CHARDELL BROWN

Director of Media

 

Originally from Detroit, Chardell has spent most of his professional career working within the broadcast industry as a technical supervisor and corporate liaison between governmental departments. Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Chardell found both inspiration and motivation to assist the needs of Performing Arts Studio West in all aspects of production and promotion.

 

  Noted for his youth, Chardell started early as an animator, taking several college level courses in visual effects while still in high school. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Special Effects & Digital Animation, Chardell had already acquired over 21 local and national awards for his work, including the Congressional Award for a painting still hanging in the State House of Representatives in Washington.

 

  As a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in Film Directing & Producing, Chardell has brought his expertise to PASW since the Summer of 2006.

 

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LISA MARIE CHAPMAN

Asst. Dir. of Support Services

 

Lisa began working at Performing Arts Studio West in 2008 as a supplemental support provider, assisting various PASW participants in their daily classes and activities.  Officially on staff since December 2012, Lisa is now part of our Support Services Team, responsible for providing problem solving, conflict resolution, and administrative and vocational support to our participants. Lisa also works as a personal Trainer/Counselor for First Advocates, a company that services the developmentally disabled population in the Los Angeles area.

 

  Lisa has worked with the developmentally disabled population since 1997; first with United Airlines for 9 ½ years as a Special Services Supervisor, opening up operations & supervising 150 agents daily to service any and all passengers with disabilities throughout the airport. She has also has worked as a direct care staff member at various in-home facilities for clients with developmental disabilities.

 

 

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SHAYON DANIELS

Music Instructor / Producer

 

As a creative innovator and cutting edge entertainment industry visionary, Shayon is on the pulse of all things music, as a self-taught piano player since age 5 and a Producer/ Solo Artist/ Writer.  Shayon is not limited to writing for himself, alone; he’s also a Producer/Writer to many successful and up-and-coming indie artists.  Through the years his collaborative credits include Rob Knox (Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown), DVLP (Lady GaGa, Eminem, Lil’ Wayne, Jennifer Lopez), Printz Boards (Black Eyed Peas, CeeLo Green, Fergie), DJ Vice (SKAM Artists, Power 106.1), Eric DLUX (LMFAO), Jean Baptiste (The Black Eyed Peas) and more.

 

  As a Producer Shayon creates a unique blend of cinematic drama and space in all of his songs. As a topliner, he’s able to write vulnerable verses and anthemic choruses. Influenced by the likes of Prince, Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, Seal, Outkast, Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, The Beatles, Hans Zimmer, and Danny Elfman.

 

  Shayon’s whole life has been dedicated to feeling music deeply. “I’m young, tenacious and ready to make my mark on the industry as a breakthrough leader. So here’s to us singing, laughing, crying and dancing together – all at the same time!”

LESTINE DRAKE

Finance / HR Manager

 

Lestine  has over 30 years of experience in finance and management in non-profit as well as proprietary companies including Bank of America, Challengers Boys and Girls Club, and South Central Family Health Center.

 

  Attributes, such as her love for people, commitment to customer service and excellent work ethic, lend themselves to an effective work environment. She is skilled in financial resolution management, payroll, bookkeeping, insurance, accounts payable and receivable, and bank reconciliation, all of which she handles for PASW.

LAURIE GRANT

Consultant /

CRE Outreach Director

 

Hailing from Los Angeles, Laurie Grant was a student of Music and Music Business at UCLA, and a graduate of The Grove School of Music with a degree in Jazz and Theory. Laurie has a solid academic and professional background in music composition and arrangement. She is the co-founder and former CEO of LPJ Entertainment LLC, and former Director of Music Marketing and Licensing for Performing Arts Studio West. Inspired by her experiences with PASW, Laurie began working with the Rex and Friends Charitable Foundation in 2013, assisting the Foundation launch as Co-Musical Director.

 

  Since 2015, she has been the Musical Director, and has assisted in joining Rex and Friends with CREATE REFLECT EMPOWER (CRE) Outreach. CRE Outreach empowers under-served individuals from low-income populations through performing arts. She has co-written, produced, and licensed works for a multitude of independent artists and for music placement in film and television. Laurie has also enjoyed a successful career for over 20 years as a music educator, working with people of all ages and abilities in piano, theory, composition, and songwriting at her own studio.

