MILTON C. ANDERSON // Founder
Voice and Music : Choral Music
BS in Music Education, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1950.
MA in Music Composition, University of California, Los Angeles, 1958.
Prior to founding The Young Americans, Milton C. Anderson was Musical Director for CBS Television in Hollywood where he worked on such shows as Playhouse 90, Rawhide, and The Twilight Zone. In the early years with The Young Americans, Mr. Anderson designed musical numbers for more than 27 major musical network television shows on CBS, NBC, and ABC, and he produced three music specials. During that time he worked with some of the most legendary entertainers of the century including Gene Kelly, Perry Como, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Johnny Mathis, Kate Smith, Julie Andrews and Tennessee Ernie Ford.
In addition to the extensive catalog of music Mr. Anderson has composed during his career, he is an accomplished author and
has published a book called Choices outlining the teaching methods of The Young Americans and their overall view of the
teaching profession and educational techniques. Mr. Anderson has also published a book of his photographic works, One
More Summer, featuring breathtaking pictures of northern Michigan.
Mr. Anderson is in his happiest element when he is directing chorally or composing music, and is able to work with the new
group of 100+ Young Americans, that join the current group each year.
ARIEL MAY
Voice and Music : Piano, Voice
BA Music Education, Chapman University, Orange, CA, 2011
CYNTHIA McGARITY
Voice and Music : Vocal Techniques
YA Alumni 1988
Specialized Vocal Coach
Fullerton College: 1986 – 1988, completed coursework in vocal study with emphasis on classical music.
Joan Jellum Studio: 1986 – 1988, completed private coursework in vocal study with emphasis on musical theater training.
The Maurice Allard Academy: 1990 – 1995.
Specialized Vocal Coach
Fullerton College: 1986 – 1988, completed coursework in vocal study with emphasis on classical music.
Joan Jellum Studio: 1986 – 1988, completed private coursework in vocal study with emphasis on musical theater training.
The Maurice Allard Academy: 1990 – 1995.
YANNICK LAMBRECHT
Voice and Music : Piano, Voice
BA Vocal Performance, Chapman University, Orange, CA, 2011
NADA NASSERDEEN
Voice and Music : Voice, Music History, Music Education
YA Alumni 2004
BA in Vocal Performance, California State University, Long Beach, 2004
MA in Ethnomusicology, San Diego State University (thesis in progress).
BA in Vocal Performance, California State University, Long Beach, 2004
MA in Ethnomusicology, San Diego State University (thesis in progress).
MICHAEL CARTWRIGHT
Voice and Music : Music Theory
YA Alumni 1999
BA Humanities with Emphasis in Music, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 2007.
AA in Liberal Arts, Cypress College, Cypress, CA, 2004.
BA Humanities with Emphasis in Music, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 2007.
AA in Liberal Arts, Cypress College, Cypress, CA, 2004.
JESSICA CARAVELLA
Voice and Music : Vocal Techniques
YA Alumni 1992
BA in Vocal Performance, California State University, Fullerton, CA, 2006.
BA in Vocal Performance, California State University, Fullerton, CA, 2006.
DALISA KRAUSS
Voice and Music : Vocal Techniques, Teaching Methods
YA Alumni 2000
BA in Music Education, California State University, Fullerton, magna cum laude, 2004
BA in Music Education, California State University, Fullerton, magna cum laude, 2004
CHELSEA HULS
Voice and Music : Vocal Techniques
YA Alumni 2003
BA in Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, 2010
BA in Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, 2010
ROBYN BRAWLEY // Choreographer
Dance : Classical Ballet
Robyn Brawley is an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, director and master teacher. She has danced with some of the greats in classical ballet – Nureyv, Antoinette Sibley, Jurgen Schneider (Ballet Master in the movie, Turning Point) and has been directed by Sir Robert Helpmann (star of the movie, Red Shoes) and Vera Volkava (world famous Russian director). Robyn has performed with the Australian Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, International Dance Company – Japan, and the Russian Balalaika Ensemble.
Her choreography has been featured in the Royal Nottingham Theatre, England, The Operetta Theatre of Keiv, “La Plaza de Toros”- a 400 year-old Bull Ring in Marbella, Spain, Minato Mirai Concert Hall in Yokohama, Japan and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts (one of the largest and most successful regional theatres in the USA), to name a few.
Mrs. Brawley has also directed and choreographed works and shows with Carol Burnett, Mark Walberg (TV personality), Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell (Tony Award winner), Laura Bell Bundy (star and Tony nominee for Legally Blonde), Susan Egan (Beauty & the Beast, Cabaret), Hugh Panaro (Les Miserables), Miss Shirley Jones (movie & theater icon), Marc Cherry (creator of Desperate Housewives), Carlos Thomas and Khalid Freeman (leads in Stomp and choreographer, Stomp the Yard), Natalie Imbruglia (recording artist & actress), and Delta Goodrem (top Australian vocalist & recording artist).
