Education Director

Voice, Musical Theatre

Tiffany has been a theater artist for over 35 years. Her passion for the performing arts has given her the opportunity to wear many hats over her long career. She has not only been a singer, dancer, and actor, but also a director, music director, choreographer, and producer in over 200 productions. Credits in New York: Lincoln Center, The Triad; Regionally: Great Lakes Theatre, Cain Park, Carousel Dinner Theatre, Beck Center for the Arts, Music Theater Works, Metropolis, and Folks Operetta, to name a few. Tiffany is also a national touring musician and choral conductor. She has been a private voice instructor and theater educator for over 25 years, having taught here at Metropolis since 2005. She has a deep interest in performing arts education, having been a child performer herself. Tiffany has had the privilege to perform with and learn from a plethora of wonderfully talented and knowledgeable professionals in the industry, including Oscar Winner, George Chakiris. She graduated from Ohio Northern University with a degree in Vocal Performance, studied at The Circle in the Square Theatre School, the only acting conservatory on Broadway, and is a member of Actors’ Equity.

Associate Education Director

Miss Zoe Schmidt was a SOPA student from 2011-2015 and went on to earn a K-12 certification in theater education from Illinois State University. After graduation, she came back to SOPA to foster the same love of theater in her students. 

Education Administrator

Acting/Musical Theatre/Auditioning and College Prep

Göran Norquist is an actor, teacher, director, writer, and musician. He has an MFA in Acting from American Conservatory Theater, and a BFA in Acting from CSUF. He is a member of AEA, and has been performing for over 20 years. Some favorite past roles include Andre in Three Sisters, Amos Hart in Chicago, Nick Bottom in Midsummer, and Sweeney in Sweeney Todd. Most recently, he was seen as God in An Act of God at Williams Street Rep, and Directed Into the Woods at Metropolis. He believes that shame has no place in our lives or onstage. He believes that healing and knowing who we are makes us great artists. He believes in the importance of creating, telling stories, and bringing communities together.

Education Marketing Assistant

Choir, Musical Theatre

Mr. Nathan is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Nathan returned to the Chicagoland area eleven years ago after living just outside of Nashville, TN, where he served as the Associate Director of Theatre/Resident Music Director for The Renaissance Center. Nathan has also worked with many regional theatres around the country, including Bigfork Summer Playhouse (Montana), The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres (IN), Stage Door Theatre (FL), Bearcreek Farms Resort (IN), Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre (MI), Houston County Arts Council (TN) and Illinois Wesleyan University (IL).

For SOPA, Nathan has worked on many Fall Musicals, classes, and camps, including G2K The Sound of Music, G2K Cinderella, G2K Once Upon a Mattress, James & The Giant Peach JR, and Disney’s The Lion King JR, Matilda JR, Finding Nemo JR, The Addams Family, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Grease School Edition, Mean Girls High School Edition, and Monty Python’s Spamalot Youth Edition. Nathan also music directs Celebration Singers, and and co-directs SOPA Cabaret.

Violin

Vasile began his musical training at the age of six in Romania where he attended a full-time specialized music school for 12 years. Vasilereceived his Masters degree in Orchestral Performance and his Bachelors degree in Violin Performance, graduating with honors from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. While there, he studied with concert violinist Cyrus Forough, former principal second violinist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Joseph Golan and former principal second violinist with the Minnesota Orchestra Stefan Hersh. He has played with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago while in college, as well as with The Roosevelt University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra in addition to various amateur orchestras throughout the city.

Vasile teaches violin at the Metropolis School of the Performing Arts in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where he has been on faculty since 2005. He provides one-on-one instruction to students at a variety of levels. In his spare time, Vasile also plays in a Romanian folk orchestra.

