Jennifer Allen (Project Director, Community Schools Division and the Arts)

BS in Elementary Education-K-12 validation, Bowling Green State University; MA in Supervision from Ashland University. 20 years classroom teaching in Ohio, Georgia, Florida and Scotland. Assistant Director of the Summer Honors Institute for gifted high school students at Ashland University for 10 years, ODE Consultant for Office of Exceptional Children Javits Grant for 2 years, singer/songwriter with 3 self-produced CDs.

Karen Andrew (Accompanist)

BS in Fashion Merchandising, Brigham Young Univ. & studied piano & accompanying; accompanied in Montana, Michigan, Vermont & Ohio; church musician.

Melanie Bowers (Fiddle and Violin)

BS in Music Education Violin Major, BGSU; ME Administration, Dayton University;teacher and administrator in Clark Co. Schools; Adjunct Professor Wittenberg University in Ed.; professional musician with Springfield and Wittenberg Symphonies; professional fiddle player with "JimGreer and the Mac-O-Chee Valley Folks"; several CD's

Damian Boyd (Trombone and Brass, Stage Band)

Jazz studies & Music Theory at Toledo University & OSU/Columbus; studied with Dick JOhnson, James Masters and James Ducci; taught in Columbus, Springfield and Mansfield.

Josh Cole (Piano, Suzuki Piano, Audio Recording)

BA in Commercial Music Technology with piano, Malone College; minister of music; interned in Nashville

Carla Colon (Flute, Piano)

BM in flute performance, Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico; MM in flute performance, Cleveland State University. Member and Founder of the Aurora Flute Quartet, Medal of hOnor winner most outstanding student Woodwind Department, attended Jeanne Baxtresser Masterclass at Julliard, Flute Institute at Oberlin woth Michel Debost, member of  the Pi Kappa Lambda National Flute Association, winner of the Professional Flute Choir Competition in 2006. Private flute teacher for many years.

Marianne Cooper
(Founder/Executive Director, choral & voice)

MM and PhD work in Educational Administration at Bowling Green State University; BS Music Education, OSU; studied at Tanglewood with Bernstein, Copland, Ross & Munch; toured nationally with Norman Luboff Choir; appeared in music theatre, opera & oratorio in a 3 state area; Emeritus Associate Professor of Music at OSU; Kindermusik certified.

Bob Cox (Guitar, Banjo)

Professional musician for nearly 40 years; active recording and performing artist. Adjunct Professor of Guitar and Coordinator of guitar at Kenyon College; guitar at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University.

Dr. Tom Croghan
(Jazz Improvisation, Ensembles  & Technics Piano Lab)

DM from OSU Medical College; BS Otterbein College; professional musician; faculty at Jamey Aebersole Jazz Camp; Member of IAJE & former Pres. of Ohio Chapter. Founding President of the Academy Board of Trustees.  Performing musician with Tom Croghan and Friends.

Jennifer Donley (Visual Arts)

BFA Graphic Design/Illustration Emphasis from Ohio University.  Has been a Graphic Designer for Ashland University, Freelance artist with Abbott Laboratories, and Creative Director at the Mansfield News Journal.

Shirley Fearn (Gallery Coordinator)

A working artist in the community; active at the Mansfield Arts Center.

Gary Fossaceca (Banjo)

Private banjo teacher - 7 years; Founding member of the bluegrass band Faces Made for Radio; 1999-2006 Augusta Heritage Center, Bluegrass Music Week, Elkins, WV; Special agent for the Ohio Bureau Criminal Identification/Investigation

Jim Froelich (Viola, Violin, Alexander Technique)

MM New England Conservatory in Boston; member of Alexander Technique, Int. and American String Teachers Association; Alexander Technique teaching in Cleveland, Oberlin and Lakeside, Ohio; active string quartet performer; formerly violist with the Winnipeg (Canada) Symphony, Columbus Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, and Veracruz (Mexico) Symphony.  Freelance work in Boston including Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera and Spectrum Singers.

Michele S. Gorman (Dance)

BS Education, OSU; graduate work in education, OSU; Ethyl Battin Dance Academy and Ballet West, University of Utah. Multi-subject elementary teacher since 1975. Ballet instructor since 1972. Academy Board of Trustees.

Meagan Grund (Dance)

OSU Dance Dept., graduation in June 2008 with a BFA in Dance Peformance; performed and choreographed a variety of shows; began Developmental Dance Program at Richland Academy in 2004; Dubai dance group; Summer 2007 internship at Broadway Dance Center in NYC; former Richland Academy student.

John Henney (Stained Glass)

Artist in stained glass since 1972; taught classes at Madison, Ashland West Holmes JVS & Pioneer JVS; created commercial windows for wholesalers and contractors in Ohio; restored windows & shades for churches & antique dealers; restored 67 – 1896 windows for Mansfield Reformatory; built chapel windows for Richland Correctional Institution

Sheri Hughes (Building Supervisor)

Lucas Village Council (Personnel Committee Chair); HR work at Crane; attended OSU-Mansfield.

Mary Kettering (Violin & Fiddle)

MM Violin Performance from Belmont Univ. - graduate teaching assistantship; BM Violin performance from Baldwin Wallace - scholarship student; string teacher at Jenkins Elementary School, Belmont Academy, Hermitage Academy and privately; orchestra work with Ashland, Lima, Huntsville, Nashville, Belmont University & Baldwin Wallace; summer experiences at Brevard Music Center, Ashokan fiddle & Dance and American Suzuki Institute; bluegrass bands in Nashville and Faces Made for Radio; membership in American StringTeachers Association, American Federation of Musicians & Sigma Alpha Iota Honorary Sorority.

