Performing Arts Coaches
Robert Ariza
BFA: University of Michigan
Robert Ariza is a native of Queens, New York and a graduate of The University of Michigan with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He is also a proud alum of LaGuardia Arts High School (the "Fame" school) where he majored in Voice. Robert Ariza made his Broadway debut in the Deaf West Revival of Spring Awakening. He played Marius in the national tour of Les Misérables, and was in the ensemble of the Chicago company of Hamilton, understudying the role of Alexander Hamilton. He is also featured on the original cast recording of Neil Bartram & Brian Hill's The Theory of Relativity and The Visitor by Tom Kitt. Robert is a recipient of the 2013 Roger Sturtevant Award from the Actor’s Equity Association for his outstanding abilities in musical theatre. He also received the Lys Symonette Award in the 2014 Lotte Lenya Competition sponsored by the Kurt Weill Foundation. Robert has worked at numerous regional theatres across the country: Goodspeed Theatre, Music Theatre Wichita, Hangar Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and many more. He has sung backup for Josh Groban and has also performed in several concerts at Feinstein's 54 Below, Birdland Jazz Club, Lincoln Center, and more. Robert has taught several audition workshops and shared his wealth of knowledge of the industry to several high schools and colleges. He also worked as a music director and acting coach for Pioneer High School’s drama program in Ann Arbor, MI for two years. For more about Robert, visit robertariza.com.Ben Bogen
BFA: University of Michigan
Ben Bogen is a DC/NYC based performer, teacher, and choreographer. A graduate of The University of Michigan with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre; Ben is currently one of the dance captain/swings of TINA: The Tina Turner Musical National Tour. Other Broadway credits include Frozen (Olaf u/s, Duke Weselton u/s) and the National Tours of Wicked and both tour/NY companies of Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli/Joey Pesci). Off Broadway: Only Human. TV: Pose on FX. Regional: Act of CT, Pittsburgh CLO, North Carolina Theatre, White Plains Performing Arts Center, Hartford Stage, Center REP, and The Elgin Theatre (Toronto). Directing/Choreography credits: Jersey Boys at Sierra REP. Ben also wrote/choreographed/starred in his one man solo show “Teenage Dream” at Green Room 42. Ben has taught workshops and masterclasses in 20 U.S. states and is extremely passionate about working with younger artists. @benmbogen
Ian Ward Brininstool
BM: Berklee College of Music
Ian Ward is a seasoned performer and educator dedicated to empowering students in excelling in their audition preparation for American and British performing arts colleges. With a background that includes studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, gracing Broadway stages, and performing worldwide, Ian brings a wealth of experience to mentor aspiring artists. Having honed skills in songwriting and voice performance through years of dedicated practice and performance, Ian understands the nuances and challenges of the audition process. With over five years of experience providing private songwriting and voice lessons to high school students, Ian has developed a personalized coaching approach that nurtures creativity, skill development, and confidence in each student.
Ian’s mission is to empower students to showcase their unique talents and artistry while navigating the competitive audition landscape of American and British performing arts colleges. Through tailored guidance, professional insights, and a supportive mentorship approach, Ian strive to help students unlock their full potential, achieve their dreams in the world of performing arts, and bring their artistic visions to life.
Dean Cestari
Dean recently played Anatole in Broadway Asia's production of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 at the Shanghai Grand Theatre. Other performance credits include: Off-Broadway: Stranger Sings! The Musical (Mike Wheeler, Original Cast Recording). National Tour: Mamma Mia, Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Story. US Regional Theatre: Sound of Music (u/s Rolf, Paper Mill Playhouse), Kinky Boots (u/s Charlie, North Shore Music Theatre), Footloose (Ren McCormack), Saturday Night Fever (Tony Manero), Newsies (Davey), Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia!, South Pacific. TV: American Horror Story (Sean, S11E8), Law & Order.
Damon Gillespie
Damon J. Gillespie is an Actor, Singer, Dancer, Acrobat, Musician and Playwright from Chattanooga, TN. He made his Broadway debut in Disney's Aladdin. He has also performed on Broadway as Buttons in Newsies. In addition, he played Chino in Carnegie Hall’s West Side Story and was recently part of Alliance Theatre’s World premiere of The Prom, directed by Casey Nicholaw. In television, Damon was featured on Inside Amy Schumer’s Emmy Winning sketch “Girl you don’t need Makeup”. He has worked with incredibly acclaimed artists such as, Josh Radnor, Rosie Perez, Courtney B. Vance, Mary Louise Parker, Sara Bareilles, Uzo Aduba, Ben Platt, Alex Lacamoire, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Beanie Feldstein, Skylar Astin just to name a few. He recently starred in the NBC Drama RISE.