Dance, Musical Theatre

Eleanor Ekovich, originally from Schaumburg, IL, graduated Cum Laude from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with a Dance Concentration. While there, she trained with Tony Award-nominated Bob Fosse protege, Jane Lanier, Jeff Award-winning choreographer, Tammy Mader, The Artist Director for the Chicago Human Rythem Project, Jumannue Taylor, as well as other amazing industry professionals. During this time, Eleanor was also a dancer for the Roosevelt University Dance Team and was awarded an "All-American Dancer" by the National Dance Alliance. Eleanor has worked in theatre regionally, in addition to performances in her conservatory program. She has taught many styles of dance and theatre to performers of all ages and developmental needs as well as directing/choreographing for many dance studios/theatres in the Chicagoland area. Eleanor loves to share her knowledge with the next generation of artists and is grateful to teach talented performers at The Metropolis School of Performing Arts! 

Drama

Kristina Finch received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater/Acting from Wright State University. She has performed with several Chicago theater companies including Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, About Face, Victory Gardens, Griffin, Lifeline and Northlight and toured the country with the second national touring production of Into the Woods. She has had the honor and privilege of being directed by Jessica Thebus, Amanda Dehnert, Eric Rosen, Dennis Zacek, Victoria Bussert, and Richard Block. During her performing years, Kristina continued her education with top Chicago theater professionals including Byrne Piven, Dennis Zacek, Phyllis Schuringa, Jane Alderman and Janet Louer.

In 2008, Kristina moved to Arlington Heights with her family to concentrate on raising two young children. Metropolis School of Performing Arts became a second home for both of her children as they grew up and they continue to be involved. 

Previously, Kristina taught and directed at Trilogy School of Performing Arts in Lake Zurich. She has also been an active teaching assistant and substitute teacher in AHSD25 since 2017. Kristina teaches acting and is a private audition coach.

Movement & Dance, Musical Theatre, Workshops

Lexie Foley (she/her) has been teaching theatre for children and adults with disabilities for 6 years. She is passionate about using music, movement, dance, theatre, and language (particularly American Sign Language) to foster a safe space for students to challenge and grow far past the expectations they set for themselves. Lexie has a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts, as well as a Masters in Nonprofit Management from DePaul University. She's very excited to be joining the team and to bring inclusive and accessible theatre classes to Metropolis School of the Performing Arts! 

Piano

My piano and music teaching experience of seven years at Metropolis is the special part in my pedagogical career. Can not deny the joy from welcoming new students and families to watching students performing their songs. My lessons are full of different music activities from learning Adele' or Beethoven piece to ear and fingers training. Together, we explore music for pleasure or take more serious steps towards to AIM exams at Harper College. I am an Arlington Heights resident for the last 14 years. As well I enjoy walking, gardening, reading and singing.

Yoga

Cory Goodrich is a Jeff Award-winning actress, singer/songwriter, and 200-hour RYT yoga teacher and sound meditation guide. Born in Wilmington, Delaware and raised in Clarkston, Michigan, she earned acclaim for her roles as Mother in Ragtime at Drury Lane Oakbrook and June Carter Cash in Ring of Fire at Mercury Theater Chicago.  A five-time Jeff nominee, Cory has graced stages across the Chicago area, including the Marriott Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Ravinia, and Theatre at the Center.

Most recently, she performed in Evita at Drury Lane and appeared in the premiere of Skates at the Studebaker Theatre alongside American Idol's Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young. A graduate of Michigan State University, Cory is also a producer, writer, and mother of two. Her musical projects include award-winning children’s albums Hush and Wiggly Toes, and three solo folk albums: W.O.M.A.N, Wildwood Flower, and Long Way Around, produced by Ethan Deppe.

She co-produced six Season of Carols albums, raising over $200,000 for Season of Concern, and The Second City Divas: Live at Mercury Theater. Her memoir, Folksong: A Ballad of Death, Discovery, and DNA, is available on Amazon.

Combining her artistic journey with wellness, Cory now shares healing through yoga and sound meditation, weaving her musical and theatrical background into every class and session.

