Usdan's faculty members are chosen for their dedication to the Center's purposes and objectives as well as for their professional accomplishments and experience.
2011 Season, Partial Listing:
Dale Lewis | Executive Director
B.Mus., M.A. Graduate, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. Former cellist, The Alberg Trio. Founder and former Director, The Center for Chamber Music, Greenwich, CT. Former faculty, Mount Pleasant Schools, College of New Rochelle.
Lorraine Angeletti | Painting, Art Adventure
B.A., Long Island University, M.A., SUNY Stony Brook. Professional Development Coordinator, SCALA. Art Teacher, Middle Country Central School District.
Patrick Armann | Percussion
B.M., Boston Conservatory, M.M. and D.M.A., SUNY Stony Brook. Performances with Atlantic Philharmonic, Long Island Symphonic Winds, New Music Consort, New Jersey Percussion Ensemble Bay Street Theater. Faculty, Sachem High School.
Eileen M. Benedict | Jr. Chorus, Discovery Chorus
M.S., Long Island University. Conductor, SCMEA and NMEA Festivals, SUNY Stony Brook Community Music. Former faculty, Connetquot Schools.
James Beneduce | Theater
M.F.A., University of Delaware. Professional actor. Member of Actor's Equity. Television, Regional Theater, and Shakespeare Festivals. Faculty, New York Film Academy, York College, Suffolk Community College, Dowling College, The Shakespeare Center, Colorado Shakespeare Festival.
Ivy Michelle Berg | Painting
B.S., University of Massachusetts. Painter, and digital artist and animator specializing in character illustration, portraiture, and nature art. Faculty, Smithtown Schools.
Warren Bloom | Theater
B.A., Brandeis, M.M., University of Miami, M.A., CUNY Hunter. Composer in BMI Musical Theater Workshop. Musical Director and Arranger, Minimum Wage at Fringe Festival, NY and Off-Broadway. Faculty, NYC Schools.
Michael Blutman | Trumpet
B.M., University of Maryland, M.M., Juilliard. Performances with National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, American Symphony, Orchestra of St. Lukes, Sting, Ben Folds, Jon Batiste.
Jim Brannigan | Theater
B.A., Hofstra University, M.A., Brooklyn College. Member, Actor's Equity. Faculty, Smithtown Schools.
Hillary Broder | Painting
B.F.A., Rhode Island School of Design, M.A., Adelphi University. Faculty, Rockville Centre Schools.
Lani King Chang | Violin
B.M., San Francisco Conservatory, M.M., New England Conservatory. Prize winner Coleman National Chamber Music Competition. Former violinist, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Apollo Chamber Orchestra (London.) Faculty, Hoff-Barthelson Music School.
Elina Chekan | Folk Guitar
Graduate, Belarus Academy, M.M., Yale University. Director of Guitar Pre-College Division, University of Wisconsin. Former artist-in-residence, The Bloomingdale House of Music.
Marissa Connolly | Viola
B.M., Crane School of Music, M.M., CUNY Brooklyn. Faculty, The Corlears School, North Shore Hebrew Academy.
Nancy Costa | Painting
B.F.A., SUNY New Paltz, M.S., Hofstra University. Faculty, Levittown Schools.
Kerry Mara Cox | Ballet
Principal dancer, St. Louis Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Guest artist, Central Oklahoma City Ballet. Principal roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Serenade, The Nutcracker.
Maurice Brandon Curry | Chair, Dance Department
Former dancer, New York City Ballet. Former Director of Educational Programs, Joffrey Ballet School. Director and choreographer for international dance companies, and for Broadway, television,award shows, and film, including direction and/or choreography for Diana Ross, Prince, Coldplay.
Jessica Delia | Modern Dance
B.A., SUNY Purchase. Danced with Graham II and Pearl Lang Dance Theatre. Faculty, Martha Graham School.
A. Bradford De Milo | Director of Junior Bands; French Horn
B.S., Hofstra, M.A., Professional Diploma, LI University. Performances with LI Brass Guild, Concert Pops of LI, Atlantic Wind Symphony, Lehman Woodwind Quintet. Music Director, Village Pops of Farmingdale. Faculty, Adelphi University.
David Dolgon | Clarinet
B.S., M.A., NYU. Clinician, SmartMusic and Finale. Performer, Atlantic Wind Symphony, Concert Pops of Long Island, Lehman College Band. Former faculty, Syosset Schools.
Thomas Donnarumma | Drama
B.F.A., City College, M.F.A., Brooklyn College. Director of Usdan productions including: Ladies of the Jury, Henry IV, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Othello, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Antigone.
Jacqueline Dubarry | Sculpture
B.F.A., School of Visual Arts, M.A., Queens College. Faculty, Middle Country Schools.
