Meet our team
At Bridge to Broadway, we believe every child has the potential to shine. As performers and instructors with professional experience in Broadway musicals and the international performing arts world, we are passionate about guiding the next generation toward their future with confidence, discipline, and creativity.
Our mission is to be the bridge that connects children’s dreams to real opportunities. Through high-quality training, mentorship, and encouragement, we help students grow not only as performers, but also as strong, confident individuals ready to take on the world.
Because we have lived the dedication, passion, and hard work required on the Broadway stage, we believe we can inspire and guide young artists to reach heights they never imagined possible.
Founder / Artistic Director
Daniel Therrien
Daniel Therrien is a world-renowned artistic director, choreographer, and performer with a 30-year career spanning Broadway, Las Vegas, and the premier stages of Europe and Japan. A graduate of Gulfport High and a St. Martin native, Daniel has returned home to launch the Bridge to Broadway Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing elite, professional-level training in musical theatre, acrobatics, and dance. Having choreographed for icons like Usher and Jimmy Buffett, and served as an aerial captain in major European premieres, Daniel is now dedicated to building a bridge for local talent to reach the world’s biggest stages.
Minori Therrien is an internationally experienced musical theater performer, choreographer, director, and educator originally from Nagoya, Japan. She began her professional career with the renowned Shiki Theatre Company, performing in major productions including Mamma Mia!, The Lion King, Aida, and Wicked, where she portrayed Elphaba in Tokyo.
Her international career continued across Germany and Austria with performances in Cats, West Side Story, The King and I, Hair, and many other productions. Known for her powerful stage presence and vocal ability, Minori has performed throughout Japan, Europe, and the United States.
Now based on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Minori is passionate about inspiring and training the next generation of performers through Bridge to Broadway, sharing the professional experience, discipline, and artistry gained from her international stage career.
Minori Therrien
Co-Founder/Director of Operations
Faculty / Vocal, acting
Anthony Starcher
Anthony Starcher is a theatre professional, educator, producer, and talent agent with over 35 years of experience in the performing arts. Trained in Musical Theatre at Arizona State University and the University of Southern Mississippi, he has performed with professional companies across the United States.
For more than three decades, Anthony has taught voice, acting, and performance while mentoring performers of all ages. As co-owner and talent agent of Metro Models & Talent, he prepares actors and models for opportunities in film, television, commercials, and live theatre.
Anthony is passionate about helping students build confidence, develop their artistic skills, and reach their full potential. He is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of performers through excellence in education and the performing arts.
Ida Tomasi
Faculty / gymnastics
Ida Tomasi was born and raised in Salzburg, Austria, where she attended the Academic Gymnasium Salzburg and graduated in June 2026.
She has been involved in artistic gymnastics since the age of two and was part of the Austrian junior national team.
Since October 2022, she has been coaching young competitive gymnasts in Salzburg, sharing her experience and passion for the sport.
She also has been a member of the Salzburg Festival and Theater Children’s Choir since 2015, through which she has gained experience in acting, opera, and especially musical Theatre.
Sandy Starcher
Faculty / Piano, Music
Sandy Starcher has been involved with music and theatre arts for most of her life. She received a Bachelor of Music Education from USM, and a Master of Music from FSU. She is a past winner of the Yamaha National Electone Keyboard Festival, and represented the U.S. in Hong Kong at the International competition. At Gulfport Little Theatre, Sandy was musical director/arranger for Trial of the Big Bad Wolf, which won the grand prize at the Chuncheon International Theatre Festival in South Korea. She has been a teacher, arranger, and field representative for the Yamaha Corporation of America; and worked as an arranger for Hal Leonard Publishing.
Sandy has been rehearsal pianist, orchestra member, conductor, and/or music director for many musical productions on the Gulf Coast. She was also a co-owner of Broadway South Repertory .She has maintained a private studio for many years, teaching lessons on piano, organ, and keyboard. She also taught several years in the music department at MGCCC. Sandy enjoys both teaching and performing; and also helping students to develop and share their talents at their own pace.
Guest Faculty / modelling,etiquette, posture, poise, runway, and makeup
Lynn Gauvreau-Fortner
Lynn Gauvreau-Fortner has dedicated decades to the modelling and pageantry industry. A Northern Ontario native, she began training as a teen in etiquette, posture, poise, runway, and makeup—earning titles including Miss All Canadian (1995), Miss Hawaiian Tropic Ontario (1998), Mrs. Eastern Ontario (2017), and Mrs. Canada Globe Classic (2023). As Director of Miss West Nipissing for seven years and Executive Director of Miss Northern Ontario, she guided delegates to the Miss Canada Universe stage. An experienced fashion model and producer, Lynn spent over 20 years in Montreal before meeting her Mississippi-born husband; she now calls Biloxi home. Fully bilingual in English and French, she previously hosted elegant Social Tea Parties at Chateau Vaudreuil and is now excited to bring that same mentorship experience to Biloxi—creating a space for young ladies to build confidence through etiquette, soft skills, and self-development.
Faculty / Contemporary
Skylar Anthony
Skylar Anthony is a creative and accomplished choreographer, educator, and company director with more than 10 years of experience in the dance industry. Beginning his training at Stepping Out School of Performing Arts, Skylar has continued to expand his education by training with numerous renowned teachers and choreographers throughout his career.
Recognized for his award-winning choreography, innovative concepts, and strong artistic vision, Skylar is passionate about creating memorable works that challenge and inspire dancers. His choreography is known for its clever, engaging concepts, intentional storytelling, and emphasis on strong technique, artistry, and performance quality. While his numerous choreography awards reflect his accomplishments, Skylar believes his greatest achievement is helping dancers discover their potential and grow beyond the limitations they may place on themselves.
In addition to his work as a choreographer and educator, Skylar brings valuable experience from owning his own studio to know being a company director, providing leadership both on and off the competition stage. He is dedicated to creating a positive, challenging, and inspiring environment where dancers can develop confidence, discipline, creativity, and a genuine love for their craft.
Skylar is excited to continue collaborating with dancers and studios across the industry, bringing fresh concepts, innovative choreography, and meaningful artistic experiences to the competition stage each season.