Meet YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Welcome to Ferrell Studios, where our diverse team of instructors brings a wealth of experience and passion to help you shine. With expertise ranging from acting and voice to cinematography and musical theatre, our instructors are dedicated to nurturing your talents and guiding you on your creative journey. Meet our talented professionals who are eager to share their knowledge and inspire the next generation of performers. Explore their bios and discover the unique skills they bring to our studio.

  • FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

    Luke is a New Jersey-based Stage Director and Teaching Artist and the proud Owner and Artistic Director of Ferrell Studios! Some credits include Puffs (Director), Songs for a New World (Director), The Last Five Years (Director), Into the Woods (Music Director), Alice in Wonderland (Co-Director), Ideation (Co-Director), Spring Awakening (Music Director), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Director), Sweet Charity (Director). He is a Teaching Artist with Fresh Theatre Arts, where he is the Fall Drama Director and Spring Musical Technical Director for Highland Park High School. He is also the Technical Director at Henry Hudson Regional School and an Instructor and Music Director at the Middletown Arts Center.

  • FILM AND TV ACTING INSTRUCTOR

    Daniel Bristol is a multi-award-winning actor and 2019 graduate of the prestigious internationally recognized conservatory Studio 58, under the direction of Kathryn Shaw. Most recently, Daniel was awarded nationally with an Official Top Young Emerging Actor Selection in 2022 by UBCP/ACTRA and acted in Leo Award-winner Joyce Kline's film 'Cancelled Stamp', which won the coveted Audience Favorite Best Short Award at the Victoria Film Festival. He made his film debut in Paramount Pictures 'The Uninvited' as Samuel Wright with Academy Award nominee David Strathairn, Elizabeth Banks, and Emily Browning. Soon after, he acted in the Warner Bros film 'Sucker Punch' directed by Zach Snyder. In 2016, he was nominated for Best Young Actor in a Leading Role as Lucas in 'His First Time' and won for Best Monologue at the Joey Awards: Canada's & UK's/Europe's most prestigious awards for young performers. After appearing in 6 award winning Studio 58 Mainstage Productions, including the Carol Bolt Award and 3 Ovation Awards, he graduated at the top of his class and starred as the titular role of CBC's Digital Shorts' Pilot 'Captain Coquitlam' directed by Arno Hazebroek, who executive produced the film Hope Gape which was directed by two time Academy Award Nominee William Nicholson. In only a few months, after auditioning nationally, he was cast in the starring role of Ben as his professional theatre debut for which he found great critical and popular acclaim in the hit Canadian Actors' Equity Association production of 'The Birds and the Bees' (2020). The show's run was extended twice and raised over $106,265 for Children's Charity. Also in 2020, Daniel won the worldwide Silver Medal in the World Monologue Games out of 3000 actors from 85 countries for Best Monologue and represented his country within the competition as the only Canadian to reach the Global Finals. Revered actress Sohaila Kapur, youngest sister to Cate Blanchett's Oscar Winning Elizabeth director Shekhar Kapur, earned Bronze. In 2021, Daniel worked with Lee Strasberg's son David Lee Strasberg in Los Angeles as well as with HBO's Game of Thrones dialect coach Sally Hague in Staffordshire, England. He also made a Guest Appearance at The Second City Chicago. 

    Daniel's 2022 Hollywood North Magazine Interview: https://hnmag.ca/interview/daniel-bristols-chance-at-expanding-interview/

    And IMDB: imdb.me/danielbristol


  • ACTING INSTRUCTOR

    Cornelius Jefferson is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and has distinguished himself as a talented actor, singer, model, author of the book "CHALLENGES: The Journey to Healing", and now CEO and acting coach of Royal Dramatics. He is the proud father of one son and a brother of the most honorable Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated. As a child, Cornelius began to love the idea of performing, and he appeared in his first stage plays while in elementary school. As a teenager, Cornelius performed at the prestigious Atlanta Civic Center in the production of King of Glory, and he also performed in a black box production of When Sunday Comes.

    After playing the leading role in Purlie Victorious, Cornelius relocated to Miami, FL, where he was a student in the Theatre Program at the University of Miami. His studies also included ballet, jazz, and tap. While in Miami, he performed at the Hillel Theatre in FAME: The Musical as Tyrone Jackson and as Clarence Bigsby in Sam Holiday: No Business for Love. Cornelius returned to Atlanta and played the role of Brother Boxer in the touring production of James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner.

