Meet The Team
Ashley Dana Pines
Founder & Executive Director
Ever since Ashley saw her first musical at the age of five, she knew that she would pursue a career in theatre. She is a 2009 graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Theatre Production. Take A Bow was launched during Ashley's senior year of college. Classes began in New York City before finding their permanent home on Long Island in Ashley's hometown of Plainview. For her work at Take A Bow, which combines her love of musical theatre with her passion for working with children, Ashley received Marymount's first ever "Young Alumni Award" in 2014. In 2019, Ashley had her son Landon who loves going to work with his mom and watching the kids perform.
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We employ experienced staff in the field of dance, voice and acting. Our teachers are chosen not only for their talent, but also their love of working with children. Introducing our students to the wonderful world of musical theatre is the motivation behind our success.
Brii Russo
Manager & Sr. Dance Instructor
Brii is a professional Stuntwoman who works primarily on shows in New York. Some of her television credits include, Elementary, Madam Secretary, Blacklist Redemption, Orange is the New Black, Gotham, and Blue Bloods, to name a few. She loves being active in a variety of ways but has always had a special passion for dance! Brii has training in hip-hop, jazz, modern, contemporary, ballet, pointe, tap, palm, kickline and flags. She danced throughout her middle school, high school, and college career, being her Dance team's Color Guard captain in grades 11 and 12. Brii believes that kids can become whatever they want to be, but they might as well dance along the way!
Trevor Alberts-Pearson
Assistant Manager & Sr. Voice and Acting Instructor
From a young age, Trevor has loved to perform theatre. He grew up expanding his theatrical knowledge through experiencing a wide variety of musicals. Trevor obtained his Associates Degree in music from Suffolk County Community College in 2015, then continued on to SUNY Fredonia where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts in 2018. Throughout his college career, he knew that he needed to challenge himself to become a better performer, musician, actor, and mover. At the same time, however, he found that the process of learning and growing within a theatre environment sparked his desire to teach. Trevor has found theatre to be a rewarding outlet and tool to help people connect with themselves and others.
Niyah Cobb
Niyah has always had a love for musical theater ever since she was young. Her favorite shows are Grease, Hairspray, Rent and Heathers: the musical. Music has always played a huge part in her life and she's excited to work with others that have the same passion.
Jason Eccles
Jason has been involved with musical theatre since middle school, spending most of his time in rehearsals through high school. Some of his favorite performance credits include Dr. Madden (Next to Normal) and Marius (Les Mis). Jason started musical directing back in 2018. He has mainly worked for Second Stage Studios, on their junior and middle school productions. Jason has his Associates Degree in Music Performance from Nassau Community College. He is finishing up his degree at Five Towns College, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition.
Jenna Halvorsen
Jenna has multiple years of teaching experience including private lessons, summer programs and coaching a variety of skills at local theatres. In addition to being a strong vocalist, she plays a number of musical instruments including piano, guitar, and ukulele. Jenna is a two-time Roger Rees award finalist for her roles as Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors) and The Witch (Into The Woods). She has loved performing ever since she was a mouse in Cinderella when she was eight years old. She hopes to spread her joy and passion for the arts to the students at Take A Bow.
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Jessica Hancock
Jess Hancock is currently receiving her Masters in Theatre Education P-12 at Adelphi University. She graduated as Salutatorian from Five Towns College in 2019 with her BFA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in musical theatre. Some favorite previous credits include: Suzy (The Marvelous Wonderettes), Oberon (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Emily (Disgraced) for which she was nominated for an Irene Ryan Award from KCACTF. Jess strongly believes in the power theatre has to change lives and is so excited to bring this passion to Take A Bow!
Kaitlyn Kopetic
Kaitlyn is very excited to be continuing her dance career here at Take A Bow. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and has had a deep passion for dance, theatre and preforming. She has taught a variety of dance styles, including tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and lyrical for five years and is elated to continue to teach here. In addition to instructing, Kaitlyn loves to dance herself having been a competition dancer for many years, winning awards for her craft. Kaitlyn can’t wait to share her love of dance with her students and the self-confidence and expression that comes with it.
