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- Acting
- Art of Photography
- Contemporary/Modern Dance
- Creative Writing
- Musical Theatre
- Theatre Arts
- Visual Arts Anime/Manga
- Visual Arts Drawing & Painting
- Visual Arts Sculpture
- Vocal Music
- Vocal Music- Broadway
Alfred Dudley III
Visual Arts
Alfred Roosevelt Dudley IIIÂ graduated with a BFA from The Cooper Union in 2018 while receiving the Vincent J. Mielcarek Jr. Award for Photography, and upon graduation; the Irma Giustino Weiss Prize as well as the Service to the School Award.
They recently graduated with an MFA from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of Art.
Their work facilitates a conversation between illustrated poetry and interpersonal photography, with heavy influences from contemporary manga, painting, and intersectional literature.Â
Alison 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 School District, expanding the course of a 32 year long career, tutored students in college portfolio development, and illustrated several children’s books.
ALLAN ROBINSON
Vocal Music-Broadway
Middlesex County College: Music Faculty/ music theory, music history, and keyboard studies. Organist and choral conductor for organizations in Red Bank and Livingston, Teaching Artist for Middlesex and Monmouth Counties Arts and Education Program. Choral Adjudicator for Teen Arts Festival of NJ, Education: B.Mus., Westminster Choir College, Princeton; M.Mus., Rutgers University.; D.M.A. Boston University (School of Fine Arts).
Andrea Phox
Art of Photography
Andrea is an artist , Master Photographer and Craftsman at the Jersey Shore. She opened her photography studio in 2005 after 20 plus years working as an IATSE Local 600 Union Camera Assistant in NYC'S Motion Picture Industry. Today she has a thriving business specializing in portraits, commercial and she leads travel photography workshops in NYC and Cuba. For more information and to look at her work go to www.andreaphox.com
Audrey Griffin
VISUAL ARTS ANIME/MANGA
Audrey is a lifelong anime lover, with their first dip into the genre being Robo Tech and Kiki's Delivery service to their most recent feat; finally starting One Piece. Audrey has been an artist their entire life, but they have been doing it professionally for the past few years, writing comics to be turned into graphic novels, designing characters for TTRPG enthusiasts, teaching teens to find their style and painting commissions of people's pets. So, they have been around some of the art scene and are eager to share their knowledge with others.
In this class the student's will help design the curriculum, improve their art skills, make connections with other artists in class, learn how certain facets of the art industry function, get real world practice working on a project in a group setting as well as working alone to complete a project, and finally, set up a gallery of their finished works for the public.
Audrey's number one goal for their students is that they walk away from this course more confident in their art style, storytelling abilities, and how to form long lasting connections with fellow artist.
BARBARA BLUMENTHAL
Musical Theatre
Directing adult & children’s theater productions for 35 years.  Founder and Director of NJ Footlights Drama Workshop, conducts Theater Arts & Teacher-Training Workshops in NJ & NY.
Education: BA Theater Arts, Rutgers University.
CHRIS TOMAINO
Theatre Arts
Professional actor, director & educator for 32 years, with over 60 productions to his credit. Mr. Tomaino has been happily involved with The Mottola Theater Project for the past 20 years, in addition to multiple theater companies in both New York City and regionally. Mr. Tomaino teaches a variety of performance-based classes at Brookdale Community College. The County College of Morris and The Count Basie Theater’s Performing Arts Academy, where he also teaches professional workshops for teachers and other teaching professionals. He has been a proud member of AEA for the past 26 years. Mr. Tomaino holds a BA in Communications from Monmouth University and an MFA in Acting from Indiana University
Christine Myshka
Visual Arts
Christine Myshka`s artistic journey began as a child, crayons in hand, drawing characters from her favorite cartoon, “The Superfriends Justice League.” Along with drawing cartoon characters, Christine credits the vivid writings of Edger Allen Poe as her childhood inspiration to become an illustrator. Using these inspirations to create artworks, Christine pours all her creative energy into working in the visual arts; from illustration, to fine art and murals. Blank surfaces and spaces all call out to be “transformed” by having art made for them and on them -- and Christine loves to make that transformation happen! Christine has been working professionally for over 30 years. In carving out a career in the visual arts, she has done illustration, logo designs, architectural portraits, fine art, murals, and painted furniture. Some of her clients include Davis Publishing, Ideal Graphics Inc., T`Leon Advertising, The Home New & Tribune, Suburban Golf Club, Arcola Country Club, Rockaway River Country Club, EJ`s Bar and Grille, Vitale General Contracting, John Kling Custom Homes as well as numerous commissions for private clients. As part of her art training, Christine attended Parsons School of Design earning a BFA in Illustration. She continued her studies at Parsons in Paris; Du Cret School of Art, Grand Rapids CC; painting and drawing summer program in Greece, and Creativity Workshop in Prague, Czech Republic.
