Meet Our Team
“You all instill confidence in the students. They are disciplined and work very hard, but have confidence and a joy in the work. I know that comes from the entire YAA staff.”
Young Artists of America’s staff is made up of passionate musicians, educators, consultants and arts administrators whose main goal is to expose our high school and middle school students to the highest caliber performing arts mentorship and education available.
ARTISTIC STAFF
ROLANDO SANZ
Producing Artistic Director / Co-Founder
Rolando Sanz (he/him) works at the crossroads of the performing arts, bridging production, performance, and education. His decades of experience has made him a performing arts visionary with rare perspective and a reputation as an unflappable leader. He was the executive producer of the world premiere of Andrew Lippa's newest concept opera, I Am Anne Hutchinson / I Am Harvey Milk, starring Kristin Chenoweth at the Music Center at Strathmore in 2016. Other producing credits include The Circle of Life: The Songs of Tim Rice for Maryland Public Television (PBS) which won an Emmy® award in 2018, Songs for a New World with Jason Robert Brown, Children of Eden with Stephen Schwartz, and the premieres of West Side Story + Roméo et Juliette and Madama Butterfly & Miss Saigon. Sanz sings leading tenor roles with leading arts organizations across the nation, including Michigan Opera Theatre, Spoleto Festival USA, Florentine Opera, Virginia Opera, and the Pacific Symphony. Most recently, he made his Metropolitan Opera debut under the baton of James Levine and appeared in cinemas worldwide via MET Live in HD. In addition to his work as Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Young Artists of America, Rolando is currently on the voice faculty of Teatro Nuovo (NY), where he also serves as Chorusmaster, as well as American University (DC). He also has worked as Head of the Young Artist Program at Bel Canto in Tuscany. Rolando has also sung the national anthem for the Baltimore Orioles Opening Day ceremonies since 2012, and currently serves as a judge for the Helen Hayes Awards. He is a DeVos Institute of Arts Management Intensive Fellow in the 2023 cohort.
Email Rolando Sanz. More at www.rolandosanz.com.
KRISTOFER SANZ
Music Director / Co-Founder
Kristofer Sanz (he/him) has matured as a vibrant and talented conductor whose energy and fervor for music have allowed him to achieve a passionate, mature and musical sound with any ensemble he has conducted. Mr. Sanz recently has been praised for his modern and adventurous interpretations, as well as his contemporary and interactive concert presentations. He is the Music Director and Philharmonic conductor for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras program that rehearses and performs at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland. Under Mr. Sanz’s baton the Philharmonic is quickly becoming known for their highly musical, moving, and nuanced interpretations of a wide range of works from all genres—including orchestral works, dance, and opera. In 2014, he performed the US premiere of Ilan Eshkeri’s Stardust Suite. Last March, he conducted the Philharmonic in his own 45-minute arrangement with narration of the Ring of the Nibelung by Richard Wagner.
Email Kristofer Sanz. More at www.kristofersanz.com.
TERRY EBERHARDT
Associate Artistic Director,
Director of Summer Intensives
Terry Eberhardt (he/him) is a native of Maryland whose passion for music began with his church choir and public school chorus. Upon completing his Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance and Music Education from the Peabody Conservatory of Music and his Masters Degree in Opera Performance at The University of Maryland Opera Studio, Terry began his teaching career in Montgomery County, MD.
In 2005, Terry established the choral program at Howard County’s newest high school, Marriotts Ridge, where his students earned numerous awards and accolades for their performances throughout the eastern United States. In 2008, he was recognized as the Howard County Teacher of the Year. Terry continues to serve the professional music community through his work at local universities as a voice coach and as an adjudicator for numerous choral competitions. He is well known to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. audiences with performances in numerous oratorios as baritone soloist, and as a principal artist in many local opera productions. His most recent project is the development of Red Bridge Studios in Savage, Maryland. Mr. Eberhardt recently advanced to the Grammy Music Educator of the year semi-finals.
