Dean Kravitz

PTW Executive Artistic Director - Music Director - Song Interpretation Classes - Musical Theatre Performance Classes - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach - Private Lesson Teacher

Dean began his studies at age five on the violin and added piano at age seven. After his piano debut at Carnegie Recital Hall at age 11, Dean received the Van Cliburn award for piano performance at age 13.  He studied violin, piano, composition, and scoring at the Eastman School of Music where he won the Duke Ellington Award for Outstanding Arranging and Composition. Dean also received the highest score in the BMI Musical Theatre Songwriting competition in 1986.

He graduated with honors from Yale University in 1987 where he received a BA in Composition.  At Yale, Dean composed, orchestrated and musical directed the full length musical, "Experiments", which was performed at Yale commencement. Also at Yale, Dean studied orchestration with Jacob Druckman (from Julliard faculty) and composition with Maury Yeston (composer of "Nine"). Dean has also studied jazz improvisation with the legendary jazz alto saxophonist Phil Woods. He has studied vocal pedagogy and voice therapy at Westminster Choir College and choral conducting at University of the Arts in Philadelphia.  Dean is a New Jersey Certified Teacher, received his Masters in Teaching in 2008, and is currently a Choral Director for the School District of the Chathams.

With his production companies, Dean Kravitz Music (DKM) and Elasticmusic, Dean has composed, orchestrated and sung/played for over 150 National and Regional TV/Radio commercials for major advertising agencies in NY, Boston, Dallas, and California for products such as Pepsi, Toys R Us, McDonalds, Reebock, Motorola, Lady Footlocker, Hefty, Blue Cross/Blue Shield & Clairol. Dean has composed, orchestrated and arranged music for several cartoons on Nickelodeon's "Nick Jr.", as well as the music that premiered the TV Land network.  He currently still has music played frequently on the air.

Howard Kravitz

PTW Founder

Howard received his BS at the Juilliard School of Music and his MA and Six-year Level degrees from Columbia University. He was certified in the state of New Jersey in both Supervision and Administration. Howard was a teacher and Director of Music in New Jersey public schools for 35 years. He left the public school system in 1992 so he could devote full time to PTW, which continued to expand in both enrollment size and course offerings. Howard's musical compositions and arrangements have been performed worldwide by such notables as Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, and Phil Woods. He also wrote arrangements for WABC-TV and the Arlene Francis Show.

Brian Loeffler

Musical Theatre Department Chair: Director & Choreographer - Song Interpretation & Acting Teacher - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

Brian's long list of credits include the New York production of Grease! on Broadway (starring Rosie O’Donnell), and national/international tours including Bye, Bye, Birdie (starring Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking), West Side Story (Riff) and Oklahoma! (Will Parker – 50th Anniversary Production). His regional directing and/or choreographing productions include Jerry Springer – The Opera, Urinetown: The Musical (Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award and After Dark Award for Choreography), Pirates of Penzance, Grease, Disney’s Aladdin, A Chorus Line, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Anything Goes, Damn Yankees, The Wizard of Oz, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Wit and Wisdon of Will’s Women: A Shakespeare Celebration (which he conceived and co-created) and Big River at theaters which include the Mercury Theater in Chicago, Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, Carousel Dinner Theatre in Ohio, Seaside Shakespeare Festival in Nantucket and Milford Theatre in Pennsylvania.

Brian has more than 15 years teaching experience. Former students include Michael Pitt (leading role in Boulevard Dreams, Henry Parker in Dawson’s Creek, also Murder by Numbers and Funny Games) and Patrick Wilson (Little Children, The Phantom of the Opera, Angels in America). He is a member of both The Actors’ Equity Association and The Screen Actors Guild and most recently perfrormed in The Taming of the Shrew at the New York Fringe Festival. Brian is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and resides in New York City.

Sherry Lorraine Harrington

Jr. Jr. Department Chair / Acting & Dance Teacher / Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

Carlie Craig

Comedy Crew Instructor - Voice, Acting, On Camera, & Song Interpretation Teacher - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

After nearly a decade in Hollywood actively working as an actress and producer, Carlie recently relocated to New York to continue developing musical projects across television & theatre and to elevate her teaching career, all under her creative banner Queen Cornelius Entertainment. An accomplished musical comedy writer, performer and multi-hyphenate artist, Carlie is most known as a cast member on the 15th season of MADtv, where she performed spot-on impressions of vocal powerhouses Ariana Grande and Kristin Chenoweth & a variety of original characters. Additional television credits include Will & Grace, First Impressions with Dana Carvey and Kevin Hart’s LOL Network series The Donors. Carlie couldn’t be more proud to be spearheading the PTW Comedy Crew and sharing the gift of improv and character creation with her talented students!

