Meet our talented team of instructors at MoonAmie Productions. Focusing on teaching exceptional techniques and creating unforgettable experiences, we are committed to our student’s skills and success.
MONICA NICOLE ROSELL
OWNER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Monica Nicole Rosell is MoonAmie Productions’ Founder, Owner & Artistic Director. In her role, she directs the conservatory’s productions and spearheads the acting curriculum. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Dramaturgy from New York State University: Stony Brook (’11), where she taught undergraduate students Script Analysis and Theatre History. Monica also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of Miami ‘08, where she completed an intensive four-month study of Shakespeare plays and theory at Kent University in Canterbury, United Kingdom. Monica is also a proud alumna of the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart.
After completing her studies, Monica moved back to her hometown and has been a prominent director and private acting coach for 10+ years. Previous credits include: Seussical Jr., Shrek Jr., Little Mermaid Jr., Cabaret, Moana Jr., Chicago, Newsies, Eurydice, Steel Magnolias, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, High School Musical, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast Jr., Willy Wonka, Jungle Book Kids, Cinderella Kids, RENT, Catch Me If You Can, Little Shop of Horrors, Annie, Tarzan, Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland, Seussical, Godspell, Rock Odyssey, Avenue Q, Jungle Book, Romeo and Juliet, Playboy of the Western World, The America Play, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Reconstructing Mama (Off-Broadway). Monica has also directed, produced & edited all short films for MoonAmie Productions.
PRISCILLA BLANCO
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & VOCAL COACH
As MoonAmie Productions’ Director of Music, Priscilla Blanco teaches private and group voice lessons at the conservatory and oversees the musical development for all full-scale productions. Priscilla earned her Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in music education at Florida International University. She taught in the Miami-Dade Public School system for five years and served as secretary and president for the Miami-Dade County Music Educators Association during her tenure. She was awarded the honor of ‘Rookie Teacher of the Year’ in the school district’s central region.
Priscilla is passionate about giving back to the community through her gifted musical talents. She co-founded Spark! Music Initiative, a non-profit based in Grand Cayman, which helps educate and introduce creative music techniques to underserved children.
Previous credits include: Seussical Jr., Shrek Jr., Little Mermaid Jr., Cabaret, Moana Jr., Chicago, Newsies, Gypsy, Songs for a New World, Legally Blonde, Violet, Edges, Rent, Damn Yankees, Wedding Singer, Crazy for You, Willy Wonka, Cinderella, 42nd Street, amongst others.
Priscilla also works as a vocal coach and accompanist throughout South Florida. Currently, she accompanies musical theater productions and classes at the University of Miami.
CHARLEEN VOLZ COMPANY/STAGE MANAGER
As MoonAmie Production’s Company/Stage Manager since 2016, Charleen oversees the logistics and operations of all full-scale productions at the conservatory. Before moving to Miami, Charlene worked in stage management and operations in Pennsylvania, Chicago, New Jersey, and New York, and earned degrees in Chemistry and Theatre from the University of Maryland. Her most memorable stage credits include Beauty and the Beast, High School Musical, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Newsies, Chicago, Moana Jr., Seussical Jr., Shrek Jr., Little Mermaid Jr., and Cabaret. Charleen is also a certified teacher who has a passion for math and science. She owes much of her current success and happiness to her loving husband. Together they have adopted two perfect children, Francisco and Josephine.
ERIKA DIAZ
HEAD CHOREOGRAPHER
Erika Diaz is MoonAmie's Head Choreographer and teaches our Advanced Teen Classes in addition to Audition Prep for high school and college BFA programs. She is the proud coach of the National Championship winning Coral Gables Senior High School Gablettes Dance Team. With more than 20+ years of dance experience, Erika brings exceptional expertise to the MoonAmie staff and creative choreography for our full-scale productions.
ZOË MALONEY
VOCAL COACH
Zoë Maloney is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee earning a BFA in Musical Theater. Born and raised in Miami, FL, Zoë is a proud MoonAmie alum where she was previously seen in Peter Pan (Peter Pan) and RENT (Mimi) and attended New World School of the Arts. Most recently, she played Diana Morales in the International Tour of A Chorus Line and Vicki Vickers in the Cincinnati Playhouse production of A Chorus Line. Zoë looks forward to coaching MoonAmie's incredible students and helping them reach their vocal goals, preparing for auditions, and bolstering their confidence!
