Be APA

Stacy Robison

Special Programs Administrator

Stacy holds a BA in journalism and public relations from the University of Southern California and an MBA in education and administration. She had a long career as the Coastline Regional Occupation Program’s Coordinator of Instructional Programs. She was instrumental in supporting APA’s teachers in curriculum design, equipment purchases and professional development. Her many contacts in the business and entertainment world should serve APA well for years to come. Stacy has been an APA patron for 12 years. She lives in Costa Mesa with her husband and three boys.

Andrea Taylor

Artistic Director

Andrea holds a BFA in dance performance/choreography from California Institute for the Arts and an MFA in dance from UCLA. Andrea established APA’s Commercial Dance Ensemble, has taught at several colleges and universities and represents the HBUHSD at VSA, Arts Advantage and Arts Schools Network. She was named Outstanding Arts Educator in 2014 by the Orange County Department of Education.

Susan West

Supervisor, APA Council Advisor

Susan West excels in business but has also studied comedy/improv at UCLA and performed with OCC’s Original Broadway cast and an assortment of bands. Before coming to APA, Susan was the National Alternative Marketing Manager for Capitol Records. Susan was the HBUHSD 2011-2012 Classified Employee of the Year and was honored to be a part of the HBUHSD leadership program. Susan also serves as the staff adviser for the APA Student Council.

Christina Biardi

Special Projects Technician

Christina holds a BS in business from California State University of Long Beach with an international marketing emphasis. She has been part of the theatre world since her children began performing at a young age, both in the management sphere and backstage. Christina was also familiar with the education system as a records clerk for the Garden Grove school district on several elementary campuses. She volunteered for APA while her daughter attended and was then hired into the costume department. From there she gained her current position in the APA office.

Jenny McClintock

Acting Chair

Jenny McClintock has been singing, dancing, and acting since the age of three, with many of her early performances taking place in the HBUHSD Auditorium with the Southland Ballet Academy and Fountain Valley High School Choir. Ms. McClintock earned a BFA in Theater Performance from Chapman University, where she graduated with honors. Following graduation, she pursued an acting career in Hollywood with roles on General Hospital, Nickelodeon's Victorious, and a short film that won top honors at the LA Comedy Shorts festival. While in Los Angeles, Ms. McClintock trained with acclaimed master teacher Ivana Chubbuck. Using the Chubbuck Technique, she began teaching private acting lessons, which led to the formation of a children’s theater in South Orange County with friends. It was during the next eleven years that she honed her skills as a teacher and developed a passion for educational theater. Five years ago, Ms. McClintock returned to school to earn her teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton. She currently resides in Seal Beach with her family and is a mother of three.

Juliette Lunger

Costume Design Chair

Juliette is a southern California native who has lived in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Her career in the arts started with classical piano. After many years as a pianist, Juliette realized that she was much more interested in working behind the scenes. During college, she explored her new fascination for design in theatre. Juliette received her BA from California State University, Fullerton in Theater Technical Design and her MFA at University of California, Los Angeles in Costume Design. She has designed costumes, hair, and makeup for stage and screen since 2004. Juliette's love for art, travel, history, cultural anthropology, and craftsmanship drives her passion and development as an artist and teacher.

Josh Behrens

Auditorium Technician

Josh Behrens specializes in lighting design and audio engineering, and actively works in the entertainment industry throughout Southern California. Josh holds a CTE Credential in Arts, Media and Entertainment, and earned an Associates' Degree in Mathematics from Golden West College. Mr. Behrens is an HB APA alumnus who graduated from the Technical Theatre Department in 2016. He has worked as the APA Studio Theater Technical Director for over five years, and will now enter his first year as APA Auditorium Technician. Mr. Behrens is currently completing his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Management from Arizona State University. He is thrilled to succeed Joe Batte as Auditorium Technician and is excited to continue educating APA’s Technical Theatre students.

Chris Henderson

Auditorium Technician

Brande Dunn

Ballet Ensemble Director

Brande attended UCLA where she earned a BA in French and dance, followed by an MA in education from UCI. She studied at Boston Ballet and Le Centre de Danse du Marais in Paris, France, and was a soloist for Festival Ballet Theatre. Brande is the director of APA’s Ballet Ensemble.

Christy Hernandez

Tap Ensemble Director

Christy is a graduate of San Jose State University with a BA in creative arts and dance. Christy danced professionally with Rhapsody in Taps and Jazz Tap Ensemble MCOT series. She founded Sound Effects/Collision, APA’s Tap Ensemble and is the producer of Northern California Tap Workshop and the Rhythm on Tap Performance Series.

Marie Hoffman

Dance Department Chair

Marie holds a BFA in dance from Radford University and an MFA in choreography and performance from University of North Carolina. Marie is an accomplished choreographer with national and international accolades, including the grand prize in the Palm Desert and New Prague dance festivals. She is founder of the Accidental Dance Company, the ENCORE Dance Company and APA’s Repertory Dance Ensemble. In 2013 she was named a Distinguished Educator in Dance by the Orange County Department of Education.

Claire Zabaneh

Jazz Ensemble Director

Claire Zabaneh comes to APA after instructing dance at El Modena High School in Orange Unified School District. Claire has earned a bachelor’s degree from Chapman University, and holds a master’s degree and physical education credential from National University. Claire has additionally earned a certification in Career Technical Education through the Orange County Department of Education, where she taught dance, choreographed performances, and organized booster clubs. With an extensive background in ballet, Claire provides her students with a foundational dance education while utilizing a wide range of industry and teaching experience. As a company member of Akomi Dance, she has performed in numerous collectives, festivals, and invitationals throughout Southern California. She has also danced professionally with the Anaheim Ballet at LA Fashion Week, MUSEO, Downtown Disney, and the Grove.

Jennifer Simpson-Matthews

Musical Theatre Artist Teacher

Jennifer holds a BA from Dominguez Hills and an MA from Walden University. In addition to her assignment at APA, Jennifer is also a teacher in the ABC School District. A former child actress and Disney performer, Jennifer is an accomplished musical theatre choreographer with credits in New York and California.