Brad Bass

Company, Jr. Company, PLAYhouse

Brad Bass was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Ringgold, VA. He moved to New York City at 18 to attend The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and to pursue a career in musical theatre. After graduating in the summer of 2000, he started work full time as a professional actor. Brad worked regionally for five years, did a national tour, and in December of 2005 booked his first big job: Wicked. He joined the cast in Chicago and within a year was playing the lead role of Fiyero. In 2007 he moved to the New York cast, thus making his Broadway debut.

He enjoyed doing workshops of new musicals and plays and in 2008 he was chosen for the original Broadway cast of Memphis. After three years with the production he booked his next Broadway show, Jersey Boys. There are 10 male roles in Jersey Boys and Brad has played 7 of them!

Brad can be heard on the original cast albums of Memphis as well as Andrew Lippa’s A Little Princess. He has been seen on The View, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, The Tony Awards, and the feature film version of Memphis. Currently, Brad works as the Musical Theatre Artist-in-Residence at Averett University. Brad is developing a new musical with his writing partner, Cari Kassel.

Cinnamon Dizon

PLAYhouse, Advanced/Intermediate Ballet, Strength and Conditioning

Cinnamon began her lifelong love of dance when her orthopedist recommended ballet as a form of physical therapy when she was just three years old. She began her dance training with Pat Brown, and Jacquelyn Ralls of Ballet Arts where her excellence in ballet technique foundations were laid. She has had the privilege of studying under amazing teachers such as Lee Theadore, David Story, Tommy Sutton, Gus Giordano, Joanna Kneeland, John Magnus, Bobby Barnett, Jonnie Kelley, Ruth Mitchell, Terrel Paulk, Nicholas Picana, Momchil Mladenov, and Alexandre Proia, to name a few. Cinnamon has been a dance educator for 35 years and has a passion for sharing her love of dance and movement with the next generations. She continues take professional classes all throughout the city constantly striving to grow as an artist and educator. In the 90s she owned her own dance studio. For eight years she worked as assistant to Jonnie Kelley of Atlanta Dance Unlimited/Theater. Through dance and choreography she was introduced to musical theater and quickly immersed herself in that world working for the past 14 years as a musical theater director in school settings. She is trained in Laban Movement Analysis, and has studied FitzMaurice Voicework. She is a story teller who works as a voice over talent in radio, tv, industrial, and audiobooks. She is also a homeschool mom of 4 incredible humans. Cinnamon is super excited to join the staff of Orbit and cannot wait to share her passion for excellence in the arts with the students.

Jillian Hanes-Murray

Company, Jr. Company, Private Dance Instructor 

Jillian Hanes-Murray, grew up in the metro Atlanta area, and is an accomplished performer, choreographer and teacher.  She has studied dance, vocal, and drama extensively across the country.   Her performance credits include Star Search, Fiesta Texas, Opryland USA, Opryland Hotel, The General Jackson Showboat, as well as numerous music videos, television pilots, commercials and industrials.  A published journalist, Jillian has also written a column in Dancer Magazine.  She has choreographed numerous shows including Big Fish, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Urinetown, Hot Mikado, The Wiz, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Hairspray, Footloose and Little Shop of Horrors.  She has been a choreographer and teacher for 20 years, and her love of dance and musical theatre has inspired her to implement it into both studio and school curriculums. The art of storytelling through song and movement is something that Jillian enthusiastically hopes to share with both her students and her audiences.  She has been part of this inventive Orbit team since its inception, and is thrilled to be on this journey. Each year, her students inspire her to raise the barre, further igniting her passion of guiding the next generation to achieve success in whatever they aspire to pursue! 

Yenwen Kuo

Advanced Ballet for Musical Theatre, Intermediate Ballet for Musical Theatre, Apprentice Company Ballet

Yenwen Kuo, a native of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, started her dance training at the age of three with ballet and traditional Chinese dance. Graduating with honors, Miss Kuo received her BFA in Dance and Choreography from Shenandoah University and MSc in Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She has performed around the world as well as holding managerial positions with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line for eight years. Miss Kuo’s choreography was awarded third place at Loudoun Ballet Dance Company’s 17th Annual Choreography Competition and has been performed internationally. She was also awarded the Young Artists Tuition Scholarship from American Dance Festival.

