Creative Team

William Ross is a prolific award-winning composer and arranger whose work has spanned feature films, the recording industry and television. He has composed music for such films as DESTINATION WEDDING, THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, TUCK EVERLASTING, THE LITTLE RASCALS and MY DOG SKIP. He also adapted and conducted the score to HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS. His work in television includes the scores to Hallmark Hall of Fame’s IN MY DREAMS, Lifetime’s STEEL MAGNOLIAS, the critically acclaimed mini-series ME AND MY SHADOWS: LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND. He won an Emmy for his score to the TINY TOON ADVENTURES’ episode “Fields of Honey.” Mr. Ross has arranged music for a remarkable list of artists including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Kenny G., Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Seal, Michael Buble, Mary J. Blige, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, and David Foster, to mention just a few. The records on which he has worked have sold over 250 million copies in the United States alone. His arrangements have been featured in many films and include such hits as Celine Dion’s Grammy and Academy award-winning “My Heart Will Go On,” from the motion picture TITANIC; “When You Believe” the Academy award-winning song from the Prince of Egypt, Andrea Bocelli’s “God Bless Us Everyone” from Disney’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL, “Believe,” sung by Josh Groban in the film THE POLAR EXPRESS; “The Prayer” with Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion from QUEST FOR CAMELOT, for which he received a Grammy nomination; and the Academy Award nominated song “Run To You” sung by Whitney Houston in THE BODYGUARD. He has served as Music Director and Conductor for many artists and occasions, including Barbra Streisand’s historic 2006, 2007, and 2012 concert tours. He has served as music director for the 79th Academy Awards show, for which he received his second Emmy Award, reprising this role three times for the 83rd, 85th, and 86th Academy Awards. Arrangements by Mr. Ross have been a part of the opening ceremonies of several Super Bowls along with the opening and/or closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Calgary (1988), Atlanta (1996), Salt Lake City (2002), Torino (2006), Vancouver (2010), and Sochi (2014). He received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music for his work on the song “Hugh Jackman Opening Number,” featured during the 81st Academy Awards ceremony. Mr. Ross is the recipient of four Emmy Awards, two BMI Film Music Awards, the Golden Score Award from ASMAC, and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and an Annie Award.

As a performer, playing Cassie in several regional productions of ‘A Chorus Line’, she was privately coached by the original Cassie, and Tony Award Winner, Donna McKechnie. As Principle dancer with ‘Sokolow Now’, Ms. McKinney was coached by Lorry May. Ms. May, Founding Director of The Sokolow Foundation, was Anna Sokolow’s muse and Principle dancer for over thirty years. Lorry named Kirsten McKinney as Associate Artistic Director of The Sokolow Foundation, and Kirsten has staged many of the legacy Sokolow works across the U.S. and Europe. Ms. McKinney’s credits and Awards as Director, Director/Choreographer and Choreographer encompass over 200 productions, including: The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival – Winner Best Ensemble for Metamorphoses, Choreography by Kirsten McKinney, Boston College. Tommy Tune Awards - 36 combined Wins/Nominations for Best Director, Best Musical, and Best Choreography. Independent Reviewers of New England – Best Choreography, Pirates of Penzance, Public Theater, Boston. Resident Choreographer Speakeasy Stage, Boston 10 yrs. First Regional Licensing Productions working with: Jason Robert Brown writer/composer of ‘Songs for a New World’. William Finn, Composer/Lyricist/Writer of ‘A New Brain’. Adam Guettel Music/Lyrics ‘Floyd Collins’. Assistant Choreographer for Paul Newman’s The Hole in the Wall Gang’s Tribute to Paul Newman at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, NYC, working with Broadway Musical Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell. Kirsten also worked with Mary-Mitchell on a production of ‘Songs for a New World’, at Boston College. Assistant Director and Choreographer, Gala Tribute for Stephanie Perrin at Carnegie Hall, NYC. Tony Award Nomination for Excellence in Theater Education, 2015