BOARD of TRUSTEES
Members of the Board of Trustees are volunteers who contribute a variety of skills and expertise toward the operation of the theater. Individuals who are interested in joining the board should contact the Academy at info@academyofmusictheatre.com for an application and additional information.
Andrew J. Crystal,
President
For more than two decades, Andrew Crystal has been a civic leader. Fifteen years of that time he was the chair or a member of the city’s Planning Board and a vocal advocate that projects be well designed. As vice president of O’Connell Development Group of Holyoke, Andrew has developed and managed several notable area projects, including The Village Commons in South Hadley and the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. A city resident, Andrew’s lifelong appreciation for the performing arts drew him to the Academy. He serves on the board to ensure that generations to come will be able to enjoy the historic theater.
Minh Ly,
Vice President
Minh Ly is the Associate Director for Assessment at Smith College. With expertise in evaluation, he conducts research to determine if programs work and how students learn. During his twelve years at Smith, Minh has fostered a culture of continual curricular and institutional improvement through meaningful collaboration. His research interests focus on programs that promote access and inclusion for all students in higher education. A Pioneer Valley resident for over 20 years, he holds a deep appreciation for the area and the community. Minh is a firm believer and beneficiary of arts education, and is grateful for the Academy’s important place within the region. He enjoys attending art events throughout the valley with his wife, Kathy Foley, and their two children.
Sara Smiarowski,
Treasurer
Sara Smiarowski is a CPA with experience in finance and accounting roles ranging from consultant to CFO. After 15 years of experience in the corporate world, she moved into higher education where she is now a faculty member in the Finance Department of Isenberg School of Management. In her free time, you can find Sara taking advantage of the wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities that Pioneer Valley offers whether it be trail running, cycling, or skiing.
Linda McInerney,
Co-Clerk
For more than 30 years Linda McInerney has worked as the Artistic Director of Eggtooth Productions, a non-profit theater company with the mission of creating, presenting, and producing high quality theater arts that engage, challenge, and entertain audiences. Linda lives in Greenfield, MA with her husband Chris.
David Mintz,
Co-Clerk
David Mintz is an attorney with a solo general litigation and criminal defense practice who has been living in Northampton since 1986 and currently resides in Florence with his wife Shawn Farley, who is the Marketing Director at UMASS’ Fine Arts Center. One of the main attractions that drew David to Northampton was its robust arts and entertainment communities. He regards the Academy of Music as a city “treasure” and is excited to be joining the Board of Trustees as a new member. He has served as a board member for other non-profits including the Nonotuck Community School and, most recently, Soldier On (dedicated to providing services to formerly homeless veterans).
Emily Wojcik
Emily Wojcik is the managing editor if The Massachusetts Review, a nonprofit literary magazine based in Amherst, MA. She received her BA from Smith College and her PhD in English literature from the University of Connecticut. Since then, Emily has taught at the college level, and worked in nonprofit publishing and the arts for more than 20 years. She currently serves on the board of the Chester Theatre Company and is a member of the Patient-Family Advisory Committee for Cooley Dickinson Hospital. She and her husband, Dr. Michael Thurston, have been supporters of arts in the Valley for nearly two decades.
Kathleen Mayko
Kathleen Mayko is a Digital Marketing Consultant at MassMutual Financial Group, with oversight of the company’s Marketing Platforms operations and administration. Over her tenure at MassMutual, she held roles in Human Resources, Social Media and Digital Media and previously worked in the arts community. In addition, Kathleen is the former chairperson of TEDxSpringfeld and managed various aspects of the event during its run. She is a graduate of Smith College and a member of the Campus School of Smith College parent organization. In addition, Kathleen is a former member of the Springfield Leadership Institute and a life-long resident of the Pioneer Valley. She is passionate and enthusiastic about the arts and can often be found with her family at regional arts events.
Annie Lesko
Annie Lesko works for the City of Northampton as the Administration, Licensing, and Economic Development Coordinator. She has seven years of municipal experience and has earned a Certificate in Local Government Leadership and Management from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and Suffolk University. Annie works closely with Northampton businesses and the Northampton License Commission. She brings a wealth of knowledge about Northampton and is enthusiastic about the health and vibrancy of downtown Northampton and Florence. Annie was born and raised in Northampton until she moved to Chicopee in 2019.
