We are passionate
about the craft of teaching.
Nurture
Support Share
Engage Invest
Laugh Enjoy
Make Music
Laurie Nelson
-
Voice Teacher
-
Faculty Director
-
NM Productions Owner and Founder
-
in-person or online
Laurie Nelson's singers are achieving success across the spectrum of musical genres, garnering multiple Broadway credits and successful careers in opera. Ms. Nelson's compassionate leadership and expert guidance have led to coveted contracts with American Opera Houses, European Opera Festivals, Broadway National Tours and Tony Award winning theatre companies, making Laurie Nelson a highly respected and sought-after mentor in the field.
Resume/CV: Laurie Nelson
Alisa Waggoner
voice, online
NM Productions Voice and Acting Faculty Instructors
Madyson Hanton
voice & acting
in-person/online
Madyson Hanton:
Training: UArts (Philadelphia) Catholic University (Washington, DC) , Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre.
Teaching:
As a teacher, Ms. Hanton works to emphasize the importance of the arts as an integral part of a balanced life. Ms. Hanton specializes in legit and mixed voice training for musical theatre as well as in contemporary voice training. She also offers audition coaching, and acting for both stage and film. Ms. Hanton engages her students in building a supportive atmosphere, promoting freedom and growth.
In addition to private instruction, Ms. Hanton has served seasonally at Moonlit Wings Productions as a rehearsal director and daily curriculum planner. She also instructs MWP students in acting, music and dance. The program serves ages 6 to 15.
Credits:
Directing: 2021 - 2023- Musical Director Lake Braddock Middle School and Lake Braddock High School's Rambunctious Theatre Company.
Musical Theatre Performance: Mrs. Nordstrom and u/s Mme. Armfeldt (A Little Night Music), Roz Keith (9 to 5); Alice Beineke (The Addams Family), Cathy Hiatt (Last Five Years), Woman 2 (Songs for a New World), Plays Mom (Retrograde), Lou (Year of the Rooster).
Daniel Devera
acting
Education and Training:
George Mason School of Theatre, BFA Acting, Magna Cum Laude; “Off the Page” Actors Workshop with Edward Gero; “Actors Intensive” Kaiulani Lee.
Credits:
George Mason University: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (The Reverend Crisparkle), Boleros for the Disenchanted (Eusebio), Don’t Look in the Pantry (Alien Boy), Contemporary Classics Cabaret, Broadway Miracles Cabaret; Capital Fringe Festival: Eve’s Big Fat Family Reunion (Abraham); Front and Center Stage: One Night Only Cabaret, Oops We Did it Again a Pop Cabaret; Other: Next to Normal (Gabe Goodman), In the Heights (Piragua Guy), Grease (Danny Zuko), Zombie Prom (Jonny Warner), Seussical (Horton the Elephant), Signature Theatre, Hilton Performing Arts Center, Kennedy Center, Strathmore (backup Singer for Patti Lupone). TV Commercials: Geico Commercial Red Feather Video, Northern Virginia Community College (Pathway to Success).
Teaching:
Teaching aritist with Acting for Young People
Brigid Smullen
voice
in-person / online
Education and Training:
Alisa Waggoner holds a Bachelor of Music Education from James Madison University and a Masters Degree in Vocal Pedagogy from Shenandoah Conservatory.
Teaching:
As a private instructor, Mrs. Waggoner specializes in classical repertoire, musical theater, and other contemporary genres.
Mrs. Waggoner is a music teacher in Fairfax County where she teaches general music and directs children's musical theater. She is trained in Somatic VoiceworkTM, the LoVetri Method and is a certified Orff-Schulwerk teacher.
Credits:
Shenandoah University: Die Fledermaus (Rosalinda), Dido and Aeneas (Dido), The Protagonist (Sister) Riverbend Opera Company: Children in the Mist, a Horror Opera, (Amanda Dumfries), Les Contes D'Hoffmann (Olympia), La Rondine (Bianca); Washington Savoyards: Treemonisha, Trial by Jury; James Madison University: National Anthem (featured university graduation soloist), Così Fan Tutte (Despina), Angélique (Angélique), The Merry Widow (Valencienne, Grisette Girl), Die Zauberflöte (Queen of the Night), Street Scene; Kennedy Center: The Unicorn, The Gorgan, and The Manticore, In Dal Choi's Farewell Recital (featured soloist); Virginia Concert & Opera Theatre: Too Many Sopranos (Miss Titmouse), The Impresario (Madame Heartmelt), Die Zauberflöte (spirit); Staunton Music Festival: Acis and Galatea, Semele, Dido and Aeneas, Vivaldi’s Gloria (soloist); International: Suor Angelica (Suor Osmina), Die Zauberflöte.
Meghan Willey
voice, in-person or online
Education
Vocal Performance, James Madison University
MM Program, University of Maryland Opera Studio
Teaching
-Meghan enjoys exploring all genres of music with her students, from opera to popular music. She strives to instill confidence and a love of singing and performing in her students. In addition to
teaching privately, Meghan also works as the choir director at Manor Memorial United Methodist Church.
Credits
Opera: Principle Roles (JMU): The Rake’s Progress
(Anne Trulove), Die Zauberflöte (Queen of the Night,), Iolanthe (Phyllis)
Concert: Soprano Soloist for Handel’s Messiah, Brittan’s Ceremony of Carols, Mahler’s 4 th Symphony
Competitions: Finalist -Classical Singer Magazine National Competition (2022), 1st place Sue Goetz Ross Competition (2021), 3rd place NATS National Competition (2021), 1st place JMU Concerto Aria Competition (2021).
