OUR STORY
“In a bustling city like New York, it’s easy to feel lost, especially for young people. They need a space where they can build confidence, connect with others, and explore their creativity. Unfortunately, many don’t have quality access to the arts, leaving them without an outlet to express themselves or a community to belong to.
Growing up, I was fortunate to be part of a youth theater that shaped who I am today. As a professional actor and performing arts teacher living and working on the Upper West Side for the past decade, I realized that something was missing—a place where kids could find the same joy, confidence, and community that I once experienced. It’s hard to watch young people miss out on opportunities that could help them flourish, especially in a city as big and brimming with possibilities as New York.
That’s why I started Broadway Rise—to create a space where young people can discover their potential through engaging Acting and Musical Theater classes. Here, kids aged 5-18 can gain confidence, try new things, and find a sense of belonging that’s often hard to come by. Broadway Rise isn’t just a theater program; it’s a community where every child has the chance to shine.”
Eloïse Ghislaine
THE TEAM
FOUNDER, Eloïse Ghislaine
An experienced voice, music and acting teacher for over 15 years, Eloïse is passionate about encouraging people to engage in the performing arts and inspiring them to achieve their best.
Eloïse attended college at the Australian Institute of Music (BMus), and completed her postgraduate degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (GrDip) majoring in Theater and Vocal Performance respectively.
Career highlights include performing at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and performing on tour across South East Asia.
Since relocating to New York, Eloïse has performed regularly throughout the city, making regular appearances at Birdland Jazz Club, Don’t Tell Mama, The Duplex and 54 Below.
For the past decade, Eloïse has also been a performing arts teacher on the Upper West Side, coaching students in acting, theater, voice, piano, and guitar. Eloïse has also been a guest teacher at Broadway Dance Center and held several performing arts workshops for kids, teens and adults in New York City.
ADULT ACTING TEACHER, Lil Malinich
Lil Malinich is an actress, director, acting coach and producer from London, Ontario.
Lil Malinich is an actress, director, acting coach and producer from London, Ontario. She is a member of Broadway-affiliated theatre company Working Artists Theatre Project and co-founded the award-winning company Theatre Soup. Her diverse body of stage work includes classic and contemporary plays including Timberlake: American Pulp, Life Without Parole, and the biographical play Fruits Unheard Of in which she portrayed American photographer Diane Arbus.
Feature film and TV credits include Construction and Paradise, "All My Children" "Gotham," "Law & Order" and "Godfather of Harlem."
In addition to training at the Susan Batson Studio, Lil has studied with Maggie Flannigan, Terry Schreiber and Giles Foreman, holds an Honors B.A in English and Dramatic Arts and a Bachelor of Education. She has worked internationally as a teacher in Canada, Paris, Rome and New York at the Susan Batson Studio.
Lil directed and produced the NYC premiere of The Way I Am, a one-woman show inspired by the life and work of Barbra Streisand as well as They Called Me Rita, a play inspired by Rita Hayworth which premiered at the United Solo Festival. For the Verve Project she directed Laundry & Bourbon and for New York Theatre Festival Lucy & Lucy which won Best Short Production and Best Actress Awards. Building community is pivotal to Lil's work. She has collaborated with the David Lynch Foundation (For Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace) in creating staged reading fundraiser events, and developed the NYC screening series for David Lynch's documentary Meditation, Creativity, Peace.
Lil is currently the acting instructor at the Joffrey Ballet School and working with MTTM Theatrics in the development of their musical Chester & Julia. With Sprouting Pictures she recently co-directed the short film The Main Event and is a judge for the New York, Hollywood, Cannes and Venice Short Film Festivals.
Lil also coaches Forest Whitaker: Projects include Big George Foreman, "Andor," "Emperor of Ocean Park" and "Godfather of Harlem."
ADULT IMPROV TEACHER, Susan Campanaro
Susan Campanaro is an accomplished actor, entertainer, director, and teacher with over 30 years of experience in NYC.
