ABOUT US

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ABOUT US

OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE, NURTURE, AND EMPOWER.

Sing Sing Sing! came to life when the stars aligned bringing 2 kindred spirits together through the joy of singing. Recognizing and bonding over the empowering impacts singing had on our own lives, we formed a strong belief that everyone CAN and SHOULD sing. Why? Because everyone deserves to feel this kind of empowerment. It can be life changing!

This belief led to the creation of Sing Sing Sing!, a magical place that provides unique opportunities, experiences and education for everyone through singing and music. We invite you to join us and

Grab Life By the Mic!™️

Jacki Smathers Co-Founder/CEO Pittsburgh

Jacki Smathers

Co-Founder/CEO

MEET OUR TEAM

SAMANTHA CHRISTOU SING SING SING! Bakerstown STUDIO MANAGER VOICE & ACTING teacher in Pittsburgh

SAMANTHA BEACHAM

SING SING SING! Bakerstown STUDIO MANAGER
VOICE & ACTING

Samantha Beacham is a graduate from Slippery Rock University with a BA in Music with a specialization in vocal performance. She attended Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland, PA where she studied musical theater. She has performed in musicals for Pittsburgh Savoyards, Comtra Theatre, and The Red Barn Players. Some of her musical theater credits include ‘Young Frankenstein’, ‘I Love You. You’re Perfect. Now Change,’ and ‘Pirates of Penzance.’ She has also had the opportunity to perform in several operas during her time at SRU. Her opera credits include ‘The Old Maid and the Thief,’ and ‘Dido and Aeneas.’

Sam has been sharing her passion and skillset with Sing Sing Sing! students since 2018!

MARA FLANNERY, program director and voice music lessons teacher in Pittsburgh

MARA FLANNERY

SING SING SING PERFORMANCE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
VOICE 

Mara Flannery was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and has been involved in music based activities her entire life. She became involved in musical theater in middle school and high school, and decided to pursue music as a career. She attended Slippery Rock University as a Voice Major where she discovered Music Therapy. This new career path joined her two loves, music and helping others. Upon graduating from Slippery Rock University in 2017, she completed her music therapy internship at Johns Hopkin’s All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida in 2018 and soon after became a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC). When Mara moved back to the Pittsburgh area, she found Sing Sing Sing! and immediately felt at home. She identifies very strongly with Sing Sing Sing’s message that music and singing are for everyone, and that it‘s purpose is to bring joy, expression, and release into our lives. Mara teaches private lessons for voice and is also the Performance Group Director at both the Bakerstown and Wexford locations. Whether in private lessons, performance group rehearsals, or at SSS Shows, Mara hopes to foster an atmosphere of community, joy and growth so that students feel that they can truly be themselves, and find their own unique sound.  Keep singing!

Emmeline Jones Performance Group Choreographer voice, acting, performing groups music lesson teacher in Pittsburgh

EMMELINE JONES

Performance Group Choreographer
VOICE, PIANO, ACTING & PERForMANCE GROUPS

 

Emmeline Jones is a graduate of Point Park University where she currently holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts with a minor in Musical Theatre. Originally from Southern Maryland, Emmeline moved to Pittsburgh in 2016 to attend college and has since made the city her new home. Aside from her background in theatre and dance, her love for music began as a young child when she began studying classical violin and piano. She has performed in Pittsburgh at The Pittsburgh Playhouse and with Stage 62, as well as with theatres in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland. jkmj  Emmeline is thrilled to be able to share her joy for music, dance, and theatre with the next generation at Sing Sing Sing! Emmeline teachers voice, piano and acting at SSS.

In addition to teaching private lessons, Emmeline teaches several of our Performance Groups and is responsible for the choreography across the Performance Group Program.

Michael Cook, one of our guitar, ukelele, baass, voice and songwriting music lessons teachers in Pittsburgh

MICHAEL COOK

GUITAR, UKULELE, BASS, VOICE, & SONGWRITING

Michael Cook is a seasoned musician with professional guitar and vocal training and performance skills. Michael has been studying and performing music since the age of seven and has studied under many different private vocal and instrumental teachers, including the highly sought after vocal coach, Robert Fire.

In addition to his guitar and vocal skills, Mike is skilled at playing many other instruments, including brass, woodwinds, percussion, and various string instruments. He has appeared in many stage productions and musicals, and also sings professionally with the The Gibbons Big Band and leads a band called The Forest Floor. With the Forest Floor, Mike has been working on a full-length album of his original music, with two singles already released on streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Pandora, YouTube and more.

In his lessons Mike hopes to inspire a love of music, through creating a relaxed, fun, and open environment that leads all students to experience confidence, successful progress, and joyful self-expression.

