Pam brings over 20 years of experience of developing and teaching performance arts programs in addition to being an actor and mother. She has a deep love of arts education and of developing programs where every child gets an opportunity to shine. In New York she created a jazz dance and theatre program at the Bendheim Performing Arts Center that was a combination of performance and classes. She would go on to direct over 20 productions at the Bendheim.
In Los Angeles she was commissioned by the Hollywood Arts Council to create an educational theatre program to be used in the LAUSD schools. Her program would go on to earn an Educational Achievement Award from State Assemblyman Mike Fuerer. At The Wesley School in North Hollywood, Pam is the Drama teacher for 10 years and is responsible for creating their seventh grade drama program that is a fully immersive program of classes and performance. She penned two plays that were produced in LA, Boston and NY as well as being an actor who has performed in voice overs, commercials, film, television and on stage in NY, LA, all over the country and in Russia!
In 2015 she and her husband decided to create Village Arts to build upon her work in the Valley Village community and her theatre program at Colfax Charter Elementary School. Together they are working towards building an arts center in the community that will offer classes and programs in all performance and visual arts and that will truly be “A place for everyone.”
Melissa Klein is a Professional Vocalist, Music Director, Voice Teacher Session Singer, and Voice Over Artist.
Melissa earned her BA’s in Music: Vocal Performance and Musical Theatre from Cal State University, Chico.
Melissa has been musical directing theatre programs with Village Arts for the last few years. She is passionate about instilling proper singing and musical technique with the kids and loves being a part of the creative process. She has sung Classical Music Internationally, as well as performed on the NY stage and toured around the US with different Musical Theatre productions. Favorites include: Evita, Sunday In The Park with George, Me and My Girl, and Cinderella. Here in LA, Melissa sings with many different groups including Metropolitan MasterChorale, Cal Phil Chorale, Marina Del Rey Symphony, Life Choir, and The Ikeda Kings Orchestra. She has performed with different jazz bands, ensembles and as a background vocalist for several Pop/R&B artists and is also half of the Cabaret duo known as The Happenstances.
Her voice can be heard as one of the voices of Gettysburg at the Gettysburg Museum.
Jodie Patterson has taught dance in the Valley Village and LA area for over nine years. She has created her own unique style of teaching dance based on her years of training and professional dancing where she fuses athleticism, Hip Hop and many Latin and African cultures.
Jodi is a Chicago native that started dancing at the age of nine and would go on to study ballet, jazz and hip-hop. Her undergraduate work brought her to Columbia College’s Marshall Lindsay School of Dance. From there, she earned a scholarship and apprenticeship with Chicago’s Joseph Holmes Dance Company. As a professional dancer she toured with a wide range of 90’s R&B and Hip Hop artists that include such artists as Sammy, Jagged Edge, Guiwine and Alfonso Hunter. Music Videos include “The Way I Am,” Christine Aguilera’s “Dirty” and many more. She also was featured in commercials for Wendy’s, Crunch, Gatorade and was the spokes person for Miller-Brewing Company and Power Bar as well as appearing in fitness videos for Crunch, Fit-TV and Pop Sugar.
Gina Wingate started her career as a costumer on TV and film. Her credits include Friends, Father of the Bride Part ll, and That Thing You Do! She put her career on hold to stay home with her son, Jet, and daughter, Cooper, while they were young. She became involved in their school, Colfax Charter, and volunteered for everything. She started Kidchella when her daughter was in 5th grade and has become one of Colfax’s biggest fundraisers. Gina has worked with special needs kids as a shadow and now has her Early Childhood Development certificate. Gina has costumed many Village Arts’ plays, including Mary Poppins, Shrek, and Fiddler on the Roof.
“Valley Village is the community where my prop master husband, Rick, and I chose to raise our kids, and Village Arts has become a big part of my life. I’m super excited to work with John & Pam on their new adventure, and I can’t wait to meet the kids!”
-Gina
Ms. Parisa holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Musical Theatre from New York University. She had the privilege of performing all over the country in the National Tours of Cats, Copacabana, Chicago, and Big, as well as on Broadway in the 2001 revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies and two seasons at Madison Square Garden in A Christmas Carol, choreographed by Susan Stroman. Working with the Village Arts community is a dream come true!
Jeanne Simpson is an actor, dancer, choreographer, teacher, and fitness blogger for Health Boosters at Withings.com. Jeanne began her training in the ballet world and became a member of the Dallas Metropolitan Ballet Company at age 13, and the Tuzer Ballet Company in Texas at 15. She expanded her training to jazz, tap, and contemporary at the Buster Cooper School of Dance and traveled to New York City to study with theater dance legends like Lee Theodore, Buzz Miller and Gemze de Lappe at American Dance Machine Institute.
