Debra Cook
Book, Lyrics, Music
With her Carnegie Hall solo debut in John Rutter's Requiem through Distinguished Artists International New York (DCINY), Debra Cook premiered Jilted to Perfection at the New York New Works Festival on Theatre Row, as well as the Triad Theatre in NYC. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Utah Conservatory, Partner in Professional Artists Group, and Park City Music (a full service music store). Cook served Adjunct Assistant Professor for the University of Utah's Actor Training Program and on the music faculty at Brigham Young University, was founder of Utah Vocal Arts and Metropolitan Vocal Arts Institutes, and principal of Beachwood Arts Management and Founding Board Member of Opera West. Cook has performed opera, musicals, and concerts throughout the United States, including solo performances with the National Choral Society at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, Utah Symphony's Beethoven 9th, and several seasons in repertory with Utah Opera Company.
Kathy Morath
Director
Broadway credits include Joseph Papp’s Pirates of Penzance and Nick & Nora. Off-Broadway has appeared in the role of The Girl in The Fantasticks, Personals, The Wonder Years and David Ives’s All in the Timing, among others. Regionally has played leading roles at the Guthrie Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Dallas Theatre Center, Baltimore Center Stage, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Barter Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Art Park, Goodspeed Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Wolf Trap and the Kennedy Center. TV and film credits include Law & Order, Walker: Texas Ranger, Alice in Concert, Hostage, All My Children and General Hospital. Kathy recently created the role of Jodi in the world premiere of the new musical The Bikinis at ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ. Kathy appears on the SONY Masterworks recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Allegro. She has also served as an adjudicator and peer reviewer for the National Endowment for the Arts. Teaching credits: AMDA College & Conservatory, Paper Mill Playhouse, The Norris Center for the Performing Arts, The Artist’s Crossing, Sing Smart Act Smart, private studio. Kathy spent 2016-17 as a Guest Artist at The Santa Fe University of Art & Design, serving as Lead Instructor in Musical Theatre.
Degrees, Studies and Affiliations:
B.A. Semiotics, Brown University The Neighborhood Playhouse SAG/AFTRA/AEA
Christopher Stephens
Music Director
Christopher Stephens is a singer and a pianist who has been performing and teaching in New York City since 2005. His credits include Broadway, off-Broadway, regional, and international theater. Clients include artists working on Broadway, off-Broadway and in National Tours, as well as in film & television. Christopher is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory and teaches at in his midtown studio and virtually.
Whether you need to develop your vocal technique, find flattering audition cuts, or navigate new vocal styles, Christopher can assist you with your goals. Lessons are tailored so that each student, regardless of experience, can more effectively fuse pitch, timing, and communication into alignment. Trademarks of a Stephens student are increased levels of "the three C's": clarity, confidence, and creativity.
Tanya Taylor
Producer
Ms. Taylor graduated with a degree in Music Performance from the University of Utah, followed by earning an Executive MBA. She has worked as a Professor, Performing Arts Director, Executive Director, Sound Engineer, Journalist, Accompanist, Motivational Speaker, and Social Activist.
Taylor was featured in Park City Magazine as one of the top three talent coaches in Utah. She has owned and operated her own company, Taylor Productions, for the past 20 years - producing over 500 live shows to date. Taylor released five albums in the past year, including: Paradox, Empathy & Her People, Riffs & Poetry, & Influencer.
Sudan & Me, a full-length musical co-written and composed by Ms. Taylor, completed its World Premiere in 2019, followed by the album release in 2020. In December 2020, Taylor released the first volume of DIVERSITY: A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION - an exclusive album that features 50 professional artists and musicians from around the globe. The record gained positive reviews from influential activists such as Bryan Stevenson, with Equal Justice Initiative, and June C. Ginsburg, daughter of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Aaron Mitchell
Professional Artists Group, Partner
Mr. Mitchell is one of the founders of Professional Artists Group, as well as the music school Utah Conservatory. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Utah Scholarship Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships to music students. He is the founder of Professional Artists Group, LLC, and co-owner of Park City Music, LLC.
Kelsey Creveling
Project Consultant
Kelsey Creveling got her start in musical theatre at the young age of 6 when a part was written into her hometown regional theatre’s (Brazosport Center Stages) production of The Madrigal Feast, by Judy James, where she played the role of The Little Maid.
After about 17 years, a full consulting career, and numerous public speaking events later, along with a search for joy during the 2020 pandemic, Kelsey began taking voice (and piano) lessons at the Utah Conservatory – training with Debra Cook. Reunited with her voice and a new found awe of the healing powers of music and self-expression, Kelsey is loving the opportunity to sing and perform again and is continuing her vocal training with the Utah Conservatory, while expanding her belt and musical theatre repertoire with NYC Broadway vocal coach Christopher Stephens, and exploring her operatic capabilities with Houston Grand Opera's Elizabeth Gautsche.