Brittanny Hann-Bowness MMus, BEd, BFA. - YPC Owner & Artistic Director
Brittanny (she/her) is a local performing artist who resides in Lake Echo, Nova Scotia with her husband, Brett. She has been running performing arts programs since 2007. Her acting credits include 'Velma Kelly' in Chicago (Toronto), 'Maureen' in Rent (Toronto), 'Wicked Witch' in Wizard of Oz (PEI), and 'Rizzo' in Grease (PEI), to name a few. She has also performed with Feast Dinner Theatre (PEI) and Second City (ON) and has competed in National competitions such as Canadian Improv Games and TheatreSports. She is a member of Performing Arts Educators of Canada (Jazz), and NSMEA / CMEA. She studied Performing Arts at York University (Toronto, ON) and graduated in 2011 with a double major in Dance and Music (Jazz Vocal Performance). She then went on to complete her Bachelor of Education from Crandall University (Moncton, NB) and her Masters in Music Education from Western University (London, ON). She has presented at numerous education conferences for dance, drama and music, and conducted research in the field of vocal pedagogy with a focus on blues, jazz and theatrical vocal technique and contemporary vocal belting. She is currently working on her Ph.D. at McGill University (Montreal) in the field of Vocal Music Education. She has taught grades P-12 in public schools through HRSB/HRCE, most recently at Woodlawn High School. In addition to teaching public school, she has taught Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Break Dance, Musical Theatre, Voice, Piano, Ukulele and Guitar through Maritime Dance and Maritime Theatre School, Fall River School of Performing Arts, and Halifax Rec. She is passionate about performing arts education and has been recognized by the Nova Scotia government for her efforts. She would like to thank all supporters of YPC for helping make it such a success!
Shannon Kelly - Musical Theater/ Acting / YPC Manager
Since the age of 12 years old Shannon (She/her) has been performing. She grew up and was partly raised by St. Albert Children’s Theatre. She continued on in Highschool at Victoria School of Performing Arts pursuing training from professional Artists. After Graduating she was accepted into Grant MacEwan Theatre Arts Program. She has performed on many stages over the past few decades, some of her favorite Musicals she has performed in are: “Bye Bye Birdie”,” Hair”, “West Side Story”, “Grease”, “The Life”, “Lucky Stiff”, “Nunsense”, “Gypsy”, and “Anything Goes”. Shannon Has also produced, directed, and choreographed productions in BC, AB, and NS. She has over 15 years of vocal training and has competed/performed in many venues since her theatre journey began. Shannon has worked on cruise ships as a Youth Entertainment staff and was also selected as a Canadian Idol finalist where she made it to the top 48 in Canada. While Shannon loves performing herself, she is most passionate about sharing the joys of Theatre with her students. She believes Theatre brings so much magic into people’s lives and it has changed her life for the better. Shannon is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the YPC Teaching team.
Kristin Kuttner - Musical Theater/ Acting/ Piano / Voice
Kristin Kuttner has had a passion for musicals since childhood. She studied Music at Dalhousie University (voice) and completed a minor in Theatre. She was lucky enough to be cast in "Anne of Green Gables" - Prissy [the Elgin Theatre] , "The Princess and the Handmaiden'' - Princess [Ontario tour], The "Greatest Gift"- Gwendolyn [Theatre Orangeville], "the Wizard of Oz" - Dorothy [Huron Country Playhouse], "Les Miserables" - ensemble/Cosette understudy [Neptune Theatre], "Tales from a Tokyo Verandah" - various characters [Atlantic Fringe Festival], "the Marriage of Figaro"- Doctor, [Dalhousie Opera Theatre] and "the ThreePenny Opera" - Jenny [Dalhousie Opera Theatre] to name a few. Kristin moved from Toronto to New York City to study singing and acting; the Linklater vocal technique, scene study[Shakespeare] and stage combat. She was accepted into the apprentice program at Shakespeare and Company (MA) and performed in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"- Hermia, and "Measure for Measure" - Isabella.
Maria Young - Acting
With more than 15 years of acting experience, Maria knew from a very young age that she wanted to be an actress. From the age of eight onward she started in musical theatre camps and soon after moved into TV and film work. She has worked on popular TV shows such as Mr. D, From, and Moonshine, and in 2023 performed a principal role in a Canadian feature film. Maria has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Performing Arts, studying for three years at St. Lawrence College, Ontario, for musical theatre, and one year abroad in Sligo, Ireland at Institute of Technology Sligo (now Atlantic Technological University Sligo) for acting.
Maggie Desaulniers - Administration
Maggie (she/her) is a recent graduate of Prince Andrew High and long time performer. She has recently played Marmie in Little Women at Neptune. As well as Vivienne in Legally Blonde and Cady Heron in Mean Girls, and Roxie Hart in PAHS's production of "Chicago" and the voice of Gary in Spongebob. She has also been studying vocals for many years. Maggie studies at the University of King's College.
Maddie Haire-Burke - Broadway Babes & Administration
Madison (she/her) is a Grad of Woodlawn High School and a long time student of YPC. She has played many great roles including both Regina George and Janis in two separate productions of Mean Girls, she played Professor Callaghan in Legally Blonde, Rusty in “Footloose”, and Vince Fontaine in “Grease”, Angelica Schuyler and George Washington in "The Hamilton Revue" and most recently played Heather Chandler in YPC's production of "Heathers". Maddie has just completed her 8th year of voice lessons with Brittany Hann and is an instructor at YPC in our theater department and Broadway Babes. Maddie has recently studied as an Early Childhood Educator and loves teaching early learners. She hopes to one day become a Music Therapist.
Ben Morgan - Guitar, Bass, Drums, Ukulele and Rock Band
Ben has been playing guitar, bass, drums and ukulele for many years and loves to share his knowledge and passion for these instruments with new, and experienced students! Ben has studied music at various places, some including The Canadian Conservatory of Music and the Walkerville Centre for Creative Arts Performance Program. He is currently in his 4th year at Dalhousie University. When Ben isn’t teaching he enjoys playing other instruments such as piano and singing. Ben can adapt to whatever teaching style fits best for any particular student, and he will be sure to teach you what YOU want to learn!
Taighe Foster-Gallant - Seasonal Staff
Taighe Foster-Gallant (she/her) is 18 years old and recently graduated Auburn high school. She has played many roles including: Jasmine in Aladdin, Dragon in Shrek, Sandy in Grease, Gretchen in Mean Girls, Pilar in Legally Blonde, Eliza Schuyler in "The Hamilton Revue" and most recently, Veronica Sawyer in YPC's production of "Heathers". Taighe has studied voice lessons with Brittany Hann-Bowness for 5 years. She is now a student of Acadia University's theater program.
Nina Morehouse - Dance
Nina is a competitive dancer who started dancing at the age of three. She is trained in styles like ballet, jazz, tap, modern and lyrical. She started competing at 12 and was in her studio’s musical theatre production numbers for 6 years. Her favourite one was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. She has completed many dance exams in all dance styles with honors, and she continues to dance and compete, dancing five days a week. Nina was also a student teacher at her studio for many years and spent a lot of time helping the younger dancers. Nina also loves all things music and can play guitar, ukulele, flute, and some piano. She has been a band student since Grade Five and played flute for 8 years. Music is a huge part of her life through both her instruments and dance.