Harlem school of the arts teaching artists

Aika Akhmetova (born Almaty, Kazakhstan) is an artist based between New York and Almaty. Their practice consists of installation, video, sculpture, and performance exploring intimate corners of being. They’ve had solo exhibitions at Ortega y Gasset Projects in 2023, A.I.R. Gallery in 2021 and participated in group shows across the US, Central Asia and Europe. Akhmetova was an AIM fellow at The Bronx Museum of the Arts in 2022 and an artist in residence at LMCC Arts Center on Governors Island summer 2023.

Lindsay Johnson is a versatile actor, writer, director, and teacher with over 21 years of experience in the film and theater industry. His most recent work found him providing the leading role in the feature length movie “Eddie”(2021). Lindsay has previous teaching experience in cinematography and editing at the American Dance and Drama studio in Flushing, Queens. In 2011, he established the film production company Skylark Media Pictures which he still owns and operates till this day. He uses his company and his ability to teach as a platform for expanding artistic expression, and providing the same opportunity for other independent artist and students alike. Currently, he is focused on growing his experience as an instructor by guiding future creative minds to accomplish their goals. Lindsay is grateful to be a part of the HSA family. His foundation in technique and his ever growing skills continues to prepare him for this exciting chapter in his professional life.

Tatiana Gardel is an animation instructor and artist whose work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and American Illustration. Books she illustrated include The First Day of Peace (Candlewick), Abuelo, the Sea, and Me (Roaring Brook/Macmillan), Xavier’s Voice (The Innovation Press), and other forthcoming titles. Born and raised in Brazil, she received her BFA in Painting from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, her Art Education License from Universidade Candido Mendes, and her training in animation at Anima Mundi/Campo 4 Estúdio. She taught animation in Rio de Janeiro public schools before relocating to the U.S.. Tatiana believes that the interdisciplinary knowledge of animation provides students with a range of skill sets that nurture the development of their artistic identity and assist their future endeavors in the art field.

Pedro Jiménez Jr. (Mr. J) is a painter with an interdisciplinary art background. He received a BFA in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology and graduated from the High School of Art & Design. He has served as a teaching artist for Seeds of the League, Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education, YUCA Arts, Boriqua College, YMCA, LACMA / Los Angeles County Museum of Art and BAAD! / Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance. Pedro keeps a studio art practice and a relationship with drawing and painting from nature. He currently is an MA Candidate at Hunter College for Visual Art education.

Corinne Southerland is an illustrator based in New York City. She has a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology where she studied illustration. She has experience setting up and showing work in exhibitions, participating in and creating zines, and creating a wide range of illustrations utilizing vibrant colors and shapes. Corinne endeavors to help her students make the work they want to create and improve the fundamental skills needed to create high-quality illustrations.

Magdalena Kobeszko (Magda), is a multimedia artist located in New York City. Her artistic expertise spans printmaking, textiles, ceramics, photography, and various 2D materials. Magda earned her BFA in Fine Arts from The New School’s division of Parsons School of Design and is presently working towards an MA in Arts Administration at Baruch College. Since 2021, she has been an instructor at HSA teaching youth in the Media & Design Design department, and is currently also the Program Manager at HSA.

LaTrisa Harper: Broadway: Color Purple (u/s Nettie, Squeak) , Lion King (Cheetah). 1st National Tours: Motown (Mary Wells, Gwen Gordy), Color Purple (u/s Nettie, Squeak) Regional: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Charlayne), Rocky Horror (Janet), Matilda The Musical (Miss. Honey), Smokey Joe’s Cafe(Brenda),The Wiz, Center Stage; A.R.T. Witness Uganda, Off Broadway: Invisible Thread, 2nd Stage, Plays: On Strivers Row (Cobina). Workshops: Beehive on Broadway with Debbie Allen. Short Films: Staying Power, What Happened to Girls Night. Was a member of Ailey II. B.F.A. Towson University.

Jameel McKanstry is a dynamic singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Jameel is a native of Alabama and has been teaching gospel music for more than 20 years and has a knack for creating memorable moments in the classroom and on stage. Jameel has two tours as a gospel musician (Beijing and Costa, Rica) and has performed with some of the greatest names in gospel music (Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett, and Donnie McClurkin). Most of all Jameel is a father to Amier and Caden, and a believer in service to humanity.

