BIOS
Tim SChall - Artistic director/producer
TIM SCHALL is co-founder of The St. Louis Cabaret Conference and is solely responsible for choosing faculty, curriculum and students. Under Schall’s guidance The St. Louis Cabaret Conference has developed into one of the top song performance training programs in the country with a renowned, award winning guest faculty that attracts more than 20 singers each year from all over the nation. Additionally, he has taught numerous Advanced Performance classes and directed nearly 30 full length cabaret shows and showcases for various singers, including Tony nominee Lara Teeter’s acclaimed New York cabaret debut at 54 Below in 2014.
Tim recently performed on stage at Jazz at Lincoln Lincoln Center during the 2019 New York Cabaret Convention’s salute to composer Frank Loesser. Tim has been called “a consummate cabaret performer” by Cabaret Scenes Magazine. He is a singer with over a dozen solo shows to his credit. KDHX St. Louis refers to his performances as “madly entertaining”. He has headlined his shows at the prestigious St. Louis venues The Sheldon Concert Hall, The Bistro at Grand Center, Gaslight Cabaret Festival, BlueStrawberry, among many other clubs and performing arts centers. Regionally/nationally he has performed in Colorado, Iowa and at Davenports (Chicago), Geist Cabaret (Santa Fe), in addition to venues in Boston, Colorado, Iowa and Washington DC. St. Louis’ Riverfront Times says of his cabaret work, “expect great things”.
Tim has served as adjunct faculty at Webster University teaching their Cabaret Styles Performance class to seniors in the University's Musical Theater Conservatory. Schall is also the Executive Director of The Cabaret Project of St. Louis (TCP), a non-profit with a mission to support, develop and sustain the art of cabaret. Under the banner of TCP, Schall serves as has presented such talents as Christine Ebersole, Karen Mason, Robin de Jesus, Jason Robert Brown, Ann Hampton Callaway, Faith Prince, Marilyn Maye, Billy Stritch, Jason Graae, Liz Callaway, Andrea Marcovicci, Norm Lewis, Rachel Bay Jones, Christine Andreas, Barbara Fasano and Eric Comstock. Cabaret Scenes Magazine has twice highlighted his work as a cabaret force in a feature articles in 2009 and 2017. Tim owns and operates a private vocal performance studio in St. Louis.
A veteran actor, he was nominated for a St. Louis Theater Circle Award as Outstanding Supporting Actor for his performance in The Normal Heart. He has appeared with multiple theaters in St. Louis and Chicago. He has sung with both the Chicago and St. Louis Symphony Choruses and was a soloist with Webster University’s Opera Scenes evening in 2015. He is a Missouri Arts Council Touring Artist and has performed and taught song performance workshops throughout the state.
“Tim Schall sings with a voice like honey, a heart filled with emotion and a mind that knows how to tell a story. That’s the cabaret triple crown.” — Cabaret legend Amanda McBroom
FACULTY
ARI AXELROD
“There never was, and there never will be an artist who knows their self and commits that self to the creation of musical storytelling in quite the same way as Ari Axelrod.”– Stephen Moser, BroadwayWorld
ARI AXELROD is an actor, director, singer, and Jewish activist. He recently received the 2022 Bistro Award for Theatrical Performance in Song for his show, “Ari’s Arias." His multi-award-winning show, “A Place For Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway,” has seen multiple sold-out performances at the historic Birdland Jazz Club, one of which featured six-time Emmy & Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh, as well as sold-out performances in St. Louis, Chicago, Boca Raton, Ann Arbor, and via Zoom during COVID. In 2020, he received a MAC Award nomination for Best Male Vocalist, and won the BroadwayWorld Award for Best Live Zoom Performance. Ari Axelrod's first solo cabaret, "Taking the Wheel,” was directed by Tony Award winner Faith Prince and music directed by multiple MAC Award winner Alex Rybeck and has been performed in numerous cities around the country. Ari’s work as a director has been seen at Paper Mill Playhouse, Birdland, Feinstein’s/54 Below, The Green Room 42, and Don’t Tell Mama.