Les Dweir | Theater
Artistic Director, Theatre Arts In Education. Musical Director, Next Stage Theater in Denver, Colorado. Faculty, Silver Creek High School.
Jeff Edmond | Jazz and Tap
B.A., Lehman College. Faculty, STEPS on Broadway. Choreographer, Reel to Real at Lincoln Center. Author: The Freakout Zone.
Steve Finkelstein | Nature, Ecology & Design
B.S., Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, M.S., Environmental and Interpretive Design, George Williams College. Park ranger, naturalist, environmental education consultant. Faculty, The Wheatley School.
Lawrence Foglia | Nature, Ecology & Design
M.S., Natural Resources and Environmental Education, The Ohio State University; Certificate, Tufts University's Environmental Leadership Training Institute. Founding board member, Darrow Foundation for Wilderness Education. Owner and Managing Director, Fox Hollow Farm, Inc.
Laura Forrest | Ceramics
B.F.A., LI University. Additional studies, Columbia, Alfred, The New School. Faculty, Art League of LI.
Marianne Freeman | Director of Swimming
Former all-American college swimmer. B.S., Slippery Rock State, M.A., Adelphi University. Water Safety Instructor, Varsity Swim coach, Boys' Varsity Tennis Coach, and Health faculty: St. John the Baptist HS.
Elaine Gates | Discovery Music
B.S., NYU, M.A. SUNY New Paltz. Founder and Conductor, N.Y.U. Children's Chorus. Former Director of Undergraduate Music Education at NYU, and faculty, Huntington Schools. Faculty, Long Island University.
Rachel Geier | Art Adventure, Introduction to Studio Art
B.A., Queens College. Faculty, Nassau BOCES, North Bellmore, and Jericho School Districts.
Andrew Giammalvo | Jazz Ensemble, Assistant Dean of Students
B.M.E., Bradley University; M.A., LI University. SCMEA Jazz Day Coordinator. Performances with Dave Liebman, Ann Hampton Calloway, Sam Butera, and Vic Damone. Faculty, Sayville Schools.
Adam Glaser | Orchestra
B.A., University of Pennsylvania; M.M., University of Michigan; Artist Diploma, Curtis Institute of Music. International conductor and composer. Conductor, Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra.
Daniel W. Gosnell | Photography, Life Drawing
B.F.A., SUNY Purchase; M.F.A., Brooklyn College. Faculty, Southold High School.
Max Gottfried | Painting
B.F.A., Pratt Institute. Exhibits: St. James Gallery, Freeport Memorial Library, Coffee Nut Gallery, Firehouse Gallery. Faculty, Nassau Community College, Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, Rambam Mesiv'ta High School.
Edna Debeer Gruvman | Discovery
B.A., Empire State College; M.S. Dance Movement Therapy, Hunter College. Ballet and yoga teacher.
Heather Heckel | Cartooning
School of Visual Arts; B.F.A., Ringling College of Art and Design. Production artist, Team Edition Apparel. Illustrator of children's books.
Todd Hiscox | Painting, Discovery Art
B.F.A., Syracuse, M.A., Purdue. Faculty, Huntington Schools.
Nancy Hochman | Creative Writing
B.A., M.S., Queens College. Essays and articles published in The New York Times, Newsday, Chabadwoman.com. Author: One Small Deed Can Change the World. Faculty, New York City Schools.
Erica Holz | Theatre
B.F.A., SUNY Purchase. Equity Stage Manager and Floor Director, Bloomberg News.
James Incorvaia | Chair, Theater Arts
B.A., M.S., Hofstra University, M.F.A., Columbia University. Director: Lovers and Other Strangers, King Lear. Performances: My Fair Lady, Oliver, Once in Wonder, Antigone, Fiorello, Guys and Dolls, Zorba. Faculty, Harborfields Schools.
Rene Izquierdo | Classical Guitar
M.M. Artist Diploma, Yale University School of Music. Soloist and chamber musician. Faculty, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Jacqueline Jahn | Organic Gardening
B.S., University of Scranton. Apprenticeship, Charlestown Cooperative Farm. Faculty, Freeport Schools.
William Jones | Swim Recreation
B.A., University of Dayton. Faculty, Eastern Suffolk BOCES.
Brian Karen | Chess
M.S.W., Fordham University. Ranked in the top 3% of tournament chess players worldwide. Member, US Chess Federation Scholastic Committee. USCF tournament director.
Sibel Kececioglu | Painting and Drawing
B.A., Queens College. Faculty, New York City schools.
Anne Kelly | Ballet
Studies at School of American Ballet. B.A., Barnard College, Columbia University. Dancer with New York City Opera. Faculty, Ballet Academy East.