Her performing credits in Atlanta include: Lamorris Namari Ballet, Six Flags Over Georgia, A Christmas Tradition–Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, Show N Tell: The Musical–Stepp Steward Production, Room To Move Dance, and more.

Miss Kuo has taught internationally—including in Taiwan and Japan—as well as with several studios in Atlanta. She is also a trained STOTT Pilates instructor in Mat and Reformer level one.

Miss Kuo incorporates her knowledge of Dance Science and Pilates to create a safe environment for students to learn and grow as well-rounded performers. She is excited to be part of the Orbit Arts Academy family.

Jason Meeks

Private Voice Instructor

Tatom Pender

ActingOUT, PLAYground, On Camera Exploration

Her first grade performance is where Tatom Pender knew what she wanted to do for the rest other life. With a B.A. in Theatre Arts and a desire to connect performance with early childhood development, Tatom set out to teach. Since 2003, she has worked with thousands of talented young actors focusing on self-confidence, collaboration, work ethic, and respect for self, others, and craft. Her credits range from major feature films such as Just Mercy and Hillbilly Elegy to hit television series like Heels and Being Mary Jane. Working opposite some of the industry’s heaviest hitters pales in comparison to watching her students grow in their own acting journey. Each lesson is based on an original curriculum adapted to meet each student where they are at in the learning process. 

Antwan Sessions

Namari Dance, Advanced/Intermediate Jazz

Antwan Sessions, native of Charleston, South Carolina started his dancing career while attending North Springs High School located in Sandy Springs, Georgia. There he found his passion for dance. Searching for outside training, Antwan join Total Dance in Adamsville, Georgia where he studied Ballet, Modern, & Jazz dance. Since then he’s attended several dance school under a full scholarships such as, Renaissance International School of Performing Arts (RISPA) in Milton, Georgia, Atlanta’s Resource for Entertainment & Arts (AREA) in Atlanta, Georgia, and Metropolitan Ballet Theatre in Alpharetta, Georgia to name a few. Antwan’s passion for dance has allowed him to perform and teach in places like Denver, San Francisco, Mexico, Canada, China, Europe, Africa and so many more. Some of Antwan’s credits include: Assisting for Georgina Louchiey who’s the Artistic Director/Co Owner of RISPA. He’s danced for Tracy Vogt of Philadanco, Kim Robards of Kim Robards Dance, Kiki Ely of ATLA, Stephan Reynolds of Cirque Du Soleil, and Jeffrey Page former choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance and Beyonce. Not limiting himself to concert dance, Antwan was the principal dancer for Sea Beach Resort in Egypt for a year, he also danced in former Danity Kane member D. Woods in her music video 

“Best You Got,” toured China with pop artist Christah Ray as well as toured with artist Nikki Jane. He is now the Founder of his own Contemporary Ballet Company Lamorris Namari, and Artistic Director/Co-Owner of Namari Dance Center. 

Shane Simmons

Company, Jr Company, Triple “T” Training Program, Build Your Best Audition Book, Audition Prep Course, Staff Accompanist, Private Piano Instructor

Shane Simmons has spent the last 20+ years working as a professional performer and music director for various regional theatres, tours, cruise lines, and theme park resorts across the United States and abroad, on stages ranging from Carnegie Hall to Tokyo Disneyland. He has recently returned to his hometown of Atlanta, where serves as a musical theatre instructor, accompanist, and music director for Orbit Arts Academy, Pace Academy, and Marietta Theatre Company. He is an alumnus of Pebblebrook High School and Wingate University. 

Zuri James

Advanced On Camera

Zuri James has starred in over 30 productions, including a major recurring role in HBO’s Doom Patrol, Genius on Disney +, Games People Play on BET and Guest Star roles in ABC’s The Wonder Years and Tyler Perry’s Ruthless, to name a few. Zuri James is an American actor born in New York, NY. He is currently an acting teacher at the Anthony Meindl Actor’s Workshop (AMAW) at the Master level, and an audition coach at The Working Actor Group (TWAG). As an instructor, Zuri loves assisting actors in bringing their own unique essence to the role, and putting emphasis on the importance of listening to our impulses and instincts in the work to tell story in a truly unique way. Zuri grew up playing basketball, where he played Div-I basketball at Georgia Southern University and earned a degree in Finance. He worked in the Finance Industry before making the switch and following in his mother’s footsteps, who was an actress off Broadway for many years. Zuri is a published poet and artist who enjoys expressing himself creatively through a myriad of platforms and mediums. He also is an avid supporter of meditation and wellness, and teaches meditation techniques to others as well.

