New School for the Arts & Academics || Tempe, Arizona

Click on the instructor's name to view their respective class calendars.

ERIC DAY
Eric Day lives and writes in Phoenix, Arizona, where he has taught at NSAA high school since 2006. This year, he is enjoying his students in Senior English, Mythology & the Short Story, Creative Writing, and AP English Literature. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Arizona State University and is currently working on a novel. His most recent publication appeared in Journal of Experimental Fiction. www.freewebs.com/dayenglish
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GREGG HOWARD
Gregg Howard is a graduate of ASU, with a BA in English, an MFA in Creative Writing, and a broad but shallow background in the visual arts. He taught writing at the college level for five years, and has been teaching high school English since 2005. Mr. Howard is a sailing and kayaking enthusiast and former river guide. His literary interests include detective fiction, fantasy and science fiction, and spy novels. His current favorite writers are Raymond Chandler, Harlan Ellison, and Lawrence Durrell. His current favorite poet is Derek Walcott, and his current ambition is to learn to play the oud.
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JOANNE CRAIG
As Mrs. Craig completes her semi-century of life, she is looking forward to discovering the world first-hand by traveling around the globe and helping students experience the wonders of history and geography. Unfortunately, thus far, she has only been able to physically access the Continental US, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico and Italy (which was in fact amazing!). The rest of the places she has been to, and will be traveling to, exist only in her mind, which luckily she can reach through books and movies. Although she worked as a lawyer in a past life, she loves teaching and especially working with the creative and innovative teens at NSAA. Mrs. Craig teaches High School World History and Geography. http://sites.google.com/site/mrscraigsworldhistory/
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JOE LAWRENCE
Mr. Lawrence, is originally from Long Island, New York. This is his second year at NSAA. Mr. Lawrence holds a BA in History from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is on his way to a Masters Degree in Secondary Education. Mr. Lawrence is a certified teacher in both Arizona and New York. Mr. Lawrence looks forward to an exciting year at NSAA and making history exciting for all students.http://www.freewebs.com/lawrushistory
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JULIE ADAMS
Julie Adams has a B.A. in French and an M.A. in French Literature from Arizona State University. She has been teaching for ten years, and she currently teaches French at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. email this instructor

YOLANDA RATLIFF
Born and raised in Mexico, Mrs. Ratliff teaches Spanish at NSAA. She holds a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Humanities from Grand Canyon University. She is also a graduate of the Luz Ma. Romo Fashion Designer School in Guadalajara, Mexico. Mrs. Ratliff has received awards from MUJER, Mexican Cultural Center, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Alma de la Gente, and National Association of Bank Women. She has written articles for CAMBIO Hispanic Bilingual Magazine, Nuestro Milenio Bilingual Magazine, and Ave Fenix newspaper. http://sites.google.com/site/NSAAspanish
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PETER BRESLIN
Peter Breslin teaches Algebra 3-4, Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry, and Calculus in the High School. In addition, he looks forward to assisting with music ensemble classes. He has a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD. He has worked in schools as a teacher of a wide variety of subjects and administrator for the past 21 years. He is also a performing musician and composer, with a focus on percussion, piano and the art of improvisation. He is currently a freelance writer for The Santa Fe Reporter. He has been a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow and has led and participated in many professional development activities, including training in collaborative learning, authentic assessment and best practices workshops with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. email this instructor

CAROLYN KARLOVSKY
Mrs. Karlovsky recently moved to Arizona after working as an electrical engineer and then as a certified high school math and physics teacher for 13 years in Illinois. She holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Aurora University and has been a teacher mentor for several years. Mrs. Karlovsky is now teaching Geometry at NSAA. email this instructor

TRENT BROWN
Mr. Brown holds a Bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology and a Master’s in Business Administration. He has two years’ teaching experience in the Sciences, and continues to take science college science courses in Summer to perfect knowledge and teaching skills. Mr. Brown has taught Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Anatomy, and will be teaching Science Foundations and Biology here at NSAA. email this instructor