PAUL HEINEMANN
Director of YAAjunior,
Assistant Director of Summer Intensives
Paul Heinemann (he/him) is known for his tremendous gift of connecting with middle school adolescents, and his energy and enthusiasm have inspired his students to achieve at high levels. He has been invited to serve as a guest conductor for numerous middle school honors choruses as well as a guest clinician and adjudicator for festivals throughout Maryland. Most recently, he finished his 9th and final year as the Middle School Honors Chorus director for Montgomery County. Additionally, Paul has also served as an artistic and music director at both the middle and high school levels.
Paul is the choral director at Rocky Hill Middle School in Clarksburg, MD where he has taught for 19 years and grown the program to five school day choirs. He was recognized with the Montgomery County Gazette’s Favorite teacher award in 2011, and his choral program was awarded the ‘Program of Excellence’ award from the Maryland Music Educators Association in 2012. Paul’s choirs have consistently earned superior ratings at county, state and interstate festivals and competitions and they have performed as a demonstration chorus for multiple MMEA conferences. Paul was most recently recognized this past spring with the 2018 Maryland Music Educators Association Outstanding Music Educators Award.
Kristina Friedgen
Director of Education & Stage Director
Kristina Friedgen (she/her) recently completed her MFA in Theatre for Youth at Arizona State University and is currently Director of Innovation and Engagement at Sitar Arts Center. Previously, she taught theatre full-time at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School where was also the artistic director of the Good Counsel Theatre Company. Kristina also regularly directs and choreographs with various community and educational theaters across the DC Metro area. She has worked professionally as an assistant director with The Olney Theatre Center, Roundhouse Theatre Company, ATMTC, and Signature Theatre. Kristina earned her BA in Theatre from the University of Maryland and her Certification in Teaching from Notre Dame of Maryland.
Joanna Hughes
Director of YAAkids
Joanna Hughes (she/her) is a veteran music educator with nearly 20 years of experience in the classroom and the theater. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Joanna’s performance experiences as a child were impactful and formative, instilling a love of all things musical theater. Those experiences are ultimately what inspired her to devote her life to working with young children.
Joanna is currently the Lower School Music Director at Maret School in Washington, DC where she has taught for 18 years in the upper, middle, and lower schools of the school, both in music and drama. While she finds joy wherever she lands, her heart and expertise is with the littles. An out of the box thinker, Joanna earned her BA from Bard College in a program she created: Music, Education, and Psychology.
DANCE Faculty
Dana Keane
Director/Choreographer, Teaching Artist
Dana Keane (she/her) has been teaching dance for over 25 years. She danced professionally on Broadway in the productions of Cats and Me and My Girl as well as Off-Broadway and in national touring companies. She also worked on two Broadway workshops and was chosen by Ginger Rogers to participate in another. Dana received her dance training at Point Park College where she graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in dance with concentrations in Vaganova ballet technique, jazz and modern. While performing in NYC, she trained with Finis Jhung, Nancy Bielski, and Randy Skinner. Through many years of teaching, Dana has developed methodologies that prepare and provide stepping stones to dance mastery, especially for musical theater students. Dana is the co-founder of Studio Dans where she was the artistic director until 2021.
SHALYCE HEMBY
Choreographer, Teaching Artist
Shalyce Hemby (she/her) has choreographed dozens of productions all over the region, including for Howard University: The Apple Tree and Brooklyn, Toby’s Dinner Theater: Ain’t Misbehavin and Dreamgirls (which garnered her a 2018 Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Choreographer in a Musical), and as Assistant Choreographer with DC Capital All-Stars in performances at The Kennedy Center. Shalyce currently serves as Resident Choreographer and Director of Creative Content for ArtsCentric in Baltimore. An avid educator for over fifteen years, she has been a dance instructor and guest choreographer for Prince George’s County Public Schools, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Garrison Forest School, and Barrie School.
Ms. Hemby received an Associate Degree in Dance from Anne Arundel Community College. She has also studies with renowned instructors such as Fabian Barnes (Dance Institute of Washington), Arthur Miller (Dance Theatre of Harlem), and Debbie Allen (Debbie Allen Dance Academy).