Brian McQueen is a bass and voice instructor residing in New York City. As a recitalist, Brian was Artist in Residence with the Tono International Arts Association, ChaShaMa, Manchester Literary Festival, and Poetry International in London. They were recently seen at Harlem Stage singing the title role in The Swann, by composer Tamar-kali Brown and have also appeared with On Site Opera, Tapestry Opera, Janiec Opera, Trilogy Opera, Ardea Arts, the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and The New York Opera Festival. In Theatre, Brian has been seen in Xandro Segade’s Future St. at the We’re Watching series (Bard College) and the Tip of Her Tongue series (Broad Museum). They also played the role of Cleopatra in Here, Serpent (Dixon Place, NYC), a trans-gender liminal experimental piece devised by both Brian and performance artist, C. Bain. In addition to serving on the voice faculty at The Harlem School for the Arts, Brian maintains a vibrant private voice studio in NYC, is a Teaching Artist through both Lincoln Center Education and The Bronx Arts Ensemble. Brian currently serves as Senior Ambassador for Hearts of Gold, a charity supporting unhoused mothers and their children to transition into permanent housing in New York City. They also have the privilege of serving as an instructor with Culture For One, an organization transforming the lives of children within the New York City foster care system through arts education.

Ms. Bradford has had the privilege of singing at Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, Merkin Hall and touring in Russia, Budapest, Spain, the Caribbean and throughout the United States. In the classical world her repertoire ranges from sacred works and oratorio to opera. She also enjoys performing a variety of genres including contemporary opera, jazz, gospel and blues. She is managed by Lombardo Associates Managing company In addition to her singing career she is also a certified Department of Education music teacher. She teaches elementary school and is one of the conductors for All City Chorus of NYC

Alicia Waller is a genre-expansive vocalist working across a range of musical disciplines. With a background as an operatic soprano, Waller is most recognized for the contemporary jazz fusion ensemble, Alicia Waller & The Excursion, focusing on soul music, jazz, and the African diaspora. Her voice and sound have been hailed as “splendid and luminous,” as well as “flexible and virtuosic.”    Soon after completing her graduate work, Waller’s process was featured in the documentary series What Moves You? by SkyHour. The short explores her vision to inspire cultural diplomacy through music, and her desire to examine sounds capturing the depth and beauty of the human experience. Highlights include the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, BRIC Arts Media House, Museum of Modern Art, the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, as well as collaborations with the Korea Foundation Public Diplomatic Programs.    Waller’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the tradition of the Italian School of classical singing. She believes in empowering her students with a strong, grounded, and healthy vocal technique that can be applied across the broad spectrum of musical genres. She received her undergraduate degree in vocal performance from the University of Maryland and her graduate degree from New York University, Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Her debut EP, Some Hidden Treasure, was released in February 2020 on innova Recordings, the label of the American Composers Forum. She will release her first full-length studio album, Louder Then, later this year.

Dan Pardo is a NYC-based pianist, music director, arranger, and educator. He made his Broadway debut in 2015 with Amazing Grace at the Nederlander and has worked off-Broadway at St. Clement’s, the York, New Ohio, Lucille Lortel, and St. Luke’s, in addition to numerous cabarets, concerts, and workshop productions. Regional favorites include Company (starring Aaron Tveit) at Barrington Stage, Fun Home at the Weston Playhouse, How to Succeed at the 5th Avenue Theatre, and The Fantasticks at the Cape Playhouse. Dan was on staff at Goodspeed Musicals for three seasons; also, John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch, for Netflix.

Christian Brailsford Broadway National Tour: Pretty Woman (David Morse, Happy Man u/s, Alfredo u/s). Off-Broadway: Oratorio for Living Things, Cleopatra, Francois & the Rebels, Songs of a Serpent. International: Scar in Hong Kong Disney’s The Lion King. Regional: A Complicated Woman – Goodspeed (Oscar Clifton), Bonnie & Clyde – Pioneer Theatre Company (Preacher/Sheriff), In the Heights – WPPAC, The Gateway (Benny), Summer: The Donna Summer Show – The Gateway (Andrew Gaines). Christian is a proud member of the HSA faculty. For Christian, education is his passion and it is his goal to empower the minds and voices of young people in New York City and beyond through the power of music. He thanks his family and friends for their unwavering love and support.