JACQUELYN DAVIS
Ms. Davis graduated from California State University San Marcos in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in physics and chemistry. As part of her senior research, she read and analyzed literature regarding student learning in physics. With this information, she aided in conducting research questioning the effectiveness of specific technology in introductory physics classes. Ms. Davis is currently working towards her master's degree in physics at Arizona State University. Her degree focuses on secondary physics and chemistry education. Ms. Davis recently moved to Arizona from San Diego, California, where she was born. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, and (most importantly) FOOTBALL! Her favorite quotation was said by Walt Disney: "You can achieve your dreams if you have the courage to pursue them." And her motto is "Never, never quit." http://sites.google.com/site/NSAAscience
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JANE DOWELL
Mrs. Dowell has a bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and an Arizona teaching certificate. Mrs. Dowell was a pioneer in developing and managing the NSAA Middle School, and continues to play a large role in Science instruction at NSAA. Mrs. Dowell also teaches High School Biology and Anatomy. http://sites.google.com/site/mrsdowell
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SIMON AMES
Simon Ames is currently the instructor of guitar at NSAA. He received a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Guitar Performance from Arizona State University in 2006, and has been teaching guitar at the Herberger College for Kids at ASU since January of that year. While living in Los Angeles, he performed at the Grammy Awards reception in 1994, with renowned musicians Alex Acuña, Abraham Laboriel, Justo Almario and Ramon Stagnaro. While living and studying in Arizona, Mr. Ames has played with internationally-acclaimed musicians, including Jerry Bergonzi and Eric Alexander. Simon was the musical director and bass player for the salsa band Orquesta Panamericana from 1995 through 2000. Currently, Simon plays bass and guitar for the musical ensemble Mosaico Flamenco; he has been performing with Mosaico at the Hyatt Gainey Ranch Resort in Scottsdale since 2000. email this instructor

KADEE BRAMLETT
KaDee Bramlett is the Music Theory I and Piano Studies instructor at NSAA. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma where she graduated Magna Cum Laude; she is expected to complete a Master’s degree in Music Performance from Arizona State University in December 2008. In 2005, she was elected a member of the Iota Tau Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda for her outstanding scholarship and musicianship. Ms. Bramlett is an oboe specialist and is a free-lance oboist in the Phoenix area. In addition to teaching at NSAA, she teaches piano, oboe, and recorder lessons at Music Master’s Music Academy in Chandler, AZ. http://kbramlett.webs.com/
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MIKE EPPING
Michael Epping teaches Classical Ensemble and advanced Music Theory at the high school this year, and also directs the middle school Choir. Mr. Epping holds a B.F.A. in Music Performance from the University of Nebraska, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Music Education at ASU, with an endorsement in Jazz. Mr. Epping, a saxophone specialist, has over nine years’ experience teaching music, and his private students have been recognized as members of the Arizona All-State Jazz Bands. Mr. Epping is glad to be at NSAA, where he works to give students the training, knowledge, and experience needed to pursue a career in the arts.
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JACKI KNOUSE
Jacki has a B.S. in Human Services and Special Education/Early Intervention. She has taught since 1986 in regular and special education classrooms from kindergarten to 8th grade. Jacki minored in theater and has performed in and directed many adult and children's theater productions over the years. She helps her students excel in the classroom and on the stage every semester. email this instructor

DENISE MARTIN
Denise Martin is the Vocal Music instructor and Department Head of Performing Arts at NSAA. Ms. Martin has an intensive resume in music arrangement, as choir director, lead vocalist, and voice and piano teacher. Ms. Martin attended Berklee College of Music and majored in composition and arranging. Ms. Martin has been recognized as a Jazz Performer of the Year in the Valley. email this instructor

AARON MCGLOIN
Teaching Dance and Theater Production, recently graduated from ASU with a BFA in Dance (Choreography). Over the past few years he has had the privilege of performing with companies such as Dance Arizona Repertory Theater (DART), Scorpius Dance Theatre, Temenos Dance Collective, Conder/Dance, and AMEBA Acrobatic and Aerial Dance of Chicago. In 2006 he was the winner of the Arizona Choreography Competition (with collaborator Cerrin Lathrop) and was also awarded a merit scholarship to attend the Bates Dance Festival in Lewiston, Maine. Within the past year his work has been commissioned by SCC Moving Company, Scottsdale Arizona Jazz Ensemble, Scorpius Dance Theater and AMEBA. He recently started his own professional dance company, Aaron McGloin Dance, whose mission is to create and present new choreography as well as opportunities to build and advance the professional dance scene in Arizona. email this instructor

