ActorCor members:
Kathryn Allyn performs songs of Joni Mitchell, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson and James Taylor on May 7 & 14 at the Metropolitan Room and has recently performed leading roles at NYC Opera. www.kathrynallyn.com
Marcy Amell has spent the past few years touring the country working at various regional theatres, but is happy to now call NYC home.
Shawn Bartels is a native of Gillette, Wyoming. Recently he has portrayed The Snake and The Vain Man in Rachel Portman's The Little Prince with Skylight Opera (dir. Francesca Zambello) and Peter Quint in Britten's The Turn of the Screw with Broomhill Opera (London), in an acclaimed production directed by Elijah Moshinksy.
Dan Barman (drums) is a professionally trained, experienced drummer, excelling in drum set performance and innovative instruction techniques. Barman performs in the hottest live venues in the US–both large and small–and was featured in Modern Drummer Magazine as a world champion soloist.
Misha Beckford is beginning her career as an actor and singer. She finds inspiration from literature, music, theater and animals. Misha is a student at the Dr. Susan S. McKinney Secondary School of the Arts in Brooklyn.
Mala Bhattacharya, an actress and opera singer, is a recent transplant from Boston who is thrilled to be part of this project and hopes to do lots more theater and singing in the area in the coming months.
Meaghan Bell is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. Most recent credits include the title role in Galli Theater's Snow White, and Emma in The Lost Boys. Visit her at facebook.com/meaghanlynnebell.
Liza Binkley has spent the last four years studying and acting professionally in Austin, Los Angeles, Paris, and Scotland. She arrived in NYC in September, and is here to stay! Yes!
Kamel Boutros, born in Egypt, graduated from the Curits Institute with a MA degree in Opera Performance. He has performed with pianist Martha Argerich in Europe and Japan. At the Edinburgh Festival Kamel played Mamoud in Death of Klinghoffer and at the Metropolitan Opera has sung principle roles in Carmen, Capriccio, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Madame Butterfly, La Boheme and Roméo et Juliette. Film and television credits include Mohammed Atta in Hamburg Cell (HBO), Mamoud in The Death of Klinghoffer and Taxi Driver in City (Daniel Pearl Foundation). Most recently he performed John Adams' Wound Dresser with Miriam Burns. In Apirl Kamel will sing Jesus in the St. Matthew Passion with the Richmond Symphony. He is currently the Director of Music at Calvary Church in NYC.
Cyndi Hawkins Brooks is a lucky mother of three, who in her past life sang with several premier choirs touring Europe, Australia, North America and the Middle East. She is currently a piano teacher and a duet partner with her husband.
Actress/singer Jen Faith Brown is the founder and artistic director of Lightkeeper Productions, a not-for-profit touring theater company. Visit lightkeeper productions.org
Rodne Brown has been featured on NY stages for over 25 years and is originally from Oklahoma.
Kyra Bromberg is a graduate of the University of the Arts with a degree in musical theater and is generally enthusiastic about most things.
Jamie Buxton is an actress and singer from Oklahoma and was most recently featured in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Grand Ole Opry. She is a member of All Souls Unitarian Church in NYC and lives in Brooklyn with her husband Nathan.
Clint Carter is from Columbus, Ohio and has been performing professionally for the last 4 years in national tours and regional theaters around the country.
Roosevelt André Credit is currently on Broadway in Porgy and Bess. He regularly plays Joe in Showboat and was in the last Broadway production directed by Harold Prince. Roosevelt has been a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Town Hall and Lincoln Center.
Kendra Culley I say YES to ActCor, Yes to this talented cast, Yes to Darren’s vision, Yes to this creative experience and Yes to getting my SATs over with this month!
Katie Curri is a North Country girl from New Hampshire and a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She is super pumped for Obama's Inauguration.
Lindsay Davis wants to thank Darren and ActorCor for the incredible opportunity to sing beautiful songs of peace, joy and love. Lindsay wears many hats in the NYC arts and entertainment community and can be reached at davis.lindsay@gmail.com for information about upcoming shows and projects.