Grant Anderson, Baritone, is a performer, vocal technique teacher, and performance coach residing in Manhattan. His primary training is in classical voice, musical theatre, jazz, and applied vocal pedagogy. His thorough study allows him facility in teaching across all singing styles and genres. Additionally, his first instrument was piano making him an asset as a studio and recital accompanist. As a coach and pedagogue, his commitment to voice building and rehabilitation has led to his students’ success on stage, in the recording studio, and on film. Students of Mr. Anderson have been seen on several international opera stages including The Metropolitan Opera. Additionally, they have appeared in many Broadway productions and tours, including Hamilton, Kinky Boots, RENT, Little Shop of Horrors, Once On This Island, Mrs. Doubtfire, MJ: The Musical, and The Lion King. Beyond stage appearances, students of Mr. Anderson have placed in The Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, CS Music Vocal Competition, and NATS Vocal Competition and have been honored with Grammy and Tony awards. His expertise in audition preparation has resulted in his students’ acceptance to such fine institutions as IU Jacobs School of Music, NYU Steinhardt School of Music, Carnegie Mellon School of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee School of Music, Bard College-Conservatory of Music, Baldwin Wallace University: Conservatory of Music, Whalen School of Music at Ithaca College, The Hartt School at The University of Hartford, LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Professional Performing Arts School and Talent Unlimited High School. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Lawrence University, where he studied under Dr. Karen Leigh-Post. He also holds a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy from The Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee, where he studied under Kevin Wilson. He has been a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) since 2013. At Harlem School of the Arts, Mr. Grant teaches private voice and directs the advanced vocal ensemble – The Dorothy Maynor Singers. Beyond HSA, he is a Voice Faculty at Marymount Manhattan College and maintains a roster of professional performers.

Matthew Podell is a multi-instrumentalist based out of New York, NY. In addition to Matthew’s demand as a saxophonist, he also is in high demand as a clarinetist and flutist and has performed around the world for Broadway productions such as Mean Girls, and Symphony Orchestras, as well as playing for renowned artists such as Ira Sullivan, Sandy Patty, Dan Miller, Lew Del Gatto and Brandon Robertson. Matthew has completed his Bachelor’s in Music Education at Stetson University and his master’s degree in Saxophone Performance at Stephen F. Austin State University where he studied with renowned saxophonist Dr. Nathan Nabb. Matthew currently maintains a private studio, leads his own bands around NYC, and teaches at the NYC Department of Education.

Majid Khaliq is a violinist and composer cut from a different cloth. He has been described by legendary musician Wynton Marsalis as having “a unique blend of improvisation, groove and technical sophistication.” In 2002, Mr. Khaliq graduated from the Juilliard School with a Bachelor of Music and in 2010 with a Master of Arts in Jazz Performance from Queens College’s Aaron Copland School of Music. Mr. Khaliq has shared the stage with such artists as Wynton Marsalis, Mr. Cheeks, Antonio Hart, Craig G, John Blake Jr., Regina Carter, Marcus Miller, Itzhak Perlman, Keith David, Angela Basset, Meryl Streep, Dianne Reeves, Russell Malone, Isaac Stern, and Lenny White. In 2008, Mr. Khaliq was the recipient of the prestigious, Edward and Sally Van Lier Fellowship Award for composition. In 2011 he released The Basilisk, his successful debut Jazz recording, and has since released two mixtape albums with his hip-hop band Ma*Jid, entitled Sfumato Symphony Volume 1 & 2. Majid has been on Downbeat Magazine’s Rising Violinist list since 2015. Majid’s music is an eclectic blend of styles and influences which pull from European classical, jazz & hip-hop. In 2018, Majid released his greatly anticipated 2nd studio album entitled “SOUND OF A FLOWER “ at National Sawdust to a SOLD OUT crowd and has since seen great radio success. Just before the COVID pandemic of 2019, Majid booked a successful tour in Eastern Canada and Japan. In 2021, Majid received the Bronx Council on the Arts, BRIO Award, for musical excellence. In the fall of the great lockdown in 2022, Majid not only played festivals in the NY Tristate, he was appointed to the faculty of the Blaine Jazz Festival to perform and hold improvisation masterclasses. In 2022, Majid released three singles from a studio date featuring America’s Got Talent-Rising Vocal Star- Yancyabril. Majid’s anticipated 3rd studio album, NO LOOKING BACK was released on September 14, 2023, and produced -Jazz Legend- Lenny White.