Percussion / Drum Set

Matt earned his bachelor’s in music business from Illinois State University and subsequently earned a teaching license from North Park University. Matt began teaching at Metropolis in 2007, and he is an active performer in the Chicago area, having performed in pit orchestras through the years with LZP Productions, Music on Stage, Backstage Theatre Company, and Quest Theatre Ensemble. Since 2013, Matt has been a percussionist with The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest where he has had opportunities to work under the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s own Maestro Riccardo Muti and to perform at Symphony Center. He also has performed in and with several rock bands, and he has helped out with the Rock Band class at Metropolis on occasion as well.

Guitar

Paul Henry has received high acclaim for his performances across the United States. Following his first Carnegie Recital Hall performance for the La Folia Series, Guitar International Magazine said, “Paul Henry thoroughly enthralled the audience.” A performer, composer and arranger of many styles he was featured in Guitar One Magazine as one of the top 10 guitarists in the U.S. In a series of masterclasses at the University of Southern California, Henry was chosen to be a student of the legendary guitarist Andres Segovia. Segovia praised Henry for his “finesse and great sense of musicality with his instrument.” His featured recordings “The Virtuoso Guitar of Spain and Latin America” and “Echoes of Spain” have received excellent reviews.

As an instructor Paul Henry has been teaching guitar since the age of 15. Many of his students have developed their own successful careers in all styles of guitar performance and pedagogy. His students, ranging from age five to adult have won prizes in many local, national and international competitions. He has conducted master classes at many colleges and universities throughout the United States. He has been an instructor at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and at Roosevelt College Conservatory of Performing Arts and currently is on the faculty of Concordia University Chicago and the Metropolis School of Performing Arts in Arlington Heights, where he enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels of experience.

He has numerous publications to his credit including the best-selling Method Book for Classical Guitar. This and all other publications all available internationally through the Hal Leonard Corporation. His newest book has just been released “Classical Guitar for Kids” which is intended for young guitarists from ages 5 years and up.

Publications and Recordings:

The Hal Leonard Classical Guitar Method: A Beginner's Guide with Step-by-Step Instruction and Over 25 Pieces to Study and Play: Written and Performed by Paul Henry

Classical Guitar Pieces [Book/CD], Arranged, Edited and Performed by Paul Henry

Concert Spanish Masterpieces for Guitar, Arranged, Edited and Performed by Paul Henry

The Francisco Tárrega Collection, Edited and Performed by Paul Henry

Twenty Studies for The Guitar, By Fernando Sor/ Segovia Edition, Performed by Paul Henry

25 Melodic and Progressive Studies Op. 60 for Guitar, By Matteo Carcassi, Edited and Performed by Paul Henry

Suite Andalucía, By Ernesto Lecuona, Arranged for solo guitar by Paul Henry

Canon in D by Pachelbel Classical Guitar Solo, Arranged by Paul Henry

Malagueña, Arranged by Paul Henry

The Virtuoso Guitar of Spain and Latin America (Centaur)

The Romance of Spain (Cadenza Classics)

Trumpet

With nearly three decades of trumpet study and a deep passion for music, Travis Hoying brings a wealth of expertise to his teaching. A proud alum of Northern Illinois University, where he majored in Music Education and Communications, Travis has spent 29 years honing his craft on the trumpet. He has performed at various venues throughout the country including Symphony Center in Chicago, the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Epcot at Disneyland, Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, Paramount Theatre in Aurora, and here at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.

In his teaching, Travis emphasizes sight reading, cultivating a rich and resonant tone, and creating an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. His lessons are designed to be both educational and enjoyable, reflecting his belief that the joy of making music is paramount.

Improv

Hi! My name is Patrick Jackson. I’m an Actor that has grown up in the Chicagoland area and am pleased to start my teaching here at MPAC! I’m a graduate from the University of Illinois with a degree in Acting, with proficiency in Stage Combat and Accent work, with an unofficial proficiency in whistling(don’t make the mistake of asking me!) Some productions I’ve been apart of include The Winter’s Tale, Sarah Ruhl’s Orlando, Rent and the air-guitar show Airness. I look forward to working on our feet and through the mess, so we can find those moments that lift our spirits from our seats.”

