PERFORMER BIOS
SENZEL
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Senzel Ahmady is freshman at Steinhardt, Class of 2024, majoring in Vocal Performance with a specification in Musical Theater! She is from Fairfield, California and couldn't be more excited to be studying in New York City. "Songs For A New World" is one of the first projects she has done during her first year at NYU along with Tisch New Theater's production of "Offstage", including earning a spot in Tisch's A' cappella group, the N'harmonics.
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DESIRAE
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Desirae Banks is a performer from Conyers, Georgia. She has completed her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts at Spelman College. Desirae is in her first year at NYU obtaining her Masters in Vocal Performance. Within her first year, she has had the opportunity to work on The production of Storm and Songs for a New World.
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JULIA
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Julia Anne Cohen is a second year Musical Theatre and Vocal Pedagogy Graduate Student at NYU, studying with Dr. Justin John Moniz. She graduated as a Presidential Scholar and Chadwick Medal Recipient at New England Conservatory studying Vocal Performance with an Acting minor, and a Music in Education Concentration.
Singing highlights include the world premier of Chandrika Tandon’s Shivoham – The Quest at the Kennedy Center, and the lead role in the new operetta The Girls of Atomic City at Lincoln Center. NYU roles include The Bassoonist/Speed Dating and Ensemble/America. She has performed with The College Light Opera Company and will be an apprentice at The Barn Theatre this summer. Julia is most likely hiking if not in a practice room.
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ELISA
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Elisa Diaz is a Junior studying Vocal Performance with a concentration in Musical Theatre. She has been lucky enough to be involved in productions such as her graduating class' New Student Spotlight directed by Natalie Weiss and Urinetown directed by Taylor Haven Holt. She is proudly Venezuelan-American but grew up all over the map. Elisa is incredibly humbled to be a part of this amazing cast and is extremely grateful for the entire creative team and for everyone watching at home! She hopes you're all staying safe and enjoy the show <3
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MARK
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Mark DiCampo is a performer and educator in the Boston area with a background in classical music and musical theater. He is currently pursuing his MM from NYU Steinhardt in Music Theatre Vocal Performance with an advanced certificate in Vocal Pedagogy.
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KYLIE
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Kylie Evans is a first-year graduate student at NYU Steinhardt, majoring in Musical Theatre Performance and Vocal Pedagogy. She grew up in Boise, Idaho and received her undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance at Utah State University. Kylie's recent roles include Olive in The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and a partial role of Maria from The Sound of Music.
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JAMES
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James Gagnon is beyond excited to be in his first musical at NYU. James is a freshman in NYU studying Music Theatre at Steinhardt. He graduated from Walnut Hill School for the Arts as a theater major in May 2020.
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LAURYN
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Lauryn is a junior in the vocal performance MT concentration and is jazzed to be in her first mainstage Steinhardt production. Previously at NYU, Lauryn was cast as "Hatchet-Face" in West 4th's production of Cry Baby, which was canceled due to covid, and a certain production put on in a fully-lit lecture hall. Lauryn studies in the studio of Dr. Errik Hood, and would like to thank him, her roommate, and her wifi connection for making this possible.
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AVA
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Ava Jones is a freshmen majoring in Vocal Performance with a focus in musical theatre here at NYU. She is from Chicago, Illinois and has been performing since she was 10 years old. She is so excited to be a part of her first show at NYU and would like to thank everyone involved for making it such a positive experience!
MURRAY
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Sam Joseph is a sophomore in the program of Vocal Performance, studying musical theatre in the studio of Dr. Justin Moniz. He is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. NYU: Speed Dating Tonight (Dater), Wonderland (ensemble), Cry-Baby (Whiffle, cancelled due to COVID-19). Other credits include: The Sound of Music (Captain von Trapp), Into the Woods (Jack), and Seussical (Horton).
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LISA
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René Kozlowski is currently a sophomore in vocal performance, concentrating in music theatre at Steinhardt! She comes from Long Island, New York, and can't wait to get back into the big apple! She's so excited to be a part of Steinhardt's production of Songs for a New World! You could have previously seen her in the fall Opera "Zoom Speed Dating Tonight!" René has had such a wonderful experience with the cast and crew, and she's so excited to put on this show. "Break a Leg to everyone!"
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TIM
Timothy H. Lee is beyond excited to be joining his second production at NYU. This is his first year at Steinhardt pursuing Master's Vocal Performance, Musical Theatre. Tim is a proud Korean-American actor. He moved to the states when he was 11. After achieving his BFA in Musical Theater degree at Cal State Fullerton, he went on performing professionally all over the states. His favorite credits include: Nat'l Tour: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Regional Theatre: Shrek The Musical, MAMMA MIA!, Evita, MAROO VILLAGE YAGMCB. University: Speed Dating, Children of Eden, Wild Party, etc. He wants to thank God and his family for always inspiring him to follow his heart. Shout out to the best agent Anthony and the team at DDO.
IG:@tim_haechanlee
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VINEEL
Vineel Mahal is a Texas raised, Indian-American tenor, guitarist, and songwriter currently pursuing the Post-Graduate Advanced certificate in Vocal Pedagogy at NYU where he serves as adjunct faculty. Recent credits include Albert Herring (Albert Herring), and El Gato (Wonderland) with NYU, Schoolmaster (Cunning Little Vixen), and Oronte (Alcina) with UNT Opera, Fakir (Secret Garden) with Brickroad Theatre, and Lola (Legendary) with Fort Worth Opera. Upcoming engagements include Roderick (The Emperor and the Queen) a recorded opera project by Kamala Sankaram, and Ferrando Cover (Così fan tutte) with NYU. He studies under Dr. Murphree.
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BROOKE
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Brooke Melton is a first year Vocal Performance grad from Little Rock, Arkansas. A few of her credits include Rocky Horror with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, A Little Night Music with Oklahoma City University, and The Addams Family with Oklahoma City University. Many thanks to Dr. Hood, Chandalae, Professor Sperling, Noah, and all who helped put on SFANW!
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SHAYNA
Shayna Plotnik is a first year graduate student pursuing a degree in Musical Theater with an Advanced Certificate in Voice Pedagogy. Originally from Framingham, MA, Shayna studied Voice Performance and Jewish Sacred Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Some of her favorite past productions have been as a Shark in West Side Story at IU, Music Directing Willy Wonka Jr. with the North Shore Players in Danvers MA, and Assistant Directing The Odyssey at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick MA.
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DAVID
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Ben Raanan is an actor from LA and currently a third-year student at NYU pursuing his bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance for Musical Theatre in the studio of Warren Freeman. Favorite credits include American in Rags, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and Cat in the Hat in Seussical. He has worked and trained with Taylor Haven Holt, Alexander Gemignani, and Natalie Weiss. He was a nationally competitive fencer in high school, and for the past three summers has music directed and choreographed for a children's theatre camp in Beverly Hills.
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