Facetime Theatre instructors are experienced performers and teachers who are dedicated to providing excellent instruction in a fun, creative environment. Our instructors build close, meaningful relationships with their students. Being involved in a program at Facetime Theatre means becoming part of a supportive, caring performing-arts community.
Taylor Barker
Taylor graduated from Cabrini University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with Special Education. She was born & raised in Phoenixville and has always had a love for the arts, which led her to be involved in music & dance since she was a little girl. She participated in choir, various vocal ensemble, plays piano and guitar, and has performed in numerous local venues & competitions. Taylor starting dancing at Harrison’s Dance Studio in West Chester at the age of three, and eventually moved to On Edge Movement where she danced competitively, both regionally and nationally. Taylor also performed in many televised holiday productions and parades, such as the 6Abc Thanksgiving Day Parade, QVC West Chester Christmas Parade, and Philly’s Party on the Parkway. Taylor went on to be the dance captain of the Cabrini Dance Team for 3 years, where she developed many leadership skills, choreographed, and performed on and off campus. Her team performed during many halftimes for the 76ers, Phillies games, and Miss Philadelphia Pageants, just to name a few. Taylor has worked with a variety of early childhood ages and has over six years teaching experience. She is now a first grade teacher at PAELC. She is excited to be teaching for Facetime Theatre!
Lindsay Burgess
Lindsay has a bachelor’s degree in Early Education from West Chester University. She has always had a love for music and developed an interest in theater during high school. She has since sung in a college acapella group and a local community choir. Lindsay has worked with children of various ages and in many settings including summer camps, a daycare, as a nanny, and most recently being home full time with her own. She is thrilled to teach for Facetime Theatre and share her love of performance with young people. Lindsay resides in the Kimberton area with her husband Tim and their three daughters Charlie, Penny, and Josie.
Laura Burhans
Playing the piano has been and always will be Laura’s greatest joy. She is a classically trained pianist who began lessons at the age of 4 and began teaching piano in 1980. Since that time she has steadily expanded her interests from classical music to include rock, pop, jazz, and broadway. In addition to playing piano, Laura also plays the flute and harp. Laura has performed with various jazz bands, orchestras, chamber music groups, and choirs. She has played for the Philadelphia Sinfonia Youth Orchestra at the Kimmel Center, and accompanied a student at Carnegie Hall. Over the past 40 years she has had the privilege of serving as the music director for 100+musical productions at different theaters in the greater Philadelphia area. It is through these connections that she met the talented staff at Facetime Theatre. A graduate of West Chester University, Laura earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. When she’s not in front of a piano keyboard she’s often in front of a computer keyboard, doing database consulting work. Fun Fact: Laura can trace her music pedagogy back to Beethoven through 8 generations of piano teachers.
Angela DeMott
Angela graduated summa cum laude from Southern Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in English and Liberal Arts and a master’s degree in Publishing and Editing from Rosemont College. During her time in school, Angela was principal chair for her university’s flute choir, sang in the auditioned Chamber Singers and Bella Voce choirs, and studied theatre in the classroom. For the past eight years, Angela has built her career as a digital marketing manager while also pursuing her musical interests in her spare time. Angela has held ensemble and lead roles in school and local theater productions, teaches primary and youth Sunday school classes, and currently sings with the Philly POPs Festival Chorus. Angela currently resides in Wayne.
Ben Doersom
Originally from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, Ben Doersom is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who currently provides lessons in saxophone, drum set, guitar, bass guitar, jazz piano, music theory and composition. Ben graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Chester University in December 2016 with a BA in jazz performance and a BS in business management. Ben’s perspective on music is unique in that it encompasses many different styles and influences. Whether playing cha-cha bass lines, ethereal electronic music, rock drum patterns, swing piano accompaniment, funk saxophone improvisation or multi-meter tapping on guitar – Ben’s musicianship has led him to uncover the secrets of learning music quickly, while emphasizing creativity and joy. Throughout Ben’s 15 year career playing music, he has had the honor of performing alongside Chris Vadala, Delfeayo Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Chris Washburn, Bobby Shew, John Swana, and Michael Philip Mossman among others. He has studied with Greg Riley, John Swana, Peter Paulsen, Curt Sipe, and Teresa Klinefelter and has been featured in multiple professional recordings. Check out Ben’s website at BenDoersomMusic.com.
