie Bye Bye Birdie. As a teacher, Julie has been a guest instructor for the University of Maryland, Capilano College, the Dance Masters of America, and the National Dance Week Conventions.  Training: The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York

Joseph Travers

(Stage Combat,  New York) - has created fights, stunts and action sequences for stage and screen for twenty years, working with performers such as Mia Farrow, Julia Stiles, Mary Louise Parker, Peter Strauss and John Cullum, and directors such as James Lapine, Anne Bogart and Michael Greif . Founder and Managing Director of Swordplay, a NYC based company providing instruction in stage combat techniques to professional actors since 1995. www.swordplaystagecombat.com www.jt4fights.com.  Education and Affiliations: B.A., Theatre, SUNY Albany; Certified Instructor, Fight Directors Canada; Certified Teacher, Society of American Fight Directors; Certified Fight Director, Society of American Fight Directors. 

Floyd VanBuskirk (Acting, Los Angeles) - Started working professionally on Seattle stages in 1982 as an actor and improviser, was cofounder of Unexpected Productions (the first Theatreports company in the United States) and it’s first Artistic Director in 1983.  He taught improv in Seattle with U.P. and as an artist in residence at several arts camps in Washington, Oregon and Alaska until moving to Los Angeles in 1994 and joining “Impro Theatre” (formerly LA Theatresports) as a player/coach.  He was Education Director in 2000 and 2001 and Artistic Director from 2002 through 2004 and now a member of “Impro Theatres’” critically acclaimed “Unscripted Rep” ensemble, performing full length improvised plays and musicals in the styles of Shakespeare, Chekhov, Dickens, Sondheim, Tennessee Williams, Jane Austen and others.  Some TV and Film credits include: A Mighty Wind, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Mentalist, The Practice, ER, Becker, Grounded For Life, NCIS, How I Met Your Mother, Rules Of Engagement and recurring roles on Gilmore Girls, Las Vegas, The Guardian, Reno 911 as well as TV and radio commercials and video games. Member: AFTRA, SAG, AEA

Stephen Francis Vasta

(Accompanist, New York) - Conductor, keyboardist. Conducting credits: Damn Yankees with Jamie Farr (Cape Playhouse MA), Camelot at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Me and My Girl (Westchester Broadway), Godspell (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Oh, Coward! (Irish Rep Theatre), 1992-93 Int'l Tour of Peter Pan (US, Can, East Asia). Asst Professor of Theatre, Ball State University: Conducted Orpheus in the Underworld; Guest conducted The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Opera: Berkshire, Indianapolis, Metro Lyric Opera (NJ). Classical Accompanist: Weil Recital Hall, Smithsonian Institution. Music Direction: Univ of Arkansas Opera Theatre, Pacific Opera Scenes Program. Published: Opera News, Stereophile, Listener, Time Out/NY, acclaimed British classical music site, MusicWeb International. Assistant Professor of Theatre, Ball State University.  Education: B.A., Columbia University

Rosa Vento (Individual Voice, New York) - Singer. Opera, concert and oratorio soloist. Appearances at the Vienna State Opera, Opera di Verona, Deutche Oper am Rhein, Dusseldorf, Basel, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Opera de Nice, France, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Austin Lyric Opera, Palm Beach Opera and Florida Grand Opera. Recordings include La Traviata, Giuseppe Verdi, Cascavelle label, Perlas Cubanas,songs by Ernesto Lecuona and Sindo Garay, Romeo Record label. First-place winner of Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions; The Rosa Ponselle International Competition; Geneva International Competition; The Loren L. Zachary Society Competition; and the Liederkranz Foundation Competition. Training: B.M., University of Miami School of Music, Florida; M.M., Manhattan School of Music, NY.

Robert Vest (Individual Voice, New York) - Singer, songwriter, actor, conductor, vocal coach. NYC, off-Broadway, and regional musical theatre credits include leading roles in  Just One of Thoses Things, Santa Goes Boating, A Broadway Christmas Carol, Georgia Boy,Dressing Up Is Hard To Do, La Contessa’s Stars and Stars (Mr. UPS), The Wizard of Oz (Tin Man), The X Files (Bill Clinton), and Hello Dolly! (Cornelius Hackl). As a singer and concert artist, Vest has performed musical theatre, gospel, pop, country, R&B, and classical music throughout the U.S. and Europe. Robert has also conducted church choirs, orchestras, and handbell choirs throughout the U.S. Opera/Operetta credits: War and Peace (Metropolitan Opera), HMS Pinafore (Atlanta Lyric Opera), and Ahmal and The Night Visitors. Training: M.M, Southwestern Baptist, Ft. Worth , TX; B.C.M. Shorter College, Rome, GA. Member: AEA.  http://www.robertvestmusic.com/

Brad Vieth

(Accompanist/Musical Director, New York) - Bradley Vieth conducted and orchestrated the premiere of Lovers and Friends by Michael John LaChiusa at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as a modern reconception of Offenbach’s The Grand Duchess at the Chicago Opera Theater. Mr. Vieth also served as resident conductor at Theater Hagen in Germany.  He orchestrated two world premiere musicals by Kim Oler and Alison Hubbard: The Enchanted Cottage and Buddy’s Tavern (2010 Rodgers Award Winner). Off-Broadway: Shout! The Mod Musical, Wings, and A Child’s Garden. European tours: 42nd Street, Chicago, On The Town, West Side Story, Bizet’s Carmen, and the German premiere of Little Shop Of Horrors. Regional: La Cage Aux Folles, Camelot, Cabaret, I Do! I Do!, Forbidden Broadway, A Little Night Music (Chicago’s “Jeff” Award for Best Musical Direction), Pacific Overtures, My Fair Lady, Annie Get Your Gun, the professional premiere of Sheldon Harnick’s A Wonderful Life, Jerry’s Girls, and Fiddler On The Roof. Recordings: Wings, First Lady Suite, Far From The Madding Crowd/The Awakening, Shout!  Mr. Vieth is a well-known vocal coach and taught singing and musical theater at the University of Minnesota at Duluth, San Diego State University, and Saddleback College.  He also served as a vocal coach and pianist in the Opera Department at the University of Texas. Training: B.M. Piano Performance, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, M.M., Piano Performance, University of Texas, Doctoral studies in Vocal Performance at The University of Texas, Doctoral studies in Vocal Performance at The University of Texas, Studies in vocal pedagogy with Leonard Johnson, opera staging with Gilda Cruz-Romo (Metropolitan Opera)

Ray Virta (Acting, New York) - Mr. Virta has been a theatre professional for over 30 years with extensive acting, directing, and teaching credits.  As an actor:  2002 St. Clair Bayfield Award from Actors Equity Association for Outstanding Shakespeare Performance in New York Metropolitan Area as Benedick/Much Ado About Nothing (Pearl Theatre)  BROADWAY: Hedda Gabler (US); A Man For All Seasons: Boeing-Boeing (US); Naked Girl on the Appian Way; Democracy; Betrayal (US), The Real Thing (US), The School for Scandal, Inherit the Wind. OFF-BROADWAY: 19 shows including Glimmer, Glimmer and Shine, Eyes for Consuela (both at MTC); Frank Langella’s Cyrano (Roundabout), Snowing At Delphi (WPA), The Taming of the Shrew (TFANA); He was a Resident Company Member of The Pearl Theatre Co. (Much Ado About Nothing, Exit the King, The Phantom Lady, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Seagull, The Country Wife, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet) NATIONAL TOURS: M. BUTTERFLY; The Acting Company (Two years, five shows). REGIONAL: Over 40 lead/featured roles including Romeo, MacBeth, Torvald, Orsino, Berowne, at theaters such as Hartford Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Missouri Rep., McCarter, Shakespeare Theater/Folger, Walnut Street, Buffalo Studio Arena, and others. Among Ray’s multiple television and film appearances are six episodes of various incarnations of Law and Order and recurring roles on As the World Turns, All My Children and as the Reverend Stephen Rutledge on The Guiding Light.  Additionally, he was featured in H.E.L.P., Everyday Heroes, Closer to Home, The Thomas Crown Affair and numerous independent films. He recently completed filming Remember on location in Puerto Rico, directed by AMDA colleague Jason Chaet. Among his New York DIRECTING credits: Tuesday Night Poker (Theatre Row); The Comedie of Errors (Brooklyn College); The Way of the World (Pearl Theatre Co.); As You Like It (Kings County Shakespeare Co.); Beauty Knows No Pain; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; The Importance of Being Earnest; Twelve (12) AMDA Graduation Showcases; Former Artistic Director-Rochester Youth Theater. TEACHING:  27 years experience including multiple seasons with New York University-Tisch School of the Arts/Playwright’s Horizon’s Theatre School, The Pearl Theatre Company, The Roundabout Theatre Company, The Acting Company, Performing Arts Foundation (PAF) of Long Island. Residencies include High Schools in New York, New Jersey, Alaska, New Mexico, Missouri, Virginia, Wisconsin.  Ray is currently on the faculty of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) and is a founding partner of BBA/Build A Better Actor.

Robert Vogt (Critical Studies - Los Angeles) - Robert Vogt has recently been nominated for an Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award at the University of Southern California, where he is currently an undergraduate writing instructor and a Master of Professional Writing Student. Before coming to USC, he taught junior high and high school English for 10 years in Illinois, serving on the state’s Writing Validation Committee. His writing has appeared in many publications, including The Prairie Light Review, Foliate Oak Literary Journal, Sports Illustrated, and Rolling Stone.  Indiana University (Bachelor of Science; May, 1993), Additional training: University of Southern California, Master of Professional Writing (2009-present), Iowa Summer Writing Festival (2008).  Affiliations: Modern Language Association, National Council of Teachers of English, Illinois Association of Teachers of English, Conference on College Composition and Communication

Anne Valerie Walsh (Individual Voice, Los Angeles) - Anne has been teaching voice for over a decade, and is very happy to be part of the faculty at AMDA, LA. She is a conservatory teacher at Orange County High School for the Performing Arts and is on applied faculty at Mount St. Mary’s College. Anne teaches the technique for all styles of singing.

One of Anne’s more recent performances was a solo concert at the Carpenter Center. Not a stranger to this venue, Anne has worked with Musical Theatre West in various shows including Mame, where she played the role of Pegeen Ryan, and had the privilege of working opposite Carol Lawrence and Sally Struthers. Other regional credits include Sound of Music (Maria), Man of La Mancha (Antonia), Brigadoon (Fiona), Camelot (Lady Anne/Guenevere),and King and I with Downey Civic Light Opera; Music Man (Marion), Peter Pan (Mrs. Darling), and Pirates of Penzance (Kate) with Limon Carr Productions; She Loves Me (Amalia) at the Whittier Playhouse, and Into the Woods with the Hermosa Players. Currently, Anne performs as a solo artist in various club and concert settings in the Southern California area including La Traviata Resturant, Kikuya Jazz Club, Spagettini Jazz Club, The Carpenter Center, and The DePietro Perfroming arts center. Her focus as a solo artist is on the classic American standards, and Brazilian jazz, and her favorite accompanist is her talented husband Tom Zink. Her versatility as a singer, and extensive scope of instructional techniques is what sets her apart as a teacher. Anne has performed in diverse venues ranging from nightclubs with small jazz combos to musical theatre performances and concert halls with big bands and orchestras. From her studio in the Los Angeles area, Anne teaches a technique for all styles of singing; from classical and light opera to jazz and pop. Training: Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from California State University Long Beach. She has studied under Jane Lahikainen, the late Malama Robbins, Marvalee Cariaga, Andy Beonttner (Seth Riggs associate), Elizabeth Hynes, Marge Rivingston, and Joann Zajac. http://www.annewalsh.com/contact.html

John Welch (Individual Voice, New York) - Bass-Baritone. Appeared in two Broadway shows, several television commercials as well as the New York City Opera and The Metropolitan Opera in New York. Performed with regional companies in the New York City area, as well as across the United States, in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy. Recently appeared in the role of Herod with EOS Orchestra in the national radio broadcast. Musical credits include the role of Stewpot in South Pacific, performed at the New York City Opera.