 

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DAMIEN HODGE

Director of Support Services

 

Damien joined the PASW staff in mid August of 2008. He brings with him over 13 years of experience working with persons with developmental disabilities as well more than 10 years working in the Entertainment Industry, not to mention a charming personality to go along with his experience!

 

  As the Director of Support Services at PASW, Damien is responsible for coordination ISPs and progress reports, plus providing problem solving, conflict resolution, and administrative and vocational support to our participants.

 

  “The only things in life that are promised are the Alpha and Omega, everything else in between is one big improv!”

 

 

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DIANA JORDAN

Acting Instructor /

Industry Liaison /

Guest Speaker Coordinator

 

Diana Jordan has worked with Performing Arts Studio West since 1999 where she teaches acting, serves as the resident acting coach, and coordinates the Guest Artist Series. She holds a Bachelors of General Studies in Theater and Media Arts from the University of Kansas and a Masters of Fine Arts from California State University, Long Beach. She began her acting career in her native Chicago after graduating from the University of Kansas.

 

  After working in Chicago for several years, Jordan moved to Long Beach California in 1998 when she became the first actor with a disability to be accepted into California State University Long Beach Theater Department’s Graduate Program. She graduated with her MFA in June 2001. She has worked with the critically acclaimed Cornerstone Theater Company and appeared in two episodes of the WB’s “7th Heaven.” Ms. Jordan also portrays Maggie Charles on the web series “The Hollywood Acting Class.” She is also a member of AFTRA, SAG (where she is a member of the Performer with Disabilities Committee) and recently joined The Actors Equity Association membership candidate program.

 

  Jordan was also honored to become the first recipient for The Ricardo Montalban /Nosotros Cultural Understanding sponsored by The Media Access Office.

 

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LINDSAY JOHNSON

Dance Instructor

 

Lindsay received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cal State Fullerton in 2004. Since then she has been choreographing and performing professionally. Dance has been her passion since she was 8 years old. Then, through support of mentors growing up, she discovered how much she loved choreographing and teaching others to do what she so enjoyed. Regional choreography credits include: “A Muholland Christmas Carol,” “Sona Tera Roman Hess” (Critic’s Pick), “Urinetown!” (Garland nomination), “A Night on Broadway; A Musical Revue,” “Stepping Out,” “Company,” “Footloose,” “A Chorus Line,” “The Music Man,” “Once Upon A Mattress,” “Oklahoma,” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” She also choreographed a Journey tribute show at the O.C. Pavilion in 2008. Performance credits include: “Seussical, The Musical!,” “Pazzazz!,” “Dreamgirls,” “Ragtime,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” “Children of Eden,” and “A Chorus Line.” She may have been seen on stage performing with such talents as Natalie Cole and Kenny Loggins. Lindsay teaches dance and Musical Theater (R.I.C.A) and dance fusion in Santa Fe Springs. You can watch her ongoing project on YouTube entitled “Backstreet Musical.” Read more about Lindsay on her website: www.lindsaysaramartin.com

 

  As Lindsay continues to work hard professionally as an actress, singer, dancer and choreographer, all of which she has brought to PASW since the Spring of 2009, she also assists in PASW’s talent management department.

 

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PASCAL JOHNSON

Music /

Creative Writing Instructor

 

Singer/songwriter Pascal Johnson was born in Quebec, Canada where his first language was French. As a young adult, he toured the world performing live and on television. He has worked with Grammy nominated producers and several renowned artists. He is currently working on his EP and a third children’s book with his wife and writing partner, Lindsay Johnson.

 

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STEVE NIEL

Acting Instructor /

On Set Coach /

Project Development

 

Known and loved for his contagious energy, Steve Niel brings with him over 14 years of Entertainment industry experience. Well-versed both in front of and behind the camera, Steve’s enthusiasm to share his experience is unparalleled.

