Meet the Arts Education Staff

General Music Staff

Danielle Maldonado- Bowne Munro Elementary School

Danielle Maldonado is a music teacher who loves working with her students to share her passion for music. Danielle has taught public school music in both Massachusetts and New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College where she was a vocal major. However, Danielle was born and raised in Houston, Texas! Outside of school, you can find her singing at St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish in New Brunswick as a cantor and choir member. She loves working with the younger students, helping them to develop a love and appreciation for music. ~“When words fail, music speaks.” Hans Christian Anderson

Maia Kauffman- Central Elementary School

Maia Kauffman has been teaching in East Brunswick Public Schools since 2007. She grew up in the Hudson Valley of New York playing the oboe, singing, acting, and dancing ballet, tap, and jazz. Ms. Kauffman earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with Voice Principal from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. She absolutely loves exploring music and movement with her K-4 students at Central School!
Ms. Kauffman is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), NAfME (National Association for Music Education), NJMEA, CJMEA, and FAME (Feierabend Association for Music Education).
Outside of school Ms. Kauffman can be found singing professionally, dancing, hiking the great outdoors, and spending every moment she can trying new things with her four young children.

Kathy Mannon- Chittick Elementary School

Kathy Mannon has been teaching in East Brunswick since 2018. She graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor’s in Flute Performance and Music Education. Although she is an instrumentalist, teaching elementary general/vocal music is her first love. She is passionate about exposing students to wide variety of musical styles, developing their musical selves, and inspiring them to create and take risks, all while teaching the skills to help them accomplish that. At home, you can find Kathy working on DIY projects, cooking and baking, and watching K-Pop videos with her girls.

Moriah Kam- Frost Elementary School

Moriah is a born and raised teacher, conductor and accompanist from New Jersey. She is currently working as the General Music Teacher and Choir Director for Frost Elementary School in East Brunswick. She graduated with a Music Education Choral concentration degree as a pianist. She had been under the tutelage of a variety of professors including Karina Bruk, Barabara Gonzalez-Palmer, Robert Grohman,
Minjung Cho, and Min Kwon. As a member or staff accompanist, she has been involved with the following ensembles: Voorhees Choir, Symphony Band, Rutgers Children’s Choir, Rutgers Scarlet Singers, St. Luke’s Metuchen Choir, St. Luke’s Schola, Rise Up Chorus, Rossmoor Interfaith Church and Rossmoor Adult Choir. She has studied and
performed in several festivals and facilities including Brevard Music Center (South Carolina), Summer Music In Tuscany (South Tuscany), and Carnegie Hall (New York). She discovered her passion for teaching when privately teaching in 2018 in the New Brunswick and Bridgewater area. Moriah has a background in musical theater, wind ensemble, crocheting and ultimate frisbee!

Michele Moore- Irwin Elementary School

Michele Moore is currently in her 25th year teaching elementary general music and chorus.  She shold a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, NJ.  In 2006, she received her Master of Music in Music Education degree (with distinction) with an emphasis on Critical Pedagogy for Music Education (CPME).  She completed her Kodaly Level I training at Westminster Choir College.

Ms. Moore has been part of the amazing Irwin School community since 2002.  In addition, to working with Irwin students, she directed the Irwin School Faculty Choir for the past twenty years, comprised of Irwin teachers, administrators, and staff who love to sing and collaborate with the students in both Winter and Spring Concerts. 

During her tenure at Irwin School, Ms. Moore contributed to the development of the East Brunswick District Chorus Festival and was a consistent co-director of the East Brunswick Elementary All-District Chorus for fifteen years.  In 2011, she prepared and directed her Irwin School Chorus to perform at the NJMEA State Convention in New Brunswick, NJ, and several of her students have been choir members of the CJMEA Elementary Honors Chorus and Rutgers Children's Choir.  She initiated two master class/sharing sessions with the renowned American Boy Choir with her chorus students.  One of the highlights of her teaching career included preparing and conducting students to sing with Kenny Rogers for his Greatest Hits/Christmas Tour at The State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ in 2011. 

Under her direction, the Irwin School Chorus has performed a broad range of repertoire for Irwin School concerts and events as well as community occasions and professional conferences. In past years, our Chorus has performed for local residents at Sunrise Assisted Living, sung the National Anthem for the Somerset Patriots, and performed at the 2015 NJACDA State Convention.  In addition, Irwin recorded a CD and participated in a master class/sharing session with the renowned American Boy Choir on two occasions.

