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Jessica holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Pennsylvania State University with a focus on contemporary and musical theatre vocal technique. She has been a professional performer on stage, screen, and in the recording studio. After living, performing, and working in New York City for over a decade Jessica moved to Lancaster, Pa, and has been teaching locally since 2012. She has become the vocal go-to for audition and college preparation. She is passionate about teaching the healthiest technique in order to give singers the stamina to not only sing correctly but sing a wide variety of material keeping up with the latest theatrical trends. In addition to teaching at her private studio, Jessica also performs regularly at the Fulton Opera house and is a teaching artist for classes, camps, and outreach programs for their Education department. Jessica is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) and The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).
A native of Lancaster, PA, Catherine began her vocal training in classical music & earned her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University. She then began training to be a crossover artist in Musical Theater. A combination of study which has afforded her a long and healthy career on Broadway. She is very proud that The Catherine Walker Award has been established at her alma matter, Lancaster Catholic High School and is presented annually to a deserving graduating senior with dreams of Broadway. Catherine Walker was most recently seen on Broadway starring in the Tony Award winning Best Musical, A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER as Phoebe D’Ysquith. Catherine made her Broadway debut in the cast of Disney’s musical hit, MARY POPPINS and became Broadway’s second Mary, flying over the heads and into the hearts of New York audiences for over 100 performances. She left that production to become part of the original cast of the highly acclaimed Broadway revival of RAGTIME. She has travelled nationally, representing Walt Disney Productions and as a guest soloist with major national orchestras including appearances at The Kennedy Center, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & The Library of Congress with friend and composer Steven Lutvak. She has also debuted at New York’s 54 BELOW Supper Club.
Her teaching style focuses on that of the Whole Artist – Mind, Body & Soul and she specializes in training the pre-professional musical theater artist by incorporating vocal technique, vocal expression & acting through song to highlight the strengths of each student and up level their presentation from the audition room to the stage. She brings with her 10 years of coaching experience & 25 years of vocal technique training by world-renowned vocal technicians such as Joan Lader, Robert Edwin, Thomas Douglas & Beatrice Krebs and incorporates elements of Estill Voice Training and Somatic Voicework. She places great importance in introducing her students
to a world of self-care avenues including acupuncture, vocal massage, body work, Ayurveda, Vedic Meditation, Broadway secret weapon ‘The Paradox Process’ and more. In addition, she brings with her 20+ years of experience living the Broadway life with access to a vast network of regional and national directors, choreographers, music directors, casting directors & fellow performing artists. While expecting discipline and dedication, she will also nurture and encourage you to be brave and vulnerable. Studying with Catherine will empower you to take the stage by storm with the tools to to allow your artist soul to shine bright.
Abigail specializes in working with younger students as they begin their journey of discovering their voice. She is passionate about creating a safe environment where her students can connect with themselves and music. She is experienced in many different genres and styles of music, and is inspired by finding music selections that speak to the hearts of her students. She is currently finishing her senior year at LBC, where she has been studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Music.
A New York native, she has spent the last four years in Lancaster and has come to find her home there. During her time in PA, she has worked with Creative Pursuits Academy on an educational and performance basis, from being the Assistant Music Director for Legally Blonde Jr., to her performance as Grandma Addams in The Addams Family. She is thrilled to begin collaborating with CPA on a consistently educational level, and looks forward to working with the new generation of aspiring musicians.
Richard specializes in a variety of vocal styles ranging from classical aria and golden age broadway, to modern pop/rock and jazz. He moved to the area in 2016 where he earned a BFA in musical theatre from Lancaster Bible College. Since then, Richard has performed with numerous companies in the area including EPAC (Jack Kelly “Newsies”), Fulton Theatre, Hershey Park, and currently Sight and Sound Theatres. During his time at LBC, Richard discovered the beauty of true vocal growth and breakthrough via the magic of private voice lessons. He desires the same experience for each student, whether they are a seasoned voice or just beginning their vocal journey.