Recently, Ari was the recipient of The Jewish Week’s prestigious 36 Under 36 Award, which “honors 36 noteworthy New Yorkers, all 36 years old or younger, who make New York — and its many Jewish communities — better. These entrepreneurs, young leaders, and change makers bring remarkable energy and new ideas to religion, philanthropy, the arts, Jewish learning, campus life, social action, inclusion, and justice.” AXELROD is an actor, director, singer, and Jewish activist. He recently received the 2022 Bistro Award for Theatrical Performance in Song for his show, “Ari’s Arias." His multi-award-winning show, “A Place For Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway,” has seen multiple sold-out performances at the historic Birdland Jazz Club, one of which featured six-time Emmy & Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh, as well as sold-out performances in St. Louis, Chicago, Boca Raton, Ann Arbor, and via Zoom during COVID. In 2020, he received a MAC Award nomination for Best Male Vocalist, and won the BroadwayWorld Award for Best Live Zoom Performance. Ari Axelrod's first solo cabaret, "Taking the Wheel,” was directed by Tony Award winner Faith Prince and music directed by multiple MAC Award winner Alex Rybeck and has been performed in numerous cities around the country. Ari’s work as a director has been seen at Paper Mill Playhouse, Birdland, Feinstein’s/54 Below, The Green Room 42, and Don’t Tell Mama. www.ariaxelrod.com
Matt Baker
“The Australian piano whiz..” - Stephen Holden, The New York Times,
MATT BAKER recorded his 5th album Almost Blue (via JazzElm Music), with producer Matt Pierson, released in June 2016. The album features tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, along with Luques Curtis on bass, Obed Calvaire on drums and guitarist Lage Lund. His previous album ‘Underground’ featuring Gregory Hutchinson, Dayna Stephens and Jeremy Pelt received rave reviews in Downbeat, Jazz Times and Jazz Wise UK, and reached #26 on the US JazzWeek charts. Baker’s sideman credits include engagements with, among others, guitar icon Bucky Pizzarelli, tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, bassist Marco Panascia, and vocalists Alexis Cole, Tierney Sutton, Judy Collins and Barb Jungr. In addition to refining his presentation of the Oscar Peterson repertoire in his show ‘An Oscar Moment’, (which has been presented at Birdland and different venues in North America and abroad with sidemen Jim Cammack, Jerome Jennings and vocalist Brianna Thomas), Baker has played numerous trio engagements that feature his own repertoire conception in diverse NYC rooms like Birdland, The Blue Note, Cleopatra’s Needle, Gin Fizz, Iridium, Kitano, Bemelmans, Le Cirque, the Zinc Bar, as well as The Side Door in CT and Scullers Jazz Club in Boston. Matt Baker was an award winner in the 2003 Montreux International Solo Jazz Piano competition and a semi-finalist in 2004 and 2005. The Montreux Jazz Festival also engaged the Matt Baker Trio as its exclusive in-house band for 2 years straight, where they performed 17 nights in the Montreux Festival Jazz Club, accompanying and supporting many of the headlining artists. A student of Taylor Eigsti’s since moving to New York, Matt watched Oscar Peterson perform live an entire week at the Blue Note, which he recounts as being as great a lesson as any! Baker has also studied with Mulgrew Miller, Benny Green, Fred Hersch, Aaron Goldberg, Jacky Terrasson, James Williams, Ralph Sutton and Ella Fitzgerald’s life-long accompanist Paul Smith. https://www.mattbaker.com.au/
CHRISTOPHER DENNY
“Prodigiously gifted and versatile pianist” — Stephen Holden, New York Times
CHRISTOPHER DENNY has served as musical director, arranger and pianist for such theater, cabaret and opera luminaries as Karen Mason, Julie Wilson, Brent Barrett, Gregg Edelman, David Campbell, Tammy Grimes, Andrea Marcovicci, Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Loudon, Judy Kaye, Kaye Ballard, Jeff Harnar, Steven Brinberg and Tommy Femia. He has earned two Back Stage Bistro Awards and four Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) Awards for Outstanding Musical Direction. His thirty-year career has taken him to virtually all of the major venues in New York and throughout the U.S., notably including Carnegie Hall, the New York Pops as well as to Barcelona’s great opera house, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, to Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, Paris and London’s West End. He produced the recording sessions of Placido Domingo for Baz Luhrmann’s Oscar- winning musical film, Moulin Rouge.
Denny was musical director for following theatrical works: Norman Mathews’ musical, You Might As Well Live, starring Karen Mason, in the New York Music Theater Festival; the New York premiere of Bob Merrill’s, The Prince of Grand Street; Barry Kleinbort’s hit revue, Big City Rhythm; The Songs of Kurt Weill, starring Kitty Carlisle Hart and many others.
