Our Faculty & Staff

Kyra Leeds is an actor and arts administrator from Queens, NY. Kyra was a student at Usdan for ten glorious summers, a Discovery Counselor for three summers, and has worked in Usdan’s administrative offices for the past five years. Kyra has also done some development and fundraising work for DCM, Inc. and, most recently, for the Off-Broadway MCC Theater in NYC. As an actor Kyra has been a part of Royal Caribbean’s CATS (Jennyanydots), Argyle Theatre’s FULL MONTY (Vicki), Hangar Theatre’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Christmas Past), and the REV Theatre Company’s PARADE (Ensemble/Dance Captain).  Kyra holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College. 

Jessica Liss Feuer joined Usdan’s full time staff in June 2023. She has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector with a focus on fundraising, philanthropic partnerships, and program development. Prior to Usdan, she served as the Associate Director of Advancement and Philanthropy at the MLB Players Trust, the charitable arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association. As a child, Jessica spent two summers at Usdan, majoring in Musical Theater and minoring in Dance. She loves being back as a staff member and seeing the next generation of young artists experience the magic of Usdan.

Victoria joined Usdan in 2022 and has more than 10 years experience working in nonprofit organizations in HR, Finance, and Administration. She earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting from St John's University and since then has worked with NYC organizations such as Seeds of Peace, Harlem's World Famous Apollo Theater, and the Children's Museum of Manhattan. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her partner and maintains a great appreciation of arts and culture, as an avid cellist and a regular patron of live performances, art houses, and museums. 

Michele is so excited to join the Usdan community this year as the Education Coordinator! It was Michele’s great-grandmother in her little Italian apartment who inspired Michele’s love for storytelling. That love has transformed into many areas of her life: singing on stage, writing in coffee shops, filming for the U.S. Army, and now, creating at Usdan. It is the fact that every person has a story to tell—their story to tell—that Michele aims to support and ignite the creative process of the stories being told in each studio. She holds a BA in Communications from Penn State University, where she rescued a cat she calls Jaxon. She rolls change for fun and is a professional hide-and-seeker, ranked 4th in the country.

Courtney Kassinger has spent her summers at Usdan since 2002 when she first attended as a student. On staff, she has served as a Discovery counselor, a member of the administration/transportation staff, Transportation Manager, Associate Director of Student Affairs. and is now the Associate Director of Camp Administration. Courtney holds a B.M. in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a M.S. in Music Education from Queens College along with an Advanced Certificate in TESOL from Touro College. Courtney teaches elementary band in the Harborfields Central School District in the very elementary school she herself attended and is a member of both SCMEA and NAfME.  She looks back fondly on her many summers at Usdan as a student that fostered her love for music and led her to pursue a career in music education. Courtney is eternally grateful for her Usdan family and the many lifelong friendships that have been created through her time spent at Usdan. 

Johan joined the Usdan family in 2022. He brought with him over 15 years of experience working and volunteering in nonprofit organizations. His main responsibilities have revolved around bookkeeping, finance and strategic development. He graduated from Baruch College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance. Soon after, he fell in love with the nonprofit world and has not looked back since. He then attended NYU for a course in accounting for nonprofits and followed it with a medical coding and billing certificate from Hunter College in 2016. He holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. He resides in Chelsea, MA with his partner, two cats and a ball python. He has great appreciation for music, especially live concerts.

Miracle R. Daley Bennett is a full-time art teacher during the year. This will be her fourth summer working at Usdan. She have been in the Fashion and Sewing Department for most of those years and has also worked in the Painting and Drawing Department. She is from Long Island and is a proud dog mom to a Huskipoo named Groovy. Miracle loves to travel to places to learn about their art, food, and culture and to apply what she learns to her own art pieces. She also does commissioned work and has a small dog and cat accessories business where she hand-sews collars, bandanas, and bow ties.

Chris Vivas joined Usdan in 2010 as a lead teacher. He studied at Stony Brook University and is currently receiving his MFA from SUNY New Paltz, he brings his love of art, travel, culture, literature, and ceramics to his teaching philosophy. Art residencies have been very important in his artistic development and growth as an educator. Residencies he has attended include Shigaraki Ceramic Culture Park in Japan, Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, AIR Vallauris in France, and Babayan Culture House in Turkey. He currently teaches at Suffolk County Community College and St. Joseph’s University while also hosting workshops and lectures throughout Long Island.

Ally is so excited to return to Usdan for a second summer to teach painting and drawing! Ally is an elementary art teacher and artist from Long Island, who showcases her artwork in local businesses across the island! Throughout the year, she continues to build her practice and creates commissioned paintings! She also hosts painting events and works with a variety of mediums! She has a passion for art history and specializes in acrylic and watercolor painting and traditional drawing mediums like oil pastels.

