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.

Van Angelo (they/he) is an actor, educator, and musician who serves as Director of Education for San Diego Musical Theatre. Favorite Performance Credits: 3 Summers of Lincoln (La Jolla Playhouse), Beautiful, Something Rotten, Memphis (Moonlight), Catch Me If You Can (SDMT), Seussical (Candlelight Pavilion), Hairspray (Performance Riverside), The View UpStairs (Desert Rose Playhouse). Performances with the New York Philharmonic, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra including recording Bernstein’s MASS with Yannick Nézet-Séguin (Deutsche Grammophon). Van’s a two-time Inland Theatre League Award recipient, Desert Star Award winner, and holds their BM in Music Education from Westminster Choir College and an MFA in Musical Theatre from SDSU IG: @vanangelo

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!

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.

E.Y. Washington has been teaching voice and dance here in San Diego for fifteen years. After receiving their B.F.A. in Music Theater, they hadn’t anticipated their passions would shift toward arts education. Washington is no stranger to the Moonlight Amphitheater, North Coast Rep., the Welk Resort, Cygnet, San Diego Musical Theater, Candlelight Pavilion, Musical Theater West, or the Disneyland Parks and Resort. They have taken their professional performing experience, paired it with their formal training, and generously invested the lessons learned to countless children, teens, and adults. Washington’s uncanny approach to arts education empowers students to create critically, perform freely, and respond compassionately. They look forward to seeing you in class.

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!