CURRENT TEACHERS & STAFF
Bryan G. Zellmer
(Owner, Business Manager, Executive Producer)
Bryan has performed numerous lead, supporting, and ensemble acting roles in many theaters: The Paramount Theatre, The Bardovan Opera House, UPAC on Broadway, The Courtyard Theatre, and King Centre. Bryan has also worked in every backstage role such as stage manager, producer, director, sound/light board operator, and stage hand in theaters such as: The Lyceum Theatre, Orange Hall, The Arts Theatre, Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre, and Metro Black Box Theatre. Bryan sang the National Anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies pro-baseball game and Elijah with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. He's also performed with a marching band in Disney World, Kings Dominion, Dorney Park and two NYC parades. Bryan was inducted into the National Thespian Society and holds a B.A. degree in Communications with a minor in Marketing and an emphasis in Theater from Metropolitan State College of Denver. He earned his MBA in Marketing at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Some of Bryan's mentors from which he studied under include: Dr. Marilyn Hetzil, Max Schaefer, Sally Waldman, Jack Aaronson, Charles Mortimer, Janet Gehres, Christa Damaris, Claudia Cummings-Aaronson, and Tony Award winner Shepard Coleman. Bryan is currently a member of the Tri-State Chamber of Commerce, former Director of the Board, and was an active member of Port Jervis Rotary Club where he led the Club's PR. Bryan's held many marketing positions for various companies such as with Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts in Bushkill, PA, Marketing Unlimited in Port Jervis, NY, and Niki Jones Advertising Agency as Marketing Director. Bryan is currently the Assistant Cultural Affairs Director at Sussex County Community College where he oversees all of the booking and operations for their new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center.
To students and parents alike, he goes by "Bryan","Bry", or "BZ" (take your pick).
You can email Bryan at: Bryan@MPAConline.com
Carla Gibbs-Zellmer
(Owner, Artistic Director, Teacher: Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Pilates, Combo, & Pre-K classes)
Carla was a professional classical ballet dancer for 6 years. She has danced with many companies: Anglo-American Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Colorado Ballet to name a few. She was privately coached by David Howard, Gelsey Kirkland, and Nanette Charisse. Carla also had extensive training with many of New York's finest teachers: Simon Dow, Willy Burman, Nancy Bielski, Mark Jelks, Madam Darvash, Peter Schabel, and Robert Tucker. As a teacher, Ms. Zellmer has choreographed high-scoring platinum and national award winning dances. In addition to teaching the ballet, Pointe, lyrical, combo, & pre-K classes, she also runs the company rehearsals.
The youngest students call her Ms. Carla, but to the older students and parents she goes by Carla.
You can email Carla at: Carla@MPAConline.com
Christine Ertola
(Teacher: Modern and Hip Hop classes)
Christine recently relocated to Pike County and holds a Master of Science degree in Creative Arts Therapy - Dance/Movement Therapy from Pratt Institute. She also holds a BA in Dance and Psychology from CUNY-Hunter in New York, and her training and background include some of the top dance schools in New York such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Miller Ballet, Debbie Reynolds Studio, Hunter College Dance Company, Benjamin Cardozo Performing Dance Company, Dancesation Dance Studio and Stony Brook Spare Change Dance/Theater Company. Among her teaching and choreographing credits are professional companies such as Gotta Dance Studio, Dance Expression of Westchester, Sullivan Dance/Theater Company, Twyla Tharp, Dancesation Dance Studio, Dance Theater Workshop and Hunter College Dance Company. Christine is a licensed Creative Arts Therapist and she is a registered Dance Therapist. She is also certified in adult, child and infant CPR.
The youngest students call her Ms. Christine, but to the older students and parents she goes by Christine.
Jonathon Bolte
(Assistant Teacher: Combination, Beginning and Intermediate classes; substitute Teacher)
Jonathon is twenty-two years old and joined MPAC’s Dance Company four years ago. He is currently Assistant Teacher for all MPAC combination classes. Jonathon studied drama for six years at the Mortimer Dramatic Workshop. He has performed in DVHS’s production of “Seussical the Musical” and “The Music Man” and he has also performed in “Bye Bye Birdie”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Oklahoma”, and “Urintown” by Presby Players/Tri-City Stage. Jonathon is currently taking classes with The Joffery Ballet School in Manhattan. Students and parents alike may call him Jonathon.
