EDUCATION

Master in Teaching - University of Washington
Bachelor of Arts, American Ethnic Studies - University of Washington
Minor, Music - University of Washington

EXPERIENCE

Professional

Artistic Director
Tacoma Refugee Choir, 2023-present
Envisions and creates engaging and innovative musical experiences for performances and events. Develops and oversees community engagement programming as well as the devising and development of songs in collaboration with members of the choir and community.

Teaching Artist Training Lab Faculty
WA State Arts Commission & Pacific Northwest Ballet, 2021-present
Provides instruction, mentorship, and evaluation to professional K-12 teaching artists seeking to further develop fluency in instructional design. Creates and delivers content for core cohort programming.

Associate Artistic Director: Community Engagement
The 5th Avenue Theatre, 2020-2023
Develops and oversees meaningful programs that centralize community engagement, create intersections throughout the theater’s programming, and work to bring equity, inclusion, and diversity to all of the organization’s activities.

Director of Education and Engagement
The 5th Avenue Theatre, 2017-2020
Oversees the development and operation of education and community engagement programs with a reach of over 90,000 students and patrons annually.

Director of Rising Star Project and Internships
The 5th Avenue Theatre, 2014-2016
Oversees the development and operation of career exploration programs for college students, early-career professionals, and teenagers—including an organization-wide mentorship and apprenticeship program with associated education and outreach, arts equity, and inclusivity initiatives.

Education Administrative Manager
Seattle Children’s Theatre, 2013-2014
Responsible for the day-to-day administration of drama classes and camps for students grades PK-12; duties include the management of marketing initiatives, vetting and writing resources for educators, managing interns, and maintaining student records and enrollment infrastructure using the Tessitura ticketing system.

Education Programs Coordinator
The 5th Avenue Theatre, 2010-2013
Responsible for the day-to-day coordination and management of K-12 educational programs: onsite drama workshops and classes for teens, a K-8 touring outreach program, outreach to youth and family service groups, and a cross-departmental internship program for college students and early career professionals. 

Teaching Artist
Musical theater, song interpretation, songwriting, ensemble singing, and music theory.  Village Theatre, 2003-present; Seattle Children's Theatre, 2009, 2014; Kent School District, 2003-present; Seattle Public Schools, 2012-present; 5th Avenue Theatre, 2010-present. 

Representative theater productions and readings

Involved in over 35 productions (professional, amateur, and educational) since 2002 as music director, conductor, arranger, accompanist, or pit musician.

• The Tempest, Hattie Andres; Seattle Rep; 2023. Associate Music Director.

• Between Two Knees, Eric Ting; Seattle Rep; 2023. Music Coach. 

• How to Break, Aaron Jafferis/Rebecca Hart; Village Theatre Festival of New Musicals); 2018, 2016.  Music Director.

• Hairspray, Seattle Children's Theatre (Summer Season); 2014.  Music Director.

• Trust Me, Brian Yorkey/Tim Symons; Village Theatre (KIDSTAGE); 2013.  Music Director.

• James and the Giant Peach, Seattle Children's Theatre; 2013.  Substitute accompanist, Pit Musician.

• Great Wall, Kevin So/Kevin Merritt/David Henry Hwang; Village Theatre (Festival of New Musicals); 2012.  Music Director.

• Cloaked, Michelle Elliot/Danny Larsen; Village Theatre (Festival of New Musicals); 2011.  Music Director.

• Cloaked, Michelle Elliot/Danny Larsen; Village Theatre (Festival of New Musicals); 2010.  Music Director.

• 42nd Street, Village Theatre; 2010.  Assistant Music Director.

• Chasing Nicolette, Village Theatre; 2009.  Pit Musician.

• Arabian Nights, University of Washington; 2008.  Composer, Music Director.

• Bye Bye Birdie, Village Theatre; 2006.  Rehearsal Accompanist, Pit Musician.