Teddy began his career in the entertainment industry while still a teenager, as lead singer of the rock band Naked Truth (Sony/Epic). While touring and recording with Naked Truth, Teddy became more serious about the instruments he’d studied as a child, the keyboard and the guitar, eventually formalizing his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. From there, Teddy moved to New York and began a well-traveled career that saw him ply his talents in virtually every aspect of the music industry, from sideman to producer, to industry insider. He has toured, performed, produced, and/or recorded with a host of well-known R&B/Soul artists, including Omar, Lauren Hill, Renee Neuville (from Zhané), Common, Bilal, J-Pop superstar Ayumi Hamazaki, Ivana Santilli, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Kaidi Tatham, Kelly Rowland, Joe Clausell, Laura Izibor, Alice Russell, Kelly Price, Kenny Lattimore, Casey Benjamin and HEAVy, and many others.

One of them may not be of the highest resolution. Robin Hackett is a singer, songwriter, and actress. Her song Hard Left appeared on the CBS Hit Comedy, How I Met Your Mother. Robin appeared in the world-famous JVC Jazz Festival. She has opened up for Grammy winner, Keb Mo and Woodstock Legend, Richie Havens. She has studied voice, piano, and guitar in New York City and Dallas. She graduated from Hamilton College in upstate, NY. She has been teaching voice, piano, guitar, and ukulele for the past twenty years. www.robinhackettmusic.com

I have been dancing since I was two years old, technically in the womb, but I’ll say two. Born and raised in New York City. I am currently dancing with Keep Rising to the Top. (KR3TS) I’ve also been a part of The Ladies of HipHop Ladies in Training program(L.I.T), I’ve trained in popping, locking, lite feet, and New jack swing when I was underneath Ebone VanityZo Johnson at Funk Revolution. I’ve also trained at Broadway Dance Center in Latin Jazz with Alycia Perrin. I graduated from Professional Performing Arts High School (PPAS), where I trained in Ballet, Horton, Grham, and West African at the Alvin Ailey dance program.

CASSIA LOPES, as a skilled, educated, and professional teacher, with over 25 years of experience was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She began her dance studies at Johnny Franklin Ballet School, (R.A.D. Methodology) where she studied Classical Ballet. She also studied at the Maria Olenewa Ballet School (Vaganova Methodology), an official school with a very positive reputation worldwide. At the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater – participated in Gisele; La Bayadère; and La Sylphide and Contemporary Ballets performances. As a student at Maria Oleneva Ballet School – Municipal Theater Ballet of Rio de Janeiro, performed throughout Brazil and participated in classical and modern ballet competitions. In the US, she studied and danced at the Dance Theater of Harlem – NY, attending the entity’s professional training program. Classical ballerina, performed with the Dance Theater of Harlem, Gisele at Lincoln Center, and Gisele at Washington Memorial Center. She also danced with the Garden State Ballet – NJ, as a guest artist. And, at The Maryland Ballet, MD, as soloist and Corps de Ballet – The Nutcracker Season. Since 2020, he has been part of the Prix de Lausanne ballet competition, in Switzerland – Assisting Brazilian candidates in all rehearsal sessions and classes, acting as a liaison with the teachers, coaches, and organization staff designated by the Prix de Lausanne and ensuring that the instructions reaches each candidate under her responsibility clearly and objectively, making sure the necessary support for candidates, especially young Brazilian dancers, throughout the entire process of the Prix de Lausanne competition. Her professional training at the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro – Maria Oleneva Ballet School, includes Classical Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Afro-Brazilian, Flamenco, Art History, Anatomy, Jazz, Variation, and Pax-de-Deux Classes. At Dance Theater of Harlem – Professional Training Program, NY, includes Tap and ballroom Dance. Variation, Character Dance. Besides being a professional ballet dancer, she received a bachelor’s degree in Law – at the University of Paulista, in São Paulo Brazil.

