Our Teachers

Ruth received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York and a Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Maryland.  Her versatile performance career ranges from opera and musical theater to folk and jazz.  Ruth teaches voice at her private studio in Baltimore.  A co-founder of the Musical Theater Summer Camp, her close association with the Carver Center has resulted in many of her former students going on to professional careers in opera, in Hollywood films and on Broadway.  As well as giving frequent concerts, Ruth conducts acting and vocal workshops and master classes in Baltimore and surrounding areas. 

Lauren holds a BA with honors in Performance Theater and Studio Art from High Point University.  Currently a member of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, she is a stage manager, scenic painter and performer, appearing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Comedy of Errors, Poe’s Last Stanza, Coriolanus, and Sweeney Todd.  She stage managed Titus Andronicus, Romeo and Juliet, Uncle Vanya, and Richard II.  Lauren’s work as a scenic painter was seen in CSC productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Christmas Carol, Uncle Vanya, A Comedy of Errors, Much Ado About Nothing, and Titus Andronicus.

José received his BA in Theatre from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.  He has performed with and has directed for many theater companies in the area, including Musical Artists Theatre, Children's Theatre of Annapolis, Merely Players and Do or Die Productions.  He teaches acting and directing classes at Riverside Stage and  throughout Anne Arundel County and Howard County.  José has designed and built sets for various productions dating back to his college days.  Additionally, José makes his living as a working actor doing commercials and industrial training videos.

Laurel is a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts, and received her BFA from Otterbein College.  Her extensive training includes ballet, jazz, modern, tap, tai chi, stage combat, story-telling dance, ballroom dance, Alexander technique, yoga, Meisner, Linklater and clowning.  In addition to teaching, Laurel has choreographed such shows as Into The Woods, Aladdin, West Side Story, Princess and the Pea, Godspell, Scrooge and Chess at Spotlighter's, Run of the Mill Theater, Pumpkin Theater and many others.  More recently, she was the drama teacher at St. Paul's School for Boys. 

Joshua earned his degree in Music Education from UM College Park and has sung with choirs in The Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Mark's Basilica, and most recently at The Kennedy Center alongside the National Symphony Orchestra.  During the school year, Joshua teaches Choir, General Music, and Theater for the Howard County Public School System, and also runs an after school Drama Club program.  He has performed and directed music in many local community productions with groups such as the Children’s Theater of Annapolis and the Annapolis Summer Garden Theater.

Mary Jane is a puppetmaster, actress, artist, theatre artist and musician.  She  designed sets, masks and costumes for Fells Point Corner Theatre, Spotlighters, Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore, Vagabond Theatre, and Pumpkin Theatre.  Her work has been seen at The Walters Art Gallery, Towson University and the Baltimore Museum of Art.  Her marionette company has delighted of children at The National Theatre, Fells Point Festival and Artscape.  Mary Jane is a recipient of a Maryland State Arts Council Award and the Governor's Citation. 

Laurie has taught students from age four through high school.  She holds degrees in Special Education and Early Childhood Education from the University of Albany.  For many years her artistic imagination and creativity have helped bring to life the annual productions of the Thomas Johnson Elementary Middle School Drama Club in Baltimore City, including Comic Book Artist, The Princess King, The Aliens Are Coming and Alice @ Wonderland.  She currently teaches kindergarten in Baltimore City, where she is also co-director of the school choir and helps direct the school plays. 

Dave progressed from being a camper to a counselor and now a teacher at the Musical Theatre Camp. He recently earned his BA in Theater Arts from Rowan University and is currently working towards his MST in Theater Education. He is a theatre artist focused towards directing and performing. Dave directed The Trail To Oregon!, and selected scenes from The Crucible and The Women and has appeared in Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind, The Ways of White Folk, 21 Chump Street, and Plum Bun. Dave has also performed in a bunch of local community productions with Laurel Mill Playhouse, Star LTD. and Children’s Theater of Annapolis. 

Elizabeth is an illustrator, writer, and animator.  She holds a certification in design from CalArts and animation from CGSpectrum, and uses her skills to make cinematic compositions in a variety of mediums.  She currently teaches ESL and runs an art print business. In her spare time Elizabeth enjoys making short films.

Michael is a professional playwright and lyricist, having twice won first prize in national competitions.  He received his B.A. from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and his Masters degree from the University of Colorado.  A long-time member of the Dramatists Guild, his plays and musicals have been published, recorded and produced off-Broadway in New York City and around the country.  As a singer and actor, he has performed leading roles in many of the great American musicals.  A co-founder of Musical Stages, he produces and directs musicals in the Baltimore region, as well as having directed numerous musicals in Virginia and West Virginia.