Education:
Brigid Smullen holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition with a second concentration in Classical Voice, from Belmont University. She minored in German language, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Teaching:
Brigid strives to foster her students' passion for singing in ways that extend beyond essential instruction. She enjoys exploring all genres of music with her students - from classical, to musical theater & contemporary pop music. As a singer, Brigid has a deep understanding of the mixed voice for musical theatre and contemporary styles and as a teaching artist, she believes it's important for students to find their creative “why."
Brigid Smullen helps her students develop their love for singing and their confidence in their craft.
Musical Diversity
Brigid composes original music in classical, musical theater, cinematic, and commercial styles, and has a diverse background instrumentally and vocally. Brigid has studied piano & classical percussion and she has deep experience in both classical and show choirs, and marching band/drumline both as a musician and conductor. She is an experienced user of DAW composition (Logic Pro/Sibelius/MuseScore).
Credits:
Teaching Asst. Fulbright Austria - taught Austrian students, who learned English under her tutelage via a wide variety of cultural, educational, political, and abstract topics. Belmont Composition Honors Recital; Belmont University Chamber Singers; Belmont University New Music Ensemble; CFTC: A Brief Shakespeare Festival (Original Music); FX Players: The Little Mermaid (Atina), Good News (Millie); George Mason University Chorus & Fairfax HS: Mozart’s Requiem, Featured Soloist VMEA Senior Honor Choir, Virginia All State Choir.
Alice Boyars
music theory & sight singing
Education:
Alice holds a Master in Teaching and Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education, and Composition from Christopher Newport University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Awards:
Music Theory and Analysis Symposium Presenter | 2019, Roos Endowed Scholarship, Music and Technology Leadership Academy, Poster Presenter at Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, Wood-Shoemaker MAT Scholarship, Fraley-Hardy Award for Service to Music Department and Greater Community, Outstanding Community Outreach by an Individual.
Teaching:
Tutor | Center for Academic Success | 2017-2019, Substitute Teacher | Newport News Public Schools | 2018-2019, K-12 music and general elementary, Ensemble Manager | Christopher Newport University | 2017-2018. Alice has been teaching privately since 2016 and she served as the Music Theory and Music History tutor at CNU from 2017-2019.
Alice Boyars adores working with students of all levels. She currently teaches general music at Keene Mill Elementary and directs the Chapel Choir at St. Matthews UMC.
Ashley Batten
-
voice
-
acting
-
voice- over training
Education and Training:
Ms. Batten holds a BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University.
Credits:
1st Stage: By Jeeves (Stiffy); Music Theatre of Wichita: Les Misérables (Cosette), My Fair Lady, Big River, All Shook Up; Americans for the Arts: BCA Ten with Matt Bogart; Signature Theatre: Overtures program; Carnegie Mellon: Nine (Giulietta), Street Opera (Phyllis), The Coronation of Poppea (Amor). Other: Oklahoma! (Laurey), Ragtime (Evelyn), Guys & Dolls (Sarah), and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Sally). TV commercials: BGE Home, Eric Stewart Group. Ms. Batten also recorded speech therapy videos and songs for the SpeakinMotion iPad app.
Awards:
Ashley Batten is a recipient of the National Foundation for the Arts' youngARTS Award for classical voice and a merit award for musical theatre.
Tara Taylor
acting, online
Education and Training:
Ms. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from Elon University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music. She also holds a Master of Education degree from American University and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. Ms. Taylor is currently completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Virginia Polytechnic and State University with an emphasis in Theatre education and arts leadership.
Credits:
Ms. Taylor began her career singing and dancing on professional and regional stages as well as on television and in film. Her favorite roles include Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Jen in john & jen, Emma in Betrayal, as a recurring soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in their annual Holiday Spectacular, and as a leading lady on the Lifetime Channel’s, Twisted Fate. In 2007, Ms. Taylor won a $20,000 scholarship from the Tea Council of the USA for producing the most creative and effective viral video on the health benefits of drinking tea which was featured on the CBS Early Show.
Teaching:
Tara Taylor is the K-12 Theatre and Dance Educational Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), one of the largest public Theatre education programs in the United States.
Prior to assuming her role as the FCPS Theatre and Dance Educational Specialist, Ms. Taylor enjoyed over 15 years working directly with students as a theatre educator in a variety of classrooms that focused on arts programing, including Kilmer Middle School, the FCPS Institute for the Arts, Howard County Public Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, District of Columbia charter schools, and several local and regional private theatre education organizations.
Ms. Taylor has led professional development workshops and sessions for Theatre educators throughout the United States for the Educational Theatre Association, American Alliance for Theatre Education, and Texas Educational Theatre Association.
Caitlin Diana Doyle
acting, NYC- online
Caitlin Diana Doyle
Training: Emerson College, BFA with honors in Musical Theatre, Shakespeare (Scott Lafeber, Linklater Voice (Amelia Broom), Acting for Camera & Improv (Ken Cheeseman), Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), Mining Shakespeare's text (Craig Wallace), Actor's Monologue Workshop (Floyd King) Overtures: The Signature Musical Theatre Institute - Kennedy Center, Washington, DC (Eric Schaeffer, Karma Camp, Jane Pesci-Townsend, Masterclasses with Carolee Carmella & Richard Maltby Jr.)
Caitlin is a New York based actor and singer.
Credits:
Stage: Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), Theater at Monmouth, the Lyric Stage Company of Boston, Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, Cortland Repertory Theatre and Olney Theatre Center.
Film & Other: Caitlin has also been featured in commercial work for Samsung, Audible and SmileDirectClub. She’s the creator and writer of Urban Haiku, a series of funny poems that have appeared on screens all over NYC with #ArtOnLink.