Matthew Deming has been working in NYC as an actor, vocal coach and choral singer since 2002. www.matthewdeming.net
Laurel Devaney has been acting, singing, dancing, writing and playing since childhood, which continues. She will be in a vocal showcase with Mary Setrakian of Black Nexxus, February 4 at the Triad Theater; and is a founding member of the Secret City Singers as well as Seaside Shakespeare of Nantucket. www.LaurelDevaney.com
Pedro d'Aquino is cantor of Saint Luke's Lutheran Church and Organist of Temple Emanu-El in NYC. He teaches music theory and repertoire and accompanies and coaches cantor students at the School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College. As founder and artistic director of Ensemble Les Gouts-Réunis, he has brought to light some of the exquisite riches of the French Baroque. As an experienced keyboard player, singer, conductor and composer, he brings a multi-faceted approach to bear on historical performance of the music of many periods and styles.James Donegan has sung with a lot of choirs, but never one he felt was so important, thanks to Darren! For Marc.
Emily Edgerton, an Ohio native with a BFA in musical theater, is simply thrilled to be singing; and celebrating universal love for God makes this opportunity even more special. Emily is always looking for ways to combine her passion for performing with her love of teaching children. To find out how she's doing it and ato give her more ideas visit www.emilyedgerton.com.
Christopher B. Farrell, composer & multi-instrumentalist, has scored music for film, television, dance, and spoken word poetry; he is currently a member of the adjunct faculty at Temple University's Boyer College of Music & Dance. Visit myspace.com/ritmocollective to learn more.
North Carolina native, Ayeje Lavonne Feamster, was instrumental in the development of Levy Lee Simon's Same Train at teh Algonquin. Other theater credits include Raisin in the Sun, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Bourbon at the Border. She has a BA in theater literature and a MFA from the University of Iowa. In NYC she has hit the ground running with a renewed spirit! "My goal is to absolutely say yes to myself, my experience , life and God."
Briann Gagon is a cantor at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church in Weehawken, NJ. She is thrilled to be a part of ActorCor in its inspirational concert and the many more to come.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Leanne Gonzalez-Singer has performed with Asheville Lyirc Opera, Opera Omaha, Sarasota Opera, Bel Canto at Caramoor, dell'Arte Opera and other regional companies. She was a finalist for the regional Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Leanne is a proud adopted New Yorker, where she lives with her husband, son and two cats.
Jim Gregory is a pianist, organist, and singer originally from New Jersey who freelances in New York City.
Danielle Sarina Haber, a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University, who is currently pursuing a musical theater career, is thrilled to be participating in "SAY YES!" Much thanks to Darren!
Chelsea Hano is a reformed religious cynic who is very glad to be performing in Say Yes! She is very honored that her first choral job is something so worthwhile.
Alabama native, Amanda Kay Howell would like to thank Darren for giving her the opportunity to be a part of the group! Visit amandakayhowell.weebly.com
Soprano Elizabeth Hillebrand has performed internationally ini opera and operetta in Italy, England, Switzerland, Israel as well as major cities in the U.S. Her favorite credits include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro with The Bronx Opera, Josephine in HMS Pinafore in Buxton, England, soloist in Elijah at Carnegie Hall with Bryn Terfel and soloist with the Israel Philharmonic Chamber Music Series. She is beyond thrilled to lend her voice to promoting interfaith unity. www.ElizabethH.com
Daniel Hoy, a native of Stroudsburg, PA, has performed with the Indianapolis, Kentucky, Sarasota and San Diego Operas, among others. As a member of the auziliary chorus at the Metropolitan Opera, Daniel has appeaered in Lohngrin, Parsifal, Don Carlo, Simon Boccanegra, The First Emperor, War and Peace, Peter Grimes and most recently in Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust.
Betsy Jilka is an actress and singer who believes that even baby steps—like celebrating music with a group of people from different faiths—can help promote peace in this world we all share.
Tenor Samuel Lloyd Kinsey sings very loud Italian opera.