Ms. Moore considers herself a life-long learner.  In addition to attending local, state, Eastern division, and national conferences, Michele also attended the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Conference in Tenerife, Spain.  On a professional level, Michele has co-presented with fellow colleague, Eileen Mann, at the NJACDA Summer Workshop and the NJMEA Summer Workshop at the College of New Jersey in 2015 focusing on the use of movement to enhance instruction in both general music classes and choral rehearsals.  To date, Michele has served as a mentor to four elementary music teachers, thirteen students teachers and nineteen practicum students from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Teachers College Columbia University, and Rutgers University.

 Outside of her public school teaching, Ms. Moore taught several sections of Choral Readiness (pre-K to Grade 3) at the Westminster Conservatory of Music in Princeton, NJ, and held a position as a soloist, section leader, and children’s choir director at Lamington Presbyterian Church in Bedminster, NJ for many years.  She currently volunteers as the Children’s Choir Director at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Three Bridges, NJ.

 In 2019, Michele was one of two public school teachers to receive the NJ Governor's Award in Arts Education at the Patriot's Theater in Trenton, NJ.  Michele received the 2018 NJMEA Master Music Teacher Award, and the Middlesex County Governor Teacher's Award for Irwin Elementary School in 2006.  She has received Cambridge Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Who's Who of American Women.

In her spare time, Ms. Moore loves to travel.  She’s visited the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, The Canary Islands, Brazil, Argentina, and Canada as well as many states across the U.S.   She also love to read and spend time with her husband, Shahriar, and her daughter, Sophie who is a 5th Grader this year.  She also enjoys visiting friends and spending time with my extended family in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Julie Poleshuk- Lawrence Brook Elementary School

Kaitlin Dunn- Memorial Elementary School

Kaitlin Dunn has been teaching in East Brunswick since 2022, first at Bowne-Munro and now Memorial. She graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor’s in Music Education (Vocal Concentration). Ms. Dunn loves working with her ensembles of Chorus, All District Elementary Chorus and even music-directing shows! Surprising students with new genres and ways to create music is a joy for her. When not performing in the Cantabile Chamber Choral or at theaters across the area, Ms. Dunn loves to bake and play board games with family and friends.

Renee Soccodato- Warnsdorfer Elementary School

Dr. Renee Soccodato is the general/vocal music teacher at Warnsdorfer Elementary School, as well as the Chorus club advisor. Dr. Soccodato holds a Bachelor in Music from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, a Master of Music Education from Westminster Choir College, as well as a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Walden University.  She has been teaching in East Brunswick since 1997.

Instrumental Music Staff

Christopher Beckett- Orchestra- Bowne-Munro, Lawrence Brook, Memorial and Warnsdorfer Elementary Schools

Zachary Carson- Orchestra- Central, Chittick, Frost and Irwin Elementary Schools

Zac Carson has been working in East Brunswick as an Elementary Orchestra Teacher since 2021. With a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Moravian University, a Masters Degree in Classical Performance from Northern Arizona University, and a Level 2 Kodaly certification from New York University, Zac is able to share his knowledge of music to best support all students in orchestra. Prior to teaching in East Brunswick, Zac taught for 6 years as a General Music and Strings Teacher in New York and Arizona. 

As an orchestral bass player, Zac performed with regional orchestras in the southwest including the Flagstaff Symphony, San Juan Symphony, and the West Valley Symphony. He was also a section bassist in the Riverside Orchestra in New York City and in the Endless Mountain Music Festival in Pennsylvania. As a jazz bassist, he performed with Grammy winning and nominated artists such as Randy Breaker, Chris Brubeck, Nabate Isles, the band Evanescence, and worked with Harry Connick Jr. in the premier of the musical, Happy Elf.

As the recipient of a research grant, Zac was able to study, compose, and record music for a jazz quartet. The music is featured on two albums that can be found on any music streaming services.

Michael D'Andrea- Band- Central, Chittick, Frost and Irwin Elementary Schools

Michael D’Andrea is the beginning band teacher at Central, Chittick, Frost, and Irwin Elementary Schools and the brass instructor for the East Brunswick Marching Band. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Music Composition at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University in 2020. There, he studied trumpet with Kenneth DeCarlo, composition with Charles Fussell and Scott Ordway, and conducting with William Berz and Kynan Johns. As a performer, D’Andrea is a member of the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band and has previously performed with the Imperial Brass Band, the Westfield Community Concert Band, and the Imperial Symphonic Band. He has also performed with several church choirs including the Raritan Oratory and the annual Requiem at St. Mary of Mt. Virgin in New Brunswick. As a composer, D’Andrea has written for a variety of ensembles ranging from elementary school chorus and band to professional ensembles.