As a private vocal coach, he has worked well-established stars, including Boyd Gaines, Ethan Hawke, John Cameron Mitchell, Melissa Errico, Anthony Rapp, T.R. Knight, Jack Noseworthy, Austin Pendleton, among many others. His teaching credits includes serving on the faculty for professional French musical theater performers in Paris, under the auspices of the French organization, giving master classes and individual coaching to the B.F.A. students at the University of Indiana (Bloomington), seven years on the faculty of Perry-Mansfield in Steamboat Springs, CO; The Cabaret Conference at Yale University; The Cabaret Symposium at Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, CT. His work can be heard on about 30 CD’s of performers including David Campbell, Brett Barrett and Karen Mason, among many others.
JEFF HARNAR
“The most important male cabaret singer since Michael Feinstein” - New York Times
JEFF HARNAR is a multi Award-winning New York cabaret and recording artist who is known for his critically acclaimed engagements at The Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room; Feinstein's at The Regency; The Metropolitan Room and most recently at Birdland and Iridium. His Carnegie Hall appearances include both the Cole Porter and Noel Coward Centennial Galas. He appeared at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall in a sold-out solo concert and most recently he was Michael Feinstein's special guest in his Jule Styne tribute at Carnegie's Zankel Hall. Jeff is the recipient of 3 Manhattan Association of Cabaret (MAC) Awards and 3 Back Stage Bistro Awards, including the recent MAC award winning Sondheim show, ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE, with K.T. Sullivan,
His television appearances include CBS THIS MORNING; "THE 1959 BROADWAY SONGBOOK" (PBS) and as the singing narrator of "GERSHWIN ON ICE" starring Dorothy Hamill (A&E), He is perhaps best recognized for his signature "theme" shows. In collaboration with Director Sara Louise Lazarus and Musical Director Alex Rybeck, including he created "THE 1959 BROADWAY SONGBOOK," "BECAUSE OF YOU: 50'S GOLD," "A COLLECTIVE CY: Jeff Harnar sings CY COLEMAN," "CARRIED AWAY: Jeff Harnar sings COMDEN & GREEN," and GERSHWIN'S HOLLYWOOD," Jeff has brought these shows to major rooms for his New York appearances and Performing Arts Centers across the nation, as well as to London, Paris and Oslo.
He has appeared in The Mabel Mercer Foundation's Annual Cabaret Convention 21 times at both The Town Hall and Lincoln Center's Rose Hall often hosting entire evenings. Jeff has also appeared 14 times in the prestigious "Lyrics & Lyricists" concerts at The 92nd Street Y. From 2006-2008, Jeff was the Artistic Director and Host for three seasons of "Jeff Harnar presents THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK IN LONDON" at The Jermyn Street Theatre and at Pizza on The Park. In 2008 he was also Artistic Director for "The Lyrics & Lyricists" series at The 92nd Street Y expanding his one-man version of "THE 1959 BROADWAY SONGBOOK" to a five-person revue, featuring Sally Mayes, David Burnham, Sarah Uriarte Berry and Special Guest Donna McKechnie. The show was subsequently produced Off Broadway at 59e59 Theatres as a four-person revue featuring Klea Blackhurst and Anna Bergman. Jeff is also an acclaimed cabaret director guiding award winning performers such as Tovah Feldshuh and Celia Burke in successful solo efforts. www.jeffharnar.com
MARILYN MAYE
“She’s the real deal, the surviving artist of the American popular singer” — Rex Reed, The New York Observer
MARILYN MAYE is a cultural and musical treasure. Her entire life has been committed to the art of song performance. After working as a professional singer since she was 15 years old, she was “discovered” by Steve Allen who heard her during her eleven-year engagement at the Colony in Kansas City. He presented her various times on his national television show. From those appearances came an RCA recording contract. Perhaps the simplest Marilyn Maye accolade came in a single line as she finished one of her record setting 76 appearances on The Tonight Show. Turning to his nightly audience of millions, Johnny Carson said, “And that, young singers, is the way it’s done.”
