Arlene Ashburn
Musical Theater and Dance Instructor
Arlene "Ozzie" Ashburn is an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer and vocal
coach who has performed in musicals, dramas and caberet throughout
Weschester and Rockland Counties as well as in New York City and New Jersey.
She earned her A.A.S. in Performing Arts from S.U.N.Y. Westchester and received
the Opal Euard Motter Theater Award for "outstanding excellence in Drama.
Further studies and training include: vocal major at Five Towns College, Seaford
NY with Carl Olson, Craig Lee; Carnegie Hall Studios, and Karen Van Houten.
Acting and dance at S.U.N.Y. Purchase, The New School with Claude Underwood; University of Maine at Orono; HB Studios and Northern Westchester Center for the Arts, where she was also a musical theater and drama instructor. She is a board member, performer and instructor with Westco Productions, a
professional children's theater company based in White Plains, NY. She is also an acting and musical theater instructor for P/NY BOCES Arts in Education Program.
Off-Broadway Kids (Grades 2-3)
Off-Broadway Kids Jr. (Pre-K, K, Gr.1)
Dan Asher
Bass/Guitar Instructor
Dan received his Bachelor of Music degree from Lawrence University of
Wisconsin. He as played in many award-winning ensembles took first-division
ratings at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival. He has maintained an active performing
schedule in many diverse styles of music. His Jazz quartet plans to release its
first record later this year.
Christel Autuori
Yoga Instructor
Christel Autuori is a certified AcuYoga instructor and yoga practitioner with over
thirty years experience practicing Kripalu and Anusara style yoga. She became
certified in AcuYoga after studying with Dr. Michael Reed Gach, director of the
Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, California. Christel has developed and led a
number of workshops and classes in various intitutions, and she is the yoga
teacher for the Ridgefield High School Wrestling team.
Aimee Berger-Girvalo
Gymnastcs/Yoga Instructor
Aimee Berger-Girvalo has an extensive professional teaching background and
has taught creative movement and music at Landmark Academy. She is also a
certified yoga instructor for children and adults.
Michaela Borth
Violin/Viola Instructor
Michaela began Suzuki-method violin study at the age of four and went on to
win prestigious competions and scholarships. She has performed in American
and foreign music festivals, including England, Scotland, and Austria. She has
taken master classes with Stephen Clapp, David Cerone, Almita Vamos, and Paul
Kantor. Her teaching career includes four years at the Meyer Music School in
Kansas City, as well as two years at Music in Chappaqua in New York --
focusing
on the Suzuki Method as well as traditional. Michaela recently completed her MA
in Music at SUNY Purchase.
Jean Cobelli
Dance Instructor
Ms.Cobelli has taught dance for the past twenty years. She received her BFA in
Dance from Rutgers University and MS in Dance Therapy from Hunter College.
She studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern, and performed for the Boston Ballet
and the New Jersey Ballet. As a certified Dance Therapist, she worked with
children for several years at Bronx Lebanon Hospital and Westchester Medical
Center. Her own education and performance background has informed her
teaching philosophy and method. "As a young dancer," she writes,"I was
captivated with my dance teachers." Ms. Cobelli has designed her program to
create memorable experiences for each and every dancer. She and her carefully
selected staff expect their students not only to learn to dance, but to feel that
the teacher is a partner in the learning experience. "There is no greater reward
in life for a teacher," she says, "than to inspire a child." Ms. Cobelli,
affectionately known as "Ms. Jean," continues to innovate ways to get dancers to
"feel at home" in the studio and to take pleasure in stage performance. "Dance,"
she says, "has been a lifelong journey for me, and teaching has been the most
magical part of it."
Jason Cutmore
Piano Instructor
Canadian pianist Jason Cutmore has performed solo recitals and collaborative
concerts throughout North America, Europe and India. Mr. Cutmore made his
Chicago recital debut in the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts in 2005 with
an all-Liszt programme that was broadcast live on WFMT radio, and shown
on Chicago Cable TV 25. Since then he has appeared in Canada’s Colours of
Music Festival, the Elora Festival, the University of Calgary’s Celebrity Series,
as well as at venues in Cleveland, Chicago, New York City, and elsewhere in
North America. His concert performances, and an ardent interest in foreign
travel, have frequently taken him abroad to Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, and
India, including concerts at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in
Mumbai, India, and the Franz Liszt Museum in Budapest.