MADELINE RODRIGUE
SPAI Director of Dance
Madeline Rodrigue (she/her) is a performer, choreographer and teacher from Maryland, currently based in New York City. Most recently, she made her debut in 2019-2020 as a Radio City Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and returns to the Rockettes in 2021-2022. She is a recent graduate of Pace University and holds a BFA in Commercial Dance, with concentrations in Choreography and Pedagogy, as well as a minor in Arts & Entertainment Management. She has presented work for Pace School of Performing Arts, HIVHERO, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Maryland State Dance Festival. Choreography: Lysistrata (3LD Art & Technology Center), Winter’s Tale (Schimmel Theatre, NY), Broadway and Ballet HERO Awards (Stage 48), Emergence (Pace University).
DAVID SINGLETON
Teaching Artist
David Singleton (he/him) is a Maryland-based performer/choreographer, with a passion for teaching. His work has been featured on multiple stages throughout the DMV, from professional stages to high schools, and middle schools. He spent the majority of his time in college studying jazz, and along the way discovered a passion for hip hop, tap, and a multitude of other dance styles. David began working in dance education in 2018, and has since found a new love in teaching. He can’t wait to begin this journey with Young Artist of America, and looks forward to sharing his love of dance one ball change at a time!
trent SOYSTER
Director/Choreographer
Trent Soyster (he/him) is a Pittsburgh-raised, New York City-based Performer, Choreographer/Director, and Teacher. Pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Commercial Dance at Pace University, recent performance credits include Escape to Margaritaville (Broadway National Tour), Disney’s Newsies (PCLO, Interlakes Theatre), Grease (FLMTF/Merry-Go-Round Playhouse), Cats (Mr. Mistoffelees - Interlakes Theatre) and Pete(Her) Pan: a new musical (Michael Darling - Pace New Musicals). Choreography/Direction: The Iron Bridge Dinner Theatre (Disney’s Newsies), Young Artists of America (Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Elf JR, Matilda JR, The Little Mermaid, JR), Comtra Theatre (Aladdin Jr.), and Dixon Place (I Do Believe In Fairies).
JULIA RIPPON
Teaching Artist
Julia Rippon (she/her) most recently made her national tour debut with Waitress. Regional performance credits include: Meet Me in St. Louis (Tootie, Theater Aspen), Mamma Mia! (Sophie Sheridan, Surflight Theater), Head Over Heels (Swing, Schimmel Center). Based in NYC, she recently graduated from Pace University with a degree in musical theatre in 2021 and has quickly become a leading educator on the YAA dance faculty.
MAYA ADDIE
Teaching Artist
Maya Addie (she/her) is a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, class of 2021. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up in Mesa, Arizona, where she began her formal training at the age of three. Maya spent her summers studying at The School at Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program, Abraham In Motion, Rockettes Summer Invitational, Joffrey Ballet School, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, The Ailey School, Giordano Dance Chicago, and Axis Connect. She has performed in works by Darrell Grand Moultrie, Jae Man Joo, Didy Veldman, Amy Hall Garner, Adam Barruch, Marcus Willis, Earl Mosley, Jessica Castro and Martha Nichols. Maya has performed internationally as well as in NYC at the Joyce Theater and NYU's Skirball Theater. During her enrollment at The Ailey School, Maya was a part of the ensemble in the 2019 Radio City Christmas Spectacular. She is currently a full member of the Radio City Rockettes.
