Theater Instructors
Anne Brummel
Theater Director
Anne Brummel is a NJ native best known for flying around Oz on a broomstick as the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West in Broadway's hit musical “Wicked”. Anne’s journey with “Wicked” spanned 6 yrs with three different companies: Broadway, Chicago, and the 2nd national tour. Anne has toured the country performing in Lincoln Center Theaters Production of My Fair Lady. Additional credits include the National Broadway Tour of “Evita,” the National Broadway Tour of “Cats,” and starring in numerous regional productions including “Mamma Mia”, “9-5”, “Jerome Robbins Broadway”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, and many more. Anne is one of the longest running staff members at Garden Street School of the Performing Arts - her main roles include directing, and preparing young performers on our award winning Musical Theatre Team, as well as preparing young performers for professional auditions, and high school and college auditions as well. She's delighted to direct our main stage shows at Garden Street. She's also available for private coaching through the studio.
Neal Tracy
Competition Instructor
Neal has a BM, MM, DM, Indiana University; with a doctorate in vocal pedagogy with doctoral minors in speech pathology and music history. Voice studios in New York City, Rider University, and Bucks County. Current students are active as lead and ensemble roles in Broadway productions (Allison Case, Miss Honey in Matilda), national and international tours (Beth Glover as Madame in Cinderella), and regional theater nationwide. Students include a wide range of professionals (comedians and NYC theatre director/producers), vocalists (Kacie Sheik); opera singers (Zach Borichevsky,
Metropolitan Opera debut in Manon Lescaut) to Cirque du Soleil soloists to pop/rock recording artists and cabaret circuit performers. Neal has been a regional opera and musical theater performer and director. Metropolitan Opera Awards national finalist. Member of NATS, MTEA and NYSTA. Neal also had the privilege of teaching a couple of well-known Ann(i)e's that you might know.
Emily Derrick
Musical Theater Director Expert for Young Children
Some of you may have seen Emily singing and dancing her way through Disney in one of their magical shows! She has toured the US performing in the most amazing productions, and has performed all over the world!
As a true triple threat Emily Derrick began training with Atlanta Dance Theater, under the direction of Jonnie Kelly. She furthered her training at The Atlanta Ballet and was selected to study with the Georgia Governor's Honors program. Emily got her BFA in Dance Performance from OCU and was a student of tap legend, Robert Reed.
She was a founding member of the dance company, Street Beatz. She danced with TapLife, American Tap Dance Foundation. Emily danced in Disney productions: Celebrate the Season and and Block Party Bash, where she was awarded for Outstanding Performance.
Some of Emily's favorite regional musical performances include Elf, Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma and the world premiere of Rewind.
Emily was the head of the dance and drama department for Shanghai China's UOutlook. She has taught students of all ages throughout the Tri-state area, and has developed fun and engaging dance programs for young dancers.
With all of this incredible experience and training, Emily brings her love and joy for the performing arts to young children. Emily specializes in working with young aspiring performers of all ages and levels - especially our youngest students. We believe all children should have the opportunity to experience the performing arts at any age, and we are delighted to bring Emily's expertise to our youngest students at Garden Street!
Finn Douglas
Music Director
Finn began music as a child prodigy and has trained exclusively at Garden Street School of the Performing Arts. Finn has worked very closely with famed Music Director Deborah Abramson (Matilda Broadway) on his solo musical, Off Broadway where he is known for being the only child to ever do a one man show Off Broadway. He's also worked with composer, music director John McDaniel from the Rosie Show, on his original works and in productions in NYC. Finn has learned extensively from Seussical and Anastasia composer, Stephen Flaherty while Finn worked on the original Ahrens/Flaherty Musical, Knoxville. Finn was invited to be included in many of the orchestral rehearsals for Knoxville, and Broadway's 25th Anniversary Concert of Ragtime at the Minskoff Broadway Theatre. Finn has learned from NYC greats like Caleb Hoyer, Thomas Murray, and Bruce Coughlin. Finn has worked with Broadway professionals since age 8, and brings to each rehearsal all of the knowledge and experience he's absorbed with learning from such brilliant musical geniuses.