Cary Tedder

Private Voice Instuctor, Private Audition Coaching, Private Dance Instructor, Private Piano Instructor

Born in Tacoma, WA, raised in Marietta, GA, trained at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and vetted in New York City, Cary has been singing and dancing his way across the country, as well as through the Broadway scene for over sixteen years. After performing with the original Broadway cast of Memphis (which grabbed four TONY awards including Best Musical), Cary set out on national tour where he played Tony in West Side Story before returning to New York to be a part of the original companies of Big Fish, Honeymoon In Vegas, Dames At Sea, and A Bronx Tale. He was also a replacement in the Broadway company of Wicked.

Various regional theaters include The Alliance Theater in Atlanta; GEVA Theater in Rochester, NY; North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts; The St. Louis MUNY; The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera; Music Theatre Wichita; and Hartford Stage.

An avid teacher, musician, writer, dancer, and yogi, learning all he can from his chihuahua Massimo and inimitable wife Mary Michael. Cary’s love of the performing arts has inspired him to play for a living, and love growing through expression and education.

Katie Merriman

Katie Merriman grew up in Lawrenceville, GA and began her artistic career with a Bachelor’s of Music from Georgia State University where she concentrated in vocal performance. Katie has been teaching voice for over 15 years and enjoys incorporating her classical training into her teaching style while encouraging versatility in the voice. She aims for a well-rounded technique for her students in contemporary and classical musical theatre. She is passionate about vocal health and helping students find their authentic voice while having fun.

Noah Popp

Marketing/Media, Technical Staff, & PLAYhouse

Noah Popp is an Atlanta-based videographer, photographer, and lighting designer with a passion for visual storytelling. Noah’s commitment to delivering high-quality content has earned him the trust of a diverse range of clients. An Adobe Certified Professional in Digital Video, he is pursuing a degree in Film & Digital Media at the University of North Georgia. Noah brings creativity, precision, and artistry to every project. His unique ability to capture and convey the essence of diverse subjects has set him on a trajectory toward a promising future in the production industry. Noah’s theatrical work spans across Georgia, including working on productions with Marietta Theatre Company, Orbit Arts Academy, The Historic Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, Georgia Thespians, and more. His theatrical work has earned him numerous accolades, including a BroadwayWorld Atlanta Award, a Shuler Hensley Award nomination for Best Lighting Design, and the Outstanding Technical Student Achievement Award from the Georgia Thespian Society. Noah is also a proud alumnus of the Orbit Company.

Caitlyn Schoen

Apprentice Company Choreographer

Caitlyn Schoen has loved to dance ever since she was 3 years old. At the age of 11, she moved to Orlando, Florida where she started her classical ballet training with Orlando Ballet School under the direction of Deirdre Miles Burger. During her training, Schoen attended summer programs at American Ballet Theatre’s New York Intensive and their Collegiate Program, Nashville Ballet​,​ and Orlando Ballet School. She graduated from the school as a Trainee under the company.

Caitlyn graduated from the University of South Florida in the Spring of 2020, earning a BFA degree in Dance Performance with a concentration in Ballet. During her tenure she was also awarded multiple talent-based grants by the department. While at USF, she performed in guest artists’ and faculty works, including Robert Moses, Andrew Carroll, Paula Nunez, Bliss Kohlmyer and Jeanne Travers, among others.

Schoen has danced internationally and furthered her training outside of the United States. In her Sophomore year, she studied abroad in Paris, France, as part of the USF Dance in Paris Semester Program. Here she studied under Maurice Causey, Kevin Quinoa, Wanjiru Kamuyu, Julien Desplantez, Nathalie Pubellier, Anna Churescu, Jenny Sandler, and Michael Foley. The program also allowed her to travel outside of France to experience choreographic workshops in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Rouen.