In 2008, Mr. Cutmore’s debut commercial CD, an album of piano music by
Spanish composer Manuel de Falla on Centaur Records, was released to
critical acclaim. Gramophone magazine declared that “more than a few
orchestras can learn from Cutmore’s perfectly placed accents and ideal dance
tempi” and Classicstoday.com called it “a first-rate release.”
Mr. Cutmore holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and the
SUNY Purchase College Conservatory of Music in New York. His major
teachers have been Stephanie Brown, Robert Shannon, and Michael Massey.
Originally from Edmonton, Canada, Mr. Cutmore now resides in a suburb of
New York City.
To learn more visit jasoncutmore.com.
Chris DeAngelos
Guitar/Bass/Piano Instructor
Chris DeAngelis received his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance in 2004
from Western CT State University. He has performed with jazz greats such as Jon
Riley, Fred Hersch, Don Braden, Terrell Stafford, Chris Parker and the late Bob
Berg. Chris is alos a composer and arranger. His big band composition, "The
New Zoo," and his small group composition,"Slightly Temperamental," were
chosen for WCSU 's promotional CD. Drumming great Chris Parker (Bob Dylan,
Brecker Brothers) included one of Chris' songs in the repertory of his critically-
acclaimed band, "Tophe and the PussyCats." Chris performs with several jazz
and R&B groups in the area and has toured Europe with Randy Johnston, The
Jamie Begian Big Band, Steve Davis, Parliament Funkadelic, Henry Cole, Tony
Escapa, Niel Smith, Andrew Beals, Eric Kalb, Chris Morrison, Bob Leanord, and
many others. Chris teaches in New York and Connecticut and has given clinics at
several prestigious summer workshops (The UCONN Jazz Camp, The Litchfield
Jazz Camp, the WCSU jazz festival) and at local high schools (Newtown, Bethel,
and Southbury).
Wendy Delson
Cello/Violin/Piano Instructor
Wendy Delson began studying the violin at age eight and later switched to the
cello. She has played the piano since age six. After receiving a Bachelor of Music
degree from Boston University in cello performance, Wendy performed with
several orchestras and chamber groups in New York City and Fairfield County,
CT. Now she is a founding member of the Rose Trio, which performs in Fairfield
County, and is the principal cellist for the Manhattanville College and
Community Orchestra in Purchase, New York. When time permits, she also
performs with the American Chamber Orchestra in Fairfield and the Broadway
Bach Ensemble in New York, NY, as well as in chamber groups. Wendy has
taught privately for several years, now exclusively at Enchanted Garden.
Two years ago, she returned to school at Western Connecticut State University to
receive certification to teach music in public schools. Currently, she is student
teaching in the Norwalk school district. Wendy has also been a religious school
teacher at Temple Israel in Westport for the past 11 years and was Music
Director and a teacher at Congregation Beth-El in Norwalk. Wendy resides in
Westport with her husband and two sons who spend most of the year away at
college at University of Connecticut in Storrs and Guilford College in
Greensboro, NC.
Kelly Giordano
Dance Instructor
Corey Grimes
Hip-Hop Instructor
Corey Grimes has worked as a Hip Hop
dancer/choreographer with some of the biggest names in
the industry including Sean "P diddy" Combs, J LO,
Mario, Jay Z, Destiny's Child, and Jaheim. At Broadway
Dance Center in New York City, Corey has taught Hip
Hop, Choreography and industry audition preparation.
Kathy Hardin
Dance Instructor
Kathy holds a BA in Art History from Marymount, Tarrytown, where she choreographed and danced with the Marymount Dance Group. She studied at Ballanchine's School of American Ballet.
Ronald Hawkins
Piano Instructor
Hailed for his "great depth of poetry, understanding and excitement"
(Gazette), American pianist, Ronald Hawkins is quickly establishing himself as
one of the country's leading pianists and has earned international acclaim for
his sensitive and insightful performances. Mr. Hawkins began his musical
studies at the age of sixteen and was performing in concert within eighteen
months.
Mr. Hawkins has performed in modern and historic venues throughout North
America and Europe. Recent appearances include Carnegie Hall, The Lyceum,
Tchaikovsky Great Hall, and St. Martins-in-the-Fields. Mr. Hawkins made his
international debut in 1997 at The Rachmaninoff Conference held in England.
He has recieved numerous awards throughout his career including the
prestigious 2007 Young Career Award for his continued achievements in
music.
Shenandoah Conservatory awarded Mr. Hawkins his Bachelor and Master of
Music degrees in Piano Performance. His principal teachers include Samuel
Bartos, Frederic Chiu, Paul Ostrovsky, Elizabeth Temple and Ruby Morgan. He
has also performed in master classes with internationally acclaimed artists.