Rosena Hill Jackson

Voice & Song Interpretation Teacher - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

On Broadway, Rosena performed with Patti LaBelle, Tony Braxton, Baby Face, K.D. Lang, Vanessa Williams, Gladys Night and Fantasia in After Midnight. Other Broadway credits include, Come Fly Away (Featured Vocalist), The Color Purple (Church Lady) with Fantasia, Monty Python’s Spamalot (Lady of the Lake) with Tim Curry and David Hyde Pierce, Imaginary Friends (Mrs.Stillman), Oklahoma (Ellen) 2002 revival with Patrick Wilson, Riverdance on Broadway (Soloist), Marie Christine (Ophelia) with Audra McDonald, and Ragtime (Sarah’s Friend). On the 1st National tour of Ragtime, Rosena performed the role of Sarah.  Off- Broadway credits include, Cotton Club Parade at City Center and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Lost in the Stars at City Center, Tin Pan Alley Rag at the Roundabout, and In Gathering. Regional highlights include, Man Of La Mancha (Aldonza), Baby (Pam), Dreamgirls (Michelle), Cinderella, Chess, Gypsy, Kiss Me Kate, La Cage aux Folles, Aint’ Misbehavin, Carmen, and La Boheme. Rosena has performed internationally for three seasons with Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem Gospel Singers & Band, touring in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Hungary, and the Netherlands as a featured soloist.

As a concert soloist, Rosena, has performed at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops; Teatro di Massimo Symphony Orchestra, Teatro di Lirico Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Florida Sunshine Pops, Long Island Philharmonic, Sarasota Symphony, Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic’s recording of Carousel  “Live at Lincoln Center” shown on PBS.

A native of Sarasota, Florida, Rosena’s debut CD, If You Believe, combines the styles of jazz, gospel, and show tunes in honor of her late father.  Rosena and her husband, Grammy award winning trombonist Jason Jackson, run Jack & Hill Music.  They perform original compositions, arrangements of jazz, standards and the American Songbook.

Meghan LaFlam

Voice, Acting, Song Interpretation, Piano, Guitar, & Songwriting Teacher - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

Meghan LaFlam is a thoroughbred thespian and musical theatre vocal master. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory, where she studied classical voice, with an emphasis in Linklater Technique. Meghan studied Shakespeare and classical acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Her professional credits include Sweeney Todd (Joanna), City of Angels (Mallory) with Lyric Stage Company, Henry V (Katherine) at Colonial Theater, Spring Awakening (Thea) with Gloucester Stage Company, and My Fair Lady at Bay Street Theater. 

Sara Gallo

Voice, Dance, Acting, & Song Interpretation Teacher - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

Sara is a Philadelphia native and a graduate of The Boston Conservatory where she majored in Musical Theatre with an emphasis in Dance. Sara trained under Nadia Pavlenko & Max Ponomarenko at Dance Elite School of Dance in Bucks County, PA, and began her training with an emphasis in ballet. Upon graduating from The Boston Conservatory, Sara went on to perform at the top regional theatres in the US including the MUNY, Theatre Under the Stars, North Shore Music Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, & more. Sara was thrilled to be a part of the regional premieres of MAMMA MIA as Ali (MUNY), MATILDA as Mrs. Wormwood (Tuacahn), and CINDERELLA as Gabrielle (Tuacahn). Sara made her Broadway and National Tour debut in 2022 with 1776 THE MUSICAL and can be seen on the Hallmark Channell in A Holiday Spectacular as Sophia the Italian Rockette. She also founded “The Broadway Masterclass Series” – a program in collaboration with her alma mater high school in Montgomery County, PA – where they bring Broadway and all of its many elements to middle school and high school students, in hopes to educate and inspire the next generation to see the many career possibilities within the arts. Sara strives to bring the best out of every student in an individualized, positive, and welcoming classroom.

Taylor Elise Gautier

Acting & On Camera Teacher / Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

Taylor Elise Gautier has been involved in theater for as long as she can remember. She always knew that working in the arts was her biggest passion. At the age of 15, she started training professionally at The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. In her senior year of high school, Taylor was accepted into the oldest, and one of the most prestigious theater conservatories in the country, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and graduated with her Associate’s Degree in Theater. Taylor has graduated from Lehman College with her BFA in theater, as well as a 4.0 GPA, in May of 2022. She has starred in multiple short films, as well as having been cast as a recurring character in the new Amazon Prime show, Narcissists of NYC. Besides acting herself, teaching acting has also been a passion of Taylor’s. She has taught acting classes for multiple different organizations, including day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, as well as in after school programs with kids. She has also directed a full-length play, as well as directed students in Acting 101 classes in college.Taylor is very happy to be working with PTW and hopes to inspire her students with the love that she shares for the craft of acting.

