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 ensure that all their materials are in order. As a group, they create a relaxed, supportive and creative environment for everyone.
Elizabeth FORTUNATO, CO-DIRECTOR:
CHORUS, Piano, DRAMA
Elizabeth Fortunato is the Choral Director at Sparta Middle School, teaching 6th-8th Grade Choir as well as 6th grade General Music. She recently moved to Sussex County this past year after getting married, and is thrilled to be a part of the Sparta music community!
Liz attended Montclair State University, where she earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano, and her Master of Arts in Teaching with a study in voice. She has had the privilege of performing at Steinway Hall in Manhattan, and has sung with the MSU Chorale and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at NJPAC, as well as performed abroad in Italy.
Before moving to Sussex County and beginning her time at SMS, Liz taught in Clifton, NJ for 9 years, where she directed several middle school choral groups as well as spring musical productions. Some of her favorite shows that she has directed include The Little Mermaid Jr., The Wizard of Oz, the Lion King Jr., and Peter Pan Jr!
In her free time, Liz enjoys spending time with her husband and their 3 cats, kayaking on the lake and hiking, and traveling! She is looking forward to bringing back the Summer Arts Workshop and sharing her love of music with the students.
Liz attended Montclair State University, where she earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano, and her Master of Arts in Teaching with a study in voice. She has had the privilege of performing at Steinway Hall in Manhattan, and has sung with the MSU Chorale and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at NJPAC, as well as performed abroad in Italy.
Before moving to Sussex County and beginning her time at SMS, Liz taught in Clifton, NJ for 9 years, where she directed several middle school choral groups as well as spring musical productions. Some of her favorite shows that she has directed include The Little Mermaid Jr., The Wizard of Oz, the Lion King Jr., and Peter Pan Jr!
In her free time, Liz enjoys spending time with her husband and their 3 cats, kayaking on the lake and hiking, and traveling! She is looking forward to bringing back the Summer Arts Workshop and sharing her love of music with the students.
Mrs. Fortunato's Classes:
Click each class for description
Chorus for Everyone
Broadway/Theater Workshop
Piano Workshop
Pop Vocals Solo Workshop
Click each class for description
Chorus for Everyone
Broadway/Theater Workshop
Piano Workshop
Pop Vocals Solo Workshop
JOSEPH LOMBARDO, CO-DIRECTOR:
Concert BanD, Jazz Band, Brass/Woodwind
Joe Lombardo is a music teacher at Sparta Middle School, teaching 7th grade band, 7th grade general music, as well as both SMS Jazz Bands - Blues Corps and Blues United. Joe is also a music and marching instructor for the Sparta High School Marching Band and is active in many aspects of performing arts throughout Sparta public schools. Joe began his time in Sparta as a student teacher and is very grateful to be a member of this community.
Joe attended Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in which he earned a bachelor's degree in Music Education with a concentration in classical saxophone. Since graduating, Joe has begun to study other instruments including trumpet and piano. Joe now serves as a brass coach for the Sussex County Youth Orchestra and is the music director of Immaculate Conception Church in Franklin, NJ.
He is also an avid sports fan and enjoys watching the New York Yankees play in his spare time. Joe is excited to help bring back the Summer Arts Workshop and is looking forward to spending more time with his students.
Joe attended Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in which he earned a bachelor's degree in Music Education with a concentration in classical saxophone. Since graduating, Joe has begun to study other instruments including trumpet and piano. Joe now serves as a brass coach for the Sussex County Youth Orchestra and is the music director of Immaculate Conception Church in Franklin, NJ.
He is also an avid sports fan and enjoys watching the New York Yankees play in his spare time. Joe is excited to help bring back the Summer Arts Workshop and is looking forward to spending more time with his students.
Mr. Lombardo's Classes:
Click the class for description
Brass/Woodwind Studio
Intermediate Concert Band
Advanced Concert Band
Jazz Band
Click the class for description
Brass/Woodwind Studio
Intermediate Concert Band
Advanced Concert Band
Jazz Band
Danielle Haucke:
CHORUS, Piano, DRAMA
Danielle Haucke is the Choir and General Music Teacher at Jefferson Township Middle School, where she also has the privilege of directing the Spring Musical. A proud graduate of Montclair State University, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a concentration in voice, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2015. She went on to receive her Master's in Music Education from Anderson University in 2023.
Throughout her career, Danielle has had the honor of performing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Outside of the classroom, she is actively involved in music education as a manager and volunteer for the Sussex County Junior Honors Choir and the North Jersey Junior Region Choir.