Movement

Amber Mak is a Jeff nominated, Chicago based director and choreographer with over 20 years of experience either performing, directing, choreographing or producing.  She recently directed and choreographed the critically acclaimed and sold-out run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.  Other Chicago area credits include at the Paramount Theatre:  The Sound of Music (Jeff Nominated Best Production), Rock of Ages, Beauty and the Beast (Jeff nominated Best Production), The Wizard of Oz (Jeff nominated for Best Production/Direction), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Jeff nominated for Best Production), Hairspray, and Elf. She also directed/choreographed Drury Lane Oakbrook's R&H Cinderella and Marriott Theatre’s production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Credits at Chicago Shakespeare include directing/choreographing their summer family productions of Peter Pan, a musical Adventure, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Corduroy. On Broadway she was the SDC observer to Susan Stroman on Big Fish.  She is a founder of The Broadway Diva Experience (www.thebroadwaydivaexperience.com), creating events to empower women to live their musical dreams in a supportive environment. She is passionate about developing new works and served as the Artistic Producer and New Works Director at the Paramount Theatre for 7 years as well as being the founding artistic director of the The FWD Theatre Project. She is a theatre educator having taught at the National High School Institute and Northwestern University, a guest lecturer and often teaches Musical Theatre Dance master classes.  She is a graduate of Northwestern University.  Her two greatest productions however are her kids, Teagan and Kieran. www.ambermak.net 

Voice, Musical Theatre

Samara McDermid graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She moved to Chicago this August because of its wonderful art scene. She has a deep passion for musical theater, and is so excited to be working for a theater that provides so many great opportunities for others to develop that same passion!

As a teacher, her specialties lie in teaching voice, piano, and acting. Back in Moorhead she ran her own private studio to students of all ages and levels. She also was employed with the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theater as a music director for their children’s shows, and a summer camp leader. She is so excited to be able to continue her same work in another city!

As a performer, she is very excited about all the possibilities Chicago brings! She has last been seen as Cathy Haitt in The Last 5 Years (TAK Music Venue), Grace Banker in The Hello Girls (FMCT), Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show (Concordia College Theater), Vivianne Kensington in Legally Blonde (Stage West), The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Concordia), and Woman 2 in Songs for a New World (Concordia).

Piano

Tina began her piano studies at the age of five with her mother. During the childhood years of her piano studies, she received many honors, won numerous competitions, and performed both solo as well as with orchestras. She began entering piano competitions around the age of seven and has participated in such competitions as the Chicago Symphony Young Performers Competition and the Fox Valley Young Performers Competition. She received the Youngest Player Award multiple times in the Elgin Symphony Young Virtuosi Competition and also received a full scholarship to the Interlochen Arts Camp from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Auditions. Tina competed in numerous competitions all the way until her undergraduate studies.

In 2007, Tina earned her Bachelor degree in piano under scholarship from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. From 2007 to 2009, she attended the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and earned her Master of Music degree in piano. Recently, she was chosen to perform at the Chicago College of Performing Art’s first annual Inaugural Piano Showcase Recital in the spring of 2009. Participants were chosen based on the top seven scores received in their piano juries from the previous semester. Continuing her education, Tina again attended the Chicago College of Performing Arts under scholarship from 2010 to 2012 and earned her Performance Diploma degree in piano. Currently, when she is not fulfilling her passion for teaching, Tina enjoys collaborating with local musicians in chamber and other settings and is always looking for a way to share music with anyone that is willing to listen.

Improv

Max has been jesting about improv stages his entire adult life (that’s like 7 years!), sharing his whimsy across numerous teams and venues such as The Second City, IO Theatre, The Annoyance & more. A recent graduate from UIC’s Kinesiology program, he harbors a deep fascination and adoration for human form & expression. He’s active as a senior member of Oakton College’s OMG improv, and a founder of his very own team known as Hall Pass. Often seen anthropomorphizing inanimate objects, doing silly voices, or otherwise making bold choices, Max carries an unwavering spirit of creativity towards his favorite craft.