After getting her getting her BA at Harvard University, Jeanne danced in a variety of shows, dance concerts and with the American Isadora Duncan Dance Company. Her favorite credit is dancing as part of a trio alongside one of her dance idols, Ann Reinking, in an original piece performed at Lincoln Center as a fundraiser for the New York Philharmonic.
Choreography credits include shows for TheatreWorks USA, Co-Choreographer and Dance Captain for THREE directed by Hal Prince at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles, the children’s TV show BLUES CLUES for Nickelodeon, and the feature films MAN OF THE CENTURY and DUMPED. Favorite acting credits include MADMEN, PARKS AND RECREATION, HOT IN CLEVELAND, and HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. Here’s a link to a blog she wrote about the science behind why dance makes you happy and smart!
Paula Lisbe finds an incredible amount of joy in sharing her passion and talents with the Village Arts community. Many moons ago, she graduated with a BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Paula has performed with the prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre Co. and done multiple productions at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. She performed on and off-Broadway, including a successful run at The Lucille Lortel Theatre playing Gilda Radner in Bunny Bunny.
She has performed in many television shows throughout the years, most notably as Joanie Hansen for five seasons on NBC’s Providence. She is mom to Grady, who has performed in over 16 Village Arts productions; she was so sad that he graduated from this incredible program, she had to jump in herself. She has directed the mini-casts for years and has just started an art class. She insists on making the kids feel wonderful about themselves and loves helping them tap into their creativity.
Virginia Sommer is delighted to be working with Village Arts. Virginia holds an MFA in Acting from Case Western Reserve University/The Cleveland Play House, and a BA in Theatre from Marquette University. She’s worked as an actor, director, and teaching artist in NYC, Los Angeles, and her home state of Minnesota. Virginia has a love of Shakespeare, a passion for silly games, and highly happy feet. She is thrilled to share her love of theatre with the incredible kids at Village Arts.
Jenae Lauryn is a Los Angeles–born dancer, choreographer, and educator with over 20 years of training across ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, heels, and African dance. She began dancing at age four and has since trained at renowned institutions including The Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz & Contemporary Trainee Program. Jenae continues to advance her craft through the work-study program at Millennium Dance Complex.
Her performance experience includes music videos, live shows, and Choreographer’s Carnival, while her choreographic work spans professional artists, youth dance teams, and children’s musical theatre. Passionate about mentorship, Jenae blends strong technical training with creativity and confidence-building. She strives to create an uplifting, empowering environment where dancers can grow artistically, express themselves freely, and build the discipline and resilience needed both in and out of the studio.
Internationally acclaimed for her “beautiful vibrant sound and color of voice”, Lillian Sengpiehl is a consummate performer, singer, actress, and educator.
Lillian received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Voice from the University of Kansas and pursued graduate work at The Manhattan School of Music. These important stepping-stones helped shape her versatility and artistry. Lillian was the recipient of the Brigit Nilsson Grant, a finalist at the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, and the winner of the Classical Singer Competition at Carnegie Hall.
Lillian’s unique interpretations and musicianship have lead to a varied career singing many leading roles within Opera and Musical Theatre as well as Orchestral concert works across the US and Europe. Equally dedicated to traditional and contemporary music, she has performed many classic roles with leading and regional opera companies including New York City Opera, Opera Bastille, Bergen Norway Opera, St. Louis Opera, Virginia Opera, and Los Angeles Opera. She has also helped invent new roles with composer Mel Marvin, and with composer Anne Le Baron working on “Crescent City” for The Industry in Los Angeles. In addition, Lillian is a notable recording artist having worked with Philip Glass on Martin Scorcese’s “Kundoon” score, Anne Le Baron’s “Crescent City” score, LA Opera’s “La Traviata” Cast Recording, and as the soprano soloist on the “World of Warcraft” video game series.
Having started her own musical journey at the tender age of 4, Lillian takes music education very seriously. Although she began teaching ‘Opera in the Schools’ with the New York City Opera, her career as an educator blossomed when she moved to Los Angeles in 2005. She is currently the Musical Director for All About Kids LA, a performance program for youth from across Los Angeles, as well as the Choir Director of Village Arts Theatre. In addition, she maintains a very active private studio teaching classical music technique for singing, as well as Broadway and Pop techniques for performers in Motion Pictures, Television, and Commercials.
