Be APA

Susan West

Supervisor, APA Council Advisor

Susan West excels in business but has also studied comedy/improv at UCLA and performed with OCC’s Original Broadway cast and an assortment of bands. Before coming to APA, Susan was the National Alternative Marketing Manager for Capitol Records. Susan was the HBUHSD 2011-2012 Classified Employee of the Year and was honored to be a part of the HBUHSD leadership program. Susan also serves as the staff adviser for the APA Student Council.

Jenny McClintock

APA Artistic Director & Acting Director

Jenny McClintock has been singing, dancing, and acting since the age of three, with many of her early performances taking place in the HBUHSD Auditorium with the Southland Ballet Academy and Fountain Valley High School Choir. Ms. McClintock earned a BFA in Theater Performance from Chapman University, where she graduated with honors. Following graduation, she pursued an acting career in Hollywood with roles on General Hospital, Nickelodeon's Victorious, and a short film that won top honors at the LA Comedy Shorts festival. While in Los Angeles, Ms. McClintock trained with acclaimed master teacher Ivana Chubbuck. Using the Chubbuck Technique, she began teaching private acting lessons, which led to the formation of a children’s theater in South Orange County with friends. It was during the next eleven years that she honed her skills as a teacher and developed a passion for educational theater. Ms. McClintock returned to school to earn her teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton. She currently resides in Seal Beach with her family and is a mother of three.

Christina Biardi

Special Projects Technician

Christina holds a BS in business from California State University of Long Beach with an international marketing emphasis. She has been part of the theatre world since her children began performing at a young age, both in the management sphere and backstage. Christina was also familiar with the education system as a records clerk for the Garden Grove school district on several elementary campuses. She volunteered for APA while her daughter attended and was then hired into the costume department. From there she gained her current position in the APA office.

April Sharp

Public Relations and Audience Building

People have often described April as a "constant creator" since the age of 2 when she first received instruction in drawing and painting from her mother, Ginny. Her favorite art forms are acrylic painting along with mixed-medium sculpture and she has a passion for scenic design. Graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from California Lutheran University, her academic focus encompassed History of Art and Fine Art. After working for years as a marketing-graphic designer in the real estate/restaurant sectors, April decided to also utilize her skills to help spread the word about APA's excellent opportunities. She enjoys assisting students in exploring and refining their artistic abilities to truly flourish as artists. Along with serving as the Public Relations and Audience Building representative in the APA Office, you will also find her in the MMET Building coordinating projects and film festivals alongside the MEDIA Students. April, accompanied by her husband Quinten, is a proud parent to two sons who are graduates of APA and actively engaged in the Film Industry.

Andrea Taylor

Special Programs Administrator

A native of Huntington Beach, Andrea has returned to her community to share her knowledge and love of the arts with others. After leaving the OC, Andrea entered the dance program at the Cal-Arts where she received her BFA in Dance Performance/Choreography. After completing her BFA, she was accepted into the MFA program at UCLA as a student, performer, and instructor. Following UCLA Andrea taught at El Camino College, Long Beach City College, Chapman University, and Cypress College as well as local community institutions such as GWC, Fountain Valley High School, and Southland Ballet Academy. In 2018, Andrea received her Administrative Credential in Education from CSULB, in 2019 she was awarded the “Outstanding Arts Achievement” Award in Education from the Allied Arts Board, and in 2020, was selected as the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s Teacher of the Year. Andrea is glad to step into the role of a lifetime as the Special Programs Administrator at the Academy for Performing Arts for the HBUHSD.

Jenny McClintock

APA Artistic Director & Acting Director

Jenny McClintock has been singing, dancing, and acting since the age of three, with many of her early performances taking place in the HBUHSD Auditorium with the Southland Ballet Academy and Fountain Valley High School Choir. Ms. McClintock earned a BFA in Theater Performance from Chapman University, where she graduated with honors. Following graduation, she pursued an acting career in Hollywood with roles on General Hospital, Nickelodeon's Victorious, and a short film that won top honors at the LA Comedy Shorts festival. While in Los Angeles, Ms. McClintock trained with acclaimed master teacher Ivana Chubbuck. Using the Chubbuck Technique, she began teaching private acting lessons, which led to the formation of a children’s theater in South Orange County with friends. It was during the next eleven years that she honed her skills as a teacher and developed a passion for educational theater. Ms. McClintock returned to school to earn her teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton. She currently resides in Seal Beach with her family and is a mother of three.