In October of 2019, she was selected to attend the Beijing International Dance Seminar in Beijing, China with professors Jeanne Travers and Bliss Kohlmyer. There she took classes with Michael Whaites, Kylie Walters, Leslie Kruas, Paul C. Ocampo, and others. She also performed works by USF faculty members Jeanne Travers and Bliss Kohlmyer on the Beijing Dance Academy stage.

Throughout her years as a dancer she has also performed with professional ballet companies. Schoen danced with Orlando Ballet as a trainee performing in ​Don Quixote, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Firebird, and Le Corsaire.​ In the Spring of 2019, she performed as a guest artist with Tampa City Ballet in their show ​7^th Avenue & Ybor ​under the artistic direction of Paula Nunez.

Schoen moved to Atlanta in 2020 to continue her career as a dance teacher, and has since taught all around the Atlanta area. Schoen found a love for teaching children and has furthered her education career as a kindergarten teacher. She is excited to share her love of dance with all the students at Orbit!

Kate Fahrner

Musical Theatre/Advanced Acting

Kate Fahrner is stoked to join the Orbit Arts Academy Team. Broadway/National Tours: Glinda in Wicked, South Pacific, Cats, The Full Monty. Favorite Regional Roles: White Christmas (Betty), Fun Home (Big Al), Kinky Boots (Lauren), Evita (Evita), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), A Chorus Line (Maggie), Born Yesterday (Billie Dawn), Blackbird (Una), The Mousetrap, The Christians, An Ideal Husband. 

Jordan Rich

Actor’s Lab/Private Acting Coach

Jordan Sam Rich hails from Atlanta, Georgia and went to high school just down the street at North Springs Charter. Off B’way: Doc in No Villain reading (The Public Theatre) starring Judith Light, Santino Fontana and Peter Friedman. National Tour: Pete the Cat. Regional credits include: Asolo Repertory Theatre (Intimate Apparel, Inherit the Wind, Hood, Eureka Day, Our Town and Fountain), City Springs Theatre Company (Ragtime, Beautiful, The Music Man and Jersey Boys), Actor’s Express (Marie Antionette) and Santa Rosa Rep (Little Shop, South Pacific and Emma). Jordan has worked at The Eugene O’Neill as an assistant director. Training: Florida State University/Asolo Rep MFA Acting program and The University of Michigan BFA Acting program. Jordan’s teaching philosophy champions leading with kindness, tenaciously pursuing the truth and joyous play.

Danielle Vivcharenko

Actor’s Lab

Danielle Vivcharenko was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and has taught theatre and dance to all ages at Weathervane Playhouse, Cleveland Ballet, and Triple Threat PAC all while obtaining her BFA in Musical Theatre at Kent State University. Regional Theatre credits include: Asolo Repertory Theatre (Intimate Apparel, Inherit the Wind, Hood, Our Town, and Fountain), Florida Studio Theatre (PIN) and Renaissance Theatre (The Music Man). She also just graduated with her MFA in Acting from FSU/Asolo Conservatory and looks forward to bringing a sense of play and eager curiosity into the classroom.

Sabrina Sloan

Private Voice

Sabrina is best known for her four-year run as Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, performing opposite creator Lin-Manuel Miranda in the Puerto Rico production. Broadway credits include the original companies of Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can (OBC), and Motown the Musical, as well as the first national tour of In the Heights (Vanessa), again opposite Miranda in Los Angeles. Regional theater includes Pasadena Playhouse (Sleepless in Seattle, Ray Charles Live), The Geffen (King Liz-Liz), and the Ahmanson (A Christmas Story-Mom) as well as Children of Eden (Eve/Mama Noah), Rent (Mimi), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Charlaine), All Shook Up (Lorraine), and Dreamgirls (Lorell). Television and film credits include HBO’s Hacks, All Rise, Blindspot, Boston Legal, Mysteries of Laura, and Ode to Joy.

Sabrina most recently starred in the premiere of the one woman show “Sally: A Solo Play.” Filmed by PBS, the production is streaming on the pbs app and at pbs.org through July of 2026.