STAFF & TEACHERS

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Staff & Teachers

TADA! Staff

jtrevens@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619 ext. 121
Favorite Musical: Your Own Thing

Janine Nina Trevens co-founded TADA! with Linda Reiff in 1984. Nina has served as Artistic Director for all of the works produced by TADA!, many of which she commissioned specifically for the company. For TADA!, she wrote The Perfect Monster, The History Mystery, The Little House of Cookies, Sweet Sixteen, and Odd Day Rain.

She is currently working on a new musical with Deirdre Broderick about kids and teens and anxiety. She directs many of TADA!’s musicals, numerous staged readings, and Ensemble appearances at various locations and events in and around NYC including 2016’s Banned Together: A Censorship Cabaret for Dramatists Legal Defense Fund by John Weidman at The Drama Book Shop. Nina was selected as one of 10 Parenting Leaders by Parenting Magazine, and she was one of only five women nationally to receive Family Circle’s First Annual Halo Award for women who make a difference. She was chosen to be part of the #OneInspired World Observatory opening, featured as an artist that has made a NYC difference, and was featured as New Yorker of the Week on NY1. She is proud to have served on funding panels for NYSCA, DCA, ART/NY and TCG. Nina is a member of the League of Professional Theatre Women.

jobrien@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619 ext. 122
Favorite Musical: Into the Woods

Julia O’Brien is an arts administrator with a background in producing, directing, acting, and education. Past Off-Broadway credits include the world premiere of Babette’s Feast (producer), The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (director/producer), The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats (director/producer). As a general manager with Jessimeg Productions, she worked on dozens of shows, including the Drama-Desk Award winning Zero Hour: The Zero Mostel Show. She also worked in programming at the Sheen Center where she had the honor of presenting American Slavery Project’s Unheard Voices, and producing Ken  Jennings’ one-man show, The Gospel of John. In 2021, she completed the Executive Program in Arts and Culture Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania.

She’s most inspired when creating exceptional theater experiences for children and families, and she’s thrilled to join the TADA! team to carry on its incredible legacy. Outside of TADA! you’ll find her hiking and birdwatching in Central Park with her family, getting lost in a good book, and taking in live performances of all varieties.

cbixland@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619  ext. 210
Favorite Musical: Once on this Island

Christina Bixland is a seasoned arts educator, administrator, and musical theater director with a deep love for helping young artists discover their power, develop their potential, and connect with a community of passionate peers. She comes to TADA! following a nine-year tenure as Director of Education at the renowned NYC experimental theater group Pink Fang (formerly Ping Chong & Company), where she spearheaded culturally responsive programs rooted in community-engaged documentary theater, amplifying diverse student voices across K–12 schools in NYC. Previously, Christina served as Director of Education at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Vermont, where she led a 5-person department with a pool of over 70 teaching artists, programming a robust set of over 40 weekly performing arts classes for all ages and 30+ summer camps/intensives in their community school of the arts.  She also founded the Flynn Youth Theater Company—a high-caliber musical theater training and performance program that launched many young artists to successful careers as Broadway and professional performers.

Ms. Bixland earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater from Bryn Mawr College, and studied musical theater at Carnegie Mellon University.  She has taught acting, movement, voice, and theater-making to youth throughout the Northeast, and to BA, BFA, and MFA students at institutions including Hunter College and The New School for Drama. Her collaborations with top-tier organizations such as The New Victory Theater and Stella Adler Studio have resulted in innovative, equity-driven theater curricula, professional learning programs for educators, and arts integration models adopted by NYC public schools and school districts across Alaska.

Christina has devoted her career to making the arts a vital, inclusive part of school and community life. 

kmedina@tadatheater.com 
(212) 252-1619  ext. 217
Favorite Musical: Sweeny Todd

Kamille Medina-Estrella is an administrative professional and photographer with over ten years of experience supporting mission-driven nonprofit organizations. As Director of Business Operations at TADA! Youth Theater, she focuses on building strong, transparent systems that allow artists, educators, and young people to thrive.

Prior to joining TADA!, Kamille worked in Research Operations at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, where she managed complex financial processes, budgeting, and cross-functional workflows in support of scientific research programs. Her work emphasized operational clarity, and collaboration.

In parallel with her administrative career, Kamille maintains an active artistic practice as a photographer. Her long-term project, Changing Perspectives – Dancing Around the Pointe, documents young dancers in the Bronx and explores access to the arts in under-resourced communities.

Kamille brings a collaborative, detail-oriented approach to her work and is deeply committed to supporting arts education through thoughtful leadership. 

cbryant@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619 ext. 110
Favorite Musical: Spring Awakening 

Ceanna Bryant  was a member of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! for ten years, appearing in numerous productions and special events. She has served as Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain on various productions, as well as a Teaching Assistant for TADA! Education camps and dance classes at Steps on Broadway. She has designed costumes for numerous TADA! productions including: Game Changers, Sleepover, How to Eat Like A Child, and Adventures from Ezra Jack Keats: Apt. 3 & Maggie and the Pirate, and Everything About Camp (almost) at TADA!. She has Assistant Directed on Princess Phooey and B.O.T.C.H.

kgrier@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619  ext. 215
Favorite Musical: Pippin

Kim Grier-Martinez is a New York-based Artistic Director, choreographer, educator, and facilitator dedicated to empowering young people through the arts. She leads the Rod Rodgers Dance Company and has directed dance programs at the Harlem School of the Arts. A BFA graduate from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts (University of the Arts), Kim has taught and developed youth-centered programs with ArtsConnection, 92NY School Engagement for the Arts, LEAP, TADA!, and TeachwithGIVE.