Wilma Wever (Individual Voice, New York) - Appeared in the title role in the world premiere of Jocasta by Ruth Schonthal. The New York Times called her performance “attractive and engaging”. Ms. Wever has been heard and seen in many roles such as Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos,  Leonore in Fidelio, Leonora in Verdi’s Il Trovatore, the Marchesa in Henze’s The End of a World, Ms. Edison in a reading of Kievman’s Tesla with New York City Opera. She has performed in distinguished venues such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Holland and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.  The Music Connoisseur called her a performer with “savvy and grit.”  Taught at the National Historic Theatre, Columbia University, NYU,  Lucia Marthas Academy (Amsterdam) and for StageFright Solutions.  Ms. Wever published 2 articles in the Classical Singer Magazine, Sing without Fear and Academic Pressures.  Winner of the Hunter Concerto Competition in 2007. Training: B.M., Music, Mannes College of Music, M.A. Music, Hunter College, Westchester Vocal Institute (Sherry Overholt, director) – Summer Program, NYU Musician’s Wellness – Certified Trainer, OperaWorks, LA – Summer Intensive, University of Amsterdam, Holland – Musicology.  Member: AGMA   www.wilmawever.com   www.stagefrightsolutions.com

Chryssie Whitehead (Dance, Los Angeles) Originally from South Carolina, Chryssie has worked in film, TV and Broadway as a true Triple Threat. She is currently playing herself in the documentary “EVERY LITTLE STEP” opening in movie theatres across the country. Chryssie was in the Broadway Revival of A CHORUS LINE as Kristine, “the girl who can’t sing.”  If you watch GREYS ANATOMY she had a guest star on the 4^th season playing one of the brides fighting over a wedding dress! She can be seen in SAVE THE LAST DANCE as Julia Stiles’ dance double and THE PRODUCERS movie with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.  Chryssie has worked all over the U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Japan and Italy touring with Paul McCartney, FOSSE, THE PRODUCERS and THE ROCKETTES.  Television shows include BOSTON PUBLIC with Tamyra Gray, ALL MY CHILDREN, SO YO THINK YOU CAN DANCE, THE TONY AWARDS, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, THE ELLEN SHOW, MTV MOVIE AWARDS AND JAY LENO as well as numerous commercials.

Harry Woolever (Dance Department Chair, New York) - Choreographer, director, dancer, performer. Appeared in the Broadway production of My Fair Lady. Re-staged and directed How to Succeed... and The Sound of Music in Brazil and Israel. Restaged two productions of My Fair Lady at New York City Center. Staged and directed eleven Madison Square Garden ice shows televised by ABC and CBS. Broadway, television, concert, and cabaret dancer. Assistant to Hanya Holm. Choreographed Off-Broadway, concerts, night clubs, and art films. Teaching experience: The International School of Dance, Carnegie Hall, Hanya Holm School of Dance, conventions for D.M.A., D.E.A., and Universities of Bonn, Cologne, and Muenster in Germany. AMDA faculty since its founding in 1964. Training: B.A., The Pennsylvania State University. Additional study: New York University, Fry-Lyon Studio, Hanya Holm, American Ballet Theatre School, Edward Caton-Valentina Perejaslavec. Member: AEA.

