Musical Director and Accompanist This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Office Location: ASC 281
(205) 975-7227
Research and Teaching Interests: Musical Theatre Studies
Office Hours: By appointment
Education:
- B.S., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Music Education (Piano Major/Voice Minor)
Our resident Musical Director and Accompanist holds a BS in Music Education and a Certification in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After teaching in Pennsylvania public schools for more than twenty years, she has educated and musically directed students of all ages. She was awarded PA District 3 Music Teacher of the Year in 1984 and has been a guest conductor for various high school festivals. As an educator, Carolyn’s leadership and passion were recognized, and she was able to venture into the world of professional theatre. For four years, she travelled the country as the conductor for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, with Emmy-award winning conductor Michael Kosarin as Music Supervisor. This tour allowed her to perform in all fifty states, most major cities, and all Canadian provinces. Carolyn has toured with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and conducted The Goodbye Girl tour (with Eddie Mekka), and has played in the pit for Wicked, The Color Purple and Spamalot. She has musically directed for Alabama Shakespeare Festival, La Comedia, Gargaro Productions, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Virginia Samford Theatre, Birmingham-Southern College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, and Red Mountain Theatre Company.
Carolyn's current project is that of co-producer for the new musical Chasing Rainbows, the story of Judy Garland before Oz. The show was produced at Flat Rock Playhouse and at Goodspeed Opera House. In July, 2017, a Developmental Lab was produced in NYS at the New 42nd Street Studios. She is also on a producing team for Hello Dolly starring Bette Midler and Tootsie starring Santino Fontana! Carolyn was voted the Best Musical Director in Birmingham by Broadwayworld.com in 2015 and recently received an achievement award in Musical Directing from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Godspell in 2022.
