Clinicians
The 2019 Symposium Clinicians have been thoughtfully selected to provide a varied and unique educational and performance practice experience with renowned New York based experts in the industry. All are personal friends and colleagues of Artistic Director Jennifer Cooper and they are excited to share their wisdom with you!
AMY ROGERS
Director of BFA Musical Theatre - Pace University.
Amy Rogers created and developed the BFA Musical Theatre degree program. The Musical Theater program at Pace University began in 2002 and started with six majors; over the span of seven years, Rogers along with her professional faculty, has created a world-class BFA Musical Theater program with 100 majors. In February 2019, her expert advice was released to the public via her new book, "The Ultimate Musical Theater College Audition Guide".
Amy will work with participants in a master class setting, addressing audition techniques (college and professional), and other topics.
Andrew Byrne is a voice teacher, vocal coach, composer, performer and music director. He was twice named one of the “Favorite Vocal Coaches” in NYC Backstage Reader’s Choice Awards, and is also a frequent contributor to their Experts Column. In the past few seasons, his students have been seen in over 40 Broadway shows. Andrew has served on guest faculty at the University of Michigan's musical theater department, and served on the faculty of the School of Fine Arts at Boston University, holding positions in both the music and theater departments.
Andrew will work with participants in a master class setting, focusing on the athletics, physiology, and neuroscience of singing.
NANCY CARRIE LOGAN
Singer/Actor. Freelance Performer. Ellen's Stardust Diner singing waiter.
Nancy Carrie Logan is just beginning her career in the Big Apple. A recent graduate of AMDA, she has performed various roles, currently tours professionally for TheatreWorks, and enjoys shining her light at the famous Ellen's Stardust Diner as a singing waiter.
She will kick off the symposium with a discussion about her program degree and its influence on her freelance career, plus Equity status, audition strategies, and more.
JAMES ZANNELLI
Singer/Actor. NYU Voice Teacher.
James Zannelli is an award winning actor and singer who has enjoyed an international career on stage performing in opera and musical theatre. Companies include: City Center Encores, Goodspeed Opera House, Fulton Opera House, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, North Carolina Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus,Ogunquit Playhouse, Media Theatre, White Plains Performing Arts Center, Hilton Head, Tennessee Repertory Theatre,
Tuacahn Ampitheatre, Phoenix Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Phoenix, Casa Mañana Theatre, Shakespeare Sedona, Santa Fe Opera and Arizona Opera.
2017: Tateh in Ragtime at The Gallery Players in Brooklyn, NY, nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre Award.
2015: Best Supporting Actor in a Musical nomination by BroadwayWorld as Thenardier in Les Miserables at Casa Mañana Theatre in Forth Worth, TX.
2014: AriZoni Award for Best Actor in a Musical as Javert in Les Miserables at Phoenix Theatre, Phoenix, AZ.
2011-2013: Bishop of Digne (and understudy to Thenardier) in the 25th Anniversary North American Touring Produciton of Les Miserables.
UPDATE: GOOD NEWS!... James was recently cast in the role of Max for the Mac-Haydn Theater production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" in Chathem, NY. SAD NEWS!... the production runs during our Symposium. We are working on another media-means of bringing his expertise to our participants! Stay tuned... and CONGRATS, JAMES!
KIMBERLY GRAHAM
Associate Casting Director at Judy Henderson Casting.
Kimberly Graham formerly trained and performed as a professional opera singer. But her fascination with - and analytical eye for - human behavior redirected her path toward a career in casting. Since 2003, Graham has remained busy as a frequent guest speaker and instructor at various venues in NYC including The Network, Actor's Connection, Stonestreet Studios, One on One Productions, The Actors Green Room, Actors Launchpad and Esper Studio. She is in high demand as a workshop clinician and travels the world teaching and coaching aspiring actors and cross-over artists.
Kimberly will work with participants in a workshop setting, providing education, direction, and guidance through on-camera scene work. She will also discuss important changes in the industry, with regard to marketability as a cross-over performer (stage, film, television, etc.).
Ann Baltz
Educator / Director / Pianist.
Creator of OperaWorks.
Ann Baltz is recognized as one of the leading opera educators in America today. Inspired by her work with visionary Wesley Balk at the Merola Opera Program and as music director of his Minnesota Opera Institute, Baltz's revolutionary holistic approach to singer training became OperaWorks™, a vanguard of performer education which was the first of its kind to incorporate the cross-disciplinary education vital to singers. Founded in 1987, OperaWorks now boasts an impressive list of over 2,000 alumni worldwide, expanded pedagogical training for teachers and coaches.
She is a vocal advocate of musical improvisation as a tool for freeing musicians' innate musical and dramatic capabilities, and will implement this - among other performance technique training tools - in her workshop with participants. Ann will also serve as collaborative-pianist-extraordinaire for the final Showcase performance!
Eric Sedgwick
Pianist, Coach
Eric Sedgwick has performed with many of music's top talents including Leona Mitchell and Marni Nixon, Broadway leading ladies Sarah Rice, Carole Demas and Debra Monk. He is a staff vocal coach, accompanist and recital coach at the Manhattan School of Music, and since 2009 has been music director and pianist for the Junior Opera Theater there directed by Catherine Malfitano. He is also a staff accompanist for the Tanglewood Music Center, and has served as rehearsal pianist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Bard Summerscape productions. He has appeared often with the Broadway Concerts Direct concert series in upstate New York, in cabaret shows at 54 Below and the Metropolitan Room, and as music director/pianist for "The World According to Kurt Weill" at UrbanStages. He is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and Brown University.
Eric will engage in discussion with Symposium participants about the working relationship between pianist/coach and vocalist.