Meet the Team
Karey Hall-Trimmings holds a BA in Music/Vocal Performance from Hartwick College, studied voice and theater at The Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College of Music in London, England and earned a Master of Music degree in Voice and Music Education from Eastman School of Music. Since returning to her native Saratoga, Karey has directed over 20 children's theater productions, including "Alice in Wonderland Jr", "Once on This Island Jr", "Dear Edwina Jr." and "Elf Jr." Karey is a full time music teacher at Dorothy Nolan Elementary and is also very involved with her church, St Clements, as youth music director. She leads the Ringers & Singers youth choir and the LifeSong contemporary music group which is an inter- generational band with incredibly talented musicians! In the past few years at church she has directed inter-generational productions of "Godspell", "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Job:The Now Testament", raising tens of thousands of dollars for charitable organizations. She has also lead numerous youth retreats and conferences with her band of amazing musicians!
For the past 10 years, Karey also has had a private voice studio and has prepared many students for college auditions, theater auditions, NYSSMA solo festivals, concerts, recitals and most importantly instilling in her students the passion for healthy and joyful singing! In addition to teaching, Karey has performed for countless concerts, weddings, funerals, theater productions thoughout her life, all the while being so grateful that music has been gifted to her!
Karey and her husband John have 3 children by birth and an additional child brought into their family by fate. This child inspired Karey and her family to start the SNACPack Program, which provides over 100 children in the Saratoga Springs School District with backpacks filled with food every weekend.
Partnering with C-R Kids, BOCES and Saratoga Schools is an incredible opportunity to combine all of Kareys passions, training and knowledge to help inspire the youth of our community. Karey will be directing "Annie Jr." and "Shrek Jr." as well as supervise all the music for the program this summer.
For the past 10 years, Karey also has had a private voice studio and has prepared many students for college auditions, theater auditions, NYSSMA solo festivals, concerts, recitals and most importantly instilling in her students the passion for healthy and joyful singing! In addition to teaching, Karey has performed for countless concerts, weddings, funerals, theater productions thoughout her life, all the while being so grateful that music has been gifted to her!
Karey and her husband John have 3 children by birth and an additional child brought into their family by fate. This child inspired Karey and her family to start the SNACPack Program, which provides over 100 children in the Saratoga Springs School District with backpacks filled with food every weekend.
Partnering with C-R Kids, BOCES and Saratoga Schools is an incredible opportunity to combine all of Kareys passions, training and knowledge to help inspire the youth of our community. Karey will be directing "Annie Jr." and "Shrek Jr." as well as supervise all the music for the program this summer.
Sara Donnellan holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Music in Studio Composition from the Purchase College Conservatory of Music. A graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, Sara now resides just outside of New York City where she teaches private piano and voice lessons. In January, Sara recorded her second album of original music and plans to release it later this year. This will be Sara’s third year with SRYA and she could not be more thrilled to be back. Musical theatre was her first passion (Tony directed a production of Rent she did back in 2013!) and she is so blessed to be working with this talented cast and production team.
Kristyn Knapp graduated from Hartwick College in 2012 cum laude with a B.S. Music Education degree. She is now working to complete her masters degree in literacy and reading development through the American College of Education. Since receiving her bachelor's degree, Kristyn has been directing, assistant directing, and musical directing in different theater troops. This will be her third year as a Director at SRYA! This past year Kristyn took a big step and accepted an elementary music position at a lovely charter school in Florida. Having her own classroom has helped Kristyn continue to develop her teaching qualities and ignite the musical passion in students. She quickly began a select children’s choir and took action in coaching the cheer squad. Kristyn is so excited to be back in New York for the summer to continue directing such talented and joyous young actors. Let's inspire young minds!
Nicole Ecker is a soon-to-be sophomore at SUNY New Paltz where she is earning her degree in Adolescent Education. With a love for working with kids of all ages and musical theatre, Nicole is thrilled to be back for SRYA’s third season. Nicole comes from a family with an extensive theatre background and was involved heavily in theatre herself. Her favorite productions, thus far, have been You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown; Bye, Bye Birdie; and The Wiz (Glinda). Nicole is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of SRYA and to work alongside such a talented and creative team!
Maddy Stillman is a graduating High School Senior from West Palm Beach, Florida, where she attends A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. She is planning to pursue a Musical Theatre major in college. She has performed in many shows throughout High School such as Urinetown, Kiss Me Kate, Sister Act, and Legally Blonde. She has worked as a counselor during SRYA’s Annie Jr. and Cinderella Kids, and is very excited to be returning for Summer 2018.
Emma Trimmings is a rising sophomore at Sacred Heart University where she is majoring in exercise science and minoring in theater arts. She has been working with SYRA since their first summer and cant wait to see what’s in store for the future. Some of her favorite theater credits include The Wiz (Aunt Em), Bye Bye Birdie (dance captain), Rent (soloist, dance company) and Legally Blonde (Serena) along with many more! She has danced for 15 years and has choreographed many pieces and musical productions. She’s also a Disney enthusiast and can do a killer Britney Spears impression. Emma is so excited to be working with so many talented directors this summer along with the talent of the young performers, and hopefully enhancing their skills in all aspects of theater.