    Cornelius’ film and T.V. experience include the lead role in “Unforgiven” with Passion Works Media production, “WKND + LVR” with EyeAmEricaSade Productions, a music video for the song “Daymaker”, and for over one year he filmed pilot episodes for “B.A.M.M. Business and Money Matters”, an Academy of America, INC. production. Cornelius performed at the Barefoot Playhouse Theatre in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun as Walter Lee Younger, Marietta Square Theatre in Super Loser, and was featured in “Battlefield of the Mind II” and “Blessed Hands”, a Seventh Factor Media production, as the lead. He is currently signed with East Coast Talent Agency and touring in the nationwide production of Deep Greenwood: The Hidden Truth of Black Wall Street.

  • CINEMATOGRAPHY INSTRUCTOR

    Daphne Sardis is a New Jersey-based filmmaker, writer, and actor. Her most recent short film credits include Ioanna (Writer/Director) and Diary of a Simpy Kid: The Documentary (Director). She is currently studying Digital Filmmaking and English at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where she is also a Writing Center tutor. Her most recent theatre credits include Company (Bobby), 9 to 5 (Director), American Idiot (St. Jimmy), Into the Woods (The Witch), Hair (Claude), and tick, Tick... BOOM! (Jon). For more of her work check out her website:

    https://www.daphnesardis.com/

  • VOICE INSTRUCTOR

    Angela Klawiter is a recent graduate of Marywood University holding degrees in Theatre and Early Childhood Education. A performer from a young age, Angela has studied and performed under industry experts in acting and musical theatre singing for upwards of 17 years. Although she is a singer and actor at heart, she has also had the opportunity to direct and costume design numerous productions. Additionally, she is a playwright and producer, having had the opportunity to professionally produce her original one-woman show at the Scranton Fringe Festival. Some of her other favorite productions include Sound of Music (Maria), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), When We Dead Awaken (Irene), Dancing at Lughnasa (Kate), and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Christopher). Her vocal experience extends to professional recording and solo work as well as recent solo and collaborative recitals. Angela is thrilled to be joining Ferrell Studios to help the next generation of performers develop skills and gain confidence in their singing.

  • MUSICAL THEATRE INSTRUCTOR

    CJ Knorr is a New Jersey-born actor currently residing in Morehead, Kentucky. He graduated from Arcadia University with a B.F.A in Acting. His previous roles include Ensemble in The Prom and John Brooke in The Little Women Musical. CJ fell in love with theater at a young age and enjoys nothing more than watching people succeed on the stage. He doesn't believe anyone when they say "They can't sing" or "They can't act." He knows that everyone can sing and act they just need the right training and the confidence to do so. CJ can't wait to bring his theater experience into this community and hopes he can help others grow into the performers they were meant to be.

  • MAGIC, CLOWNING, AND ESL INSTRUCTOR

    Christopher Parsons, aka Mr. Maaagic the Clown, is a writer-director who has brought smiles worldwide -- from London's West End to charity shows in East Asia. His books, TV, and live shows bring audience participation to new heights.  This magical teacher incorporates clowning, improv activities, music, and D&D into his unique classes.   If you want to learn new performance techniques, classic acting skills, or just clown around, Mr. Maaagic is the instructor for you!

  • MUSIC, VOICE, AND ACTING INSTRUCTOR

    I am a professional singer in NYC, having just graduated from Columbia University with an MFA in acting ‘23, and Wellesley College ‘19 with a degree in music. I have trained, and continue to train with the top acting and singing professionals in the business. I am currently a student of Mary Setrakian and Liz Caplan's studios and am represented by Atlas Artists.

  • ACTING INSTRUCTOR

    Lysia Mogford is an actor, comedian, and teaching artist based in Philadelphia PA. She is a recent graduate from Temple University with an acting degree. Since then, she has been acting locally, teaching in afterschool programs, directing local productions and films, and doing stand up and improv. Some of her most exciting recent projects are Love is Afoot, a world premier of an all new musical, performing at a character show at Philadelphia Improv theater, and now directing a production of King Lear coming up in February 2024. Her biggest passion is comedy! She is proficient in sketch comedy, improv, standup, and comedy writing. She looks to create theater that promotes equality, changes to the traditional theater mold, and most of all makes people laugh.

