EEK

Meet The Directors

Larry Cervi

Larry has been training teenagers in the Arts for over 60 years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, and a Master's in Theatre at the University of Pittsburgh. He taught English at Swissvale High School, and then Speech and Drama at Churchill Area High School for 21 years (where he also directed the school's theater productions), and at the Community College of Allegheny County Boyce Campus. He served as choreographer for two major university marching bands and directed competitive drill teams. He founded the Larry Cervi School of Performing Arts in 1986, and the East End Kids, a professional teen song and dance ensemble, in 1990. Larry's artistic direction of high school musicals at Gateway, Riverview and West Allegheny High Schools culminated in numerous CLO Gene Kelly Award nominations. He has also directed at North Hills, Montour, and the Jewish Community Center.

With over 100 dramatic and musical productions to his credit, Larry continues to share his love of the arts with teens. Having recently retired from his performing arts school, Mr. Cervi continues to teach, artistic direct for the East End Kids, directs theater for East End Productions and multiple high school productions. 

Amy McDaniel

With over 20 years as the vocal director of East End Kids, Amy continues to work with the members to develop three-part harmonic sounds for each season’s music. Outside of the ensemble, she works on various music ministries, and she is the vocal instructor with many private students. A mezzo-soprano, Amy received most of her training at Duquesne University, where she studied vocal training with the late, world-renowned opera singer, Mija Novich, former head of the Vocal Department and Opera Workshop at Duquesne University.

Mary Chase

Mary has worked with children for many years, having taught at Saint Bernadette School in Monroeville before retiring in 2018. She earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Carlow University before continuing to receive a master’s in education in Curriculum and Instruction with a Middle Level focus from Edinboro University. In addition to elementary education, Mary is certified in middle level science and is a Reading Specialist. When two of her children became members of East End Kids in 2019, Mary was eager to embrace the East End Kids’ family. With a goal of continuing the EEK vision, she worked with Larry, the staff, and then-board members, Sheri, Teri, & Rachel, during the pandemic to keep the ensemble thriving. Honored to be asked to be the assistant director, Mary continues to enjoy working with Larry, and with the East End Kids to see them strive to reach their potentials in performance and beyond.  In addition to her work with East End Kids, Mary is the producer for Gateway High School musicals and plays.  She has been married to Charles for over 30 years, and they have five children and two grandchildren. 

David Kiss

A former East End Kid and student director, David is the assistant vocal director for the East End Kids who works alongside Amy McDaniel to bring three part harmonies to the music. David was brought in a couple of years ago to work directly with the male vocalist in the ensemble. He earned his undergraduate degree from Penn West California majoring in Commercial Music Technology with a concentration in Vocal Performance, and continued there to obtain his Masters in Business Administration. David continues to perform at various venues and with multiple ensembles, while also enjoying the opportunity to provide private voice lessons.