ALEXANDRA LITTLE
Dance : Jazz Dance
YA Alumni 1999
L.A. Dance Source, Master Teacher & Assistant Coordinator, Los Angeles, CA
Cornish College of the Arts, Guest Choreographer
Michael Curry Designs, Head Choreographer & Featured Performer
L.A. Dance Source, Master Teacher & Assistant Coordinator, Los Angeles, CA
Cornish College of the Arts, Guest Choreographer
Michael Curry Designs, Head Choreographer & Featured Performer
ASHLEY RENTFRO
Dance : Tap Dance
YA Alumni 2003
Take Five Dance Academy – Goodyear, AZ (1991 – 2004)
Dance Masters of Arizona, Dance Masters of America, Manhattan Dance Project, International Dance Challenge, New York City Dance Alliance
Instructor at International Dance Academy, Tokyo, Japan
Take Five Dance Academy – Goodyear, AZ (1991 – 2004)
Dance Masters of Arizona, Dance Masters of America, Manhattan Dance Project, International Dance Challenge, New York City Dance Alliance
Instructor at International Dance Academy, Tokyo, Japan
JEREMY KNUTSEN
Dance : Hip-Hop Dance
YA Alumni 1988
Master Teacher – Kathy Blake Dance Studio, Dance Theatre, Fairbanks, AK
Dance Excellence, Master Class, Los Angeles, CA
Owner of Studio, Davenport, IA
Master Teacher – Kathy Blake Dance Studio, Dance Theatre, Fairbanks, AK
Dance Excellence, Master Class, Los Angeles, CA
Owner of Studio, Davenport, IA
KATE LISTENBERGER
Dance : Dance Techniques
YA Alumni 1997
University of Delaware: General Education Classes
The Anna Marie Dance Studio: Professional Training Program
Dance Excellence, Associate Producer, Los Angeles, CA.
University of Delaware: General Education Classes
The Anna Marie Dance Studio: Professional Training Program
Dance Excellence, Associate Producer, Los Angeles, CA.
ANNA HUNDTOFT
Dance : Dance Techniques
YA Alumni 2001
Anna Hundtoft was born and raised in Blair, NE, where she first discovered her love for the stage, dancing, and performing. After graduating from high school, Anna moved to California where she performed with The Young Americans on musical outreach tours to Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, and Japan. Anna then attended California State University of Long Beach where she received her Bachelors of Arts degree with a major in Dance and a minor in Psychology. There she enhanced her passion and love for dance, and grew a deeper interest and understanding in the science of human movement. Anna received her pilates certification, with a dance emphasis, through the well renowned Body Arts and Science International program. In addition to pilates, Anna is a movement educator, a choreographer, a performer, and a lover of life!
As a movement educator, Anna has taught at several dance studios and schools. She has been a staff member of Dance Excellence, an international dance festival for young dancers, for eight consecutive years. Anna is a movement artist and artist leader for Inside Out Community Arts, an after school program for the Los Angeles youth. She choreographs for show choirs in California, Nebraska, and, for the first time this year, South Dakota. Anna has been portraying the role of Foofa on Nick Jr’s television show Yo Gabba Gabba since Season 3, and is currently filming the Season 4 episodes. She also had the privilege of performing on Yo Gabba Gabba‘s first national and international tour; “There’s a party in your city.”
BILL BRAWLEY // Artistic Director
Theatre : Performance Techniques
Bill has established an international following as Artistic Director of The Young Americans. He has toured extensively throughout Europe & Japan and the U.S. under the auspices of Columbia Artists, with The Music Man, Oklahoma!, Tribute to Richard Rodgers and Young Americans in Concert.
Bill has also worked on a multitude of television specials with major networks as Director/Choreographer. He has produced entertainment at Super Bowl XXX with Diana Ross, World Soccer with Whitney Houston, and was Director of Entertainment at Coca Cola City at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Bill also acts as director of the Tarbell Awards Show and during the past four years has worked with Brian Stokes Mitchell (Tony Award winner), Susan Egan (Star of Beauty & the Beast and Cabaret), Hugh Panaro (Star of Les Miserables), Laura Bell Bundy (Lead role in Legally Blonde and Tony Award nominee), Miss Shirley Jones (Oscar winner and Theatre Icon), and the Emmy Award winning Musical Director, Mark Watters.
Mr. Brawley is Artistic Director of Summer at the Center, an educational performing arts program which takes place at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in conjunction with the center’s Educational Department, ACCESS and Bill’s artistic team of musical directors and choreographers. One of the highlights of Bill’s year is directing and writing an annual original show for the Summer Dinner Theatre at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Michigan. The theater is proud to be the 2nd longest running dinner theater in the U.S.