Adam Nuzzi- Band- Bowne-Munro, Lawrence Brook, Memorial and Warnsdorfer Elementary Schools

Adam Nuzzi is a Music Educator, Composer and Percussionist in New Jersey. Adam is a 4th grade band teacher in his hometown of East Brunswick, New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Music Education in 2019 where he studied percussion with Joe Tompkins, Mike Truesdell, Javier Diaz, and Kyle Zerna. In 2023 he graduated from Teachers College Columbia with his Master of Arts in Music Education. Adam’s primary focus at Teachers College is instrumental education and music technology. At Teachers College he studied digital audio composition, mixing, and mastering with Sten Hoestfaelt and Charles Kim.

As a band director he works to provide a fun and engaging first year of lessons to prepare them for a lifelong love of music. As a composer, Adam enjoys creating music in collaboration with visual media and is actively seeking opportunities to do so. He is currently signed with Vintage-T Sync Licensing and is looking forward to future collaborations with Film, TV, and Video Games. Adam also works with several high school marching bands in the area as well as playing the drums and percussion books for local musicals.

Visual Art Staff

Tocara Nyamekye- Bowne-Munro Elementary School

Tocara Nyamekye is the Visual Arts teacher at Bowne-Munro. She holds a BFA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MAT from Marygrove College. Mrs. Nyamekye is originally from Richmond, Virginia. She enjoys painting, and her favorite medium is acrylic. As an Elementary Art Teacher, Mrs. Nyamekye introduces her students to the core elements and principles of art. She agrees with Pablo Picasso that “every child is an artist” and is devoted to helping her students reach their full potential. 

Angeliki Karakoglou- Central Elementary School

Angeliki Karakoglou is an elementary art teacher who loves to share her passion for art with her students. Her goal is to provide her students with positive experiences that will echo their love for art and will resonate with them as they grow and move on throughout their years of education. Angie holds degrees from both Kean University in Art Education and The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Illustration. She enjoys drawing and gardening in her free time. Her favorite museum is The Metropolitan Museum of Art and her favorite children’s books are “ The Giving Tree”Illustrated by Shel Silverstein and “ The Tale of the Three Trees” illustrated by Tim Joke, just to name a few! ~“To create one’s own world takes courage” Georgia O’Keefe

Felix Martinez- Chittick Elementary School

Felix Martinez, art teacher at Chittick Elementary School, is originally from Bergen County, NJ. He graduated with a BFA in Visual Art with a focus on Art Education from Montclair State University in 2021. Prior to starting in education, he worked as a commercial graphic artist/sign painter for the better part of a decade. He also operates a design studio from home, where he has worked in collaboration with galleries, organizations, and retailers on re-branding, bringing products to market, and creating giant 3D works of art! When not doing something art related, he can be found relaxing with his pets, going to his wife’s Roller Derby games, or staring at the night sky while pondering life’s biggest mysteries. 

Julia Komosinsky- Frost Elementary School

Julia is the art teacher and art club advisor at Frost Elementary school. As a junior in high school, she decided she never wanted to leave an art classroom, so she pursued Art Education at The College of New Jersey, where she graduated from in 2020. Now in a classroom of her own, she hopes to instill a lifelong appreciation of the arts and inspire young artists to find their own style through learning the elements of art and being exposed to a wide variety of mediums and techniques. In her free time, she enjoys oil painting, going to the gym, and being out in nature. She hopes to inspire students to use the arts as a tool to help observe and see the beauty of our Earth and learn more about themselves through creating. 

Brooke Cerbone- Irwin Elementary School

Brooke Cerbone got her start in East Brunswick at Memorial School as a leave replacement, but soon found her home in the Irwin family. She got her degree in Art Education from Kean University. Brooke likes to make art with any medium, but she is mainly a crafter. She likes crochet and hand embroidery, but most of the time she is quilting and using her sewing machine! She has been quilting for about 3 years and has finished nearly 20 quilts. Brooke's other interests include cooking, baking, reading, and asking to pet any dog she sees!

Michelle Lynch- Lawrence Brook Elementary School

Mrs. Michelle Lynch has been teaching Art since 2012. She began her teaching career upon graduating from Montclair State University, where she was a Fine Arts and Art Education major. She is also certified as an elementary education teacher. In the beginning of her career, Mrs. Lynch taught art for eight years to grades K-7. Throughout that time she was very involved in Arts Education at the state level, served as Secretary on the Executive Board of the Art Educators of New Jersey, presented workshops to other art teachers at state conferences, and worked with art teachers throughout New Jersey as an advocate for the Arts. Mrs. Lynch served on several committees within the local school districts as well, including the District Environmental Planning Team, Staff Development Council, the Youth Art Month Committe, Curriculum Writing Team, and Artist-in-Residency programs, to name a few. She spent countless hours working with students in after school activities, such as advisor of the Yearbook Staff and Art Enrichment Programs.