Bridgette Lord
Bridgette loves working with our youngest performers here at Take a Bow!! She has loved performing ever since she was the same age as her students and loves to be apart of their first performances!! She studied at Keene State College as a theatre and dance Major and specializing in acting. Some of Bridgette’s favorite performance credits include: Logainne SchwartzandGrubenirre (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Amy (Company) which she received an Irene Ryan Award nomination from KCACTF. She has also been apart of multiple cabaret performances as well as a number of original play readings and workshops. Bridgette's goal is to instill in her students the same love and passion for theatre as she has.
Jacqueline McCreedy
Jacqui McCreedy is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at Ithaca College. She has taught in both elementary and high school settings, finding joy within all environments. Jacqui has performed and worked on various genres of music including classical, folk and country, jazz, and musical theater. She believes that the main goal of music, theater and performing is to have fun while also learning in a realistic performance environment. With excitement, she is happy to introduce herself to the students and faculty and to be a part of the team at Take A Bow!
Molly Meyerson
Molly has been a student of the Take A Bow program for more than ten years. Her passion for musical theater also drove her to perform with the South Shore Theatricals and Patio Players’ theater troupes. Some of her favorite roles include: Ursula Merkle (Bye Bye Birdie), Pepper (Annie) & Eve (Meet Me In St. Louis). In her role at Take A Bow Playhouse, Molly combines two of her passions: musical theater and teaching. Molly has started taking classes focusing on early childhood & elementary education.
Norah O'Brien
Norah O’Brien is an interdisciplinary creator with a Bachelor's Degree Arts Management from SUNY Purchase. Studying Laban, Stanislavski, Graham, Fosse, and Shakespeare, all have helped shape Norah’s unique and compassionate artistic process that often combines acting, directing, and production skills. Norah has been cast in many productions over the years, including American Idiot, Hairspray, Rent, Godspell, and even Jesus Christ Superstar. An early background in performing onstage and helping behind the scenes has allowed them to handle more tasks simultaneously within the performing arts business. Norah’s work has involved writing, directing, acting, dancing, stage management, music production, make-up work, and even event planning. Norah is excited to teach children how to be comfortable and confident in expressing themselves.
Marilyn Parada
Born and based on Long Island, Marilyn Parada grew her love for performing when she started dancing at Kellie's Dance Studio at just four years old and continued for 14 years. Afterward, she was eager to join performing art groups/classes growing up, such as the performance coaching classes at Rybin Studio of Drama. Marilyn has just recently graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Finance at Manhattanville College this past May. There, she has been a choreographer for the Manhattanville Dance Ensemble and a dance captain for the recent production of Something Rotten! When Marilyn is not sharing her love of the performing arts, she loves to travel with her family, explore new places, and meet new faces! Marilyn is very determined to continue her career in the performing arts.
Hailey Weber
Hailey recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Long Island University Post with a BA in Theatre Arts. Previous credits include: Rona Lisa (Spelling Bee), Cosette (Les Miserables), LuLu (Cabaret). She prides herself in providing a safe and brave space for children to grow to their fullest potential. Hailey recently found her passion for teaching, and is super excited for what is ahead at Take A Bow!
Serena Weiss
Serena began acting when she was 9 years old and continued throughout middle school, but as a sophomore in high school she realized that her passion was off the stage. She is grateful to have had the opportunity to assistant direct and direct multiple shows which includes Men on Boats, Peter and the Starcatcher and Heathers: The Musical. Serena graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Directing in the fall of 2022. Being a fairly shy kid growing up, Serena is hoping to teach her students to be more comfortable and confident both on and off the stage.
Cody LeRoy Wilson
Cody LeRoy Wilson graduated from West Virginia University in 2014 with a BFA in Acting with an emphasis in classical drama. He has been professionally working since 2013 and has worked throughout the country since moving to New York City in 2014. His acting career has taken him to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York, Washington DC, Maryland, Missouri, Arkansas, and Ohio. In 2019 he made his Off-Broadway debut during the New York City's Brits Off Broadway Festival in the award winning show Handbagged transferred from the West End in London. Throughout his career Cody has had the opportunity to coach, teach, perform with, and mentor young actors enrolled in after school and community outreach programs and looks forward to bringing his experiences to the classrooms at Take A Bow.