David Guggino

Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Ballet Teacher

A Joffrey alum, Jersey boy David Guggino began his dance training at age 5; by 12, he was performing professionally with The Rainbow Company in Philadelphia. David trained with Rennie Harris, Pure Movement, The Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadanco, and at the Joffery Ballet/New School where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.

David’s choreography credits include What Guys Do (Off Broadway; Choreographer/Director/Producer), West Side Story, Rocky Horror, Sid in the City (Creator/Choreographer/Producer at New Dance Group), and A Beautiful Sadness produced by The Muse Theater. His commissioned works include We Were Always Coming Back (Symphony Space), Conversations, The Life, Sid ’n the City (excerpts), What Guys Do! (excerpts), and Cosmic and Opposing Forces. Most recently, David has created a new event called “SlamBamDance!” which premiered at acclaimed Brooklyn venue The Knitting Factory.

His theatre highlights include Ward 9 (Bobby Fisher), West Side Story, Damn Yankees, and Grease! Company credits include Momix (nat’l/int’l tour), Joffrey Ensemble, Rebecca Kelly Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, and the Chase Brock Experience, through which he was able to combine his interest in concert dance and theater. 

David is a member of Actors Equity Association and lives in New York City.

Neil Ginsberg

Music Director

Kelly Berman

Voice, Dance, Acting, & Song Interpretation Teacher - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

Kelly is thrilled to return to PTW faculty! She has been teaching all across the country since she was 16 years old; from theatre, ballet, pointe, tap to commercial jazz.  It’s one of her favorite things to do outside of performing! She considers herself a dance/theatre tutor. After graduating from the Boston Conservatory, Kelly has loved working regionally around the country. She was last seen off-Broadway in “How to Steal an Election” (Associate Choreographer/Dance Captain) at the York Theatre NYC.  Regional credits include Holiday Inn (The Rev), Seven Brides (Ogunquit Playhouse), Oklahoma! (Goodspeed Opera House), Music Man (Goodspeed and Muny), and Cinderella (Papermill Playhouse), Camelot (The Muny), and Gypsy (Goodspeed Opera House).  She is so excited to share some of her experiences in staying confident and joyful in the ever-changing theatre world, as well as conquering dance auditions/self-tapes, finding your styles, how to dance captain, and understudying/swinging. @kbermanator

Gary Mauer

Song Interpretation & Audition Technique Teacher - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

Gary recently starred as The Phantom in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera. Broadway and National Tour credits include Les Miserables, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Show Boat. Other features include Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Sweeney Todd (Anthony), and Pirates of Penzance (Frederick). 

Gary was born in Phoenix, Arizona and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona in Tucson. He has delivered “All I Ask of You” on ABC’s “LIVE”  and “The View” as well as NBC’s “The Today Show.” Gary has traveled extensively with celebrated composer and master conductor Marvin Hamlisch, joining the late maestro alongside Chicago and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras. 

Gary is a proud  member of Actors Equity Association (AEA), and American Guild Of Musical Artists (AGMA)

Elizabeth Southard

Voice & Song Interpretation Teacher - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

Elizabeth has worked extensively in musical theatre, on Broadway and in National tours. Beth starred on Broadway as Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, a role she also performed in the Vancouver, B.C. production and the National tour along side her husband, Gary Mauer. She was chosen by Harold Prince to star as Magnolia in his latest revival of Showboat in the First National Tour. She was also seen Off-Broadway in Jack Eric William’s Swamp Gas and Shallow Feelings as Sherlyn. Other tours include: Christine in the Yeston/Kopit Phantom, and The Sound of Music with Marie Osmond. Regional highlights include Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Claudia in Nine, and Sukey Tawdry in Three Penny Opera.

Elizabeth has been guest soloist with orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony with Marvin Hamlisch, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Anchorage Symphony, and the Flagstaff Symphony. She also toured throughout Germany and performed at the Opera Comique in Paris. Elizabeth received her degree in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College School of Music. She received a scholarship to study at the prestigious American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria and went on to receive first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. Beth is joyously married to actor Gary Mauer and plays Mommy to Nicholas and Eden.

Elizabeth is a proud member of Actors Equity Association (AEA)

Diane DiCroce

Song Interpretation & Audition Technique Teacher - Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach

Diane DiCroce’s resume reflects a seasoned musical theater professional with more than 25 years of performing, teaching, and directing experience. After a decade performing on Broadway and in national tours, the conservatory-trained artist has spent the past 15 years teaching and mentoring students in New York, Boston and cities across the United States. Her work as a director and producer has secured her place among this generation’s most prolific theatre professionals.

Diane is a member of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), New England Theatre Conference (NETC), Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Musical Theatre Educators Association (MTEA), Massachusetts Education Theatre Guild (METG), and Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC).