Milton C. Anderson was born in Rockford, Illinois. He attended the University of Iowa and received his undergraduate degree in choral music and education from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. After coming to California for graduate work at UCLA, where he received his M.A. in Music Composition, he became a Musical Director for CBS Television in Hollywood, working on such shows as Playhouse 90, Rawhide, and The Twilight Zone. Before he founded The Young Americans, Mr. Anderson worked extensively in television variety. He designed musical numbers for more than 27 major musical network television shows on CBS, NBC, and ABC and produced three music specials. During that time Mr. Anderson 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 1962, Milton Anderson founded The Young Americans, the world’s first “show choir.” Their success has become legendary. They have come to exemplify all that is good in the youth of America. The Young Americans continue to bring entertainment, excitement and hope to audiences everywhere with their International Music Outreach Tours, annual Christmas Show, documentaries, and recordings. 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. A smile from Mr. Anderson has inspired thousands of Young Americans to do their best for 50 years. Milton and his wife Susan reside half of the year in Southern California and spend summers down the road from Boyne Highlands, in Harbor Springs, Michigan where The Young Americans have presented their annual dinner theatre for 31 summers. Milt has three wonderful children, Susan, Steve and Missy, and 12 grandchildren. In addition to the extensive catalog of music Mr. Anderson has composed during his career, he is an accomplished author and published a book called Choices outlining 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. Virtual Business Card

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. Some of his favorite memories include working with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jerry Lewis, Liberace and performing for President Ford in Washington, DC. In addition, he 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 is Co-Founder of the successful Young Americans International Music Outreach Program, which continues to shape music and performance in schools around the world. The program has reached over 400,000 students and families in over 30 countries and on four continents. Two documentary film programs have highlighted the work and success of the Outreach Program and have been viewed by millions all over Europe. In addition to his busy and successful life, 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. Bill, his wife Robyn, and daughter Lizzie live in Long Beach, California, right near the beach. Virtual Business Card

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). For the past 12 years, Robyn has been the Resident Choreographer and Co-Director with The Young Americans. Collectively with the founder, Milton C. Anderson, and Artistic Director and husband, Bill Brawley, Robyn has directed over 50 National and International Outreach Tours to Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Poland, Switzerland, Spain, Gibraltar, Ukraine, Japan, Canada and over 40 states in the U.S. During the past four years, the Young Americans International Outreach Tours have been the focal point of one full-length movie documentary and two documentary films – distributed in Europe – with all the films depicting the “OUTREACH” work they do with young people all over the world. Bill and Robyn direct and choreograph over 200 performances each year, working on four continents and in over 30 countries. The Young Americans, current and alumni, are a great part of Robyn’s life and she considers them “her family”. Robyn was born in Australia and now resides in Long Beach, California with her husband Bill and their daughter Lizzie. Virtual Business Card

Growing up in a Nebraska suburban town, Don has always had a passion for the arts and entertainment. Don had the honor of touring the world with The Young Americans as a lighting designer, sound designer, stage manager and company manager for 10 International Music Outreach tours. After the Young Americans, he moved on to working in production for many network television show including 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 and his most recent show ABC’s Wipeout as an Associate Producer. Don is now proud to be back with The Young Americans as the Director of Operations and is happy to be a part of an amazing organization, keeping music alive. Virtual Business Card

Cameron was a member of the group from 1975 to 1980 and is currently an attorney and Certified Public Accountant. He is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona attaining a BS in Accounting in 1980. He then worked for Coopers & Lybrand in Newport Beach as an auditor from 1980 to 1983 and became a Certified Public Accountant in California in 1982. Mr. Coy attended Hastings College of the Law, graduating in 1986 with a Juris Doctor and was admitted to the California State Bar in the same year. He has practiced law for over 20 years, specializing in civil trial work, has been a member of the Young Americans Board since 1992, and is now also serving as the Chief Financial Officer for the organization on a part-time basis. Virtual Business Card

After meeting the Young Americans during a visit to the U.S. with her Australian dance company, Kat moved to the U.S. to join the organization as its first Australian member.  Kat spent several years touring with the organization throughout the U.S. as well participating in the first international tours to Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Kat began managing the main offices; heading up the administration and logistics of YA projects and events.  In 2002, she was integral in helping establish the Young Americans College in Corona, California.  After completing her business degree at California State University, Long Beach, Kat fully took over at the college as Director of College Programs where she has worked tirelessly to structure and build the college program. Virtual Business Card

Mike grew up in a small northern California town, participating in band, choir and theatre since the age of 10. After joining The Young Americans in college, Mike had the opportunity to travel on 11 International Music Outreach Tours as a performer, merchandise manager, and company manager. He was fortunate to travel on the first tours to England, Germany and Ukraine. While assisting with production operations in The Young Americans business offices, Mike graduated cum laude from California State University, Long Beach with his Bachelor’s degree in International Business. After The Young Americans, Mike moved to the Orange County Performing Arts Center for five years where he managed many of the Center’s education programs including the Family Series, the Center’s field trip opportunities, master classes, scholarship programs, and Summer at the Center. He is proud to have overseen events serving over 15,000 students and families annually. Recently Mike returned to The Young Americans as the Director of Administrative Services for their College of the Performing Arts. He is happy to be back with such an extraordinary organization that has given him so many amazing opportunities, including meeting his wife, Dalisa. Virtual Business Card

YA Alumni 1962

BA in Psychology, Marymount College, Palos Verdes, CA, 1966.
MSW, Masters of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 1980.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, California License Number LCS 10153, 1983-present.

Brooke was born and raised in Salt Lake City Utah, and moved to Nashville when she was 21 to pursue a career in music. She recorded several albums and two of her original songs appeared in the Major Motion Picture, Cowboys and Angles. After working as a Nanny, Teacher and in the Music industry for several years she decided to go back to school at Belmont University and study Music Business. After graduation she took a job working for Cumulus Broadcast Company and WSM Radio where she wrote and sold major advertising for 5 top radio stations in Nashville for three years. Soon after she met and married the man of her dreams and moved to Southern California to live with him. She joined The Young Americans in July of 2009 as their Publicist and has great aspirations for the growth and publicity of the group. She is proud to be able to put to use her years of experience in the Music Industry, education in Music Business as well as Advertising to contribute to The Young Americans and their amazing organization. Currently she spends her time writing music, press releases, advertising, jingles and children’s books. Virtual Business Card

TJ grew up in a small town just outside of Omaha – Blair, Nebraska. Throughout high school, he participated in basketball, football and baseball along side theatre, show choir and forensics club. His proudest achievement in high school was being inducted into the Hall of Fame for distinction in the dramatic arts. After joining the Young Americans in college, he had the honor of touring on 10 outreach tours as a performer, stage manger and company manager. In 2008, he began to assist with internal operations out of California and spent two seasons as the Company and Dining Room Manager of The Young Americans Dinner Theatre. He is thrilled that The Young Americans became a career for him and is very excited to see what is to come. Virtual Business Card

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Ontario, Canada, Tara Smart a professionally trained gymnast and dancer with a strong passion for the performing arts. She has taught students of all ages and performed as a dancer in a variety of styles including Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Tap. As a gymnast, she has been trained by Olympic Medalists, and has competed in all gymnastic events at a national level. Since joining in 2003, Tara has toured the world with The Young Americans, as a performer, teacher, associate director and assistant producer. Her skills as a dancer, gymnast and choreographer are incomparable and her dedication to her chosen profession is unfaltering. She is, by all definitions of the term, a “Team Leader”. Virtual Business Card