Amy Ellis
Amy has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Elizabethtown College, and a master’s degree in Special Education from St. Joseph’s University. She works as a special education teacher at Philadelphia Performing Arts: String Theory Charter School in Center City. At Facetime she teaches voice and piano lessons, while also directing the Summer Stage Kids productions of Winnie the Pooh and Aristocats, as well as the upcoming production of Lion King, Jr. She has been working in children’s theater for years; as a music director, orchestra pit conductor and musician, choreographer, and vocal coach. Amy frequently performs in local community theater productions, and sings with the Philly POPs Festival Chorus. She currently resides in Royersford with her husband.
Kelsey Hodgkiss
Kelsey Hodgkiss graduated from Arcadia University with a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in Mathematics. While at school, she worked as an assistant teaching artist at People’s Light and Theatre and interned at Facetime Summer Stage. Since graduating, Kelsey has worked as an actor throughout the Philadelphia area at theatres including Media Theatre, Montgomery Theatre, Candlelight Theatre, Limelight, and Broadway Theatre of Pitman. She has also continued to teach, direct, and choreograph with Facetime during their Summer Stage programs and the fall middle school shows, most recently directing Jungle Book Kids and choreographing Beauty and the Beast Jr. She is currently based in Philadelphia but grew up in Phoenixville and still considers the town as home.
Holly Kelly Farella
Holly proudly holds a B.A. with Honors in Vocal Performance and Theatre Arts from Dickinson College, and received voice, acting, dance, directing, and composition training from some of Broadways’ best through the National Music Theatre Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. She also recently completed the Overtures Institute, a Musical Theatre intensive at the Tony-Award Winning Signature Theatre in Shirlington, VA, where she was awarded the Andrew A. Isen Prize for Excellence in Musical Theater. New to Phoenixville, Holly grew up as a DC-based musical theatre performer. She has starred in many plays and musicals across the DC area, most recently as Rapunzel in Creative Cauldron’s Into the Woods. She is the Owner and Head Teacher of Blue Feather Music Studio where she teaches private piano lessons. In addition, she has taught 6th Grade Drama at The Flint Hill School in Vienna, VA. She has provided instruction and/or production assistance to the Oakton HS Performing Arts, The Green Hedges School, Herndon HS Summer Grand, and NextStop Theatre Company. She is excited to be teaching for Facetime Theatre!
Katie McGrier
Katie graduated from Immaculata University with a BA in applied music and has since studied music, acting and dance/movement at various locations in Philadelphia, including the Walnut Street Theatre and with the Broadway Dreams Foundation, where she had the opportunity to work with various Broadway artists in the classroom and on stage. Her work with youth has spanned from teaching theater and instrumental music in a high school classroom, as well as directing and choreographing children’s theater camps in the Philadelphia area for the past 12 years. Katie is also a performer in Philadelphia, working in such theatres as the Walnut Street Theatre, The Eagle Theatre, Centre Theatre and American Family Theatre, touring the U.S. with their original production of Beauty and the Beast, and has had the opportunity to perform in some of New York City’s finest venues including B.B. Kings, Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre and The Duplex. Katie is the Artistic Director for Facetime, instructs our studio and after school classes, teaches private voice and acting lessons, and co-directs/choreographs Summer Stage Session II. She is also a power yoga and kids yoga teacher, currently residing in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania with her husband, Jerry, and their children, Harper and Hudson.
Jeffrey Mello
A Boston native, Jeffrey honed his craft under the guidance of Eric Larivee, and he began sharing his love for music with others as a voice and musical theater teacher at the Artist Way Conservatory. Jeffrey’s onstage experiences include performing alongside Tony-nominated actors like Lucas Steele and Constantine Maroulis in acclaimed productions such as The Human Comedy and Les Misérables in Concert. His career highlights include sharing the stage with Broadway legend Betty Buckley in the musical review New Ways to Dream.
After graduating from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan, Jeffrey continued to pursue his passion through fundraising performances and directing his benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. He has graced the stages of renowned NYC venues such as The Duplex, Birdland, 54 Below, and New World Stages, showcasing his talent and dedication to the arts.
However, his musical journey was interrupted by a leukemia diagnosis. After a decade-long battle, Jeffrey is now in remission and cherishes the opportunity to start a family with his wife, Leslie. In July 2024, they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Olivia.While they miss the vibrant energy of New York City after 20+ years, Jeffrey and Leslie decided it was important to be closer to family. This led them to Exton, Pennsylvania, where Jeffrey is thrilled to join the Facetime Theatre staff and return to what he loves: singing and teaching!