Susan’s improvisation and cabaret talents led to the creation of her alter ego, Lavinia Draper, who has headlined at venues like The Stonewall Inn, Fire Island’s Cherry Grove, and across the UK, including a 2023 tour in London and Brighton. Her acclaimed one-person musical, Doing Time with Lavinia (music & lyrics by Lynn Portas), won Best Musical at the 2022 United Solo Festival and is set to be featured at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Susan’s Off-Broadway credits include Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Wild Mushrooms, and Thank You for Being a Friend: The Musical. On film, she has appeared in Summer of Sam, Chinese Coffee, Miami or Bust: A Hoboken Bet, and Barrio Boy, with TV credits on The Sopranos and Autopsy on HBO. Her work also extends to directing monthly shows at The Stonewall Inn, including Muse Monday and Melodies and Memoirs.
Susan is also dedicated to mentoring young artists. She serves on the creative staff at Road Recovery, a nonprofit that supports at-risk youth through music and the arts. She has taught improv at the Susan Batson Studio for over six years and has been a longtime collaborator with Mary Setrakian, assisting in her singing workshops for nearly 20 years. Susan is a passionate teacher of improvisation, with a deep commitment to helping artists develop their creativity and confidence both on stage and in life.
INT./ADV ADULT MUSICAL THEATER TEACHER, Andrew Fox
Andrew Fox is a renowned music director, vocal coach, and orchestrator with a diverse career spanning Broadway, international productions, and innovative musical projects.
His recent credits include orchestrations for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Alex Newell’s performance of “My Strongest Suit” for AIDSWALK 2021, and the musical Virtuoso, which premiered in Poland. Andrew also served as Lead Orchestrator and Co-Producer for the acclaimed podcast Bite-Sized Broadway, earning Webby and Discover Pods honors.
As a composer, Andrew's works have been performed worldwide, including Caveman 2.0 and Slam Frank, currently in development. He also contributed to musicals designed for youth theater programs adapting to remote performance during COVID-19. Beyond the stage, Andrew bridges musical theater with contemporary genres, producing projects like Sondheim in the Style of…, blending Sondheim classics with pop-punk and synthpop influences.
Andrew has designed and led music programs for institutions like AMDA NY and Purchase College, as well as international workshops in Beijing and Shanghai. His unique expertise in pop, rock, and musical theater repertoire allows him to provide students with the tools to master authentic and versatile performances. Passionate about cross-cultural education, he continues to inspire creativity and confidence in performers of all ages.
BEG./INT. MUSICAL THEATER TEACHER, Heather Edwards
Heather Edwards is an exceptionally versatile multi-hyphenate - Musical Director-Conductor-Actor-Singer-Dancer - originally from the San Francisco Bay Area.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Heather began her career in Nashville, Tennessee, where she explored various facets of the music industry before relocating to New York City.
As a Musical Director, Heather has directed countless hit Broadway shows including; Sweeney Todd, SpongeBob, Spring Awakening, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Shrek, Godspell, Beauty and the Beast and Grease just to name a few!
Heather has also established herself as a talented songwriter, and recording artist, performing with a diverse array of bands across funk, rock, jazz, and country while continuing to embrace classical music. Beginning her songwriting journey at the age of eleven, she remains committed to creating and performing her own music, with a discography that includes three CDs: To Be Continued, Eclectic Energy, and Go With the Flow.
Heather has over 25 years of experience as an educator and vocal coach, passionately sharing her love for the performing arts with students of all ages, from children to adults. Throughout her teaching career, she has inspired countless individuals to explore their vocal abilities and embrace their creativity, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. Her dedication to performing arts education shines through in her commitment to nurturing each student’s unique talents and helping them grow as performers.
TEACHER & CHORREOGRAPHER, Gabi Hagenlocker
Gabi is beyond excited to bring the transformative experience of theatre and performance to this community of performing arts lovers.
Gabi Hagenlocker is a graduate of Florida State University’s BFA Music Theatre program! In her time at college, she studied the likes of Shakespeare, Chekov, Stanislavsky, Uta Hagen, and Linklater. She also received dance training in Graham, Cunningham, ballet, and theatre jazz styles.
