DAMATO Faculty

  • McKenna Troy

    FOUNDER, VOCAL COACH

    Vocology expert and founder of DAMATO- involved in international vocal pedagogy and learning science with a vocal performance degree from Northwestern University and international classical performing experience.

    McKenna Troy is a multi-genre international vocal coach for ambitious, results-oriented singers. She leads the vocal department at DAMATO with a strong focus on evidence based learning and whole-artist development- combining vocal training with vulnerability and mindset practice, performance development, and lifestyle methods for her students to be fully equipped to reach their goals.

    Her work is grounded in the belief that adult artists deserve serious training, strong direction, and the opportunity to create work they are deeply proud of.

  • Brennan Pickman Thoon

    RESIDENT DIRECTOR, ACTING COACH

    Brennan is a director, actor, writer, teaching artist, and proud Bay Area native. Recent work includes Sweeney Todd (Director) at the Throckmorton Theatre, Shrek (AD) and Matilda (AD) at the Presidio Theatre. 

    He graduated with honors from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned a BFA in Drama and trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. As an actor, Brennan has performed with A.C.T., Berkeley Repertory Theatre, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Word For Word, Marin Theatre, and Marin Shakespeare Company, among others.

    SFBATCC Winner: Actor In A Leading Role. Member, AEA (Actor’s Equity).

  • Kathryn Aarons

    RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER

    Kathryn is a performer, choreographer, and teaching artist from the Bay Area she earned her BA in Musical Theatre from California State University, Chico and moved to NYC after college and continued studying dance at Steps & BDC.  

    Kathryn is an Equity actress and has performed in numerous regional productions across the country, and has been lucky enough to serve as Dance Captain on a handful of them.

    She’s choreographed at various Bay Area high schools and arts programs, as well as teaching dance at Academy of American Dance, Zohar, and Brisbane Dance Workshop.

DAMATO Guest Instructors

  • Monica Rose Slater

    VOCAL COACH

    Monica Rose Slater is a Brazilian-American singer, actor, and educator based in San Francisco. Since her cross country move from Virginia in 2021, she has performed roles across the Bay: San Francisco Playhouse, Oakland Theater Project, Word for Word, New Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Playhouse, and many more. She received San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle nominations in 2025 for Ghost Quartet and in 2026 for Annunciation.

    Monica holds a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she studied opera and musical theater. She earned her Bachelor of Music from James Madison University, where she was an Honors Scholar. Additional studies include the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and recognition as a 2021 Fulbright Semi-Finalist for the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. 

    Monica is also passionate about producing Latine works. In 2025, she helped found Teatro de las Tias and produced and starred in Two Sisters and a Piano by Nilo Cruz as a Theater Bay Area Cash Grant recipient. She also produced and starred in the United States premiere of the Brazilian chamber opera Domitila in 2021. 

    Monica is deeply committed to creating welcoming, artistically rich spaces for singers of all backgrounds. She believes every can (and should!) sing.

  • AL Vieau (they/them)

    VOCAL COACH

    AL Vieau (they/them) is a musician and actor with a wide range of experience in various styles of music such as classical, musical theatre, pop, jazz, and song writing. They hold both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and Advanced Music Studies Certificate in Voice Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

    AL is from western Massachusetts and though they come from a family of non-musicians, they have been devoted to this art form ever since they could remember. From an early age, they have done various local gigs, community theatre, and even music-directed collegiate acapella. They quickly found that collaboration is one of the things they love most about music and they have explored what it means for music to create community.

    AL’s main approach in their teaching is to create a safe space with a productive and uplifting student-teacher relationship. They pride themself on being an authentic and honest performer and would love to help students find their true voice in the work they do together. AL has been seen in the Bay area performing with Pocket Opera, Cinnabar Theater, SF Salon Music and also gig at venues such as The Faight Collective and community markets around the city! 

  • Jack Wilkins | Music Director

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