LAURELANN PORTER
Laurelann Porter is a writer, performer and director. She has performed in Boston, Phoenix, Brazil and Denmark and has developed a body of work which encompasses solo performance, film, recorded music, screenplays and plays. Ms. Porter received her BFA in Independent Theatre Studies from Boston University and her MFA in Playwriting from Arizona State University. She also completed one year of study toward the professional film certificate at Scottsdale Community College. Ms. Porter is an adjunct faculty member at Scottsdale Community College currently teaching Film History. She has also taught Screenwriting at ASU and SCC. She teaches film and theatre courses at NSAA. http://sites.google.com/site/nsaaporter/
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TRICA VANDERWOUDE
Tricia Vander Woude graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.F.A. in Dance. She has performed with David Storey and Dancers in New York City and other independent companies in Chicago and here in the valley. She is currently a member of Scorpius Dance Theatre. In 2005, Tricia received her certification in Pilates from Long Beach Dance and Conditioning. She currently teaches both group and private sessions at Kinisphere Pilates Studio. This is her second year at NSAA, teaching Ballet, Jazz, Modern Dance, and Dance Company, and she is excited to share her love and knowledge of dance. email this instructor

MATT DICKSON
Matt Dickson teaches Life Drawing and Intermediate/Advanced Drawing. He holds a BFA in Fine Art from Laguna College of Art & Design. Not only is he an experienced draughtsman, but he also holds a passion for oil painting and decorative carpentry. Mr. Dickson is an exhibiting artist, showing locally as well as in New York and Los Angeles. www.mattdickson.net email this instructor

MAYA HOEL
Maya Hoel left her first career in radio broadcasting to pursue study in the fine arts. In her own studio work, Mrs. Hoel works with a variety of media from woodcarving to welding. She enjoys taking this experience into the classroom at the middle school level, where she may introduce a variety of materials and techniques to her students in the Visual Arts Classes. She holds a BFA in Sculpture and a Masters degree in Education. email this instructor

BETSY BRET HARTE
Betsy Bret Harte is in her fifth year enjoying students at NSAA. Her experience prior to teaching and art making includes working with midwives in the Appalachian Mountains, spending two years in the Peace Corps, and remodeling historic buildings. Today she teaches all levels of photography at NSAA, as well as Photo Portfolio and Alternative Processes. She received her BFA degree in Photography from Arizona State University. She exhibits her mixed media photographic work nationally and has received numerous awards and publications. She is a member artist of Eye Lounge, the art collective in downtown Phoenix. email this instructor

LAUREN LEE
Lauren Lee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with an emphasis in Digital Arts. Ms. Lee teaches Visual Art Foundations at NSAA as well as Digital Mixed Media, Digital Graphic Design and Publication Design. Ms. Lee's interests include interpretive dance, experimental art processes, public art, quantum physics and learning how to knit scarves.http://sites.google.com/site/laurenleensaavisual
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KYLLAN MANEY
Kyllan Maney currently is the Head of the Art Department at New School for the Arts and Academics and teaches Painting, Mixed Media, and Portfolio. She received her BFA with a specialization in Painting from Arizona State University. She has continued her studies by taking Post-Baccalaureate classes in Painting and Life Drawing. Since receiving her degree, she has continuously worked in her studio and has exhibited her work at numerous galleries and public spaces in the Phoenix area including Art One, Paulina Miller Gallery, Nelson Fine Arts Center, Mesa City Library, Tempe Post Office, and the Phoenix Art Museum. Along with her painting career, Kyllan has enjoyed teaching art for the past seven years. She has created workshops for the Tempe Historical Museum and Kid’s Zone Summer Programs. Over the past six years teaching at NSAA, Kyllan Maney brings her professional artist experience to the classroom.http://nsaamaney.googlepages.com/home
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LINDA PARKER
Linda Parker holds an MFA in Sculpture from Arizona State University and a BFA in Sculpture from Georgia State University. She teaches Sculpture at NSAA and has taught 3-dimensional design and sculpture courses at Glendale Community College. She is a mixed multidisciplinary artist with a strong foundation in object making and a proficiency in a wide range of sculptural technical processes (casting, metal & wood fabrication), combined with considerable knowledge and competencies in jewelry construction and design, alternative print making and textiles, book art techniques, and art installation. As a mixed media/interdisciplinary artist, she brings to her art and to her classes a unique sensitivity to experimentation, discovery, and alternative processes. email this instructor

MARTHA PENA
Martha Pena teaches Fashion Design I-III. She recently graduated from the Art Institute of Phoenix with a BA of Arts in Fashion Marketing. Before attending the Art Institute of Phoenix, she attended Phoenix Community College. Her interests are art, photography, shoppingJ, researching trends, sewing, and designing. Some of her work experiences include visual merchandising, photography, and fashion design. email this instructor

CHRISTY WEISER
Christy Lasater Weiser holds a BFA in ceramics from the Kansas City Art Institute. Christy has taught at NSAA for over ten years and was the Visual Arts department chair for six years. Christy is a working ceramic studio artist in Tempe, AZ. In 2004, she received a City of Tempe grant for public art to complete ceramic tiles at a bus stop, working with middle school and high school students. Christy has been teaching art and ceramics for more than 20 years. She continues to work in the studio making and selling ceramics pieces and teaching ceramics at NSAA. For ten years Christy was the assistant to the Director of the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, MT, where she maintained a ceramic studio. Ms. Weiser continues to bring her ceramic artist experience to the classroom and guides students to careers in the ceramic arts. email this instructor

KAREN HANLEY
Mrs. Hanley has over 25 years of experience in public education in administration and teaching. Mrs. Hanley Currently manages NSAA High School and Middle School ESS.

