Jim Appleby has nurtured a lifelong passion for music, particularly singing. His journey has afforded him the opportunity to sing with and for remarkable individuals, including professional actors, dignitaries, and even former U.S. presidents. From his early days in church choirs to studying music and performing in college, Jim’s love for singing has brought him countless cherished memories. He has also embraced acting in musicals, where he has taken on a variety of roles, including several male leads.

Now, as a “senior citizen,” Jim continues to find joy in his musical endeavors, and is especially grateful for opportunities like Sanford On Stage. He is thankful for the talent he has been given and is honored to perform for this special event.

Jim’s music-related experiences include singing with the Baylor University Acapella and BRH Choirs (as a soloist), the U.S. Marine Corps Officer’s School Acapella Choir, and the Springfield, MA Symphony Orchestra Choir. Locally, he has performed with groups such as Seaglass Chorale, The Overtones, and Classic Blend. His theater credits include performances in Brigadoon, Annie Get Your Gun (male lead), Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, Annie, Camelot (male lead), The Sound of Music (male lead), Hello Dolly, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Courtney Boudreau has been passionate about performing from a young age. Born and raised in Maine, she participated in numerous choirs and stage productions throughout her childhood. In high school, she was the lead singer for the jazz band and performed at All State and All Eastern musical festivals.

Courtney continued her musical journey at the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a BA in Communication and sang with the a cappella group Alabaster Blue. After college, she worked in Entertainment at Disney, taught ESL, and transitioned to the tech industry, living in major cities across the country for over a decade.

Her impressive career highlights include performing in cabaret shows, sharing the stage with celebrities at fundraising galas in San Francisco and NYC, and singing with the Angel City Chorale during their 2018 semifinals appearance on America’s Got Talent.

In late 2020, Courtney returned to Maine, settling in Saco with her dog, Cosette, where she continues to share her extraordinary talent with the community.

Hunter Conran is a passionate singer and performer who thrives on being on stage. When he’s not performing, Hunter works as the Activities Director at Summer Commons, where he enjoys spending time with his amazing residents, whom he deeply appreciates. Outside of work and performing, Hunter’s greatest love is for his pets, and he embraces life with a sense of fun and laughter. He wishes all of his fellow performers the best of luck and encourages them to break a leg!

Claire Davie is a 13-year-old Sanford native who has always had a song in her heart. She is a dedicated member of Atlantic Harmonies Select and Anchored A Capella youth choirs, directed by Bailey Smith. Last year, Claire had the incredible opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Zeke Sharon with the Anchored A Capella choir, and she is currently preparing for an exciting trip to Nashville with the choir for the 2025 season.

Passionate about vocal performance, Claire studies under Caleb Randall and has a deep love for theater. She has enjoyed playing the role of Young Fiona in the SHS production of Shrek the Musical and took on the dual roles of Auntie Em and Glinda the Good Witch in the Nasson Youth production of The Wizard of Oz.

Claire is immensely grateful for the support of her family, teachers, and her beloved dogs, Clover and Whinnie!

Kiera Allan Hardy is thrilled to return to the stage after a three-year break, bringing her passion for singing to the Sanford On Stage audience. With a deep love for music, Kiera has always found joy in performing, and this show marks an exciting moment in her artistic journey. She is eager to share the stage with other talented performers and deliver an unforgettable experience for the audience.

Kiera is honored to be part of this incredible event and looks forward to celebrating the talent of her fellow artists.

Gwendelyn Ickes is a 15-year-old musician with a deep passion for the arts. She began her musical journey at the age of 4, playing the violin, and has since expanded her talents to include voice and piano. Gwen has attended the UNH Summer Youth Music School, where she honed her skills in chorus, violin, and musical theater, and she has performed with the UNH Youth Symphony Orchestra for several years.

Gwen has dazzled audiences with her powerful renditions of the national anthem at prestigious venues, including the UNH Whittemore Center and the SNHU Arena hockey finals. Her love for performing shines through at open-mic nights and karaoke events, where she has won multiple contests and consistently earns invitations to return from event organizers.

This summer, Gwen worked at the UNH Community Literacy Center and is now focusing on developing her songwriting abilities. She plans to start performing full sets locally in the coming year.

Bryn Rice, a talented sixth-grade student at St. Thomas School, is beyond excited to be part of Sanford On Stage! Bryn has already made a name for herself in the local theater community, with standout performances at Nasson in roles such as The Artful Dodger in Oliver! and Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard in The Wizard of Oz. She also took on multiple roles in The Rep Academy’s production of Legally Blonde, Jr., portraying Gaelen, Chutney, and being part of the ensemble.

When she’s not on stage, Bryn loves expressing her creativity through drawing, singing, and dancing. She enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and dreams of one day moving to New York City to fulfill her ultimate goal—performing on Broadway. Bryn’s passion for the stage shines through in every performance, and she looks forward to a bright future in the world of theater.

Shaun Sadowski, a resident of Springvale, has been passionate about singing for as long as he can remember. His musical journey took a pivotal turn in the 8th grade when Mrs. Kirton, his music teacher at Noble Junior High, recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue his talent. Although it has been nearly 20 years since Shaun last performed in front of an audience, his love for music has never wavered, and he is excited to step back on stage and share his passion once again.

Chris Turner is a versatile singer, actor, and screenwriter based in Southern Maine. He recently earned his Master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, and is currently completing his clinical hours to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Chris works for Woodfords Family Services in Westbrook, where he supports children with special needs in school settings.

Chris’s love for the arts began in middle school with acting, though he didn’t start singing publicly until high school. Since then, he has taken on both leading and supporting roles in seven musicals. Despite his many professional and creative endeavors, Chris’s most cherished roles are as a husband to Nicole and a father to Lily, Amelia, and Lucas, whom he adores above all else.