About our Interview with:

Director/Choreographer Connor Gallagher. Currently, Connor’s work can be seen in Roundabout’s Off Broadway production of THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, starring Steven Pasquale, as well as in the Disney Cruise Line hit TANGLED. Connor sat down with us to chat about his path to becoming a director and choreographer, including how his time as a performer in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST really helped open doors that were solidly shut before. We also talked about how his dance teacher (who was a dance captain on Broadway) was instrumental in prepping him for what real world dance looked like outside of the classroom. Listen in to find out what makes Connor’s choreography so special, and what it's like to choreograph for a cruise line with the biggest name in entertainment.

Links to learn more

• Roundabout Theatre
• Connorgallagher.com

A photo of Connor Gallagher

Ronnie Oliver, Choral Conductor talked with us about his path to his career. Thinking he would pursue architecture in college he soon realized his love of music would be his path. Graduating college as a music education and voice major he continued his education with Dr. Ken Davis at Texas Tech University for his masters and doctorate degrees. We talked about teaching undergraduate and graduate conducting, the differences between working with professional and amateur choirs, what he listens for in auditions, importance of people skills and organizational skills, rehearsal techniques, vocal production, vocal accompanist and how to prepare a choir to perform with an orchestra

About our Interview with

Christian Sebek. After more than 1500 performances playing Piangi in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Christian sat down to tell us his fascinating journey into the world of opera and eventually into the one musical theatre’s greatest characters. Originally on the path of technical design in theatre, Christian didn’t discover his singing voice until college. Even more interesting was his voice change that transitioned him from being a robust baritone to a tenor. Christian is a self-described “journeyman” in which he has pieced together a career that includes opera, musical theatre, voice over, a private studio, and now faculty at The Institute for American Musical Theatre. Listen in to find out how his family played an important roll in his pursuit of his dreams, as well as how he is now guiding his kids to pursue their own dreams.

Links to learn more

• Christian's Broadway Story
• Christian's Website

Christian Sebek

Voice Teacher, Beth Roberts, faculty at the Mannes College of Music, always knew she wanted to be a teacher, she studied music education as well as vocal performance and made an effortless transition from performer to voice teacher. We discussed; her rules for teaching various voice ranges, her path to teaching voice, her performance career, apprentice performance programs, what she looks for in young singers, how to audition, the importance of being a ‘good’ colleague, her work with the Metropolitan Opera Guild, the art of giving of a Master Class, the importance of studying Art Songs, the importance of vocal health and the speaking voice and when to know at what age to start voice lessons.