Artistic Director
Susan Bartz Herrick’s main love is education. She is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, holds a BA in Ed.D. from The University of Michigan, an M.F.A from Michigan State University, and an Ed.D. from Pacific University. Over the years she has taught Speech and Theatre at Michigan State University, Methodist University, St. Andrews Presbyterian College and Sandhills Community College. In the community she was also an Educational Community Liaison Specialist at Cumberland Hospital (HCA) and through FAHEC. Currently Susan is an Adjunct Professor at Fayetteville State University and owns her own Educational Health and Wellness business.
Back in the 1980’s while pounding the pavement in New York City, Susan performed under the tutelage of Susan Strassberg at the famed Actors Studio. Over the years Susan claimed many roles off Broadway and on the professional stage across the nation. She also has nationwide television, film and radio commercials to her credit. Motherhood called her to Moore County in the 1990’s where she continues her artistic pursuits as an author, soloist and playwright.
Susan is the proud mother of R. Luke Paschal, who is a TPI Golf Trainer in Los Angeles. Herrick lives in Southern Pines with her supportive husband Jim and their beloved dogs.
Back in the 1980’s while pounding the pavement in New York City, Susan performed under the tutelage of Susan Strassberg at the famed Actors Studio. Over the years Susan claimed many roles off Broadway and on the professional stage across the nation. She also has nationwide television, film and radio commercials to her credit. Motherhood called her to Moore County in the 1990’s where she continues her artistic pursuits as an author, soloist and playwright.
Susan is the proud mother of R. Luke Paschal, who is a TPI Golf Trainer in Los Angeles. Herrick lives in Southern Pines with her supportive husband Jim and their beloved dogs.
Executive Director
Mr. Torin Wright wears many hats and enjoys them all. At West Pine Middle School, Mr. Wright is the director of the chorus and musical theater programs. Now in his 23nd year as a public school music teacher, Mr. Wright is committed to bringing the best musical experiences to our school and broader community.
Wright earned a Bachelors of Music Education degree from Northern Arizona University, with certification endorsement to teach kindergarten through 12th grade. He has experience teaching all age groups - pre-school, elementary, middle school, high school, college and adults. From 1999-2017, Torin served as Director of Choirs at Southern Pines United Methodist Church while also working as a public school music teacher. Currently, he is the Worship Choir Director at Pinehurst United Methodist. Throughout his career, Wright's choirs have regularly earned Superior Ratings at Choral Festivals and under his direction, the 1999 Pinecrest Chamber Ensemble, in which he founded, was selected to perform at the North Carolina Music Educators Annual Conference. Having taught choral music K-12, Mr. Wright has had the the distinct privilege of watching his students selected to each of the North Carolina Elementary, Middle School and High School Honor Choirs. This school year marks the first time that West Pine Middle has tied with one other school as having the most students selected to sing in the North Carolina Middle School Honors Choir, with 10 students selected. This is the third consecutive school year that Mr. Wright has had at least the top five highest number of students in the state selected to the NC Middle School Honors Choir. In the 2016-2017 school year, under Wright and Herrick's direction the WPM Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. Team earned second place at the NCASA State Musical Theater Competition and first place at the NCASA Regional Competition. Through being actively involved with his professional affiliations Torin annually serves as a high school adjudicator for state sanctioned choral festivals and/or guest clinician for regional honor choirs. In addition, he is a frequent freelance performer with a depth of experience in musical theater.
Torin and his wife, Susan, have two children: Samara (Graduated from Appalachian State University) and Tylor (12th Grade at Pinecrest High School).
Wright earned a Bachelors of Music Education degree from Northern Arizona University, with certification endorsement to teach kindergarten through 12th grade. He has experience teaching all age groups - pre-school, elementary, middle school, high school, college and adults. From 1999-2017, Torin served as Director of Choirs at Southern Pines United Methodist Church while also working as a public school music teacher. Currently, he is the Worship Choir Director at Pinehurst United Methodist. Throughout his career, Wright's choirs have regularly earned Superior Ratings at Choral Festivals and under his direction, the 1999 Pinecrest Chamber Ensemble, in which he founded, was selected to perform at the North Carolina Music Educators Annual Conference. Having taught choral music K-12, Mr. Wright has had the the distinct privilege of watching his students selected to each of the North Carolina Elementary, Middle School and High School Honor Choirs. This school year marks the first time that West Pine Middle has tied with one other school as having the most students selected to sing in the North Carolina Middle School Honors Choir, with 10 students selected. This is the third consecutive school year that Mr. Wright has had at least the top five highest number of students in the state selected to the NC Middle School Honors Choir. In the 2016-2017 school year, under Wright and Herrick's direction the WPM Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. Team earned second place at the NCASA State Musical Theater Competition and first place at the NCASA Regional Competition. Through being actively involved with his professional affiliations Torin annually serves as a high school adjudicator for state sanctioned choral festivals and/or guest clinician for regional honor choirs. In addition, he is a frequent freelance performer with a depth of experience in musical theater.
Torin and his wife, Susan, have two children: Samara (Graduated from Appalachian State University) and Tylor (12th Grade at Pinecrest High School).
Choreographer
Mr. Tim Anjél is the former dance teacher from Westover High School inCumberland County. He worked at Westover for 5 years building a dance platform that proved to be some of the best years of his life.
He graduated high school at the age of 17 and immediately joined the military. After serving in the military for 8 years and a deployment to Iraq, Tim began his college education. He graduated from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor's degree in English and minors in speech and theater and dance.
He now currently works from home so that he can spend more time with his children and dive into his dreams as an artist. He is the founder of Tim Anjél Productions, the umbrella that houses TheSTUDIO, TheSTUDIO COMPANY, and Tim Anjél himself as a recording artist. He has recently released his new single entitled “I 4Give U” which can be downloaded and streamed on all music platforms worldwide. The mission of this platform is to create, produce, and share inspirational projects in hopes that those who see them will be encouraged and inspired to become a better version of themselves, to give back to the school communities, and youth starting in Cumberland County and expanding as the years pass by - touring schools and college campuses and presenting thought-provoking visuals of life through dance, concerts, film and music productions, to encourage, equip, and change lives. To love people.
He graduated high school at the age of 17 and immediately joined the military. After serving in the military for 8 years and a deployment to Iraq, Tim began his college education. He graduated from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor's degree in English and minors in speech and theater and dance.
He now currently works from home so that he can spend more time with his children and dive into his dreams as an artist. He is the founder of Tim Anjél Productions, the umbrella that houses TheSTUDIO, TheSTUDIO COMPANY, and Tim Anjél himself as a recording artist. He has recently released his new single entitled “I 4Give U” which can be downloaded and streamed on all music platforms worldwide. The mission of this platform is to create, produce, and share inspirational projects in hopes that those who see them will be encouraged and inspired to become a better version of themselves, to give back to the school communities, and youth starting in Cumberland County and expanding as the years pass by - touring schools and college campuses and presenting thought-provoking visuals of life through dance, concerts, film and music productions, to encourage, equip, and change lives. To love people.
Student Directors
Mateja Torak & Hazel Thompson
Student Choreographers
Avery Sierra & Nicolyn Federice
Student Sound Engineer
Will Grissom