Her performance credits include a Metropolitan Opera debut as principal dancer in Porgy & Bess, choreographed by Carmen de Lavallade. Kim’s choreography includes the Off-Broadway hit The Dark Star from Harlem, CBS’s A Christmas Celebration at Middle Collegiate Church, the Miss US Virgin Islands Caribbean Queen Pageant, Rod Rodgers Dance Company, ZCO/Dance Project, and musical theater productions by TADA!.

She founded the Rod Rodgers Youth Program in 2002 and mentors mid-career artists through the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable. Her service includes panels for NYSCA, FAB, and the NYC Roundtable, and judging the Hal Jackson Talented Teens Final Pageant.

Honors include City Lore’s People’s Hall of Fame Award, ArtsConnection’s Linda Janklow Award, a Lila Wallace Award, an AUDELCO nomination, and recognition from HSA Alumni and Birdie’s Nesting Place.

She is deeply inspired by the power of theater to uplift young people and their families and is excited to bring joy, vision, and cultural integrity to every creative space she joins—especially as part of the TADA! team.




Ashley Knowles

aknowles@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619  ext. 132
Favorite Musical: Hadestown

Ashley Knowles (they/she/he) holds a BA in Theater, Minor in Arts Administration from the University of Montevallo. Their love of working with youth began with the Girl Scouts where they previously worked as Head Counselor, Programs Facilitator, and Counselor Trainer for numerous Girl Scout Camps in Alabama. Prior theatrical experience includes Sub Stage Manager for Sleep No More, and a Stage Manager/Counselor and Head Counselor at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center. Some of their favorite stage management credits include She Kills Monsters, Tartuffe, A Comedie of Errors, Into the Woods, God of Carnage, and Rent. They have production stage managed numerous shows with TADA! Including The History Mystery, Game Changers, Wide-awake Jake, and Everything About Camp (almost).

gtracy@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619  ext. 136
Favorite Musical: West Side Story

Grantland Tracy is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the TADA! fundraising team. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts with a minor in English and Art History from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Grantland has done theatre since a young age and has worked as an actor, director, dramaturg, playwright, stage manager, sound designer and teaching artist! His true passion lies in storytelling and arts education. Some of his favorite shows he’s been able to work on are Chatroom, Our Town, The Last Five Years, She Kills Monsters, and a handful of self produced projects. When Grantland isn’t working, he’s probably seeing shows, going for walks around NYC, or following his latest creative journey. 

jdude@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619 ext. 186
Favorite Musical: Spamalot!

Carpenter, newly based in NYC. Their recent credits include Harmony: A New Musical and Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof as a scenic carpenter, and has spent the past two summers at Forestburgh Playhouse as the Assistant Technical Director. New Hampshire born and raised, Jeremiah has an extensive background in Circus and performing arts, finding their true passion for the technical side of things at Dean College, where they received their BA in technical theatre. They are so thrilled to join the TADA! team, and hope you enjoy the show!

tchattman@tadatheater.com
212-252-1619 ext. 213
Favorite Musical: Hell’s Kitchen

Tanya Chattman holds a MA in Communications from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a decade plus of experience creating stories, producing programming for television, and developing operational and strategic plans for non-profit organizations. 

Prior to joining the TADA! team, Tanya was on the strategic planning team for the Playwrights Horizons Theater. She was also a former Supreme Court and Constitutional Law Producer for the C-SPAN television networks producing programming around landmark court cases

Tanya has also co-written a number of plays including Clickb@it which was presented at the Kennedy Center’s Page-to-Stage Festival and #MomVLogLyfe which was part of New York’s Ladyfest.

gruiz@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619  ext. 212
Favorite Musical: Into The Woods

Grace Ruiz is an arts administrator with a background in marketing consulting for theater and arts non profit organizations.  She has put together numerous engaging and successful campaigns with a focus on community engagement.  Her past clients have been New York City Children’s Theater, Teatro SEA, and worked on winning political campaigns for The Downey Unified School District.  Grace was chosen to participate in the Tom O’Connor All Rise Cohort for Fall 2024, a prestigious program that works to advance the careers of arts administrators of color and historically excluded groups.  She is very excited to be working at TADA! Youth Theater as a lifelong theater lover and someone who knows the true impact accessible theater and arts education can have on a child’s life. 

aallocca@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619  ext. 209
Favorite Musical: Gypsy

Anthony Allocca (he/him) is a Theater Director, Producer, + Educator, from Madison, NJ. Previously, he served as the Director of Education at The PIT, and is the founder of A SHARP Theater Collective- A community of young theater artists that strive to reimagine the theater-going experience, producing over 25+ musical works (Concerts, Cabarets, + more!), since its inception in November 2023. He’s also taught Musical Theater and Improv at The Neighborhood Playhouse’s Junior School, and worked in schools in Boston, MA as a Theater teacher + Administrator. There, he founded his own Musical Theater organization at Emerson College for students across the greater Boston area, known as Musical Theater Against the Grain (MTAG), where he served as Artistic Director for 3 years, directed 5 musicals, and worked on over 8 more productions serving as Assistant Director, Producer, Scenic Designer, and more in his time at Emerson and in Boston at-large.

emckeeve@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619 ext. 216
Favorite Musical: Jesus Christ Superstar

Eric McKeever is an experienced arts administrator whose career bridges performance and arts education with a focus on storytelling through music. A former professional opera singer and Teaching Artist with the New York Pops and the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Eric brings a performer’s insight to all his creative and administrative work! Before moving to New York, he served as Director of Education and Community Programming at Opera Columbus, overseeing in-school initiatives, community engagement, and artist development programs. Earlier, as Manager of Education Programs at Kentucky Opera, he coordinated school touring productions and led the VISIONS program, which paired high school students with composers and librettists to create original musical works. A freelance writer and podcast enthusiast, Eric’s writing appears regularly in Classical Singer Magazine, where he authors the column Inside the Industry, and in his free time he creates and produces audio fiction podcasts.

dmartinez@tadatheater.com
(212) 252-1619 ext. 214
Favorite Musical: Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam

Donte Martinez is the new Administrative Manager here at TADA! Youth Theater, where he brings a dynamic blend of organizational leadership and a passion for youth development to the office. 
 