ALAN HARPER
Theatre : Improvisation Techniques
YA Alumni 1994
Founder : Storm Seeker Theatre Company
Founder : Storm Seeker Theatre Company
DON STROM
Theatre : Stagecraft
Set Designer “Street Car Named Desire” and “Wit”; Community Theatre Productions.
Technical Director for “Sound of Music”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, “West Side Story”, and “Godspell”, Community Theatre Productions.
Production Coordinator, NBC’s “Miss Universe (Mexico)”, CBS’s “Do You Trust Me”, NBC’s “Clash of the Choirs”, FOX’s “Kitchen Nightmares”, CBS’s “I Get That A Lot”
Associate Producer, ABC’s “Wipeout”
Technical Director for “Sound of Music”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, “West Side Story”, and “Godspell”, Community Theatre Productions.
Production Coordinator, NBC’s “Miss Universe (Mexico)”, CBS’s “Do You Trust Me”, NBC’s “Clash of the Choirs”, FOX’s “Kitchen Nightmares”, CBS’s “I Get That A Lot”
Associate Producer, ABC’s “Wipeout”
KIM WIMMER
Theatre : Acting
BA in Musical Theatre, Psychology, Birmingham Southern College, cum laude, 1993
Professional Actor 1993- 2009
Professional Actor 1993- 2009
SUSAN EGAN
Theatre : Audition & Interview Techniques
Susan Egan has traversed all four corners of the entertainment industry, making powerful impressions in theatre, film, television and music. She headlined on Broadway as Thoroughly Modern Millie, won critical acclaim as Broadway’s (longest-running) “Sally Bowles” in Cabaret, starred in Triumph of Love and State Fair, and received Tony Award and Drama Desk nominations for “Best Actress” as the original “Belle” in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. She’s been seen on film in 13 Going on 30, Gotta Kick It Up, countless independents and voiced the animated characters of “Meg” in Disney’s Hercules, and “Lin” in the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away, among others. She spent two seasons on WB’s Nikki and guest-starred on HOUSE, NUMB3RS, NYPD Blue, Arli$$, Drew Carey, Party of Five, Great Performances, and more. Egan sings with symphonies worldwide, has over 40 recording credits including five solo CDs, and was named Best Vocalist of the Year by TalkinBroadway.com. Entertainment Weekly calls her website, susanegan.net, the “slickest site around.”
KAREN RYMAR
Theatre: Audition & Interview Techniques
Assistant Director of Music & Theatre at the Orange County HS of the Arts. Worked with such performers as Susan Egan, Alice Ripley, Lindsay Mendez, Krysta Rodriguez, Valerie Perri, Karen Culliver, Shirley Jones and Paula Abdul.
MARIO GAXIOLA
Theatre : Improvisation Techniques
Artistic Director/Founder of The Theatre District, Former Artistic Director of Outside Productions & West Coast Performing Arts Center, Southern California
KATIINA DULL
Education : Living Mathmatics
YA Alumni 1997
BA Business Administration, California State University, Long Beach, 2004
BA Business Administration, California State University, Long Beach, 2004
DAVID LISTENBERGER
Education : English, Education
YA Alumni 1995
BA in English Literature, Chapman University, Honors (1995-1998)
MS in Education: Learning and Curriculum, University of Southern California, (2001 – 2004)
BA in English Literature, Chapman University, Honors (1995-1998)
MS in Education: Learning and Curriculum, University of Southern California, (2001 – 2004)
ALANA CHILDS
Education : Understanding the Human Body
YA Alumni 2002
AA in General Studies, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA, 2008 BS in Biology, Education Focus, California State University Long Beach, 2011
AA in General Studies, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA, 2008 BS in Biology, Education Focus, California State University Long Beach, 2011
DR. JOSHUA TAYLOR
Education : Psychology
BS in Business Management , University of Phoenix, Fountain Valley, CA, 1998.
MA in Clinical Psychology, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, 2004.
PsyD, Department of Clinical Psychology, Ryokan College, Los Angeles, CA, 2007.
MA in Clinical Psychology, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, 2004.
PsyD, Department of Clinical Psychology, Ryokan College, Los Angeles, CA, 2007.
NICK NULL
Education : English : Writing Fundamentals
BA in Creative Writing, UC Riverside
MA in English, Dual qualification in teaching Literature & English as a Second Language, Cal Poly Pomona
MA in English, Dual qualification in teaching Literature & English as a Second Language, Cal Poly Pomona
REBECCA MARSH
Education : English : Writing Fundamentals
BA in English Literature, California State University, San Bernardino, 2002
MA in Composition, Concentration: Literature, California State University, San Bernardino, 2004
MA in Composition, Concentration: Literature, California State University, San Bernardino, 2004
MIKE KRAUSS
Education : Living Mathmatics
YA Alumni 1998
BA International Business, California State University, Long Beach, 2004
BA International Business, California State University, Long Beach, 2004
