CMT Staff Biographies
Marc Northcott, Program and Production Director
Marc Northcott, a teacher, director and actor, has been teaching drama for more than 25 years. He has been the Artistic Director for CMT in Palo Alto, CA since 1984. Marc started the CMT program in Morgan Hill in 1999 and has served as the Program and Production Director ever since.
Marc grew up in Palo Alto, CA, where he was involved in theatre from a young age. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Diego State University in 1980. He has been a full-time drama teacher in the Chicago Public Schools and at the Harker School in San Jose. He has directed for the Palo Alto Children's Theatre, San Diego Reader's Theatre Institute and San Diego State University. He also studied acting for three years under the direction of Paul Gregory of the Royal Academy of London and has acted in film, TV and on stage while living in Los Angeles. Marc is currently the Director of Drama Ministries at Advent Lutheran Church and teaches K- 4th grade Music and Middle School Theatre Arts at the Charter School in Morgan Hill.
Marc brings a high level of excellence and a strong professional enthusiasm to all of his drama teaching. His puppet Ministry at Advent Lutheran is a highlight for children and adults during Sunday morning worship on the first Sunday of every month. Marc is married to the Reverend Anita Warner, Pastor at Advent Lutheran Church. They have lived in Morgan Hill since 1994 and have a daughter and son.
Carrie Merrell, Production Coordinator
Carrie Merrell came to CMT as Production Coordinator in 2003. She is the ultimate 'team player' and oversees many facets of the program. Her fine organization skills keep CMT running smoothly. She handles all the employee paperwork, monitors registration and registration payments, makes deposits and pays the bills. Carrie is lovingly referred to as our 'Camp Mom' and takes care of the campers when they need bandaging or don't feel well. She also communicates well with parents. Her fine work enables everyone else on staff to do their jobs.
Carrie lives in Gilroy, where she has served as a church administrator. She sings in the Advent Chancel Choir. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and quilting. She and her husband, Ed, have three grown children and two granddaughters.
Phillip Robb, Musical Director
Phil Robb became the CMT Musical Director in 2001. He has been directing children and adult choirs in the Gilroy and Morgan Hill area for the past 29 years. He graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California and received a teaching credential from San Jose State University. Phil has been the Choral Director at Gilroy High School since 1984. The choral program at Gilroy High School has become one of the finest in the state, annually receiving high commendations across the western states. The Gilroy High School Chamber Singers have traveled abroad many times to Japan and Korea and most recently to Germany and the Czech Republic. Advent Lutheran Church is honored to have Phil as the Director of Music Ministries. He directs both the Chancel Choir and the Youth Choir at Advent.
Phil's love of teaching is evident in his fun loving style, enthusiasm, focus and constant drive for excellence. In 1997, the California Alliance for Arts Education recognized Phil Robb for his outstanding contributions to arts education. In 1999, the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce named him 'Educator of the Year'.
In his spare time, Phil enjoys sports, especially University of Notre Dame football. He lives with his wife, Pam, in Gilroy. They have two grown children.
Nancy Siverson, Art Director
Nancy has been the Art Director for Morgan Hill CMT since its inception in 1999. Her love for children, art experience and extensive teaching background made Nancy the ideal person to be Art Director. She has built every set ever used at CMT Morgan Hill. Nancy graduated from University of the Pacific with a B.S. in Fine Arts. She was a kindergarten teacher for MHUSD at Los Paseos Elementary School for thirty-two years. Nancy enjoys helping the campers with the art projects that are displayed on show nights. She can always be counted on to keep her "cool" even when organizing costumes for 100 cast members!
Nancy and her husband are longtime residents of Gilroy. They have two grown children. Nancy sings in the church choir and has acted in several drama presentations. In her spare time, Nancy loves to read.
Chris Paulsen, Art Design
Chris Paulsen came to the CMT art department in 2000. She brings a wealth of artistic talent and a love of children to the program. She enjoys designing theatre sets and has helped turn our church sanctuary into a theatre every summer. Her hands-on approach delights children as she helps them construct costumes and props for the productions.
Chris has served on the Liturgical Arts Committee at Advent Lutheran Church and is key to selecting the artwork that is used during the worship services every Sunday. She served as a 'Let's Look at Art Docent' for the San Jose Museum of Art, where she taught children about art in their own classroom setting. She also is a volunteer webmaster for several organizations.
Chris lives in San Martin with her husband, Dave. She has two adult children.