With a diverse background in music, Danielle has experience performing and teaching a wide range of genres, including Broadway, Classical, Opera, and Pop. She is thrilled to be teaching at the Summer Arts Workshop and looks forward to sharing her passion for music with her students.
Throughout her career, Danielle has had the honor of performing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Outside of the classroom, she is actively involved in music education as a manager and volunteer for the Sussex County Junior Honors Choir and the North Jersey Junior Region Choir.
With a diverse background in music, Danielle has experience performing and teaching a wide range of genres, including Broadway, Classical, Opera, and Pop. She is thrilled to be teaching at the Summer Arts Workshop and looks forward to sharing her passion for music with her students.
Mrs. Hauke's Classes:
Click each class for description
Chorus for Everyone
Broadway/Theater Workshop
Piano Workshop
Pop Vocals Solo Workshop
Click each class for description
Chorus for Everyone
Broadway/Theater Workshop
Piano Workshop
Pop Vocals Solo Workshop
Rosalie Vallario:
Art, paint, sketch
Rosalie Vallario has been teaching art for over 20 years. Her experience has been both in High school and Elementary Art education. She began her teaching at the Hunterdon Museum of Art and currently is here at 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 were very active in the Summer arts program. Rosalie spends her free time with her children and her three dogs, Calvin , Kylo and Will Riker.
Rosalie enjoys painting, sculpture, reading, running and yoga. She has 2 beautiful children, Peter and Noelle, who were very active in the Summer arts program. Rosalie spends her free time with her children and her three dogs, Calvin , Kylo and Will Riker.
Ms. Vallario's Classes:
Click the class for description
Art Discovery
Paint World
Paint Universe
Ready, Set, Draw
Click the class for description
Art Discovery
Paint World
Paint Universe
Ready, Set, Draw
Elisabeth Kapuscinski:
sewing, cooking
Elisabeth Kapuscinski is in her 17th year of teaching, she has spent the past nine years teaching here at Sparta Middle School, and prior to that, in Andover Twp.
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 New Jersey City University. 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 outside 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, Dax, the Yellow Lab.
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 New Jersey City University. 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 outside 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, Dax, the Yellow Lab.
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:
Click the class for description
Percussion Studio
Intermediate Concert Band
Advanced Concert Band
Jazz Band
Click the class for description
Percussion Studio
Intermediate Concert Band
Advanced Concert Band
Jazz Band
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:
Click the class for description
Beginning/Intermediate Strings Techniques
Solata Strings
Presto Strings
Pop/Broadway Strings
Click the class for description
Beginning/Intermediate Strings Techniques
Solata Strings
Presto Strings
Pop/Broadway Strings
Mr. Chodkiewicz:
STEM and Technology
Celebrating 25 Years of Inspiring Young Minds! 🎉
Patrick Chodkiewicz has officially marked a quarter-century of teaching in Sparta, shaping the future one student at a time! Currently, he brings his passion for innovation to the middle school STEM classroom, where he sparks curiosity and creativity daily. Beyond the classroom, Patrick has spent the past 20 years leading the Boys and Girls Swim Team at Sparta High School, pushing athletes to reach new heights in and out of the pool.
Patrick’s journey in education began at Kutztown University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. His thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there—he went on to earn two master’s degrees, one in Education and another in Educational Technology. To top it off, he completed an Administrative Certification Program at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Administration and Supervision.
STEM has always been Patrick’s passion, and he remains dedicated to guiding students on their journey of discovery, innovation, and success. Here’s to the next chapter of inspiring young minds!
Patrick Chodkiewicz has officially marked a quarter-century of teaching in Sparta, shaping the future one student at a time! Currently, he brings his passion for innovation to the middle school STEM classroom, where he sparks curiosity and creativity daily. Beyond the classroom, Patrick has spent the past 20 years leading the Boys and Girls Swim Team at Sparta High School, pushing athletes to reach new heights in and out of the pool.
Patrick’s journey in education began at Kutztown University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. His thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there—he went on to earn two master’s degrees, one in Education and another in Educational Technology. To top it off, he completed an Administrative Certification Program at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Administration and Supervision.
STEM has always been Patrick’s passion, and he remains dedicated to guiding students on their journey of discovery, innovation, and success. Here’s to the next chapter of inspiring young minds!
Mr. Chodkiewicz's Classes:
Click the class for description:
Exploring Robotics and Coding
Engineering Design and Innovation
Geocaching Adventure: Navigating the Outdoors
Rocket Science: Build and Launch
Click the class for description:
Exploring Robotics and Coding
Engineering Design and Innovation
Geocaching Adventure: Navigating the Outdoors
Rocket Science: Build and Launch
Christian Arnold:
director Emeritus
Christian Arnold: Director Emeritus 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.