Diane Zaremba (Voice Production and Speech, New York) - Faculty Member at AMDA since 1998, teaching Voice Production and Speech classes, American Standard and Warm-Ups. Faculty member: Montclair State University Department of Theatre and Dance: Voice for the Performer (all levels), Dialects, Acting, Acting Styles, Advanced Graduate Acting Workshops, and is Assistant Director and Vocal coach on main stage and studio programs; C.A.P. 21 for NYU Tisch School of the Arts Musical Theatre Program: Voice and Speech; Guest Artist at leading secondary arts schools including the Bergen Academies and the Haverford School. Private NY Studio: voice, speech, accent reduction. Training: M.F.A., Temple University; Certificate of Merit, Webber Douglas Academy London; Pilates Mat Certification and Mind Body Workshops, Physical Mind and Movements Afoot, NYC.

Peter Zazzali (Voice Production and Speech, New York) – As a professional actor and director, Peter has worked for such organizations as The Acting Company, Guthrie Theatre, George St. Playhouse, and Utah Shakespearean Festival. He has taught acting and voice and speech for Cornell University, CW Post College, and Hunter College. Peter holds a M.F.A. in acting from the University of Delaware and is currently a doctoral candidate in Theatre Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center.

Michael Zelniker (Acting, Los Angeles) - Teacher, actor, director, writer. Professional credits: Has appeared in more than 25 plays, including Amadeus, Henry V, and American Buffalo. Film: Ticket To Heaven; Heartaches; The Terry Fox Story with Robert Duvall as Doug Alward, for which he won a Canadian Academy Award; David Cronenberg's Naked Lunch with Peter Weller and Judy Davis; Queens Logic with John Malkovich and Kevin Bacon; Touch And Go with Michael Keaton; Crossings with Christopher Plummer; and Bird with Forest Whitaker. TV: Has appeared in the Showtime mini-series The Neon Empire, Masterpiece Theatre's Glory Enough For All for PBS, Regent Entertainment's Nostradamus, and Tornado Warning for PAX TV. Zelniker has also guest starred countless times on series such as “Chicago Hope,” “Millennium,” “Profiler,” “Strong Medicine,” “The Inside,” “Veritas The Quest,” “For The People,” “Flatland 4,” “Murder She Wrote,” and “In The Heat of the Night.” Has also starred in several independent films including, Snide And Prejudice, directed by Philippe Mora; Air Time, directed by Gary Fleder; Within The Rock, a sci-fi thriller for the SCI-FI Channel; Mercenary, an action adventure for HBO; the Sundance award winning film, After Image for Intermedia; and Earthquake and Rats for Nu Image. As a director/teacher, Zelniker directed the critically acclaimed production of Child's Play at the John Anson Ford Theatre, White House Chicks at the HBO Workspace, and Waiting For Lefty and Journey To The Day at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has been teaching at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy since Fall 2004 and a scene study class at Paramount Studios and other LA locations over the last 12 years. Training: Graduate of Dawson's Conservatory Theatre School. Furter Studies: Kristin Linklater, Tina Packer, Joseph Chaikin, William Hickey, Kurt Reis, Eddie Gilbert.

John Znidarsic (Musical Theatre, New York) - Producer/Director of the popular Songbook Series, featuring the works of new composers and lyricists. Co-Director of the Broadway Close-Up Series at Merkin Concert Hall. Producing director for the National Music Theatre Network where he launched the successful Broadway Dozen series. He has served as chairman of the annual Michael Stewart Musical Theater Award for Excellence in Writing. Produced, directed and hosted the popular In Celebration of Life concerts that benefit Broadway Cares. In addition, has participated in productions and workshops at Second Stage Company, SoHo Playhouse, Sanford Meisner Theater, American Jewish Theater, Douglas Fairbanks Theatre, Village Theater Company and Manhattan Class Company. Regionally has worked at the Old Globe Theater, Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, Two River Theater Company, Hampton Playhouse, Maine Stage Theater and The New Hope Performing Arts Festival. Training: B.A. in Theater and English, John Carroll University.