Marilyn’s great career includes multiple recordings, countless club/concert appearances and leading theatrical roles. Ella Fitzgerald called her one of the greatest singers she knew. The Houston Chronicle says Marilyn is “A national treasure” and her recording of Too Late Now is enshrined alongside recordings by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland in the Smithsonian Museum’s collection of the Best Performers of the Best Compositions of the 20th Century. After appearing in the 2006 New York Cabaret Convention, Marilyn’s career exploded all over again and she is currently enjoying bookings and rave reviews throughout the country. She is currently the toast of the New York nightclub, concert and cabaret world with regular appearances at venues including The Metropolitan Room, Birdland, Feinstein’s 54 Below and Iridium Jazz Club. Her performances are filled with adoring fans and seasoned performers who are there to see “how it’s done”. Marilyn’s master classes in New York have waiting lists and she regularly guides singers through the creation of their solo shows. www.marilynmaye.com
donna mckechnie
“A mix of high-sheen professionalism and raw vulnerability make an evening with Donna McKechnie quite a singular sensation.” - New York Times
Broadway legend DONNA MCKECHNIE received a Tony Award for her performance as Cassie in A Chorus Line and is regarded internationally as one of Broadway's leading ladies having starred in or choreographed productions in London's West End as well as major productions in Tokyo and Paris.
Ms. McKechnie's Broadway credits include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Education of Hyman Kapan, Sondheim: A Musical Tribute, (which she also choreographed), Promises-Promises, Company (original cast) , On the Town, State Fair (Fred Astaire Award) and Kander & Ebb’s The Visit. Donna has starred in and/or choreographed numerous regional plays and musicals including Follies, Mack and Mable, Irma La Douce, Gypsy, The Glass Menagerie, Sweet Charity, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, The Imaginary Invalid and Guys and Dolls.
Her one woman shows have toured venues throught the country. She received a MAC Award for her first solo cabaret show and since then has played them all over the country with shows designed for supper clubs, performing art centers and symphony orchestras.
Donna can currently be seen as Madame Morrible in the current Broadway run of one of the most succesful musicals of all time, Wicked. She concludes her year long run in the spring of 2025. In 2019 Donna was honored to be inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.
Donna is also an accomplished teacher. Her approach is based on her own dramatic training with Uta Hagen, Warren Robertson, Larry Moss, and the Actor’s Studio. Donna’s vocal training with Maurice Jampol, Paul Gavert, Marge Rivingston and Judith Farris has given me an important and fundamental comprehension of voice production. In 1979 Herbert Bergof gave Donna the opportunity to teach at his HB Studio in New York City. It was then and there that she was able to learn to be a “guide” through the inspiration of her students. She has taught Master Classes in many colleges and Performing Arts Schools, including, Pepperdine University, University of Michigan, Cincinnati Conservatory, Boston University, Harvard, Interlochen, New York University and to the Annual Conventions for Musical Theatre Students in Tampa, Florida and Houston, Texas.
In 2019 Donna was honored to be inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame. www.donnamckechnie.com
Billy Stritch
“Stritch is not afraid to dazzle” - London Times
BILLY STRITCH began his career in Houston, Texas, where he formed the vocal trio Montgomery, Plant and Stritch. The trio performed all over New York and Europe from 1983 until they disbanded in 1990. A chance meeting with Liza Minnelli in March of 1991 resulted in her asking him to create vocal arrangements for the record-breaking extravaganza Liza Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to his 25-year collaboration with as accompanist and opening act for Liza, Billy recently toured with the legendary Tony Bennett as Tony’s pianist and musical director. A solo entertainer in his own right, he has performed his own shows (including tributes to Mel Tormé and Cy Coleman) in concert halls and nightclubs across the country. Billy also serves as music director for such leading vocalists as Marilyn Maye, Linda Lavin, Linda Eder, Christine Ebersole and Paulo Szot. He is the co-writer of the Grammy-winning song “Does He Love You” recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. The single reached the number one spot on the Billboard Country music chart, winning a Grammy Award and selling in excess of five million copies along the way. Billy has arranged music for many top performers and created the arrangements for “Minnelli On Minnelli” and “Liza’s At The Palace”, both at Broadway’s famed Palace Theater. He was also seen onstage playing the role of Oscar in the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of “42nd Street” in 2001. During Covid-19, he created his own weekly Facebook live-stream show “Billy’s Place”, celebrating the Great American Songbook with songs and stories from his varied career. He was one of the first artists to pivot into online performances and even with the return of live performances he is continuing the show most every Thursday evening at 8:00 pm EST on his BILLY STRITCH Facebook page. He has recorded five solo CDs and his latest CD release “Billy’s Place” (Club44 Records) is a collection of his favorite songs from these online concerts. www.billystritch.com