Meet Our Teaching Artists
Harry Rios
Harry Rios is a band leader/composer/ singer/songwriter/multi instrumentalist and New York State certified educator.
He has worked as a studio musician with the Fugees, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, Naughty by Natures Kaygee, Coffee Brown, R&B singer Jaheim, hip-hop icon Slick Rick, rapper/actor Common and scored music for film. Formally affiliated with Grammy winning mega producer Che pope of Kanye West G.O.O.D music record label.
He’s a composer of Pop, Latin jazz, uptempo funk and R&B/Soul and a hip-hop producer originals.
Destiny Mosley
Destiny Mosley has been working in the creative and performing arts industry for many years. Her training includes the Youth Arts Academy at the Brooklyn Restoration Center for Arts and Culture, Brooklyn Charter School Dance Academy, and Five Towns College where she went on to study Theatre Arts. She has also been a professional backup dancer and choreographer. She has worked with Antonia Arts Academy, Peekskill City Youth Bureau, New Era Creative Space, Studio 925 and Just the Place Dance Academy as an instructor of various styles including hip hop, ballet, jazz and more. For the past eight years, she has been impacting the lives of children with her enthusiasm for dance and the arts and will hopefully continue to do so for many years to come.
Tamarah Fernandez-Bridgewater
Tamarah holds a Visual Arts degree and certifications in many art intensives. She has navigated different paths as a Visual Coordinator and Merchandising Manager, an afterschool Activities Coordinator, and a teaching assistant in Ossining UFSD with the Speech and Reading Departments, and in Self-Contained classrooms. Tamarah started ArtinaBoxCo., originally a brick and mortar creative art studio for children in Ossining where for two years she provided free creative time & space, ran workshops with guest artists and held community events.
Tom Ray
Tom is a Spoken Word Artist, and published author. Earning a Degree in Communication and Media Arts he is now an educator in Yonkers. He is also the Program Coordinator and Director of The Expressive Readers Course held at The Nepperhan Community Center and Boyce Thompson Elementary. ERC is designed to enhance expression, comprehension, and empower literary expression as well as public speaking. Ray is dedicated to making a difference in every community he is blessed to serve.
Please visit Facebook: Tom Ray Instagram: Trdatsit11
Justin Wingenroth - Dance Conservatory
Justin, owner of The Dance Conservatory in Cortlandt Manor, is a dance instructor with over 15 years of experience primarily teaching in Westchester, he has taught throughout the northeast. Professionally, Jus-tin appeared in the North American Tour of Cats as Mr. Mistoffellees and toured nationally with 42nd Street. He has performed regionally in productions of The Music Man, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and The King and I. Justin has also performed with C. Eule Dance and Christopher Caines Dance Company, along with many guest appearances with pre-professional companies.
PRIOR ARTISTS
Alex Smith
A pianist, organist, composer, and arranger, is most widely known for his work accompanying Lady Gaga on her much heralded performance of the Star-Spangled for Super Bowl 50 (2016). He is the keyboardist and arranger for Lady Gaga’s jazz quintet and was featured on the Grammy winning album with Tony Bennett “Cheek to Cheek” and on their PBS Special “Cheek to Cheek – Live!” which aired on October 24th, 2014. In 2015, he toured across North America and Europe with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga playing storied venues from the Hollywood Bowl to the Royal Albert Hall.
Susan Feldman
Strings teacher that graduated from Music and Art High School in New York City. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and in Performance on Cello from Queens College CUNY and received a Master of Science degree from Queens College CUNY. Susan taught strings for 35 years in the New York State School System. She also was the Orchestra Conductor and Center Director for the Queens Boro-Wide Orchestra and Band Center. Susan actively participated in the New York State School Music Association by sending over 1,500 elementary string students to the NYSSMA Festivals.
