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Apphia Laune-Noel
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Apphia Laune-Noel accepted the prestigious Ford Foundation Scholarship at the age of 12 and went to study at the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet. She lived in Lincoln Center, at Julliard, and was able to study with the world renowned dance masters Suki Shorer, Susan Pilarre, and Antonia Tumkovsky. After two years of study at the School of American Ballet, she accepted a full scholarship with the San Francisco Ballet School and, at the age of 15, became an apprentice of the company for three years. She also studied at Bolshoi Ballet Academy on a full scholarship for two summer intensives. She worked with Mark Morris and Alonzo King of Lines Contemporary Ballet. She was the recipient of the Showstoppers Platinum Award for dance competition choreography. She performed in Broadway's Fosse and Smoke Joes Café. She choreographed for Norwegian Cruise Lines on-board performances with Carib Dance Entertainment. Apphia was the co-founder of Club de Moviemento, a summer dance program for children in Caribbean and produced several fashion and performance art benefit shows for Elizabeth Glaziers Pediatric Aids Foundation. She danced and choreographed with over 25 local and national dance companies. She is currently the Artistic Director at Academy of Music and Dance.
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Victoria Brown
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Victoria Brown graduated from San Jose State University with a B.A. in Dance and a minor in Business. She studied at world-renowned Jacobs Pillow Intensive and interned at Broadway Dance Center. She was featured as a dancer in the Jacobs Pillow’s Inside Out as well as a soloist in Dances for Isadora at the University Dance Theater. Victoria is the new Co-founder and Artistic Director for MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, based in Los Angeles. She has most recently been featured as a dancer in Anaheim Arsenal A-List Dance Team and Esther Entertainment’s The Movement. Her choreography has been featured in various productions including By:Co-astal, a multi-media collaborative dance show which toured to New York in 2009; Moving Through Keys, a video pilot featuring her jazz and hip-hop choreography; DanceClass101.com’s instructional dance website; Dancescape 2008, a dance benefit to raise funds for arts programs for public high schools. She was awarded the 2003 Showmanship Award and the 2005 Carol Ann Haws Award of Excellence in Performance. She has training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip-Hop, and Composition.She performed with the Dol Rae Music Tour, Spectrum Jazz Team, and American College Dance Festival and has taught at Jensen School of Performing Arts, South Bay Dance Center, and International Dance Center.
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Stephanie Howell
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Stephanie Howell graduated from Desales University with a B.A. in Dance and has studied with some of the country's leading dance instructors at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York. She has seven years of teaching experience at Kicks Academy of Dance in Pennyslvania working with students of all ages. She has also taught at Dance Dynamics, YMCA/YWCA, and choreographed for Layman Playman Community Theater. She has received choreography awards from Dance Explosion Competition, NYC Dance Alliance Competition, and Hollywood Vibe Competition. She is recognized throughout the East Coast for her excellent choreography. Stephanie has training in Ballet, Lyrical, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, and Modern.
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Genna Forkey
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Genna Forkey comes to us from the Los Angeles performing arts district and studied dance at the University of Southern California. She has trained at Edge Performing Arts Center, Carolyn Foy/Sacramento Ballet Company, and Jacque Dake/Jacque's Dance Expressions. She has performed for film, television, and theatre and taught at USC's Summer Seminar, Jacque's Dance Expressions, and in Beverly Hills. In addition to her dance training, Genna holds a B.A. in Business with a Minor in Dance and Cinema-Television. |
Sommer Thome
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Sommer Thome originally hailing from Vancouver, B.C., Sommer has trained extensively in the disciplines of ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip hop since childhood. Her training has taken her up and down the West Coast and across the country to New York City. Sommer holds her B.F.A. with a major in dance from Simon Fraser University. She has danced with the Vogue Tap Troupe, Kokoro Dance, Coriograph Theater, and Full Performing Bodies. She has also performed in various shows for 12 Minutes Max, Urban Flow Productions, Cardinal Productions and PerformArt Collab. Sommer has appeared in fashion shows for MAC cosmetics and Point in Time and choreographed the Port Moody Arts Center Annual Wearable Arts Awards Show for the last 4 years. Sommer has been teaching and choreographing for over ten years and is thrilled to be joining the teaching team at Academy of Music and Dance. |
Jamie Benson |
Jamie Benson studied dance at Westside Academy of Dance, Edge Performing Arts Center, Spectrum Dance Theater, and Cornish College of Fine Art. He has extensive training in modern, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop as well as experience in theatre, voice, television, film, runway, and print. Jamie is studies dance with Stefan Wenta and appeared in Sony Pictures’ film, Rent, and has been a featured dancer in several music videos including Dance 360, Taking Back Sunday, and Making the Video. He has recently been featured in the L.A. Times, L.A. Weekly, and Dance Magazine with the Rudy Perez Performance Ensemble.
