Sierra was born in Oakland, California. She graduated with a BA in Theater at UCLA, studying Directing, Musical Theater, Sound Design and Stage Management. She was an active member in the official singing group Awaken A Cappella and participated in the creation of the student-run Tiny Band Productions, bringing her directing class skills to two musicals (Assassins and The Little Shop of Horrors). She spent much of her time in John Hall’s Music Theater Workshop, where she played the role of The Witch in Into the Woods and had the pleasure of being directed by Carol Burnett in Once Upon a Mattress.

New York Theater & Performances

Most recently, Sierra performed the roles of the Angel City 4 Alto/Margie and understudy of Donna/Oolie in Goodspeed Musicals’ production of City of Angels. She performed in Ruddigore: or the Witch’s Curse at the Innovation Award-winning Theater Ten Ten. Through the use of her puppetry skills, she played both the parts of “Ruth the Bridesmaid” and “Matilda the Bridesmaid”. Sierra also has leant her voice to many readings of new musicals and opera pieces, and has been seen at the Tudor City Greens concert series, at Mark Jana’s The Salon open mic event, numerous composer showcases (including those for Hector Coris, Jay Alan Zimmerman, and Paul Farinella), and was a featured soloist at a benefit holiday concert for The New York Theatre Barn. She currently studies voice with New York-based Steven Stein-Grainger. In 2009, Sierra became a member of the Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabaret. She is a member of MAC Award-Winning Marquee Five, a vocal group specializing in tight harmonies and committed to bringing a Broadway actors’ sensibility. Marquee Five’s latest show, “8-Track Throwback”, has been recorded as a CD of the same name. Sierra won the 2010 Big Gay Idol contest during the Big Gay Sing 2 concert put on by the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. The evening featured host Scott Nevins, special guest singer Petula Clark, and an audition and performance by Sierra as a Big Gay Idol contestant.

Regional Theater

Sierra has been seen at Reprise! and The Fullerton Civic Light Opera Company, including Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music and Nimue in Camelot. She performed in the original cast of the popular rock opera bare at the Hudson Theater, as the Second Soprano in the critically acclaimed Master Class at the Odyssey Theater, and as diva Ellen Beach Yaw in the LA cult musical A Mulholland Christmas Carol three years in a row for Theatre of N.O.T.E. She performed at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, returning once more to the familiar show The Little Shop of Horrors.

Los Angeles Performances & Recordings

She sang as half of the duo “DeMars & Rein” with pianist/vocalist Matthew DeMars. In 2007, Sierra produced and created her own cabaret show, Ridin’ High, directed by Calvin Remsberg. In 2007, Sierra joined the Definitely Dickens Holiday Carolers as a new member, and continues to perform with the New York branch. Sierra has taken private vocal lessons from Broadway alum and reknown voice teacher/director Calvin Remsberg in North Hollywood and studied advanced acting and on-camera techniques at the Beverly Hills Playhouse under the instruction of teachers Al Mancini, Richard Lawson, and Gary Imhoff. Recordings include lead roles in the original concept albums of Lilith: A Rock Opera, Great Expectations, Runway 69, Divorce: The Musical and several singing voices (and was musical director) for the rock opera movie musical Eclipse of the Heart.

Puppetry

A huge fan of Henson and the Muppets since childhood, Sierra has pursued a love of puppeteering both on stage and on the Internet. In addition to her performance in Ruddigore, Sierra has fun with her husband and puppets Jay ThePal and Kay ThePal, creating online video content via www.thepal.us. She has also brought Kay ThePal up onto the stage with her in Jay Alan Zimmerman’s composer showcase “Smokin’” and to co-host The Salon Open Mic.