Faculty
Madeline Yahr
Modern Dance Madeline Yahr is a dancer, choreographer, and educator dedicated to cultivating technical proficiency, artistic curiosity, and creative confidence in dancers of all levels. She holds an MFA in Choreography from the University of Roehampton in London and a BA in Dance from Georgian Court University, where she was recognized with multiple academic and…
Read MoreAlison Paolello
VISUAL ARTS-DRAWING AND PAINTING Alison Paolello attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, earning a degree in Marketing Art & Design. Paolello worked as a graphic designer at the Home News Tribune for several years before pursuing a degree in Art Education at Monmouth University. After earning her teaching certificate, she taught at Edison…
Read MoreMalena Towers
VOCAL MUSIC-BROADWAY Malena Towers is an award-winning soprano with a Master’s in Voice Performance from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s from the High Institute of Arts in Havana, Cuba. She has performed opera, zarzuela, and classical concerts across the U.S. and internationally in Austria, Israel, Spain, Ecuador, Cuba, and Venezuela. Her accolades include…
Read MoreConrad Erdt
VOCAL MUSIC Conrad Erdt has accompanied a Who’s Who of noted musicians, Broadway performers, and film actors in venues including Weill Recital Hall, Upstairs @ the Duplex, the 55 Bar, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and the NJPAC Victoria Theater, just to name a few. Some eclectic highlights include performing with a ranchero band in New…
Read MoreMelanie Hope Long
VOCAL MUSIC Praised by Opera News for her “bright, vivacious” and “particularly promising young voice” soprano voice, New York City-based soprano Melanie Hope Long is a promising, emerging talent in the operatic world today. Ms. Long attended Mannes School of Music and received a master’s in music, and holds a Bachelor’s of Music Degree from…
Read MoreMichele Prestininzi
CREATIVE WRITING Michele Prestininzi is a writer and educator with a specialization in children’s literature. She writes middle-grade novels and is actively involved in the nonprofit organization Project Write Now, where she teaches Kidlit classes, facilitates Book Revision classes, and contributes journal posts for book inc. Additionally, she runs a critique group for writers and…
Read MoreErin Duggans
VISUAL ARTS DRAWING & PAINTING Erin is a graduate of the Philadelphia University of the Arts with a BFA in Animation and a graduate of Luzerne County Community College with an associate’s degree in graphic design. When she’s not animating for streaming animated series ( Harriet the Spy on Apple TV, Kulipari: Army of Frogs…
Read MoreSamantha Patterson
MODERN DANCE Samantha Patterson began dancing in Greenville, South Carolina, at the Fine Arts Center. There, she was introduced to Modern Dance and was cast in choreographies by Lar Lubovitch Dance Company members, Shen Wei Dance Arts, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and the Big Red Dance Project. She graduated with a B.A. in Dance from…
Read MoreRob Horvath
Art of Photography Rob Horvath is a certified professional photographer specializing in on-location and studio portraits in central New Jersey. He is the owner of Greyshore Studios and has over 30 years of experience as a graphic and web designer, which enhances his distinctive approach to photography. Recently nominated as President of the Professional Photographers…
Read MoreTrish Tyler
Theater Arts Trish Tyler is a multifaceted performer, educator, and writer with a diverse background in comedy, theater, and public history. She holds a Bachelors in Theatre with a minor in Visual Art from Fordham University.  She has a master’s in American history from Rutgers University, as well as an MA in Comedic Writing. Her…
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