Ronald appears on MSR Classics, Jamlet Records, Pier Records and PBS
Records labels. His discography includes seven recordings, his most recent
being J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations.
Ronald lives in Connecticut, USA, where he enjoys spending his free time with
his dogs, Andy, Ty and Dakota. He is a native of South Carolina. Ronald
Hawkins is a Schimmel Piano Artist. - July 2009
www.ronaldhawkins.com
Mimi Hirt
Theater Instructor
Mimi Hirt holds B.F.A. from the Tisch School at NYU. She also studied at the
Royal Academy of the Arts in London. She has performed with the NY Wildlife
Preservation's summer theater program at the Queen's Zoo and appears on the
TV soap, "Guiding Light." She served as a senior instructor at the Enchanted
Garden Conservatory's Shakespeare Summer Institute in 2007 and will be
returning this summer to be part of the team led by Clista Townsend.
Isaac Hirt-Manheimer
Director & African Dance and Drumming Instructor
Isaac began drumming at the age of seven and continued his music studies at
Simon's Rock College of Bard, where he received his BA with honors. He
completed his MA in World Music at Wesleyan University, where he also served
on the faculty as a visiting instructor in both the Music and Dance departments.
He spent the past eight summers researching traditional drumming and dance in
Ghana and has presented lectures on West African Music and Dance at
Princeton, New York University, Lehman College, and The New School. He has
many years of teaching experience, from nursery school through university, and
serves as director of the Enchanted Garden Conservatory of the Arts.
Judy Hirt-Manheimer
Founder/Director/Teacher
A teacher's teacher, Judy's innovative work with children spans over 30 years.
She studied music, dance, and drama in her native Vancouver, Canada. She
received her BA from University of British Columbia, and her MA in Dance
Therapy/Psychology from Goddard College. A nationally-recognized pioneer in
early childhood Music education, she is an author and music education
consultant to Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Judy's Music (babies, toddlers, twos with parent/caregiver)
Summer Judy's Music (ages 2 mos.-2yrs with parent/caregiver)
Theme Camps -- A Different Theme Every Week (ages 3-6)
Twos and Threes Camp (with parent or drop off)
Noah Hirt-Manheimer
Arts & Science Teacher and Guitar Instructor
B.A. in Arts & Aesthetics, Simon's Rock College of Bard. M.A. in Music
Composition, Goddard College. Composes & produces original music for the
Enchanted Garden Dance, Drama, & Voice Programs. Operates The Enchanted
Garden Recording Studio.
Individual Music Instruction (beginning age 5)
Jennifer Hunt
Dance Instructor
Jennifer received her BFA in Dance from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. She has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Modern Dance (including Tharp, Ailey, Cunningham, and Varone). She has performed with the 2nd Avenue Dance Company in New York and with Sea World of Texas. She taught competitive dance themes in Texas and starred in a music video for the Texas Tornadoes. She is a certified American Aerobic Fitness Association group instructor and a certified New York City Ballet Workout instructor.
Robin Idestrom
Voice Instructor
Soprano Robin Idestrom is a versatile performer and an influential teacher.
She has performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, in a
variety of genres from contemporary, spirituals and gospel, to Broadway,
concert repertoire and modern opera. She has been featured on a number of
recordings, singing classical, worship and a variety of contemporary styles.
Robin began teaching voice and piano privately in California in 1993 after
receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Azusa Pacific
University. In Alberta, Canada, she taught privately for Canadian Nazarene
College, Word of Life School of Music in Red Deer, and more recently at Rocky
Mountain College in Calgary. She has performed with the Calgary
Philharmonic, the Calgary Civic Symphony, the Johnny Summer’s Jazz
Orchestra, and the Calgary Opera Chorus. Robin had the privilege of
portraying Ruth Baldwin in the New York premier of the opera Later the Same
Evening, as well as the Second Housewife in Griffilken by Lukas Foss. Robin
has studied and performed with Centro Studi Lirica in Italy and graduated
with her Masters in Classical Voice from the renowned Manhattan School of
Music in 2009, studying under Joan Patenaude-Yarnell. While she loves to
sing classical and opera, Robin is equally comfortable singing and teaching
pop, gospel, jazz and musical theatre. The recipient of the Birgit Nilsson
Scholarship in Voice, Robin is passionate about creating life and beauty
through music that will touch the soul, as well as inspiring others to reach
their potential as artists and communicators.
