Sharon Hand 

Sharon made her theatrical debut in the first grade as "Moon Peeking out of the Clouds" where she lasted about a minute on stage before running off in fright, forfeiting her chance to deliver her lines.

A few years later, with some dance recital and piano recital experience under her belt, sixth-grade Sharon gathered the courage to audition for her first community theater play "A Christmas Carol" where she was assigned the role of A Christmas Caroler. Sharon was hooked from that moment and her passion for music and theatre arts has been an integral part of her life ever since.

Sharon became an active participant in piano, choir, and theatre at school and in her community. Throughout her school years as a "drama kid", her self-esteem blossomed, she developed empathetic skills, and she forged life-long friendships. Continuing to grow in self-confidence, Sharon became a professional singer at age 17.

For over 20 years now, Sharon has been teaching private lessons, classes, and workshops in Kindermusik, piano, voice, show choir, and musical theater at schools and studios throughout the Chicagoland suburbs. Additionally, Sharon has served as a vocal director and performer at Portage Theater (Chicago, IL), Steel Beam Theater and Arcada Theater (St. Charles, IL), and Paramount Theater (Aurora, IL).

Sharon is on the Board of Directors for Theatre-on-the-Hill (a not-for-profit community theater organization). At TOTH, Sharon co-founded the youth theatre program BroadwayAfterSchool.org for students in 3rd grade - 8th grade. With BroadwayAfterSchool.org, Sharon lives their motto "Teaching Life Skills Through the Arts" by serving as resident vocal director, choreographer, producer, mentor, and ally.

Sharon is a District Judge for ILMEA Senior Chorus Auditions, and has received training for vocal performance, improvisational theatre, and Shakespearean theatre at College of DuPage, Illinois State University, and from master teachers including Jodie Briggs, Robert De Cormier, Lee Kesselman, and Corky Siegel.