Robin Donica Wolaver has worn many hats over the years, but none is closer to her heart than the title “Mama”. The daughter of mountain missionaries, who raised her on love, wit, and frank common sense, Robin’s life has been a horse ride bareback, moving her from dirt grass roots in Oklahoma to steely skyscrapers in New York City. Along the way she’s raised seven children, written popular musicals, founded an internationally acclaimed musical group, published an auto-biography, directed numerous artistic programs, and also found time to care for her elderly mother and mother-in-law. Robin’s words are fresh, vivacious, and to the point. She’s a combination of clear-headed and cutting-edge, offering women young and old a captivating vision of motherhood, music, and the heroism of learning to serve the needs of others. From the intricate wonder of the human body to the high call of changing diapers, Robin’s story will inspire, provoke, and expand your understanding of what it means to be a wise and fruitful woman.
A consummate musician on the guitar, mandolin, and violin, as well as a songbird soprano, Gretchen crafts intimate ballads that move your soul, and sometimes, leave your heart bleeding a little. An artist from Nashville, TN, she has been touring for almost twenty years as part of the acclaimed Annie Moses Band, a classical-folk ensemble with record-breaking PBS specials, chart topping classical-crossover albums, and an Emmy nomination to their credit.
Hudson Harris, a longtime member of the Annie Moses Summer Music Festival and Conservatory, has been singing and acting since he was eight years old. On screen, Hudson played Young Luke, in the movie, The Favorite. He has earned numerous awards of the highest level in the state of Missouri as a vocalist in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHAA). Hudson has performed as a soloist at The Grand Ole Opry, The Huckabee Theater and Starlight Theater in Kansas City, MO where he received a BlueStar Award Nomination for his role as Prince Charming in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Among his 30+ productions, a few of his favorite roles include Smee in Peter Pan, Fredrich in The Sound of Music, and Lettum Havitt in Hallelujah Harvest. Hudson spent last year serving with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Switzerland and Lebanon and as a worship leader for his church. He has plans to continue his studies in Worship Arts and Biblical Studies this Fall with the Conservatory of Annie Moses and the University of the Nations, in Kona, Hawaii.
Joshua Carswell is an award-winning singer and actor for both stage and screen. Recent accolades include the role of Harold Hill in "The Music Man," guest appearances at the Kennedy Center, and forthcoming performances with the Charlotte Symphony. In addition to his active schedule as a singer and actor, Mr. Carswell is a masterful pedagogue and the opportunity to develop young talent at the Conservatory of Annie Moses. A native of North Carolina, Mr. Carswell graduated from Elon University in 2011 with a Bachelors in Vocal Performance, garnering the university’s prestigious Presser Music Scholar award. He has been a guest soloist at Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry, 54 Below and made appearances with the Greensboro Opera, North Carolina Symphony, Indiana Wind Symphony and the Savannah Philharmonic. Roles include Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte (American Singers Opera Project), Rinuccio in Gianni Schicci (Elon) and soloist on “Generations” in Children of Eden (Elon University). Mr. Carswell’s exceptional interpretive skill has garnered national attention, winning the Grand Prize in the prestigious American Traditions Competition in Savannah, GA. He has released two albums of American Standards and will be releasing his debut original album “Innerspace” in the spring of 2024.
Pierson Mashburn, 10 years old, is one of eight kids born and raised in Middle Tennessee. He and his family have taken classes with the Conservatory of Annie Moses for eight years. When he isn’t acting, singing or playing the drums, he enjoys hanging with his family, swimming, skiing, beatboxing, hip hop and baseball. He is grateful to The Wolaver family for fostering his talents and giving him many opportunities to perform and act. He can be seen in Seasons 2 and 3 of The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello and Season 1 of What Every Child Needs to Know About God.
Shea Rider is a vocalist, actress, and lyricist. She has studied voice for 7 years with private coaches and is currently enrolled at Southwest Baptist University, majoring in Vocal Music. She has participated in over 25 shows through a variety of avenues, including school, the Annie Moses Summer Music Festival, and Community Theatre. Her favorite roles include Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest, Ella in Roger’s & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Symonek in Korczak’s Children, and now, Marian Paroo in The Music Man. Shea’s deepest passion is sharing the love of God with others through music and theatre, and she is blessed by this opportunity to do so through this production.
Annie Catherine Teague is a classical guitarist, pianist, and singer/songwriter. She started her musical journey at the age of 6, attending Studio3 music school in Taylorsville, NC and currently studies at the Conservatory of Annie Moses. Annie has participated in a number of shows as a solo vocalist and solo guitarist and May of this year she debuted her original song “Heaven’s Town” on the Packard Playhouse stage. In the Fall of 2022 Annie’s classical guitar video submission was selected as the opening act for the Southern Guitar Festival’s Ensemble Showcase. Annie has enjoyed studying acting in her stagecoach class at the Conservatory and is honored to be playing the part of Amaryllis in the Music Man.
Emma Forster is 10 years old and resides in Nolensville, Tennessee. She has taken lessons from the Conservatory of Annie Moses since 2019. She fell in love with acting when she landed the role of a Rockette in Hallelujah Harvest. She recently played the orphan Pepper in the musical Annie. When she isn’t acting, she loves singing, dancing, playing her violin and jiu-jitsu. She is thrilled to be playing the feisty role of Gracie Shinn and thankful to her teachers for the time and investments they have made in building her craft.
