ArtStation Jr. Players burst onto the scene in 2021 with their toe-tapping debut musical, “Elf Jr. The Musical,” under the wing of the Appalachian Arts Alliance. These little stars have bloomed big time, dazzling audiences with hits like Matilda Jr. The Musical, Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical, Sister Act Jr., Addams Family Young@Part, and there’s more show-stopping fun on the horizon! Kids aged 6 and above can dive into this magical world and take center stage in their next big adventure!
Tagan has a BFA aimed in musical theatre from Eastern Kentucky University. She’s trained in classical voice for 9 years, studying under Dr. Vertrelle Mickens and Dr. Freida Gebert.
Tagan has sang all across the state in musicals such as The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, The Marvelous Wonderetts and many more. Singing in Europe to Las Vegas, and now Tagan is in Hazard, Kentucky.
She became the official Director of the ArtStation Jr. Players in 2021 during the Appalachian Arts Alliance’s first production of Elf Jr. The Musical. Tagan not only Directs through AAA, but she also teaches dance classes and voice lessons throughout the year.
Dan has served as the music director for the Jr. Players since the beginning. He has musically directed Elf Jr, Matilda Jr, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever JV, Sister Act Jr, and The Addams Family Young @Part.
Before working as the music director for our productions, Dan was a music teacher for twenty-seven years. As a music teacher, he was selected as the KMEA District 9 Elementary Music Teacher of the Year in 2013 and was twice the Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2009 and 2022. In addition to his role with the Appalachian Arts Alliance, Dan is an adjunct professor in the music department at the University of Pikeville where he is responsible for the brass studio and courses in instrumental pedagogy. Dan keeps a busy schedule as a guest conductor and as a judge for both marching band and concert band.
