meet the crew
Amanda Passanante has worked in Early Childhood for 10+ years as a manager, teacher, and curriculum writer at a variety of educational facilities including Kidville, Gymboree, and Casa Manana Theater School. A professional musical theater performer & AEA member, she has performed off-Broadway in the Drama Desk Award-nominated Yiddish revival of The Pirates of Penzance. Amanda also received acclaim from Charles Strouse for her portrayal of "Rebecca" in his musical Rags. Other favorite performances include Sunday...George (Dot), Into the Woods (Baker's Wife), and Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy). www.amandapassanante.com
amanda passanante
Co-Creator & Co-Commander
(Vocals/Puppeteer)
Joshua Herod grew up immersed in music and has performed for the better part of his life as a vocalist, actor, and multi-instrumentalist. For the past 11 years, Joshua has been a full-time entertainer with Pete's Dueling Piano Bar in both Houston and Fort Worth, where he is known as "the cowboy" and plays piano, drums, guitar, bass, and fiddle! Joshua holds a BFA in Musical Theater from TCU and spent many years on DFW and New York stages performing professionally.
joshua herod
Co-Creator & Commander
(Guitar/Vocals/Piano/Drums)
Ben Miller has been entertaining children for a very long time, thanks to his three younger brothers. He has played music and sung songs for both Kidville & Inspired Kids. After many years of piano lessons and self-taught improvisation training, Ben enjoys playing songs from any genre. Ben plays the keyboard and lends vocals to a wide variety of bands around Houston, including The Prettybads, Carthy, and the Will Carter Band. Fun fact: Ben is not only a "unicorn" of musical talent; he can also do magic!
ben miller
Flight Engineer
(Guitar/Vocals/Piano/Drums)
John Laws is a musician, poet, and painter. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, John has gained proficiency in instruments ranging from guitar, bass & piano to brass, woodwinds & various orchestral instruments. Also a prolific composer, John produces his original music out of his home studio in the Woodlands under the name “Of Paint And Poly.” His main musical influences are composers Philip Glass and Steve Reich. John has always loved and appreciated children, leading him to various educational positions such as church camp counselor. Music & the arts are John’s passions, and he is grateful to be part of fostering creativity in our next generation of artists!
john laws
Commander
(Guitar/Vocals)
BIO COMING SOON!
tyler berry lewis
Flight Engineer & Mission Specialist
(Piano/Drums)
John Paddie is an avid teacher & performer and has taught music in the Houston area since 2007. He currently teaches private lessons in music theory & composition, guitar, piano, bass, drums, and beginning brass. John finds joy in guiding our littlest musicians as they learn to create sounds they like & build their confidence as artists. As a percussionist, John has toured the country performing a variety of genres such as country, punk rock, indie, and even marching percussion! He holds a Bachelor’s in Music Theory & Composition from SHSU, where he is currently pursuing his Master's Degree in the same.
john paddie
Mission Specialist
(Drums)