Hunter Harris, a 17-year-old high school senior from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, has been a participant of the Annie Moses Foundation, Conservatory, and Fine Arts Festival since the age of six. Hunter has appeared on both stage and screen. Recent roles include Horace Vandergelder in Hello Dolly, Lionel in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and he is looking forward to his upcoming role as Tommy Albright in Brigadoon. President of his school’s Chorale Program and Vice President of the Spiritual Climate Committee, he also serves as a Junior High boys small group leader, vocalist, and keyboardist on worship teams (both at his school and Church) and plays cello. Musical Theatre has taught Hunter every role is important - from backstage work to the leads - to present the magic of a story telling.
Levi Cash Teague, age 15, is an accomplished violinist. He started playing violin at the age of 7 attending Studio3 music school in Taylorsville, NC and currently studies under Annie Dupre at the Conservatory of Annie Moses. He has served as Concertmaster as well as Principal violinist in several orchestras including at Studio3, the All Catawba Valley Middle School Honors Orchestra, Western Piedmont Youth Symphony, and the Southeast Honors String Festival at UNC Greensboro. He was given the honor last year to conduct one song for Studio3’s orchestra at Mitchell Community College. His education in the arts also includes piano, mandolin, voice, and theater. In Christmas of 2022 he played King Balthazar in the Christmas Opera Amahl and the Night Visitors in Statesville, NC. Levi enjoys performing on stage is looking forward to sharping his skills as a musician and actor and is honored to play Tommy Djilas in the Music Man.
Lori Miller is a wife and mom to 5 littles (2 of which are in The Music Man). She has spent 10 years as an RN and 11 years in the United States Army. Her family has been at conservatory for 3 years, and aside from being a “beauty school dropout” in her high school production of Grease, this is her stage debut.
Lucy Knowles is a faculty member and alumnus of the Conservatory of Annie Moses. Her past performances with the Conservatory include the premiere productions of “Merry Christmas, Uncle Scrooge!” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Lucy is also a classical and commercial pianist, a prolific songwriter, and a composer of theatre and film music. Her first original musical premiered in 2020 and she is currently writing a new musical of Peter Pan for Packard Playhouse.
Mark Harris is the proud Father of Hudson Harris (Harold Hill/Jacey Squires) and Hunter Harris (Charlie Cowell/Oliver Hix) and husband of Krista Sheppard Harris (Stage Manager). Along with their daughter, Arianna (studying abroad) the Harrises served as foreign missionaries for years with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) a non-denominational non-profit organization. Mark earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Georgia and a MA with The University of the Nations in Cape Town, South Africa in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship. Mark has a lifetime of onstage and backstage experience in theatre, having studied under the late Jennifer Jenkins of the Theatre Arts Guild, GA State University, has appeared on the big screen as Phillip Moore in The Favorite, a fighter pilot in ABC/Disney’s The Path to 9/11 and as The Traveler in Quo Vadis on the Grand Ole Opry stage. The Harrises currently live in Kansas City, Missouri.
Nicholas Newman is a veteran performer and a recent graduate of the Conservatory of Annie Moses Preparatory program. A well-versed singer, musician, and actor, his major theatrical roles have included: Micheal Banks in Mary Poppins, JoJo in Seussical, and Kurt/Friedrich in The Sound Of Music National Tour. However, his most recent role was Bert Healy in Annie on the Packard Playhouse stage! He would like to thank Robin Wolaver and Sydney Wolaver for their continued dedication to his craft.
Olivia Atkinson is a vocalist, actress, and songwriter. She has studied piano, theater, and voice over the last 10 years with the Annie Moses Conservatory, and has furthered her classical vocal career with Melissa Shippen Burrows, Juilliard graduate and international opera singer. Olivia has participated in a number of shows, taking her to Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole’ Opry, and roles in the premieres of “Merry Christmas, Uncle Scrooge!” and “Tom Sawyer”, as well as a drama masterclass with acting legend John Rhys-Davies. She writes in a variety of styles, from musicals to writing for the pop band Aster with her sister Sarah, and she teaches music, theater and voice at Peachtree Learning Center. She believes that music and drama are powerful tools in the Kingdom of God and is thankful to share in the classic “Music Man”!
Sam Pio is a multi talented 11-year old, with an established professional career as a faith-based actress, Christian recording artist, singer-songwriter, and worship leader. Her extensive young acting career began at age five and has taken her from the theater stages of Disney's Aladdin to feature films, “Singing in My Sleep” to television shows, Amazon Prime's first augmented reality movie musical "It's Christmas All Over with the Goo Goo Dolls,” alongside John Rzeznik. As an accomplished singer-songwriter she has appeared on numerous Christian Television Broadcasting Networks and preformed MainStage for Worldwide Christian Leadership events, as well as, led congregations live in worship at The American Center in St. Louis, Missouri before audiences of 20 million viewers in over 200 countries. Her uplifting music can be found on all streaming platforms as well as national radio. Her albums, “Be Blessed” features contemporary Christian songs, “Be Joyful” features Christmas classics such as Silent Night, as well as her original song, “Be Joyful It’s Christmas” with the Annie Moses Conservatory orchestra and children’s choir. Her solo album, “Be Light,'' features originally written Christian songs to be released in early 2024. Sam studies with some of the leading coaches and trainers in the industry and although she works hard at developing her skills, she still finds time for her favorite activities - playdates, baking, swimming, board games and reading the Bible.
Sydney Wolaver is an accomplished mezzo soprano, actress and teacher from Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Theatre. Sydney has won at the state level for both Musical Theatre and Classical NATS and placed first at the regional level for Musical Theatre. She is also a two time nominee for Best Actress by the Kennedy Center’s ACTF. Sydney has traveled to Italy with the International Young Artist Project performing in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and has performed at many venues including the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall. Sydney is currently a voice and drama teacher at The Conservatory of Annie Moses in addition to being a full time wife and mother.
