Meet the Music Makers Theatre Faculty

Ann Bourjaily -Maney

(Music Director, Music Makers Theatre & Salt Creek Singers Children’s Choir)

Ann received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance/pedagogy from Saint Mary’s College and Northwestern University, respectively.  She has been involved in musical theater as a musical director and accompanist at Music Makers since 2000 and also does children’s theater elsewhere in the community. 

Ann is also the choir director at Nazareth Academy, accompanist at St. Francis Xavier, Bethlehem Woods, and other churches in the area.  Aside from the wonderful children she has the privilege of teaching in musical theater, she is the proud mother of four adult children.  

Lindsey Branson

(Director, Music Makers Theatre)

Lindsey is SO excited to come to Music Makers for Finding Nemo! Lindsey has directed almost 100 shows in children/youth and college theaters throughout Illinois. At her day job, she works in Marketing for an international NGO, Zakat Foundation of America, which serves the world's neediest peoples. She worked for many years as the Children's Director at the Children's Theatre of Western Springs.

Lindsey holds a MA in Theatre Directing from Roosevelt University. Some of her favorite shows she has directed include Beauty & the Beast, Shrek, Godspell, The Diary of Anne Frank, A Christmas Carol, Tarzan, You Can't Take it With You and Matilda to name a few.  She is passionate about making EVERY cast member feel important and creating a show that is a ton of fun from the first rehearsal through the last applause. Her approach focuses on bringing out the best in students and cast members. She is beyond thrilled to have powerhouses Ann and Aileen alongside her as her teammates.

Lindsey is a foster parent and currently has two little adorable girls in her home. In her spare time, she likes to play Nintendo switch, drink a lot of coffee, hang with friends, watch Taylor Swift Tiktoks and play with her girls. Lindsey hopes you ALL come out to join us in the Big Blue World with Finding Nemo!

Aileen O’Carroll

(Choreographer, Music Makers Theatre)

Aileen O’Carroll is excited to be returning to MMT as a choreographer after being a student for many years! Aileen received her bachelor’s degree in theatre performance from Marquette University and her masters in theatre education from Lewis University. She has worked in both Chicago and Milwaukee as a director, choreographer, and teaching artist for the past seven years.

Along with teaching and directing, Aileen is an avid musical theatre performer and has received two Irene Ryan Acting Nominations for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Aileen is currently the theatre program director and drama teacher at Nazareth Academy. Her most recent Naz show, Almost, Maine, was chosen for state selection at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival. She has loved working with the Music Makers students and can't wait to see them shine on stage!

jamie lynn

(Office Manager, Music Makers Theatre)

Jamie is the friendly face behind our front desk, with an extensive 10 year background in education and behavior therapy, assisting students from 3 to 14 years old. She is a lifelong advocate for animals and children and an accomplished artist and writer, who has always held a deep passion for all things art, music, and education.

When she isn’t busy behind our helm, you can find her offering her creations at local art and oddities markets, teaching creative workshops, running her long-time dream and passion project, the “Skeleton Crew Theatre Co.,” or occasionally displaying her art in local gallery shows.

Jamie absolutely loves connecting with new people and can’t wait to get to know and assist you in pursuing your love of music and theater while growing your talents with us.

Jeremy & Gwen Michor

(Owners and MMT Producers)

Music Makers is a family-owned business run by Jeremy & Gwen Michor of Western Springs. The school was started in 1978 by Jeremy’s mother, Penny Wright, with Penny teaching in her home until the move to Grand Avenue in 1986.

Jeremy began running the business in 1995 with his wife Gwen joining him in 1998. The fulfilled their dreams of owning their own facility in 2019, when they moved into the new space at 4332 Howard Avenue. Jeremy and Gwen believe that the school’s professional staff, friendly atmosphere, and wide variety of programs are what draw students of all ages and talents to Music Makers, and are grateful for the continued support from their staff, teachers families and community.

They are blessed with four amazing children, with whom they spend most of their time. You may know one or recognize them, as their involvement with Music Makers lessons and theatre classes began at the young age of five and continues through this day!