Khalid Hill is a professional artist from Boston MA who currently resides in Harlem NY. He has been training in tap dancing for 29 years and holds a master’s Degree in Performing Arts Administration from NYU. As a professional, Khalid has performed as a featured artist at colleges and theaters in 40 cities nationwide and abroad in the US, Canada, and Germany. As a dance instructor and educator, he has taught master classes and lectured at Gordon College, the University of North Carolina, Bridgewater State University, and Lehman College. His credits include Bounce (in Disney World) with Mogee & Friends; the first national tour of Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk under the direction of George C Wolfe; The Jerry Lewis Telethon 2006 in Las Vegas; Invitations To A Dancer with Savion Glover; Cholesterol Low Down (national tour) with Debbie Allen and Dick Clark. Khalid has performed as a featured soloist for Hillary Clinton, Bill Irwin, and Maya Angelou. He has also performed as part of the tap ensemble for the movie Spirited starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell.

Noriko Sunamoto is an NYC-based composer, music director, and GRAMMY® Voting Member who’s worked for Broadway shows such as Aladdin, Hell’s Kitchen, The Great Gatsby, Funny Girl, Almost Famous, Paradise Square, colored girls… (Associate Conductor) and Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Renea is a freelance artist originally from northern New Jersey, based in Harlem NY. She earned her BFA in Dance and a minor in Psychology from Montclair State University, in May 2019. Renea began her training at three and quickly became a competitive dancer in grade school, where she held titles throughout NJ. She was a scholarship student at Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts and attended Martha Graham’s Summer/Winter Intensives. Renea has performed in works by many outstanding choreographers. To name a few Mark Morris, Stacey Tookey, Sidra Belle, Chalvar Monteiro, Maxine Steinman, Sabatino Verlezza, Vanessa Long, Vivake Khamsingsavath, Daniel Gold, and many more. Renea has performed with Celery Cruise Line. She was also a company member of Vanessa Long Dance Company for the 2019-2020 season, performing in venues around NYC. Her choreographic debut was in 2019 and she has since had her work performed at Alexander Kasser Theater, Koresh School of Dance, Bridge for Dance, Radio City Music Hall, and Harlem School of the Arts. In 2019 Renea had the honor of receiving the Choreography Excellence Award as a part of Montclair State’s graduating class. Renea strives to guide her students technically, physically, and mentally with the art of movement. Cultivating a safe yet challenging environment for her students is her top priority as an arts educator.

Jaylen Taylor of Canton, Mississippi, a proud 2023 graduate of New York University Steinhardt’s Dance Education program, with a MA in Teaching Dance in the Professions: ABT Pedagogy. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Jackson State University. Mr. Taylor is a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated. He has performed in Italy, Australia and on world-renowned stages such as Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center and Thalia Mara Hall, The WomAdelaide Festival, and Her Majesty’s Theatre just to name a few. He is currently an Action Hero with STREB Extreme Action company. He is a Teaching Artist at Harlem School of the Arts and Fit4DanceNYC, teaching jazz, acrobatics, ballet, majorette, contemporary and more. Mr. Taylor is also a Resident Assistant for American Ballet Theatre.

Noriko Sunamoto is a NYC based composer, music director and GRAMMY® Voting Member who’s worked for Broadway shows such as Aladdin, Hell’s Kitchen, The Great Gatsby, Funny Girl, Almost Famous, Paradise Square, for colored girls… (Associate Conductor) and Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Website: www.norikosunamoto.com

Paris Jones began her dance training with the City Dance Theatre of Richmond, VA, the School of Richmond Ballet, and the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts. She graduated from Howard University with a BFA in Dance and completed The Ailey School’s Independent Study program. Paris also holds a Masters in Exercise Physiology from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. As an NYC-based freelance artist, Paris has worked with choreographers such as Ronald K. Brown, Abdel R. Salaam, Francesca Harper, Bill T Jones, Jason Herbert, and more. Paris has been a teaching artist with HSA for 5 years. She teaches various dance styles and is certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum.