Faculty Biographies
Faculty Biographies
Embedded Files
TO REGISTER FOR THE 2025 KCD SINGING FOR STAGE
Joe Deer is an award-winning director of over two hundred productions in Europe, Off-Broadway, regional, summer stock and university theatres including many with the Human Race Theatre Co. (where he is a resident artist) and the Muse Machine, both in Dayton, OH. Joe performed in Broadway and national touring productions of Anything Goes, The Music Man, Brigadoon, Singin’ In the Rain and The American Dancemachine and was stage manager for the acclaimed Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls, among others.
Joe is a frequent master teacher at many of the world’s top institutions including: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (London, England), Scuola del Teatro Musicale (Milan, Italy), Danish National School of Performing Arts, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Carnegie Mellon University, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, and many others. He is author of the books, “Directing in Musical Theatre: an essential guide” and “Acting in Musical Theatre: a comprehensive course” (co-author, Rocco Dal Vera), which have been translated into five languages. Joe is Distinguished Professor of Musical Theatre (emeritus) at Wright State University where he was Founding Head of Musical Theatre (20+ years), Department Chair and Artistic Director. He was the 2016 recipient of the Ohio Governor’s Award for Arts Education. Joe’s greatest pleasure comes from seeing young artists find their voices.
Soprano Gillian Hollis is noted for her “brilliant coloratura” (Rutland Herald), “strong sense of drama” (The Star-Ledger), and “great flexibility and poise-filled musicality” (Sequenza21). Notable roles include Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, Cupid in Offenbach’s Orfeus in the Underworld, and Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore. Hollis's performance credits include productions with Central City Opera, Ashlawn Opera, Mobile Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Opera North, Cleveland Opera Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Chicago Folks Operetta, Opera Grand Rapid, and Madison Opera where she was a member of Madison Opera’s Young Artist Program in 2013-14. Recent concert performances include the Mozart Requiem with Sunnyvale Presbyterian and the world premiere of composer Dale Trumbore’s chamber work The Gleam with Chicago-based CHAI Collaborative Ensemble. Hollis is a dedicated music educator and has worked with Madison-based Opera for the Young for more than four years. She holds a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance and Operatic Literature from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from University of Maryland
Soprano Gillian Hollis is noted for her “brilliant coloratura” (Rutland Herald), “strong sense of drama” (The Star-Ledger), and “great flexibility and poise-filled musicality” (Sequenza21). Notable roles include Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, Cupid in Offenbach’s Orfeus in the Underworld, and Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore. Hollis's performance credits include productions with Central City Opera, Ashlawn Opera, Mobile Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Opera North, Cleveland Opera Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Chicago Folks Operetta, Opera Grand Rapid, and Madison Opera where she was a member of Madison Opera’s Young Artist Program in 2013-14. Recent concert performances include the Mozart Requiem with Sunnyvale Presbyterian and the world premiere of composer Dale Trumbore’s chamber work The Gleam with Chicago-based CHAI Collaborative Ensemble. Hollis is a dedicated music educator and has worked with Madison-based Opera for the Young for more than four years. She holds a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance and Operatic Literature from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from University of Maryland
David George is a native of Louisville, Kentucky and received his degree in Piano Performance at the University of Louisville where he works as Staff Pianist for the Vocal and Clarinet Department. David also serves on the Piano Faculty at Bellarmine University. His work with local music organizations includes The Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts, Louisville Suzuki String Institute, All State Choir, All County Choir, Louisville Orchestra, and Kentucky Opera, among many others. David feels blessed to have shared the stage as masterclass pianist with many great artists including Jamie Barton, Nathan Gunn, Jake Heggie, Amanda Majeski, Kelli O’Hara, and Eric Owens. Some notable performance collaborations include Sir Bryn Terfel, Christine Brewer, and Irish tenor Anthony Kearns with whom he has performed in numerous concerts across the U. S. including a performance at the pre-mass concert for Pope Francis in Philadelphia. David performs regularly with musicians in both public and private venues as a chamber musician and accompanist, and has performed in a multitude of settings both in the U. S. and abroad, and is often found on the concert stage in recital.
David George is a native of Louisville, Kentucky and received his degree in Piano Performance at the University of Louisville where he works as Staff Pianist for the Vocal and Clarinet Department. David also serves on the Piano Faculty at Bellarmine University. His work with local music organizations includes The Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts, Louisville Suzuki String Institute, All State Choir, All County Choir, Louisville Orchestra, and Kentucky Opera, among many others. David feels blessed to have shared the stage as masterclass pianist with many great artists including Jamie Barton, Nathan Gunn, Jake Heggie, Amanda Majeski, Kelli O’Hara, and Eric Owens. Some notable performance collaborations include Sir Bryn Terfel, Christine Brewer, and Irish tenor Anthony Kearns with whom he has performed in numerous concerts across the U. S. including a performance at the pre-mass concert for Pope Francis in Philadelphia. David performs regularly with musicians in both public and private venues as a chamber musician and accompanist, and has performed in a multitude of settings both in the U. S. and abroad, and is often found on the concert stage in recital.
Lydia McIntyre holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with a focus in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Louisville, graduating with Highest Honors. She is Chair of the Music Department at teh Sacred Heart School for the Arts in Louisville, and also teaches Music for Little Mozarts and private piano lessons at the KCD Arts Academy. Lydia has been the leader and accompanist for the Youth Choir at Greenwood United Baptist Church. She also enjoys accompanying for voice students at the University of Louisville, and is the accompanist for the Adult Choir at First United Baptist Church.
Monica Potter, rehearsal pianist, earned a B.A. in Piano Performance from Bellarmine University and was awarded the Piano Studio Outstanding Student Award for her graduating year. She has been teaching private lessons and working as a pianist and vocalist for over a decade, both as a solo artist and with various ensembles. She has performed at several notable local events and concerts including Waterfront Wednesday, the Mayor’s Music and Arts Series, and WFPK’s Live Lunch, and was featured on an album that won a Louisville Music Award for the best Jazz/Avant Garde record of 2016. Monica prefers Classical music but also enjoys playing and listening to many other genres, and incorporates the exploration of different styles and artistic ideas into her teaching philosophy.
Monica Potter, rehearsal pianist, earned a B.A. in Piano Performance from Bellarmine University and was awarded the Piano Studio Outstanding Student Award for her graduating year. She has been teaching private lessons and working as a pianist and vocalist for over a decade, both as a solo artist and with various ensembles. She has performed at several notable local events and concerts including Waterfront Wednesday, the Mayor’s Music and Arts Series, and WFPK’s Live Lunch, and was featured on an album that won a Louisville Music Award for the best Jazz/Avant Garde record of 2016. Monica prefers Classical music but also enjoys playing and listening to many other genres, and incorporates the exploration of different styles and artistic ideas into her teaching philosophy.
Donna Richards has a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the Los Angles School of Performing Arts at UCLA. Donna lived in New York for over 13 years where she performed for two years with Twyla Tharp II and in various Broadway and touring productions such as “Chicago,” “Cabaret,” “West Side Story,” “A Chorus Line,” “42nd Street,” “Oklahoma,” and “Showboat.” While in NYC, she taught at Broadway Dance Center and Steps. She is certified in the RAD and Vagonova Syllabus of ballet as well as the Progressing Ballet Technique, a strength training for dancers. She is currently on the teaching staff at Sacred Heart School for the Arts, Bellarmine University in the Theatre Department and is chair of the Musical Theatre discipline and Kentucky Center’s Governor’s School for the Arts. She is a freelance choreographer working for many professional and preprofessional companies throughout the United Staes as well as community theaters.
Donna Richards has a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the Los Angles School of Performing Arts at UCLA. Donna lived in New York for over 13 years where she performed for two years with Twyla Tharp II and in various Broadway and touring productions such as “Chicago,” “Cabaret,” “West Side Story,” “A Chorus Line,” “42nd Street,” “Oklahoma,” and “Showboat.” While in NYC, she taught at Broadway Dance Center and Steps. She is certified in the RAD and Vagonova Syllabus of ballet as well as the Progressing Ballet Technique, a strength training for dancers. She is currently on the teaching staff at Sacred Heart School for the Arts, Bellarmine University in the Theatre Department and is chair of the Musical Theatre discipline and Kentucky Center’s Governor’s School for the Arts. She is a freelance choreographer working for many professional and preprofessional companies throughout the United Staes as well as community theaters.