Jeffrey Rosen
Jeffrey Rosen has lived in Leeds since 2003 and spent many a happy day shuttling kids to musical theater programming at the Academy. Jeff is currently a Professor of the Practice and the Director of a Certificate in Impact and Sustainable Investing housed at Tufts University’s Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning. Jeff began his professional life in ice cream trucks and spent many years growing and selling food service businesses and serving in senior financial roles for national chains, including the House of Blues. Jeff spent 20 years serving as the CFO for the Solidago Foundation. During his time in Philanthropy, Jeff provided board service to several philanthropic affinity groups, including Confluence Philanthropy and Sustainable Food and Ag System Funders. Now that he is ‘done’ raising his family in Northampton, Jeff spends his free time cycling the roads and trails of the Pioneer Valley, hiking its trails and running a Tai Chi school out of the Arts and Industry Building.
Gina-Louise Sciarra (Ex-Officio)
Gina-Louise Sciarra is the 45th Mayor of the City of Northampton. Mayor Sciarra was elected in November 2021. Prior to serving as the city’s Chief Executive Officer, she was elected to four terms on the Northampton City Council – as Ward 4 City Councilor from 2013 to 2019 and City Councilor At-Large and City Council President from 2019 through 2021. Gina-Louise earned a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and earned a master’s of Philosophy in Sociology degree from CUNY. Gina-Louise lives with her husband and two daughters who attend Northampton Public Schools.
Join the Board!
The Board of Trustees for the Academy of Music is looking for people who share in its commitment to enriching greater Northampton’s quality of life by offering first-class performing arts and film presentations in a historic theater. If you have an interest in serving on the board, please fill out this application, and members of the governance committee will contact you about the next steps.
Let us know if you are interested by filling out the Board Service volunteer form.
Staff
At the Academy of Music, our dedicated staff brings together a rich tapestry of talent and passion, united by a love for the arts and a commitment to community engagement. Each member contributes unique skills and experiences, from education and local governance to the performing arts, ensuring that our historic theater not only thrives but also serves as a vibrant hub for creativity and inspiration. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment where every voice is valued, and where the transformative power of music and theater can resonate throughout Northampton and beyond. Join us in celebrating the spirit of collaboration that defines our Academy family.
Debra J’Anthony,
Executive Director
Before joining the Academy of Music Theatre, Executive Director Debra J’Anthony served as the executive director of the Shea Community Theater in Turners Falls, Mass., for sixteen years. During her tenure there, she was awarded the Community Theater Association Back Stage Award and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate Official Citation. In addition to her work as an arts administrator, Debra taught flute and chamber music at Stoneleigh-Burnham and Eaglebrook schools, and has performed professionally as a musician throughout North America and Europe. Her passion for the arts takes many forms. Debra is a published poet, and is a current board member of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and MassCreative. Debra is a member of the Hampshire Regional Tourism Council, Paradise City Cultural District Committee, Massachusetts Cultural Council Gaming Mitigation Panel, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and New England Presenters.
Melanie Slabaugh,
Theater Manager
Melanie Slabaugh is happy to be joining the team at the Academy of Music Theatre. Before moving to Massachusetts, she taught high school English, speech, and theatre in Ohio, where she also co-chaired the theatre department and directed numerous productions. She also served as assistant general manager at the Amish Country Theater in Ohio, where she also appeared on stage as a regular cast member in the comedy shows. Melanie was active in her local community theatre in Ohio, and is eager to continue learning and growing at the Academy of Music. She holds a master’s degree in theatre from the University of Akron. In her spare time, Melanie loves to read, write, listen to podcasts, and play with her two rowdy cats.