Brandon Cruz
Born in the Bronx, Brandon has lived in Westchester most of his life. While studying Visual Arts and Animation/Illustration at The Art Institute of Boston he worked with a street art muralist and fine artist creating a style that is a blend of the two. Completing his studies at NY Film Academy and Fordham he earned his BFA as a Visual Arts Major. Working for Royalton Hotel, Microsoft, MSG do murals and illustration he was featured in a national New Era commercial.
CYPH LOW (Van Elliot Chambless)
Life is what u make it, so make it sound good. Cyph Low is Ceo of _What It Is Entertainment_, a company built on enlightening youth through outreach and performances. The sound of Hip Hop known to him as Street Soul has been his way to the hearts and minds of today's youth. His witty Kanye West style submerged in a conscious Qtip overtone allows him the break through sound needed in today's music.
Joni Michelle Lanza
Joni attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and began her performance career in Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular. She debuted on Broadway in the revival of 42nd Street eventually appearing as the lead role. Joni grew up teaching classes at her family’s dance studio and currently teaches at The Dance Conservatory. Having toured nationally and performed in a Tony Award winning production, it is her dream come true for her to be of service to our children by sharing her knowledge and passion for dance and performing!
Enyinnaya Ogbuagu
I’ve been a visual artist for the past 6 years. I mostly use oil on canvas because I’m able to tap into the energy of colors mixing, blending smoothly together, making shapes and patterns emerge on the canvas. I revel in this medium with long drying time that allows me to keep adding and reworking the painting over a long period of time. I’m also experimenting with 3D sculptures, I am particularly interested in using recycled materials as primary medium.
Erin Hunter-Jennings
A professional dancer and educator, Erin has danced with companies led by Germaul Barnes, Erica Essner, Caron Eule, Olsi Gjeci, Gaspard Louis and Pilobolusand performed in Europe, across the US, including NYC in theaters, galleries, windows and parks. She is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and among twenty musicals her performances include Graziella in West Side Story at Teatro ala Scala, Louise in Westchester Broadway’s Carousel, and Kristine in the national tour of A Chorus Line. Erin holds a B.A. psychology and a Master of Arts in Dance Ed.
Eva Brechat (or Eva Sita)
With over 10 years of performance and a Berklee Music degree, Eva helps students to develop their stage confidence and master the art of performance. Eva Sita is a multilingual French and West African artist trained in many different styles of dance, varying from traditional to contemporary.
Garrick Battle
Experienced in organizing academic, youth development and enrichment activities. Garick also assists, supports and works closely with teachers, administrators and other team members in providing educational benefits to children with special needs. For Arts10566 Garick shares his love of music, providing choral instruction to students 6-9 at Oakside Elementary School in Peekskill, NY, supporting children's educational achievement, and healthy social and emotional development.
Taylor Coleman
Born and raised in the Hudson Valley Taylor participated in the various arts programs that the valley had to offer, and since age 14, gradually began to transition into the role of educator. Taylor received certification in Visual Arts Education from SUNY New Paltz in August 2017. In 2018 she earned her second graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in STEAM. Taylor is an accomplished artist whose biggest inspirations are listening to music and the imaginative minds of our youth! www.taylorcolemanart.com
Belle Ritter
Belle Ritter attended the HS of Performing Arts in 1983 and has trained with the Bronx Dance Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Broadway Dance Center, Ballet Hispanico and Herbert Berghoff Studios in NYC. She has worked with choreographers Kevin Wynn, Doug Verone and David Parsons at Purchase College Dance Conservatory. Belle is dedicated to diversity and education classes will be instructed in English and Spanish incorporating the use of literature in her movement classes help to nurture and develop “strong voices.” Visit Belle’s Dance Network in Peekskill, NY.
Jesus Silva
A contemporary muralist, Jesus has worked with youth in New Jersey and New York, teaching skills in air-brushing and spray paiting, design and coor. He encourages expression through art using acrylics, pastels, marking pen and pencils. His motto, "Let them express themselves” perfectly embodies his teaching style. He strives to teach his students to open themselves up to their individual creative expression.