James Campistrous (J. Angelo)
(Performing Arts Consultant and Guest Performer: Mid Summer Night's Dream, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty)
James was a principle dancer with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company with Mikhail Baryshnikov from 1973-1975. He has also performed in Broadway shows, including, Nine 1982, La Cage 1983, and Brigadoon revival 1986. He was appointed to the 1976 Olympic Men’s Figure Skating Team but was ineligible to compete due to an injury. In 1980, James received his Professional Registered Nurse Diploma and entered the U.S.A.R. Nurse Corps. His twelve year military career includes graduating the Academy of Health Science with honors, and being decorated five times for service and achievements; retiring at the rank of Captain. James received his Bachelors degree at Farleigh Dickenson University and continued his executive career with Fortune 100 organizations. Currently, James is working at a local hospital’s emergency room, owns his own event planning company, J. Angelo, and continues with his forth year of dancing and collaborating with MPAC. Students and parents alike may call him James.
Jay Woods
(Lighting Designer and Technical Theater Consultant)
Jay Woods’ design credits include productions for Bill Cosby, Equity Fights AIDS – Dancers Responding to AIDS, AIG Financial Group, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, Village Light Opera Group, New York Stage and Joe’s Pub at the NY Public Theatre. His recent work includes lighting direction for several stops on the national tour of Love in the Nick of Tyme. In addition to his theatrical lighting experiences he has been a part of many architectural lighting projects throughout the country including the Toy’s R Us flagship store in Times Square NY, Florida Museum of Natural History and the Olympic Monument Park and Museum in Salt Lake City, UT.
Brian Riker
(Sound Design and Technical Theater Consultant)
Brian has collaborated with MPAC since 2002. He is the Technical Director for D.V. Schools and looks forward to MPAC shows. Students and parents alike may call him Brian.
Daniel Torres
(Set Designer, Properties, Set Construction, Backstage Crew, Guest Performer: The Nutcracker)
Dan has been with MPAC since they opened in 2002, and he brings over ten years of set building experience to the company. He’s worked on touring shows such as Ozfest, Dora the Explorer, Scoobie Doo, Blues Clues, Pokemon, MTV Video Music Awards, International Emmy Awards, and he is a member of IATSE local 311.Students and parents alike may call him Dan.
Karrie Torres
(Theater Consultant, Backstage Crew, Properties, Set Construction, Box Office)
This is KK’s 8th year working with MPAC. She is an independent/corporate Audio Engineer who earned a degree from the Institute of Audio Research. She worked on productions such as the International Emmy Awards, Dance Sport, and Things You Shouldn’t Say After Midnight (Off-Broadway), and the national launch of White Barn Candle Company. Students and parents alike may call her Karrie or K.K..
Christopher P. Weber III
(Guest Performer, MPAC Stage Crew and Former MPAC Teacher: The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Acting I)
Christopher has been involved with almost 40 productions within the past 12 years. His acting and directing credits include “The Female Odd Couple” for Women In Arts, “Hamlet” for the Butchers’ Guild, “The Importance of Being Earnest” for Creative Theatre-Muddy Waters Players, “Waiting for Godot” for the Apprentice Players, “Deathtrap” for the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop, “Desire Under the Elms” for the Centennial Community Theatre which won 3 awards at the Rocky Mountain Theatre Festival, and he has created 13 one-act plays, and is currently directing his full-length play “Night of January 16th” for Women In Arts. He also teaches Drama in South Fallsburg. Students and parents alike may call him Chris or Christopher.
Janet Gibbs
(Costume Designer and Costume Mistress)
Janet has been making dance costumes for over twenty years. Her specialty is making tutus and character costumes, but she’s also known for her elaborate soloist gowns.Students and parents alike may call her Ms. Janet or just Janet.
Marcie Haas
(Make-up Consultant)
Marcie has over 10 years of hair/makeup industry experience and owns her own business. Students and parents alike may call her Mrs. Haas, Ms. Marcie or just Marcie.
Barbara Sudano
(Backstage Coordinator)
Barbara has been working backstage, assisting Carla, since her oldest daughter’s first Nutcracker in 2005. She loves helping Carla with the organized chaos that goes on backstage. Barbara is also an MPAC dance student herself, taking tap, and she says she thoroughly enjoys it. Students and parents alike may call her Mrs. Sudano, Ms. Barbara or just Barbara.
PAST WORKSHOP TEACHERS & FORMER INSTRUCTORS
Claudine Cino
(Instructor: Yoga Workshops)
Claudine is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Certified Resist-A-Ball instructor. She is currently pursuing her personal trainer certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and a degree in Exercise Science. She is also a member of the International Childbirth Education Association.
