Music Direction
Vanessa has had the incredible opportunity to study with the best of the best in the field of music direction for musicals. From individual lessons from Broadway's Carmel Dean and masterclasses with Maestra MD (the women who make the music on Broadway) to the Goodspeed's Music Direction Intensive, Vanessa has learned from the people who set the precedent on being a professional in the field of music direction for musicals.
With her patience and sense of humor from years of working with children, Vanessa can music direct your production with a positivity and passion that only a true lover of musical theatre can bring!
musical STUDIES
Columbia College Chicago
​June 2010
B.A. - Musical Theater Performance
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New York University
May 2019
M.A. - Music Therapy​
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Goodspeed Music Direction Intensive
January 2020
Maestra Music Direction Masterclasses
May 2019
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Private studies
2001 - Present
Musical Theater Voice:
Jamie Cordes
Roberta Duchak
Phil Caldwell
Dan Callaway
Georgia Stitt (Masterclass)
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Opera Voice:
Krystle Casey
Classical Piano:
Emily Stoia
Norman Mamey
David Stahl
Lily Popova
Classical Guitar:
Michael Fonte
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Music Direction:
Carmel Dean
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skills
​Choral Direction
Intermediate Piano
Ear-Training
Teaching Choral Parts
English
Conversational Spanish
professional experiences
Ink and Paint
Summer 2024
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Music Director
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SheArtsLA & Santa Monica New Works Festivals
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TADA! Youth Theatre
Fall 2018 - Spring 2019
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Accompanist
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Choral Director
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​Lead vocal warm-ups
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Assisted in teaching choral parts
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Arranged parts for young singers
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LAPD Community Youth Choir
Fall 2016
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Worked with LAPD in Newton Precinct
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Artistic and Choral Director
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​Lead vocal warm-ups
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Assisted in teaching choral parts
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Arranged parts for young singers​​​
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The Sound of Music
Summer 2014
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Orchestral Guitarist
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Assistant Music Director
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​Lead vocal warm-ups
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Assisted in teaching choral parts
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LAPD Community Youth Choir
Fall 2016
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Worked with LAPD in Newton Precinct
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Artistic and Choral Director
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​Lead vocal warm-ups
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Assisted in teaching choral parts
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Arranged parts for young singers​​
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Neighborhood Rock School
March 2014 - October 2016
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Musical Theater Program Director
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Developing curriculum
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Guiding students with voice
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Acting technique
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Promotion & Marketing
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"Rockin' Choir" Music Director
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​Leading vocal warm-ups
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Teaching choral parts
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Choosing/arranging repertory​​
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Mired Church's Spring Concert
Spring 2014
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Choir Director
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Arranged contemporary choral music
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Taught choral parts
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Taught vocal/choral technique
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Annie
Winter 2013
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Assistant Music Director
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Assisted in teaching choral parts
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