Our Faculty & Staff

Courtney Kassinger has spent her summers at Usdan since 2002 when she first attended as a student. She has served as Discovery counselor, transportation staff, and is now Transportation Manager. Courtney is a teacher (and proud alum!) at Harborfields Central School District, teaching band, chorus, and music, as well as director of the annual Variety Show. She is a member of SCMEA and NAfME.

Jillian Greenberg is an artist and educator, and Usdan’s Director of Education. Prior to joining Usdan, Jillian managed Studio In A School’s Artist Residency Program. She has taught visual art in schools, organizations, and museums across New York City. Jillian holds a Master’s in Art Education from Teachers College at Columbia University and an MFA from the Chelsea College of Art and Design in London.

Lauren Brandt Schloss joined Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in 2015. With her appointment, she became Usdan’s third leader in a half century and the first woman to hold the position. Bringing 20+ years experience in arts education, at the Queens Museum, MoMA, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Lauren is committed to ensuring that Usdan is at the forefront of educational and artistic practices. Ms. Schloss earned a B.A. in art history from Princeton University and an M.A. in arts administration from Columbia University.

Dave Schecher returns to Usdan this summer for his 31st season. He is a trombonist, private music instructor and retired public school teacher who has also been the Director of The Long Island Brass Guild for many years.

Jasmin Smith teaches elementary school in Queens and holds a special passion for music and poetry. A Long Island native, Jasmin turned her love for both art and working with children into a career after earning her Master’s in Education from Sarah Lawrence College.

Oliver Valle is an interdisciplinary designer and artist in the fields of architecture and urban design, and teaching artist at Usdan. Prior to founding his own design practice, he served as an urban designer with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, where his mixed-use development, transportation design, and urban design won multiple awards. Oliver continues to publish research internationally and he is a frequent guest at Columbia University, Syracuse University, Parsons School of Design, and other universities. Oliver instructs the Designing With Minecraft and Architecture courses at Usdan.

Jodie Embleton is a visual arts educator who has dedicated her career to bringing art education back to inner-city students. Beginning as a ceramics assistant and kiln technician at Usdan, to teacher, and now co-chair, she has a true passion for inspiring young people. Following work at the Neuberger Museum of Art, Jodie currently teaches a visual arts in the Copiague School District and co-chairs Usdan’s art department.

Kelly Schulte-Smith is a multidisciplinary artist, experimenting with crochet, bead-weaving, wire-weaving, resin, polymer clay, fused glass art, stained glass, steel, and mosaic art. Since graduating with a degree in interior design, Kelly has continued her own artistic exploration, while helping young people find their own voices as creators. She brings her unique perspective to Usdan’s Lego Design courses.

Karine Falleni has been practicing yoga for 20 years and instructing for 13. Her teaching has brought her to special programs in Arizona and schools, outreach programs, and studios across Greater New York City. Karine is passionate about making yoga more accessible to all people by bringing the practice outside traditional studios. She has taught meditation, restorative yoga, breathing, yoga therapy, prenatal yoga, and Anusara.

Jared Peer is an artist and educator. He currently teaches art at Urban Assembly School for Media Studies and is pursuing his Master’s in Technology Specialism from Columbia University. Jared’s work explores combining technology and traditional woodworking with wearable interfaces. He is a Teaching Assistant at Usdan’s architecture program.

Christine Roepken is a freelance animator, educator, and fine artist. In addition to her many comic book and animation projects, Christine serves as Animation Workshop professor at the School of Visual Arts. She teaches Animation and Experimental Animation at Usdan.

Dana Neger-Lagos is a master model maker, jeweler, sculptor, and Usdan’s metalsmithing instructor. She has designed jewelry and accessories for Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, QVC, Calvin Klein, Susan Lucci, and other brands. As an educator, Dana teaches at the Art League of Long Island, Dix Hills, Plainview-Old Bethpage School District, and Long Island Libraries. Her artwork fuses metalsmithing and nature, and is on exhibit throughout Long Island.

Brian Karen is a top-ranked tournament chess player for both the United States Chess Federation and Federation Internationale Des Échecs. As an instructor, Brian has served as co-director of Usdan’s chess program since 1997, coached three-time Long Island chess champions Friends Academy, and director of chess programs for the Roslyn School District, Long Island School for the Gifted, and St. Patrick’s. He additionally serves on the United States Chess Federation Scholastic Council.

One of Long Island’s top 10 players, Joel Salman is a professional Chess Master who has been teaching chess to children in schools and libraries on a full time basis since 1994. The Long Island native joined the faculty of Usdan in 2003, where he co-chairs the Chess Department.

Diana Crum is a Brooklyn-based choreographer, dancer, teacher, administrator, and advocate, and Interim Chair of Dance at Usdan. Her choreography has been presented in New York, Atlanta, Mexico, and across Europe. She currently serves as Program Director for Movement Research’s Dance Makers in the Schools and teaches dance at 92Y, Brooklyn Arts Council Brooklyn Arts Exchange, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and more.

Amrom Svay is a jazz saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and music educator. He instructs students in saxophone, clarinet, flute, and jazz theory. Amrom has studied and performed alongside Ralph Lalama, Eric Alexander, Kenny Washington, and Jon Faddis at notable venues across the country, including The Blue Note and Dizzy’s Club.