Conrad 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 Mexico, an improv comedy troupe in Manhattan, and a Polynesian band on Emeril Lagasse's TV show. Conrad has written and performed original songs at the Triad Theater, and his recorded piano improvisations were used to accompany an Off-Broadway play. He's played private functions for Lachlan Murdoch, Simon and Schuster, Bette Midler, and the late Michael Chrichton, and Conrad has also been in shows featuring Jackie Mason and Jim Gaffigan.
DAVID DZIEMIAN
Visual Arts
A lifelong artist and resident of NJ, Dave Dziemian was a four-year Teen Arts participant in the late 1980’s and early 90’s. He received his undergraduate degree from Stockton University in 1996 and his MFA in Painting from Montclair University in 2004. Dave received the Painting Assistantship while at Montclair University and immediately upon graduating taught several painting classes at the school. Since 2005 Dave has been an adjunct professor at Brookdale Community College teaching drawing, painting, and other art classes, including watercolor. Since 2014 Dave has been a visual arts instructor for Arts High, teaching both HS and MS classes in Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean, and now Union counties. In addition to this, Dave also teaches privately and is a full-time artist who works in a variety of 2-dimensional media, including but not limited to watercolor, oil paint, acrylic paint, inks, and colored pencils. His work has been described and “hyperreal with a surrealistic bend to it”. Dave has served previously several times as both an adjudicator and demonstrating artist for Teens Arts
DAVID SCHLOSSBERG
Musical Theatre
Pianist, composer, and arranger from Monroe, NJ. He has spent his professional life accompanying many vocalists, instrumentalists, and choirs around New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Dave’s new solo piano CD, A Place Beyond Words, won a Silver Medal from the Global Music Awards, and his choral compositions have also garnered recognition. He frequently presents programs and concerts for synagogues, libraries, and community events around the area. More information on Dave can be found at www.daveschlossberg.com
Eddie Stockton
Dance
Eddie Stockton (LaG 1991) was a 15 year instructor at The (Alvin) Ailey School where he taught Jazz and House. He is a regular guest artist in Germany (Tanzprojekt), Italy (La Luna Dance Center) and Spain Luthier/Isabel Porcar). Formerly a member of (NJ) Center Dance Collective, Philadanco, Nai-ni Chen Dance Co. and others, Eddie has worked with many notable choreographers such as Milton Myers, Ron Brown, Dwight Rhoden, Fred Benjamin, Sharon Wong, Bill T. Jones, George Faison, Nathan Trice, to name a few. Eddie has recently returned to the states after a 3 year period in Dubai where he developed the Urban Contemporary program for Studio Republik. He is currently working as performer and Education Director with Bodystories (NYC) and developing his own brand DAFCO.
Erin 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 Season 3 on Hulu) or Crayola’s YouTube channel, she’s painting model trains or working on 3D models and traditional concept art for video game development. Erin has also illustrated several published children's books, one of which she wrote.
For many years, she has been passionate about working with special needs children and adults of all ages, encouraging creative self-expression and exploring special interests.
I'm looking forward to seeing what we can create together!
EVEREST ADLERMAN
Visual Arts Anime/Manga
A cartoonist and illustrator, Everest uses their work to explore absurdity, storytelling, and surrealism. Ev's professional career started at The Imaginate, a literary magazine to which they contributed both illustration and graphic design services. Everest continued their design work in corporate settings for several years before shifting to independent work with a stronger focus on illustration, although their design philosophy still comes through in their preference for striking, easy-to-parse artwork. A sampling of their work is visible online at www.evcreates.com.
