PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTIVE
818-374-9400
MUSIC - THEATER - DANCE
MEET THE TEAM
HOVER OVER EACH INSTRUCTOR TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AND PERFORMANCES.
KATIE
Voice - Piano - Audition Prep - Performance Coaching - Ukulele
Katie is a graduate from NYU Steinhardt’s Master of Music program in Vocal Performance in Music Theater. She obtained her BA in Music from the University of Connecticut. While performing throughout the New England area, New York City, and California, Katie has also found time and enjoyment in all aspects of live performance. She has worked as musical director, director and production stage manager for multiple productions. Katie is a frequent guest artist for many of Valley Opera & Performing Arts’ (VOPA) productions. She is best known for her annual participation in VOPA’s Best of Broadway series, where she is an audience favorite. When not performing, Katie found her passion in teaching, and has been teaching voice and piano lessons full time for over 10 years. Katie is the music director for Kismet Kids musical theater, and heads the music program at the Egremont School and Kirk O' the Valley. Favorite past roles include: Maria Rainer - Sound of Music (2022 HSAC Outstanding Lead Actress) Ms. Andrew - Mary Poppins (2019 HSAC Outstanding Featured Actress); Doralee Rhodes - 9 to 5; Mrs Lovett - Sweeney Todd; Mother - Ragtime; Petra - A Little Night Music; Irene Malloy – Hello, Dolly!; Maggie Mundy – Dancing at Lughnasa; Rona Lisa Peretti – 25th Annual…; Eve – Children of Eden; Miss Andrew - Mary Poppins.
About Our Team...
cHRISTINA
Voice - Piano - Trumpet
Soprano, Christina Kushnick received her MM at Manhattan School of Music in 2020 under the tutelage of Shirley Close. Ms. Kushnick has also been a student of Dolora Zajick's Institute of Young Dramatic Voices since 2017. Previous credits include Aida (High Priestess), and scenes from Ariadne auf Naxos (Ariadne) and Un Ballo in Maschera (Amelia). She was chosen as the Soprano Solo Cover for Beethoven's Symphony No 9 during Manhattan School of Music's Centennial Celebration. Other past performances include Hansel and Gretel (The Witch) with Manhattan School of Music, making her Carnegie Hall debut in the Vanessa Quintet for the MSM Centennial Gala, and attending the Musik Theater in Bavaria program in Oberaudorf, German in 2019. Ms. Kushnick is a humble recipient of the Richard F. Gold Career Grant.
pATRICK
Acting - Audition Prep - Cold Reading
Patrick Rogers has worked both on and off stage for the past three decades, since he was six years old. Notable credits include originating the role of Jeff McCracken in the Los Angeles Premier of David Lindsay-Abaire's KIMBERLY AKIMBO (which played for five months at the Victory Theatre Center in Burbank, CA), Ellard Simms in the 2008 Glendale Centre Theatre revivial of Larry Shue's THE FOREIGNER, Paul Bratter in Neil Simon's BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (Goldie Award - Best Lead Actor in a Play), Allan Felix in Woody Allen's PLAY IT AGAIN SAM, George Deever in Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS (Broadway World Los Angeles Award Nomination - Best Supporting Actor in a Play), Roy Selridge in the acclaimed Conejo Players revival of Neil Simon's BILOXI BLUES, Ensign Pulver in The High St. Arts Center production of MISTER ROBERTS, Barnette Lloyd in CRIMES OF THE HEART (Four Star Theatre Alliance Award), Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman in MARY POPPINS and Jimmy Perry in Neil Simon's THE GINGERBREAD LADY. As a director, he recently staged the critically acclaimed Camarillo Skyway Playhouse prodcuction of BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, as well as successful productions of LOST IN YONKERS, PROPOSALS, and COME BLOW YOUR HORN among others. He has production managed and designed many world premier productions, including I REMEMBER LOU (Whitefire Theatre), THANK YOU MINVERVA (Secret Rose Theatre) and THE HOUSE OF FINNEGAN (El Portal Forum Theatre). For more info, please visit www.patrickrogers.com
Eric
Voice - Piano - Ukulele
Eric began performing when he was in the 3rd grade and has been performing ever since. Eric performed with E.S.C.A.P.E Theatre for 5 years doing shows such as: The Music Man, Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, and many more! Eric did competitive Show Choir for 4 years while in high school After high school he was a part of The Young Americans for two years, working with students and inspiring the world through music. Eric has performed around the world in counties such as Japan, Korea, and all over the US. Eric studied vocal performance for two years at The Young Americans College of Performing Arts. Eric graduated from Boise State University with his BS in Psychology and is currently working towards his Masters at Western Governs University. Eric has recently music directed shows including: Spring Awakening, Anastasia, Finding Nemo Jr, and Hercules. Eric is so excited to work with these students and to share his love for singing and the arts with the next generation!
Gabriella
Voice - Piano
Gabriella Bluvband received her Masters degree in Vocal Performance from California State University, Northridge under the instruction of Diane Ketchie. She has performed in the Los Angeles area in numerous operatic roles, however her real love lies in teaching. Gabriella has taught piano and voice lessons for nearly seven years and has been lauded for her kind and positive approach to music education. Gabriella is currently on staff in the Los Angeles Community College District where she teaches voice at the collegiate level, in addition to music directing multiple shows throughout the year with Kismet Kids Musical Theater. Teaching both kids and adults, her focus is on helping to build the student's love for their instrument and the process of learning music!