Donna Rivera is a lover of nature and all animals and is passionate about making art. Donna joined the Usdan team last summer in 2024 as an Assistant Teacher and is coming back this summer as a lead art teacher for Usdan's Recreational Camp. Outside of Usdan, Donna recently graduated from Adelphi University with a BFA in Fine Arts and is a NYS-certified teacher in art. She loves making art and being surrounded by all different kinds of artists to keep her inspired and creative. Donna also loves taking the time to explore new places, beaches, parks, and appreciating the natural art and beauty of the world.

This will be Krista's seventh year with Usdan, first serving as an assistant in the Art department in 2012, then returning as a lead teacher in 2016. Krista's current work involves large scale, mixed media paintings of abstracted, figurative imagery. In addition to spending summers at USDAN and creating work in her personal studio, Krista is currently a high school art teacher. Krista holds a MA in Art and Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and BA Degrees in Art History and Studio Art from Stony Brook University. Along with teaching, Krista is currently pursuing an Ed.D. degree in Art and Art Education back at Teachers College. Besides everything art, Krista enjoys relaxing with her two small dogs, Patrick and Lily.

Sonya has been a member of the Usdan community since 2004, spending three summers as a camper before returning as an assistant teacher in 2010. In 2014, she founded the Sewing & Fashion Design program at Usdan. After working as a footwear designer for several years, she is excited to return to teach Painting & Drawing this summer - the very class at Usdan that helped her to build a foundation for a career in the arts! Sonya holds an AAS and a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology. A lifelong vegetarian, Sonya enjoys spending time with her rescue dog, Bella, and is the owner of a small business, SoKo Designs.

B. Noah Packard is a New York-based videographer, musician, and teaching artist with over a decade of creative experience. He has worked with clients like NASA, BRIC, Alfa Romeo, and LICM on projects ranging from commercials to immersive video art. This is his fifth summer at Usdan, now teaching Photography and Portfolio Development. Outside of camp, he teaches hundreds of students across Long Island in guitar, cartooning, painting, photography, and more. He holds a BFA from MICA and values creative exploration and expression.

This will be Lucas’s second summer on staff and he is excited to share his love of visual creativity with Usdan’s creative community. After a childhood spent mostly playing in the woods, building Lego, reading comics and drawing, Lucas studied both illustration and fine art at Syracuse University, before taking his talents to New York City, where he currently teaches painting, drawing and… anything else his students are interested in trying! He’s endlessly fascinated by helping young people make meaning through visual images.

Shannon Martin is back for her second year at Usdan! Her body of work can be found wrapped around the human body: of brides whose gowns she designed and created, or of embroidery designs hand-stitched onto bags. Off-season, she is both helping teachers in special education and teaching in Family & Consumer Sciences at a local high school. She is currently working on a Master’s Degree in FCS Education.

This is Martinis's first year at Usdan as the ceramics teacher! He fell in love with ceramics at a young age and that has inspired his career in art and education. Martinis was born and raised in Orlando, Florida and recently made the big move to New York to explore more of the world of ceramics and teach more students about art. He believes ceramics is a great tool for students to learn more about themselves and the world around them.

Joel Salman has played in chess tournaments in the USA, Bermuda, Canada, Curacao, and England! He loves dogs and is interested in electric cars and renewable energy. Joel is also a Fide Master and USCF Master.

Jasmine Rosario, known as JRose, is a Spoken Word Artist, published author, and educator from Queens, NY. Founder of The Rose Garden Events, a creative platform that has uplifted poets and artists since 2018, JRose is an experienced poetry slam champ, including the 2023 BRIC Brooklyn Grand Slam Finals. She currently hosts for the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. As a teaching artist, she shares the power of poetry in written and spoken form with youth all over the world as well as, incarcerated women at Rikers Island. In 2024, she released her debut album and published her first book, continuing her mission to inspire others to #KeepGrowing. She is also a firm believer that pizza is the best snack ever.

Wendy Ann Powell is a performing artist who danced with Dance June Lewis & Company, Ayitia la Dance Company, Dance Danamaria, Alden Moves Dance Theater, Agoci, Omega, and ZCO Dance Project. She uses the intersectionality of mental health and spirituality to create work that embodies the healing journey. Wendy is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Hunter and has received several grants. She has presented work at Triskelion Arts, JCAL, Westfest, and other venues around NYC.

