PERFORMING ARTS APPLICANTS
The Performing Arts program consists of 1-1 weekly meetings/coaching with students and staff in their field of expertise. Our team consists of professional performing artists from highly selective universities and institutions, including University of Michigan, New York University, Berklee College of Music, and Northwestern University. Through 1-1 meetings, students will cultivate and refine robust foundational techniques in their field, ultimately channeling them into their college auditions and portfolios.
What’s Included:
This package covers the following services:
Application Counseling with Daniel Strom
Hand-picked monologue and vocal selections (Musical Theatre, Theatre & Acting)
Resume/CV preparation (All majors)
Interview preparation (All majors)
1:1 audition prescreen coachings (Musical Theatre, Theatre & Acting, Classical Voice & Opera, Contemporary Commercial & Pop Music Performance)
Private vocal coaching (Musical Theatre, Voice & Opera, Commercial Vocal Performance)
Private monologue coachings (Musical Theatre, Theatre & Acting Performance)
Dance audition preparation (Musical Theatre)
Portfolio preparation (Directing, Arts & Media Management, Music Theory, Music Composition, Music Technology)
Meet Our Performing Arts Staff
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
Bex Odorisio is an actor and multi-genre vocalist based in Brooklyn, NY. Since graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she has pursued her passion for developing and performing in new works of musical theater. Bex trained at the multi-disciplinary Playwrights Horizons Theater School within NYU Tisch and holds a Shakespeare in Performance certification from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Her theatrical credits include the First National Tour of HADESTOWN and the inaugural Shanghai production of NATASHA, PIERRE, & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. Her TV credits include "Dickinson" (Apple TV) and "Law & Order: SVU" (CBS). She is a silver medalist and a recurring host of the American Traditions Competition, an annual vocal competition celebrating American music in Savannah, GA. More of her work can be found at www.bexodorisio.com or on social media as @benditlikebexy.
Jessie Oliver
Certificate of Vocology: New York University
MM: North Park University
Jessie Oliver (she/they) is a singer and voice teacher originally from Chicago, IL. She holds a Masters in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Pedagogy and is currently pursuing a Certificate in Vocology at New York University. Her extensive continuing education includes Estill Certification, LoVetri’s Somatic Voicework™ (Levels I-III), Linklater training, Gender Affirming Speech and Singing through the Voice Lab, Total Vocal Freedom Body Courses, and multi-year participation, both as a teacher and singer, in her mentor Steve Smith’s Naked Voice Institute. Jessie is passionate for Vocal Rehabilitation and Trauma informed Holistic Teaching. She has collaborated with Speech Pathologists to create warm-ups and practices for wellness for the singing actor. As a performing soprano, Jessie Oliver has been thrilling audiences with their, ‘dramatic choices’ and ‘sizable beauty’ of her instrument’. She has sung with Opera Theater of the Rockies, New Moon Opera, Third Eye Theater, and starred and produced Opera on Tap’s first ever full-length opera with the Chicago chapter. In the competition circuit she was a finalist at the Denver Lyric Opera Guild, a semifinalist in the NATS competition, finalist for the Bel Canto competition, and the winner of the Society of American Musicians competition. Recent roles include Eliza in Dark Sisters, Agathe in Der Freischütz, and Mother Abbess in Sound of Music. Jessie also has held positions in theater and cabaret companies throughout Chicago and Colorado. They are an Emeritus member of Playmakers Laboratory Theater, InGen Productions, and Brain Surgeon Theater and well as a frequent collaborator with ModBo Cabaret. Jessie is a proud member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association), PAVA (Pan-American Vocology Association), The Voice Foundation (SoCal Chapter), and the Somatic Voicework Teachers Association
Kaye Tuckerman
PhD Candidate: University of Southern Queensland
Kaye Tuckerman is from the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia, and based in New York. Kaye has carved a niche internationally as a sought after actor, singer, director and designer. Her performing career has seen her headline some of the worlds biggest stages and screens.