Lee Klopfenstein (Guitar- Acoustic, Bass, Electric and 12 string; Drums)

BS in math form Mt. Vernon Nazarene University; extensive private lesson teaching; Worship Leader responsible for music, rehearsals, band & congregation along with original songs.

Sarah Lulenski (Dance)

OSU Dance Dept., graduation in June 2008 with a BFA in Dance Peformance; member of DanceLinx - OSU's hip hop dance team; Dubai dance group; summer 2007 internship at Broadway Dance Center in NYC; foremer Richland Academy student.

Harvey McGowan (Bagpipe Band)

Pipe Major for the Royal Scottish Highlanders; Bandmaster of the Salvation Army Band.  BS Thiel University.  Music teacher for over 30 years.

Andrej Mentschukoff (Classical Guitar)

BA Honorary Degree, University of East Anglia; guitar studies with J. Jezewski, Cambridge University Society, and private studies with Andres Segovia.

Gerri Nipper (Business Manager)

NCSC in Business; business responsibilities at Frey Scientific for 14 years and RPA/Symphony for 12 years.

James Pekare (Clarinet)

ME Elementary Education, OSU; MA Music Education, BM, Bowling Green State University.  Instrumental, band, vocal instructor, and learning disabilities instructor for over 30 years. Retired as Learning Disabilities Instructor for Madison Local Schools.

Joan Secrest (Dance)

Graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester, NY, majoring in bus. & soc.; worked in Soc. Ser. Dept. of Rochester General & Genesee Hospital; assistant & partner in the Marjorie Miller School of Dance; Shaker Heights Invitational Dance classes at Alcazor Hotel; 1955 in Mansfield, started dance classes in ballet, pointe, tap & jazz at YM-YMCA for 17 years; choreographed for Town roast, Starlight Revue & OSU-M music theatre & choirs; teaches 60+ tap class at RA for 64-78 yr. olds.

Larry Spoon (Woodwinds & Brass)

BA Music Education, Ashland University.  Former member South Eastern Ohio Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony Chorus, Ashland Area Chorus, Ashland Community Orchestra.  Experienced band director and music teacher.

Danielle Stevens (Dance & Artistic Dir. of radKidz)

BFA in Dance from Kent State Univ.; master classes with Ghana Nat. Dance Theatre, Ballet Florida & Am. College Dance Festival; 2004 Outstanding Dance Major; instructor at Northeast Ohio Dance Academy.

Anngie Tager (Director of Operations)

Attended OSU-Mansfield; Past President of Mansfield Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary; member of Kiwanis of Mansfield.

Michael Thomas (Director Theater School at Richland Academy)

A native of New London Michael returns to the area after 30 years of success in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and London, working as a writer, musical director and actor. His TV and film credits include: 30 Rock, Tracey takes On, True to Form, Saturday Night Live, Shrek II and many others. His musical directing credits include: (NY and national tour) The Secret Graden, Once On This Islandand others. He has won three Joseph Jefferson Awards, an After Dark award and Time Out New York's Best of the Best. 30 Rock received the 2007 Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Anne-Marie Trohanovsky (Piano, Voice)

BME and MA in Bilingual Education, University of Maine at Orono; Master’s thesis based on Acadian Folk Songs published; member of Mansfield Symphony Chorus; Richland Academy Faculty Trio; Academy Singers; Adult Opera Theatre; current member of NATS (National Assoc. of Teachers of Singing, Inc.); participated in student/faculty recitals and concerts at Richland Academy and Baldwin-Wallace College; extensive private teaching in Ohio, Maine and California.

Lori Turner
(KinderMusik, Voice, Choir, Children’s through Adult Opera Theatre, Cabaret Class)

BFA in Music, California Institute of the Arts; AIMS in Graz, Austria. Past member of Roger Wagner Chorale, Early Music Ensemble in LA, De Koniklijk Vlaamse Opera, Belgium; founder, Stardust Quartet; professional musician experienced in film and recording; Certified KinderMusik Instructor; founder of Faculty Quartet; Discovery School Music Teacher; Singer with Columbus Bach Ensemble.

Caroline Wadsworth (Tai Chi for Arthritis)

BS in Education from OSU; attended Albion College and Michigan State University; studied under Tai Chi Master InstructorJan Van Schelt in 2005; teaches at MedCentral Health and Fitness Club.

Carol Wigal (Registrar and Service Desk PT)

Receptionist and billing in the medical profession for many years; piano accompanist at church and school.

Adena Williams (Children’s Opera Theatre)

Vocal Performance at Brigham Young Univ. in Utah; theatre, vocal performance, tap & jazz at Richland Academy; 25 years performance experience with bands, show choirs, women’s ensembles and theatre; 1995-97 appeared at the Columbus New Market Mall Dinner Theatre as an actress/singer with original material; appeared in the Mansfield Symphony productions of Grand Night for Singing, Sound of Music and The King and I; 2 years singing with the Mansfield Federation Union Band; member Mansfield Symphony Chorus; directs The Mansfield church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints choir.

Nancy Williams (Flute, Piano, Recorder)

College and University studies in Music. Flute instructor since 1973. Performed with Louisville Symphony, Licking Co. Symphony, Columbus Symphony and numerous Renaissance and Baroque ensembles.

Judie Zuber (Registrar and Service Desk PT)

Secretary for Mansfield City Schools for 32 years- retired. Team Captain and Committee Member for Relay for Life.