LACEY OVERHOLT, voice and ukelele teacher in Pittsburgh

LACEY OVERHOLT

Camp and Group class instructor

Lacey Overholt has performed professionally in and around the Pittsburgh area for over 20 years! She was notably mentioned in Pittsburgh’s Best of Theater in 2015 for her portrayal of Ariel in 'Disney’s the Little Mermaid' and proved her versatility in City Paper’s 2018 Best Musical Production of 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' with her portrayal of Yitzhak alongside 'RuPaul’s Drag Show' star Mimi Imfurst. Lacey holds a BA with a concentration in Theatre Arts awarded from Point Park University in 2007. She is a master of adaptability and has used her skills to thrive in various facets of the performance art scene from wedding singing, corporate event bands and princess parties to theatre arts instruction, direction, choreographing and stage managing. She is dedicated to sharing her passion for the arts with aspiring artists of all ages, creating lasting memories and solid foundations. Her grounded and practical yet professional approach to the performance realm translates well through her instruction and aids in student self discovery. Lacey is also a proud mother of three, a self-proclaimed songwriter and a certified yoga instructor.

Zach Stadtlander, one of our guitar, bass, ukelele and recording music lessons teachers in Pittsburgh

ZACH STADTLANDER

GUITAR, BASS, UKULELE & Recording

Zach Stadtlander is an experienced musician with years of training in guitar, bass, singing, and music technology. He has studied and performed music since the age of eleven. Zach joined his first band, Nox Boys, playing bass guitar at age sixteen and began performing professionally, which led to invaluable experience in live performance and in the process of writing, arranging, recording, and publishing full quality studio recordings. As a young musician, Zach worked to provide all-ages spaces to share the talents of other musicians in his age group. Zach was twice certified in the  "Tuff Sound Apprenticeship" program, which teaches students about the process of recording, mixing, live sound reinforcement, and electronic composition. He also studied music technology, guitar performance, and choir at Duquesne University. With his lessons, Zach aims to inspire passion for music and performance by working with students to discover the scope of their musical interests. With a relaxed yet engaging style, Zach will have students looking forward to lessons and ready to rock!

Kaitlynn Sinclair Director of Piano Curriculum in Pittsburgh

Kaitlynn Sinclair

Director of Piano Curriculum
PIANO

Kaitlynn Sinclair has a BA in Music and an MA in Performance: Piano Pedagogy. She plans to pursue a Doctorate in Vocal Coaching! Her solo performances include degree recitals, seminars, piano festivals, and charity concerts she has organized. Kait also loves accompanying voice students and musicals. She has been teaching for over 10 years and welcomes all ages and abilities.

 

Miss Rachel

Rachel Pekor

VOICE, PIANO & GUITAR

Rachel grew up in Southern Ontario just outside of Toronto in a very musical family. Rachel's musical journey began at the age of six when she started cello lessons. Shortly after, she started singing in choirs where her love of music continued. She began taking voice lessons in middle school and then began studying guitar and piano in high school. Rachel participated in many musicals, choirs, bands and even conducted two choirs while still in high school. She continued to pursue her passion for music in college at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario Canada.  While in college, Rachel began teaching piano lessons and discovered her passion for teaching and helping people through music. This led her to receive her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, specializing in vocal performance and she became a licensed Music Therapist.

Rachel loves teaching music and is very passionate about connecting with students. She loves helping them grow to reach their goals while instilling a love and joy for music. 

ALESSANDRA GABBIANELLI Sing sing sing! Wexford Studio Manager Voice & piano music lesson teacher

ALESSANDRA GABBIANELLI

Sing sing sing! Wexford Studio Manager
VOICE & piano

Alessandra Gabbianelli is a Dramatic Coloratura Soprano from the Pittsburgh area. She has her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio and her master’s degree in Opera Performance from The Boston Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts. Up until recently, she was performing and teaching in the Philadelphia area. As part of the symphonic choir for the Philadelphia Symphony, she performed numerous times at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, PA with the award-winning Philadelphia symphony. She made her professional operatic debut in 2014 as The Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Her students have been in musicals, performed on Broadway, won competitions, and have gone on to study music in college. She is known for teaching a good foundational technique that is a safe, healthy, and a sustainable way to sing. She specializes in adapting this technique for Broadway and Classical styles of singing, but is also known for adapting this technique for all genres of music.

 

Whitney Hays, one of our voice and acting music lessons teachers in Pittsburgh

Whitney hayes

VOICE & ACTING

WHITNEY HAYES  is a graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Musical Theatre and is a proud member of Actors Equity Association*. Her favorite performance credits include, performing in the inaugural cast of Another Rose as the Chanteuse, on board Richard Branson’s Scarlet Lady with Virgin Voyages. She was also in The Happenings Cast as The Hostess, on the Scarlet Lady and the Valiant Lady. Elf the Musical! National Tour as Deb, Menopause the Musical National Tour as Power Woman. Regional credits include, Ain’t Misbehavin’ * as Armelia McQueen, Chicago as Matron Mama Morton, and Hairspray as Motormouth Maybelle. Whitney loves singing in concerts such as 54 Below and The House of Yes in New York City. When she is not on stage, Whitney can be heard as a vocalist on back ground vocal recordings and voice over tracks in theme parks, cheerleading competitions and various commercials (RWS Entertainment Group/Cheer America/ Nickelodeon Hotels& Resorts Riviera Maya). She has taught many Musical Theatre Workshops (Vincentian Academy/ North Hills High School/ Ocean City Theatre Company) and loves coaching students of all ages and abilities. Whitney can also be found working as the Production Coordinator for theme park entertainment installations around the United States (RWS Entertainment Group) as well as ringing in the new year in Times Square as the Production Coordinator (Countdown Entertainment) for New Years Rockin’ Eve. Whitney is honored to be a part of the team at Sing Sing Sing and cannot wait to empower young vocalists with the tools to succeed!