Kat Reese
Dance
Kat Reese is a dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist working in the New York City and New Jersey areas. Kat has toured nationally as a professional modern dancer, and has taught a vast range of students including K-12 students, college dance majors, and adults. Kat is currently a member of The Equus Projects, an improvisational modern dance company directed by JoAnna Mendl Shaw. She has danced for companies and choreographers including Brit Falcon, Monteleone Dance, the Kennedy Dancers, and Donnell Oakley. Kat has also presented her own choreography in venues throughout NYC. Her work and thoughts have been featured in articles, books, film, on television, and on podcasts. Kat received her BFA in dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.
Kerrianne Spellman
Vocal Music-Broadway
A professional actress, writer, director and teacher with over 30 years in the business. She was in three companies of Les Miserables, including Broadway, The First National and Canadian Tours where she played the role of Fantine over 100 times. She starred in the OBIE award winning “The Cover of Life” at the American Place Theatre directed by Oscar Nominee Pete Masterson and has played featured roles on Law and Order, Sex and the City, Another World, Guiding Light, As the World Turns and most recently, the CBS Hit, God Friended Me. Kerrianne starred in the staged readings of “Welcome to Camelot” and “A Brooklyn Christmas” at the Garden State Film festival, featuring many A list actors from “The Sopranos” and many others. This past November, her Successful Acapella Class from The Music and Art Academy in Matawan was selected to perform at Radio City during the Christmas Spectacular. Kerrianne continues to do commercials and voiceovers in NYC and has been teaching acting and singing for the last 20 years.
LISA A. ILARIA
Creative Writing
MA Graduate of Kean University. Writing and Literature Instructor at Ocean County College and Brookdale Community College. Thirty+ years teaching all levels of English and Writing at middle and high school levels. Private tutor. Freelance proofreading and editing of short stories, novels, business plans, research papers, etc. Author of personal stories and memoirs.
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 artistic scholarships for her excellence in performance, research, and contributions to the field.
Classically trained through the Royal Academy of Dance with distinctions across numerous levels, Madeline’s background integrates RAD, Balanchine, Cecchetti, and Vaganova methodologies. Her contemporary and modern training spans Horton, Limón, Graham, Cunningham, and Humphrey techniques, giving her a well-rounded, historically informed approach to movement education.
Madeline’s performance work includes appearances at Dance West Fest, the American College Dance Association, and various guest artist and faculty concerts at Georgian Court University. Her choreographic research and installation work have been presented internationally, including at the University of Roehampton and at the Black Mountain College Museum’s {Re}Happening Exhibition.
Madeline currently teaches at Georgian Court University, Monmouth University, and in K–8 educational settings, working with dancers in collegiate, pre-professional, and youth programs.
She has taught extensively throughout New Jersey and the United Kingdom, including l holding long-standing positions across numerous dance studios. Her teaching experience spans ballet, contemporary, lyrical, pointe, improvisation, and choreographic methods, and includes specialized work with dancers with physical and developmental disabilities.
Grounded in inclusivity, somatic awareness, and the belief that every dancer has a unique artistic voice, Madeline’s teaching emphasizes both rigor and exploration. She is committed to creating learning environments where students can develop strong technical foundations while cultivating their individual creative identities. Madeline is honored to bring her passion for dance education, research, and community-centered artistry to the Middlesex County College Dance Program.
Malena 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 First Place at the NATS Competition (2015), Outstanding Performer of the Year in Texas (2016), and finalist in the Jerusalem Opera Program (2018). She was also a semifinalist in the Orpheus Vocal Competition, earning a scholarship to AIMS in Austria.
Malena founded the first opera company in Bolivar, Venezuela, promoting classical music among youth. She has performed for audiences as large as 24,000 and continues to inspire through performance and education.
