Our Faculty & Staff

Jaden Nogee is Usdan’s store manager and attends Binghamton University, where she studies accounting and information systems management. Jaden is a Usdan alum and continues to pursue musical theater and classical percussion in her spare time.

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.

Usdan's Art Department Co-Chair Jerelyn Hanrahan is an internationally renowned curator, artist and educator, who coordinates visionary and progressive exhibitions and lectures around the world. As well, her drawings have been exhibited in galleries and institutions in New York, Switzerland, Italy, and China as well as The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.  

Julia Forrest is an artist who works exclusively through the medium of film. She eschews digital processing for the home-made darkroom she built in her apartment, and enjoys pushing the bounds of reality through the camera lens. Julia also works as a teaching artist at the Brooklyn Museum, Medgar Evers College, and Lehigh University. As Usdan’s photography instructor, she is devoted to helping students push their own boundaries not only in film, but whatever medium of art they choose.

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.

Cristalina DeNicola is a ceramic artist, sculptor, and educator specializing in three-dimensional artwork that expresses flow and movement. While she primarily works with clay, Christina enjoys working with unique materials and experimenting with different mediums. During the summer, Christina helps Usdan students discover the joy of ceramics.

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.

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.

Chris Vivas is a ceramic artist whose work has been exhibited across the United States and Europe, as well as Turkey, Korea, and Japan. Drawing inspiration from the existential literature of Nietzsche, Sartre, and others, Chris’ work has brought him to notable ceramic residencies throughout the world. Chris instructs sculpture and cosplay courses at Usdan.

Annie Ewaskio is a painter and artist in Brooklyn, New York. She has participated in prestigious solo and group shows across the country, and her work has been published in The New Yorker, The Brooklyn Rail, and New American Paintings. She is the recipient of numerous fine arts grants, including two Kossak Painting grants, and teaches painting and drawing at Usdan.

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.

Rachel Mazur is a ballet dancer, choreographer, and educator who leads Usdan’s ballet courses. Trained in performance and pedagogy, Rachel earned her master’s in dance instruction before joining the faculty at American Youth Dance Theater and Brooklyn Ballet. She continues to partner with and bring dance to local public high schools and community organizations.

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.

Jacqueline Selesky is a multi-talented dancer, proud Long Island native, and Usdan hip-hop instructor. Since the age of seven, Jacqueline has studied ballet, modern, jazz, Latin, hip-hop, and more. She has danced alongside Demi Lovato, Cardi B, and G-Easy in televised appearances, and appeared in Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It.” Jacqueline performed as lead soloist in Martha Graham’s Daughters of the Night and is a member of Asha Dance Company. She also teaches dance in Orange County Public Schools in New Jersey.

Megan Powers is a lifelong Usdanite whose family has been educating at Usdan since the inaugural summer of 1968. She joined the Usdan community as a student in 1996, and since then, has worked as a Counselor in Training and Counselor in the Discovery Department, before proudly stepping into the role of Department Chair in 2017. Megan has her Masters degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from Long Island University.

Michael Blutman enjoys a diverse career as a trumpeter and music educator. A graduate of Juilliard and the University of Maryland, his teaching, performing, and recording credits include: Ithaca College, Five Towns College, Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, Sting, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orch, Broadway shows, and many others. Michael also co-founded the music education publishing company Pinnacle Music Press (www.pinmusicpress.com).

Vasko Dukovski is an award-winning performing artist and composer whose work transcends genre and global boundaries. Since training at the Juilliard School, Vasko has become a prolific composer and advocate of contemporary classical and experimental music. He has collaborated and recorded with dozens of ensembles, and toured across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, China, and the United States, including dates at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Met, and MOMA. Vasko brings his talents to Usdan’s clarinet players every summer.

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.

Claire Ezratty is a current student at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, studying Music Education with concentrations in cello and classical guitar. She has performed and worked in many orchestral programs, including the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York, New York State Summer School for the Arts, the Crane Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, as well as various string festivals on Long Island. Claire gives lessons on beginner cello and guitar with her private music instruction studio and performs avidly in both areas.

Lila Pollack is a NYC based violinist. She made her solo debut at eight years old. Since then she has performed  at venues around the world including Carnegie Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and in countries outside the U.S. including Spain, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Wales, China and Holland.  She received a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music, and graduated from the Royal Academy of Music (UK) with a Masters degree in violin performance. There she earned her licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music (LRAM) teaching certificate and was awarded first place of the Wolfe Wolfinsohn Prize 2011. As well, she has completed the two-year Suzuki certification program at School for Strings. Ms. Pollack is on faculty at Avenues: The World School for Lower and Upper School as both strings teacher and Private Music Lessons Coordinator.

Andrew R. Steinberg is an accomplished saxophonist, lecturer, and educator. In addition to teaching saxophone at Usdan, Andrew is a doctoral candidate at New England Conservatory and serves as Music Director of Megalopolis Saxophone Orchestra. As a music historian, Andrew has revived numerous neglected works and lectured at leading universities and conservatories.

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.

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.

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.

Emily Llewellyn is currently a sophomore at SUNY-New Paltz, where she is studying theater performance and psychology. She is a keen choreographer, makeup artist, and singer, and also enjoys golf and nature. At Usdan, Emily teaches in the Nature, Ecology and Design program.

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.

Carolyn Popadin is a teaching artist, actress, and Usdan Musical Theater Director. Her work has brought her into schools and theaters throughout New York City and Long Island. She currently serves as a program director for Broadhollow Theater Company and co-director of the Infinity Arts Studio. She trained professionally with British American Drama Academy and has toured with the National Theatre of Performing Arts.

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.