American baritone Chad Sloan is recognized as much for his warm, elegant vocalism as he is for deft interpretations of diverse characters. In the 2019-2020 season, Sloan performed the role of Ponchel in Arizona Opera’s production of Kevin Puts’ Silent Night; baritone solos in the Louisville Orchestra Messiah; premieres at the Mostly Modern Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York; and recitals in Louisville and Montana. Previous seasons have included performances of Carmina Burana with Columbia Pro Cantare, Flagstaff Symphony, Fox Valley Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, and Midland Symphony; Bach’s Weihnachts- Oratorium with Louisville Choral Arts Society and Bourbon Baroque; Brahms’ Liebeslieder-Walzer at Twickenham Music Festival; Britten’s War Requiem at Lawrence Conservatory; frequent collaborations with Louisville Orchestra in their Heroes & Villains and War + Peace concerts; Bernstein’s Mass; William Walton’s Façade; songs of Robert Schumann; and as baritone soloist in performances of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park.
Sloan has been heard in leading roles in opera companies across the country including Kentucky Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Atlanta Opera, Aspen Opera Theater, Utah Opera, Dayton Opera, Anchorage Opera, Opera Memphis, Santa Fe Opera, Tacoma Opera, and Arizona Opera. He is an Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Louisville School of Music.
Casey Sokoler is an accomplished actor who has been seen on Broadway, national tours, and regionally throughout the country. She made her Broadway debut as a child playing the role of July in 20th Anniversary production of Annie on Broadway—which included Sutton Foster was an ensemble member! A graduate of Penn State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre, she also trained in NYC with Andy Roth and Doriane Elliot. Casey has been a member of the KCD Singing for Stage Intensive faculty for the past three years, sharing her experiences navigating both college and professional life as well as fundamentals of Acting the Song with students.
Casey Sokoler is an accomplished actor who has been seen on Broadway, national tours, and regionally throughout the country. She made her Broadway debut as a child playing the role of July in 20th Anniversary production of Annie on Broadway—which included Sutton Foster was an ensemble member! A graduate of Penn State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre, she also trained in NYC with Andy Roth and Doriane Elliot. Casey has been a member of the KCD Singing for Stage Intensive faculty for the past three years, sharing her experiences navigating both college and professional life as well as fundamentals of Acting the Song with students.
Hannah Wemitt, Director, holds a double bachelor's degree in performance and scenic design from College of Charleston, SC, and has worked in the Louisville theatre scene for 20 years. Her design work includes College of Charleston, Louisiana State University, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, and Maker's Mark, among others. Hannah has directed many musicals during her time as Director of Education with StageOne Family Theatre. She has mentored and trained hundreds of young actors in the areas of performance, directing, design, and technical theatre. She is thrilled to join the KCD summer intensive as a scene director.
Hannah Wemitt, Director, holds a double bachelor's degree in performance and scenic design from College of Charleston, SC, and has worked in the Louisville theatre scene for 20 years. Her design work includes College of Charleston, Louisiana State University, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, and Maker's Mark, among others. Hannah has directed many musicals during her time as Director of Education with StageOne Family Theatre. She has mentored and trained hundreds of young actors in the areas of performance, directing, design, and technical theatre. She is thrilled to join the KCD summer intensive as a scene director.
Michelle Salerno is KCD’s Upper School Drama Director as well as an Upper School English teacher and Department Chair. She earned a Ph.D. in Theatre History, Literature, and Criticism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with graduate minors in Gender and Women’s Studies and European Union Studies. Michelle has taught a variety of courses in the humanities at several institutions and works frequently as a director, playwright, and dramaturg. Most recently, Michelle completed our 24-25 season of Alice in Wonderland and The Drowsy Chaperone.
Michelle Salerno is KCD’s Upper School Drama Director as well as an Upper School English teacher and Department Chair. She earned a Ph.D. in Theatre History, Literature, and Criticism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with graduate minors in Gender and Women’s Studies and European Union Studies. Michelle has taught a variety of courses in the humanities at several institutions and works frequently as a director, playwright, and dramaturg. Most recently, Michelle completed our 24-25 season of Alice in Wonderland and The Drowsy Chaperone.