Dave "D-Lerious"
(Teacher: Break Dancing)
Diana Mahat Shahein
(Teacher: Egyptian Dance Workshop)
Diana lives in Strousbourg, PA. She has studied, taught and conducted workshops for over 25 years. She has extensive theater background, plays four musical instruments and holds a BS degree in Education. Diana has spent time living and working among the Egyptian people of Cairo. There she learned the dance as it is performed in Egypt. A master teacher, Diana's technique allows each student to develop an individual style focusing on feeling, expression, and interpretation of the music.
Diane Mozzone
(Teacher: Modern Dance ((Martha Graham; Humphrey-Weidman techniques)), Improvisation, Choreography; Stage Direction)
Diane has been dancing and attending dance performances since she was three years old. She is from NYC where she lived 51 years, and has studied there throughout her life at many prominent studios: Martha Graham, David Howard, Merce Cunningham, and Clark Center for the Performing Arts (Y.W.C.A.) to name a few. Diane pursued her love for dancing by attending Marymount Manhattan College where she graduated with a B.A. in Dance (teacher certification) in 1983. Some of her performances include original works at the Phoenix Theater, NYC, Staten Island Community College, NYC, and Queensboro Community College, NYC. She received a conditional license from New York State to teach dance in the New York City Public School System. Later, she opened White Street Dance Studio in Tribeca, New York City where she taught modern dance. As a choreographer, she likes to draw movement from all elements of dance, and mix the many techniques that she has studied including ballet, modern, Moroccan belly dancing, Indian temple dance, Reggae and club dance styles to arrange dances that are quite original. Her philosophy of dance is to "feel the music, and and let your body flow."
Students and parents alike can call her Diane.
Dina Michael Sage
(Guest Author and Actress: Poetry Reading; New Plays Workshop)
Daniel R. Spradling
(Guest Teacher: Tap)
Jonathon Cieslak
(Teacher: Improvisational Acting)
Joyce A. Brinson (Teacher: Ballroom Dance Workshop)
Former Owner and Director of the Performance Ballroom & Cultural Arts Centre in Summit, NJ, Joyce has devoted over 25 years to teaching ballroom dance. As a member of the Dance Educators of America and the National Dance Council of America, she has conducted ballroom dance competitions and examinations through their recognition and The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, London, England. She was also responsible for promoting and exposing amateur dancers to casting calls for local and professional theatre groups including Apolo Theater, New York City. Some of her own professional performances include Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall, New York City. "Through it all" says Joyce, "I still believe that mastering the simplest steps are what allows the dancer to manuever across the floor. They are the ones that stand out above the rest. Now, 'that' is elegance."
Kaitlin Paul
(Apprentice Teacher and Intern: All combo classes; some beginning classes; substitute teacher)
Kate Hoover (Apprentice Dance Teacher and Intern, Intermediate Theater Dance & Intro. to Acting, and IMPACT Facilitator)
Megan Paul
(Apprentice Teacher, Intern and Junior Teacher: Hip Hop; substitute Teacher)
Students and parents alike may call her Megan.
Melissa Kopcso
(Apprentice Teacher and Intern)
Melissa Thomas
(Teacher: Advanced Jazz, Advanced Tap, and Theatre Dance)
Michael Ruby (Teacher: Ensemble Acting I)
Michael has performed lead and supporting roles in straight dramas and musicals on the local, collegiate, and now professional levels. Local credits include DVHS's "The Sound of Music" and "Mame," and Presby Player's "Will Roger's Follies." University credits include lead roles in "West Side Story," "City of Angels," "Working," and "The Seagull." He is a member of Actor's Equity and will perform this Spring in the children's musical theater production of "Highlights For Children" with ArtsPower National Touring Theatre. Michael also has extensive directing and producing experience that includes "Godspell," "London Suite," "The Who's Tommy," Presby Player's "Little Shop of Horrors," and his self-authored play "Drinking the Hemlock." Michael recently earned his B.S. in Film and Television/Screenwriting from Boston University, where he also studied playwriting/directing with Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott and voice/musical theater with renowned Metropolitan Opera singer and Broadway actress Claudia Catania.
Patrick Bresnyan
(Artistic Director and Teacher: Acting I, Characterization Study, Acting Workshop)
Regina Walenczyk
(Instructor: Yoga Workshop)
Samantha Messenger
(Teacher: Tap)
...list is incomplete.