EVY VAUGHAN
Teaching Artist
Evy Vaughan (she/her) is a dancer, singer, actress, choreographer, and teacher originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. She received her training at Pace University in NYC, graduating from the Pforzheimer Honors College summa cum laude with her BFA in Commercial Dance and a minor in Biology. Evy has performed regionally in productions of West Side Story and Tarzan, and danced for AIDA Cruises in Germany. Additionally, she has worked with acclaimed choreographers including Rhonda Miller, Dee Caspary, Lauren Gaul, Al Blackstone, Sean McKnight, Karida Griffith, Scott Jovovich, and Leyla Boissonnade, to name a few. She has consistently worked as Dance Captain for choreographers such as Jess Hendricks, Jacki Ford, and Lauren Gaul. Now based in NYC, she teaches dance to children at many studios in New York. Evy is certified in Personal Training (NASM) and aspires to hold a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Alyxzandra Blanch
Teaching Artist
Alyxzandra Blanch (she/her) is a choreographer from the DMV. She is a veteran of the stage with more than 15 years of performing and teaching experience. Alyxzandra originally studied ballroom and ballet at La Papillon Dance but found her passion for hip hop and theatrical performance under the mentorship of Shawn and Sherion Cosby. Throughout her dance career she has had the pleasure of performing on television, film, US tours and at venues including the Kennedy Center, National Cathedral, Lisner Auditorium, and Lincoln Memorial. Alyxzandra is honored to have partnered her creative talents with companies including the Fredericksburg Institue of the Performing Arts, Urban Nation Academy of the Performing Arts, Montgomery County Public Schools, Drama Kids VA, DC Capital All-Stars, Centerstage Management, Showbiz Dancers, and now most recently Young Artists of America.
Music Faculty
KAT BAILEY
Assistant Vocal Director &
SPAI Administrative Director
Kathryn Bailey, ‘14, (she/her) recently graduated from James Madison University with her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education Currently, Kathryn is an assistant vocal director for Young Artists of America, and has done several administrative and performance internships with arts organizations in Virginia and Maryland, including with YAA and the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Chorus. Kathryn also music directs several shows in the DC area, and recently joined MCPS as an elementary school music teacher. Kathryn is also a proud YAA alumna!
JAMIE CHOI
Music Staff
Jamie Choi (they/them) is a pianist with wide-ranging musical skills that span multiple genres. They have a bachelor’s degree in classical piano performance and master’s degrees in both jazz studies and collaborative piano from NYU. In South Korea, Jamie studied classical music at Peniel High School of the Arts and Chungang University. At NYU, Jamie worked with preeminent jazz musicians like Grammy Award winner Alan Broadbent. Jamie also arranged and self-produced their first album: Flowing Tide… which will be released in 2023.
Jamie performs as a collaborative pianist with vocalists, actors, choruses, choirs, and instrumentalists. They also played in a musical theater production of Wonderland at the Frederick Loewe Theater at NYU working alongside composer Frank Wildhorn. Also in New York, they served as the associate music director and main pianist in City of Angels at the Skirball Center, and performed as a soloist at “Piano City” concerts held at One World Trade Center.
Josh Cleveland
Music Staff
Josh Cleveland (he/him) is a music director, actor, singer, and accompanist, and also works on his own musical material as a songwriter and lyricist whenever possible. Josh's recent credits include Creative Cauldron's Daddy Long Legs (music director/piano) and The Arlington Players' Beauty and the Beast (assistant music director/piano), as well as onstage appearances in local community theater productions of Curtains, Urinetown, and South Pacific. He is also the resident music director and accompanist for LaTiDo DC and teaches at Oneness-Family Montessori School.
STEPHEN CRISP
Teaching Artist
Stephen Crisp (he/him) began like many artists singing in church, where he majored in vocal performance in college in Ohio. After pursuing an acting career, he relocated to the DC area and received his master’s degree in Contemporary Commercial Music Pedagogy from Shenandoah University.
Stephen strives to always create an inclusive environment for singers and cofounded the Transgender Singing Initiative. He recently gave the keynote speech at Virginia Commonwealth University for their event "Inclusivity in Choral Singing," speaking as an ally on the importance of bridging the gap between choirs and the transgender community. Locally, he made his DC solo debut at the Lincoln Theatre, appeared in a benefit concert called Hear Us Roar: A Celebration of Women’s International Day for MySister's Place, and led Montgomery County Counsel Member Evan Glass' PRIDE Broadway and Disney Sing-a-long. Stephen has worked as a teaching artist with Camp Arena Stage, Imagination Stage, and Creative Cauldron. He is currently the Theater Director at the Norwood School.
