MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Stephen Switala - Voice |
Don Henry - Piano |
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Stephen is a life-long resident of Philipsburg, graduate of Philipsburg-Osceola in 1992. He has a B.S. in Music Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University. He has been a music educator with the Clearfield Area School District since 1998, teaching elementary and middle school music classes and is currently the Jr. and Sr. High Orchestra Director. Mr. Switala has been active in the community as a school board director, church worship leader and pianist, and Executive Director of Front and Centre Productions. Stephen is married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer, and has 3 lovely daughters - Joanna, Emily, and Meredith.
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Don currently teaches Elementary music and chorus for the Philipsburg-Osceola School District. He has been a part of IGNITE Youth Theatre for some time now and has been involved with Front and Centre either directly or indirectly from its beginning. Don was the Music Director for IGNITE Youth Theatre's the Little Mermaid in 2023 and has a daughter, Grace, who has been part of ILLUSIONS Dance Studio and IGNITE Youth Theatre.
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Emily Sanker - Voice
Emily is a recent graduate of Mansfield University. She graduated with a major in Liberal Arts and two minors in Music and Education. She studied voice under the direction of Dr. Todd Ranney. Throughout her time at Mansfield, she performed in numerous musicals and operas and even got to student direct her senior musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Emily had the opportunity to perform with the Mansfield University Concert Choir throughout Spain and France, as well as Carnegie Hall in NYC. She has been involved in IGNITE Youth Theatre since she was a little kid. First as a performer and now a director. She worked alongside Don Henry as the assistant music director for The Little Mermaid and Mean Girls, and is excited to continue sharing her passion of music through teaching!