Thom Babbes - Theater Arts
Thom Babbes has worked as a professional actor and director since 1979, having trained at The Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts and The Professional Actor Training Program at UWM- Milwaukee, Mr. Babbes has worked from New York to Los Angeles acting and directing in regional theater, off Broadway, waiver theater and feature films. A screenwriter as well, his scripts have been produced by Roger Corman and others have sold or optioned by Samuelson Productions, Apollo Pictures and Kings Road Entertainment.
He directed his first high school show three years ago and it changed his life. He found that working with young adults was exhilarating and rewarding beyond anything he could have imagined.
He went on to direct "Les Miserables," "The Miracle Worker," and "Fiddler on the Roof" at a local Christian high school. He is thrilled to join the VCS Performing Arts Department. Mr. Babbes’ vision is to create an environment that brings together a production team of professionals that mentor students and give them the experience of being in a professional show. He has found that the students take the work more seriously and become more discipline and creative when working with professionals who nurture and challenge them to be their best.
Theater is fun. Theater is work. Theater is life changing.
As Christians, Mr. Babbes believes that we should strive to be excellent in everything we do, because God deserves nothing less than our best. That is the philosophy he brings to his students because in the end it is all for God’s glory.
thomb@villagechristian.org
Jean Wertz - Strings / Orchestra
Jean Wertz, middle and high school string orchestra teacher, is on her 24th year of teaching at Village. She graduated from Cal State Northridge with a bachelor of arts in music education, and holds a current California clear credential in music. She began playing the cello at age 8, and has studied with Joseph DiTullio, Nathanael Rosen, and Peter Rejto.
After teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District as an elementary traveling music teacher, Jean began teaching fifth-grade at Village in 1987 for and did that for eight years. In 1996, she established the string program for the elementary and middle school students. From just 20 students that first year to (at times) over 100 students, grades four through high school seniors the strings program continues to evolve. The high school and middle school groups perform at nationally rated festivals and have received gold and silver ratings.
Mrs. Wertz truly enjoys teaching young people, and has a passion for sharing her love of Christ and music with them!
jeanw@villagechristian.org
Susanne McClain - Elementary Music
Susanne McClain has been a singer, song writer and entertainer for most of her life. For the past 30 years, she has also taught elementary music at VCS. While attending UCLA, where she received her bachelor’s degree in music education, she met her husband Jerry and together they formed a singing group that recorded and earned a Gold Record for the hit theme from the TV show “Happy Days.” They performed concerts all across the country and appeared on television shows like American Bandstand with Dick Clark, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas and Dinah Shore.
Mrs. McClain works with the Grammy Foundation that supports music in the schools and she is a member of the American Federation of Television and Recording Artists, (having written over 500 songs).
Stepping off the stage and into the classroom was a natural fit for her because she loves teaching children to sing and perform and discover their musical talents. She creates and directs the elementary Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter musicals and the fifth-grade patriotic culmination program. She also directs the 50-member Honor Choir after school and teaches
elementary beginning and intermediate strings.
susannem@villagechristian.org
Lynda Romano - Choral Music
Lynda Romano currently serves as choral director for the High School Concert Choir and the Middle School Crusader Choir. She received her bachelor's degree in music education and music theory from Azusa Pacific University, and later earned her master’s degree in choral conducting, also from Azusa Pacific University. Mrs. Romano taught at Village 1980 - 1994 and returned after a long absence in 2007. In addition, she is the choir director at Emmanuel Evangelic Free Church in Burbank.
Her VCS choirs comprise a large percentage of the school population and are active both on campus and in the community. Both choirs consistently earn the gold and silver ranking at area festivals. The high school choir goes on an annual tour which includes performance and community service. In 2011 the choir will travel to London, Oxford and Cambridge, UK for a 10-day international tour and outreach project.
lyndar@villagechristian.org
Joe Calderon - Instrumental Music
Joe Calderon, band director, earned his bachelor of arts in commercial music and master of music in trumpet performance from Azusa Pacific University. In June of 2010, he completed his teaching credential at APU.
Mr. Calderon has had the opportunity to study with renowned trumpet players such as Charlie Davis, Bob Slack and Rob Roy McGregor while completing his degrees. He is beginning his second year at VCS, and continues to freelance as a trumpet player in the Los Angeles area. In addition, he has been teaching privately for over 10 years and has worked as a brass and marching instructor with many high school and middle school music programs.
Mr. Calderon has high hopes for the band program and continues to set the bar high for his students. His passion for music and lifelong drive to perfect his craft serves as an inspiration to his students.
joec@villagechristian.org