Mrs. Lynch spent time at home raising her family. Throughout her years at home with her children, Mrs. Lynch continued to be very involved in the schools. She taught after-school art enrichment classes, founded and led a Girl Scout Troop, served as Class Parent, Chairperson of the Art Committee, and was involved in several other committees and activities within the Parent-Teacher Organizations at her children’s schools.

Mrs. Lynch happily returned to teaching in 2020, and began teaching Art in the East Brunswick schools in 2022 as a travel teacher at Bowne-Munro, Lawrence Brook, Central, and Chittick Elementary Schools. Mrs. Lynch is now the art teacher at Lawrence Brook Elementary School.

Margaret Sasso- Memorial Elementary School

Alanna Trainor- Warnsdorfer Elementary School

Alanna Trainor is a visual arts educator in East Brunswick, NJ.  Ms. Trainor is currently the art teacher at Warnsdorfer Elementary School, working with students grades K-4. She has a Bachelors in Art Education from The College of New Jersey, where she graduated in 2022. Ms. Trainor's primary focus is building confidence and problem solving through experimentation and play. Every type of learner is welcomed and encouraged within the art room as we connect art movements and styles to their own personal experiences and interests. 
Similar to how we work in the art classroom, Alanna Trainor creates personal artwork with a variety of media including ceramics, watercolor paintings and welding. With a lifelong love of exploring different materials and gaining inspiration from other working artists, new ideas and projects are constantly brought to life. 
Ms. Trainor looks forward to getting to know the East Brunswick community and creating amazing artwork together! 

Music Staff

Alex Delbar- Chorus, Piano and Media Production

Christopher Finnegan- Orchestra

Chris Finnegan is an Orchestra Director at Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School. He holds a Master’s Degree in Classical Double Bass Performance and Bachelor Degrees in Music Education and Classical Double Bass Performance from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. Chris is an active member of the Central Jersey Music Education Association and has conducted their Intermediate Region Chamber, Symphonic, and String Orchestras. In addition to the Double Bass, Chris also performs frequently on the Uilleann Pipes (Irish bagpipes). He has performed Irish traditional music extensively in the United States and Ireland. Chris has recorded and performed for the Sony, Naxos, and Megalith record labels, and is featured on numerous other recordings, including as Uilleann Pipe soloist on the American recording of Patrick Cassidy’s “Famine Remembrance” for Uilleann Pipes, Chorus, and Orchestra. He is a recipient of a 2015 Gaeltacht Summer Award for Irish language Studies from the Fulbright Commission and is the Piper to the Regimental Headquarters Staff of the “Fighting 69th” (1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, New York Army National Guard). In addition to performing, Chris also maintains an active private studio and has sent numerous students to top seats in Regional, All-State, and All-Eastern Orchestras. He also teaches classes in the Irish Language, having taught both children and adults for Cumann Chaitlín agus Thomáis Uí Chléirigh (the Brooklyn branch of Conradh na Gaeilge), The Irish Arts Center in Manhattan, The Philadelphia Céilí Group, and Daltaí na Gaeilge.

Eileen Mann- General Music and Dance

Caitlin Vanaman- Band

Caitlin Nichols has had the privilege of teaching band in the East Brunswick Public Schools since 2012. She traveled between four elementary schools until 2021, when she joined the instrumental music team at HUES.

Caitlin loves teaching music, and loves to play music, too! She earned a degree in Music Education with a concentration in trumpet from Mason Gross School of the Arts. She plays trumpet with the Eastern Wind Symphony and cornet with the Princeton Brass Band.

When she's not teaching or performing, she enjoys making things out of yarn, reading, cooking, watching horror movies, practicing yoga, hiking, and going on adventures with her dog, Patrick.

Jane Vanzini- Band

Jane Vanzini has taught band in East Brunswick since 2002. Prior to that, she was a band teacher for 12 years in Illinois, Montana, and Virginia. During her career, she has played clarinet in symphony orchestras, community bands, woodwind quintets, and woodwind trios, as well as giving solo recitals and teaching private lessons.  She and her husband enjoy athletic pursuits and visiting their daughter in Philadelphia.

Theatre Staff

Kerry Borowski- Theatre

Kerry Borowski and is the sixth-grade theatre teacher and HUES Drama Club advisor. She graduated from Kean University with a B.F.A. in Performance and a teaching certification. She worked professionally as a Stage Manager for various performances and workshopped shows as well as with an educational company called Lead U who inspires students of all ages to be the best version of themselves and to empower all to do the same. Kerry worked with Kean faculty member Rachel Evans to develop a TYA touring show based off of Katherine Otoshi’s children's book “One”. Her love for theatre and education grows as she continues to be inspired by the young artists in her classroom.