Richard Bresenhan, one of our voice and performance groups music lesson teachers in Pittsburgh

RICHARD BRESENHAN

VOICE & PERFROMANCE GROUPS

Richard Bresenhan has always had a love for singing and for the awesomeness of vocal harmonies.  His love and passion for music led him to attend Edinboro University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Bachelors degree in Vocal Performance.

Rich loves to sing and continues to do so whenever he can.  He has performed with the Voices of Liberty and the Dapper Dans at Walt Disney World in Florida.  He was also the lead singer for the national touring Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Tribute Band, where he wrote the vocal arrangements and also coached the group.  For the past 15 years Rich has been the Vocal Director and Worship Leader at the University Carillon Church in Oviedo, Florida, where he utilized his skills as a performer to help train singers to lead worship and provide harmonies for services. When not performing or vocal coaching, Rich enjoys arranging music for contemporary worship singers, vocal groups, and other ensembles.

In addition to teaching voice at Sing Sing Sing!, Rich is also the Director of SSS’s adult performance groups, the YOLOS and Dudes That Sing (DTS).

A Pittsburgh guitar music lesson teacher sitting next to her guitar

Megan pennington

guitar & songwriting

Megan Pennington has lived a life submerged in the world of music. She graduated from Shaler Area High School and earned her Associate's Degree in music at the Community College of Allegheny County. During her time in school, Megan participated in marching band, various choirs, theater and live performance. College also allowed Megan to obtain knowledge on music production. In addition to an education in music, Megan has spent the last 10 years performing live music in bands and as a solo artist. She has released 4 singles and a 6-track LP. Her singles "Free" and "Big Ball of Crazy" hit #1 in Indie Nashville, and songs "Whole Lotta Trouble" "Nowhere, Ohio" and "Let's Make a Date" have hit various independent charts from around the world. In her current life, Megan is the frontman of Bluesy Folk band, Moonshine Jasmine. She also owns and runs ScarFire Radio, and works with Shady Lady Productions. Megan takes pride in her musical experience, and she hopes to be able to share her wealth of knowledge with her own children, and those around our beautiful community.

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Freddy medina

PIANO

Freddy is a recent graduate of West Chester University. Freddy has taught private piano for three years, has classroom music experience in the elementary and secondary level, worked with professional choirs, and performed professional gigs with ensembles and soloists. His experience as a developing educator has allowed him to work in religious events, private venues, and public concerts. Freddy is currently pursuing his masters degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Music Education  Besides being a classically trained pianist, Freddy enjoys teaching and playing pop piano, boogie woogie piano, and other mainstream music media. He love cats, watching comedy tv, playing video games, musical theater, and cooking lots of food from his home country of Ecuador. 

Nicole Uram, on eof our voice and performance groups music lesson teachers in Pittsburgh

Nicole uram

VOICE & PERFORMANCE GROUPS

Nicole Uram was born and raised in the Butler area. Nicole started dancing at Lee’s School of Dance at the age of 3 and performing in musicals at the age of 7. From a very young age, Nicole knew that her passion was teaching and working with others to help them find their love of this amazing craft. Nicole started studying and performing with Pittsburgh Musical Theater when she was 10 years old. For the next 8 years, she was blessed to work alongside countless professionals who helped to guide her and educate her more about the business. She was also, given the chance to attend Carnegie Mellon and Broadway Theater Project for their summer programs.

Nicole attended Elon University where she received her BFA in Music Theatre in 2015. During her time at Elon, she was lucky enough to assistant choreograph, swing, and perform in many shows. This is where she truly started to hone her skills as a choreographer and teacher. During her senior year, she was asked to be a part of the pre-production team for The Little Mermaid for the Fredericia Theater in Denmark.

Upon graduation, Nicole moved back to PA to teach for the Propel Charter schools as a contracted artist. Nicole also taught, choreographed, stage managed, and performed with Pittsburgh Musical Theater for 4 yearsAdditionally, she has been choreographing for both Peters Township High School and Little Lake Theater Company, as well as teaching private voice lessons.

Nicole has taught children from ages 3-18 in different facets of dance, acrobatics, acting, singing, and musical theater. She loves sharing her knowledge and passion of the craft with the students!

Blake Doyle

VOICE & PERFORMANCE GROUPS

Blake Doyle is so excited to be joining the Sing Sing Sing team! She received her BA in Theatre Arts from Point Park University, and has trained with multiple Pittsburgh institutions such as CLO Academy and Pittsburgh Musical Theater. She was also entertainment specialist for the ACA accredited summer program Mountain Camp in Northern California. She is passionate about teaching kids performance and helping them connect to their inner star!