Before joining TADA!, Donte served as a crisis paraprofessional across various K-12 charter schools throughout his neighborhood in Harlem, NY. He dedicated his time to help support academically challenged youth both socially and emotionally. On top of that, Donte also worked as a program aide at the Harlem Children’s Zone where he led after school classrooms with a focus on engaging learning activities and physical fitness. His commitment to creating enriching environments for young people is at the heart of his work. 

Outside the office, Donte is an avid swimmer and certified swim instructor. He enjoys spending his free time biking through the city and discovering new food spots with friends. His diverse experiences and vibrant energy continue to shape the meaningful work he does for the youth arts community.


"The History Mystery" Production Staff

Bryan Ealey is a New York-based Designer from Houston, TX, and holds an MFA in Lighting Design from the University of California, San Diego. He is a Board Member and Resident Lighting Designer for NobleMotion Dance Company (Houston). Bryan’s most recent accomplishments include Lighting Design the Off-Broadway World Premiere of The Fires at SOHO Repertory Theatre. His passion for lighting design is rooted in the fundamental ability to support, give focus, and elevate the performance that draws an emotional response from the audience. Bryan is thrilled to be working with TADA Youth Theatre for the first time!


LA Clevenson (Costume Design, she/her) is a freelance costume designer and technician based in NYC. She has worked in cities nation-wide with many reputable companies including The Public Theater, Shakespeare in the Park, Manhattan Theatre Club, Disney, Playwrights Horizons, Nike, The New School, Stella Adler, Stages Theatre, Zach Scott Theatre, Hit the Lights!, The KC Rep, Main Street Theatre Houston, HITS Theatre and The Houston Grand Opera, among many others. You can view L.A.’s most recent work this month at the New York Botanical Garden’s Wonderland Exhibit – look for the giant blue caterpillar! L.A. received her MFA in Costume Design and Technology from University of Missouri – Kansas City.

Manny Vidales Photo (1)

Emmanuel Vidales (Music Director)A classically trained pianist of 25 years, composer and conductor; Manny Vidales was born and raised in Miami, Fl. He attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida where he worked in over 30+ musical productions while earning his B.M. in Music Composition, and shortly after his M.M in Choral Conducting. Having recently moved to New York City, he has since collaborated on several new musical workshops as a music assistant, and associate music director; these new works include ‘Shesus’ by John Leguizamo, The Amazing Mr. X, and a new Disney Theatrical Group production. He currently meets with Broadway Music directors to discuss the intricacies of conducting within the theatre, and intends to further his career of Music Direction on Broadway with the goals of elevating musical standards and practice within the industry.

TADA! Teaching Artists

Amanda Dee (she/her) is a music director new to New York City! She was previously based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she music directed youth programming at Berkeley Playhouse and American Conservatory Theatre. She also regularly plays for shows and accompanies auditions. She received her BS in Bioengineering with minors in Music and Mathematics from Northeastern University, where she directed/music directed the first collegiate production of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 with her college theater group. When not rehearsing, she can be found rock climbing or reading.

Andrew is the recipient of the prestigious Janklow Award (2016)  for his work with Arts Connection where he helped develop the  STAARS program for students with autism in Manhattan’s  p94m (The Spectrum School) He began as a teaching artist in  2000 with TADA! and has worked with students from K-12  teaching vocal work in addition to songwriting, playwriting and  a variety of other workshops and residencies. For many years  Andrew worked with City Center for their “Encores” education  program in addition to several other New York City arts  education institutions. 

Andrew is a composer and audio post production professional.  He has created music for hundreds of motion pictures including  feature films, television specials, themes, series, documentaries,  and more. His innate gift for melody and keen dramatic  sensibility has earned him more than 20 awards for his music  and sound work. 

Highlights include; THE FINAL BOW a documentary about  Shetler Studios and its founder Ron Shetler. The feature films  RAMSEY (2022) and CHRONICLE OF A SERIAL KILLER  

(2020) Some of the well known projects for which Andrew has  composed music include SHARK WEEK (2020-2023) the 

EMMY nominated documentary RING OF FAITH (2019)  LOST CAT CORONA (2017) VIDEO GIRL (2011) WALK A  MILE IN MY PRADAS (2011) the television series AMISH  MAFIA (2013) A CRIME TO REMEMBER (2014) and  GUNSLINGERS (2014).

