Meet our Instructors
Tito Hernandez
Mr. Hernandez's credits include: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, the National Tour of Evita and The Gingerbread Lady starring Oscar winner Shelly Winters. As a Director/Choreographer, Tito has worked at Houston's Theatre Under the Stars, The Alley Theatre, Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre and Disneyland. Mr. Hernandez has also Directed/Choreographed locally at Theatre Raleigh and The North Carolina Theatre, including productions of Evita, (starring Ray Walker and Lauren Kennedy), The King and I, (starring Lou Diamond Phillips) and NCT's Summer Theatre Arts School (STAS) for the past 15 years.
He is most proud of all the accomplishments his former students have achieved. Tito has been privileged to work throughout the community, empowering students to reach their dreams and achieve their goals. You may have seen some of his work at Athens High School, Heritage High School, Zebulon High School, and NC State. With over 35 years of experience he welcomes new students, young and old alike, to explore the possibilities of music theatre.
He is most proud of all the accomplishments his former students have achieved. Tito has been privileged to work throughout the community, empowering students to reach their dreams and achieve their goals. You may have seen some of his work at Athens High School, Heritage High School, Zebulon High School, and NC State. With over 35 years of experience he welcomes new students, young and old alike, to explore the possibilities of music theatre.
Ray Walker
Ray made his Broadway debut as “Marius” in the award-winning musical Les Miserables. Since then, he has become a Broadway veteran, with credits including “Annas” in Jesus Christ Superstar, “Doody” in Grease! with Rosie O’Donnell and Brooke Shields, and “Whizzer” in Falsettos. Ray understudied Donny Osmond in the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He has appeared as Judas in the European tour of Jesus Christ Superstar as well as many regional productions of the show. Ray appeared in the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down The Wind, as well the original company of the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. Ray co-starred with Melissa Manchester in Lloyd Webber’s Music of the Night concert tour as well as appearing across the country in concert with Marvin Hamlisch.
In concert, Ray has appeared across the world including the Kennedy Center, the Bolshoi in Moscow and the famed London Palladium. Audiences at North Carolina Theatre will remember him in productions of Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Children of Eden, Grease and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As a teacher, Ray founded the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory and its Live On Stage program where he taught for 15 years. His voice students have been represented on Broadway in shows, such as West Side Story, If/Then, School of Rock and Matilda.
In concert, Ray has appeared across the world including the Kennedy Center, the Bolshoi in Moscow and the famed London Palladium. Audiences at North Carolina Theatre will remember him in productions of Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Children of Eden, Grease and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As a teacher, Ray founded the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory and its Live On Stage program where he taught for 15 years. His voice students have been represented on Broadway in shows, such as West Side Story, If/Then, School of Rock and Matilda.
Christine Hunter Heneghan
Christine Hunter Heneghan (Teaching Artist) Specializes in teaching courses in Acting, Scene Study, BFA/MFA Audition Preparation, Musical Theatre Performance and Voice/Speech/Dialects. Has coached talent performing on Broadway, National Tours and Regional Theatre and Film. Taught on the Theatre Faculties of Northwestern University, the University of Illinois and Prairie State College. Was an Instructor at the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory for 11 years, the last 4 of which, as Director of the Acting Companies. Served as Dialect Coach for the North Carolina Theatre’s production of Billy Elliot as well as the NCT/ KOB productions of A Man of No Importance and Whistle Down the Wind. As an actress, she toured Nationally with Tony Award winner John Cullum, in Cyrano De Bergerac. Off-Broadway, she created the role of Sarah in the Queen vs. The Poisoners and has extensive regional theatre credits in works ranging from Sam Shepard to Noel Coward and Moliere. She has performed in over a dozen productions with The North Carolina Theatre as well as productions at Temple Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre and Sandhill Repertory Theatre. Recently, she played the leading role of Laura in the film A Lovely Sunrise. BFA Syracuse University-MFA University of Illinois. Celebrating 30+ years’ membership Actor’s Equity.
Sherry Lee Allen
Sherry Lee Allen has been inspiring Performing Arts students for 30 years and is thrilled to continue teaching voice and piano at A Step to Gold Broadway. Currently, the Artist-in-Residence for Musical Theatre at Barton College, she has previously taught at William Peace University, Meredith College, Aquinas College, Grand Valley State University and 10 years at Cornerstone University in Michigan. As union member of Actors’ Equity Association Sherry Lee has appeared in the Broadway National Tour of Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar European Tour, Regional Tour of Godspell. Favorite shows: Kathy Selden in Singin’ In The Rain (with Tito Hernandez as Cosmo Brown), ChaCha in Grease, 42nd Street, Irene, and The Music Man.