Cooper Grodin
MM: Manhattan School of Music
Cooper Grodin is an actor, singer, musician and composer born and raised in New York City. He received his Masters Degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Title role in Phantom Of The Opera National Tour, Les Miserables National Tour, The Bands Visit Lab directed by Hal Prince, Shakespeare In The Parks Into The Woods, Annie at Paper Mill Playhouse, Carbonell nominated Best Actor in the Carbonell winning Best Musical Sunday In The Park With George, Drama Desk Nominated The Golden Land, Henry Award winning Best Musical Oklahoma! at the Denver Performing Arts Center, NBC’s The Blacklist, ABC’s Deception. Cooper’s Original album “It’s The Little Things” is available on iTunes.
Cameron Amandus Jones
BFA: University of Michigan
Cameron Amandus Jones is an NYC-based artist, currently performing on Broadway as a swing in The Lion King. Soon after graduating from University of Michigan in 2016, Cameron began his performing career in the Off-Broadway productions of Spamilton and This Ain’t No Disco. Regional credits include Aida and South Pacific at Pittsburgh CLO. Cameron finds immense joy in helping young artists unlock and elevate their fullest potentials by helping them tap into their unique artistic purposes.
Bex Odorisio
BFA: New York University
Kaye Tuckerman
PhD: University of Southern Queensland
Kaye Tuckerman is an international theater artist with wide-ranging experience as an actor, singer, director, and teacher. Having worked with high-profile companies from around the world, including Nina Lannan & Associates, Bespoke Theatricals, The Really Useful Group, Cameron Mackintosh Limited, Disney Theatrical Productions, Gordon/Frost, and Duet Productions, Kaye has extensive knowledge of the audition process from the perspective of both the actor and director. She has coached actors for many years in the art of audition preparation with consistently successful results. Past students have successfully auditioned for some of the world’s best acting conservatories, including WAAPA (training ground for Hugh Jackman) and NIDA (training ground for Cate Blanchett), and have gained contracts on London’s prestigious West End, the Australian Opera Company, international tours of high-profile musicals, as well as film and television placements. Specializing in monologue, scene coaching, and song interpretation for theater, musical theater, film, and television, Kaye works to get the best out of every student. Kaye has been the Associate Casting Director and Casting Director for musicals such as The Lion King (Australia) and Tivoli (Sydney Dance Company) respectively, and has been on selection panels for drama institutions in Australia and Asia, as well as film and television castings in New York and Kenya. Kaye’s vast knowledge of acting technique comes from her tertiary education at Australia's most prestigious arts education institutions, WAAPA and NIDA, as well as 25 years of professional experience as an actor and director. Kaye's sessions are structured to showcase each actor’s individual strengths and encourage bold, unique choices to make each audition stand out from the crowd.
Yi Ming Sofyia Xue
BM: Berklee College of Music
Yi Ming Sofyia Xue is a Chinese-American independent artist who strives to become a bridge between the Chinese and American Music and Entertainment Industries. She has performed for most of her life, beginning with Dao Ma Dan Peking Chinese Opera before training in voice. Starting when she was 12, Yi Ming has been an avid vocal competitor in different singing competitions in and around the U.S. tri-state area and internationally, including New York Sinovision’s “Teen Talent Show” and Beijing’s “Water Cube International Chinese Singing Competition - Shui Li Fang,” where she placed Bronze.
During the pandemic, she began putting cover and collaboration videos on China’s BiliBili platform and has since gained a total of 27K fans. Yi Ming graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2022, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Music. That same year, she sang the OST theme song for China’s CCTV broadcasted TV serial, “Qing Shan Bu Mo” - “Wo Lia You Ke Lao”. In the summer of 2022, she was honored to be the only Chinese singer to perform with international musicians and celebrities for Disney+’s “Harmonious Live” showcase, live-streamed from Epcot Disney World, as well as perform in New Light Theatre’s regional production of “RENT” as Mimi.
In 2023, she was champion of the United States Regional Preliminary Auditions for “Sing! China - Zhong Guo Hao Sheng Yin”. Most recently, she was thrilled to be in “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 - Da Hui Xing” (Shanghai) as part of the Ensemble and first cover for Sonya. Yi Ming Sofyia Xue is fluent in both Mandarin-Chinese and English and is excited to have the opportunity to work with aspiring young artists to further help their careers.