Angelika Menendez Teaching Artist Director/Choreographer

Angelika Menendez comes from Miami, FL and is a New York-based Latinx actor, singer, educator who graduated with her BFA from Emerson College. She is thrilled to be working with TADA! Youth Theatre and is so excited to get to play in the room and make discoveries with her students! As an educator Angelika has toured to many states in the northeast and southwest performing for students K-6th. Later in the year she will be teaching with New London Barn Playhouse. Previous credits include: The world premiere of Casa Alfonsa (Creede Rep) Do You See… and For Carmen in San Sebastian (The REV Theatre Company). Angelika seeks to create diverse and inclusive brave spaces in all the work she does. Many thanks to her family and friends in Miami and the northeast for their love and support.
angelikamenendez.com


Anthony Smith is a NYC-based freelance music director and conductor with a multidisciplinary background in performance, arranging, electronic music design, and music production. A pianist at heart, he works as a collaborative leader at the keyboard and on the podium, supporting performers and creative teams with clarity, musical insight, and versatility. Previously, Anthony served as Music Supervisor at Virginia Repertory Theatre and as Director of Audiovisual Production at Red Mountain Theatre. He has also taught auditioning, musicianship, and vocal technique at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond, and the College of William & Mary. His work centers on building focused, energized rehearsal rooms and creating performances that feel cohesive, intentional, and alive.

Ashley St. Juliette Teaching Artist Director/Choreographer

Ashley is a professional New York City-based actress. She studied theatre at the Stella Adler Studio of acting, and on-camera acting at the New York conservatory for dramatic arts. Fond of the Meisner method Ashley looks for the truth in her work and seeks to pull the same from within her students. She has a passion for developing character and stories exploring the voice, body and imagination. Taking the text off of the page and putting it in our bodies to tell compelling and truthful stories to audiences. Ashley is particularly excited to teach acting throughout New York City public schools as it helps students with social and emotional learning. Discovering and developing who they are in some of the scene study and character work they’ll do will be very beneficial as students continue their journey into adulthood. With her background as a professionally trained stage and screen actor, her lesson plans will mirror the nature of the business for when it’s time for students to take center stage. Hearing their unique voices is what Ashley looks for to build upon.


Calvin Hitchcock

Calvin Hitchcock is a composer, performer, music director based in Jersey City, NJ. His music has been described as “impressive” and having “a fine ear for sonority” (Pittsburgh Tribune Review), and has received awards from the Kennedy Center and The American Prize. Calvin also frequently works as a performer/MD in theatre and live entertainment, and has been seen at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Carowinds Theme Park, Virginia Stage Company, and music directed multiple shows for TADA! Youth Theater’s Resident Youth Ensemble. He is currently pursuing an MM in Composition at the Mannes School of Music, studying with David T. Little. www.calvinhitchcock.com


Chris Bell is originally from the Eastside of San Antonio, Texas but lives and works out of NYC.  Chris holds an an MFA Contemporary Dance (Case Western Reserve), a in BS Dance (Lamar), and because he likes camping and the beach, a BS Geology. He currently makes work with Raja Feather Kelly & the feath3r theory and is a frequent collaborator with (and former choreographic assistant to) Mark Dendy. Current & Recent Projects include: Jelly’s Last Jam (Choreographer, Long Wharf Theater/New Haven), The Wild Party (Co-Choreographer, Up Until Now Collective), Eighty-Sixed (Associate Choreographer, Diversionary Theater/San Diego) Wednesday (TF3T/New York Live Arts), The Met Gala (Rachael Chavkin), and Mute Swan, a collaboration with Theater in Quarantine written by Pulitzer-prize finalist Madeleine George. His company chrisbelldances (CBD) has presented work in 6 states and 4 out of 5 boroughs in NYC including evening length works at Dixon Place and Gibney Dance Center. CBD was the first dance company in residence at the Cherry Grove Community House and Theater, America’s oldest continuously operating LGBTQIA+ theater. CBD is proudly Queens based and an inaugural member of the Queensboro Dance Festival (2014). CBD is currently on the 2022 summer tour with QDF presenting free dance events in neighborhoods across Queens. chrisbelldances.com

Christina Saliga (Sáliga) is delighted whenever she gets to share joy, depth and vibrancy through theater and choreography. Originally from Sligo, Kentucky, Christina credits much of her deep love of dance to Trina Jackson and the faculty of The Oldham County School’s Arts Center. Christina graduated summa cum laude from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Pedagogy and hopes to always continue to spread and cultivate the power of movement through performing, teaching and choreographing. She has taught and choreographed at Myrtle Beach Area Children’s Theater including shows such as Annie, Finding Nemo, and Peter Pan. Her performance credits include in One! The Show, Iconic and The South’s Grandest Christmas Show at the Alabama Theatre, Texas! the Outdoor Musical, The Stephen Foster Story and Joseph…Dreamcoat with the Stephen Foster Drama Association, American Spirit Dance Company’s Home for the Holidays, and as a choreographer for Project21. She is thankful for her family, friends and mentors’ unconditional support through her journey and is ecstatic to be a part of fulfilling TADA! Youth Theater’s mission.

Emily Goggin Teaching Artist Music Director

Emily Goggin is an New York-based music director, pianist, teacher, and performer with a B.A. in Music from George Washington University. Emily has a passion for bringing new musicals to life, most recently productions of a new opera, The Project by Peyton Marion, at Lincoln Center and The Eleventh Hour, written by Dave Seamon. She has music directed countless shows and cabarets in and around New York City; some of her favorites include productions of Assassins, Newsies, and Gypsy. One of Emily’s joys is bringing the light and magic of theatre to young people. She has music directed many youth productions, including Into The Woods Jr., Bring It On, and Fiddler On The Roof Jr., devised new musicals and theatrical pieces with students, and teaches private voice and piano lessons. Emily is absolutely thrilled to join TADA! in their mission to bring theater and music to young people in NYC!

Text goes here.