Visual Art Staff

Kathryn Barrett- Art

Katie Barrett is an art teacher and art club advisor at HUES. Katie grew up in Hunterdon County, NJ and graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art in 2012 with a BFA in Interdisciplinary Sculpture and concentration in Printmaking. She received her MAT for K-12 Visual Arts Teaching in 2020 from Montclair State University. She enjoys a wide variety of art-making methods and materials including printmaking, sewing, painting, ceramics and stained glass. She has been swimming, skateboarding and snowboarding throughout her life and is a certified yoga instructor. She loves to fill up her free time being creative, watching movies, and enjoying nature.

Mariam Sultan- Art

Ms. Mariam Sultan (Kulik), art teacher at Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School, loves to bring her love of art to serve communities. She enjoys painting, drawing, fiber arts, and photography. Her paintings can be found on the walls of a Dominican Republic children’s clinic for HIV/AIDS (Santiago de los Caballeros, 2018-2019), to customized student backpacks, all the way to the product photography of local businesses in NJ. Yet beyond art, Ms. Sultan enjoys playing piano and singing with her husband, Gabriel, ballet, cooking, and traveling.

Music Staff

Josh Becker- Band

Christpher Bouvier- Band

Chris Bouvier is an active Music Educator and Percussionist in New Jersey. He earned his Bachelor Degree in Music Education from the University of Delaware while studying under Harvey Price, Orlando Cotto, Jim Ancona, Heidi Sarver, and James Anderson. While attending UD, Chris was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestras. He has performed internationally with these groups in China, Israel, and Trinidad. As a ‘go-to percussionist’, Chris has also helped contribute to two professional recordings of works by composer Robert Moran and trombone player Bruce Tychinski. He has also been hired as a session drummer to contribute to the short film ‘So What’ that won awards for best music at local film festivals. While attending UD, Chris marched with the Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band, East Coast Percussion as a WGI finalist in 2015 on Snare Drum, performed at many undergraduate/graduate student recitals, and helped with University Media Stage Support.

Over the past few years, Chris has worked with numerous New Jersey Marching Bands, and Indoor Percussion groups where they have won 1st place at MAPS/USBands competitions. In addition, he has worked with many private students and Middle School/High School concert ensembles to prepare them for their best performances, while also actively performing in the North Jersey and Central Jersey area. 

Currently, Chris teaches the Wind Ensemble, Freshman Band, Concert Band and Percussion classes at Churchill Junior High School in East Brunswick NJ and is the Assistant Director/Percussion Arranger of the East Brunswick Marching Band (EBMB). After school, Chris  works with the CJHS Jazz Ensembles, West Essex Indoor Percussion, assists with CJMEA/NJMEA events, and performs in pit orchestras and other local ensembles as a hired percussionist. He also utilizes his audio/recording skills to record percussion tracks and audio samples for clients as a session drummer. Chris has taken all of these experiences and has brought them into the classroom to demonstrate excellent music education, leadership, musicianship, and dedication to all of his students.

Jami De Siena- Chorus

Sarah Franchino- Orchestra

Mrs. Franchino is currently an Orchestra Director at Churchill Junior High School. She has been teaching orchestra at various grade levels for the East Brunswick Public School district since 2012. As a member of the Central New Jersey Music Educators Association, Mrs. Franchino has conducted and managed for Intermediate Region and Elementary Honors Orchestras. She has also served on the New Jersey Music Educators All State Orchestra Procedures Committee, in addition to managing the NJMEA All State Orchestra.

Mrs. Franchino holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Temple University, a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a graduate level Performer’s Certificate in Violin from Montclair State University. She has performed at major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and the Kimmel Center. In 2014, she was a violinist with the International Opera Theatre of Philadelphia for the world premiere of the opera, “Azaio” in Citta della Pieve, Italy. She enjoys freelancing as a violinist and teaching orchestra to her many students in East Brunswick.

Ryan Haupt- Band and Piano

Ryan Haupt is a professional classical and jazz trombonist from northern New Jersey. He has been playing for over a decade with many prestigious ensembles, most notably serving as the Principal Trombone for The College of New Jersey’s Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble during his time studying Music Education from 2018 to 2022. Since graduating from TCNJ, Ryan is currently part of the inaugural class of Montclair State University’s Graduate Jazz Studies program, and the first trombonist to ever pursue the degree. Ryan also teaches Band and Piano part-time at Churchill Junior High School in East Brunswick, New Jersey, and is currently the first-ever Director of The College of New Jersey Pep Band. Ryan has performed across the world, serving as the Principal trombone of American Music Abroad’s 2018 Freedom Tour as a representative of the United States in performances in Italy, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Ryan has also performed as a vocalist alongside The Philadelphia Orchestra as a guest of the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, as well as a performance at Lincoln Center singing Mozart’s Requiem with The Philharmonia Orchestra of New York. Ryan has performed in multiple world premieres of symphonic works, including Dr. Rollo Dilworth's Weather (2021), Ryan Galik’s Felo de se (2020), and Sally Lamb McCune’s Pocket (2019). Ryan is a recipient of the John Philip Sousa Band Award recognizing “superior musicianship and outstanding dedication.” Although primarily a trombonist, Ryan can teach any beginning band instrument, including Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion, and Piano, and has experience teaching general music, music theory, music technology, piano, and all age levels of jazz and concert ensembles.