Sherry Kfare | Theater Costume
B.A., Pace University, M.A., Brooklyn College. Staff costumer, The Stage Theater. Faculty, Five Towns College.
Charles Kirby | Theater
B.F.A., Syracuse University, M.F.A., New York University. Set and lighting designer, technical director, inventor of LIGHTBOX teaching tool. Faculty, Collegiate School.
Alina Kiryayeva | Piano
B.A., M.A., The Juilliard School. Recitalist, teacher, and collaborative artist. Soloist with Kharkov State Philharmonic, State Opera Theater Orchestra, Imperial Valley Symphony Orchestra, New York Symphonic Ensemble Orchestra.
Aaron Korn | French Horn
B.M., Manhattan School of Music, M.M., Yale School of Music. Member, Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, Allentown Symphony Orchestra.
David Lake | Tennis
B.A., SUNY Old Westbury, M.A., Queens College. Tennis pro, Waterside Racquet Club. Faculty, East Islip Schools.
Tracey Lander-Garrett | Creative Writing
M.F.A., Brooklyn College. Works published in Long River Review, Brooklyn Review, Mid-America Petry Review.
Susan Lehr | Cello
B.M., Music, M.M., New England Conservatory. Performer, Symphony of Long Island, American Chamber Ensemble, Minnewaska Chamber Music Society, Classical Strings. Former Director of Orchestras, Waldorf School.
Karen Lehman | Senior Chorus
B.S., Hofstra University, M.M., Manhattan School of Music. Solo performances at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall. Faculty, Sayville Schools.
Sharon Livardo | Dance
B.F.A., Montclair State University, Ph.D., Seton Hall University. Performer, Metropolitan Opera's The Magic Flute, Alice Farley Dance Theater, Disney's Enchanted.
Dorothy A. Macgregor | Painting, Ceramics
B.A., M.A., Adelphi. Ph.D., Capella University. Faculty, Amityville Schools.
Derek Mainhart | Painting, Portfolio Preparation Track
M.F.A., School of Visual Arts. Published illustrator and cartoonist. Faculty, Deer Park High School.
Michelle Mallardi | Theater
Studies at Marymount Manhattan College. Performed in leading roles on Broadway, National, and European tours, Regional theaters. Carbonell award nominee, Radio City Music Hall. Faculty, CW Post College.
Melissa Manzione | Photography
B.A., Long Island University. M.A., Stony Brook University. Faculty, Glen Cove Schools.
Amanda Marino | Painting
B.S., SUNY Buffalo, M.A., Long Island University. Faculty, Garden City Schools.
Cindy Mcglynn | Nature Ecology & Design
B.S.E., SUNY Cortland, M.S. in Environmental Education, SUNY Stony Brook. Faculty, Goshen High School Earth & Environmental. Nature interpreter and environmental consultant.
Thea Monier-Williams | Ceramics
B.F.A., SUNY Purchase, M.F.A., Queens College. Community and outdoor artist. Designer of Public Art Installation Project, Governor's Island.
Rochelle Morgan | Chair, Art Department
B.A., Queens College, M.S., M.F.A., Long Island University, M.S., College of New Rochelle. Faculty, Plainview-Old Bethpage Schools.
Dena L. Mortell | Photography
M.A., Long Island University. Art Director and Graphic Designer.
Kageki Nagao | Double Bass/Chamber Music
B.M., M.M., The Julliard School. D.M.A., SUNY Stony Brook. Performances with Westchester Symphony, Jupiter Symphony, Berkshire Opera, Utah Festival Opera. Faculty, Long Island Lutheran High School.
Annie Pasqua | Theater
B.S., NYU, M.M., Queens College. Composer of Tess, A New Rock Opera, a NYMF Next Like Selection. Off- Broadway Musical Director/Pianist/Arranger. Former staff producer, WLIW/21. Faculty, Great Neck Arts Center.
Christina Pawl | Theatre Choreographer
B.F.A., Texas Christian University. Broadway performances in Cabaret, Meet Me in St. Louis, South Pacific. Regional: Cabaret at Engemann Theater. Appearances in regional theater, film and television.
Gary Piacentini | Theater
B.A., Hofstra University. Actor, television, cinema. Music director and entertainer.
Jeremy Quitko | Video Arts
B.F.A., Maryland Institute College of Art, M.A. C.W. Post. Shows work in local gallery shows. Faculty, East Hampton High School.
Elissa Reichstein | Chair, Discovery Program
B.F.A., Boston University, M.A., Adelphi University, M.A., Long Island University. Faculty, Half Hollow Hills Schools.
Christine Roepken | Art Adventure, Animation
B.F.A., School of Visual Arts. Freelance Animator, Illustrator, Computer Artist.