Onstage, Kaye led the Broadway Asia production of Natasha Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 as the ferocious Marya D., Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway as Pete Bellotte, the Broadway National Tour of Mamma Mia as Donna Sheridan, the international company of Les Miserables, Wicked as Madam Morrible, the world premiere production of The Boy From Oz with Murray Bartlett, Chrissie Amphlett and Todd McKenney, Jesus Christ Superstar with Jon Stevens, Deni Hines, Jay Laga'aia and George Henare, premiered at The Sydney Opera House in Hinge & Brackets - The Importance of Being Ernest as Cecily Cardew, and brought Marilyn Monroes mother, the complex Gladys Mortensen to life in the stage adaptation of Blonde. Kaye performed at Madison Square Garden, leading the Mamma Mia! Broadway Company for the NBA finals half time show, other guests included Ariana Grande, and Queen Latifah. Kaye performed solo with The Boston Pops for The Boston 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, alongside Jennifer Hudson, The Dropkick Murphys, and hosted by Michael Chiklis. Kaye toured with Michael Ball, and was the lead singer, The Chanteuse in Absinthe for Spiegelworld Miami and New York City. Kaye won The City of Sydney Cabaret Award, and The Glug for her solo performances; Stalker, Man-Eater, Siren, Broadway Bound (but not gagged). Kaye has headlined many international festivals, including the esteemed Adelaide International Cabaret Festival where she performed the roles of Miss Byrd in Closer than Ever with Maltby & Shire, as well as Kate in The Wild Party and Jen in John & Jen with Andrew Lippa as Music Director. Kaye also recorded several songs live for Kit and the Widow on BBC Radio.
Onscreen, Kaye can be seen in The Blacklist, The Loudest Voice, The Characters, Royal Pains, Date. Love. Repeat, Home & Away, Nora Ephron Goes to Prison, Vandal, The Invisible Worm, The Matrix Reloaded & Revolutions, The Girl who got Away, The Actor, Followers, Crossroads of America, as well as many independent features, shorts, and web series. Kaye had the pleasure of performing on the live telecast of The Macy's Day Parade with Ariana DeBose, LaChanze, and the Broadway Company of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Kaye wrote and performed Broken n Twisted the promotional track for the Australian horror film Wolf Creek with Auxiliary One. The music video and song reached Top 20 on the the UK Electronic Dance Music Charts, and won Song of the Year at the South Australian Dance Music Awards. Kaye and Auxiliary One performed live at the Awards.
As a designer based in Nairobi, Kenya, Kaye was been nominated for an African Academy Award for her work on From a Whisper, directed by Wanuri Kuhio, other work includes the award winning Nike Write the Future Campaign directed Alejandro González Iñárritu, and shot by Emmanuel 'Chivo' Lubezki, Nokia Sub Saharan Africa directed by Steve McCurry, I am Slave directed by Gabriel Range, the Daytime Emmy Award Winning On the Edge: Poverty Crisis in Africa, and numerous documentaries for Discovery, National Geographic and Raw TV.
Kaye studied performance at WAAPA - The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Alumni Hugh Jackman), and directing at the prestigious NIDA - National Institute of Dramatic Art - Sydney (Alumni Cate Blanchett), and is a PhD Doctor of Creative Arts Candidate at USQ - University of Southern Queensland.
Kaye was the Creative Producer/Director of The Australian Dance Awards Gala at The Sydney Opera House, Creative Director for Inglot Pro Studio in NYC directing and designing multiple magazine cover shoots, and fashion events for Mercedes Fashion Week. Kaye was the Casting Associate for Disney's The Lion King' (Australia), and Casting Director for Sydney Dance Company.
Kaye is the director of Voices of Women feature documentary Entanglement, filmed during the pandemic, featuring stories by women from all over the world. Entanglement was honored at Government House in Sydney, Australia, and won the Carla Zampatti - NSW Premiers Harmony Award, and presented by Consul General Nick Greiner at The Australian Embassy in New York City. Kaye is the artistic director of The Voices of Women International Film Festival. Kaye has directed the indie feature film Rockweed, and multiple award winning short films including: Butterfly, Coping, Nana's Room, Trumped, Choice, Famousland, On my Shoulder, JOE, Nil by Mouth, On Being Twelve, Trap Musik, Queen Bessie, Body and Breath, Now you See Me. Highlights of commercial shoots include: Lavazzon Designs, Saskia DeVries Jewelry, Sons of Christiania Clothing, Bella Models. Highlights of music videos include; Soul Shaman and Surrender for Exotik Robotz. Highlights of theatre productions directed by Kaye include; Once on this Island, The Addams Family, Urinetown.
Kaye was recognized by The Australian Community in New York for her services to Australian artists in the USA.
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.