Her university performance credits include Violet Newstead in 9 to 5, Ensemble/Fight Captain in Sweet Charity, Old Shady in Men on Boats, and a swing in Newsies with director Michael Fatica.
Outside of the classroom, Gabi also conducted honors research on Frantic Assembly’s process of devising theatre. Her ensemble work allowed her to explore the forms of theater performance and push the boundaries of storytelling.
Her goal is to inspire students to interpret text freely and perform authentically: finding connection and community. She is eager to immerse herself in the New York professional theatre scene and share her knowledge on audition process and stage preparation.”
TEACHER & DIRECTOR, Abbs Lyman
Abbs is passionate about inspiring young performers through creative storytelling and skilled direction, helping them bring their best to the stage.
Abbs Lyman is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music where she received her Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre. MSM credits include Forget Me Not and Good Luck In Space . This past summer Abbs made her regional theatre at the Argyle Theatre in Bye Bye Birdie.
Abbs discovered her love of directing and dramaturgy during her second year in college. Since she has directed and assisted multiple productions including Rhinoceros through MSM’s Alpha Psi Omega Society. Other directing credits include Urinetown (Assistant Director), MSM 2024 Freshman Pops (Student Director) and MSM 2025 Freshman Pops (Guest Director).
Abbs also spent a summer at Santa Cruz Shakespeare as a Dramaturgy Intern on The Taming of the Shrew. Abbs spent much of her early college years in her hometown of Akron, Ohio working in the children’s education department at Weathervane Playhouse.
She is thrilled to be joining the Broadway Rise Team and meeting theatre’s next generation. She believes the most valuable part of teaching is the ability to cultivate a positive classroom environment that fosters creativity and space for growing minds.
TEACHER & MUSICAL DIRECTOR, Charlie Yokom
Charlie is dedicated to shaping aspiring performers through his expertise as a musical director, helping them find their voice and thrive on stage.
Charlie Yokom is the Musical Director at Broadway Rise Academy. Fresh off the U.S. national tours of Elf and Waitressand having served as the Music Director and Conductor for The Sound of Music Global Tour, Charlie brings a wealth of professional experience to the program. Over the past 15 years, he has built an impressive career as a music educator, conductor, and mentor. Previously, Charlie served as the Director of Music at St. Joseph's School, where he developed innovative music curricula and led students to achieve notable musical accomplishments.
As an accomplished musical director, pianist, and vocal coach, Charlie is dedicated to nurturing the unique talents of each performer and fostering their confidence on stage. He has worked extensively with young performers, helping them master the skills necessary to shine in productions ranging from intimate school musicals to large-scale professional tours.
Beyond his role in education, Charlie is passionate about creating opportunities for musical growth within the community. He has organized numerous musical events and workshops, inspiring performers of all ages to explore their potential. At Broadway Rise Academy, Charlie strives to provide a collaborative and supportive environment where aspiring performers can achieve their best and develop their love for the arts.
TEACHER, Elena Sartor
Elena is enthusiastic about guiding young people toward the performing arts and encouraging them to shine.
Elena is a Music & Creative Movement Teacher, Educator and Performer. Her goal is to instill her passion for the performing arts to young artists,and to provide them with tools to express their creativity and personality.
After graduating at Cà Foscari University in Venice, Italy, she continued her studies in Musical Theatre at the New York Film Academy in NYC.
As an educator, Elena has served as the resident performing arts teacher at La Scuola d'Italia and has also taught in the Children's Summer Program at The Juilliard School.
Elena is also an experienced Stage Manager having worked at numerous festivals throughout the city and for the Broadway musical, “Gettin’ The Band Back Together” (Belasco Theatre).
OUR MISSION
At Broadway Rise, we are dedicated to building confidence in our students by immersing them in the world of performance. Our mission is to empower them to express their unique voices, develop their talents, and gain the self-confidence to shine in all aspects of their lives.
By providing opportunities for students to participate in theater, music, and dance, we help them develop essential life skills, such as teamwork, communication, and self-discipline. Our program is committed to fostering a supportive community where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
By participating in our program, students learn to trust their instincts, embrace their uniqueness, and grow into confident, capable individuals.