Tricia Keane
Yoga Instructor
Tricia received her certification from Nyack Yoga Center, where she studied
asana, pranayama, meditation and anatomy under Master Yoga Teacher Paula
Heitzner. An active member of the Yoga Teachers Association of Westchester,
she has also studied with Charles Matkin, Rodney Yee, Joan Gibbons, and many
others. She instructs in the Hatha Yoga tradition, with Iyengar and Kripalu
influences.
James Kessler
Piano/Saxophones/Flute Instructor
Mr. Kessler has more than a dozen years of experience
teaching music lessons to children and adults. He performs
in many genres on multiple instruments. Currently he teaches
piano and woodwind instruments, as well as Jazz ensembles
at the Enchanted Garden Conservatory of the Arts. His students
continue to win awards year after year, including several first-
place winners in regional competitions. He holds a Bachelor's
Degree from the University of Connecticut, with an emphasis
on Human Development, Culture, and the Arts.
Christen Klewicki
Yoga Instructor
Christen Klewicki has been practicing and studying yoga for the past 13 years.
She discovered ISHTA (Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda) yoga
in New York City in 2002, and completed a 500 hour level certification in the
ISHTA tradition under the guidance of Yogiraj Alan Finger. She has also
completed an additional training program in prenatal yoga. Her classes combine
the energy of vinyasa flow with the peace and stability of holding poses in
careful alignment. Christen strives to create classes that make yoga enjoyable,
safe and accessible to everyone. Christen is also a high school English teacher,
and she lives in Ridgefield with her husband and young son.
Kathleen Kruze
Voice/Piano/Guitar Instructor
Vocalist Kathleen Kruze has been singing for more than thirty years
professionally in a wide variety of musical settings. At the age of twelve, Ms.
Kruze was leading entire congregations vocally as Cantor in churches in New
York. She went on to study Music at the Westchester Conservatory of Music
in White Plains New York and holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a Major
in Music Performance. She graduated Magna cum Laude. Additionally, Kruze
studied Classical Guitar and Voice at the University of Bridgeport,
participating in the Concert Choir and touring the East Coast with that
singing group, under the direction of Mr. Regan.
Today, Kathleen is Lead vocalist with the Chris Dabbo trio, singing soulful
interpretations of Jazz standards with the group. She will be the featured
vocalist on their upcoming CD this Fall (2009). She is a prolific songwriter in
her own right, having written over 200 songs to date in various styles,
including Jazz, Popular, Folk, Gospel and Traditional. She also holds a degree
in Classical Guitar Performance and composes mainly for this instrument
in order to accompany herself vocally.
Kruze is a highly respected arranger and producer, having two original CDs to
her credit, ("Brighter Skies" (1991) and "Live at the Beach" (2007). Her third
CD is scheduled to be released in the Fall of 2009 in collaboration with
Internationally acclaimed Jazz flutist, Ali Ryerson. Ms. Kruze has a long-
standing musical association with many world class artists, having worked
with such notable musicians as keyboardist Nick Bariluk (Jon Lucien, Maia
Amada), Percussionist James Moss (Chet Baker, Kool and the Gang), and
Richard Brooks (Paul Winter, Judy Collins). Ms. Kruze is also a noted musical
transcriptionist and has a special passion for working with up-and-coming
songwriters. She feels this is her life's main mission, to nurture young talent
in whatever form is needed. Love of music is the key to life for Kathleen.
Joel Lee
Electric/Upright Bass Instructor
Joel Lee is an electric bassist from CT that has performed for many different
bands in the Connecticut, NYC, and NY capitol regions. He is also an
accomplished studio musician. Joel’s playing style varies as he tries to get as
much diversity out of the instrument using slapping, two-handed tapping,
harmonics, and many other techniques. In addition to the electric bass, Joel
also plays upright bass in jazz and classical settings.
Joel recorded his own solo album entitled “The Overlooker” and will soon be
working on a new solo project.
Performance credits include playing with FRO, Bobby T and the Electric Circus,
Paul Halley, Paul Winter Consort, Jenn Taylor, and Carrie Ashton. Joel
continues to perform in his rock band FRAYD and children’s music ensemble
Rossnoscerous with other E.G. colleagues. He has opened for such national
acts as Michael Brecker, The Yellow Jackets, Tower of Power, Johnny Winter,
The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and the Marshall Tucker Band.
Joel currently teaches in the New Haven Public School district as a middle
school band director. As a bass instructor, Joel focuses on proper hand
positioning, scales, chords, theory, jazz walking while reading chord changes,
funk patterns, improvised solos, stylistic elements of many genres, advanced
techniques such as harmonics and 2-handed tapping, and formal audition
preparation. Many of Joel’s students have auditioned and were selected to
perform in Regional and Allstate music festivals in both Connecticut and New
York. Other former students have gone on to major in music in college and
now perform professionally.
BS Music Technology/Entertainment Arts – College of St. Rose, Albany NY
MS Music Education- Western CT State University, Danbury CT
Katty Mayorga
Guitar Instructor
Katty has been playing guitar for 16 years and has been actively teaching since
2003. She is fluent in several genres: folk, rock, metal and classical. Specialized
in classical guitar technique, she finds ways of teaching that are interesting,
challenging and rewarding for her students. While Katty insists on basic
technical principles, she also encourages and guides each individual to find their
unique flair and the highest quality of his or her own sound. She emphasizes the
importance of sight reading and using music that students are interested in and
will enjoy.
Katty has an extensive repertoire and specializes in Latin American pieces. She
received her BA in Performance of Classical Guitar from SUNY Purchase, and is
currently finishing her MFA.
Mathew Moadel
Drumming Instructor
Matt Moadel is a working drummer and teacher who has
immersed himself deeply in many styles, ranging from
traditional drum set styles and rudimental snare
drumming to Middle-Eastern and African drumming.
He earned a bachelor's degree in Percussion from
Western Connecticut State University and has studied
privately with teachers of many genres. Matt has
performed in many settings, from Jazz and Reggae to
Flamenco and Funk to marching bands and pit
orchestras. He has worked for 15 years as a performer,
with many musicians, including the great Jazz Bassist
Bill Crow, Indian Tabla master Deep Singh, Jim Donovan
of "Rusted Root" and Flamenco great Val Ramos.
Matt has been giving one-on-one instruction the
past 10 years. His curriculum is not limited to one
path but follows a natural progression, directed not
only by the need for the essential elements of music
and drumming, but also by the needs and learning style
of the student.
Mike Nappi
Drum Instructor
Growing up in a musical family, Mike Nappi began seriously playing drums at
the age of 15. At that time he started to take private lessons that took him
within a few years to become a professional drummer. As he furthers his
skills and technique with teachers such as Artie Dixson and Ralph Peterson
Jr., he found himself playing and touring full time by the age of 23. Over the
next 10 years he has performed, toured and recorded with names such as:
Kim Waters (Shanachie Records),
David Berkman (Palmetto Records),
Chris “Big Dog” Davis (Producer, Performer),
Jimmy Landry (Virgin Records A&R, Producer, Songwriter),
Greg Wattenburg (Producer),
Dale Penner (Producer),
Ron St. Germain (Producer),
TWF (Capitol Records),
Tony Levin, Pete Levin, Joe Diorio, The Nillaz, Fro, to name a few...
He currently resides in the NYC area and maintains a busy schedule between
performing, touring and teaching.
He is also involved in many projects such as his own band called
“The Exchange”, which released it first CD in 2006.
Summer 2008: While keeping a busy schedule between gigs and recordings
around New York City, you will find Mike Nappi touring internationally and
nationally with Lucky Peterson (Polydor, Verve Records) and Kal David (Etta
James, John Mayall).
Beth Perlman
Dance Instructor
Beth received her BA. in Dance Therapy and Psychology from Goucher College, and has studied Ballet, Jazz, and Modern. She has many years of experience teaching movement with adults and children in therapeutic settings, and has taught fitness classes for adults. Beth specializes teaching dance to very young students.
Everything Fancy Dance Camp (ages 4-5)
Larisa Podoprigora
Piano Instructor
Larisa Podoprigora is a pianist, organist and music educator with 21 years of
working experience. A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, she graduated from St.
Petersburg State University of the Arts with MA degree in Piano Performance and
Piano Pedagogy. Larisa was a full-time faculty member at the Pedagogical
College in St. Petersburg and the School of Arts, also in St. Petersburg. After
moving to the United States, she worked as a Piano teacher at the Connecticut
Conservatory of the Performing Arts in New Milford, and served as Organist for
the First Church-Christ Scientist in Danbury, CT. Her current positions include
teaching piano for the Wooster School in Danbury and as Organist/ Pianist for
the Bridgewater, CT Congregational Church.
Alicia Quinones
Hip-Hop Instructor
Alicia is a national top-ranked competitive breakdancer.
Valerie Rich
Yoga Instructor
Dana Scofidio
Guitar/Bass Instructor
Dana Scofidio has been a professional guitar and bass guitar teacher since
1976. His recorded work includes CDs, videos, and studio recordings for a
Nickelodeon television series. As a performer and composer, he is a founding
member of the jazz organ trio "In the Dream"—which includes noted keyboard
player Jerry Mack and former Andy Williams drummer Rosa Avila. Their debut
CD, In the Dream, was released in 2010. His electric guitar work with the Doc
Wallace Trio—whose unique blend of Texas-style fiddling and swing has been
performed at Lincoln Center, Columbia University, and the La MaMa theater in
New York—is featured on the group’s 2001 CD, Live at the Living Room. The
group participated as Teaching Artists for 2008–2009 at the Lincoln Center
Institute, and currently participates in the Carnegie Hall Musical Connections
program, both of which bring music in an interactive and educational format to
schools and other institutions throughout New York City. Dana has performed in
concert with a wide variety of artists, including the award-winning composer
Daniel Eliot Levy and the children’s composer John Farrell. He also played guitar
on the 2009 CD Erubescent Nights by the contemporary composer Danny Gray.
Dana attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and resides in South Salem,
New York.
David Scott
Trumpet/Piano Instructor
Dave Scott is an award-winning musician who has toured with some ot the
greatest jazz artists in the world, including the Clark Terry Big Band, Bobby
Shew, Bob Sheppard, Vinny Golia, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder and Joe
LaBarbera. He has twenty years of teaching experience and is on the jazz faculty
at Western Connecticut State University, where he instructs jazz majors in
improvisation and coaches combos.
Christopher Smalley
drama instructor
Christopher Smalley received his BA in Dance and Theater from Manhattanville
College. He was certified in stage combat by Fight Director's Canada and
received further stage combat training at the National Theater Institute and at
the St. Petersburg Academy for the Performing Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Chris spent four summers teaching theater at the Foote School in New Haven,
CT, and in 2007 was a senior faculty member at the Enchanted Garden
Conservatory's Shakespeare Summer Institute.
Audition & Screen Acting Intensive (Ages 9-18)
Gabriela Stastny
Violin/Music FUNdamentals Instructor
Gabriela Stastny, a graduate of the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School
of Music at Bloomington, earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance,
studied violin pedagogy with Mimi Zweig, and taught in Zweig's internationally
renowned String Academy -- the program that introduced the violin to Joshua
Bell and other violin greats. Newly relocated from Miami, where she served as
Concertmaster of the Walenstein Symphony Orchestra, Stastny is teaching
students of all ages and proficiency levels in Westchester and Fairfield counties.
Clista Townsend
Director, Shakespeare Summer Institute
Clista Townsend -- actor, playwright, director, educator -- has performed in
numerous Shakespeare theaters and festivals across Amercia. She is a founding
member of the Arcadia Shakespeare Festival, Novel Stages in Philadelphia and
Ark Theatre in Los Angeles. She has worked as an actor and director for several
regional theaters, as well as for television and film. She holds an MFA in Acting
from Southern Methodist University with further training from Jacques Lecoq,
Carlo Mazzone-Clementi and Philippe Gaulier in Commedia, Clown, Mask and
Physical Theatre techniques. She currently teaches at S.U.N.Y. Purchase, Hunter
College, Manhattanville College, and Trinity College. As an educator she seeks to
"immerse students in a culture where people are kind to and care about each
other, where hard work matters and good character means even more -- where
they can come to know themselves as part of something greater than
themselves."
Audition & Screen Acting Intensive (Ages 9-18)
Diana Vogel
Voice Instructor
An energetic and upbeat voice instructor, Diana has been singing since the age
of five. She is able to teach a variety of styles including pop, rock, musical
theater, and classical. She has had experience teaching music to all ages and
abilities in schools around CT, including leading choir and helping with the
musical productions at local high schools. Diana holds both a Bachelors and a
Masters degree in music education from Western Connecticut State University,
where voice was her intrument of study. She currently teaches music at
Whisconier Middle School, Brookfield, CT. Music is her passion and she would
love to share her enthusiasm for music with others!
Nicole Whitaker
Breakdance Instructor
Nicole is a top-rated national competitive breakdancer.
Advanced Breakdance (Grades 6-12)
Summer Breakdance Intensive Workshops (Ages 8 through Teens)
Summer Breakdance Weekly Classes (Grades K-5)
Summer Girls Hip hop Weekly Classes (Grades K-5)