Voice

Hannah Silverman is a performer and teaching artist who has worked in the Chicago area for the past 5 years. She graduated from Macalester College where she received a BA in theatre and dance with a minor in vocal performance. Though she studied classical voice in college, Hannah now specializes in singing and teaching contemporary vocals. After a year of teaching and performing with Missoula Children’s Theatre, Hannah moved to Chicago to pursue her performance career and continue teaching. Recent theatre credits include Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet at Metropolis, The Pragmatists at Trap Door Theatre, and Hair at Skokie Theater. She sings with events bands Blue Water Kings, Ring Of Music, LPE Orchestra, and others. She also writes original music and performs regularly around Chicago.

Musical Theatre

Monroe was originally a SOPA student from 2009-2014, and went on to earn a BA in Theatre as well as a BA in Communications from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. She also received minors in Norwegian and Dance. From her time at PLU, she worked on the costume crew, had credits in directing, stage managing, choreographing, and also many performance opportunities. Monroe was also a member of The Clay Crows Improv Team for five years. She wants to share her love of all things theatre with the talent and passion that comes to Metropolis through a welcoming and supportive class environment.

MetropolTOTS

Megan has been a teaching artist for the Metropolis School of the Performing Arts since 2003. During her tenure at SOPA, Megan has taught almost every age group, but now focuses on two groups of students near and dear to her heart.  She works with our littlest actors year-round, through the MetropolTOTS classes (Wiggle, Giggle, and Grow and Imagination Exploration) and Little Lights Up! camp programs. Since 2004 she has been the director of SOPA's longest running Community Engagement program (Flourish in the Footlights), which gives teenagers and adults with disabilities a chance to create and perform a full scale production on the Metropolis stage. Megan's greatest joy in the classroom is seeing her students share their imaginations, build confidence, and work with their ensemble members to create something unique. 

In addition, Megan has previously served in several other capacities at Metropolis including Assistant Camp Director for both Lights Up! and Curtains Up!, Education Office Manager, Internship Coordinator, and Child Coach for several productions of A Christmas Carol. She has also developed and taught theatre programs for the Special Education District of Lake County, Theatrically Inclined, and several preschools and elementary schools in Arlington Heights.  Megan currently works as a substitute teacher in Grayslake and teaches "Interactive Theater" as an adjunct faculty member at the College of Lake County.

Megan has a BA in Theatre and Communications from Monmouth College and has performed professionally with AlphaBet Soup Productions, Shantz Theatre Company, Morton College Theatre for Youth, and at Six Flags Great America.  She enjoys reading, crafting, taking walks with her husband and dog, and embarrassing her two teenage children.

Improv

Guy Wicke has been performing improv since the turn of the century, having appeared on stages across Chicagoland and in the improv festivals of Chicago, Minneapolis, and Toronto — Canada’s largest city! In addition to teaching the advanced techniques of silly make-em-ups, he directs improv’s Queen Bs and Metropolis’ own resident ensemble, Sunny Beijing. A long-time ensemble member of Laugh Out Loud Theater and a founding member of pH Productions, Guy originally trained and performed with the notorious scoundrels of Low Sodium Entertainment. You might see him popping up on TV or in plays at distinguished venues like the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, where he appeared in The Mousetrap and Noises Off. Additional exploits are detailed at GuyWicke.com.

Musical Theatre

Bryan J. Wlas is a graduate of Millikin University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and Dance minor. He currently serves as the Audience Services Director at Metropolis, and has taught voice and musical theatre for the School of Performing Arts. Bryan has performed throughout the US, in regional theatre, at theme parks, and a cruise stint in Europe. Recent credits include “Anything Goes” at Metropolis, “Anything Goes” and “The Pirates of Penzance” at Music Theatre Works. You can see him in the upcoming production of “Ragtime” at Music Theatre Works, which will run October 29-November 7, 2021. 

“We are all fools whether we dance or not, so we may as well dance.” – Japanese proverb