Momo Kajiwara has performed as a professional singer at many concerts in Japan and is going to play Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar for Brooklyn Theatre Arts Project in June 2008.
Natalie Lebert is an actor, voiceover artist, singer and a native New Yorker.
Founder and artistic director, Darren Lougée, created SAY YES! together with 30 singers in February 2008. He is an actor, singer and teacher in NYC. Darren is a founding member of InViolet Repertory Theater Company.
Dr. Marsha Long (keyboards/qanun) received two masters and a doctorate from the Juilliard School, as well as the performer’s prize at the Conservatoire de Paris. She was a principle with Hassan dance group which toured Europe and the Middle East. She is artist-in-residence at New York University Catholic Center/St Joseph’s University Parish. She has recordings on Koch, Alba House and her own label. She can be seen on EWTN and heard on XM satellite radio’s Audio Visions.
Jana Lovelace is an actress and singer from Ohio. She is pleased and excited to be a part of such a positive message in ActorCor. Visit janalovelace.com
Erica Lustig has been a singer/actress in NYC for 4 years. She can be seen as a repeat performer at Brandy's Piano Bar on the Upper East Side. Visit www.EricaSings.com
Rachel Mabey, an actor and singer who has worked professionally in NYC and LA, is currently producing her third baby, due to make his appearance in September.
Soprano Gloria Makino is an actor/singer/dancer and was recently seen as Naomi in the feature film She's in the Details. www.goriamakino.com
Marco Matute is a voice student of Richard Adriann Dorr at the Vocal Arts Foundation in NYC. He is a graduate of The William Esper Studio having studied under the tutelage ofSuzanne Esper. This performance is Marco's comeback to the singing platform and he would like to dedicate his vocal work with ActorCor to peace and love.
Phillip Martin is a singer/actor and is pleased to be a part of this interfaith event.
Serafina Martino gives recitals regularly in New York, Canada and Southern Italy. She is on the faculty of Long Island University and the Director of Children's Music at All Souls Unitarian Church.
Robinson McClellan is a composer, scholar, and teacher living in NYC. His choral, orchestral, band and chamber music is performed regularly in teh U.S. and Europe. Recent commissions have come from the Albany Symphony, the Museum of Biblical Art, Yale Schola Cantorum and others. Several of Robin's sacred choral songs appear in Music by Heart, a new hymnal and his research in Scottish bagpipe music is published by Ashgate. He is currently teaching at St. Francis College in Brooklyn and has recently completed his doctorate at the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music. T hear, program and/or commission his music, visit www.robinsonmcclellan.com.
Swiss actor, Leyla Mesic, graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in acting, voice and dance and the International Dance Student program at Broadway Dance Center. She is an emerging singer/songwriter, writing children's songs and music for other artists.
Steven Moore is a baritone whose career has consisted of leading roles in musical theater across the U.S. and Europe and also appearances on the classical and operatic stages. He is a much sought after Emile de Beque. Most recently Steven performed the role at the Royal Theater in Victoria B.C.
Amanda Kay McDonald is happy to be performing with ActorCor again. www.amandakaymcdonald.com
Emily Mikesell is an actor/musician who has performed extensively Off-Broadway and in regional theater, most recently in Striking 12 at Capital Repertory Theater in Albany. She is proud to be a part of an event with such vision and heart.
Taylor Hilt Mitchell is blessed and happy that he has had the opportunity to graduate from Catholic University, work in theme parks, tours, and regional theatre, and be involved with amazing projects such as this one...THANKS!
Gayla Morgan is a musical theater composer/lyricist, a classical soloist and chorister, and a former pro violinist/fiddler! She and her adorable Maltese, Aria, live on the Upper West Side. www.GaylaMorgan.com
Timothy Mullins is a native Angeleno who was drawn to the stages of New York after it took him six years in the Navy, six more years to get a degree in engineering, and only six months as a defense department cubicle jockey to realize well paid does not equal content. He is now much happier and much poorer.
