Jackie Hammond (Producing Artistic Director/Co-Vocal Director) is a two-time ariZoni Award-winning Musical Director and National Youth Arts Award-winning Musical Director who has been teaching music and theatre for over 25 years. She graduated with honors from San José State University (Creative Arts and Musical Theatre). Jackie is a graduate of the American Musical Theater Artists’ Institute where she rigorously trained in voice, dance and acting, as well as Shakespeare, improvisation, and stage combat. She also spent a summer studying opera with the chairman of the music department of Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Jackie has extensive experience in the performing arts and professional theatre where she has played leading roles in many musical productions, and has also received ariZoni Nominations for her portrayal of Cinderella in Into the Woods; she is a eleven-time ariZoni nominated Vocal Director and has received four NYA Nominations as Director and Vocal Director, as well as an NYA Award for her vocal direction of CATS, with co-vocal director Shawna Weitekamp. Favorite roles have included Gino/Harpo Marx in Day in Hollywood/Night in the Ukraine, Annie (twice)as Lily and Miss Hannigan, Cathy in The Last Five Years, the Witch in Into the Woods, and Fantine in Les Misérables alongside her daughter Noelle Hammond who played the role of Little Cosette. Jackie has worked with performers ages 2-adult. She composed original arrangements of songs for San José State’s Touring Group, “Company One” where in her college years, she performed with them, as well. Jackie has vocal directed, directed, and choreographed for many theatres in CA and AZ, including one of the nation’s largest youth theaters in San José. Directing and performing experience includes well over 100 shows to her credit with prestigious theaters such as American Musical Theatre of San José (Equity Theater), Cabrillo Stage, Foothill Music Theatre, This Side of the Hill Players, Second Stage West, University Theater, Desert Foothills Theater, Theaterworks, West Bay Opera, Children’s Musical Theatre of San José, Young People’s Theater, iTheatre Collaborative, Phoenix Theatre, and Arizona Broadway Theatre performing in Jeff Kennedy’s Christmas Cabaret. In addition to working in theater, Jackie teaches private voice lessons and held the title of Miss Santa Clara County. She would like to thank her husband, Jeff and her helpful mom for their support. Jackie loves spending time with the lights of her life, her twin children, Lennon and Noelle who always fill her days with entertainment, smiles and love.
Sherry Henderson (Co-Director/Co-Choreographer) has been a dance educator for over 25 years. She and her family relocated to Roswell, Georgia 5 years ago where she is currently on staff at RISPA in Milton, Georgia teaching musical theatre, acrobatics, and jazz, as well as directing and choreographing. Sherry has performed on Broadway and toured the world as a dancer and performer. She is an ariZoni award winner for Best Choreography for several musicals. Sherry is thrilled to be working on her 20th production for MTA and would like to thank the amazing MTA staff for making this experience top notch! Couldn’t have done this without you especially since her participation was over zoom. Much love to Jackie Hammond and Lyndsie Clymer. Last but not least her wonderful husband Jim and two beautiful children Jaden, 19 and Molly 15.
Lyndsie Clymer (Co-Director/Co-Choreographer) has been dancing since the age of 3 at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy. She has studied Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Breaking, Modern, Ballroom, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theater, and Acrobatics. Lyndsie is certified in Jazz with Dance Educators of America and Acro with Acrobatic Arts. She shares her love for dance teaching at studios around Arizona. Lyndsie has worked with various levels of dancers ages ranging from two to adult. Lyndsie teaches at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy and Dancers Domain. She is a Guest Choreographer at Boulder Creek High School with the Choir and Dance Program. Lyndsie has found her home choreographing shows for Musical Theatre of Anthem. She has done many shows here, her favorites being Disney’s Mary Poppins, Once on this Island Jr., and 13 The Musical. Lyndsie was given the Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Award in 2015, which only a few were awarded in the state of Arizona. Lyndsie’s choreography has been awarded and recognized through Competitions, NYAs and district evaluations. She is incredibly grateful to be able to do what she loves every single day. Lyndsie truly just loves to share her passion with her students!
