Amy Oakeson
Producer, Director + Cofounder
Amy Oakeson is an award-winning producer, director and educator. She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Education from the University of Utah, an M.A. in Child Drama from San Diego State University, and an M.F.A.in Theatre Pedagogy from the University of Idaho. In founding Rise Up Children’s Choir, Amy has melded her love for arts education, directing and producing in the mediums of live entertainment and film.
As a former faculty member of the University of Utah’s Department of Theatre, she served as the Artistic Director of the Youth Theatre at the U program. She received the highest honor from the American Alliance for Theatre in Education, Youth Theatre Director of the Year, in recognition of her work with YTU. Additionally, she was an Adjunct Associate Professor and taught courses in the Theatre Education and Musical Theatre Programs. She also served as the Department’s Project Coordinator, facilitating all marketing and communication, as well as education outreach. Amy continues to work with the University of Utah’s Tanner Dance Program as an acting coach and drama specialist.
As the former producing director and a member of the board of directors of the internationally-renowned One Voice Children’s Choir, Amy was responsible for all aspects of production for both live and video performances including OVCC’s appearances on the 9th season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent; Holidays at the White House for President and First Lady Obama; and their international tour to France. Music videos produced and/or directed by her for OVCC have received over 200,000,000 views onYouTube. Amy received the award for “Best Music Video Director” and “Best Music Video Cover,” and was a finalist in the categories of “BestProduction Design” and “Best Music Video” from the Utah Music Video Awards for her work with OVCC.
Amy was the Artistic Director of J*Company at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla, CA, and an instructor for the prestigious San Diego Junior Theatre. She also worked as the Assistant to the Artistic Director, Michael Greif (director of "Rent" and "Dear Evan Hansen"), at the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse.