 

  Steve, a graduate of the Second City Conservatory Program, has significant commercial, TV, and film credits to his name. He appeared as the Dodge Durango “Can You Say Hemi?” spokesperson for four years with 6 national and 2 regional commercials. Other commercial credits include 2 Coors Light spots, 2 KFC spots, Dish Network, and Circuit City. Steve co-stared on WB’s “Angel” and appeared on “The Sweet River Comedy Hour” and “The Improv.” He has performed in over one hundred live improvisation/sketch comedy shows throughout his career. He starred and participated in the production of “Baggage,” winner of the National 48 Hour Film Project at the 2004 South-By South West Film Festival and has also appeared in several independent films. Steve recently landed a supporting role in “Under The Same Moon,” an official selection in the 2007 Sundance Film Festival which was released theatrically in March 2008 by Fox Searchlight.

 

  An artist at heart, Steve thrives on sharing his passion, knowledge and experience with other performers, and has brought this to PASW since June of 2008.

 

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JOE SEABE

Music Director / Producer

 

Joe Seabe has been involved for over 25 years in the music industry as a performer (both guitar and vocals), songwriter, and producer. Beginning as a guitarist, Joe began making a name for himself in various music projects in his native Philadelphia. He began a steady climb in popularity by playing with some of the area’s most well-known bands and talent, beginning with SicVicki, a local band that gained a massive following and toured with national bands. With SicVicki, Joe was introduced to Bill Aucoin, the manager for music giants Kiss, Billy Idol, and Billy Squier. Through Bill Aucoin, Joe began working with top music producers Obie O’Brian and Lance Quinn, who worked at the Power Station in New York. These gentlemen have produced top selling artists like Bon Jovi and Lita Ford.

 

  At this time, Joe started writing songs with Steve Plunkett, lead singer for the band Autograph, and Essra Mowhawk, vocalist for Frank Zappa and songwriter for Cindi Lauper and Tina Turner. Joe has had extensive experience in the studio with Nick D’dia, producer and engineer for huge acts including Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against the Machine, and Pearl Jam. Nick has called on Joe to record for various studio projects. Ace Frehley of Kiss has called Joe in to the studio for many sessions as well. Relocating to North Carolina, Joe continued session work with recording studio Alley Sound. Joe also worked as a live sound engineer for the well-known club Be Here Now, a club that attracted top drawing artists like Paula Cole, Patty Smith, and Los Lobos.

 

  Through a meeting with a business colleague, Joe relocated to Los Angeles to begin work with LPJ Entertainment. Joe joined PASW at the end of 2004 as their new Music Director, where he’s responsible for teaching songwriting, vocals, music composition, and producing music for PASW productions.

 

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MEGAN SLIKAS

Consultant/Talent Agent

 

Megan Slikas joined the PASW team in mid 2011 as a talent manager bringing with her a wealth of experience in the entertainment field. Now, as a Talent Agent at 98West Talent, Megan serves as a consultant to the studio.

 

  She began her career as a casting associate and quickly advanced to become a Casting Director for short films, independent features and television projects for PBS and the BBC. She was responsible for casting Mila Kunis in her very first television role as “Melinda” in “Make a Wish, Molly” for PBS, and jump-started the career of the young Amy Smart when she cast her in John Updike’s “Welcome to the A & P,” also for PBS. Megan stepped into a producing role for the films “Mercury in Retrograde” and “The Sleepless,” raising financing, negotiating production deals, and supervising casting and post-production. As a writer, she worked in developing projects for Disney, New Line Cinema, and Nickelodian.

 

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ALEXANDER TOVAR

Music Instructor / Producer

 

Alexander Tovar was born in 1984 in Los Angeles to a musical family. By age 10, he had written his first opera and soon began formal training in piano, trumpet, and guitar.

 

He attended Alexander Hamilton High School playing trumpet in the prestigious jazz band. By his senior year he had written a piece for full orchestra,which caught the attention of Robert Kraft, the current president of Fox Music. Mr. Kraft introduced Alexander to Philip Glass, who asked him to come work for him in New York City.