Her recent roles including Susanna, Zerlina, Gilda, Pamina, Fiordiligi, Sophie, Lauretta, Norina, and Musetta. She has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the National Opera Center (NY), and internationally in Israel, Austria, Cuba, and Venezuela.
She teaches voice at her studio “It’s Music,” performs annually for charity in New Jersey, and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian. Malena also plays piano and conducts choirs with proficiency.
MARK ROMANOSKI
Visual Arts
Born and raised in North Plainfield, New Jersey, Mark always had a passion for art. Early on in life, comic books, fantasy, and superheroes particularly caught his eye. He studied commercial art at St. John’s University in New York, and later transferred to Kean University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts for Illustration. Hard work and perseverance have earned Mark the opportunity to create art for DC Comics, Marvel, Warner Brothers Studios, The WWE, Harry Potter, Magic the Gathering and World of Warcraft, to name a few. As Mark’s career grew so did his artistic aspirations. He has become an accomplished portrait artist and muralist. In 2007 he did an altarpiece for Saint Joseph Church in NJ. He has painted two murals in the Federal Courthouse in Newark, New Jersey, a mural in the Time Warner building in New York, and an original painting in the WWE building. His triple self-portrait of the Joker, “Rockwell’s Joke,” is owned by Michael Uslan, Executive Producer of the Batman movie “Franchise” Mark still resides in his hometown of North Plainfield and is an instructor at the duCret School of Art and an adjunct professor working in the design and fine departments of Kean University. In addition to teaching, Romanoski stays busy with a variety of commissioned work.
Melanie 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 the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Melanie’s diverse operatic roles include Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, Kupava in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Snegurochka, Danica in Missy Mazzoli’s The Listener’s, and Spring Fairy in Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. Melanie is an active recitalist in the Manhattan & New Jersey area, where she’s performed many works from aria excerpts to art songs, ranging from bel canto through contemporary. Melanie’s repertoire ranges from Handel to Verdi, as well as brand new opera and workshopping with modern composers like world renowned composer Missy Mazzoli. Melanie has performed Berlioz’s Lelio with the NJ Symphony and has performed across Europe and the US.
Michele 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 mentors’ students throughout the creative writing process.
Michele holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and an MS in Education from Hofstra University.
She lives in New Jersey with her husband, three almost-out-of-the-nest kids, and two adorably evil kittens.
MIMI CROSS
Creative Writing
Born in Toronto, Canada, Mimi Cross is an author and songwriter who grew up in New Jersey. She received a Bachelor of Music from Ithaca College, where she became editor of the literary arts magazine, and an MA from NYU.
Her first two novels Before Goodbye and Shining Sea are published by Skyscape.
Learn more at mimicross.com.
Noelle LiVolsi
VISUAL ARTS
Noelle LiVolsi is an illustrator, muralist, and graphic designer based on the Jersey Shore. After a childhood of drawing backyard bugs with boxes of markers, she honed her skills as an illustrator at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She has been a professional freelance artist for the past five years, continuing to experiment and create pieces in a wide range of media. Noelle's usage of bold shapes, movement, and vibrant colors bring a sharp but playful feel to her work. Her art adorns the walls, apparel, and packaging of restaurants and cafes along the New Jersey coast, for individuals, local businesses, and international companies alike. Her keen eye for movement and composition helps her make appetizing art for food, beverage, and entertainment businesses. Noelle's love of her local community is on display in advertisements, posters, and logos for events throughout New York and New Jersey. When she is not making art, she can be found exploring the outdoors, going to concerts, and hosting board game nights.
Rob 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 Association of New Jersey (PPANJ), Rob continues to contribute to the growth of the photographic community.
His work is known for its strong compositional eye and attention to detail, reflecting his deep expertise in both design and photography.
