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Dave Neal
Dave Neal

Dave's involvement in the arts began at a very early age. With the support of his family, he participated in musical arts programs, at his school and church, from the time he was in elementary school until he graduated from high school. By age 16 he was already an experienced actor and professional singer. While working as a youth director at the Salvation Army Church, he was directing inner city youth in musical productions. By age 19 Dave felt the call to be a minister. He attended the Salvation Army School for Officers' Training (Seminary), studying theology and music. At age 22 he married and a year later their beautiful daughter was born. After graduation and ordination, he was assigned to Pastor in Toms River, NJ and Patterson, NJ where he continued his dramatic pursuits by directing, and participating in community and religious theatrical productions. He then moved back to the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area in 1992, to pursue a degree in Musical Theatre. Dave returned to Northern Kentucky University, and formed Neal Productions. To see Neal Productions' work, click on Our Productions.

  Heidi Johnson

  Heidi Johnson, music teacher was born in Wichita, Kansas and grew up in Kansas and Nebraska. She attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. Her first teaching position was in Hays, Kansas teaching both Orchestra and General Music classes. After three years, she moved to Cincinnati to attend the U.C. College-Conservatory of Music to earn her Master of Music degree (also in music education). Then she moved to Daytona Beach, Florida to continue teaching Orchestra classes; but she hoped to return to the Greater Cincinnati area one day! The opportunity came in 1989, when she was hired to teach Stringed Instruments and Orchestra in the Finneytown Schools district, grades 4-12. She is currently in her 19th year in the Finneytown schools.

Heidi’s major instruments are viola and piano. She is the violist for the La Chiesa String Quartet, which plays for weddings and other social events. She uses her piano skills playing for the Children’s Service at her church, Good Shepherd Lutheran in Kenwood. She is a single mom with two beautiful daughters adopted from China, ages 6 and 10. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching old movies, and participating in theater.

Heidi Johnson

  Ann Simerlink

Unusual versatility marks the voice of soprano Ann Simerlink. The Cincinnati-based artist made her successful Carnegie Hall debut in 1999. She has also performed nationally in numerous musical theater, pops and classical venues. Solo appearances include Brevard Music Festival, Ohio Light Opera, Toledo Repertoire Theater, Black Swamp Players, Young Artists Opera Theater, National Opera Association, Cincinnati Choral Society, Dayton Bach Society and Musica Sacra, among others.

An experienced vocal instructor, Ms. Simerlink’s teaching philosophy embraces “a solid technique that builds vocal versatility and gives personal enjoyment — while you achieve your goals.” She has also taught in the Dayton area and served as a regional adjudicator for the voice division of the 1999-2000 Cinergy Overture Awards Competition. One of Ms. Simerlink’s students placed in the top-four finalists for the voice division of the 2000-2001 Overture Competition. Ann has presented vocal workshops for several church groups in Cincinnati.

In 1998 Ms. Simerlink made her debut at Cincinnati’s Memorial Hall in “A Tribute to John Philip Sousa.” She is a regular soloist for Opera Night at the annual “Festa Italiana” on the Riverfront in Newport, Kentucky. Ms. Simerlink has also performed in oratorio and solo recitals, appearing in the San Francisco area, San Jose, Cincinnati, Dayton and Northern Kentucky. In 2001 she was featured as soloist for the Cincinnati premiere of William Grant Still’s song cycle, “From the Hearts of Women.” Most recently she appeared as a guest artists for the 2003 Taft Museum Chamber Music Series and in Mozart’s Missa Brevis in B-flat.

Ann Simerlink is an active member/performer for the Cincinnati MacDowell Society and Matinee Musicale. She has performed voiceovers/impersonations for several regional radio commercials. Ms. Simmerlink resides with her husband, Dan, and their three children, Ryan, Lauren and John.


Ann S
  Linda Nie
Linda Nie

Linda Nie has been a part of Neal Productions since its beginning. She is an important creative talent for our team. She has performed in, and collaborated in many of our presentations. Linda has an amazing ability to tell a story and delight audiences of all ages. Her unique style and voice brings the stories she reads, alive. Her participation in our children's theater has been a true delight. Linda has brought to life characters such as C-Sea Crab ("Into the Sea"), Mrs. Greenthumb ("Mrs. Greenthumb's Magic Garden") and the voice of Mrs. Claus in many of our Christmas productions.

Linda has worked for the past four years as a lay chaplin at Children's Hospital, and has been a spiritual director for her church. She has been a caregiver and is a mother of five.

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