Montel butler
Assistant Vocal Director
Montel Butler (he/him) has been one of the most sought-after vocal instructors in Maryland for years. His students range from elementary school to pre-professional adults with a passion for singing in various styles and genres — from classical, to musical theater, to pop and gospel. Several of his students have gone on to major universities and professional programs inside and outside of the United States. Montel works as a teaching artist for Young Artists of America in a variety of subject matters during their school year and summer intensive programs. As his passion for teaching and building young artists is strong, he also maintains a professional performance career of his own. He has been seen performing on cruise ships, in various musical theatre productions both locally and nationally, and has also performed internationally in various productions.
Colleen Daly
Teaching Artist
Colleen Daly (she/her) has been hailed as a “dramatically powerful” (The Washington Post) young singer. Miss Daly’s most recent performances include Musetta in La Bohème with Annapolis Opera, Lyric Opera of Baltimore and Des Moines Metro Opera; Violetta in Opera Delaware’s production of La traviata, which she also covered at New York City Opera; Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte with Intermountain Opera; Micaëla in both La Tragédie de Carmen with Syracuse Opera and in Carmen with Baltimore Concert Opera; the Countess in Annapolis Opera’s production of Le nozze di Figaro; and the title role of Thaïs at Opera Company of Middlebury. Ms. Daly holds a degrees from DePaul University, the Opera Studio at the University of Maryland in College Park, and an Artist Diploma from the Academy of Vocal Arts.
BETH ANN ZINKIEVICH
Teaching Artist
Beth Ann Zinkievich, ‘18, (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland where she studied voice with Martha Randall and Delores Ziegler. She currently teaches general music at Hanover Hills Elementary School. Beth Ann also works with Glorystar Children's Chorus as a conductor for their Concert and Chamber choirs.
KEVIN CROUCH
Teaching Artist
Kevin Crouch (he/him) received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Ball State University, where he specialized in Vocal/General Music Education. He went on to earn his Masters of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University.
As a composer, Kevin writes traditional choral music infused with techniques derived from modern technical heavy metal, creating fresh, exciting, and multi-faceted works. He has been the recipient of such prestigious awards as the Elaine Brown Tribute Award, the Presser Scholarship for Musical Achievement, the Douglas D. Amman Scholarship for Choral Involvement, and the CMENC Outstanding Future Music Educator Award. In 2019, he received the Howard County Parents for School Music "Music Educator of the Year" award.
Kevin has collaborated with numerous professional groups such as Variant 6, Columbia Pro Cantare, Concert Artists of Baltimore, Baltimore Choral Arts, Mastersingers of Wilmington, Emmanuel Episcopal Church - Baltimore, Choral Arts Philadelphia, and St. Mark's Episcopal Church - Philadelphia.
theateR FACULTY
KEVIN MCALLISTER
Stage Director
Kevin McAllister (he/him) is a classically trained baritone who has performed as a leading man with every notable theater company in the region, including Signature Theater, Ford’s Theater, Olney Theater, Arena Stage, and Washington Opera. Notable roles with these companies include Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Flick in Violet, and Jim/Newt/Riley in Parade, all resulting in 2018 Helen Hayes Award nominations for Best Actor. He has also won the prestigious Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for his signature role, Coalhouse Walker in Ragtime (Ford’s Theater in 2018 and Toby’s Dinner Theater in 2016).
Mr. McAllister recently made his Broadway debut in Come From Away, and will be retuning to take part in Broadway’s reopening in 2021-2022 in Caroline. or Change. He is also a talented director having served as Director for productions of Assassins, Dreamgirls, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Beehive and Rent. Kevin is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of ArtsCentric in Baltimore, MD where he has directed productions of Aida and Chicago.
Mr. McAllister received his B.A. in Music from Morgan State University and has served as an Adjunct Professor in Musical Theater Techniques at Howard University.
Carole Graham Lehan
Stage Director,
Teaching Artist
Carole Graham Lehan (she/her) is former Performing Arts Director at Glenelg Country School. She has taught at UMBC, The Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, and The Catholic University of America. Recently, she was seen as Cinderella at Olney Theatre and Roxie in Chicago at Toby’s. She also staged and scripted several plays including: Ben Carson, M.D, and The Velveteen Rabbit. She has been nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards in three different categories: acting, directing and playwriting.