Johanna Taylor is a professional dancer/singer/actor and teaching artist. Her performing credits include the Broadway National Tour of A Bronx Tale and regional theater productions directed/choreographed by Emmy Award winner Al Blackstone and Fosse veteran Lloyd Culbreath. She has taught at dance studios and summer programs across Long Island. Additionally, Johanna is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and is a certified yoga teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University at Buffalo. She is also a graduate of the Long Island High School for the Arts. Johanna is excited to return to Usdan for another wonderful summer!

Damontae Hack is a multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, and creative director based in New York City. A CalArts dance graduate, his work explores the intersection of Black identity, emotional truth, and physical storytelling. He blends ballet, contemporary, and experimental movement with voice, film, and fashion. Through performance and production, Damontae seeks to transform how people perceive art and presence.

Eliza Ostrofsky joined Usdan as a full-time staff member in 2019. She loves being creative especially through ceramics and sculpture. During the school year she works as a teacher.

Sadie began her journey at Usdan in 2008 as a Discovery Counselor and has remained a dedicated member of the Discovery department ever since, taking on various roles over the years. Outside of Usdan, she teaches General Music and Chorus at the elementary level in the Three Village School District. Sadie also shares her love of music with the youngest learners, leading "Grown-Up and Me" style classes for children from birth to age five.

This is Jeff's first year at USDAN, and he is thrilled to bring more than 20 years of teaching and playing experience. As an award winning educator and musician in both Paris and New York, Jeff has been fortunate to travel the world through his music and take deep pride in helping students find their own musical voice in jazz. Jeff enjoys learning about all styles of music and blending them into both his own compositions, as well as his performances. Jeff is truly excited to join the Usdan team and share his genuine passion for teaching music!

Gergana is a professional violinist and educator with degrees in violin performance from the Curtis Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory. During the school year, Gergana is the String Ensemble Director at the Green Vale School and teaches students in grades 4-8. She also enjoys performing chamber music in New York City and on Long Island through her organization, Long Island Chamber Music. When not playing the violin or teaching, Gergana enjoys cuddling her dog, Scuttles.

Dr. Kageki Nagao started working at Usdan as a double bass lead teacher and a chamber music coach in 2008. He has been a director of orchestras since 2014. Kageki is a director of the string department of Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School. Graduated from Juilliard School and Stony Brook University, Kageki is active as a soloist, orchestra and chamber musician. Kageki was chosen by Leonard Bernstein to serve as principal bass for the Schleswig- Holstein Festival Orchestra. As a conductor, Kageki lead the SCMEA Division III East Festival Orchestra in March 2018. Kageki lives with his wife Jeanine (also a Usdan teacher) and four cats named Yuki, Miki, Kojiro and Taheiji.

With a background in classical piano performance and an interest in all types of music, Andrew has created his own path as a musician. Working in various genres, he continues to explore the canon while always looking for new and interesting music. A native of New York, Andrew now splits his time between Brooklyn and Puerto Rico, as he maintains a teaching studio in both places. Having been a lead teacher at Usdan since 2017, Andrew is excited to return to campus to teach and learn from the vibrant community the camp has to offer.

Matt Pellegrino is the Lead Composition and Songwriting teacher at Usdan. I started Usdan in 2011 playing oboe in the band with Mr. Schecher as a Music Staff Intern, after which I continued to work at Usdan as a Band Assistant until 2017. Throughout the year, Matt teaches music theory at New York University Steinhardt and writes new music for bands, orchestras, and traditional Korean ensembles. These days much of his work is about Korean music, so I often get to travel to Korea for concerts, which is one of his favorite parts of my job as a composer. A fun fact about Matt is that he has three cats named Gnocchi, Meera, and Wally.

Eric Huckins is a proud Usdan alum starting as the Co-Music Department Chair in 2025. Passionate about sharing music with Long Island communities, Eric is the Executive and Artistic Director of Long Island Chamber Music and Director of Band and Instrumental Music at The Green Vale School. As a performer known for his “sparkling, crystal clear sound” (Brass Legacy), Eric was a winner of Astral Artist’s 2018 National Auditions. Eric has performed with among others, The Philadelphia Orchestra, New York City Ballet, regularly performs in broadway pit orchestras, and is a member of Exponential Ensemble. Eric holds degrees from Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School

Michele is currently a doctoral student at the Juilliard school, and has performed in prestigious halls all over the world. She has won prestigious international competitions and has been a guest artist for numerous concert series in New York and Europe. She had participated in festivals such as Songfest and Toronto Summer Music, and collaborated with the leading performers of today. She is also a champion for new music by living composers, and maintains a busy teaching and coaching schedule in NYC.