Nada Nasserdeen is a performer, music educator, and director who loves all genres of music. She has obtained her BA degree in Vocal Performance from Cal State Long Beach and is currently finishing her thesis for her Masters Degree in Ethnomusicology. Nada has performed all over the world in countries such as Russia, Japan, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Gibraltear, and many more. In addition, she has worked and performed with some of Broadway’s most talented leading actors. However, Nada is not only an accomplished performer but she is an educator and director for the performing arts. She has taught for years working with students of all ages and talents. Nada loves the performing arts in all aspects as it has been a passion of hers since she was a child. Nada is going on nine years with The Young Americans and is so happy and honored to continue her journey with them as it fulfills every passion. Virtual Business Card

Vincent grew up in the heart of Motown, surrounded by and influenced by all styles of music; from Country to Motown, Broadway to Pop. He began performing in high school both on stage and behind the scenes, and as an instrumentalist. Vincent joined The Young Americans in the Fall of 2002, and has dedicated his life to travelling the world and teaching students song and dance in over a dozen countries, as well as all over the United States. Vincent has been on 14 International Music Outreach Tours, and currently serves as an Assistant Director to the Artistic Director and Choreographer, Bill and Robyn Brawley. He is also a proud choreographer and master teacher to many schools in Southern California.

Adryon Gross, born and raised in the tiny artist’s village of Ojai, CA, now calls a slightly larger artist’s village – Long Beach, CA – home. The passionate, artistic and supportive community in Ojai allowed for her participation in many award-winning choral, symphonic and performing groups. In her senior year of high school, Adryon auditioned for and was accepted to the Young Americans. Over her six-year tenure with the group, she assumed responsibilities as a choral director and company manager for national and international tours in addition to participating as a performer in cities around the US, Canada, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Luxembourg. Adryon is involved in many different projects at present including front woman for several small vocal jazz combos, Soul/R&B cover groups, and big bands – namely, the Tim Gill & the Tim Gill All-Stars Big Band which performs monthly at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Adryon’s main love, though, is collaborating and singing co-lead vocals with the brilliant men of Upstart, a soul, funk, jazz and R&B group comprised of mostly former Young Americans and currently in-studio recording their second album. She is honored that her path has brought her back to the Young Americans – an organization she wholeheartedly believes in and a group that constantly reaffirms her love for the arts.

Susan Anderson has been Associate Producer of The Young Americans for over 20 years and Director of Booking for numerous national tours to forty-three states and six international tours to New Zealand, Australia, England, Germany, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. She continues to work on additional tours for our upcoming season. Susan is also a recording artist, gospel songwriter, inspirational speaker, and has 12 grandchildren. Virtual Business Card

Bio Coming Soon. Virtual Business Card

Bio Coming Soon. Virtual Business Card

Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1960 and graduated from Keio University, Sano has organized The Young Americans Outreach Tours in Japan for over five years. Sano spent time offering enterprise business support, business training, and support projects through the college recruiting center and acted as the Research Works chief editor. He left in October 2005 to begin his new venture. Currently, his goal is to create a new place for children to learn who will lead the next generation. Virtual Business Card

A native of Basildon, England, a town outside of London, Ross met The Young Americans in the first U.K. International Outreach Workshop in 2001.

In the fall of 2003, at the age of 17 he joined The Young Americans. He has since been on 12 international tours throughout Japan, Germany,the United Kingdom and the United States.

During his time with the organization, Ross has performed, stage managed, and associate directed both tour casts and the New Kids cast. Outside of the organization, he has also had the opportunity to stage manage many professional shows in London.

Ross is very honoured to have been a part of the organization for seven years, and is excited for the journey ahead and the successful future of The Young Americans.

- BA in Music Education, Otterbein College, Ohio

- MA in Music Education, College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati

Gary Delk has taught junior high, high school, and college choir, band, and handbells in Ohio and California for 32 years. Gary continues to serve as Massed Conductor, Clinician, and Teacher for the AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers) annual conferences. He has the distinction of serving on the staff of The Young Americans for 34 years and has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East on 15 Young Americans tours. He has worked behind the scenes as Choral, Orchestra Conductor on many Young Americans TV guest appearances.

