Academy Teachers
Academy of Cinematography & Film
Email:
Phone: tbd
Andrew Baker
Andrew Baker is a filmmaker and musician with experience in every step of the filmmaking process. From concept to distribution, he has worked on dozens of short films, music videos, albums, live performances, independent productions and many other types of creative projects. The classroom focuses on helping students develop both technical skills and creative confidence, encouraging them to think critically about media and storytelling. The goal is to help students understand how film and music function not just as entertainment, but as tools for communication, expression, and meaning.
Sydney Cox
Sydney Cox is a film educator with a background in broadcast journalism, documentary filmmaking and independent filmmaking. She brings real-world storytelling and production experience into the classroom, helping students develop both technical skills and creative voice. Her students have earned national recognition, including National Student Emmy Awards, selections in local and national film festivals, and top-10 placements at the national level for SkillsUSA. She is passionate about mentorship, collaboration, and empowering young filmmakers to tell meaningful stories with purpose and impact.
Academy of Dance Performance
Shawna Randels
Shawna Randels is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance as a faculty member of the Dance Academy at The Hilltop. She brings over 21 years of experience as a high school dance educator and more than 40 years of dance experience to the program. Throughout the past two decades, Mrs. Randels has developed and led an exceptional dance program, teaching and mentoring thousands of students. Her dedication to excellence has guided many dancers toward successful careers in the professional dance industry, including collegiate dance teams, professional cheerleading, coaching, teaching, commercial dance, and touring and performing as a professional dancer in the music industry. Mrs.Randels love for the art of dance is evident in her teaching, choreography, and mentorship. Her experience spans studio instruction, private lessons, choreographer, and working as a United Spirit Instructor. She is deeply committed to nurturing both technical skill and artistic expression, inspiring students to grow not only as dancers but as confident individuals. She believes that when passion for dance guides the heart, it leads to purpose, growth, and light in life, and she strives to instill that philosophy in every student she teaches.
Abbygail Woodruff
Abby Woodruff creates an encouraging atmosphere where dancers feel supported, confident, and excited to grow. Abby especially loves teaching ballet, guiding dancers through strong technique while helping them find joy, artistry, and expression in every movement. Deeply connected to the West Valley, Abby is excited to help cultivate the arts within the community she loves. She is passionate about giving dancers a place to belong, thrive, and discover their unique strengths. Abby celebrates each dancer’s progress and works to inspire confidence both in and out of the studio. Whether teaching technique, choreography, or performance skills, Abby’s goal is to help every student feel capable, valued, and inspired as they grow in the art of dance.
Academy of Instrumental Performance
Phillip(Neil) Hathaway
Neil Hathaway graduated from ASU with his Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Music Performance from ASU in 2012 and 2015, respectively. He has been teaching orchestra and AP Music Theory at BASIS Scottsdale for ten years, and has participated in many local ensembles and music projects, including The Open Score Ensemble at PVCC, Crossing 32nd Street, and the GCC percussion ensemble. Neil also annually performs as an accompanist playing battle music for the Arizona Renaissance Festival Jousting Tournaments since 2012.
Email: tbd
Phone: tbd
Steven Quintana
Steve Quintana serves as the Associate Director of Instrumental Music at Hilltop Academy for Performing Arts. He is an experienced music educator, conductor, and percussionist with a strong background in building high-quality instrumental programs and fostering student excellence through performance.
Steve previously served as Director of Bands at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Arizona, where he led concert bands and orchestras, jazz ensembles, marching band, and percussion ensembles, earning superior ratings and state championship titles. His work emphasizes musical integrity, ensemble collaboration, and student growth both on and off the stage. He is also an active performer, including work with the Salt River Brass, and Arizona Renaissance festival, bringing professional performance experience into the classroom.
Steve holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Music and Instrumental Conducting from Northern Arizona University. At Hilltop Academy, he is committed to cultivating artistic creativity, musical excellence, and the skills necessary for lifelong success and musicianship in every student.