Victoria Neiman grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and recently graduated from Yale University with a joint degree in Theater and Art History. Victoria is thrilled to participate in SAY YES! and feels privileged to work with so many talented singers and musicians in the NYC actors’ community.
Bitten by the acting bug at age 9, Hector Peguero has worked in film and theater throughout Latin America and Europe. His next continent is North America and looks forward to expanding his career in the United States of America, the land where dreams come true. Hector is thrilled to be a part of ActorCor singing beautiful music.
Michele Perkins is a a recent transplant from Fort Lauderdale, where she taught English and dram to high school and college students, worked as a travel agent, watched small children on cruise ships and performed with various regional theaters. Currently she can be seen on Friday Night Cabarets at Piano's in Bloomfield, NJ>
Briel Pomerantz has performed in numerous productions in Northern and Southern California and recently moved to NY to further pursue her acting career.
Jason Purdy graduated from SUNY Brockport with a BA in Theater. He has trained with Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and performed with Pendragon Theatre, Arden Theatre, Dollywood Entertainment and the Sterling Renaissance Festival.
Christy Turnbow is excited to be singing with ActorCor again. She is always thrilled to be part of a project that uses the arts as a language of peace and love.
Michelle Rabbani is currently working on Jesus Christ Superstar in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and is honored to take part in Say Yes on the road to achieving her dream!
Damian Peters is an electric and acoustic bassist & composer. He is the musical director of Brooklyn-based funk ensemble, Suspicious Brown, and a member of the hard rock group,Nevereven. Damian is fluent in Rock, Jazz, Funk and Latin styles. Visit myspace.com/petersbass; neverevenmusic.com
Kimberly Ramsey is so proud to be a part of Darren's visionary ActorCor. She completed the Maggie Flanigan Meisner Acting Program with Darren and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. Love and peace to all!
Dave Previ, drummer for Brooklyn based rock band Nevereven is a teacher at The Collective School of Music and writer for Modern Drummer Magazine. Dave also enjoys freelancing for a variety of other musical projects, both live and in the studio.
Peter Schmitz is a singer/guitarist/songwriter/composer who hails from Virginia. You can hear his orginal music at myspace.com/barkingband.
Ryan D. Scott is extremely happy to be singing in ActorCor, has acted in various shows since moving here with his wife in 2002.
Roslyn Seale, a native New Yorker, is excited to be a part of ActorCor and its powerful message.
Sheryl Silvers received her B.A. in Theater from Washington and Lee University; she currently performs with the Broadhollow Theatre Company on Long Island.
Sarah Smith is thrilled to be a part of ActorCor—being one voice among many in building bridges and tearing down walls—turning tolerance into acceptance. Thank you to Darren for having a vision.
Christy Turnbow has been singing in choirs since she was 6, performed in many musical theater productions in many places, teaches voice lessons and has spent the last year exploring the merging of religion with theater and music.
Actor Maham Waheed is new to NYC. She is originally from Baltimore.
Charles Vander Zwaag is a friend of ActorCor and tutors high school students. He website is EnglishTutorNYC.com.
Sarah Worthington, the singer-half of the musical comedy act, Sing and Saw, is happy to be a part of this project. Peace!
Tenor James Williams is in his second season with ActorCor. He works regularly on stage and in film in the New York region.
Baritone, Scott Wheatley, is a native of Kansas and is thrilled to be singing with ActorCor again.
Soprano Carla Wesby has sung with the New York Philharmonic, American Symphony Orchestra, New York City Opera and currently runs a group called Opera Collective. Visit www.operacollective.com
Tiara Yong is delighted to be a part of ActorCor. On or off stage, she enjoys singing and dancing.
Veteran chorister, Augustus Young, is happy and fortunate to sing with ActorCor, which contributes to he active support of working artists and his social witness.
Katie Zaffrann is an actor/singer, activist, Unitarian Universalist, and a founding member of Choral Chameleon. www.katiezaffrann.com
Melissa Zimmerman graduated last year from Northwestern University and recently completed a run of The Buttonhole Bandit at the Looking Glass Theatre.