KCDSSI Artistic Director, Sarah Stone is the artistic director for the Kentucky Country Day Arts Academy and coordinator of the KCD Arts Mentor Program. Stone served as a resident stage director with the Bay View Music Festival in Michigan betwen 2012 and 2019 where she co-founded the SOARS Program for young singer-actors. Her directing credits include performances of Titanic, the Musical, Falstaff, Così fan tutte, and Street Scene, in addition to scenes from Into the Woods, A Little Night Music, Candide, West Side Story, and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. In addition to classroom teaching at KCD, she also served as Chair of the Arts Department between 2016 and 2024. Previously, she served on the faculty of Central Michigan University's School of Music and Vincennes University teaching voice, vocal technique, and classes in music history and literature. Stone is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where she pursued doctoral studies in vocal performance and stage direction, working under directors such as Colin Graham, Vince Liotta, and Josh Bergasse (SMASH), among others. Stone's students have been admitted to summer and collegiate programs around the country, including the KY Governor's School for the Arts, Interlochen, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Oklahoma City University, Emory University, Dennison University, University of Miami-Ohio, Indiana University, and NYU, and have performed on and off-Broadway.
KCDSSI Artistic Director, Sarah Stone is the artistic director for the Kentucky Country Day Arts Academy and coordinator of the KCD Arts Mentor Program. Stone served as a resident stage director with the Bay View Music Festival in Michigan betwen 2012 and 2019 where she co-founded the SOARS Program for young singer-actors. Her directing credits include performances of Titanic, the Musical, Falstaff, Così fan tutte, and Street Scene, in addition to scenes from Into the Woods, A Little Night Music, Candide, West Side Story, and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. In addition to classroom teaching at KCD, she also served as Chair of the Arts Department between 2016 and 2024. Previously, she served on the faculty of Central Michigan University's School of Music and Vincennes University teaching voice, vocal technique, and classes in music history and literature. Stone is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where she pursued doctoral studies in vocal performance and stage direction, working under directors such as Colin Graham, Vince Liotta, and Josh Bergasse (SMASH), among others. Stone's students have been admitted to summer and collegiate programs around the country, including the KY Governor's School for the Arts, Interlochen, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Oklahoma City University, Emory University, Dennison University, University of Miami-Ohio, Indiana University, and NYU, and have performed on and off-Broadway.
Annette Thornton (Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder) is a Professor Emerita of Theatre at Central Michigan University. Selected directing/ choreographing credits include Blood Wedding, Ragtime, and Oklahoma! (all KC-ACTF Certificates of Merit for Directing); The Full Monty (Attic Theatre, WI); Carousel (Thunder Bay Theatre, MI); Oedipus and She Loves Me (Midland Center for the Arts, MI). In 2011, Thornton played the role of Vivian Bearing in Wit at Bethel College (KS) sharing the bill of Greer Visiting Artist Series with playwright Margaret Edson. She co-edited Physical Dramaturgy: Perspectives from the Field (2018, Routledge). Thornton has studied mime with Marcel Marceau, Meyerhold's Theatrical Biomechanics with Gennadi Bogdanov, “Acting and Empathy” with Anna Deavere Smith, and is a certified yoga teacher. Thornton served on the executive board of Association of Theatre Movement Educators [ATME] for ten years (as Secretary, VP, and President) and is back on the executive board as Secretary. Prior to her life in academia, she taught high school French and was the owner and artistic director of a private dance studio in Kansas for 17 years.
Annette Thornton (Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder) is a Professor Emerita of Theatre at Central Michigan University. Selected directing/ choreographing credits include Blood Wedding, Ragtime, and Oklahoma! (all KC-ACTF Certificates of Merit for Directing); The Full Monty (Attic Theatre, WI); Carousel (Thunder Bay Theatre, MI); Oedipus and She Loves Me (Midland Center for the Arts, MI). In 2011, Thornton played the role of Vivian Bearing in Wit at Bethel College (KS) sharing the bill of Greer Visiting Artist Series with playwright Margaret Edson. She co-edited Physical Dramaturgy: Perspectives from the Field (2018, Routledge). Thornton has studied mime with Marcel Marceau, Meyerhold's Theatrical Biomechanics with Gennadi Bogdanov, “Acting and Empathy” with Anna Deavere Smith, and is a certified yoga teacher. Thornton served on the executive board of Association of Theatre Movement Educators [ATME] for ten years (as Secretary, VP, and President) and is back on the executive board as Secretary. Prior to her life in academia, she taught high school French and was the owner and artistic director of a private dance studio in Kansas for 17 years.
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