Arts Team

Teams

• Leadership

• Arts

• Counseling

• ELA

• Foreign Language

• Math

• PE & Health

• Support Staff

• Science

• Social Studies

• Learning Specialists

• College Readiness

Sarah P. - Music

Growing up as the daughter of two classically trained musicians, Sarah has always felt connected to music. Sarah received a dual degree in Music Education and Flute Performance from Ithaca College. Following graduation, she remained in Ithaca and actively performed with the Ithaca Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, New Music Collective, and taught concert band in the public school system for two years. She later moved to New York City where she worked for Kaufman Music Center at the Special Music School. Sarah is returning to WESS for her 5th year. She currently freelances and teaches flute privately in the NYC area. During her free time, she likes to go hiking with her rescue pup, listen to live music, and explore new cuisines. She is thrilled to be a part of the WESS team!

Christina - Dance

Christina is from Huntington, Long Island. She began dancing at the age of 7 and went on to join both her local studio and high school’s competitive dance teams, where she experienced a variety of dance styles. She decided to pursue Dance Education as a career at Hofstra University, where she further developed her foundations in Modern Dance and Ballet technique, as well as learned how to share her joy of moving with others in a classroom setting. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Education from Hofstra University and a Masters in Dance Education from Hunter College. Additionally, she has continued her education through courses at the Dance Education Laboratory at the 92nd Street Y. Christina has presented her research on technology in the dance classroom as part of the Movement Talks series at the 92nd Street Y and at the 2013 National Dance Education Conference in Miami, and performed professionally with the Isadora Duncan repertory company Dance Visions NY from 2010-2016. As a New York State certified dance educator, Christina is entering her 14th year of teaching dance in New York City schools. She piloted WESS Dance in 2016 and is extremely proud of both the program and her dancers’ growth over the years. Outside of school, Christina enjoys working out, cooking, baking, photography, and hanging out with her dog.

Gina - Visual Art

Gina was born and raised in the Hudson Valley and lived in her father’s native country of Ecuador for several of her elementary school years.  Her favorite classes were always art, phys ed, music, and biology. Gina attended Pratt Institute as an Illustration major earning her BFA there. After undergraduate school, she worked in New York museums like MoMA and the MET as an art educator, and NY fashion houses as a designer. After completing her MS in Art and Design Education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and living in Italy for a few years, she moved from designing at Nike NYC to Lincoln Center Education as a teaching artist. Gina is always thrilled to share her love of soccer, cooking, financial literacy, and of course, art! She is over the moon about joining the WESS team, and can’t wait to meet her students and their families. Gina’s family has grown this year with the addition of her one year old daughter Maia.

Nicole - Visual Art

Nicole, a lifelong New Yorker, received her BA in Photography from Antioch College in Ohio, where she traveled the globe photographing women in developing nations. During and after, she has exhibited her artwork in several states. She moved back to New York City after graduation and started her career in public schools teaching photography, visual arts, and architecture. She received an MS in Urban Education from The College of Mount Saint Vincent and an MA in School Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. During her long tenure in New York City schools, Nicole has served as arts coordinator and has helped develop robust art education programming. Additionally, Nicole has served as a staff developer for art teachers in the Bronx and Manhattan. In addition to her passion for art education, she is an avid gardener. Nicole is thrilled at the prospect of helping every student at WESS develop their individual artistic vision and voice. Nicole feels honored to be part of the WESS community.