Academy of Music Production & Recording
Brandon Plunk
My name is Brandon Plunk or Mr.B for short. I am a producer, DJ, and educator from Phoenix, Arizona. During my versatile 12 year tenure, I have been fortunate enough to share the stage and studio with many local artists as well Hip Hop legends such as Talib Kweli, E40, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, & Blackalicious. More importantly, I have serviced thousands of young people throughout the United States and across numerous organizations/schools by way of workshop based teaching as a teaching artist. I am an advocate for collaboration and community, and have made a full time effort to bring people together and bridge gaps amongst creators. I am a husband and relatively new father, and in my free time I can be found making beats, watching wrestling, or enjoying my vast vinyl collection of over 3000 records. I am ecstatic to be working with the students at Hilltop in taking their production skills to the next level and beyond
Academy of Theater - Acting
Email: cbeal@aguafria.org
Phone: tbd
Cory Beal
Cory Beal is a West Valley native who grew up in Avondale and Goodyear and now calls Litchfield Park home. He first fell in love with the stage at Westview High School when he played the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors and realized how much fun it was to make an audience laugh. From there, Cory moved to Anaheim to work at Disneyland as a street performer before the parades—yes, it was just as fun as it sounds. After coming back to Phoenix, he earned his degree from Arizona State University with an emphasis in acting, all while auditioning for parts around the Valley in stage productions, commercials, films, and television. Cory met his wife of 25 years through a nonprofit youth ministry called YoungLife, and together they decided to plant their roots back in the West Valley. He joined the opening staff at Desert Edge, where he taught theatre for the next 17 years. His path then took him to help open Canyon View, where his two children attended and where he directed several shows before being hired as the Theatre Acting teacher at Hilltop. Cory’s students now stretch far and wide in the industry—from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles and many places in between—working as actors, directors, playwrights, and stand-up comedians.
Email: cgabbert@aguafria.org
Phone: tbd
Carrie Gabbert
Carrie Gabbert is a singer, actor, and teaching artist originally from southeastern Wisconsin. She is passionate about cultivating confident, expressive performers through both technical training and joyful exploration of storytelling through music and theatre. She has taught in the West Valley since 2021, teaching both musical theatre, theatre, and choir classes.
Before relocating to Arizona, Carrie served as the Director of Musical Theatre at Brooklyn Music School in Brooklyn, New York, where she also maintained a thriving private voice studio. During her time at BMS, she directed numerous musical theatre productions and taught private voice lessons to children and adults, as well as drama and musical theatre classes.
Throughout her career, Carrie has worked extensively in both musical theatre and opera, performing in productions in New York City and across the United States. Her professional experience includes national touring with Missoula Children’s Theatre, numerous television appearances and recording work with McGraw-Hill and Hal Leonard Publishing.
Carrie is a proud alumna of New York University (NYU) Steinhardt, where she earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance (Musical Theatre) and an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. She also served as an adjunct faculty member teaching voice at NYU Steinhardt. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Drake University, where she performed in numerous mainstage productions and performed around the Des Moines area.
Academy of Theater - Set Design & Theater Production
Email: cfarrington@aguafria.org
Phone: tbd
Christina Farrington
Christina Farrington is a passionate and dedicated educator who truly believes in helping students become the strongest, most authentic versions of themselves. She is a constant champion for her students, creating spaces where creativity feels safe, leadership is encouraged, and collaboration is the norm. Named both a Westside Impact Teacher of the Year and a Portrait of a Graduate Teacher of the Year, Farrington has built a program that pushes students to dream big and work with purpose, earning top honors like 1st place at SkillsUSA State for stagecraft design and stagecraft technology. Fueled by a love of professional education and artistic creation, Mrs. Farrington empowers students to take risks, find their voices, and experience how theatre can transform not just their craft, but who they are as people.
Academy of Visual Arts
Email: tbd
Phone: tbd
Rachel Hooker
Rachel Hooker is so excited to join the Hilltop team and begin this new journey with her students! After teaching art from grades K-12 in Utah, Texas, and Arizona, Hooker is thrilled to open Hilltop's visual art program to commence her 13th year in public art education. She studied at Utah Valley University and received a B.S. in Art Education and a second B.S. in Studio Art.
Mrs. Hooker prides herself on creating lasting relationships with her students through high standards, a classroom where students are encouraged to find their artistic voice, and by lots of quirky fun!
When she's not teaching, Hooker enjoys being a mom and spending time with her family, exploring new experiences, and relaxing wherever she has the chance!
She is excited to meet her new students and welcome them to her classroom!
Academy of Vocal Performance
Email: dmarino@aguafria.org
Phone: tbd
Daniel Marino
Dan Marino has taught choir at Canyon View High School for the past four years and has been teaching private vocal lessons for over thirteen years. He holds a degree in Music Performance from the University of Arizona and has performed with several operas, symphonic orchestras, and professional choirs including The Canterbury Singers, True Concord,The Helios Ensemble, and The Tucson Symphony Orchestra Choir
Dan brings extensive experience in musical theater, with starring roles including Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, LeFou in Beauty and the Beast, the Jester in Once Upon a Mattress, Frank Cioffi in Curtains, and Neville Craven in The Secret Garden. As a senior at St. Charles East High School, he was selected as one of four tenors to perform in the Illinois State Honors Jazz Choir under the direction of Peter Eldridge from the New York Voices.
As the first choir teacher at Canyon View High School, Dan built a thriving and successful choral program from the ground up. He continues to create his own music and work with other musicians around the Phoenix area. A passionate educator and musician, he is excited to be part of this innovative arts academy.