Heaven Lei Lucas Teaching Artist Director/Choreographer

Heaven Lei Lucas is a Wisconsin native turned New York-based actress, dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist. Like the outstanding students of TADA!, Heaven found her love for performing early. At the tender age of three, she started performing elaborate one-woman shows, including standup comedy, choreographed routines, and boisterous singing. The theatre bug bit her and she hasn’t looked back! Heaven has just graduated with her BFA in Drama and a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her past credits include Heathers, The Taming of The Shrew, The Laramie Project, Fuenteovejuna, and in lucem with TISCH DRAMA STAGE. Additionally, Heaven has produced, directed, and starred in multiple short films dealing with subject matter such as equity, female empowerment, and international relations. Fostering her love for the arts and mentoring young people, Heaven began her teaching artist career in 2019 and has worked with students from ages 4-18. She is fascinated with her student’s creativity, critical thinking skills, and all the magic they bring to each class. She is also a licensed special education aide and believes that accessibility, diversity, respect, and empathy are essentials for every classroom! Heaven works to ignite a passion for personal and artistic growth in each of her students. She extends her appreciation to the TADA! staff and is absolutely thrilled to begin her adventure with this organization!

Jack Cline (they/he) is a genrefluid pianist and music director originally from Los Angeles, CA. They have previously played at the Atlantic Acting School, Boston University School of Theatre, the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and regional theatres across the Northeast. Jack approaches music and performance through the lens of freedom; they are interested in how creativity can release an artist from self-judgment, and into personal and collective liberation. He is so excited to be a part of TADA! working with students all across the city. They also love jazz improv, fruit, and sunshine. 

Katy Knowles holds a Masters of Arts in Educational Theatre for Colleges and Communities from New York University.  Some of her career highlights as an arts administrator include Event Coordinator for NYU’s Educational Theatre Forum on Site-Specific Theatre, Assistant Camp Director at Acting Up Performing Arts Camps, Theatre Facilities Manager at Davis Center for the Performing Arts and Stage Management Intern at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. In addition to her administrative work she has extensive experience as an Educator, Director and Choreographer. As a theatre director and teaching artist, Katy spent many years teaching classes and workshops in musical theatre, acting and dance at Manatee High School, Lakewood Ranch High School, Greensboro Performing Arts, and Mary McDowell Friends School. Some of her favorite shows as a Director and Choreographer are Wonderful Town, The Pajama Game, Anything Goes and The Drowsy Chaperone. Katy also holds a Bachelor in Arts in Acting from Greensboro College and an Associate in Arts in Musical Theatre from Florida School of the Arts.

Kevin Smith Teaching Artist Music Director

Kevin A. Smith is thrilled to be teaching with TADA! New York City credits include; Amas Romeo & Bernadette; Theater 2020 A Little Night Music; Three Act Theater Next To Normal. National Tours: Miss Nelson Is Mission, Miss Nelson Has A Field Day, Stink Cheese Man, The Little Engine That Could. Regional credits: Northern Stage The Sound Of Music, Mamma Mia; McLeod Summer Playhouse Gypsy, The Drowsy Chaperone, 9 To 5, Into The Woods, Sister Act, Singin’ In The Rain, Bring It On, Hairspray, Spamalot, The Sound Of Music, Chicago, And Annie. Dartmouth College Into The Woods, Cabaret, Urinetown; Columbia University Ragtime.

Ko Tanaka is a New York–based composer, musical theater writer, and pianist. Originally from Saga, Japan, he began his career composing music for video games before moving into musical theater. His first show, The Monster, premiered in Nagoya and led to further work in commercial musicals. After studying songwriting and composition at Berklee College of Music, Ko moved to NYC, where he has worked as a keyboard programmer for productions including 1776 and The Great Gatsby. His music has been presented by Emerson College, Marymount Manhattan College, and Live & In Color, and showcased at Signature Theatre, Lincoln Center, and Green Room 42. In addition to composing, Ko performs as a keyboardist and pianist and works as a sound designer. He is thrilled to bring his passion for musical storytelling and performance to young people at TADA!

Mason Frasher is a music director and vocal coach based in NYC. He graduated with honors from Northwestern University, where he studied Music Direction, Vocal Performance and Opera, Collaborative Piano, Arts Administration, and Music Theatre. After two years on staff with Goodspeed Musicals, he has transitioned to a freelance career. His Audition Prep clients feature on Broadway (Real Women Have Curves, Bad Cinderella, Boop!, The Notebook), Off-Broadway (Frankenstein, Forbidden Broadway, Singfeld), and national tours (SIX, Jersey Boys, The Book of Mormon). His work has been featured at The Goodspeed Opera House, TheatreWorks USA, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Signature Theatre DC, and on the National Tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Michael Finke is a New York-based composer, lyricist, and librettist. He has had songs, concerts, and full productions of his work performed at Lincoln Center, the Czech National Symphony, Feinstein’s/54 Below, Joe’s Pub, The Laurie Beechman Theater, NYU, Don’t Tell Mama, Off Broadway at St. Luke’s, NYMF, L.A.’s Rockwell: Table & Stage, the Christmas Day telecast on ABC, and many more. He’s written the book, music, and lyrics to musicals such as Reporting Live, Caroline and George, Surrounded By the Water, and his latest project, Powerline Road. His work has been workshopped and produced by regional theaters in New York, Boston, Detroit, Kansas City, and more. And his musical short, Dead Flowers, has been published and licensed by MTI, being performed in both English and Spanish in the U.S., Mexico, and Spain. He is a member of ASCAP, the Dramatist Guild, and is the winner of the 2015 New Voices Project with Disney Imagineering and New Musicals Inc. Upcoming projects include the Broadway-bound musical 161st Street and his debut musical theatre album “Get What You Want”, being released winter 2022 by Broadway Records. He has been a musical director for the Lovewell Institute since 2007, having music directed Lovewell workshops in Ohio, New York, Florida, Kansas, Nevada, Sweden, and Italy.