Tia Roper-Penn | Flute
B.Music, Manhattan School of Music, M.M., Boston University. D.M.A., Rutgers University. Performances with New York City Ballet, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Queens Symphony Orchestra. Faculty, Bloomingdale School of Music.
Tracie Max Sachs | Jewelry
B.F.A., Washington University, St. Louis, M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art. Metalsmith, Guggenheim Museum, Brooklyn Museum of Art.
Joel Salman | Chess
B.A., Johns Hopkins. Professional Chess Master. FIDE Master. USCF Life Master, National Master. Senior USCF Tournament Director. Bermuda National Team. Coach at FIDE World Youth Championships.
Mark Sandor | Video Arts
B.A., M.L.S., St. John's. M.A., NY Institute of Technology. CATV Paragon Cable Award, Telly Award. Faculty, Harrison High School
Scott Saperstein | Theater
M.F.A., UNC Chapel Hill. Performer in theater, film, and television.
Amy Schecher | Director of Student Leadership Programs
B.Mus., University of Delaware, M.M., SUNY Stony Brook. Performances, Stony Brook University Wind Ensemble. Music Department Chair and Band Director, Rocky Point Schools.
David Schecher | Director of Senior Bands, Dean of Students
B.A., Ithaca College, M.M., Stony Brook. Music Director, LI Brass Guild. Music Director and Conductor, Atlantic Wind Symphony. Faculty, Bayport/Blue Point Schools.
David A. Schecher | Discovery Chorus
B. Music, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam. Performed with The Camarata Singers, and Oberlin Conservatory's Oberlin in Italy opera programs. Faculty, Bay Shore Schools.
Michael Schwendemann | Theater
B.A., Queens College, M.F.A., University of Alabama. Faculty, Theater Arts Director, Huntington High School.
Andrew Segale | Saxophone
B. Music, New England Conservatory. Performances: Goldman Band, Symphony of LI, NY Virtuosi, Island Chamber Symphony, American Concert Band, Cy Coleman Orchestra, American Chamber Ensemble, Adolphe Saxquartette.
Lori Sklar | Photography
B.F.A., Art Center College of Design. M.S., LI University. Commercial and fine art photographer and teacher.
Francesca Smith | Piano
B. Music, M.M., Manhattan School of Music. Performances: Manhattan Trio, NBC Concert Festival. Former Faculty, Browning School, St. Paul's School (London).
Allison Solomon | Cartooning/Fashion Design
B.S., Cornell University, M.A., Teacher's College, Columbia University. Web cartoonist. Faculty, East Side Middle School.
Katya Stanislavskaya | Piano
M.M., Temple University, M.F.A., New York University. Musical director, composer, lyricist, and educator.
Katherine Stubbs | Recreation
B.A., M.A., Adelphi University. Faculty, St. Mel's School.
Valerie Sulzinski | Oboe, Chamber Music
B.F.A., SUNY Purchase; M.M., Queens College. Recitalist, studio oboist. Freelance musician with various chamber and orchestral groups. Faculty, LI University, Queens College, 5 Towns College.
David Surface | Creative Writing
Founder, WriteMind Workshop. Stories and essays published in Doubletake, North American Review, Crazyhorse. Recipient of non-fiction literature fellowship, New York Foundation for the Arts.
Courtney Tilford | Dance
B.F.A., University of Illinois. Faculty, Alvin Ailey School. Performer, NY City Center, Merce Cunningham Studios. Appearances in 42nd Street, Swing!, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Crazy For You, Grease.
Jennifer Tripp | Tennis
B.A., Dowling College. Tennis professional, English teacher.
Chris Vivas | Sculpture
B.A., Stony Brook University, M.F.A., SUNY New Paltz. Residencies at The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Museum of Arts and Design, Stony Brook University. Faculty, Nassau Community College, Suffolk Community College.
Tom Wallace | Theater
Tulane University. Member of Actor's Equity. National Tours: Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, On the Town. Director, regional theater, university theater.
Debra Warlan | Theater
A.A., Fashion Institute of Technology, B.A., Long Island University. Freelance painter and jewelry design.
Judith Witmer | Director of Junior Orchestras; Viola
Studies at Curtis Institute, B.M., Manhattan School of Music, M.S., Long Island University. Performances: La Scala Opera, New York City Opera, New Jersey Opera, Westfield Symphony, Broadway shows.Faculty, Merrick Schools.
Marie Zemalkowski | Theater
NYU. Actress, singer in Tommy, Schoolhouse Rock Live!. Teacher, artist, NYC schools.
Carolyn Zettel-Augustyn | Dance
Studies at Washington School of Ballet, and National Ballet School of Canada. Former Director of Dance, Academy of Dance, Waterloo, ON Canada. Faculty, Children's School of Ballet, The Pilates Experience. Assistant Director, Augustyn & Artists Dance workshops.