the sparta summer arts
workshop staff
The Sparta Summer Arts Workshop is awfully proud of our educational crew. They all represent a healthy balance of real world experience and a dedication to their craft and the art of teaching. It is not uncommon to find one of our staff members spending time before and after the workshop hours to assist a student or insure that all their materials are in order. As a group, they create a relaxed, supportive and creative environment for everyone.
Christian Arnold:
co-director, Concert Band, Jazz Band
Christian Arnold: Co-Director of the Sparta Summer Arts Workshop
Taught at St. Peter's High School in New Brunswick, Parsippany High School and Parsippany's Central Middle School, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, adjunct faculty member at the Northfield-Mt. Hermon School, the former 7th & 8th grade band director at Sparta Middle School and is currently the Band Director at Pope John HS. In addition, he taught the brass lines of the Harrison Bushwackers and Dutchboy Drum & Bugle Corps. He has served as an Educational Resources Representative and woodwind tech at the Music Den of Randolph, NJ.
Learned the educational trade at Rutgers University, University of Massachusetts, Marygrove College, and brief stints at Montclair State University and Centenary College.
Freelance trumpet player throughout the greater Metro area. Plays classical, jazz, latin and rock styles. Steady member of numerous big bands and rock bands.
Taught at St. Peter's High School in New Brunswick, Parsippany High School and Parsippany's Central Middle School, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, adjunct faculty member at the Northfield-Mt. Hermon School, the former 7th & 8th grade band director at Sparta Middle School and is currently the Band Director at Pope John HS. In addition, he taught the brass lines of the Harrison Bushwackers and Dutchboy Drum & Bugle Corps. He has served as an Educational Resources Representative and woodwind tech at the Music Den of Randolph, NJ.
Learned the educational trade at Rutgers University, University of Massachusetts, Marygrove College, and brief stints at Montclair State University and Centenary College.
Freelance trumpet player throughout the greater Metro area. Plays classical, jazz, latin and rock styles. Steady member of numerous big bands and rock bands.
Mr. Arnold's Classes:
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karen scott:
Co-Director, Vocal, Drama
Karen Scott: Co-Director of the Sparta Summer Arts Workshop.
Graduated from Westminster Choir College (THE Choir College) back in the day. She has taught in the Sparta Schools, Mountain Lakes School District, the Sparta School District (again), probably some other school districts somewhere in New Jersey (we can't remember) and is now the vocal music director at Pope John High School.
And for the workshop she's the singing knitting drama queen.
Graduated from Westminster Choir College (THE Choir College) back in the day. She has taught in the Sparta Schools, Mountain Lakes School District, the Sparta School District (again), probably some other school districts somewhere in New Jersey (we can't remember) and is now the vocal music director at Pope John High School.
And for the workshop she's the singing knitting drama queen.
Mrs. Scott's Classes:
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Rosalie Vallario:
Art, paint, sketch
Rosalie Vallario has been teaching art for over 12 years. Her experience has been both in Elementary Art education as well as teaching art workshops at the Hunterdon Museum of Art and currently the Sparta Summer Arts Program. Rosalie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from William Paterson University with a concentration in Painting and Photography and her Masters Degree in Education from Marygrove University.
Rosalie enjoys painting, sculpture, reading, running and yoga. She has 2 beautiful children, Peter and Noelle, who are also both very active in the arts. Rosalie spends her free time with her children and her four dogs, Jet, Macs, Mikey and Poppy.
Rosalie enjoys painting, sculpture, reading, running and yoga. She has 2 beautiful children, Peter and Noelle, who are also both very active in the arts. Rosalie spends her free time with her children and her four dogs, Jet, Macs, Mikey and Poppy.
Mrs. Vallario's Classes:
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ALLISON KEENAN:
sculpture, masters, culture
Allison Keenan has been teaching visual art for 5 years. Formerly a K-7 teacher in East Brunswick, she now teaches 3rd through 5th grade art in Sparta.
Allison earned a Bachelors in Science in Art Therapy and Art Education at Springfield College and is working towards a Master of Education in Special Education at Rutgers University Graduate School of Education.