Continuing her push and pull at traditional musical boundaries, Lillian finds the time to perform and record despite her busy teaching schedule. You can hear her in intimate duo settings, or find her voice soaring over a large orchestra.
“Lillian Sengpiehl, (Homesick Woman), and the others were all Outstanding” – Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times
“Delivering with conviction and depth, Sengpiehl’s Susannah was a wonderful mixture of charm and ill-fated naiveté.”
– Mark Estren, Washington Post
Lindsay Gamache is a professional actress here in LA. Originally from Pittsburgh, she then went on to get her BFA in musical theatre from Penn State University. Upon graduating, she performed in the Japan & North American Tour of 42nd Street the Musical. She then headed to LA to continue her career in theatre, tv/film, and voice over. Most recently she performed in the play, Simpatico at the WhiteFire Theater. You can hear her voice on the Kerrygold Butter campaign and see her on the Jersey Mike’s commercial. She continues to coach students for their acting and singing auditions and support the arts in education.
Sabrina Marielle is a passionate singer, dancer, and actress who brings authenticity, precision, and versatility to every stage she steps onto. As a recent graduate from UCLA with a BA in Musical Theater, she’s done work for NBC Universal, FOX, and is currently performing at Universal Studios Hollywood! Sabrina’s accolades include 1st Place in the Howard Swan Vocal Solo Competition (Southern California Vocal Association), the Jerry Herman Award for “Best Supporting Actress” as Race in Newsies (Jimmy Awards Regional Program), and “Outstanding Choreography” at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. Sabrina absolutely loves teaching at Village Arts and aims to nurture young performers, help them refine their craft, and introduce them to the world of performing arts! @sabrina.marielle
Ella Moser is an arts educator and performer with a background in theater and vocal
performance. Her journey with Village Arts began in 2010, when she first joined the program as
a student. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the arts, Ella found her love for storytelling,
music, and community within the very walls she now helps lead.
Since 2022, she has directed for Village Arts, working extensively with children of all ages and
guiding them through rehearsal, performance, and artistic growth. Ella is passionate about
helping students build confidence, discover their creative voice, and find joy in musical theater.
Amy Smith is a contemporary artist continually pushing the boundaries of her craft. Through her diverse body of work, which encompasses large-scale murals, physical paintings, and digital art, she invites viewers into a world of captivating storytelling. While some of her creations stem from a profound response to political, social, and environmental injustices, the majority emanate from her deeply ingrained optimism and unwavering belief in the transformative power of feminism, unity, and love.
Amy Smith has garnered recognition in prestigious venues such as The Ontario History & Art Museum and prominent art exhibitions like the LA Art Show. She has also been chosen to participate in various public art initiatives, including LA County Arts’ celebration of the Centennial of the 19th Amendment, among numerous other notable accomplishments.
Fostering a collective vision for a brighter future, Amy teaches kids art classes and workshops sharing the importance of reuse, up-cycling, and finding creativity in everyday objects. In every aspect, Smith aspires to inspire positive change, encouraging viewers to embrace their shared humanity and work towards a better tomorrow.
Adam Felber is a writer, actor, teacher, and radio personality (frequently heard as a panelist or guest host on NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me”). He has taught improv, writing, communication, and team-building workshops in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, for such organizations as The 52nd Street Project, ImprovBoston, the Young Presidents Organization, Freestyle Repertory Theater, and many more. With years of experience in radio performance, Adam helps clients perfect their most powerful and persuasive instrument, their voice.
Known primarily as a TV writer with such credits as Real Time with Bill Maher and many others, Adam has also written for film, print, and multimedia. Notable credits include the novel “Schrödinger’s Ball” (Random House, 2006) and the 6 book mini-series, “Skrull Kill Krew” (Marvel Comics, 2010).
Adam is also married to longtime Village Arts teacher Jeanne Simpson and their children, Baz and Vivi, have been involved with Village Arts since they were in 1st grade.
Laura has a deep love for community, art, and diversity rooted in her life as an Angelino in Elysian Heights. Settling in Valley Village in 2001, she has a long history of community engagement, including serving on her children’s school boards, most recently as Secretary and At Large Board Member. Her family’s connection to Village Arts began when her youngest daughter participated in Village Arts’ improv class, and her own involvement began when the organization was just an idea. Laura has proudly served on the Village Arts board, leveraging her expertise as a Graphic Artist, Photographer, Copywriter, and dedicated community leader to provide administrative support and actively develop Village Arts into a dynamic community arts center.
