AOO Directors

Braden Miller is a theatre artist based in Jackson, TN. He grew up in Lebanon and is an alumnus of Friendship Christian School. Braden obtained his BA in Theatre Performance from Freed-Hardeman University, where he received University awards for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Technician of the Year, and is a current MFA candidate at the University of Idaho in their Theatre Arts (Directing emphasis) program. Braden has worked professionally recording vocals for Musical Theatre International, two seasons at Theatre West Virginia on multiple productions, and at Thin Air Theatre Company. He also served as Director of Theatre and Choir for the last two years at Jackson Christian School in Jackson, TN, and currently serves as Youth Camp Artistic Director for the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO. Some of Braden’s Director credits include Shrek the Musical, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, and The Sound of Music. He has also assisted Sharon Fenwald Chadwick at Theatre West Virginia. Some of Braden’s favorite acting credits are Preacher Anse Hatfield (Hatfields and McCoys), Dr. Philip Gottschall (God’s Man in Texas), and Daddy Warbucks (Annie). He is thrilled to be returning to Audience of One as a Director and Teacher and cannot wait to create art with our students! 

Braden is a dedicated performer from Nashville, TN, with nearly a decade of experience on stage. Currently, i’m a studying tenor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where I have trained under renowned instructors including Met Opera performer Renée Tatum and Andrew Skoog, and am currently pursuing a degree in Vocal Music Education with a minor in Music Composition. I have a deep passion for musical theatre and have brought to life memorable roles such as The Baker in Into the Woods, Gleb in Anastasia, and Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music. I have since appeared with Knoxville Opera in their 2024–2025 season productions of The Pirates of Penzance and La Bohème. I discovered my passion for teaching and directing ensembles nearly six years ago and have been pursuing it wholeheartedly ever since. There’s nothing I love more than helping someone grow into their full potential as a singer. I have worked as a music director, stage director, choral clinician, and private vocal coach, and am continuing to find new, innovative ways to empower the voices of my students.

 thebrucestudio.com 

 T.J. is currently in his twenty-fourth year as a music educator.  After a 16 year tenure at Gallatin High School, T.J. was recently named choral director at Mt. Juliet High School, where he conducts four ensembles, teaches piano, and music directs the spring musical. His choirs consistently earn Superior rankings at MTVA and ACDA Choral Festivals. His ensembles have traveled to festivals throughout the United States, giving especially memorable performances in St. Louis, Atlanta, Walt Disney World, and at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.  He was honored to receive the Teacher of the Year award at Carroll-Oakland Elementary School and Gallatin High School.  He has directed over 20 musicals.  Some of his musical theater productions include: Les Miserables School Edition, The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid, Bye Bye Birdie, and Mary Poppins. A sought-after clinician, he has had the privilege of directing the MTVA Middle School Honors Choir, MTVA Middle School Mass Choir, Sumner County Honors Choir, Clarksville-Montgomery County Honors Choir, among others.  He is currently the president of the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association.  He has served as choir director and children’s choir director at Vine Street Christian Church since 2006. T.J. looks forward to joining the AOO team.

A native of the Chicago area, Katie holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University.  With over two decades of experience as a vocal instructor, her students have received scholarships and lead roles at Lee University, Austin Peay State University, UT Chattanooga, and Cumberland University.  She worked alongside her husband, T.J. McLaughlin, on musicals at Gallatin High School by coaching vocals and costuming for Les Miserables School Edition, The Sound of Music, Bye Bye Birdie, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, and many others.  She has continued vocal coaching and costuming at Mt. Juliet High School for SIX: Teen Edition and Guys and Dolls.  She currently serves as Director of Music at Vine Street Christian Church in Nashville, where she plans the musical elements of worship with the ministers, is a frequent soloist, a choir section leader, and co-directs the children’s choir and Christmas musical with her husband.  She is grateful to Audience of One for this opportunity to work with the amazing youth in our community!

 LAURA OSNES is a two-time Tony Award nominee for her poignant performances on Broadway in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Bonnie & Clyde. Other Broadway credits include Bandstand, Anything Goes, South Pacific, and Grease, having won the role of Sandy on NBC’s reality talent competition, “You’re The One That I Want” at the age of 21. Osnes has charmed millions in five Hallmark Channel original movies and has also been seen on television in Just In Time (GAF), A Dash Of Christmas (GAF), Fosse/Verdon (F/X), Dynasty (CW), and Elementary (CBS). Her crystal clear and powerful soprano regularly graces symphony halls and cabaret venues around the globe, including filmed performances with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Live from Lincoln Center (PBS), A Capitol Fourth (PBS), and The Kennedy Center Honors (CBS). Her voice can be heard on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), Team Umi Zoomi (Nickelodeon), and Chip Chilla (Bentkey), as well as several original Broadway cast recordings and her two solo albums. A recent transfer to Nashville, Tennessee, Laura has released nine original songs this past year as a singer/songwriter. She created the role of Violet in the world-premiere of Nashville’s residency show, Shiners, and recently launched a film production company with her husband, Nathan Johnson. @lauraosnes  

 Jalen Hunt is a young actor with big dreams of performing and choreographing on big stages! Jalen started performing in high school, playing favorite roles like Buddy in Elf the Musical, Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, Evelyn in Anything Goes, etc. He continued his love for musical theater outside of high school aswell, at theater companies like Audience of One learning to be dance captain and swing in productions like White Christmas and Seven Brothers for Seven Brides. He is pursuing theatre in college, pursuing a BFA in musical theatre and has played roles such as Harry in Once Upon A Mattress, Tinsworthy and ensemble roles in 9 to 5, during his freshman year at George Mason University. Jalen choreographed Beetlejuice Jr. last summer and is back to create a showstoppers masterpiece. 

He is very excited for what's to come in the future as he explores his next project at Audience of One Productions, He hopes to see you there!