ROBYN TRIMBOLI-RUSSO
Visual Arts Sculpture
Artist, designer, and teacher. Illustrator & designer at Gannett newspapers & various publications for 20 yrs., winning several awards for design & illustration. Later returned to her love of painting & drawing, opening Metuchen Creative Studio, an art instruction studio for adults & children. Her paintings and sculptures have been exhibited at Metuchen Artfest, Windows of Understanding, and Medford Arts. Education: School of Visual Arts, NYC
Samantha 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 Hollins University, where she continued exploring contemporary movement, dance activism, and choreography. Samantha began working for a global dance franchise choreographing, producing, composing, and creating curricula for children ages 2 to 12 to be integrated into academic learning environments. She made a total of 7 movement programs that are currently being taught in 32 states and 17 countries to date. Samantha continued this work while accepting a position as the dance co-director for Garrison School for the Arts in Savannah, GA. There, she taught ballet, modern, and improvisation courses during the school year and spent the summers choreographing for Southwest Virginia Ballet Company in Roanoke, Virginia. Samantha has recently relocated to New Jersey where she is pursuing her M.A. in Arts Administration, and is excited to work with the fantastic dancers at TeenArts.
Sarah Van Clef
Prose & Poetry/Creative Writing
Sarah Van Clef  is a poet and memoirist from South Amboy, New Jersey. Her lyrical essays and poems have been featured in the Local Gems NJ Bards Literary Anthology, SoupCan Magazine, Philadelphia Stories, The Monmouth Review, and others. She holds both an M.A in English Writing Studies and an M.F.A in Creative Writing with a concentration in creative nonfiction from Monmouth University. She is currently the Reviews Editor for Philadelphia Stories, a literary magazine that celebrates artists and writers within the Philly area and surrounding communities. Sarah's other passion is community. Because of this, she created The Social Writerly, an online creative community that supports writers and artists. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of English at Monmouth University, Brookdale Community College, and Middlesex College. When Sarah is not teaching or writing, you can most likely find her walking along the beaches of the Jersey Shore, watching the NY Rangers, or singing in her band, The Cellar Dwellers.Â
Teresa Fellion
Modern Dance
Artistic Director of BodyStories: Teresa Fellion Dance, Teresa has shown choreography at Baryshnikov Arts Center, Public Theater, Danspace Project, ENTPE University (France), Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ailey Citigroup Theater, Bryant Park Summer Stage, Gibney Dance Center, NY City Center, 92nd St. Y, and in concerts with Phish. Teresa has received Choreographic Fellowship from SummerStages Dance Festival/ICA Boston and American Dance Guild Fellowship for Jacob’s Pillow’s Choreographers’ Lab, grants from National Endowment for the Arts Window Award, O’Donnell Green Foundation for Music & Dance, LMCC, Peg Santvoord Foundation, Brooklyn Arts Council, NY Community Trust. Teresa has taught and/or been commissioned to set work at UF Gainesville, NYU, Pace, Castleton State, UME Farmington, Jacob’s Pillow, Wilson College, Ailey School, Sarah Lawrence College, DreamYard Project, and is faculty member and director of the Summer Dance Program at Ross School. She was the director of the dance department at StudioRepublik conservatory in Dubai. Teresa has performed for National Ballet du Cameroun, Lucinda Childs, Sarah Skaggs, Kimberly Young, M’Bewe Escobar, Skip Costa, and Martha Bowers, and works by Twyla Tharp, Deganit Shemy, Liz Lerman, and Megan Boyd. Under scholarships, Teresa completed a Dance MFA from Sarah Lawrence, Certificate from Ailey School, and BA in French & English Literature, with a minor in dance from NYU.
Trish 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 career has taken her from stage management to professional baseball.  She is currently an Atelierista.
Trish is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory and has performed at the Philly Fringe Festival, Chicago SketchFest and the TBS Just for Laughs Festival, bringing her love of improv, sketch and stand-up comedy to audiences. She is an active member of ComedySportz, both as a performer and instructor, with a passion for teaching improv, sketch writing, and stand-up to teens and adults alike.
She is a former apprentice at prestigious institutions like the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and her teaching approach blends creativity, history, and humor to engage and inspire students. Trish continues to pitch and develop innovative workshops, such as her “Intro to Stand-Up Comedy” and “Character Creation” classes, aimed at cultivating new performers.
With experience in photography and a deep love for storytelling, Trish is also exploring opportunities as a lifestyle writer and brand ambassador. She brings a unique blend of humor, history, and heart to everything she does.