Kathy Matchiner,Producer- Music Director
Kathy brings her enthusiasm and long experience to the training of singers at her vocal & recording studio KM Theatrical
Productions. n North Hollywood. As a former Opera singer, Kathy can be called "The Italian Teacher "(Even though she's not
Italian)! She mastered the Italian style of singing and performed extensively throughout Italy for many years until her career
brought her to New York City to the Metropolitan Operawhen she was accepted into their young artists program . As a well
known program builder Kathy founded & served as Executive Director of The Astoria Music Festival & Vocal Academy, a 3
week summer training program for young Opera singers 18 and older. Her Opera & Orchestral productions were highly
recognized in the Classical community. Articles were written from the cover of The Oregonian to the travel section of The
New York Times. Seeking for more comedy in her artistic and teaching endeavors, Kathy moved to L.A. to work with her
cousin's Youth Musical Theater Company and SHE GOT HOOKED Kathy is now well known in L.A. for developing the voices of
Young adults! Her younger student's talents are unique as they study and perform both Classical & Broadway repertoire &
wide variety of styles, from jazz, pop, gospel to yes, even country.
Mariko Ballentine (pictured here with "Buddy") is originally from the Catskills of New York. She got
her B.A. in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz in 1980,where she studied acting, directing & stage
management. She started casting commercials, here in Los Angeles with Danny Goldman in 1984,
and soon became known for being one of the most actor-friendly casting directors in the industry.
Over the past 25 years, Mariko has also taught actors how to be more natural, and more themselves
in audition situations, increasing their callback and booking ratios. She has directed multiple plays,
including an all children's cast of "Fiddler on the Roof". Mariko is very excited to be directing
"Oliver!" with such an incredible group of professionals.
Malaya's classic lyrical movement is most often described as timeless. She has been an LADF and EDGE faculty member for
many years. Malaya travels both nationally and internationally to teach master classes and intensives at universities,
colleges and private studios. She has set pieces for dance companies in Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Korea and
Japan. Among Malaya's video, television and feature film appearances are Batman & Robin with George Clooney, a music
video for Betcha with Prince, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and appearances with Celine Dion. Malaya has lent her
choreographic talents to many Los Angeles concerts and has choreographed concert productions for the Houston
Metropolitan Dance Company, University of Oklahoma, Commonality Dance Company, Naway Dance Company and the Instincts
Dance Company.
Jazz,Lyrical,Musical Theatre,LADF FacultyEDGE Faculty,EDGE Scholarship Alumni
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ARTISTIC TEAM!
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