Jon Andre
​Music Director

Jonathan Andre is a Rhode Island College graduate with a bachelor of arts in Music. During his time at RIC he studied music history, composition, and piano performance. He has been music directing for Applause Academy since 2010, as well as running set crew, sound designing and stage managing. Previously Jon was an instructor for The Piano Key, giving private lessons in piano, clarinet, and voice. In his spare time, Jon can be found composing original music, some even featured in Applause Academy Original Productions. ​

​Melissa Costa
Director

Melissa has a B.S. in Dance and Theatre Education from Emerson College and has completed graduate coursework towards a Masters in Theatre Ed. including Drama As Education I and II and Theatre for Young Audiences. She started working as a professional performer, dance captain and choreographer by age 19 also co-choreographing the Harvard feature film, “Dance By Design." Next she made the leap to NYC- teaching, performing, choreographing and doing background work for tv and film. She moved back to Fall River, where she was raised, to return to grad school at Emerson. She has focused on teaching, directing, and choreographing for youth and school populations. Kuss Middle School, Durfee H.S., Arts Alive Barrington, Tiverton H.S., Ashland M.S, YMTC, and Triboro Youth Theatre @ Attleboro are just a few examples. In August 2019, Melissa launched Stretch It Out Arts to further expand opportunities for artistic expression and accessibility for youth and underserved adults in the Southeastern MA area. 

Timothy Knief
 Executive Director​

Tim Knief is currently a senior at Wentworth Institute of Technology where he is studying electrical engineering. He went to Taunton High School where he was extremely involved in the THS Drama Club, even serving as its president. Tim holds 8 awards from the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) for lighting design, set design, and stage management. Tim has been with Applause Academy since June 2016. Some of his major credits with the company include the lighting and multimedia design for Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr., 25 Years of Broadway, and the 2016-2019 Summer Theatre Camps in both locations. Tim is excited to now join the team as the Executive Director of Applause Academy!
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Kellie McGrath 
Choreographer 
​
Kellie McGrath has a bachelor's degree from Boston University in education with a minor in music education.  Kellie has trained in dance, theatre and vocal technique.  She has directed, choreographed and music directed numerous musicals in the south shore area.  Kellie is also an avid performer, recently seen in Sister Act and Shrek with Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket.  During the day Kellie is a 5th grade teacher at Trinity Catholic Academy, located in Brockton, MA.  

Jenna Medeiros
​Operations Manager, Director of Programming
​ & Lighting Designer 

Jenna is currently a college sophomore, studying Theater with a focus in Technical Theater. She has been involved with Applause Academy since 2017 and some of her favorite credits include Elf, Frozen & High School Musical. Jenna was an avid member of the Taunton High School Drama Club and holds 3 awards from the Massachusetts Education Theater Guild (METG) for her lighting designs. When not dedicating her time to Applause,  Jenna does freelance technical theatre work for various theater companies and organizations across New England.  

Make a Contribution to Applause Academy

As a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization, we rely heavily on donations to continue the growth of our various programs. Please consider making a year-end contribution to Applause Academy. All donations are tax deductible.
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