The Usdan faculty is composed of renowned and experienced practitioners and instructors dedicated to encouraging students to be creative in every endeavor throughout their lives. The Usdan staff works year round to create a memorable, transformative summer experience for all students.
Our Faculty & Staff
Faculty & Staff
Executive Director
Lauren Brandt Schloss
Facilities Manager
Oscar Amaya
Director of Facilities
Anthony Amico
Senior Director of Student Affairs
Kerry Barnhart
Registered Nurse
Sally Cappy
Facilities Maintenance Technician
Al Chiavaro
Director of Marketing and Communications
Kathleen Drohan
Senior Accountant
Motaz Elzalata
Junior Groundskeeper
Marco Flores
Senior Groundskeeper
Julio Garcia
Director of Education
Jillian Greenberg
Admissions Counselor
Stacey Jamieson
Transportation Manager
Courtney Kassinger
Office Staff
Kyra Leeds
Office Staff
Matt Mantione
Director of Development
Andrew Navarette
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Lafiya Watson Ramirez
Registered Nurse
Elizabeth Scanello
Director of Student Supervision
Amy Schecher
Dean of Students
David Schecher
Senior Director of Finance & Operations
Sari Sharaby
Interim Director of Education
Lindsay Smilow
Facilities Maintenance Technician
Richard Westcott
Admissions Counselor
Olivia Wise
Music
Director Of Senior Bands
David Schecher
Music Librarian
Evan Seickel
Guitar
Jacinta Clusellas
Low Brass
Jeremy Morrow
Piano
John Patrick Murphy
Music Assistant
Eder Garcia
Conductor of Junior Orchestra, String Bass
Kageki Nagao
Artistic Advisor
Adam Glaser
Conductor of the Senior Choruses
Karen Lehman DiMartino
Violin
Kiwon Nahm
Piano and Choral Coordinator, Piano Accompanist
Marilyn Lehman
Music Department Co-Chair, Conductor of the Junior Bands
Mark Bligh
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.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
Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Assistant
Amram Svay
Percussion
Patrick Armann
Music Department Co-Chair, Trumpet
Michael Blutman
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).