COURTNEY BIRD — Ace Your Audition, Acting Company, Private Acting

Courtney Bird just graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Musical Theater and a minor in Songwriting. Her love for theater began to sprout when she was five and only grew stronger when she got to high school. She is the only female in the history of Cherry Hill East High School to win the Best Actress of the Year award two years in a row. Courtney is certified in 3 stage combat weapons: single sword, long sword, and rapier & dagger. As well as performing in UArts mainstage shows such as Pippin and Crimson Lit, she also has experience with Mainstage Center for the Arts, performing in The Addams Family and The Lightning Thief and the Plays and Players Theatre, where she was in Since They Left in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. In the Fall, Courtney will perform in the Philadelphia Premiere of a musical In Pieces by Joey Contreras. Throughout her theater years, Courtney has become confident in her teaching ability and taken ownership of her creative artistry. She is so excited to be teaching Ace Your Audition and Acting Company. Acting has always been her passion, and all she wants to do is share that with others and help them be the most authentic and confident performers and storytellers they can be.

ASHLEY BITTERMAN – Private Guitar

Ashley learned to play guitar when she was twelve years old. This skill became valuable to her as she played in bands, competed in songwriting competitions, and performed at local venues. Most importantly, the guitar empowered her to express herself during challenging times. The guitar was a hobby, but it also gave her community, purpose, and lifelong friends. Now she is an educator, and her passion is teaching others guitar! At Mainstage, she offers one on one guitar lessons, where she tailors the learning to the individual interests of her students. She also leads Guitar Club, where students are challenged with new guitar skills while collaborating and jamming with other young musicians.

CAILYN WOLF – Private Voice and Acting – Will be able to accept new students beginning December

Cailyn  is thrilled to be given this opportunity to foster the young minds and artists of the future at Mainstage! Cailyn has a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance Studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Some of her favorite past shows include Shrek at MPAC, Aida, Company, and Into the Woods. Her love for teaching comes from a long line of past educators who have inspired her and instilled in her a passion for theatre education. Cailyn has a long background in many styles of dance such as tap and jazz and has been professionally and classically trained in voice since she was 5 years old. She was also a member of the Harmony Show Choir with Mainstage! Cailyn is extremely excited to join the Mainstage team and to share her love for theatre and the arts!

SHAUN YATES – Private Voice

Shaun is a native of San Angelo, Texas who came to the Philadelphia area by way of New York and multiple regional contracts. Shaun has been seen on stage all over the country in shows like Annie Get Your Gun, Godspell, Big Fish, Brigadoon, My Fair Lady, and more. Most recently Shaun performed in RENT with New Light Theatre Co. to great critical and audience reviews. 

Shaun has worked locally with The Walnut St. Theatre, Bootless Stageworks, The Eagle Theatre, Hedgerow Theatre, Bucks County Center for the Performing Arts, Candlelight Theatre, Camden County Stages, New Light Theatre Co., and many more. 

As a teacher Shaun has vocal directed, directed and choreographed for all ages from young children through adults. Shaun teaches with Camden County Community College and has valuable experience helping students craft repertoire for auditions, craft songs for performances, and select material that makes them shine.