AMANDA EMILY KOITER

I’m thrilled to introduce myself as an instructor, the founder, and Executive Director of the Prescott Conservatory of Performing Arts. My journey in the performing arts has been a lifelong passion and privilege, and it’s this passion that drives me to create meaningful opportunities for the talented youth in our community.

I began my education at Columbia College Hollywood, where I studied general film studies, acting, and writing. From there, I continued to refine my craft by training with renowned acting teachers such as Margie Haber, Sandy Kominsky, and Howard Fine. These experiences gave me a strong foundation not only in performance but also in understanding the deeper layers of storytelling and character development.

Professionally, I had the honor of working in Hollywood, both behind the scenes and on screen. As a researcher and script coordinator, I collaborated with some of the best in the industry on acclaimed television shows such as Third Watch and Criminal Minds while working with Bernero Productions. My on-screen acting career included roles in dozens of TV shows and independent films, with highlights such as ER, Third Watch, and Criminal Minds.

After a rewarding career in Hollywood, I chose to take a step back to focus on raising and homeschooling our three wonderful children. During this time, I founded and taught at several co-ops, creating programs for children aged 4-18 that integrated academics with extracurriculars like performing arts. These experiences helped me discover my passion for teaching and mentoring young performers.

Over the years, I’ve worn many hats in youth productions—stage manager, costumer, props designer, set decorator, choreographer, and director. Most recently, I directed 13 Jr. The Musical during a three-week summer camp at the Prescott Center for the Arts and served as stage manager for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, a Beautiful Feet ballet production at The Elks Theatre.

Through it all, my greatest inspiration has been my children. Their love for performing arts motivated me to create spaces where they—and now, the broader youth community in Prescott—can explore their talents, develop their skills, and grow as artists.

At the Prescott Conservatory of Performing Arts, I’m excited to bring together my professional experience, my passion for education, and my commitment to nurturing young talent. It’s an honor to work with the incredible youth in this community who share a love for the performing arts, and I can’t wait to see the magic they create."

JASON ALLEN KOITER

Hello everyone! I’m the founder and Director of Operations for the Prescott Conservatory of Performing Arts. I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting venture and to share my lifelong passion for music, film, and the performing arts with our community and students.

I’ve been fortunate to have a rich and diverse career in the entertainment industry that spans over 26 years, encompassing music, film, and television. As a professional musician, I’ve recorded over 200 songs in professional studios, toured nationally as a keyboardist and bassist for J.R. Richards (the lead singer of the platinum-selling band Dishwalla), and played drums for Universal Records recording artist J.T. Hodges. I’ve also performed as a guitarist in several other bands. These experiences have honed my technical musicianship and instilled in me the teamwork, discipline, and dedication essential for a successful career in the arts.

Beyond performing, I’ve worked extensively behind the scenes. As a recording engineer for Entourage Studios and a Pro Tools technician, I built and calibrated advanced recording systems for some of the most iconic live music productions, including Super Bowl Halftime Shows for The Who, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen, as well as major televised events like the Grammys, Oscars, and Billboard Music Awards. I also contributed to blockbuster feature films such as The Bourne Ultimatum, Horton Hears a Who!, Kung Fu Panda, Bolt, Hancock, and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs by building, installing, and calibrating large-format Pro Tools systems for their orchestral recording sessions.

In addition to my music work, I’ve built a career in film and television production. I’ve produced a wide array of content, including TV shows, feature films, pilots, short films, music videos, commercials, and web series. As a television producer, I’ve worked on several network and streaming shows, including Criminal Minds: Evolution, BULL, and Charmed. I’m currently the Co-Producer for Criminal Minds: Evolution.

I’ve also directed music videos, commercials, and short films, and have received over 300 hours of on-set training from top industry directors, including Bethany Rooney, Glenn Kershaw, Lily Mariye, Larry Teng, and Tawnia McKiernan. These experiences have given me a well-rounded perspective on the creative and technical aspects of storytelling and performance.

My goal with the Prescott Conservatory of Performing Arts is to bring this diverse background to my role as an instructor and Director of Operations. I’m passionate about mentoring students, sharing the lessons I’ve learned from both the stage and behind the camera, and helping them develop the confidence and skills to thrive in the performing arts or any path they choose to pursue.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of this amazing journey, and I look forward to working with all of you to inspire and empower the next generation of artists and performers.