In her free time she enjoys crafting, skiing , and hiking.
Allison earned a Bachelors in Science in Art Therapy and Art Education at Springfield College and is working towards a Master of Education in Special Education at Rutgers University Graduate School of Education.
In her free time she enjoys crafting, skiing , and hiking.
Classes:
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Elisabeth Kapuscinski:
S.T.E.A.M., sewing, cooking
Elisabeth Kapuscinski is in her 12th year of teaching, she has spent the past three years teaching here at Sparta Middle School and Prior to that in Andover.
While Home Economics has evolved through the years the common theme of life skills has remained the same. These life skills courses fall under a number of headings: Modern Living, Family & Consumer Science and Home Economics are all one in the same.
Liz earned her Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics from Montclair State University with a specialization in Fashion Studies. Years later she earned her teaching certificate through Jersey City College. In her past she has been a Girl Scout Leader and has worked with many student groups on a variety of projects. Most of all she loves to inspire and watch students "Think out of the box" and look at things in a new way.
Liz spends her free time with her family, husband Bernie, daughter Sheridan and son, Kevin. She enjoys trying new recipes, meeting with friends and cuddling with her dog Baker.
While Home Economics has evolved through the years the common theme of life skills has remained the same. These life skills courses fall under a number of headings: Modern Living, Family & Consumer Science and Home Economics are all one in the same.
Liz earned her Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics from Montclair State University with a specialization in Fashion Studies. Years later she earned her teaching certificate through Jersey City College. In her past she has been a Girl Scout Leader and has worked with many student groups on a variety of projects. Most of all she loves to inspire and watch students "Think out of the box" and look at things in a new way.
Liz spends her free time with her family, husband Bernie, daughter Sheridan and son, Kevin. She enjoys trying new recipes, meeting with friends and cuddling with her dog Baker.
Mrs. K's Classes:
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Steve O'toole:
Concert band, Jazz band, percussion
Steve O'Toole is a native of Sussex County, the mecca of all things percussive.
Steve studied contemporary percussion at William Paterson
University and performed with the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble and the Wayne
Chamber Orchestra.
While in college he taught the percussion section of the North Warren Regional Marching Band. He graduated from Ramapo College and began teaching in Newton at both the Halsted Middle School and Newton High School.
After three years of teaching he found the Summer Arts Workshop and looks forward to spending his summers with this amazing program.
While in college he taught the percussion section of the North Warren Regional Marching Band. He graduated from Ramapo College and began teaching in Newton at both the Halsted Middle School and Newton High School.
After three years of teaching he found the Summer Arts Workshop and looks forward to spending his summers with this amazing program.
Mr. O'Toole's Classes:
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JEFF COLARUSSO:
Concert band, brass, woodwinds
small ensembles
Jeff Colarusso is finishing his 16th year of teaching music this year. He has spent the last 3 years at Wallkill Valley Regional HS teaching Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Music Theory, and Intro to Guitar. For the 13 years before that, he taught 1st-8th grade general music, and 5th-8th grade band and chorus. Jeff's primary instruments are trumpet, piano, and voice. He also enjoys playing around with the other band instruments with his students, although Jeff has a rocky relationship with the flute, but that's a whole other story.
When he's not doing school related work, Jeff loves spending time with his wife and 5 kids, and enjoys reading, geo-caching, hunting, and various other activities.
When he's not doing school related work, Jeff loves spending time with his wife and 5 kids, and enjoys reading, geo-caching, hunting, and various other activities.
Classes:
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andrea santora:
strings
Andrea Santora, a resident of Sparta, New Jersey is a respected soloist and chamber musician throughout the Metropolitan area. She has performed with the Festival Orchestras of Waterloo, NJ: Chautauqua, NY: Dominican Republic in Santa Domingo as well as Opera Maine, the Bar Harbor, Bangor, and the Arcady Music Festivals of Maine. She has also performed with the Westfield Symphony Orchestra, The Philharmonic Society of Northern NJ, Ars Musica Choral, the NJ Pops, the Music for All Seasons Orchestra, NJ Opera, The American Symphony and Mannheim Steamroller. Every Holiday season Ms. Santora can be seen (and heard) playing Principal Viola in the orchestra for the New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Mayo Theater in Morristown. (Formally The Community Theater of Morristown.)