Sherry Lee performed in NCT’s Evita with Ray Walker and Lauren Kennedy, while also assisting Director/Choreographer, Tito Hernandez. They teamed up for many productions, including Dames at Sea, Great American Trailer Park, Fame, All Shook Up, Pippin, Crazy for You, In The Heights, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and received notable Broadway World Awards for Oklahoma and Pippin. For Broadway Series South, Sherry Lee directed Pinkalicious and choreographed Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. She directed Theatre Raleigh’s Carousel and choreographed Parade and The Secret Garden. She enjoyed directing Into the Woods, Little Women: The Musical, Rocky Horror Show, Sister Act, White Christmas, Cinderella, Seven Brides…, Chicago, West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, The Miracle Worker and received Outstanding College Production for Wait Until Dark.
Sherry Lee performed in NCT’s Evita with Ray Walker and Lauren Kennedy, while also assisting Director/Choreographer, Tito Hernandez. They teamed up for many productions, including Dames at Sea, Great American Trailer Park, Fame, All Shook Up, Pippin, Crazy for You, In The Heights, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and received notable Broadway World Awards for Oklahoma and Pippin. For Broadway Series South, Sherry Lee directed Pinkalicious and choreographed Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. She directed Theatre Raleigh’s Carousel and choreographed Parade and The Secret Garden. She enjoyed directing Into the Woods, Little Women: The Musical, Rocky Horror Show, Sister Act, White Christmas, Cinderella, Seven Brides…, Chicago, West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, The Miracle Worker and received Outstanding College Production for Wait Until Dark.
Melissa Panos Carney
Melissa Panos Carney received her dance training at the Ballet West Conservatory as a scholarship student under William F. Christensen (founder of Ballet West and San Francisco Ballet). As a classically trained dancer Melissa has performed with multiple ballet companies across the United States and Europe including: Ballet West, Eugene Ballet, Ballet Idaho, Ballet Long Island, Pirouettes, Utah Regional Ballet, and Central Florida Ballet. She has held contracts with Cunard and Norwegian Cruise Lines through Jean Ann Ryan Productions as well as with Disney on both AEA and Non-AEA stages.
As an actress Melissa has performed with the Egyptian Theatre Company, Disney’s STAGE, and The Noorda Black Box Theatre Company to name a few. She has also worked in film and television appearing in productions such as Netflix’s House of Cards, NBC’s Do No Harm and the feature film Jackie.
Melissa has taught throughout her professional career as both Faculty and as a Guest Artist in professional and local schools. She is the current Artistic Director at Ovations Studios in Bethesda, MD. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst as well as a graduate certificate in Arts Administration from UMASS.
As an actress Melissa has performed with the Egyptian Theatre Company, Disney’s STAGE, and The Noorda Black Box Theatre Company to name a few. She has also worked in film and television appearing in productions such as Netflix’s House of Cards, NBC’s Do No Harm and the feature film Jackie.
Melissa has taught throughout her professional career as both Faculty and as a Guest Artist in professional and local schools. She is the current Artistic Director at Ovations Studios in Bethesda, MD. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst as well as a graduate certificate in Arts Administration from UMASS.
Ashley Adamek
Ashley has enjoyed an exciting and versatile career as a professional dancer/ performer in New York City. Favorite Credits include Broadway: Spider-Man-Turn Off The Dark (swing/dance captain); National/ International Tours: Chicago (Hunyak, Roxie understudy),Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2011 Winter Tour (Singer/Dancer); Dulcinea In Manhattan Italian Tour (singer/dancer); Regional: Whoopi Goldberg produced White Noise World Premier (dance captain); Paper Mill Playhouse, Casa Mañana, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Musical Theatre West, and North Carolina Theatre.
Ashley has danced with Kanye West (SNL and Atlantic City) and Florence + The Machine (SNL). Ashley also had the opportunity to perform with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra/Savatage on tour and in their groundbreaking dual performance at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany in 2015. Ashley has performed in various commercials, music videos, and industrials and has worked with Ryan Heffington, Josh Bergasse, Jon Rua, Chase Brock, Sergio Trujillo, and many more. Ashley has also worked as a freelance casting assistant. Some of the projects that she has assisted with casting on are the tours of A Chorus Line, A Christmas Story, Legally Blonde, and The Grinch.
Ashley has danced with Kanye West (SNL and Atlantic City) and Florence + The Machine (SNL). Ashley also had the opportunity to perform with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra/Savatage on tour and in their groundbreaking dual performance at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany in 2015. Ashley has performed in various commercials, music videos, and industrials and has worked with Ryan Heffington, Josh Bergasse, Jon Rua, Chase Brock, Sergio Trujillo, and many more. Ashley has also worked as a freelance casting assistant. Some of the projects that she has assisted with casting on are the tours of A Chorus Line, A Christmas Story, Legally Blonde, and The Grinch.