Gabriel D. Nekrutman is a multi-instrumentalist (specializing in Saxophones), public school educator and performer residing in Stony Brook, NY. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and Long Island University, and an avid enthusiast for the music of Jazz. His practice of the craft on his Saxophone has afforded him opportunities to perform at esteemed venues such as Smalls Jazz Club in NYC, the D.C. Jazz Fest in D.C. and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Gabriel has shared both stage and studio with musical forces like Ralph Peterson Jr., Matt Wilson, and Mimi Jones. Gabriel's time teaching in the Elementary schools has only continued to keep his love for Goldfish crackers strong.

Nicole Davidson went to Usdan as a student and is excited to be back this summer as Co-Chair of the Music Department and conductor for the Junior Band! Her primary instrument is flute, but she loves the sound of all instruments coming together in the band. During the year, Nicole is an elementary band teacher and can be seen presenting workshops to newer teachers through NAfME, NYSSMA, and NYSCAME. She is a four-time quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award.

Cindy Rosin is returning for her fifth year in the Nature department. Cindy is an artist and environmental activist based in Rockaway, Queens, where she lives on a houseboat made from converted shipping containers. When she is not teaching, Cindy spends portions of her year volunteering in the field for environmental organizations – from monitoring buffalo migrations to working on ocean-going conservation ships, Cindy believes that life is best lived outdoors.

Abby has worked at Usdan for 6 years! She first started archery when she went to summer camp herself. When not at camp, Abby is a music teacher on Long Island.

Chelsea Wallander Ianev is a passionate and creative 200 hour certified yoga teacher. She also teaches high school English. She enjoys supporting others' growth and learning!

Marie Danvers Gallagher has been working at the wonderful Usdan summer camp for the performing arts for eight seasons. Having been a professional singer, dancer and actor for over 40 years, as well as a theatre and voice professor for over 20, she loves to share her learned knowledge with her students. Marie has been a member of the Actor's Equity Association for over 30 years. She has toured the world performing and has had the pleasure of an honor of playing Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera Broadway Tour as well as on Broadway.

James Crichton is a theater educator, actor, singer, and pianist. He is the theater teacher at Sanford H. Calhoun High School in Merrick and the director of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School district program, the On Tour Company. This will be James’ 20th summer at Usdan as a student and faculty member combined. As an actor he appeared in the New York premiere of Unknown Soldier at Playwrights Horizons, the national tour of Peter and the Starcatcher, and many other plays and musicals. He is a graduate of both Hofstra University and Adelphi University.

Rob Gallagher has enjoyed a 25 year career as a profession actor and singer, having performed on Broadway (Les Mis, South Pacific), Off-Broadway (Reefer Madness, Forbidden Broadway) and regionally, including Long Island's on John W. Engeman Theater. He has been a member of the voice faculty at LIU Post since 2014, teaching singing lessons to their musical theater majors. Other educational experience includes Adjunct Professor of Applied Music at Five Towns College in Dix Hills NY, Adjunct Professor for beginning acting at Stonybrook University and Suffolk County Community College.

This will be Carolyn Popadin's nineteenth amazing summer at Usdan! She's a teaching artist, actor and director during the year. Carolyn motivates her students to reach their fullest potential by making brave and interesting choices and, most important, to believe in themselves. She encourages her students throughout the creative process to allow for personal growth and discovery. She made her Off-Broadway directing debut last spring with a show she first directed at Usdan!

Freyja Goldstein is a director/actor/educator/arts administrator based in Brooklyn, NY. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Theater at City College New York and working for BroadwayVOX Studios as studio administrator. She is a proud graduate of Northwestern University, this is her second year as a lead teacher at Usdan and she is SO EXCITED for this summer!

Michael Schwendemann is happy to be back at Usdan for his 15th summer... I think. Mike has performed all across Long Island, NYC, and along the east coast with the following theatre companies: Airmid Theatre, Theatre Three, Genesis Repertory Ensemble, American Globe Theatre, NYC Opera, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and the Folger Shakespeare Library Theatre. On film & television don't blink or you might miss him, he's been spotted lurking in the background of any number of TV shows and everything from B-movies to Academy Award winning films.

Jim began teaching at Usdan in the summer of 1991 and after more than thirty summers in the woods, he is still as excited as when he first started. Jim is an actor, director and producer who has overseen more than three hundred shows in Usdan’s three theaters. He began his professional work in the arts at the age of five as a commercial model. He was bitten by the acting bug for good in high school. Jim obtained his B. A. and his M.S. in Education at Hofstra Univeristy and studied for his M.F.A. at Columbia. He is the founder of the OnStage Strategies Group, a theater consulting firm assisting educational and local theater programs as they work to grow and re-imagine their student offerings. Jim believes that art has the power to break down the barriers that divide us.