Andrew Ranaudo is an award-winning performer, teacher, and composer. Andrew has played, toured, and recorded with top musicians at historic venues across the United States and Europe. His penchant for contemporary avant-garde music and eclectic artistic partnerships has seen his music played at MOMA PS1, Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, and the Mattress Factory Museum. For the last 18 years, Andrew has maintained an active teaching studio in Brooklyn and he looks forward to another summer teaching piano at Usdan.

Dr. Kegeki Nagao is an acclaimed musician and educator who has performed under conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Sergiu Comissiona, Paul Zukofsky, James DePriest, and Sixten Ehrling. A soloist, orchestral player, and chamber music performer, he has served as principal bass for the Westchester Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, Merrick Symphony, Atlantic Philharmonic, Strauss Symphony of America, Berkshire Opera, and the Transfiguration Chamber Ensemble. He currently directs the string department of Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School, and serves as Double Bass Instructor and Orchestra Director at Usdan.

Mark Bligh is the director of the Denton Ave Elementary Band (Herricks UFSD) where he teaches winds, brass and percussion for grades 3-5. The Denton Ave Band regularly attends NYSSMA Majors and consistently earns Gold with Distinction honors. Mark Bligh is an active NMEA member who has chaired several All-County festivals and presented at the Balanced Mind Conference. The past few years, he conducted the Winds, Brass and Percussion sectional for the NYSSMA All-State Symphonic Orchestra and will conduct the 2018 SCMEA Division 1 Central All-County Band. Mark performs regularly as Principal Alto Saxophone for the Northwinds Symphonic Band, has performed with the Atlantic Wind Symphony as well as various chamber recitals. Mark is a past member of SCMEA and current member of NMEA, NYSSMA, NYSBDA and NafME.

Sue Lehr is a musical director, teacher, and freelance musician, who is returning to Usdan for her 20th summer as cello instructor. Sue served as orchestra director at the Waldorf School for 20 years and continues to teach freelance today. She maintains a teaching studio in Freeport, NY and her quartet performs often at special occasions across Long Island.

Cindy Giron is a composer, performer, music educator, and arts administrator currently living in The Hague, Netherlands. Her studies include stops at Boston’s New England Conservatory Preparatory School, Manhattan School of Music, New York University, and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. She enjoys writing music for ensembles and has collaborated with dancers, visual art installations, and live electronics. Cindy is Usdan’s Music Department Coordinator.

As a performer, educator, and world chamber music advocate, Michelle LaPorte tours extensively as flutist/founding member of the award-winning flute and guitar ensemble, Serenade Duo. She is an acclaimed Miyazawa Flutes Performing Artist, Centaur Recording Artist, and is the Professor of Flute at Suffolk County Community College in New York. She also maintains a private teaching studio, Serenade Music Academy, located in Saint James. She is happy to be a part of the creative team at Usdan! 

Dave Schecher returns to Usdan this summer for his 31st season. He is a trombonist, private music instructor and retired public school teacher who has also been the Director of The Long Island Brass Guild for many years.

Steve Finklestein is a former park ranger, resident naturalist, environmental educator, and interpretive design consultant. For the past 30 years, he has taught at East Wilson School District. As a musician, Steve is a freelance percussionist who has performed internationally and recorded with acts that include Mariah Carey, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Dave Valentine, Selena, Randy Brecker, and others. Steve leads Usdan’s Nature, Ecology and Design class.

Amanda Signorelli is an arts educator devoted to helping young people foster a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. She currently teaches middle school art in Nassau County. Amanda is inspired by the natural world and, as Nature, Ecology, and Design instructor, she uses Usdan’s campus to connect her students to the artistic beauty in nature.

Edna Gruvman is a dancer, yoga instructor, movement therapist, and proud Usdan alum. For the last decade, Edna has used dance and movement to support children with autism, and taught yoga to young people. Edna danced professionally with contemporary troupes prior to becoming an educator. She is the lead yoga instructor at Usdan.

Gráinne Josaphat is Usdan’s Aquatics Director and a multi-sport teacher, coach, and athlete. Passionate about sport, health, and fitness since her youth in Ireland, Gráinne is a full-time Health and Wellness Educator and track coach locally. She competes as a triathlete across the country and internationally.

Carol Prisamnt has been directing regional theater on Long Island for over 25 years. Her numerous credits include shows at Broadhollow Theater, Studio Theater, Bayway Arts Center, and more. She teaches English during the school year and the performing arts across the Hudson Valley during the summer, including Musical Director at Usdan.

Christina Pawl is a dancer, singer, actor, and educator. She has appeared in multiple Broadway productions, including the Tony Award-winning CABARET, Meet Me In St. Louis, and South Pacific. She teaches dance at Broadway Dance Center, Main Street Theater, and Dance Alliance Roosevelt Island, and is a musical director at Usdan.

James Chricton is an actor at Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, Shakespeare Theater Company, Pioneer Theater Company, Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, and Prospect Theatre Company. He tourned nationally with Peter and the Starcatcher and serves as vocal director at Beyond the Stage Studio in Plainview, NY.