Reji Woods is a versatile performer, director, and arts educator, with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre. A Florida native, who now calls Lancaster home, he has performed throughout the United States as well as in Paris, Amsterdam, and India! Reji is a 7-year veteran of Sight & Sound Theatres (Psalms of David, Voices of Christmas, Joseph, Miracle of Christmas, Jonah, Noah, and Moses), and a 5-year veteran of PRiMA Theatre (Retro Remix, Glee Live!, 80’s Relived, West Side Story, Chess, Oz: In Concert, A PRiMA Christmas, and multiple PRiMA Cabarets). Reji is the co-founder/owner Bending Threads Cabaret Company based in New York, NY, and his New York credits include The Wiz, Black Nativity, Romeo & Juliet, and Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe. He has also enjoyed an extensive national tour and regional theatre career with his favorite credits including Big River, Smokey Joe’s Café, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Seussical: The Musical, Jamaica, Guys & Dolls, Is There Life After High School?, and Little Shop of Horrors. Reji looks forward to utilizing his teaching, coaching, and choreographic skills to nurture artists of all ages while teaching at Creative Pursuits Academy.
Sarah teaches musical theater and classical singing styles, and puts a strong focus on understanding how the voice works as well as music reading and interpretation. She loves to see students blossom in their vocal technique, musicality, and confidence on and off stage. She welcomes students ages 10+ at any level in their music education as well as transgender and non-binary students looking to find their most authentic singing and/or speaking voice.
Sarah holds a BA in vocal performance and theater from the University of Iowa and studied with Professor Dianna Heldman at NYU. She is an active member of Lancaster’s music and theater community and loves to collaborate with fellow artists and creatives. She is proud to be a founding member of Lancaster’s own Reverie Actors Company and regularly curates and performs concerts celebrating soprano music. She is grateful to be teaching at Creative Pursuits Academy! Sarah is a proud member of both the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).
At 20 years of age, Jeannette Wehye began a musical career traveling the United States and Canada as a soloist and inspirational/Gospel recording artist. She is a versatile performer with a passion for touching lives through song and has recently made her Broadway debut with the New York Contemporary Choir in “Rocktopia on Broadway”. With two decades of experience as a singer, speaker, and youth mentor, Jeannette will help strengthen your vocal, performing, and etiquette skills while building confidence on your musical journey!
Mary Kate, commonly referred to as MK, hails from Nashville, TN where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre at the esteemed Belmont University. While a student in Music City, she made her debut television appearance in the nationally broadcast PBS special “Christmas At Belmont,” and ever since she has been performing nationally and internationally as a Pop/Jazz frontwoman and a prominently featured Musical Theatre actress. Her most celebrated work is her one-woman show, Natural Woman: A Tribute to Carole King, in which – at the age of 23 – she developed, produced, and headlined a self-accompanied concert.
In 2018, Mary Kate signed with the American Music Theater as a featured vocalist for their summer and Christmas productions. Since doing so, she has focused her energy on studio recording projects and teaching. As Mary Kate’s student, you will be training like the vocal athlete you are! Using exercises and methods developed by the world’s leading vocalogists and proven invaluable by the rigorous schedule of Broadway performers, Mary Kate will help you establish the strongest possible connection between your mind, body, and natural voice.
Brianna Brady graduated from Lancaster Bible College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater. She has been raised in Lancaster since she was a child and has grown to deeply love the creativity and community found here. After years of studying vocal technique and artistry, she discovered a joy of teaching others foundational skills and how to build upon that foundation from there. Brianna loves teaching students not only to sing well, but to sing with passion and precision. She is practiced in many different vocal styles and is excited to help new students discover their voices in ways they didn’t believe possible. While specializing in musical theatre and pop repertoire, Brianna loves all styles of music and believes that the best voices rest on a strong technical foundation. She hopes to grow with you as you learn to understand and utilize your voice to its highest potential!
1525 Oregon Pike Suite 202
Lancaster, PA 17601
(When entering from Oregon Pike, drive towards the brick building and take your first left at the parking lot. Drive down to the end and take a right, then drive down to the that corner. That is where Creative Pursuits is located. You will find the entrance in between buildings.)
Phone: 717-617-2859
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Creative Pursuits Academy works in association with Creative Pursuits Studio.
Visit our Studio Site: CreativePursuitsStudio.com