LEAYNE DEMPSEY
Dramaturg
Leayne Dempsey (she/her) is a director, actor, acting coach, educational consultant, and CEO of Theatre Major, LLC. She has directed a number of productions including In the Heights, Shrek, The Great Gatsby, Little Shop of Horrors, Guys and Dolls, The Cat in the Hat, and a world premiere of Baltimore at the University of Maryland, College Park (Assistant Director). She is the President Advisor and a Co-founder of the Maryland Theatre Education Association, an organization dedicated to nurturing the inner artist in all theatre educators in the state of Maryland. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, holding a B.A in Theatre, a B.A. in English, an M.Ed., and an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling.
Michele Vicino-Coleman
Stage Director
Michele D. Vicino-Coleman (she/her) is an Educator and Theatre Artist based in the greater DC region. She has been affiliated with Shakespeare Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, Imagination Stage, Levine Music, Ford’s Theatre and Young Playwrights' Theatre. Michele was an original cast member of a premier professional school tour with InterAct Story Theatre entitled, According to Shakespeare. She has also had the pleasure of singing with The Washington Chorus (Alto I and Soprano I) for about five years, performing in prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and Wolf Trap. Michele currently teaches English and Theatre at Springbrook High School, is the stage director for YAAjunior, and provides audition, acting and vocal coaching to emerging and young performers. She holds a degree in Elementary Education and Music from Messiah College, and a Masters in Theatre Education from The Catholic University of America.
Ryan Neely
Teaching Artist
Ryan Neely (he/him) is originally from Austin, Tx. As a child, he knew exactly what I wanted to be :a cartoonist. Or a lawyer. Or an actor. Eventually, he chose actor. When people ask him why he chose to be an actor, he tells them he wasn't cast in his fifth grade production of "We Hazz Jazz" and it's been a lifelong quest for revenge.
Truth be told, Ryan likes acting because it's like doing a really cool magic trick. You get to take people out of their daily lives and entertain them, enlighten them, challenge them. You get to be another person and there are few professions where that is not frowned upon. Ryan has been fortunate enough to study with some great teachers, attaining a BFA in Acting from Rutgers University as well as getting to study and perform at Shakespeare's Globe in London, UK.
Jessica Bennett
Teaching Artist
Jessica Bennett (she/her) is a Helen Hayes Award nominated actress, singer, and dancer from Baltimore, MD. After graduating with her BFA in musical theatre from Ithaca College, she made her Off-Broadway debut in the musical Honestly Abe at Actor’s Temple Theatre and went on tour with TheatreWorks USA starring in Joe Iconis’ We The People. Jessica’s regional credits include: Cathy in The Last Five Years (Stillpointe Theatre); Kate in Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party, Hester in F***ing A (Iron Crow Theatre); Velma Kelly in Chicago, Smokey Joe’s Cafe (ArtsCentric); Lookingglass Alice (Baltimore Center Stage); Me…Jane (Kennedy Center); Velma Kelly in Chicago (Keegan Theatre) (Helen Hayes Award Nomination); South Pacific, Elf, Cabaret, (Olney Theatre Center); Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Miss Shields in A Christmas Story (Toby’s Dinner Theatre); Stilleto Sal in Blackbeard (Signature Theatre). Jessica most recently starred in Signature Theatre, Broadway HD, and Marquee TV’s filmed production of After Midnight where she got to perform alongside Hamilton’s Chris Jackson. Her upcoming credits include: 70 years of OTC: A Concert, and Beauty and the Beast at Olney Theatre Center.
tony tsendeas
Teaching Artist
Tony Tsendeas (he/him) has worked professionally as an actor, director, writer and teacher for 30 years. Tony is a principal acting instructor at the Baltimore School for the Arts. From 1990 to 2001, Tony was the Artistic Director of Action Theater. In 2009, Tony received a Helen Hayes nomination for Best Director for a production of Davelos' Wittenberg at Rep Stage.