In addition, Ms. Santora has appeared in recitals, chamber music and orchestral performances in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie and Weill recitals halls, New York’s own Town Hall as well as recording for NBC studios and several television jingles such as “Pepsi” and “Acuvue”. Ms. Santora was the 1997 winner of the prestigious Artist’s International Competition in New York. As a result, she gave her Début Concert at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall.
Along with her broad and comprehensive background in orchestral, chamber and solo music performance, she is a skilled and accomplished educator. She believes the full potential of every student can be realized through methodical and conscientious instruction based upon past growth experiences.
In addition, Ms. Santora has appeared in recitals, chamber music and orchestral performances in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie and Weill recitals halls, New York’s own Town Hall as well as recording for NBC studios and several television jingles such as “Pepsi” and “Acuvue”. Ms. Santora was the 1997 winner of the prestigious Artist’s International Competition in New York. As a result, she gave her Début Concert at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall.
Along with her broad and comprehensive background in orchestral, chamber and solo music performance, she is a skilled and accomplished educator. She believes the full potential of every student can be realized through methodical and conscientious instruction based upon past growth experiences.
Mrs. Santora's Classes:
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Mike malinowski:
guitar, bass, rock band
Mike Malinowski is the guitar and bass teacher, as well as the ensemble coach for Rock Band at Summer Arts Workshop. Mike graduated from William Paterson University with a degree in Sound Engineering Arts. For over the past 10 years, he has taught privately and in multiple music stores throughout northern New Jersey. Since 2007, Mike has been the music director at the School of Rock in Randolph, NJ. When he is not teaching, Mike is actively writing, recording, and performing across the New York/New Jersey area.
Mr. Malinowski's Classes:
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Kristof Kowalewski:
vocal, piano
Krys Kowalewski graduated from the Fryderyk Chopin Conservatory in Warsaw, Poland and Yale School of Music. Currently serves as a Music Director at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Sparta where he plays organ, piano, conducts adult and children’s choirs and oversees the cantor’s program. He is also a Liturgical Music teacher at Rev. Brown School in Sparta.
As a singer soloist Krys performed with the Yale Opera, New York City Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, DiCapo Opera, Central City Opera, Music Academy of the West, Hartford Symphony, Orchestra New England among others.
Krys loves soccer, biking and above all spending time with his wife and two kids.
As a singer soloist Krys performed with the Yale Opera, New York City Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, DiCapo Opera, Central City Opera, Music Academy of the West, Hartford Symphony, Orchestra New England among others.
Krys loves soccer, biking and above all spending time with his wife and two kids.
Mr. Kowalewski's Classes:
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JODI HALTEMAN:
drama, drama, drama
A native of Andover, Jodi has been singing since her days in the middle school chorus. She caught the acting bug in high school and studied music education at the University of Florida. Always a Jersey girl, she returned to Sussex County where she resides with her singing, dancing, trumpet and trombone playing family.
Jodi has worked as a drama instructor at summer camps and directed the Alpine Players. She previously worked at Alpine School in Sparta and is currently teaching general music at Sparta Middle School. She enjoys performing and is a part of the Drama Geek Studios family, where she performs along with her children.
In her spare time she enjoys traveling, crafting and going to see Broadway musicals. She enjoys being a part of the Sparta Summer Arts Workshop!
Jodi has worked as a drama instructor at summer camps and directed the Alpine Players. She previously worked at Alpine School in Sparta and is currently teaching general music at Sparta Middle School. She enjoys performing and is a part of the Drama Geek Studios family, where she performs along with her children.
In her spare time she enjoys traveling, crafting and going to see Broadway musicals. She enjoys being a part of the Sparta Summer Arts Workshop!
Classes:
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