Rhonda Choat

Costume Design Faculty

Rhonda found her love for sewing in middle school. Her passion evolved into the creation of a successful custom costume company that has costumed thousands of performers in Southern California and across the country. Rhonda has built costumes for productions of Shrek, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Wicked, Hamilton, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Oklahoma and many many more. Along with teaching Costume Design and Fashion Design classes, Rhonda also is the costume designer for several dance studios and high school performance teams and she sends hundreds of costumes into competition yearly. Rhonda has also taught performing arts at high schools across Southern California and has coached at HBHS for the past 25 years leading the Colorguard team to multiple championship wins.

Josh Behrens

Auditorium Director

Josh Behrens specializes in lighting design, audio engineering, stage management, systems design and production management. Along with being the Theater Technology Pathway chair at APA, Mr. Behrens is actively working in the entertainment industry throughout Southern California. Holding a CTE Credential in Arts, Media and Entertainment, and is currently completing his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Management at Arizona State University. Mr. Behrens is an HB APA alumnus who graduated from the Technical Theatre Department in 2016. He previously managed the APA Studio Theater Technical Director for over six years, and has managed the Auditorium for five years.

Chris Henderson

Auditorium Director

Mackenzie MacFarlane

Dance Teacher

Mackenzie "Mac" MacFarlane is thrilled to be a part of the APA Team. As a proud HBHS alumna who grew up in Huntington Beach, it feels incredibly special to return “home” to join the staff and to also coach the Dance Team. Mac has been dancing for 26 years, training in a variety of styles—with hip-hop remaining her favorite. This is Mac's twelfth year teaching dance and sixth year in education. Mac began her teaching journey in Manhattan Beach with elementary PE for two years and then spent four years at Indio High School, where she built the dance program and coached the Dance Team. Most recently, Mac served as the Dance Director at Newport Harbor High School. Teaching dance is her passion and she is committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where students of all levels can explore their creativity, build confidence, and grow as dancers. Outside the classroom, she enjoys dancing, rollerblading, mixing music, working out, and reading.

Marie Hoffman

Company Ensemble Director

Marie holds a BFA in dance from Radford University and an MFA in choreography and performance from University of North Carolina. Marie is an accomplished choreographer with national and international accolades, including the grand prize in the Palm Desert and New Prague dance festivals. She is founder of the Accidental Dance Company, the ENCORE Dance Company and APA’s Repertory Dance Ensemble. In 2013 she was named a Distinguished Educator in Dance by the Orange County Department of Education.

Brande Dunn

Ballet Ensemble Director

Brande attended UCLA where she earned a BA in French and dance, followed by an MA in education from UCI. She studied at Boston Ballet and Le Centre de Danse du Marais in Paris, France, and was a soloist for Festival Ballet Theatre. Brande is the director of APA’s Ballet Ensemble.

Claire Zabaneh

Jazz Ensemble Director

Claire K. Zabaneh comes to APA after extensive teaching experiences in private dance academies and public high schools. Native to Huntington Beach, she started her dance training at Huntington Academy of Dance and Ballet Etudes. Claire spent two years in the Alonzo King Lines Program at Dominican University and completed her bachelor’s degree from Chapman University. She holds a Career Technical Education credential, physical education credential and master’s degree. With an extensive background in ballet, Claire provides students with a foundational dance education while utilizing a wide range of industry experience. She has danced professionally as a soloist with Anaheim Ballet in LA Fashion Week, Musco, Downtown Disney and Segerstrom’s Samueli Theater. Additionally as a company member of Akomi Dance, she has performed in numerous collectives, festivals, and invitationals throughout Southern California.

Madeline Yankell

Musical Theatre Teacher

Originally from New Jersey, Madeline Yankell discovered her passion for singing at a young age by singing in choirs and attending productions in both New York and Philadelphia. She is a versatile performer, director, and educator with experience spanning choral, musical theater, and classical repertoire. Madeline holds a Master’s degree from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University. Her performance career has taken her across the globe, with appearances in Australia, Denmark, Italy, and the United States. In addition to her work on stage, she presented original research on movement and singing at the Voice Foundation Conference. Madeline is known for her dynamic teaching style, which reflects her deep enthusiasm for vocal music and the performing arts. She emphasizes vocal health, artistry, and life-long learning in her work with students. Whether in the classroom or on stage, Madeline brings energy, expertise, and a genuine love for helping others find their own voice.