Q1: What's a fun fact about you that our readers (and your students!) likely don't know?
I love to travel! I enjoy speaking Spanish and learning about other cultures. I have traveled throughout Central and South America and look forward to more trips!
Q2: How did you get involved in theater?
Since I was a little kid, I have always loved dressing up and pretending to be characters. When I was in second grade I took my first acting class and was hooked! I was really shy, but when I got on stage I could be someone else.
Q3: Where did you grow up? Were the arts an important part of your childhood/family life? If so, how?
I grew up in New York City and the arts were an important part of my childhood. My dad is a painter and my mom is a ceramist and they always encouraged my brother and I to participate in the arts. I tried drawing, playing the violin and many forms of dance, but I was most drawn to theater. Growing up in the city afforded me the opportunity to see lots of live theater and participate in a variety of theater programs.
Q4: Did you participate in the arts when you were a K-12 student? Was there a particular art teacher or class, or a creative project or experience, that had a major impact on you?
Yes, I participated in the arts as a K-12 student. As a high schooler, I attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. I was a member of the drama department. I spent half the day in regular academic classes and half the day in my department. I took classes in Shakespeare, Scene Study, Make-up, Tap Dance, etc. It was a lot of work, but so much fun! I really valued the volunteer experiences where I taught theater to elementary school kids. I knew that even if I didn’t pursue a career as an actor, theater and teaching would always be part of my professional life. As an adult, I have worked as a theater teaching artist for off-broadway theater companies, and in public schools in all five boroughs of New York City.
Q5: Please describe your approach to teaching at Haldane.
As I enter my third year of teaching at Haldane, my approach is highly adaptable and responsive. It is important for me to meet each student where they are at and to build connections with them. What works best for one student, class or co-teaching partnership, may not work for another. I keep an open mind, as both a teacher and life-long learner.
Q6: Reflecting on your teaching experience at Haldane to date: What has been your toughest challenge and your greatest reward?
I started teaching at Haldane in the fall of 2020; so, by far, the toughest challenge was adjusting to a new job, teaching new content, and meeting new students all while wearing a mask and using Zoom! The greatest reward has been how welcoming and friendly the staff, students, and families have been.
Q7: What was a highlight of the past year of teaching?
The highlight of this past year of teaching was co-directing "Clue" with Ms. Isabella. It was such a fun experience and a great way to meet more students!
Q8: Why do you think it's important for the arts to be part of K-12 education?
The arts are essential to K-12 education. The arts provide an opportunity for creative expression, build confidence, and enhance critical thinking skills. The performing arts, in particular, foster relationships between students, whether they are preparing for a dance recital or a play.
Q9: How can Haldane parents (and the wider community) support the arts at Haldane?
Plays can always use parent volunteers, whether it is to help with building sets, working on lines, locating props, hemming costumes, etc.
Q10: What's the funniest, or most surprising, experience you've had while teaching at Haldane?
For sure, watching the cast of "Clue"! They were so funny and so creative!
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The "Clue" cast from the Friday, June 10th performance: First image: Talia Hird, Gavin Drury, Lily Parker, Tess Hereford, Eamonn McGrory, Owen Powers
Second image: Gavin Drury, Owen Powers
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HAA Premiered Arts Awards Night!
We were thrilled to bring about the return of the HAA Awards Night on May 31st and have the opportunity to honor the highest achievers in visual art, music, literary arts and theatre at the high school level. The auditorium was transformed into a red-carpeted gala hall where, after light refreshments, the 120+ guests were entertained by musical performances, gallery walls and a highlight reel of the two Haldane drama productions this year.
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All of the above photos of audience members and students enjoying the Haldane Arts Awards Night were taken by Linda Speziale.
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2022 HAA Scholarship Recipients:
Congratulations to all five of the graduating seniors who were awarded Haldane Arts Alliance scholarships for $500! And thank you to the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and Magazzino Italian Art Foundation for partnering with HAA to offer two new scholarships in 2022!
Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Scholarship for Achievement in Theater:
MATT McCOY
Magazzino Italian Art Foundation Scholarship for Excellence in Visual Arts:
FELIX SCHMIDT
HAA Scholarship for Excellence in Literary Arts:
ROBBIE BAKER
HAA Scholarship for Excellence in Musical Arts:
ELIJAH McKELVEY
HAA Renaissance Scholarship:
ROSE LaBARBERA
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Above: Rose LaBarbera accepting the HAA Renaissance Scholarship from Dr. Benante at the Haldane High School graduation.
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Arts Alive Was A Hit!
HAA's annual "Grade 5 Arts Alive" event was a major hit this year! On Friday, April 22nd, this annual hallmark HAA event treated fifth graders to a day of creative and performance-based workshops conducted by community artists. Students learned songwriting with Dar Williams, cartooning with Jon Bennett, fashion design with Stephanie Doucette, dance routines with Katie Bissinger, and so much more. Fifth graders got to choose their preferred workshops out of a long list of inspiring arts experiences, which also included zine design, gardening, drumming, and painting.
THANK YOU to each of the 15 artists in our community who volunteered their time to conduct these vital workshops for our 5th graders. You are an inspiration to us all!
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Friends, if you haven't yet renewed your membership for the 2022-2023 school year, please click here to support the HAA's funding of important art events and programs. Thank you!
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In-Person At Last:
Haldane Art & Music Shows
Finally! After nearly three years, the shows at Haldane got to go on last May and June! Student musicians and singers from 3rd grade through high school finally got to perform in concerts throughout the month of May. And on June 16th, Haldane art teachers produced the first-ever all-school art show in the gymnasium. Every art class was represented and each art student's work was on display, from kindergarten to the high school studio art class. It was an amazing sight to behold all at once -- abstract paintings, mixed-media sculptures, playful ceramics, and so much more from our entire student body. Thank you to the teachers, staff and HAA volunteers who helped to set up this extensive display!
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