  • FILM/TV AND ACTING INSTRUCTOR

    Michael is a professional working actor (SAG-AFTRA) who has had roles in: FOR LIFE  (ABC), THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL (AMAZON), FBI (CBS), and THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA (HBO) to name a few.  Upcoming projects include the films: EVERYTHING AND THE UNIVERSE, SHOPPING TOWARDS BETHLEHEM, and THREE BLIND MICE.  He has been in 100+ Commercials/Industrials/Print and has over a decade of experience working with kids of all ages at Camps, Youth Groups, and Non-Profits.  Michael has a B.A. In Journalism from Temple University and has studied at HB Studio, the Simon Studio, and  Upright Citizen's Brigade.  He lives with his wife Becky, a Social Worker, two kids Lila & Lucy, and their beloved rescue Stella, a boxer mix.


  • ACTING, THEATER, AND DANCE INSTRUCTOR

    Jackie Knollhuff (She/Her) is a New Jersey Freelance Director, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist whose passions include new play development, working with children, and theatre for persons with disabilities. She holds a Master's in Theatre Studies from Montclair State University. She has worked with professional and community theaters. Check out her portfolio on her website https://www.jackieknollhuff.com/

  • ACTING INSTRUCTOR

    Luke, a lifelong theater artist, has decades of experience directing, designing and writing plays for all age levels. As an actor, he has numerous film and stage credits. Luke loves to teach and learn through all things theater and is delighted to engage on almost any creative topic. He holds an M.F.A in Acting from Temple University and has served as Director of Theatre for the University of Montevallo and Bethany College. During his time at the Performing Arts Magnet High School (CCPAC), in Montgomery, his students earned statewide recognition, succeeded in earning significant scholarships, got offers from numerous training programs and for many, went on to successful professional careers. His own career includes directing over 85 plays representing a broad range of genres, age groups, audiences and venues. Luke’s approach to teaching is collaborative, eclectic, physical, and informed by years of study and practice. He is looking forward to sharing his expertise in Acting, Audition Prep, Playwriting, History and Appreciation, and more with the next generation of theatre people through Ferrell Studios/Outschool.

  • ACTING INSTRUCTOR

    Kevin Bryant Rose is a New York City-based actor and acting coach with a rich background in both classical and contemporary theater, as well as extensive television experience. Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, Kevin’s passion for the performing arts led him to earn a Theatre degree from Hunter College and an AA in Film & Video Production, with minors in Philosophy and French language/culture. His stage career includes captivating performances in Shakespearean classics like Hamlet, Macbeth, and Henry VI Part One, as well as dynamic contemporary roles in A Raisin in the Sun and Our Lady of 121st St. On television, Kevin has showcased his versatility with roles on Blue Bloods, FBI: Most Wanted, Ray Donovan, Jessica Jones, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, and more.

    In his teaching, Kevin draws on his deep well of professional experience, integrating the Meisner methodology's focus on living off the other person, the traditional Stanislavski method, the Linklater voice technique, and pranayama yoga breathwork. His distinctive approach is enriched by real-life anecdotes from his work on television and film sets, offering students unique insights into the industry. Kevin has worked with students of all ages in various settings, including online, one-on-one coaching, and workshops. His experience in theater directing and his pursuit of a graduate degree in psychology further inform his teaching, enabling him to tailor his methods to enhance student knowledge acquisition.

  • ACTING, WRITING, AND THEATRE CRITICISM INSTRUCTOR

    Christie Davis is prospectively concentrating in Economics with minors in Political Economy, History, and Finance at Princeton University. As an actor, Christie has performed professionally as a wide array of characters in various genres, from musical comedies to dramatic straight plays and new works. Some favorite credits include The Fairy Godmother (Cinderella), The Narrator (Joseph), Beth March (Little Women), Winnifred the Woebegone (Once Upon a Mattress), and Jennie Mae Layman (The Diviners), a role for which Christie received a nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actor in a Play’ in the 2023 Regional Broadway Awards. Backstage, Christie has managed everything from sound, microphones, sets, and costumes to help produce the best show possible. In her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, Christie developed and directed an after-school theatre program for middle schoolers that instructed and guided students in theatrical performance and professionalism. She feels that fine arts education programs are essential for all to practice creativity and explore our shared humanity. She is grateful for the opportunity to do such socially valuable work and help curate an environment that encourages students to embrace their individuality as integral to their craft.

  • MUSIC INSTRUCTOR

    Julia Mihalich holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy,  and a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. She is also a certified vocologist and yoga instructor with extensive experience both performing and teaching. With a deep passion for music and the arts and a commitment to vocal excellence, Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her students, helping them develop their unique voices and achieve their artistic goals.