Miriam Daly is a composer, music director, pianist, and teaching artist. A long time Music Director of the Off-Broadway smash, Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding, she’s worked in numerous theaters in NYC and around the country. Recent composition credits include: 12 shows for The Catastrophic Theatre (Houston); NYU Steinhardt’s 4@15 The Far-Out Way To Fly!; Houston Shakespeare Festival: As You Like It; U. of Houston: Blood Wedding, Mother Courage And Her Children, and The Snow Queen. As a composer she received The York Theatre’s NEO award. She is a graduate of Eastman School of Music and NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. miriamdaly.com


Noah Weisbart is a performer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording engineer, and teaching artist. His theatrical career began as a boy soprano at the Metropolitan Opera. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Michigan and is an alumnus of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre workshop. He wrote and performed in THE GREAT FALL at SOUND BITES ELEVEN. He has performed as a singer, guitarist, pianist (and more) at venues around New York City such as Joe’s Pub, 54 Below,  and The Bowery Electric. He is also a founding member of the children’s music YouTube channel Bopkins, and teaches early childhood music classes with Timbalooloo. He is eternally grateful to his parents for instilling in him a love of theatre, music, and good food!

Phoenix is thrilled to be a part of the TADA! Family’s Teaching Artist Roster. Born and raised in China, Phoenix holds a Master of Arts in Educational Theater from New York University and a Bachelor of Business Administration. After teaching theater and dance, directing and choreographing musical theaters in NYC public schools, she went on to pursue her artistic career as a Professional Competitive Ballroom dancer. She won many Finalist titles in dance championships around the US. 

 

Phoenix is excited to return to arts education as a teaching artist and an arts administrator. She also teaches GYROTONICⓇ movement system and has trained clients from business professionals, World Champion dancers and Reality TV personalities. In her spare time, she plays the piano, hangs out with friends and likes to keep an active lifestyle.

Ryan is a New York based actor, singer, music director, pianist, and grandiose list maker that aspires to fill the world with music and laughter. As a performer, he received a BFA in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts (ETW/NSB), and went on to receive a Broadway World Award Nomination for Best Actor in an Off-Broadway Musical in The Parts I Keep Inside at the Triad Theater Theater in 2022, and has been a recurring cast member and pianist for the musical improv show Eight is Never Enough at the Broadway Comedy Club. On camera, you can see him in SNL’s Meghan 2.0 Skit, as well as the series finale of the Gossip Girl reboot (if you don’t blink).  Behind the piano, Ryan has accompanied voice lessons and performances at institutions such as NYU, and Juilliard. Selected musicals that he’s played include Rent, Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, Seussical, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mean Girls, and Matilda.  As a teacher of voice and piano, Ryan belives that “if you can speak, you can sing,” and that everyone deserves the space to freely explore music as a creative outlet, in whatever way speaks to them. That is how we find true abandonment in our work; by pursuing what brings us joy. 

Samantha Sayah Teaching Artist Director/Choreographer

Samantha Sayah is a NYC based actor, singer, musician, and teaching artist. As a performer, recent theatre credits include Girl in Once and Sister Act at the Geva Theatre Center, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at Florida Repertory Theatre. Additionally, she’s performed at The Summer Theatre of New Canaan, Astoria Performing Arts Center, Disney Cruise Line, and Tokyo Disney Resort. She has also acted in National commercials and on voice over projects for brands like Tic Tac, Dannon, Walmart, Outback, and more. When she’s not performing, she can be seen playing Dueling Pianos around the tri-state area with The Flying Ivories. Samantha’s Directing credits include Into the Woods Jr. at The Secret Theatre in Queens, and Matilda Jr. & Into the Woods Jr. with the Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University, and is ecstatic to be teaching at TADA! www.samsayah.com. IG: @samanthasayah

Sarah is a New York City-based teaching artist who believes in the power of theatre as a tool for access and social change. She holds a BFA in Music Theatre from the University of Buffalo and an MA in Applied Theatre from CUNY School of Professional Studies. In addition to TADA!, Sarah currently works with Broadway Bound Kids, Pink Fang (formerly Ping Chong & Company), and The Service Learning Project, creating engaging, inclusive arts experiences for young people.

Shoshanah Tarkow (she/her) is a New York based theatre maker, educator, and multimedia artist. Shoshanah received her BFA in Theatre Studies from Adelphi University and her MA in Performance Studies from New York University. Shoshanah is an adjunct professor in the Department of Theatre at Adelphi University, where she teaches Scene Study, Stanislavski, and Viewpoints. Shoshanah had the pleasure of working with ViDCo (Virtual Design Collective) on seasons 2 & 3 of Paula Vogel’s virtual play reading series Bard at the Gate. Most recently, Shoshanah was commissioned to write and direct an original musical for Andy’s Summer Playhouse in Wilton, New Hampshire. Shoshanah grew up in San Diego doing children’s theatre and experienced first-hand theatre’s ability to build self-confidence and encourage creativity! *Fun fact: Shoshanah is one of the 0.01% of the global population to ever complete a full-length (140.6 mile) Ironman Triathlon (December 2019, Western Australia)!*