Acting credits include Gary Swirn in Homicide: Life on the Streets and multiple appearances with Symphonic Plays, appearing with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Voiceover credits include work with The Discovery Channel, HBO, PBS and National Public Radio. Tony has directed over 35 professional productions of original material and classical works including Beckett, Shakespeare, Stanislaw, Witkiewicz, Mamet, Peter Barnes, Edward Albee and Ring Lardner Jr. Tony is also a recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Playwriting award for his play The Adventures of Felix.
Caroline Dubberly
Teaching Artist
Caroline Dubberly (they/them) is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist currently working in the DC area. Caroline has directed productions of The Wolves and Edges at Imagination Stage, as well as: Monumental Theatre: Desidirium (workshop); Mt. Olivet Players: She Kills Monsters and The Revenge of the Space Pandas.
Previous DC area acting credits include: The Kennedy Center: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus; Studio Theatre: Translations and The Father (HH nomination for Outstanding Ensemble); Woolly Mammoth Theatre: Baby Screams Miracle; Solas Nua: In the Middle of the Fields; Monumental Theatre: Be More Chill (the SQUIP); 1st Stage: The Member of the Wedding; 4615 Theatre Co: Betrayal; Keegan Theatre: Top Girls and Next to Normal (HH nominations for Outstanding Supporting Performer).
Terrance Fleming
Teaching Artist
Terrance Fleming (he/him) is from Mobile, Alabama, and is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) where he received his BFA in acting. Since moving to Baltimore in 2016 he has worked with many different local theaters including: Shakespeare in Love (Keegan), Henry V & Dracula (Chesapeake Shakespeare Company); Twelfth Night and Richard ll (Her Majesty and Sons); Aida the Musical and The Wiz (ArtsCentric); Hamlet (Baltimore Shakespeare Factory); and Jerusalem (Fells Point Corner Theatre).
JACKIE BAUTISTA
Production Manager
Jackie Bautista (she/her) is an Equity stage manager, who is originally from Maryland. Her passions lie in organization, musical theatre, education, and the outdoors. She holds BAs in Theatre and Psychology from Northwestern University and has stage managed Theatre For Young Performers, Musical Theatre, TV, and Dance across the country. Highlights include the US premiere of In The Heights en Español (Gala Hispanic Theatre), the regional premiere of Something Rotten! (Marriott Theatre), and Tour Managing with StarQuest Dance Competition.
Kristy Matero
Production Stage Manager
Kristy Matero (she/her) has stage managed over 70 productions for theaters in the DC region including Signature Theatre, The Kennedy Center Theatre for Young Audiences, Washington National Opera, Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, and Shakespeare Theatre. She has also worked regionally at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Opera Philadelphia, Bard Summerscape, and Spoleto Festival USA. Her latest project is keeping the trains running at WAMU, D.C.'s NPR station. Kristy earned her BA in Theater Arts from Mount Holyoke College.
CARRIE EDICK
Stage Manager
Carrie Edick (she/her) is a stage manager and intimacy choreographer in the DC area. She received her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Theater with a minor in Gender and Women's Studies. She has worked on various productions, including: How I Learned to Drive and Indecent by Paula Vogel, Fun Home adapted by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori, and Grounded by George Brant.
Carrie strives to create an open and welcoming environment in the theater that encourages growth and conversation to inspire change, to elevate the voices of those not in mainstream society, and pursue works that are important for social change.
