Xavier (they/he) is thrilled to be joining SDMT as the Academy Director. He is a professional performer, director, and choreographer who is originally from Detroit, MI. Starting theatre at the age of five, he quickly found his passion and hasn’t looked back. He began taking on leadership positions as soon as he got to high school, where he served as dance captain and choir president- two positions that made him fall in love with the educational side of theatre at a very young age. After high school he pursued musical theatre professionally and studied in New York City. At just 20 years old he directed and choreographed his first high school production which had a cast of over 150 students. Seeing the growth that students get from educational theatre is something that makes Xavier honored to be an arts educator. Not only do students learn about performing and theatre, but there are also so many life skills that are taught when talking about theatre.

Van Angelo (they/he) is an Actor, Music Director, Educator, and Southern California native. Van is a proud Westminster Choir College graduate, a teaching artist for New Village Arts and Moonlight Youth Theatre, and is a current MFA in Musical Theatre Candidate at San Diego State University. Holding a Bachelors in Music Education Van has worked at the elementary, middle, and high school levels teaching courses in singing, acting, dance, piano, music theory, and audition techniques. Van continues to music direct and can be seen performing on stages around Southern California. Music Directing Credits: Anything Goes (SDMT), Leonard Bernstein’s New York (NVA), Moana Jr. (MYT), Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical, and The Little Mermaid (VVUSD). Favorite Regional Credits: Something Rotten, Memphis (Moonlight), Catch Me If You Can (SDMT), Seussical (Candlelight Pavilion), West Side Story, Tarzan, Hairspray (Performance Riverside), The View UpStairs (Desert Rose Playhouse). Van has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Zelda Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Van is also featured on the recording of Bernstein’s MASS with conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Van is a two-time Inland Theatre League Award winner, and a Desert Theatre League Award winner. In their spare time Van likes Legos, Power Rangers, Bowling, Anime, and Video Games. Their favorite day of the week is Saturday, they’re a Virgo (just like Beyonce), and their favorite color is Green.

Jennifer Burch (she/her) is a queer female director and dramaturg from San Diego, California. She received her B.A. in Theatre from California State University, Fullerton. Jennifer is drawn to projects that explore female identity, the queer experience, and Shakespeare. Her previous work includes The Thanksgiving Play at Carlsbad Playreaders as an Assistant Director, TL;DR: Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix at Diversionary Theatre as a Tech Stand-In/Staging Consultant, and The Wolves at CSUF as Assistant Director. She has previously taught Acting for Adults at SDMT Academy.

Xavier J. Bush (they/he) is a San Diego based director, choreographer, performer, and theatre educator. They have choreographed many shows from coast to coast and worked with people of all ages and experience levels. They have also served as a teaching artist for many theatres such as Moonlight Youth Theatre, New Village, Arts, Canyon Crest Academy, and CoSA. As an actor, they have worked at theatres such as LA Jolla Playhouse, SDMT, Moonlight, and NVA. Xavier currently holds the position of Academy Director for San Diego Musical Theatre’s educational program. They believe in helping students elevate their craft in a safe and fun environment!

Shannon Gerrity (she/her) has spent her life dancing up and down the coast of California. Raised in the Bay Area, Shannon started dancing at the age of 4. Tap was always her favorite form of expression. She continued her dance education at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in Los Angeles with a semester in New York City, graduating with a BFA in Performing Arts with a focus in Musical Theatre. From there she has gone on to work professionally at a handful of regional theaters throughout California. Shannon has been featured in the following shows: 42nd Street, Anything Goes, Memphis the Musical, Grease!, Mamma Mia!, Miracle on 34th Street, Urinetown, The Drowsy Chaperone, How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying) and Thoroughly Modern Millie. The long-time tapper is thrilled to be teaching tap at The SDMT Academy! Let’s dance!

Melissa is excited to return to SDMT Academy this Winter! She is an actor, director/choreographer, and educator based in San Diego. She’s currently an Associate Choreographer for Virgin Voyages and Associate Director for Rail Events Productions and has recently directed/choreographed work for Grossmont College, University of San Diego, and the SD Fringe. As an actor, she’s toured nationally and internationally with Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and Rudolph…the Musical and has performed in various regional productions in CA. Melissa also has a passion for education and teaches at SDSU, La Jolla Playhouse, Grossmont College, and SDMT. Her aim as a teaching artist is to shape self-assured students who develop confidence, curiosity, and empathy through theater training. MFA Musical Theatre, SDSU class of 2022.

Meghan O’Brien Lowery began her love for musical theatre beside her grandmother on the couch watching Funny Girl and White Christmas. After a busy high school career of theatre, show choir and dance, Meghan attended Shenandoah Conservatory for her BFA in Musical Theatre. Meghan then went on to receive her MFA in Acting from the University of Florida and started her journey in New York. She found some success in the New York theatre world but her other passions took her all over the world. Meghan loves teaching and hopes to share her unyielding passion for musicals through this class.

For the past three years, Jeffrey has directed the musical theatre program at Maui Academy of Performing Arts in addition to continuing his professional onstage career. Past “tap” credits include Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate (Central City Opera), Bobby Child in Crazy for You (San Diego Musical Theatre/Moonlight Amphitheatre), Ted Hanover in Holiday Inn (Musical Theatre West), Mike in A Chorus Line (Moonlight Amphitheatre/Welk Resort), and Phil Davis in White Christmas (San Diego Musical Theatre). He has directed productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Freaky Friday, and High School Musical JR. His choreography for Dames at Sea (Sierra Madre Playhouse) was nominated by the LA Stage Alliance for an Ovation Award.

While earning her degree at the University of South Florida (USF), she worked under the baton of Maestro Mark Sforzini at St. Pete Opera (in St. Petersburg, Florida) and finished three seasons in their emerging artist program. There, she happily covered operatic roles; sang in the chorus; and performed at the opera galas, fundraisers, and outreach programs. In 2011, she graduated with both a B.A. in Music from USF and the phenomenal experience of singing with symphonic orchestras. Since graduating, she has continued to pursue her career as a vocalist, performing in many musicals; operas; showcases; and production shows on land and at sea. Most recently she had the pleasure of performing the role of Eve in Stephen Schwartz’s Magic to Do presented exclusively on Princess Cruise Lines.

Van Angelo (they/them) Van is an MFA in Musical Theatre Candidate at San Diego State University and the Director of Education for San Diego Musical Theatre. Select Regional Credits: Something Rotten, Memphis (Moonlight), Catch Me If You Can (SDMT), Seussical as Wickersham #1 (Candlelight Pavilion), West Side Story, Tarzan, Hairspray as Seaweed (Performance Riverside), The View UpStairs as Wes (Desert Rose Playhouse). Select Music Directing Credits: Urinetown, Anything Goes (SDMT), Leonard Bernstein’s New York (NVA). Other performances with New York Philharmonic, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Zelda Symphony Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra including the recording of Bernstein’s MASS with conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Van is a two-time Inland Theatre League Award winner, and a recipient of the Desert Theatre League Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical.  IG: @vanangelo; vanangelo.com

Xavier J. Bush (they/he) is a San Diego based director, choreographer, performer, and theatre educator. They have choreographed many shows from coast to coast and worked with people of all ages and experience levels. They have also served as a teaching artist for many theatres such as Moonlight Youth Theatre, New Village, Arts, Canyon Crest Academy, and CoSA. As an actor, they have worked at theatres such as LA Jolla Playhouse, SDMT, Moonlight, and NVA. Xavier currently holds the position of Academy Director for San Diego Musical Theatre’s educational program. They believe in helping students elevate their craft in a safe and fun environment!