Josephine Nice
Josephine Nice is currently studying elementary education and psychology at Arcadia University, while also taking part in the university choir and theatre program when she can! Josephine started musical theatre classes at age 5, and has developed a love for theatre ever since. She’s taken part in the summerstage, high-school, and junior shows at Facetime as well as shows at a few local theaters, and the CSC. She also took part in the choir, the Vocal Ensemble, and acapella group in high-school. Additionally, Josephine has stage-managed various children’s productions, both at Facetime Theatre and Upper Providence Elementary, and has also assistant music directed a few summer-stage kids shows at Facetime! She enjoys working with children immensely, and has experience as a teacher’s assistant, a babysitter- and was given the incredible opportunity to teach a kindergarten class this past year as well! In her free-time, Josephine enjoys plunking out songs on the piano or guitar, listening to music, and running. When she’s not at university, you can find her at home, with her parents, younger brothers, and her sister.
Kate Nice
Kate has a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University, a music education degree from Immaculata University as well as master’s degree in educational leadership. Kate has been teaching mathematics and music at Phoenixville Area High School off an on since 1999. She has served as vocal director, music director, director, and co-director for the spring musical productions at PAHS, Spring-Ford High School, and for several community theater groups. Kate has been teaching private voice lessons since 1999. In 2009, she aided in the foundation of Facetime Theatre and currently serves as its vice president and business director, as well as the co-director for its Summer Stage program. She has been a lead instructor at Facetime for several years. Kate has performed with Melange Theatre Live, Underbite Theatre Company and Society Hill Playhouse – all in Philadelphia – and she has also held both lead and ensemble roles in several local theater productions. Kate has been married to her husband, Matthew, a fourth grade teacher at Upper Providence Elementary School, since 2003. They live in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, with their three children – Josephine, George and Franklin.
Matt Nice
Matthew Nice has been an educator in the Spring-Ford School District for over 20 years. Along the way he has directed numerous class plays, which are sometimes Shakespeare and sometimes Dickens. He has an Elementary Education degree from Bloomsburg University, and a Masters in Art Education from Kutztown University. He uses some of his artistic abilities on setwork for Facetime Theater.
Jessica Potts
Jessica has a degree in English education from West Chester University and a masters degree in educational technology from Wilkes University. She taught English at Owen J. Roberts High School for six years, and now she works as the Executive Director for Facetime Theatre, along with teaching classes, lessons, and music directing, while she stays home with her daughters, Clara and Louisa. Jessica is a director and performer and has held both lead and ensemble roles in several local theatre productions. She has served as the musical director and co-director of the spring musicals at Phoenixville Area High School and Owen J. Roberts High School. Jessica has been a lead instructor and has been in charge of administration and curriculum at Facetime Theatre for several years. She is a co-director of Facetime Theatre’s Summer Stage program. Jessica currently resides in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania with her husband, Ben, and their daughters, Clara and Louisa.
Samantha Roche
Samantha teaches ballet, tap, and jazz at Wayne Ballet & Center for Dance Arts, where she has been training since she was seven. Throughout her years at the studio, she has performed in The Nutcracker (Sugarplum Fairy, Spanish Soloist, Clara), Peter Pan (Peter) and The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch). Samantha has also trained at Koresh, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Academy of International Ballet. She has performed with the Footwerx tap company at the Wilma Theatre and the Arts Bank. Since her professional debut in Elvis: A Musical Revolution at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Samantha has performed at Walnut Street Theatre (Beauty and the Beastand Beautiful), and assistant choreographed and performed at the New Amsterdam Theatre (Arts For Autism 2024: A Broadway Benefit Concert). Samantha choreographs the musicals at William Penn Charter School as well as other community theaters in the area. Outside of teaching and performing, Samantha is trained in puppetry and loves to create puppets, making the official music video for Bowling for Soup’s “Getting Old Sucks”. She looks forward to teaching at Facetime Theatre!
Hannah Westfall
Hannah graduated from DeSales University with a BA in musical theatre. Since graduating in 2018, she has worked as an instructional aide in the Great Valley School District and an assistant teacher at the Malvern School. She currently works as an instructional aide at Charlestown Elementary School in the Great Valley School District. Hannah first started working with FaceTime theatre’s Summer stage program as an intern in 2015. Since then, she helps with the Summer stage kids programs, assistant directs FaceTime’s kids productions, and co teaches the FaceTime theatre classes at the Phoenixville Rec Center. She also co teaches two studio classes at FaceTime. Hannah’s love of theatre and her passion for working with kids has provided her with so many wonderful opportunities! She first got involved with the production aspect of theatre as a high school student where she assistant directed productions of shows at the elementary and middle school level.She also has choreographed various shows. Hannah is also the Assistant director and Choreographer for the Upper Providence Elementary School musical program. Hannah frequently performs in local theatre productions and sings with the FaceTime Theatre Center Stage Chorale. She currently lives in the Phoenixville area.