BECKY MARTIN
Becky Martin assists with Special Education at NSAA High School and Middle School. Ms. Martin received her BA in Early Childhood and her MA in Special Education from Arizona State University. email

RONALD CAYA
Ronald F. Caya, Founder is the founding director of NSAA; he brings experience in both cultural and educational administration. He holds a BA in Art Education from the California College of Arts & Crafts and an MA from Parsons School of Design in New York City. He has extensive experience in public art education as well as establishing and directing several arts centers, both public and private. He has served on the board of the American Council for the Arts and as president of the Alliance of California Arts Council, the Western Association of Art museums, and the California College of Arts and Crafts Alumni. He is dedicated to education and the arts and is an accomplished potter.

EVFA CERISES
Ms. Cerises has worked with NSAA for three years in doing Junior Achievement programs and will be joining the staff as the registrar. Ms. Cerises has communication and public relation experience. email this administrator

AMANDA DAY
Amanda Day, High School Director, joined NSAA when the middle school was first established. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Michigan State University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing-Poetry from Arizona State University. Formerly a Faculty Associate in English at ASU, she headed the Language Arts department at NSAA middle school until 2005. Mrs. Day also served as the middle school's business manager, librarian, and literary journal editor. She is a published poet and former Poetry Editor of Hayden's Ferry Review. Mrs. Day is delighted to be at NSAA, where aesthetics and substance are taught as one. email this administrator

BARBARA DEGRUCCIO
Barbara DeGruccio, Business Manager, has over 20 years experience in budgeting and accounting. She majored in business at Queens College in New York. Ms. DeGruccio's responsibilities include overseeing NSAA's annual budget, teacher and classroom supplies, and building maintenance. Barbara is a parent of an NSAA graduate.

MARK DANIELS
Mr. Daniels has been working with NSAA Middle School since opening in 2003. He is responsible for the never-ending task of computer management and training staff on computer use.

LINDA ELLIS
Linda Ellis, Receptionist/Attendance Clerk is a parent of an NSAA graduate and started working at the school in 1998 as the receptionist and attendance clerk. Linda is always willing to help students and parents.

KATY FERRELL-CARDENAS
Katy Ferrell-Cárdenas graduated in Health Education in 1993 from U of A, and joined the Peace Corp for a tour to Sana'a, Yemen. Upon returning, she worked as a community educator for the County Health Dept. In 1996, Mrs. Cárdenas moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where she also worked for five years in private instruction. In 2000, Mrs. Cárdenas returned to Arizona and earned her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from ASU and since has written charters and been a consultant on curriculum development for many Arizona public schools. In 2003, Mrs. Cardenas joined the NSAA organization by accepting the position of Principal for the Middle School, and a full time teaching position. After the first two years of the middle school, Mrs. Cárdenas accepted the position of Executive Dean for NSAA, upon the retirement of its Founder, Dean Caya. Mrs. Cardenas has passed the superintendent AZ educator proficiency assessment. email this administrator

MARILYN LANZA—in memoriam
Marilyn Lanza, Executive Assistant to the Dean & Human Resource Director, was a dedicated professional at NSAA, from its inception in 1995, until she passed away in 2007. Marilyn had over 25 years experience in business, education administration, and volunteer coordination. Her training, as she liked to say, was as a scientist: Marilyn held a BS in Bacteriology with a minor in Philosophy & Education from the College of Notre Dame.

Personally, Marilyn’s inexhaustible generosity of spirit and kindness helped to shape this school’s foundation. She was a comfort to those around her, a wise woman, and a good friend. Marilyn shared freely with everyone—her great smile, her incisive wit, and her passionate beliefs. She cared deeply for this school and everyone in it. Marilyn Lanza is sorely missed, and she will be long remembered by everyone at NSAA.

RICK WALKER
Mr. Walker is on site for building maintenance and security. Mr. Walker has over a decade of experience in his field.
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