About Us > Meet our Board

Jackie Vanderbeck | Executive Director/Treasurer: Jackie (President) is the founder and CEO of Sing For Your Seniors, Inc. A Native of Sacramento California, Jackie became heavily involved with theatre at an early age. Prior to graduating first in her class from the Natomas Charter School of Sacramento, she was the youngest apprentice ever to intern for the Outreach and Education Program for California Musical Theatre. After earning her BFA with honors and receiving the Ross Award from University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, she made the move to New York and was employed for three years as Managing Director of Together, NY. During that time Ms. Vanderbeck began volunteering weekly at the Village Adult Day Center (VADC) in the West Village of New York. Her experience at VADC along side the inspiration of her Grandparents and Great Grandparents fueled her passion towards the building of this organization. Jackie is represented theatrically with Schiowiz/Conner/Ankrum/Wolf, Inc. and is a proud member of the Actors Equity Association.
Kate Petterle | Deputy Director: Kate Petterle (Vice President) became involved with Sing For Your Seniors through her childhood friend Jackie Vanderbeck. She is a 2001 merit scholarship graduate of The Boston Conservatory. Currently working at Music Theatre International, Kate is very excited to be a part of a project that encourages performers to give back to the community.
Kiera O'Neil | Secretary: Kiera O'Neil grew up in Sacramento, CA. She graduated from St. Francis High School with honors and received the Bank of America Scholar Award as well as the Fine Arts Scholarship. At New York University, Kiera studied theatre and Irish studies, graduating with honors and earning the Theatre Award from CAP21. Since graduating, Kiera has been an active participant in the D.A.R.E. America program teaching 5th and 6th graders in Inwood, as well as being a teacher artist with Arts For All. In January, she will be attending the YogaWorks Teacher Training program. She loves her family and dog, Bubba, and is thrilled to be a part of Sing for Your Seniors, Inc.
Melissa Bohon: Melissa Bohon graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. During her undergraduate years, she worked for an independent movie theater and an entertainment catering company for the Cincinnati Tri-state area. Following graduation, she assisted Kiehl's New York in the globalization of their products and assisted in the preparation of the spring line for L'Oreal Cosmetics. Her main employment, however, has been as a performer in multiple Equity theatres including the Broadway revival of Fiddler On The Roof at the Minskoff Theatre and many other regional productions throughout the United States. She has been certified through the Red Cross and was a swim instructor for 5 and 6 year olds at the YMCA. Melissa met the founder of Sing For Your Seniors, Inc., Jackie Vanderbeck, at the University of Cincinnati and is thrilled to be a part of this non-for-profit organization.
Paul Deeringer: Paul Deeringer, A.B., J.D. Paul joined Sing for Your Seniors, Inc. in May 2006 as an accompanist, and became a member of the organization's Board in August 2006. Paul has been involved in musical theater for many years as a pit musician, and has worked in other settings as a composer, performer, and band leader. Paul currently works as an Associate for McKinsey & Company in New York City with a focus on serving healthcare organizations. Paul received his A.B. in Religion from Princeton University, with a Certificate in Jazz Piano Composition and Performance, and his law degree from Georgetown University School of Law. Paul is originally from Sacramento, CA, and in his spare time enjoys playing piano, distance running, cooking, and anything Sondheim.
Zach Deitz: Zachary Dietz is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, earning his BM in Piano Performance/Music Education. He works in NYC as a music director, arranger, and accompanist. Recent projects include In the Heights, Bush Wars, Plain & Fancy, (mostly) True Songs, Flora the Red Menace and The Monster's Mind, an independent film for which he composed the score. In November, Zach orchestrated the opening ceremonies at the 2006 IAPPA Awards in Atlanta, Georgia. He has served on the teaching faculty for CCM, Xavier University, Pace University, Broadway Artists Alliance, Music Theatre for Young People, TVI and Capes Coaching. He is very excited to be a part of Sing For Your Seniors, Inc.!
Courtney Glass: Courtney Glass received her B.F.A. in Drama from the prestigious NYU Tisch School of the Arts in 2005. In 2006, Miss Glass appeared in the Broadway company of Trevor Nunn's The Woman in White and made her NY cabaret debut in her one-woman show The Boy From. In addition to her SFYS performances, Miss Glass performs for various Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS throughout the year. Additionally, she free-lances as a promoter for The Vincent Partners and Formula PR promoting products ranging from Hanes Her Way, Virtual RE and the hit ABC series Ugly Betty. She is a proud member of MAC and Actor's Equity Association.
Barry James: Barry James is an actor/composer/web designer living in New York City. He is a member of Actors Equity Association, and has been seen in such productions as the Broadway National Tour of Saturday Night Fever (Monty) and the Prince Music Theater's production of Gemini: The Musical (Francis). His web design firm, James Web Development (www.jameswebdevelopment.com) specializes in designing sophisticated websites for individuals and organizations in the arts, entertainment, and hospitality industries. He is also an instructor at Playgroup Theatre in White Plains, NY, teaching children and teens to sing, dance and act.
Michael Littig: Michael is an actor living in New York City who graduated summa cum laude from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) with a BFA in Drama. As an actor, Michael has performed with the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Hangar Theatre, Mint Theater Company, and the NYSF/Public Theatre among others. At present time, he serves as an instructor at the NYU Graduate Actor Training Program. Awards include the Disney Dreamer and Doer Award, National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Theatre Finalist, Dolly Cohen Award for Service and Achievement in CCM Drama, and numerous scholarships. Michael has completed hundreds of volunteer service hours with hospitals in Florida and Ohio, and has also participated in education outreach as a teaching artist to all five boroughs in NYC. He currently is an adjunct artist with the Rebel Theater Company, an apprentice/intern with Theater Mitu, and a member of the MudBone Classical Theater Lab. Michael is regularly mentored by such artists as Anne Bogart, Andre Gregory, and Patrick Page. He is honored to be a part of Sing For Your Seniors, Inc.
Carly Mayo: Carly is currently attending Marymount Manhattan where she will recieve a BA in Theatre and Musical Theatre. She was also a part of Stages of Imagination, a Philadelphia based children's theatre company, that stressed morals and issuses for elementary aged kids. Before moving to New York a year ago, she taught dance at Carmela's Dance studio for 5 years. Personally teaching from ages 3-16, the studio put on an annual show at the local nursing home in hopes to spread the love of performance and dance.