RUSS KASSOFF - Music Director

Russ Kassoff is an accomplished jazz pianist, conductor, music director, composer, orchestrator, and arranger, whose varied talents are much valued and on display in the music world. Russ toured as pianist to Frank Sinatra by request from '80-'91 including "The Ultimate Event Tour" ('88-'89) featuring Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and Liza Minnelli touring for 18 years ('82-'01). On Broadway he was MD/Conductor for Twyla Tharp's "Come Fly Away" (2010) and was conductor/pianist for Charles Aznavour in concert (’98). Russ continues as music director with Rita Moreno - since 2003. Russ has accompanied and/or recorded with Perry Como, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Vic Damone, Carly Simon, Lainie Kazan, Debbie Gravitte, Luciano Pavarotti, Tierney Sutton, Marilyn Maye, Tony Danza, Rebecca Luker, Red Norvo, Chris Connor, Mimi Hines, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart and Sylvia Syms - a wonderfully eclectic career. “You are the best.” - Frank Sinatra, ’87 www.russkassoff.com

BRANDON LOGAN - Vocal Coach

Melvin Brandon Logan (he/they) is a New York City based Performer, Director, Professor, and Song Coach. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he was awarded the Laurie Beechman Award for Vocal Excellence in Musical Theatre. Brandon is currently an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Marymount Manhattan College. Directing credits include First Daughter Suite & The Caucasian Chalk Circle at MMC, Imagine Works Youth Theatre, Northwestern University, The American Music Theatre Project, Applause New York (Producing Artistic Director), and Unity Stage Company where he served as a Resident Director. He is a returning Guest Artist for the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Pre-College Musical Theatre Program. Brandon has taught workshops, masterclasses and created curriculums for Marymount Manhattan College, UC Irvine, BroadwayEvolved, The Broadway Collective, Amy Murphy Studio, Broadway Method Academy, Actors Training Center, and the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development. Stage credits include: The Doctor in The Book of Mormon (1st & 2nd National Tours), The St. Louis MUNY, Florida Studio Theatre, Arvada Center, The Marriott Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Signature Theatre, and he has appeared in concerts at Feinstein's/54 Below, The Triad Theatre, and has been a featured soloist with The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. AEA and MTEA. @melvinbrandonlogan.

BECKIE MENZIE - Music Director

Beckie Menzie has appeared at the legendary Carnegie Hall, Jazz At Lincoln Center and Birdland in New York, Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre and the Ravania Festival, as well as at concert halls and art series across the country. Hailed by Chicago’s WGN Radio as “indispensible to Chicago cabaret,” Beckie was featured in Michael Feinstein’s Now & Then Series for her Carnegie Hall debut. She has been featured at many Mabel Mercer Cabaret Conventions in New York, The Hamptons, and in Chicago, as well as performances for the Chicago Humanities Festival, where she has served as a performer, director and musical director. She performs regularly with Tom Michael and as a duo they have toured their many concerts across the country, including Carnegie Hall’s 100th birthday celebration for Cole Porter, they’ve performed with the Rich Daniel’s City Light’s Orchestra and headlined with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra and others including the Racine Symphony and the Danville Symphony. Beckie is one third of the GIRLS LIKE US group that includes Laura Freeman and Marianne Murphy Orland. Beckie is the co-host for Monday Night Live at Petterinos and is an award-winning songwriter who coaches Chicago’s young musical talent. For more info please visit www.beckiemenzie.com.

MARY MICHAEL PATTERSON - Vocal Coach

Mary Michael Patterson is an Atlanta based performer, director/choreographer and educator who has been seen on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera (Christine Daaé), Anything Goes (Hope) and the First National Tour of Love Never Dies (Meg Giry). She has been featured in concert work at Lincoln Center and as a lead vocalist with the American Pops Orchestra. An accomplished director on stages from The Green Room 42 to Arena Stage, she also served as Assistant to the Supervisor on Broadway (The Phantom of the Opera). www.marymichaelpatterson.com

MEL SHORE - Music Director

Melanie Shore’s dynamic musical fluency on the piano has established her as an accomplished performer, sought-after studio musician, and award-winning composer and arranger. Over her career, she has performed with an array of artists, including Chuck Berry, Il Divo, Lea Salonga, David Archuleta, Collin Raye, Debby Boone, Restless Heart, and Teddy Gentry from the Grammy Award winning group Alabama, among many others. Formerly, she served as musical director and arranger, as well as played keyboard/Hammond B3 organ alongside pop and country multi-platinum artist Collin Raye. She has been featured in and is a regular contributor to Joseph Gordon-Leavitt’s collaborative musical community, hitRECord. In addition, she has played for many national Broadway tours (including Roald Dahl and Tim Minchin’s Matilda The Musical) and also tours with the soul/funk/fusion group led by Kris Johnson of the Count Basie Big Band. Melanie is also experienced in hand doubling for film and was in all three installments of Disney’s High School Musical movies. As a composer and arranger, Melanie has been commissioned by various organizations across the United States for her choral, orchestral, and jazz works. She is also the arranger for the Homecoming Spectacular series, where she has written for renowned artists Gladys Knight, Kristen Chenoweth, Ben Rector, Colbie Callait, and Peter Hollens. Melanie holds a master’s degree in jazz studies and is a sought-after clinician and mentor for jazz bands and combos, and has been a university jazz faculty member for over 15 years. MelanieShore.com