Susan Meuse- Orchestra

Susan Meuse has been teaching orchestra in New Jersey since 2003. She currently teaches at Churchill JHS in East Brunswick. She has also taught in her hometown of Cherry Hill as well as the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Susan received her BM in Education from Ithaca College and her MM in Education from Rutgers University. As a cellist, Susan freelances with various chamber ensembles and orchestras. An active member of NJMEA, Susan is currently serving as the Performance Chair on the Board of Directors as well as the Orchestra Festivals chair.. She is also the new CJMEA treasurer and coordinates the CJMEA Elementary/Middle School Honors Orchestras. Susan has twice conducted ensembles for the CJMEA Elementary Honors Orchestra. She also conducted the CJMEA Intermediate String Orchestra in 2013, the All South Jersey Junior High String Ensemble in 2014, and the CJMEA Intermediate Chamber Orchestra in 2017. Outside of music, Susan volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Middlesex County. In her free time, she enjoys watching baseball and spending time with her three cats 

Mary O'Mara- Orchestra

Mary O'Mara is an alumnus of the East Brunswick school system and began her piano studies at age 5. In fourth grade, Mrs. O'Mara began viola with retired teacher Darlene Brandt at Irwin School.  Her strong foundation in music through East Brunswick continued as she participated in Region and All State orchestras on viola, as well as All State Chorus.  Mary has been teaching since 2004 and has been teaching in East Brunswick Public Schools since 2007.  Mrs. O'Mara attended The Catholic University of America and holds a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in Instrumental Music Education.  She is currently pursuing her MMEd at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia.  Mrs. O'Mara has sent many orchestra students to Region and All-State and has won superior ratings at festivals and competitions with her orchestras.  As an active member of NAfME/CJMEA, she has conducted the CJMEA String Orchestra and helped co-found the CJMEA Elementary and Middle School Honors Orchestras.

Eric Sturr- Digital Music and Piano

Eric Sturr has been teaching in East Brunswick School since 2008. He has taught Beginning Piano, Piano Lab, and World of Digital Music at Churchill Junior High School.  Throughout his career he has taught every grade level in East Brunswick Public Schools across seven different schools.  Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Rowan University trained in both jazz and classical piano, he is always trying to create as much as he teaches.

His educational motto is passed down verbatim from one of his collegiate music professors: "You aren't a piano teacher, you're a teacher!  Teach your students how to speak, how to dress, how to hold a fork, how to analyze a fugue, how to study, how to learn, how to enjoy things of the mind.  You will probably have the longest relationship with that student of any teacher the child will ever have in his life.  Use it well."

As a composer, his music is currently being played at The Wild Center, one of the top science museums in the United States.  His work has been feature on NPR as well as several podcasts.  He writes music under the name "Whatever Penny", which can be found on all major streaming platforms.

Theatre Staff

Lynne Elson- Theatre and Mindfulness

Karuna Lynne Elson teaches Mindfulness, creativity and how to connect in all her classes, whether teaching Yoga, Theatre or Film. She has her MFA in playwriting from the University of Southern California and a Directing/Acting BA from SUNY at New Paltz. Her plays and monologues have been published by Meriwether and Playscripts. She is also an author of children's books entitled The Candle Who Lost Her Light with artwork by fellow Churchill teacher Deb Mannuzza. Her Meow Is The Time For Yoga was the #1 Children's CD on CD Baby for 3 months in a row.

Malisa Langdon- Theatre

Ms. Langdon’s interest in theatre began with putting on back porch plays with her sisters and neighborhood friends while she was still in grade school. By 7th grade, an inspirational drama teacher took that interest seriously which led to her acting, directing, and eventually teaching theatre.  In the classroom, Ms. Langdon focuses on building rapport to increase student engagement and the process of improving student’s communication skills through the art of theatre. Ms. Langdon began teaching in East Brunswick in 2002 and has served at different times as the drama club advisor and musical director at Hammarskjold. She’s originally from Oklahoma where she completed an undergraduate degree in Speech and Drama Education at Oklahoma Christian University. She performed many moons ago with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park and Carpenters Square Theatre. In 2020 she completed a graduate degree in school administration at Rowan University. Ms. Langdon is the proud mother of two adult children and two stepchildren, and her husband also works as a public educator.  In addition to attending the theatre, Ms. Langdon enjoys traveling, knitting, reading, learning about gardening, and watching sports, especially Oklahoma Sooner football!