guest faculty & Artists
rick edinger
Carnegie Mellon University
vicky bussert
Baldwin Wallace University
Brian Kremer
Elon University
CRAIG KIER
Annapolis Opera
MICHAEL BAITZER
Annapolis Opera,
Washington National Opera,
Central City Opera
REBECCA SMITHORN
National Philharmonic
carol vaness
Indiana University, Aspen
marquita lister
Morgan State University
SUSAN GRAHAM
Renowned mezzo-soprano
WARREN JONES
Manhattan School of Music
kathleen kelly
University of Cincinnati (CCM)
TIMOTHY LONG
Eastman School of Music
SAMUEL RAMEY
Wichita State University
ALYSON Cambridge
Metropolitan Opera
KIM KOWALKE
Kurt Weill Foundation
ERIC GREENE
Royal Opera, Liceu Barcelona
SYLVIA MCNAIR
Renowned Soprano
VANESSA UZAN
UIA Talent Agency
Jonathan Blalock
Atlanta Opera
Dean Anthony
Brevard Music Center
W. Stephen Smith
Northwestern University
PETER KAZARAS
UCLA, Seattle Opera
Michael Dean
UCLA
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
LISA LARRAGOITE
Executive Director
A television news veteran and life-time arts lover, Lisa Larragoite (she/her) brings production and organizational skills to the YAA team. For more than 20 years, she worked as an off-camera reporter and producer for numerous PBS programs including The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and election and public affairs specials. Her cultural TV programming experience includes The Kennedy Center Honors and Evening at Pops with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Lisa is a long-time volunteer for her alma mater, Stanford University. She launched and runs the school's applicant interview program in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Edima Essien
Alumni & Outreach Coordinator
Edima Essien, ‘16, (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park as a Creative and Performing Arts Scholar in the Bachelor of the Arts Theatre program, minoring in Arts Leadership. She has used her multifaceted interest in the arts to work with various organizations within the Maryland and DC area as a performer, teaching artist, collaborator, and administrator. Edima is grateful for her time as a student in Young Artists of America and she is excited to be back coordinating alumni engagement.
Olivia Luzquinos
Production & Education Fellow
Olivia Luzquinos, ‘19. (she/her) is a DC based playwright and actress. Her play Damn Things Will Kill Ya was recently a part of Signature Theater’s Monday night reading series: Sig Works. She is currently pursuing her BA in Musical Theater with a Minor in screenwriting at American University, and she is the artistic director of AU Quills and Capes (AU’s home for student written theater). She recently completed the physical theater program at the Accademia Dell’arte in Tuscany. Olivia is excited to be returning to YAA in this new capacity!
Karen Blake
Summer Administrator/
Camp Mom
Karen Collins Blake (she/her) is a University of Maryland graduate with a degree in Elementary Education. She is a former MCPS elementary school teacher. She has spent all of her working years, with children of all ages, in different capacities. In addition to her experience as a classroom teacher, Karen spent fifteen summers as a camp director with Carol Jean Cancer Foundation at Camp Friendship, an overnight camp for children with cancer. She is currently a stay at home mom for her 3 young children.
Jennifer Yang
Summer Administrator/
Camp Mom
Jennifer Yang (she/her) is a University of Maryland graduate with bachelor’s degrees in both History and in Secondary Social Studies Education. She also has a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Walden University. Jenny has taught in both Frederick County and Montgomery County Public Schools for a combined 15 years, and is currently teaching AP Government and AP Economics at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, MD.
BETH SANZ
Business Manager
Beth Sanz (she/her) spent five years working as the instrumental music teacher at Glenelg Country School in Ellicott City. During her time there, Beth wrote curriculum for and implemented a new elementary and middle school band program. Under Beth’s direction, the new band program flourished and became an integral part of the school community. Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Maryland, College Park. While at college, when she wasn’t in class or practicing her bassoon, Beth spent time working as an administrative assistant in various offices on campus and became familiar with the skills necessary to run an organized and successful office. In addition to her work with Young Artists of America, Beth also teaches private bassoon lessons.
Kendra Rubinfeld
PR & Marketing Consultant
Kendra Rubinfeld (she/her) works with Young Artists of America as a consultant via her firm, KRPR. She is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University's Masters in Communications Program with concentrations in Corporate and Nonprofit Communication. With a background in community activism, her passion for relationship building and bringing people together is evident in all of the projects on which she works. Her interest in PR began with the Our City Film Festival, which she started in 2008 as an outreach program for a local nonprofit. Shortly after, she founded KRPR to help others witness the satisfaction of watching their business grow with the powers of PR.
For all media relations inquiries, please email Kendra Rubinfeld.