OUR FACULTY
40 YEARS OF TEACHING &
PERFORMING EXPERIENCE
Wendy Henrickson
Owner
Wendy Henrickson - Music Director
Wendy Henrickson is the owner of Bruce Music & Theatre Academy (formerly known as Mary Ann Bruce Studios) in Greece where she teaches piano, voice, flute and music theory. She has taught music at Mother of Sorrows School and at North Baptist Christian School. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Roberts Wesleyan College with a double major in piano and voice. Prior to college she studied piano with her grandmother Mary Ann Bruce, a music educator who enriched many lives in the Rochester community for over 50 years. She also studied flute and theory at Eastman School of Music preparatory department. Wendy's vocal performance credits include The Pirates of Penzance (Kate), Madame Butterfly with the Rochester Opera Theatre, vocalist/accompanist for The Impact Team, The Joy Singers and backup singer for Michael Bolton's Rochester performance of his Time Love and Tenderness Tour. She was keyboard/vocalist in a Top 40 band for 10 years. She has directed and produced many summer music programs and Christmas musicals. In 2016 she was Vocal Music Director for the production of “Mary Poppins” at Roberrts Weslyan College. For 21 years Wendy was choir director and organist, first at Trinity Reformed Church and then Brighton Reformed Church.
Jenna Bruce - Vocals, Piano and Acting
Jenna has been involved in musical performance and musical theater for 14 years. Jenna studied Music Performance at Monroe Community College and is currently studying Musical Theatre at the New York Film Academy.
Recently she was backup vocalist on Joey Pero’s single of the John Lennon classic “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” featuring Laura Osnes. Jenna continues to be a lead singer with Nik and the Nice Guys, The Bob Greco Band and The Silver Arrow Band. She has performed in over 20 musicals, including lead roles such as the Extraordinary Girl for the Rochester JCC’s production of American Idiot, and Monroe Community College’s Rocky Horror Picture Show as Janet. She competed in the National Classical Singer Competition advancing to the second round in Texas. In 2014 she auditioned for the tv show “The Voice,” advancing to the third round of the producer auditions.
Jenna studies dance under Michelle Potterf and Deidre Goodwin, both featured in the Broadway musical “Chicago”, and other Broadway hits such as “Crazy for You” (International Tour), “The Will Rogers Follies” and original Broadway revivals such as "Rocky Horror Show," "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "A Chorus Line".
She also studied acting techniques under Harris Doran. Harris is an award-winning writer, director, actor, and producer. He has won awards for best breakout performance from the L.A. Film Festival, and best narrative short from the Indie Memphis Film Festival. Harris trained as an actor at The Juilliard School and has taught acting as a private coach and teacher for 15 years.
Kelly Walsh - Vocal, Acting and Choral
A graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College, Kelly is in her 22nd year of teaching voice and piano. Kelly has a versatile background performing in operas, musical theater and concert stage. Title roles have included: Dido, in the opera Dido and Aeneas, Susy, in Babes in Arms, Reverand Mother in Sister Act, Lucy, in Good Man Charlie Brown, Marie in Fiorello and Cousin Hebe in Pirates of Penzance. She has directed over 40 shows to date. Kelly has sung in the Robert Shewan Chorale, Voices A La Carte and the chamber ensemble, Madrigalia. Kelly has been a soloist with the Brockport Symphony, Genesee Valley Orchestra and Roberts Wesleyan College Community Orchestra.
Tina Crandall-Gommel - Artistic Director
Tina Crandall-Gommel has an extensive history in the Rochester performing arts scene. She holds a BA in Theatre and Dance and a Masters in Education. Tina was a studio dance teacher for many years, having students who have gone on to become professional dancers around the country. She has been a director and choreographer for organizations such as RAPA, Next Generation Theatre, Geneva Youth Theatre Guild, Neighborhood Acting Company, OFC, Black Sheep Theatre, and STAGES, as well as several area schools such as Siena Catholic School and Aquinas Institute. She is an adjudicator for RBTL’s Stars of Tomorrow program. She is also a scenic designer for many area theatres and organizations. Some of Tina’s recent directing and choreography credits include Carrie: The Musical and Heathers: School Edition (Rochester Fringe Festival), Snoopy, The Musical! (Aquinas Institute), 13! (RAPA), and Willy Wonka (NAC). She has also recently appeared in productions of Disaster! (Levora), Pippin (Leading Player) and Big Fish (The Witch). Tina teaches private and group instruction in voice, acting, ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theatre dance.