Visual Art Staff

Darin Amme- Drawing, Painting and Digital Photography

Greg Baron- Art Exploration

Mr. Baron worked at Chittick Elementary school since 2002 and currently is the 7th grade Art Exploration teacher at Churchill Junior HS.  Mr. Baron not only has a passion for Visual Art but all the Arts.  Before Mr. Baron became a teacher, he was an actor with a bachelor's degree in Theatre from Kean University,  he studied in New York City for 4 years after he graduated,  he is also professionally vocally trained.  Mr. Baron has performed in over 30 theatre productions and acted in 2 films.  Mr. Baron holds an M.F.A. in education.  Mr. Baron believes that there are no mistakes in art, what one individual felt it was a mistake, Mr. Baron feels it is a brand-new creation that was supposed to happen.  We are all works of art being worked on each day, that we need to treat and respect each other as though we are a delicate piece of art.  Mr. Baron will tell his students all the time just be you and don't compare yourself to others, you are your own unique individual and a work of art. 

Shayna Fernandez- 3D Design and Drawing Exploration

Deb Mannuzza- Graphic Design

Kimberly Valdata- Ceramics

Music Staff

Zachary Gates- Digital Music, Guitar and Piano

Mr. Zachary Gates is the Music Production and Piano instructor at East Brunswick High School, advising the school’s Tri-M Honors Society, conducting the pit in the spring musical production, and running an after-school modern band group as part of a Musicians Club. He also serves as the NJMEA Emerging Ensembles Chair, organizing the NJMEA Honors Modern Band. Additionally, he shares his passion for music technology to education majors as an adjunct professor at Westminster Choir College.

A graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, Mr. Gates has had the privilege of singing in choral performances alongside esteemed orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. His commitment to education is further evidenced by his published work with Oxford University Press, exploring the integration of STEM and Music Technology in the classroom.

In choral conducting, Mr. Gates has highlighted his experiences guiding high-school choral ensembles to perform at a NAfME Eastern Division Conference and Carnegie Hall. Beyond his teaching, he assumes the roles of professional guitarist, electronic synthesist, studio musician, and music producer, collaborating with artists across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Mr. Gates has presented sessions and workshops for Ti:ME, NAfME, and ACDA speaking to teachers in in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Texas. Embracing a philosophy of Critical Pedagogy, he aims to empower students by facilitating hands-on exploration of sound design, beat creation, and modern music production techniques.

Adam Good- Chorus

Adam Good is the Director of Choral Activities at East Brunswick High School where he conducts six (6) ensembles. The robust Choral Program includes Chorus, Honors Bella Voce and Concert Choir, Acabellas, Tenor-Bass Choir, and Jazz Choir. His choral groups have received superior ratings at festivals and venues throughout New Jersey, and his students have been regularly accepted into the American Choral Directors Association Conference Choirs, and the New Jersey All-State, Region honor choirs. Mr. Good has served as the manager for the ACDA Eastern Division Mixed Repertoire Choir, NJMEA All-State Treble Chorus and All-State Mixed Chorus, and CJMEA Region II Mixed Chorus; he currently serves as the World Music & Culture Chair of NJ-ACDA. Additionally, Mr. Good is the Music Director of the Princeton Boys Choir, a 60-voice program comprised of three (3) ensembles. From 2015-2019, he has been a guest lecturer and conference planner for the Educators Professional Development Conference in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. Mr. Good holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, and a Master's Degree in Choral Conducting from Ithaca College where he studied with Dr. Janet Galván.

Arvin Gopal- Orchestra

Dr. Arvin Gopal is the orchestra director at East Brunswick High School, where he has overseen the program since 2014. Under his direction, EBHS groups have performed around the United States, and have consistently received superior ratings at festivals and competitions. Students in the East Brunswick orchestra program regularly fill the honors orchestras at the region, state, all eastern and national level. 