Stephanie Anderson a New York-based actor, improvisor, and teacher from Venezuela and Spain and Chicago and you know what—don’t worry about it. She has performed sketch, improv, musical improv and BLUEGRASS musical improv with various teams at Upright Citizens Brigade NY, Magnet Theatre, People’s Improv Theatre, Beijing Improv, Brooklyn Art Hause, and DC Sketchfest. You can see Stephanie performing musical improv weekly with her Magnet Theatre house team, “Middle Brain,” or catch her monthly shows at the PIT with “The Understudies.” She recently acted in The 39 Steps, playing 12 different men with 4 different accents and all the silly walks. Stephanie spent five years in Beijing China, building a high school theatre program from scratch and directing several productions. Stephanie has her masters in educational theatre from NYU where is an adjunct faculty member, mentoring graduate students as they do their student teaching. She has taught improv, musical theatre, and devising with  NYU’s Looking for Shakespeare, Opening Act, Pink Fang, Story Pirates, TADA! Youth Theatre, and more. Dancing at weddings is her favorite thing to do in the whole world

Stephanie Wells Teaching Artist Music Director

Stephanie Wells is a pianist, music director, teaching artist, vocal coach, and an educator. She has been teaching and music directing for more than 20 years. She received her BA in Musical Theater Performance from Columbia College Chicago. In Chicago, she began music directing, gigging with bands and started her teaching career at Old Town School of Folk Music. After moving to NYC, she collaborated with Elizabeth Swados at New School and Tisch School of the Arts of NYU where she had the pleasure of working on a devised musical theater production The Reality Show that was produced and performed for the NYC, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai campuses. She has also served as adjunct faculty and resident music director at Kingsborough College in Brooklyn. Oh her recent travels through the county, she worked at Rocky Mountain Theater for Kids, University of Colorado Boulder. The Arts Hub in Colorado. In Texas, she served as the Associate Music Director at Texas State University’s BFA Musical Theater program. And in Portland, she worked with Vibe Portland and The Young People’s Theater Project. Currently, in addition to her work at TADA!, she music directs and teaches for PPAS, Hannah Senesh, teaches piano and voice lessons and works as a freelance music director in NYC.

Timmy Gage Teaching Artist Director/Choreographer

Timothy Gage is a New York City based theatre artist and educator. As an artist, Timothy works as a director and choreographer and has put up numerous shows with students ages 5 – 18. His favorite credits include Disaster!, Legally Blonde Jr., and Fame Jr. As an educator, he has taught acting, dance, writing, improv, speech, movement, and more to students ages 3 – 80. Timothy has also taught at New York Theatre Workshop, Brooklyn Acting Lab, Stagedoor Manor, A Class Act NY, and Millbrook Playhouse. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz and is currently working towards his MA in Educational Theatre at NYU. He is so excited to be working with TADA!

Originally from Louisiana, Trey McCoy is a NYC based actor, singer, and teaching artist. Previous Credits include the touring productions of Motown: The Musical and Waitress. When he’s not performing or teaching, he can be found learning a new recipe, working on his web series, or watching his guilty pleasure…Real Housewives. He holds a BFA from Montclair State University and is ecstatic to be teaching the artists of our future!

Arts Mentorship Program (AMP) Mentors

AMP mentor April Rozier

April Rozier got her love for theater and started her career at age 5. She began her training at the Walnut Street Theater in Philly, and performed throughout the East Coast. After attending AMDA New York, she found her passion working with Youth Theaters and Camps. She has been a part of several Arizona debuts, her favorites include choreographing Nevermore, The Life of Edgar Allan Poe, and stage managing Heathers.

After traveling and working bicoastal for over ten years, she is excited to be back in New York mentoring and training the next generation of creatives.

AMP mentor Jay Adana

Composer/Lyricist: The Loophole (Public Theater), The Woodsman (New World Stages, lyricist), The Last Tiger in Haiti (Berkeley Rep/La Jolla Playhouse), Fingerpaintings (Playwrights Horizons Downtown). Performance: The Loophole (Public Theater), On the Head of a Pin (59E59), Joe’s Pub. 2018 Jonathan Larson Award, 2019 Dramatist Guild Foundation Fellow. Training: #BARS workshop, #BARS Residency at The Public Theater, BFA SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theater Arts and Film

AMP mentor Luis Salgado

Luis Salgado is an international director, choreographer and educator from Puerto Rico based in New York City and who most recently opened his own adaptation of the musical FAME to great reviews in Washington D.C. He was the Assistant Latin Choreographer of In the Heights on Broadway, which won four Tony Awards.

Last year Luis worked as the associate director/choreographer of Cirque de Soliel’s Paramour in Hamburg, Germany. Among the productions he has directed/choreographed in the United States and abroad are the fantasy musical Ella Es Colombia in Bogota, Colombia with MISI Musicals, the Holland Production of On Your Feet, Ragtime, To Be or Not to Be . . . A Shakespearean Experience, Aida, The Musical, Amigo Duende, The Musical, Bountiful, Zuccotti Park, Song of Solomon, Speed the Plow, The Tempest and Fuerza y Pasión in Lima Peru.

In 2017, Luis directed and choreographed the U.S premiere of the Spanish version of In The Heights at GALA Theatre in Washington D.C which received nine 2018 Helen Hayes Awards including Best Musical, Best Direction and Best Choreography.

He has appeared on Broadway in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, ROCKY, In The Heights, On Your Feet, as well as Off-Broadway shows and Broadway tryouts The Mambo Kings (Frankie Suarez), Fame on 42nd Street (Joe Vegas, understudy) and Aida, among others.

Film credits include: American Gangster, Dirty Dancing 2, Havana Nights, the television remake of Dirty Dancing, Enchanted and Step Up 2, The Streets (Alejandro), for which he also was assistant choreographer.

Luis is the founder/director of R.Evolución Latina, an affiliate of the non-profit organization Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Luis’ personal mission as an artist and a leader is to empower society through the arts to make a change for the better.