Gary was Managing Director/Conductor for The Young Americans Bicentennial Celebration, in Washington D.C., 1976.

Travis has always enjoyed the performing arts. In his youth he excelled at musical theatre and instrumental music. He met The Young Americans when he took a National Music Outreach Tour Workshop as a senior in high school. The following fall Travis moved to Southern California to join The Young Americans. By the age of 23, Travis traveled on 12 International Outreach Tours, spent 4 summers performing in dinner theatres in Northern Michigan with The Young Americans, and stage managed the first Outreach Tours to go to Canada, England, Germany, and Ukraine. At age of 22, Travis became the youngest Associate Director of The Young Americans for the International Outreach Tours. Over the last 12 years with The Young Americans he has toured 16 different countries including Japan, Germany, and most recently, Travis directed the first International Outreach Tour to Russia.

- BA in Print Journalism, Southern University at New Orleans, Louisiana Bruce has been involved in entertainment most of his life. At age 15, he was accepted to The American Musical Theater program and The Young Americans. At 17, he signed a recording contract with Rosemont Records in New Orleans and embarked on a summer concert tour, opening for such acts as Maynard Ferguson and Kool and The Gang. He went on to perform and direct with The Young Americans in Boyne Highlands, Southern CA and Atlanta, GA for several years before starting his own entertainment company which produced shows at Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and dinner theaters and concert halls all over the West Coast. Sampson has been a radio announcer and talk-show host, and editorial coordinator for Yahoo! Sampson has developed arts education curriculum for non-profits, served as choreographer for Southern California show choirs and is the producer of Inland Icon and O.C. Icon, two of the biggest annual solo vocal competition events for Southern CA youth. Bruce has two daughters (Kayla and Kristina) currently in the Young Americans and one more (Kiara) who plans to join in 2011. Bruce is honored and blessed to have this opportunity to help impact young lives as an associate director with The Young Americans.

Otha “O” Womack is a native of Jackson, Tennessee. He moved his life to California when he was accepted into The Young Americans in the fall of 2003. He has performed and taught is places such as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Japan, Germany, and 40 states within the U.S. He has also performed in off-broadway shows such as Five Guys Named Moe, The Buddy Holly Story and Guys and Dolls. He teaches dance around the Long Beach and Orange County area. He has been with the organization for 6 years and now is honored to be part of the Young Americans staff as an Associate Director.

John began with The Young Americans in 2002. Two summer dinner theatres at Boyne Highlands, an international tour to Germany, and the West Coast tour of 2005 were all a part of his journey. John now returns as an Associate Director for the Young Americans. He has continued to pursue his passion for music as a music director at Saddleback Church (founded by Rick Warren). John recently moved to Austin, Texas where he is promoting his solo record and continues to work as a freelance session singer.

Corkey Lee has enjoyed a long and successful career in entertainment production, and it all started years ago as a performer with the Young Americans. When he “graduated” from YAs in the 1970s, he accepted a position with Disneyworld in Florida, where he was in charge of live entertainment at the park – including the now legendary Kids of the Kingdom. From there, he was recruited to Marriott’s Great America in Chicago. As the new park’s Director of Entertainment, it fell to Corkey to oversee the construction of the theaters that would eventually house all live performances. Corkey soon brought all this new expertise back home, to the Young Americans, when he took on the role of production/stage manager, taking tours out all over the world. He then received an opportunity to get in on the ground floor working at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. Corkey worked his way up through the video operations department, and now is Vice President of Production and Editorial Services. Corkey is grateful that Paramount has made it possible for him to still be affiliated with the Young Americans – his “life and heartbeat” – as an Associate Director. He cherishes every opportunity to give back to the organization that helped make him what he is today.