 

Fresh out of high school, Alexander moved to New York City to work for Philip Glass and Nico Muhly. Later, he returned to Los Angeles  studying philosophy at PCC and then transferring to the University of Southern California getting his B.M. in music composition. In college, his piece, Eudaemonia, was selected on the New Music for Orchestra concert, conducted by Donald Crockett and broadcasted live on 91.5 KUSC.

 

After college, Alexander  wrote a piece for Gustavo Dudamel that was performed live in front of Disney Hall as part of the inaugural gala event welcoming the Maestro to Los Angeles.

 

In 2010, Alexander starting working for Van Dyke Parks. They worked on an Elton John and Leon Russell album, entitled, The Union produced by T-Bone Burnett.  In 2010, Tovar’s original score to the Crown Prince of Heaven premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

 

Tovar began writing his first play, a musical farce entitled Mr. Genius. He then began writing, directing, editing, acting, and scoring his own films. The first one, Nothing in Los Angeles (2013), a love letter to Los Angeles, was shot on a shoe string budget (produced by Armand Hargett) and went on to premiere at many important festivals including Cinequest. The next year he wrote, directed, acted, and scored his second film, Show Business (2015); a screwball romantic comedy that premiered at many notable festivals including the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival (produced by Bonnie Hargett). He won best score for Show Business at the Milano International Film Festival Awards.

 

In 2016, Tovar acted in The Relationtrip, which premiered at 2017 SXSW Film Festival.

 

Alexander has continued to put out new albums and new screenplays. His newest, Hollywood Music, was recently released on iTunes and Amazon.

 

 

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CARMEL WYNNE

Director of Talent Management

 

Carmel Wynne has been on staff at Performing Arts Studio West since November of 2000. First as an acting teacher, though not too long after was responsible for starting PASW’s acclaimed talent management department as our Director of Talent. Carmel has been instrumental in obtaining work for PASW consumers in the entertainment industry, with over 1,500 roles going to our performers since 2002. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina, and studied 3-Dimensional Art at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has also worked as an Event Producer for LAAC and was on the production staff for the American Film Market. Carmel has worked professionally as an Art Director, Set Dresser, Wardrobe Coordinator, Associate Casting Director, Script Supervisor, and Stage Manager.

 

  In addition to running PASW’s Talent Management department, Carmel oversees all the wardrobe and props for PASW’s many original in-house production. She acted as the Costume Designer, Set Designer, and Makeup & Hair Coordinator for PASW's original productions of “Kick Me When I’m Down… I’m Dead!” and “The National Cesspool!” to name just a few. Carmel also performed voice over work in the PASW original film, “Cut It Out, Monster… You’re Killing Me!”

 

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DAVID ZIMMERMAN

Acting Instructor /

On Set Coach /

Entertainment Liaison

 

David Zimmerman has been coaching actors and putting together workshops for over a decade. He is the Creator and Producer of the “Meet the Biz” workshops which look to make diversity the norm and bridge the gap between ability and disability. As a personal coach, he has been hired by production companies for projects such as Ryan Murphy’s ground breaking series “Nip/Tuck” and Amazon Studios, “Love You More.”

 

  As a Casting Director, his credits include the Showtime pilots and Star Price Productions “Project X” and “Shadow Point,” as well as the popular series “Penn & Teller: Bullshit!” He has also cast feature films including: “Fighting Words.” Los Angeles reviews called that cast “…solid and diverse.” Working with Joey Travolta and Inclusion Films on the short film “Spud” was a project close to his heart. Zimmerman has also enjoyed working with Lifetime, Mark Wolper Productions, and Time Life Productions.

 

  In 2013, he co-cast, Director/Writer Ringo Le’s and Producer Quentin Lee’s “Big Gay Love” with Stanzi Stokes, and is currently working on the film, that he calls his baby, “My Next Breath,” which he created and is producing. You can also see him on the screen as an actor in such films as “Hide,” “Meet the Fockers,” and the web series, “Child of the ’70s.”

 

  In 2007, David was honored at the 25th Annual Media Access Awards at Universal Studios Globe Theatre with the prestigious Media Access Award.

 

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