About Applause New York

Anthony Fazio

Creative Director

Anthony, an Applause alumni of 17 years, feels blessed to be training young people in the same place where it all began for him. He has been a part of the Applause faculty for the past 13 years, and is now the head of the wildly successful Applause Film Department, as well as Creative Director for the entire company. Having trained at the prestigious LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, as well as a Film and TV career that has expanded over a decade, Anthony is happy to be able to share his knowledge and experience with a whole new generation of young artists, and teachers alike. 

Katelyn Onufrey

Chief Administrator

Katelyn grew up on Long Island and graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA in Theater. She is honored to be a part of the Applause team since 2017 and is inspired daily by seeing so many young people develop and nurture their passion for the performing arts at Applause.

Michael Ryan

Theater Department Manager

Michael Ryan, originally from right outside of Boston, is a New York based Actor/Singer/Teacher. Some favorite past credits include Newsies 1st National Tour (Jack/Davey understudy), Les Miserables (Enjolras), The Who’s Tommy (Cousin Kevin), Spring Awakening (Hanschen). He has a BFA in musical theater from Pace university and has taught musical theater classes and college audition prep all over the country.

Alexandra Dominguez

After-School Manager

Alexandra is a New York transplant and is so excited to be teaching at Applause! Growing up in Los Angels she always had big dreams of moving to NYC. After graduating from Concordia University Irvine with a BA in Theatre, she packed her bags and made the move. Now a proud member of the New York chapter of The Theatre 68 Crew Company , she has also performed and assistant directed off -broadway at St. Lukes theatre in their production of Lilli Marlene and It Came From Beyond. She is so excited to be back and mold the young minds of the theatre community.

Saunder Lynne Boyle

Film Department Manager

Saunder is a filmmaker with an enthusiasm for arts education, holding a BFA in Film and Television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. They bring years of experience as a freelancer in the NYC independent film industry, wearing many hats including Director, Production Designer, and Producer. Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, they are inspired to show the next generation of young people the joys of filmmaking!

Lisa Krainik

Applause Dance Company Manager

Lisa Krainik is a NYC-based dancer, director, stage manager, producer, and licensed yoga teacher. Lisa has performed works at Radio City Music Hall, the New York City Center in NYC, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., among others. When she isn’t dancing or working at Applause, Krainik produces monthly comedy shows and teaches yoga. 

Martha Lavery

ADC Elite Manager/Dance Teacher

Martha Lavery graduated from Hofstra’s Honors College in 2014 with a BA in Dance and Minors in Film Studies/Production & Psychology. At Hofstra, she performed & choreographed for MoVoM, Danceworks, and Imani Dance Ensemble, and spent a month dancing & performing in Italy at Toscana Dance Hub. Post-graduation, she has performed for 50+ choreographers & dance companies (modern, contemporary, performance art, hip-hop, etc) and has been commissioned to create over 30 original pieces (aside from weekly class choreography/workshops/master classes) for various showcases, competitions, and video projects in the greater NYC area. Notable performances include SummerStage in Central Park (splitting the bill with Abraham in Motion), winning the Audience Favorite choreography vote at Uptown Rising at Bridge For Dance, and students performing her choreography at Carnegie Hall. Last October, she spent several weeks in China as part of the US dance team for the CBA’s China Hoops basketball tournament. She currently teaches dance in public school/charter school/studio/open class settings to kindergarten students through adults in Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Heels, & her “genrefluid” style, and continues to produce her own choreography for both stage and film.

Kevin Shotwell

Associate Producer

Kevin Shotwell is a New York based Director/ Choreographer who is joining he Applause team after teaching Theater Dance and Acting at Leman Prep School for over six years.  Kevin has been teaching and performing all over the east coast for the past 15 years.  Acting highlights include the 2009 Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street- In Concert with the New York Philharmonic. He is a  graduate of Pace University School of the Performing Arts, where he earned his BFA in Musical Theatre.  In his spare time Kevin writes/ directs/ and stars in  the Annual The Jingle Belle Ball, a "Non Denominational Christmas Themed Performance Art Cabaret”, and the self-described "world renowned” instagram handle @keviquickchange.

Warren Shaw

Film Editor

Warren is happy to be the head camera operator at Applause New York. He is from Boston Massachusetts and has a bachelor's degree in Film. He is proficient in and owns all of the latest devices pertaining to video production. Whether he's creating great promos for dance, musical theater, or creating epic films, he is thankful to be part of such a vibrant, and professional community where he gets to help kids find their voice.

Emily Meredith

Assistant Theater Manager/Theater Teacher

Emily Meredith is a professional actress residing in New York City. She is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Union and has performed in productions all across the country. An experienced acting, voice and dance teacher, Emily has worked with all grade and skill levels-- but specializes in early childhood arts education. Emily attended Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA -- where she majored in classical and musical theater and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Musical Theater. She has trained at various other prestigious institutions including Festival Ballet (Providence, RI), T. Schreiber Studio (NY,NY), HB Studio (NY,NY), Ballet Prestige (Providence, RI), Steps (NY, NY), and Broadway Dance Center (NY,NY) among many others. As a teacher, Emily strives to create a fun and relaxed learning environment where her students can grow in confidence and ability. 

Anna Belanger

Assistant to Film Manager/Film & Theater Teacher

Anna Belanger earned her BFA in Acting at Michigan State University and studied improv at The Second City in Chicago. She is a member of Actors' Equity Association. Anna is actively pursuing film and theatre work in the New York area and was recently featured in a few short films! As a teacher at Applause, Anna makes it a priority that each class feels and acts like a team. As a team, we create original films that are relevant to the kids' lives, we learn how to work on a set, and we supportively push our teammates for their best performances.

Abby Semelsberger

Theater & Film Teacher

Abby Semelsberger is a performing artist based in New York City with a passion for educating the next generation of theater artists. She is currently obtaining her BFA in Musical Theater at Marymount Manhattan College. She has years of experience teaching music, theater, and dance, and strives to create a positive and uplifting learning environment for all of her students.

Henry Walter Greenberg

Theater & Film Teacher

Henry Walter Greenberg is an actor, filmmaker and teacher from Nashville, TN. As a stage performer, he’s worked with some of the finest theaters across the country, including La Jolla Playhouse, The Denver Center, Goodspeed Musicals, and various theatres populating the Chicago storefront theatre scene. His first two films, The Last Q-Tip and Hamlet in the Garden are set to debut early 2025. In addition to his work as an actor and filmmaker, Henry served as the Literary Manager at A Red Orchid Theatre (co-founded by Oscar Nominee Michael Shannon). Training: BFA, Baylor University. MFA, UC San Diego

Starr Wimber

Dance Production Team

Starr graduated from St. John’s University with a BA in psychology. Starr now works as a production assistant for many different shows/films! Starr has such a love for dance and theater and it has been a dream to work behind the scenes and make these shows come alive. 

Kristina King

Creative Consultant for Dance

Kristina began choreographing at the young age of eight for a captive audience of teddy bears. Her love of theater and dance brought her to the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU where she earned her BFA with honors in Theater. Since graduation she has been lucky enough to pursue her two greatest passions, performing and teaching. Recent performing credits include: Nice Work If You Can Get It (First Nat'l Tour), The Marks You Leave (FringeNYC), God Hates This Show, and High School Musical. As a commercial dancer she has had the honor of dancing alongside recording artists Nicki Minaj, Neyo, Lady Sovereign, Maor, and Taleb Kwali. 

Gavin Petersen

Production Assistant

Gavin Petersen is a 2023 Graduate from Hofstra University with a BFA in Theatrical Design Concentration in Directing and Stage Management! They are so excited to be working with Applause In the Production Assistant positions! Recent Work Includes Constellations (SM), The New Play Festival At Gallery Players (PSM), Goodnight, Baby Girl (SM), Here I Am - A New Musical (Assistant Producer), American Blues At Irondale (Wardrobe Team), Powerhouse Theater Company Summer 2023 (Assistant Company Manager).

Adam Magnacca

Theater Teacher

Adam Magnacca (He/Him/His) is an NYC based Music Director, Coach, and Actor originally from Mississauga, Ontario. When not at Applause, Adam teaches throughout the 5 boroughs with the Roundabout Theatre Company's Education Program and The Queen's Theatre Senior Center Partnerships. Adam works professionally as a Music Supervisor for Norwegian Cruise Line, rehearsing singers and bands for different shows aboard Oceania, Regent, and Norwegian ships. Most recently, he served as the NCL Music Supervisor for the smash West End hit, The Choir of Man. As a performer, Adam has worked across the US with some onstage favorites including Rock of Ages, Into The Woods, and Head Over Heels. 

Bryan Dougherty

Theater Teacher

Bryan is a professional Actor/Singer/Dancer residing in New York City. Some past favorite credits include A Bronx Tale National Tour ( Swing / Dance Captain ) , Newsies ( Race ,U/S Jack Kelly ), Joseph & Dream Coat ( U/S Joseph ), and A Chorus Line ( Bobby ). Bryan is a triple threat with an expertise in Swinging, Understudying, and acting as Dance Captain. In his role as Choreographer, Bryan brings an expertise in precision and story telling. 

Kristen Brown

Theater Teacher

Emily Morrison

After-School Assistant & Dance Teacher

Emily Morrison, from Houson, Texas, received pre-professional training from Leon Dance Arts. Her training earned her the opportunity to attend Point Park University. She graduated with a BFA in dance with a concentration in Jazz and a minor in musical theater. Through her dance training and experience, Emily found her love for performing, choreographing, and teaching. She has performed for various choreographers including Al Blackstone, and Dorrell Martin. Emily is an award winning choreographer whose works include pieces performed by pre-professional companies, and drill teams in the Houston area. Emily is so excited to be joining the Applause team!

Lorenzo Pipino

Theater Teacher

A New York-based writer, performer, and music director, Lorenzo Pipino holds his BM from Northwestern University in voice and musical theater, with an additional concentration in musical theater writing and music direction; and his MFA from NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, where he developed his thesis musical THE ANGEL MAKERS. THE ANGEL MAKERS was featured at the SheNYC Summer Theater Festival at the Connelly Theater in 2024, where it won Best Score, Best Actor, and Best Production of a Musical. THE ANGEL MAKERS was also performed at the Abrons Arts Center, NYU’s Graduate Acting Program, and Western Connecticut State University. His original musical CHANGE MY MIND was developed by the American Musical Theatre Project and the Dolphin Show at Northwestern University. Lorenzo served as the music director for The Dolphin Show, the largest student produced musical in the country. Lorenzo has written original music for many shows around New York, including writing music for original plays by young people through The 52nd Street Project. He recently music directed the Village Light Opera Group’s production of Tale of Two Cities The Musical, and is currently  MDing the Main Street Theater's production of Godspell Jr.

Phoebe Golfinos

Dance Teacher

Phoebe Golfinos is an actor, dancer, and voiceover artist from New York City. She started her training at Applause, where she fell in love with performing arts! She recently graduated with honors from Northwestern University, where she received her BA in Theatre, and performed in several dance and stage productions. She has lent her voice to shows like Wallykazam (Nick Jr.) and the Wonderpets, and commercials for Charmin and Cyberchase. Phoebe is so excited to return to the place where it all began and hopes to give to the next generation all that Applause has given to her.

Dianne DeWald

Theater Teacher

Dianne is an actor, educator, and dialect coach based in NYC. Before coming to New York, Dianne spent a decade teaching theatre and performing in Nashville, TN and its surrounding areas. She obtained her BFA in Acting and Directing from Austin Peay State University with plans to eventually get her MFA in performance or theatre education. Dianne has a passion for Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) and has performed for thousands of students across the United States while touring nationally in Aesop's Fables and Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs with Tennessee Theatre Company. Although Dianne holds dozens of credits in theatre and television, her pride and joy are the students she has had in her classrooms, workshops, and masterclasses throughout her career. She is excited to join the Applause team and continue teaching theatre to aspiring young performers!

Lauren Montes

Film Teacher

Lauren Montes is an actor, writer, comedian, and filmmaker. Originally from Los Angeles, she recently graduated from NYU Tisch and now does improv, sketch, stand up, and film. She worked as a Voice Over Technician at Stonestreet Studios and an assistant to a documentary director, and has produced numerous projects as a founding director of Invisible Disco Productions and as an assistant at Wingate Media. You can see her perform with Hipshot Improv, Enemies to Lovers sketch, and at Young Ethel’s as part of their house teams. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, running, and listening to silly pop music.

Kate Froemmling

Theater Teacher

Kate Froemmling is very excited to be joining the Applause Family! Kate is a graduate from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee School of Music with a BFA in Musical Theatre and an emphasis in Tap and Directing. Some of her performance credits include Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical (Boston Conservatory), Candide (Boston Conservatory) Janet Van De Graff in the Drowsy Chaperone (BHHS) and making her Off- Broadway debut in Fix me Jesus with the Abingdon Theater Company, earning her Actors Equity Association Membership. Kate also has been a part of numerous commercial shoots that include Nickelodeon, Jimu Robots and Sesame Street and earned her SAG-AFTRA membership after being on set for Spirited with Apple TV Productions. Kate has also been eager to work on the other side of the table as a Stage Manager, Director and Choreographer at the Boston Conservatory and for other companies including Nervous Theater, The Wayne Theater and The New York Theatre Festival. Kate is excited to be a part of guiding our new generation of theater artists and would like to thank everyone who has supported her.

Austin Backus

Film Teacher

Austin is a New York based Actor, Writer, Improvisor, and Sketch Comedian. He was born and raised in a small town in central Ohio where his love for creating began. Austin went on to study at Pace University where he earned his BFA in Acting. Through his training and real life experience- Austin has been able to cultivate a plethora of skills while working in a wide variety of genres and mediums. He is so excited to instill his passion into the next generation of artists!

Brett Thiele

Theater & Dance Teacher

Brett Thiele has been performing professionally in New York for 10 years. He has performed on Broadway in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Miss Saigon, and Escape To Margaritaville. Off Broadway and Regional credits include The First Wives Club, The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of West Side Story, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Gypsy, A Chorus Line, and Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Film and Television credits include Saturday Night Live, MTV’s One Bad Choice, America’s Got Talent, and Hamlet: Son of a Kingpin.

Mason Emmert

Theater Teacher

(he/they) is a writer, composer, and music director based in NYC. His work ranges from musical theatre to choral and religious music and has been performed at 54 Below, The Cutting Room, and Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges. He has provided music direction for developmental workshops in New York, for high school and college productions in the Philadelphia area, and even for drama groups at nursing homes and retirement communities. Mason recently earned his Master’s degree in Writing & Design for Musical Theatre, and he is continuing to workshop his original musical Burn: a folk musical for production in the near future. No matter what age he’s teaching, Mason loves to encourage his students’ natural passion and curiosity!

Sophia Estes

Theater Teacher

Sophia Estes is a soon-to-be graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Musical Theatre and Directing with a passion for encouraging the creativity of young people. Originally from NH, Sophia grew up performing at the Ogunquit Playhouse and has worked as a Teaching Artist, Associate Director, and Choreographer for their summer Arts Academy seasons for the past three years.  In addition to her time onstage, Sophia has taught multiple genres of movement and theatre to students ages 3-18, specifically focusing on creativity and collaboration, social-emotional learning, and bodily safety in training for long-term success. She is so excited to be a member of the Applause team!

Kayla Jacobs

Dance Teacher

Durham, NC native, Kayla Jacobs, is a New York City based performing artist with a passion for young arts education. She is a proud alumna of Elon University where she received her BFA in Music Theatre and BA in Arts Administration. She enjoys teaching performing arts to young artists and strives to create a safe, creative, and fun environment for all of her students!

Kristen Brock

Theater Teacher

Kristen Brock is an NYC-based actress and a graduate of Montclair State University where she received a BFA in Musical Theatre. Recently, she produced and performed "I Could Use a Drink" by Drew Gasparini with 54 Below, performed as a Production Cast Principal onboard Norwegian Cruise Lines and was part of a new musical workshop, Brooklyn's Bridge. Some credits include: Mary Lane (Reefer Madness), Millie (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Ann (Swing!), Ariel (Footloose), Janet (Rocky Horror Picture Show), Sharpay (High School Musical), Jovie (Elf) and The Witch (Into the Woods) where she was a nominee at the 2018 Jimmy Awards at the Minskoff Theatre. www.kristenbrock.com

Ellein Cheng

Dance Teacher

Ellein began her dance journey with ballet at the age of five, and discovered her true passion during high school when she immersed herself in Hip-Hop, Locking, Popping, and House training. When studying at Carnegie Mellon University, she choreographed and danced for the school's semi-annual Dancers Symposium and their annual fashion show Lunar Gala, while co-captaining the school's Hip-Hop dance troop, International Freestylers. After graduating, she continued training at StudioDanz Hong Kong, where she was recruited to join an all-girls dance team called SIS, and invited to participate in the Dazzle Live showcase in Osaka as a guest performer.  In recent years, she has pivoted her career into the field of data science, but continues to pursue her love for movements through dancing and choreographing for DanceWorks NYC since 2016.  She enjoys practicing a growth mindset in every aspect of her life, including motherhood, tech career, and artistic creativity.   

Danicah Waldo

Film Teacher

Danicah is overjoyed to be part of the incomparable Applause family! A Long Island native, she found her love of the arts early on, and has had the privilege to act professionally in both movies and on stage since childhood. She earned her BFA in Musical Theater from Pace University where she also trained in film, photography and directing! After joining the Applause staff in 2014 and working in almost every department Applause has to offer, she is thrilled to have finally landed at the place she calls home; the Film Department. She absolutely loves kids and adores making movies, and couldn't imagine a more fulfilling way to spend her day then to bring all of her her knowledge, energy, and passion to this next generation of young actors!

Kaelin Fuld

Stage Manager

Kaelin Elizabeth Fuld is a born and raised New Yorker and has been working as a stage manager in the city since 2019 after graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Equestrian Studies. She has been the stage manager for the Waterwell Drama Program for five seasons and stage managed with the MCC Youth Company, NYU Tisch and Grad Acting, The Tank, and Next Door at New York Theatre Workshop, among other credits. She is thrilled to be part of the vibrant Applause team and is so excited to help young performers shine onstage! 

Michelle Arotsky

Theater & Dance Teacher

Emily Goggin

Theater Teacher

Emily Goggin is a New York-based music director, pianist, teacher, and performer with a B.A. in Music from George Washington University. Emily has a passion for bringing new musicals to life, most recently workshops of Raymie Nightingale; a production of a new opera, The Project by Peyton Marion, at Lincoln Center; and two runs of The Eleventh Hour, written by Dave Seamon. She has music directed countless shows and cabarets in and around New York City; some of her favorites include productions of Assassins, Newsies, and Next to Normal. One of Emily's joys is bringing the light and magic of theater to young people. She has music directed many youth productions, including Into The Woods Jr., Bring It On, and Fiddler On The Roof Jr., devised new musicals and theatrical pieces with students, works as a teaching artist in New York City public schools, and teaches private voice and piano lessons. Emily is absolutely thrilled to join Applause in their mission to bring theater and music to young people in NYC!

Theresa Alexander

Theater & Dance Teacher

Graduate of Cornish College of the Arts & North Carolina native, Theresa is an NYC based choreographer, performer, and educator. She has choreographed & performed regionally in productions of Flashdance, Curtains, and Flora the Red Menace, & is a member of Forager Theatre Company. She continues to work with NYC based artists and choreographers, including her fabulous students!

Matthew Nassida

Theater Teacher

Matthew Nassida (He/They) is a music director, composer, and writer based in Manhattan. He has a BFA in musical theatre performance from Northern Kentucky University and an MFA in Musical theatre writing from New York University (Tisch). His musicals have performed in New York (Story of a Daughter), Cincinnati (Precipice), and Saudi Arabia (Upwards) and he has been working as a theatre and music educator around the United States for 7 years. He is a founding officer of the Autistic Theatre Makers Alliance and the winner of the ASCAP Loewe Songwriting Award. Matthewnassida.com

Annelise Baker

Theater & Dance Teacher

Annelise has taught dance for several years, working at studios including Fancy Feet in the Bronx and New Canaan Dance Academy in New Canaan, CT.  She is a graduate of Northwestern University and absolutely loves teaching all ages!  As a performer, Annelise made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Jagged Little Pill in 2019.  Her previous credits include Opera: The Merry Widow (The Metropolitan Opera and The Lyric Opera of Chicago) directed by Susan Stroman. Regional: Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Merry-Go-Round), Chicago (Riverside), Oklahoma (Paramount), and West Side Story (Drury Lane).