ICELA GUERNICA
VOCAL COACH
Icela Guernica is a graduate of the Musical Theater program at New World School of the Arts and a proud Gator. She was previously seen in Annie Jr. (Grace), Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief (Sally), Cabaret (Kost), Main Street Players’ Songs for a New World (Woman 2), and Real Women Have Curves (Estela). With over 10 years of professional performance experience, Icela began her education in voice training at the age of 13 and has been a vocal coach for eight years. She brings her knowledge of vocal technique and encourages healthy habits to her students, enabling more power, higher notes, and overall better tone and style. Her lessons focus on increasing control, maintaining endurance, eliminating vocal strain, and building self esteem.
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VICTORIA SMITH
JUNIOR DANCE COACH & OFFICE MANAGER
Victoria Smith is honored to be a part of MoonAmie. Her time at MoonAmie began with performing as Lulu, A Kit Kat girl, in Cabaret. She has also worked backstage for MoonAmie’s productions of The Little Mermaid, Jr. and Seussical Jr. She has a passion for musical theatre and is always inspired by the talented students at MoonAmie! She is also completing her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology at Florida International University.
ALEXIS LOWELL
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & JUNIOR ACTING COACH
Alexis Lowell is starting her third year at Florida State University pursuing a Masters in Elementary Education. She has participated in more than ten shows at MoonAmie Productions, both as an Actor and Assistant Director. Past credits include Seussical Jr. (Assistant Director), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Peter Pan (Wendy Darling), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmerelda), Newsies (Davey), Chicago (Velma Kelly) and more. Alexis is grateful to be a pivotal part of the MoonAmie family for so many years.
LAUREN QUINTANA
ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER & DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Lauren is currently a sophomore at Florida State University studying Digital Media Production and Theatre. She is a proud MoonAmie Production's alumni and is thrilled to work where she has so many amazing childhood memories. Past credits include Seussical Jr. (Assistant Choreographer), Newsies (Racetrack Higgins), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Clopin), Chicago (Liz), Steel Magnolias (Clairee Belcher), and Eurydice (Interesting Man/Lord of the Underworld).
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SUNDARI DAVIS
ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Sundari is currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Her previous credits include Seussical Jr. (Assistant Musical Director), Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Chicago (Roxie), Newsies (Hannah, Bowery Beauty), Hunchback of Notre Dame (St. Elizabeth), High School Musical (Monica), and Cinderella (Stepmother).
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JOLIE CARTAYA
HEAD INTERN
SABRINA SMITHIES
INTERN
BROOKE STERLING
GUEST INSTRUCTOR
Brooke Sterling is MoonAmie Productions’ Tap Instructor and Fight Coordinator. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Brooke’s credits include: Fame/Blithe Spirit/Sweet Charity (Woodstock Playhouse), The Miser (UNCSA), Hairspray (The Muny), Mamma Mia (The Muny), The Cider House Rules Part I & II (UNCSA), Wonder of the World (UNCSA), Fiddler on the Roof (Miami Acting Company). She performed in reading with a star-studded cast and creative team for a new musical, BlackBox, at the Manhattan Theatre Club & RWS Studios.
Additionally, she has performed the National Anthem for the Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, LA Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Marlins, University of Miami (Basketball & Baseball) and with the Palm Beach Pops. She served as MoonAmie Productions’ Fight Coordinator on The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Newsies as she holds certifications with the Society of American Fight Directors in Unarmed, Knife, Rapier & Dagger, Small Sword, Quarterstaff and Broadsword. Brooke is currently a working actress based in New York City.
SAMMY SCHECHTER
GUEST INSTRUCTOR
Samuel “Sammy” Schechter is MoonAmie Productions’ Musical Theatre and Jazz Instructor. He is currently earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati (CCM).
Regional Credits include, All Shook Up! (The Muny), Newsies (MoonAmie Productions), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (MoonAmie Productions), Mamma Mia! (Millbrook Playhouse), Annie (Taft Theater), and Cirque Dreams Broadway (Broward Center for the Performing Arts). Sammy has also been in CCM’s productions of Guys and Dolls, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 42nd Street, and Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. In 2019, he performed as a featured vocalist with the Cincinnati Pops in The Wonderful Music of Oz concert. He is the recipient of the CCM 2020 Cope Family Award. Sammy is also a member of The Growing Studio’s LINK class of 2020.