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Halley Conway
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Halley Conway has been dancing and performing in musicals from a young age. She graduated with honors from Syracuse University with a major in Art History and minoring in Theatre and Marketing. She spent 4 years as a dancer and choreographer with DanceWorks, and another 3 years with Creations Dance Company. Halley has many years of training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Gymnastics, and contemporary dance styles, and has taught students of all ages. She has performed in such classic musicals as Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, and The Music Man, and appeared as a cheerleader in the short film, "The Western Front."
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Monique Friedl
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Monique Friedl has a B.A. from UCLA with studies specializing in World Arts & Cultures and Womens' Health. She has been dancing for 22 years, and has taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Lyrical for the past 10 years. She has been contracted to train dancers professionally for many organizations including some from the Trojans Song Team of USC and has also appeared on television in independent film shorts. Her true passion is, and always will be, teaching the art of dance. |
Brad J. Hubisz
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Brad Hubisz studied Composition at the Thorton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he earned a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Child Development. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree specializing in Choral conducting form Azusa Pacific University, where he studies vocal performance with L.A. Opera's David Kress. He also studied private piano and composition under Jonathan Bass and Rodney Lister at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School where he was awarded the composition Department Award and Theory Department Award. Brad has sung with APU Chamber Singers and recitals at Alfred Newman Hall, USC Madrigal Chorus, USC Studio Vocal Jazz, and USC Concert Choir. He shared the stage with Barbra Streisand at the 2001 Emmy Awards. He's held such positions as worship leader, pianist, vocalist, and assistant music director throughout California and Massachusetts. |
Donato McDermott
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Donato McDermott graduated from the Musicians Institute of Los Angeles where he studied guitar, specializing in technique, sight reading, and theory. He has studied and performed classical guitar and piano in Riverside under Dr. Peter Curtis. Donato teaches at the Riverside Valley Music Academy as the Head Guitar Instructor as well as at Coast Music Conservatory. He worked as a music theory and piano tutor at Riverside Community College teaching music concepts of harmony and voice leading. His areas of expertise include guitar, music theory, voice, and piano.
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Amanda Magadia
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Amanda Magadia holds her Bachelor of Science degree in Vocal Performace & Theatre from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. Amanda has extensive musical theatre background and has performed in many shows including Miss Saigon, The King and I, A Chorus Line, The Magic Flute, Fiddler on the Roof, and others with various theatre companies. Her film credits inclued The Barbary Coast, The Hail Mary, Break a Leg, and Assasin. She has extensive training in voice, piano, acting, and theatre and as well as background in ballet and jazz dance. In addition, Amanda served as Music Director for the Ladies First Premiere A Cappelo Group in Indiana. |
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Tahkus Ekedal made her recording debut at age three singing on the album “Peace Is The World Smiling” for the children's music company Music For Little People. She continued recording for the company into her teen years, appearing on records with such artists as Lady Smith Black Mambazo, and blues legend Jimmy Witherspoon. After graduating from a performing arts high school in Ojai, CA, Tahkus attended the LA Music Academy in Pasadena, CA. Once there she focused heavily on vocal training with the Vocal Department Head Kevyn Lettau, and studied performance and stage presence with Dorian Holley (vocal coach for American Idol, and former back-up singer and vocal coach for Michael Jackson). After graduating from the Academy in 2004, Tahkus continued to study vocal technique with Lettau, and joined Lettau's unique vocal-teacher training program. Tahkus composes music and performs live in the LA area with various projects, and works as a studio vocalist. She has worked with or shared the stage with musicians such as Mike Shapiro (Sergio Mendes, Herb Alpert), Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai), Gary Ferguson (Cher, Olivia Newton-John), Crosby Loggins, John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), and perhaps most notably, opened a show for David Crosby and Graham Nash at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Tahkus incorporates the most current research in vocal anatomy and production into her teaching, and is passionate about the potential in each individual voice. Her goal is that all her students to attain a healthy vocal freedom through training and practice. Tahkus also teaches beginning piano lessons at the Academy.
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Tiffany Rivette
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Tiffany Rivette holds a Master’s of Music in Vocal Arts & Opera from the University of Southern California, as well as a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Azusa Pacific University. She is currently pursuing an Artist Certificate in Vocal Arts & Opera at Azusa Pacific University. Tiffany began her musical training at a young age, participating in various groups and ensembles; over the years traveled to Romania, Armenia, England, New Zealand, and Australia. Tiffany spent two years at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts as a voice major and participated in the opera program under the direction of Stephanie Vlahos. Since then, she has enjoyed a wide range of performances, including appearances in the Annual Chapel Series and Goldline Concert Series at Lake Avenue Church, and opera productions at APU and USC. She has studied and performed under Shigemi Matsumoto, Ken Cazan, Brent McMunn, Morton Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, Dr. John Reinebach, and David Kress. In addition to Voice, Tiffany has extensive training in piano, English handbells, chimes, sight-reading, and acting.
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Kyle Morris
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Kyle Morris is a multi-talented musician and songwriter who has been studying music since he was 12. He spent a year of intensive study at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, and has been teaching guitar and bass for 7 years, as well as drums and ukulele. Over the last 13 years, Kyle has performed and recorded with bands all over Los Angeles and southern California, as well as internationally in Sweden. Kyle says, “I truly love teaching. I like to inspire my students through encouragement and instilling confidence. I have experience in all styles of playing, and have a knack for tailoring my lessons for the individual. My biggest priority is to ensure the satisfaction of my students by teaching them in areas of music that they are interested in, while making sure that the fundamentals of music are solidly understood.”
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Jamie Benson
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Jamie Benson studied dance at Westside Academy of Dance, Edge Performing Arts Center, Spectrum Dance Theater, and Cornish College of Fine Art. He has extensive training in modern, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop as well as experience in theatre, voice, television, film, runway, and print. Jamie is studies dance with Stefan Wenta and appeared in Sony Pictures’ film, Rent, and has been a featured dancer in several music videos including Dance 360, Taking Back Sunday, and Making the Video. He has recently been featured in the L.A. Times, L.A. Weekly, and Dance Magazine with the Rudy Perez Performance Ensemble. |
Halley Conway
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Halley Conway has been dancing and performing in musicals from a young age. She graduated with honors from Syracuse University with a major in Art History and minoring in Theatre and Marketing. She spent 4 years as a dancer and choreographer with DanceWorks, and another 3 years with Creations Dance Company. Halley has many years of training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Gymnastics, and contemporary dance styles, and has taught students of all ages. She has performed in such classic musicals as Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, and The Music Man, and appeared as a cheerleader in the short film, "The Western Front." |
Amanda Magadia
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Amanda Magadia holds her Bachelor of Science degree in Vocal Performace & Theatre from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. Amanda has extensive musical theatre background and has performed in many shows including Miss Saigon, The King and I, A Chorus Line, The Magic Flute, Fiddler on the Roof, and others with various theatre companies. Her film credits inclued The Barbary Coast, The Hail Mary, Break a Leg, and Assasin. She has extensive training in voice, piano, acting, and theatre and as well as background in ballet and jazz dance. In addition, Amanda served as Music Director for the Ladies First Premiere A Cappelo Group in Indiana. |
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Kimberly Taylor
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Kimberly Taylor holds B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in Child/Family psychology from Azusa Pacific University. She has extensive background in administrative management having worked at the APU Theatre Arts Office and as the Administrative Secretary at First Christian Church under Mayor/Reverend Karen Davis. Her performing arts background includes study in jazz, ballet, tap, and musical theatre dance under Rikki Lugo at the Music Theatre of Southern California and gymnastics at Champion Gymnastics Academy. She appeared as the lead role of Kristie in The Cowardly Knight and as a dancer in Seussical, Me and My Girl, and the APU Drama Awards 2005 and 2006. She founded and directed In Step Dance Team in Pasadena and has worked as Choreographer and Assistant Director for Western Christian High School’s Seussical and Zombie Prom. In 2007, she choreographed APU’s The Goodbye Girl and Drama Awards. She recently served on a panel of judges for Maranatha High School’s advanced dance auditions and is the founder and director of the As the Deer dance ministry team in Azusa, CA. She is a freelance photographer specializing in theatrical headshots and will be pursuing her M.F.A. in Digital Photography at the Academy of Art.
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Katelyn Paige
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Katelyn Paige holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Azusa Pacific University, specializing in drawing and painting. In addition to her administrative work here at the studio, she is the Office and Accounting Assistant for Forever Kids, a company that does character education through music in West Covina. She has training in modern, jazz, and hip-hop and has performed in various dance concerts in San Diego. She is currently the Artistic Director and Stage Manager for To the Pointe Dance Productions in Chino. In addition, she has skills in photography and choreography.
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Brynne Rechenmacher
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Brynne Rechenmacher holds a BA in Creative Arts from San Jose State University, where she studied dance, music and art, with particular emphasis in dance. She has previously studied pointe, ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop and lyrical with various schools and companies, including the Nancy Doize School of Dance and San Jose Dance Theatre, under the artistic direction of Robert Kelley, Shawn Stuart and Paul E. Curtis. Beyond this, she has also served as an assistant stage manager and lighting producer for the University Dance Theatre of SJSU, and has choreographed pieces for various productions and dance teams. In addition to her work with AMD, she is also working as a Household Manager and is continuing her dance training; it is her hope to be an artistic director of a professional company, and to work in some capacity with the San Francisco Ballet.
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Jesse Noel
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Jesse Noel received his Associates Degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences with an emphasis in Theatre from Moorpark College in 2005. He has since had extensive experience working as a special effects technician on many major movie sets, including Iron Man 2 (2010), G..I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra(2009), The Incredible Hulk (2008), National Treasure: Book of Secrets(2007), Transformers (2007), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), and Spiderman 3 (2007), just to name a few. He has appeared on The Learning Channel’s television show “Rides” as a special effects technician and was interviewed in a featurette on the National Treasure: Book of Secrets(2007) DVD/Blu-Ray (“NT2: Underground Action”). He is a licensed California Pyrotechnic Operator in Special Effects, 2nd Class, and is affiliated with SAG, Local 44 Prop Shop classification.
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