Elizabeth Addison is a multi-hyphenate whose work exists at the intersection of Theatre Arts and Recovery. As a person in long term recovery, Elizabeth understands the power of the Arts and storytelling to heal and transform. Elizabeth has written three musicals about her recovery journey. Her first musical, “This is Treatment,” just had a sold out run at Northeastern University, and her third musical, “Chasing Grace,” was just accepted into the SheNYC Arts summer festival. Elizabeth was a part of the MUSE Mentorship program where she was mentored by Broadway musicians. This mentorship program resulted in an opportunity for Elizabeth to observe the rehearsal process and the remounting of “Dear Evan Hansen” on Broadway. Elizabeth was just appointed The Artistic Director of New Play Development at 2nd Act, an organization whose mission is to change the way people and communities respond to the impact of substance use through theatre and drama therapy. She is on the Advisory Board for The Recovery Project at Florida Studio Theatre. The Recovery Project will have a summer residency at NYSF where Elizabeth will also be one of their resident artists. Elizabeth is a creative recovery coach at Revolution Recovery where she also facilitates Recovery Storytelling workshops. This September, Elizabeth will be leading a storytelling through song workshop at the prestigious SHE RECOVERS conference in Chicago, and her fourth musical, “In Between…” will premiere at 54 Below in October 2023.

Julia Jordan Kamanda Composer

Julia Jordan Kamanda, singer/songwriter, music mentor, and owner of J3Music Studios, is on a music mission. Her focus is on spreading a positive musical message to encourage and empower others.

In 2010, Julia co-founded the Creative Arts Initiative in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and traveled there to teach young women new ways to express themselves creatively through the arts. She currently offers songwriting, guitar, and vocal mentoring sessions to students of all ages; blogs about the experience of being a musician and a mom on her “Music Mommy” blog; and offers a music supervision service for independent filmmakers.

As a songwriter, Julia’s music is acoustic-based; but the arrangements go much deeper, pulling inspiration from her jazz and folk roots and natural R&B soul. On her debut album Urban Legacy, released in 2007, she presents songs about light, love and trusting life’s changes- lessons she learned from her musical genius father, Stanley Jordan, and her poetess mother, Sandy Kilpatrick Jordan. At 30 years old, she already has 21 years of professional performance experience and her voice has carried her around the world to grace the stages of legendary music venues, including the Buzios Jazz y Blues Festival in Brazil; the Cairo Opera House in Egypt; the Long Beach Jazz Festival in California; and Alice Tully Hall in New York City, among many others.

AMP mentor Kathy D Harrison

Kathy D. Harrison is a multi-disciplined performing artist, songwriter and playwright. Her original musical titled, The Movement- An A Cappella Musical, was selected to perform for the 2019 New York Theater Festival – Winterfest, the 2015 National Black Theatre Festival, Puffin Foundation and The Greene Space – WNYC live webcast. Her musical Southern Boys – Sons of Sharecroppers was featured at the 2017 National Black Theatre Festival and will be presented by Charleston Black Theater in October 2019.

With an extensive background as an Arts Educator, Kathy D. Harrison was selected to be a recipient of the Jubilation Foundation 2 Years Artist Fellowship. She has spent the past 15 years working successfully in Arts Administration and Arts Management, designing theater, music and dance curriculum for school programs, social service agencies, and non-profit efforts. Social advocacy and purpose-driven creative arts are Ms. Harrison’s lifelong commitment and purpose.

She is a visionary leader with a strong entrepreneurial drive. She is the Founder and Managing Artistic Director for Diversity Youth Theater; a performing arts company based in NJ. Merging her creative abilities with her management skills, she developed several unique Arts projects that helped to brand the grass-roots company into a reputable establishment. In 2014, she started Performing Artists United, a membership based arts collective for young adults. The membership based ensemble company develops original works for touring purposes, while also serving as the leadership umbrella for Diversity Youth Theater.

Simran Pal Kaur is an NYC based multidisciplinary artist who graduated with an honors Multimedia and Performing Arts degree with a concentration in theatre from Lehman College. She is ambitiously curious about diving deep into the psyche of each role at hand to unlock its true nature and mysteries. She has played a vast array of roles and has delved into works ranging from Chekov to Shakespeare. Acting credits: Pearl (Locked in Love), Masha (Three Sisters), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet). Production/stage management credits: Future Classics Festival 2023 (Titan Theatre Company, Queens Theatre), Spring Dance Concert 2022 & 2023 (Lehman College), How to create massive change… (The Tank), Dance In Dialog 2022 & 2023 (Lehman College). Directorial credits: The Love Hate Club (Off-off-bdwy, Broadway Bound Theatre Festival, Theatre Row), One Night Standoff (a finalist for the Queens Shortplay Festival, The Secret Theatre; and for Queer Love Festival, Lehman art gallery). More credits plus contact info available on website: www.simranpalkaur.com
Gia Gan Music Director

Malaysian-born Gia Gan, holds a MM in Music from the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory College of Music and a BA in Arts from Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music. Gia was an Assistant Conductor at the Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) where she conducts young choristers ages 7-18 all over New York City. In China, she was Assistant Conductor at the Children and Young Women’s Choir of the China National Symphony Orchestra serving over 3,000 children of all ages and the associate music director at the Beijing Children’s Theatre Arts. She has also directed the music in such New York City productions as Wizard of Oz Jr., Peter Pan Jr., Children of Eden, Godspell, and I Do! I Do!, among others. Besides being a conductor, pianist and singer, Gia is also a composer at the Advanced BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop.

Text goes here

Close menu
×