Alison Kalmus

With over 25 years of film/ theater performance experience, Ms. Kalmus has also been a Casting and Voice-Over Director for NASA’s Space Place in a Snap, NOAA’s Scijinx educational videos, Walt Disney Co. and Independent Shakespeare Co. She is a resource acting coach for L.A and Orange County High School for the Arts. An award-winning director of theater, musicals, and opera, nationally and internationally - some directing credits:

Musicals: The Fantasticks* Once Upon A Shoe (Knightsbridge Theater), The Sound of Music, Narnia (The Musical), The Gondoliers** A Christmas Memory, A Little House Christmas (SMP), Wanting Miss Julie, City of Light, Mary Marie.*** Hans Brinker (for New Musicals, Inc.). Theatrical: L.A. County’s Shakespeare in the Park’ - A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, Fairytales and Fantasy (2005–2009). Opera – Marriage of Figaro, The Mikado, Magic Flute (Pasadena Opera Co.); La Boheme (Hradek Kralove Filharmonie, Czech Rep.); Aesopera**** (So. Cal Lyric Opera).

In association with Pasadena Polytechnic School, she developed curricula, taught, trained and supervised teachers for Non-Profit Noteworthy Music & Learning Systems for school drama programs throughout Los Angeles County. Upcoming: Hollywood Fringe Festival (June 2017), Alan Menken’s Dream On Royal Street (August 2017 SMP) alisonkalmustheater.com sierramadreplayhouse.org

*L.A. Times Critic’s Pick **NACCP Theatre Awards Nomination Best Direction – Musical 2015 ***2015 Richard Rodgers Award, 2014 NAMT Festival Selection **** American Composers Forum Subito Grant and New Opera Works' Competition Winner

Dianne Harmel, M.A., is the CEO and artistic director of Foothill Academy of Vocal Arts (FAVA), a nonprofit organization she founded in 2006 to provide voice instruction and choral music opportunities for elementary and high school youth in the Greater Pasadena area. As a performer, Ms. Harmel is an accomplished mezzo-soprano soloist specializing in oratorio work; however, her passion is teaching others to sing. She is an Adjunct Professor of Applied Voice at Azusa Pacific University and at Life Pacific College, where she also serves as Choir Director. Additionally, Dianne has a private studio in her home in Monrovia where her current voice students range in age from 8 to 78. She received her musical education locally in Los Angeles, with a B.M. in Vocal Performance from USC and an M.A in Music (Emphasis in Vocal Pedagogy) from CSULA.

Kana Croissant is a professional musician who is associated with several schools, musical productions, and music groups in southern California. Originally from Nagano, Japan, Kana gained her musical skills and knowledge from various music institutes and private instructors in Nagano and Tokyo, Japan: Michiko Takei (Classical piano), Mar (Jazz piano), Yuichi Narumi (Voice), Henry Midorikawa (Jazz vocal and theory). In 2010, Kana moved to LA and continued her education with Citrus College and Azusa Pacific University in CA with many professors including Gino Munoz, Alan Waddington, Robert Slack, Catherine Ireland (Voice), Cory Hirsch (Piano), J.Michael O'Neal (Jazz piano), and Mark Gasbarro (Piano).

Kana is currently working for CSArts and other high schools as an accompanist; moreover, she works as a music director, a pit orchestra pianist, and a conductor in many local theater and school productions throughout SoCal.