OUR INAUGURAL BELIEVE TEAM
Our team of directors have all traveled internationally performing, teaching and directing. They each have distinguished careers and credits in their own right. They all currently reside in Southern CA and New York City but are from all over the country. They are excited to bring this exciting summer camp experience to young people and communities everywhere!
Bruce Sampson
Founder/Director & Camp Designer
Louisiana
Bruce hails from Southeastern Louisiana and has been involved in entertainment most of his life. At age 15, he was accepted to The American Musical Theater program and The Young Americans. At 17, he signed a recording contract with Rosemont Records in New Orleans and embarked on a summer concert tour, opening for such acts as Maynard Ferguson and Kool and The Gang.
He went on to perform and direct with The Young Americans in Southern CA and Atlanta, GA for several years before breaking out and starting his own entertainment company which produced shows at Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and concert halls all over the West Coast. For 5 years, Bruce co-wrote and produced over 20 original shows for Tibbies Music Hall, an award-winning dinner theater in Newport Beach.
For 4 years, he directed the arts component of several summer youth camps in Louisiana for D.A.R.E. He has also shared the stage with Stevie Wonder and Buddy Ebsen among others. Sampson has advised arts organizations (developing arts education curriculum), received arts grants, and choreographed for a number of Southern California show choirs.
He currently serves as Associate Director with The Young Americans International Music Outreach Tours, teaching and directing in England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Japan, and all over the United States.
For the last 6 years, he has also produced an annual vocal competition in Southern CA called SOCAL ICON that allows thousands of aspiring singers to showcase and get positive feedback from industry professionals and celebrities.
Abby Lee Krumrine
Dance Instructor & Co-Director
Michigan
Abby began her dance training in her hometown of Lake Orion, Michigan at age twelve. In 2005, Abby moved to Southern California after successfully auditioning into the internationally known performance group The Young Americans.
In 2010 she moved to St George, UT to choreograph for Dixie State University’s performance group, Raging Red, and was also hired to teach award-winning routines in dance studios throughout the community. Abby also danced full time on the University’s dance company and ballroom team.
In 2012, she moved back to Los Angeles to pursue her love of dance and choreography. Abby currently studies under the top choreographers in Los Angeles as well as dances on the worship team at her church. She is also the choreographer of the annual Broadway Showcase held by Valley Christian Schools at La Mirada Theater each March.
Abby’s goal as a teacher and leader is to encourage and motivate her students into truly believing that they are capable of more than they could ever dream.
Nick Rocz
Acting Instructor & Co-Director
Texas
Nick Rocz is currently a working actor living in Hollywood, California. When he first arrived from Texas, he began performing with, The Young Americans. With this international performance group he traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, England, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, and Japan performing and teaching the craft of acting.
Following this he received his B.F.A in Acting at California State University, Fullerton. Here he performed in a number of plays, such as Songs for a New World, Noises Off, The Laramie Project, Romeo and Juliet, and The Idiot Box.
In addition to his performance work he also produced the Musical Theater and Acting Showcases for two years. Upon leaving the world of academics, Nick has worked on projects on television, on the internet, and film. He is currently an active member with Theater NEO as well as a recurring actor with Courage Theater Company. He is currently in production filming Occupation BG which will debut soon. Nick is an advocate for music and theatrical studies in schools around the globe.
Erick "Spider" Paul
Dance Instructor & Co-Director
Washington
Erick "Spider" Paul, originally from Seattle, WA, began dancing at the age of 17. In 2005 he joined the group called the Young Americans where he received his training.
Passionately driven, he has traveled throughout the world in over 20 countries and 4 continents as a performer and instructor.
Spider has taught at numerous dance studios and conventions, and performed at various venues alongside Broadway stars. His credits include starring and featured roles in “Illuminate”, “Hello! My Baby! The Musical”, and “Chronicles of Narnia” stage play.
Spider has worked alongside some of the top dancers in today’s industry from Los Angeles to Broadway. He is now currently working in Hollywood as a professional dancer. Credits include: Adriana Grande, R. Kelly, Alyson Stoner, Todrick Hall, Anjelah Johnson, and Team I-Luminate.
Jolene Sampson
Music Instructor and Camp Administrator
California
Jolene Sampson is a California native. Jolene received her Bachelors in Vocal Performance from the University of New Orleans in Louisiana and her Masters of Teaching from Azusa Pacific University in CA.
Much of Jolene’s love for music comes from being a part of Music Ministry with her family while growing up. While continuing her education in Music, she fell in love with Musical theater and played the lead role in such productions as, The Wizard of Oz, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. One of the highlights in her career was playing Wendy alongside Cathy Rigby in "Peter Pan".
Currently, she serves as the Choir Director for Rowland High School in Los Angeles County. Her show choirs compete with schools throughout the country and have frequently taken home top honors in Showmanship, Costuming, Soloists and Student Choice Awards.
Jolene is so excited to return to Louisiana after 14 years in Music Education and looking forward to joining this amazing team for the Believe Summer Camp Experience.