ALL INCLUSIVE PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY

Coach Amanda (Amanda Spinella, she/they) is a dynamic Performer, Educator, and Creator based in Poughkeepsie, NY. Raised in Hopewell Junction, Amanda studied Theater (Performance & Directing) at Emerson College and has been a successful professional actor & vocalist in cities from Boston to Los Angeles since graduation. Taking matters into her own hands, Amanda began Producing Feature Films, Music Videos, Comedy Shorts, & Commercials while living in Los Angeles with some of her favorite stars (Kehlani, Ludacris, A$AP Rocky) and continues to facilitate Creation by inspiring her students to breathe life into their passions and release what boxes them in.

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Brittany Dingle is a Teaching Artist from Indiana. With a degree in Theatre Education from Ball State University, she coaches students in acting and movement, through character development. Brittany also studied playwriting at Columbia College in Chicago. She enjoys acting, choreography, writing, and most importantly, collaborating with others. Brittany’s favorite part of the theatre is seeing how all types of art can come together to make the magic of a production come to life! She is thrilled to continue as an LBC Coach, working with the youngest leaders and performers!

Colton Thorn, MT-BC (he/they) is a board certified music therapist, singer songwriter, and a multi-instrumentalist and voice teacher. Colton loves playing guitar, ukulele, piano, violin, banjo, and singing. Colton believes music can empower through learning and expression of emotion and provides an "in the moment connection" and loves to help foster independent and group growth. When not playing music, they love wiggling around, going on runs, and time with friends in nature

Lindsay is honored and thrilled to be a coach for LBC! Lindsay has been performing since she was 5 years old, and has performed in many venues including: Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Duplex, The Kennedy Center and Nationals Stadium. Lindsay has produced musicals off-Broadway, and has worked in theatrical general management, booking, and touring, representing Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, dance companies and independent artists. She started her private voice studio in 2012, and currently teaches voice to students ranging in age from 7 to 75. Lindsay is the music teacher at Brooklyn Compass, and truly believes EVERYONE can sing!

Fonda K. Muhammad is the Founder and Artistic Director of Leaders by Choice.  She is a Black Muslim woman who identifies as a BIPOC.  At LBC, Fonda aims to guide each student toward responsible self management via richly motivating and challenging theater and leadership experiences.  Coach Muhammad is an educator, visionary, mentor, collaborator, writer, and a change agent.  As a visionary and long time educator, she has created a myriad of learning environments wherein students learn acceptance as opposed to tolerance.  Fonda taught English Language Arts, directed school productions, and cultivated leadership skills through the magic of theater for three decades in New York before relocating to Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition to growing LBC, Fonda continues the journey of arts education through her work with Raleigh Little Theater, Garner Performing Arts Center, and the Durham Arts Council. With these experiences constantly in mind, Coach Muhammad will continue the work of developing both the artist and activist in our future leaders. The time for artivists is now!

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Najah Imani Muhammad is the Director of Education of LBC. She also manages the NY Chapter of LBC and couldn’t be more thrilled about working with her mother to continue this legacy. Najah is a NY based theatre artist and educator, with disciplines in acting and directing. She received her BA in Theatre Education and Acting from Emerson College in Boston, MA. Najah also frequently hosts live events such as open mics, comedy shows, and cabarets. Regardless of the project, her goal is to use the arts as a communicative tool to bring people together, and start a conversation. Most recently, she has used this drive to direct young people, helping to foster an environment of leadership and growth, while finding cultural relevance in each performance to further strengthen the voices of tomorrow’s leaders. When not performing or directing, Najah can be found working as a Teaching Artist with organizations such as Disney Theatrical Group, The Leadership Program, and Girl Be Heard. She is also the Director of Education and Imagination of Kaiser’s Room, a theatre program which provides performing arts opportunities for individuals of all abilities. Outside of the theater, you may catch Najah talking to strangers on camera or offering her “two cents” through writing, with her advice brand, "Najahknows," and new podcast “Underrepresented Representatives.” @najahknows @underreppedreps.

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