In addition to Dr. Gopal’s responsibilities at EBHS, he is dedicated to furthering the quality of string education in New Jersey. He maintains professional affiliations with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the American String Teachers Association of New Jersey (ASTA). He has served as president of the New Jersey chapter of ASTA and is currently the high school orchestra division chair for the Central Jersey Music Educators Association (CJMEA). Prior to his career as a high school educator, Dr. Gopal performed as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral violist throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. For two years, he served as assistant principal viola of the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Dr. Gopal holds a  BA in Violin Performance from Penn State University, and MM and DMA degrees in viola performance from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Brian Toth- Band, Musicianship & AP Music Theory

Brian Toth has taught instrumental music and music theory in New Jersey for over 20 years, with more than half his career spent at East Brunswick High School. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Toth also serves on the NJMEA All State Band Procedures Committee, serves as the High School Band and Orchestra Audition Chairperson, and is a founding member of the New Jersey Marching Band Director's Association.

Theatre Staff

Jeffrey Davis- Theatre and Humanities

Visual Art Staff

Meghan Buckley- Jewelry, Photography and Interior Design

Jack Cibrian- Film

Angela Deerson- Humanities and Social Studies

Lisa Gombas- Studio Art, Jewelry, AP Art and Design

Lisa Gombas is an art teacher at East Brunswick High School, as well as co-advisor of the school’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society. She believes her role as an art educator is to foster the creative exploration that is essential to all areas of learning, while giving her students a safe and welcoming space to create meaningful art. Ms. Gombas is an alumnus of East Brunswick schools herself, and is thrilled to be back inside the same classrooms  her own creativity was nurtured.

She volunteered as a “mini-mentor” for several years with Free Arts NYC, working one-on-one with children from underserved communities to create art. Her personal work has been exhibited at Johnson & Johnson’s World Headquarters, and auctioned off to benefit The Center in Asbury Park, NJ.

Ms. Gombas received her MA in Fine Arts Education from Kean University in 2010. She has taught art at the elementary and middle school levels in East Brunswick ever since, before moving to the high school. Outside of teaching, she fills her time with reading, going to concerts, baking, and gallivanting around with her son.

Ashley Hanania- Ceramics

Ashley Hanania has been teaching in East Brunswick School since 2016. She has taught many classes but has been primarily the Ceramic Teacher, focusing on Introduction to Ceramics and Ceramic Workshop at the High School. Ms. Hanania was the Yearbook advisor for many years and currently serves as the Class Council Co-Advisor. Throughout her career she has taught every grade level from Pre-Kindergarten through senior in high school, every art form such as painting, printmaking, AP Art, and drawing but Ceramics is her favorite to teach and her favorite to make. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Kean University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a focus in ceramics and painting, Ms. Hanania is always exploring new art forms through her own educational endeavors. She is passionate about exposing students to a wide variety of ceramicists, hoping to spark her students' creativity and develop a love for pottery. She takes pride in creating a supportive environment that encourages academic discussions and inspiring them to create and take creative risks, all while teaching the students different types of ceramic methods of construction and glazing methods. When not at school Ms. Hanania is a home working on personal art projects, gardening, cooking and baking with her family.

Matilda Mato- Studio Art and Art History

Since 2007, Matilda Mato has enjoyed teaching the diverse community in East Brunswick at both the elementary and high school level. She believes all of us have something to say and it is her job to help students communicate through art. Matilda is especially passionate about meeting the needs of all learners and creating an inclusive environment that allows all of our students to thrive. Matilda has a BFA in drawing and painting, a MA in fine arts education, and an MAEA. Matilda enjoys experimenting with all mediums to create art; from decorating birthday cakes and making halloween costumes to printmaking and oil painting. She enjoys going on adventures with her family on weekends, especially exploring this amazing state. She has also learned about the Jersey Devil cactus and why you don’t touch it.

Jeffrey Novak- Graphic Design and Airbrush

Rachel Roman- Humanities, Publishing, Illustration & Interior Design

Michelle DaGrosa- Supervisor of Arts Education

Michelle DaGrosa has been working in the field Arts Education since 2002.  She previously worked as a band director for Hamilton Township (2002-2004) and East Brunswick Township Public Schools (2004-2020), directing groups from elementary through the junior high school level. Her groups attended many regional and state festivals where they earned consistently excellent ratings.  

Ms. DaGrosa currently holds the position of Supervisor of Arts Education for East Brunswick Township School District where she oversees the Music,Vvisual Art, Theatre and Humanities Departments. 

Ms. DaGrosa remains an active member of the music education community, serving as the CJMEA Department Chairperson for Intermediate Band from 2004-2010, conducting the CJMEA Intermediate Wind Ensemble in 2016, serving as the Elementary and Intermediate Music Librarian for CJMEA from 2004-2020, serving as the CJMEA Executive Board Secretary from 2021-Present and annually sponsoring students for CJMEA and NJMEA Region and All-State Ensembles throughout her time as a band director. 
 
Ms. DaGrosa received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2002 and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in 2007, both from The College of New Jersey.