Dori Parkman,
Director of Finance and Administration
Dori Parkman is a former owner/producer of the Starlight Dinner Theater that was located in Orlando, FL. She has produced sixteen Broadway-style musicals including Cabaret, 42nd Street, The Sound of Music, Grease, Singin’ in the Rain, and Nunsense: A-Men! Most recently, she was the General Manager for WAM Theatre in Berkshire County and later became Director of Finance. Dori has also previously worked for the Front of House for Blue Man Group in Chicago, managed the call center for Blue Man Group in Orlando, and also spent several years as a talent scout for kids. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and an Accounting Assistant Certificate from Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, Connecticut. In addition to her work with the Academy of Music Theatre, Dori is also a bookkeeper for several organizations, mostly in the nonprofit sector. She is proud to be raising a strong-willed young daughter and an affectionate and happy son.
Aliana de la Guardia,
Development and Communications Manager
Aliana de la Guardia is a Cuban American nonprofit arts leader, operatic soprano, and producer who champions new artistic works that challenge conventions. De la Guardia boasts executive skills honed through participation in arts and nonprofit leadership programs from Philanthropy Massachusetts, Essex County Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, OPERA America, and Double Edge Theatre. An experienced producer of new opera and multidisciplinary works, she has steered the progressive ensemble, Guerilla Opera, through the creation of 40 new operas, nationwide tours, studio albums, short films, professional development programs for artists, community outreach programs, and DEIA initiatives since 2007, and co-directs Bahué, a duo and initiative that brings the voices of Latinx composers to new classical music. As an engaged member of her community, she served on grant selection panels, Opera America’s Membership Council and Women in Opera Steering Committee, and is a Board Director for the New England Philharmonic. This Latina arts leader is at the forefront of her generation with a track record of crafting transformative experiences that uplift underrepresented voices, enrich lives, and that resonate deeply within the hearts of audiences.
Emily Leue,
Technical Director
Emily Leue is returning to theater after taking time off to focus on her family. Previously, she has worked at The American Repertory Theater, The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, Showmotion, Inc., The Des Moines Metro Opera, The Yale Repertory Theatre, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and Jacob’s Pillow, among others. She is a graduate of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University. At home, in addition to her human family, she has chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, a large vegetable garden, and a rather enthusiastic English Shepherd who watches out for everyone.
Kyle Lawrence,
Education Director
Kyle Lawrence recently moved to western Massachusetts from northern Utah where he’s been an active part of the theater community for the past 16 years. His experiences in theater range from being an actor and director, to designer, composer, and educator. He studied Musical Theatre at Weber State University, and has a Level 2 Certification in Evidence Based Voicework from Maddie Tarbox Vocal Studio. As an educator he loves helping students to find their home in the arts. He encourages students to explore and excel as individual artists and as collaborators of the theater, striving to support safety, respect, and cooperative creativity in the arts.
Kadence Cole,
Box Office Manager
Kadence Cole comes to the Academy from her hometown in Georgia. She first got involved with Massachusetts’s thriving theatre scene by working with Berkshire Theatre Group for their 2018 and 2019 summer seasons, where she worked as a Box Office Assistant and Accounting Intern. When she isn’t working on shows for the Academy, you can often find her writing scripts, learning about the circus, and hosting boardgame nights.ru
Zazie Tobey,
Associate Education Director
Zazie Tobey first discovered her love for musical theatre choreography at Amherst Regional High School as an ensemble member. She received her BA in Dance from Mt. Holyoke College and has performed and taught internationally in Turkey, Serbia and Germany. In addition to her role as Associate Educational Director at Academy of Music she choreographs at Ascendance Inner World Arts in Florence and for the Northampton High School Musical. Zazie’s choreography has been selected for American College Dance festival, the Asheville Dance Theatre, and the Summer Melt Festival in NYC among others. When she is not teaching dance, Zazie runs her own gardening business.
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Phone
VISIT
3pm to 6pm
Tuesday–Friday
Address
274 Main St
Northampton, MA 01060
Box Office Hours:
3pm - 6pm, Tuesday - Friday and one hour before showtime.
Online sales open 24/7.
**Box Office Closures**
The Box Office will be closed for in-person and phone ticket sales on Tuesdays in March (4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th) and on April 1st and 8th.
Call the Box Office at 413-584-9032 ext.105 or email us with any questions.