Additional freelance work

Pianist/Keyboardist
Various experience in a wide range of musical styles including jazz (traditional, bebop, post-bop, contemporary), black gospel, soul, hip-hop, Brazilian, Cuban and classical.

Writing workshops and residencies

• National Fellow, Dramatist Guild Foundation; 2024-2025.

• Finalist, Jonathan Larson Grants (American Theatre Wing); 2019, 2020, 2023.

• Seattle Writers Group (New Works Program, 5th Avenue Theatre); Selected participant, 2015-17 cycle.  Facilitated by Ian Eisendrath, Makaela Pollock, Kelsey Thorgalsen, and Albert Evans.

• Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project (American Musical Theatre Project, Northwestern University); Selected Participant, 2008. Facilitated by Andrew Lippa, Craig Carnelia, and Lari White.

• Meet the Masters Workshop (Intiman Theatre, Seattle); Selected participant, 2007.  Facilitated by Adam Guettel.

COMMUNITY ENSEMBLES

Rondalya sa Seattle (Filipino folkloric music ensemble), coordinator and bandurria player; 2005-present.

Shades of Praise Gospel Choir (St. Therese Parish, Seattle), pianist and vocalist; 2010-present.

COMMISSIONED WORK

The Skin of Our Teeth
original songs and music
Seattle Rep
September 2024; Seattle, WA

The Two Gentlemen of Verona
original songs and music
Seattle Shakespeare Company
June 2024; Seattle, WA

A Normal Turtle
adaptation, music and original lyrics
The 5th Avenue Theatre
Premiered 2020; Seattle, WA

Overseas, A New Musical
book, music and lyrics
Presented by Contemporary Classics
Premiered April 2009; Seattle, WA

The Last Shot
music and lyrics
Presented by The Village Theatre (KIDSTAGE)
Premiered  12 April 2010; Issaquah, WA

Save As
music and lyrics
Presented by Village Theatre (KIDSTAGE)
Premiered  13 March 2009; Issaquah, WA

Arabian Nights
incidental music
Presented by University of Washington School of Drama
Premiered October 2008; Seattle, WA

The Tempest
incidental music
Presented by University of Washington School of Drama
Premiered February 2006; Seattle, WA

CURRENT WRITING PROJECTS

The Promised Land
A new musical; 5th Avenue Theatre developmental reading (March 2018)

“Satellite Love” (music & lyrics)
A new musical

Bucket List
A musical for young performers

Psalm
A one-act gospel musical; Village Theatre residency (March 2017)

Jackson Street Blues
A one-act musical for young audiences

MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSITIONS + PERFORMANCES

“The Sky’s My Limit” (music & lyrics)
book by Kate Jaeger
Village Theatre; 2023 (Festival of New Musicals: Quick Musicals)

“And the Winner Is” (additional music & lyrics)
book by Alexandria Henderson
The 5th Avenue Theatre; 2021 (15-Minute Musicals)

“Together Again” (music and lyrics)
CO/LAB Theater Group; 2021

“Smiley Faces” (music & lyrics)
book by Arika Matoba
The 5th Avenue Theatre; 2020 (15-Minute Stories)

“A Bigger Garden” (music & lyrics)
book by Keiko Green
Village Theatre; 2019 (Festival of New Musicals: Quick Musicals)

Northwest Writers Showcase (Festival of New Musicals)
Curated by Steve Tomkins
Village Theater; 2014 (“Footprints” from Overseas), 2015 (“Your Melody” from Psalm)

New Voices (Seattle)
Curated by Brandon Ivie
Contemporary Classics; 2005 (“Climate Change”), 2009 & 2010 (“Stuck” from Overseas), 2015 (“Impatient”)

TEACHING INTERESTS

• American Musical Theater

• Musical Theater song interpretation

• Songwriting and arranging

• Piano technique and theory

• American Ethnic Studies

• High school language arts: literature and composition

RELATED SKILLS

• Extensive knowledge of Finale music notation software

• Basic keyboard and synthesizer programming

• Music arrangement for small, large, and vocal ensembles