MUSIC

Marcos Crego

Vincent Thiefain

Matt Ventre

On Faculty Since: 2014

Courses: Musical Theatre, Advanced Acting

Amy graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Production with an emphasis in Acting. While attending the U of A she completed the rigorous Actor’s Training Program where she focused on American Realism, Chekhov, Shakespeare, Commedia Dell’Arte, Moliere and Restoration acting styles. She is also a certified actor-combatant in rapier and dagger, broadsword, and unarmed by The Society of American Fight Directors. As the Musical Theatre & Acting teacher at NSAA, Amy has directed over 24 productions including Hair, Moon Over Buffalo, A Chorus Line, The Crucible, Chicago, Rumors, Sense & Sensibility, Legally Blonde, Murder on the Orient Express and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Amy has had over 20 years of dance training in styles such as Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop and more. She performed for several years with the Tucson Regional Ballet Company as a member of their Senior Company. Amy has also trained in voice for over 17 years both privately and as a member of numerous vocal ensembles. As a vocalist, she has more than 20 musicals under her belt and has played such roles as Velma in Chicago, Marta in Company, Cassie in A Chorus Line and Nancy in Oliver. 

In addition to teaching Musical Theatre & Acting, Amy serves as the Performing Arts Coordinator at NSAA, overseeing all of NSAA’s performances and productions. She currently lives in South Tempe with her husband and young son & daughter. In her (limited) free time she enjoys making things, cooking, and binging True Crime series

On Faculty Since: 2019

Courses: MS Dance 1, MS Dance 2, Dance Development, Dance Technique, Dance Company

Melissa graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Fine Arts in Dance performance on scholarship, which is considered one of the top dance programs in the country.

After receiving her degree she went on to dance with Center Dance Ensemble under artistic director Frances Cohen as a resident dancer at the Herberger Theater.

Prior to settling in Arizona, Melissa performed in various productions in Vegas. Danced and modeled with Polaris Ski wear in Minneapolis, joined the Bolder Dance Company for 3 consecutive years, and even performed as a magicians assistant (Ta-Da)!

Melissa has taught as a guest teacher and choreographer for many high schools across the valley and is excited and looking forward to being a part of NSAA and their student body. She is also currently the ballet instructor at Royal Dance Works for students 8-16 years of age.

On Faculty Since: 2011

Courses: MS Piano Studies, Piano Studies 1, Piano Studies 2

Jose Marcos Crego Tamayo is a pianist who was born in Havana, Cuba. Marcos started his initial music studies in the Conservatory of Music Manuel Saumell, in his native city when he was just eight years old. Since he was a child, Marcos followed in the footsteps of his father, the great trumpet player Jose Miguel Crego “El Greco”, playing piano and singing on a few records. This paved the way and gave him the inspiration to participate in various musical groups with his classmates. He then attended and graduated from high school at Amadeo Roldán Music School.

After graduation, Marcos’ career took off and he performed with many famous musicians, including but not limited to Los Dan, Talismán, ICRT Orchestra, Top Secret with his father, as well as Klimax, Gardi’s band, Francisco Cespedes, The Arango Brothers, and Afrocuban All Stars. Marcos has also played in many jazz festivals including Pop Kom, Curaçao Heineken Jazz Festival, Jazz Plaza Festival, Benny More Festival, Fiesta del Tambor, Blues Festival, Jazz Fandango Festival, and Pori Jazz Festival.

When he was 21, he produced his first album named Mi Musica, this being start of his career as a musical producer. He also collaborated as a pianist and keyboard player in various albums, such as Top Secret’s volm.1, Klimax’s "Oye como va", “Piloto & Friends”, “Nadie se parece a ti”, Francisco Céspedes’ “Autorretrato" , Hermanos Arango’s "Alafia", Hector Valentin’s "Homenaje a los grandes del son" and many more.

In January 2012, Marcos received two Grammy Nominations as he performed on Edwin Bonilla’s album “Homenaje a los Rumberos” under Sonic Projects Records. Marcos currently resides in Phoenix and is the piano instructor for the New School for the Arts and Academics in Tempe, AZ and since 2013 is the pianist of the very well known cuban band The Afro-Cuban All Stars directed by Juan de Marcos Gonzales, the creator of the Buena Vista Social Club.

On Faculty Since: 2023

Course: Dance Assistant, MS Math A, MS Math B, MS Math C

Youngjoo Jang is a first year math teacher who graduated from Arizona State University in the spring of 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education. With a passion for connecting math and art, she brings a fresh perspective to the classroom. Her unique background in dance has taught her the value of discipline, perseverance, and problem-solving, skills that she integrates into her teaching approach. She creates a dynamic and inclusive learning environment, where creativity and critical thinking intertwine to unlock new dimensions of mathematical understanding. Her goal is to inspire a lifelong appreciation for math by exploring its fascinating intersection with art.

On Faculty Since: 2021

Course: MS Vocal Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, Advanced Vocal Studies

Kaili Otsuka graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Music, where she studied vocal performance with an emphasis on opera technique and repertoire. During her time at Arizona State, she studied primarily under the well-loved mezzo-soprano, Stephanie Weiss. Outside of her education at Arizona State, Kaili is an alumnus of Scottsdale Community College. There, she studied with Dennis Rowland, focusing on jazz and popular music. Kaili has been involved in choral and vocal ensembles since grade school, and truly enjoys the unique inclusivity and camaraderie that involvement in a musical ensemble lends itself to. She enjoys both performing and teaching, and has experience working with students both privately and in class settings in various area of musical studies, including solo and ensemble performance, music theory and aural perception and piano. In addition to her role teaching vocal studies at NSAA, Kaili works as a piano instructor at Blue in Green studio. When she isn’t making music, Kaili enjoys cooking and baking, and spending time with her pup, Donut.

On Faculty Since: 2018

Course: Jazz Ensemble

Vincent Thiefain is a graduate of ASU's jazz program where he studied under the direction of Ben Hedquist, Michael Kocour and Jeff Libman. He is also an alumni of the Paradise Valley Community College and Scottsdale Community College programs under the tutelage of Keith Kelly and Eric Rasmussen respectively. He is a freelance bass player based out of Tempe and has performed with some of the best local and national musicians and educators, such as Lewis Nash, Joe Lovano, Michael Kocour, and others.. While studying at ASU Vincent also had the opportunity to play with artists such as: Benny Golson, Lewis Nash, Cyrille Aimee and others.

He has appeared on several records recorded by young musicians around Phoenix including one original band trio entitled "Mothra is Back". Vincent has been a part of The Nash Education Intern program, an outreach program centered around coaching high school big bands around the valley in improvisation and fundamentals of Jazz. Currently he is instructing at Paradise Valley Community College and Arizona State University. You can usually find Vincent performing around the valley with peers in places such as; The Nash, Lost Leaf, Spinelli's Pizzeria and other venues. This is Vincent's 6th year at NSAA.

On Faculty Since: 2017

Courses: Trig/PreCalculus, Music Theory, Guitar, Advanced Guitar, Contemporary Ensemble

Matt Ventre has been a professional musician around the southwest for over a decade. When not teaching, he currently is working and touring as a session guitarist around North America. Additionally, Mr. Ventre has joined the academic department at NSAA as the TPC teacher where he is excited to draw from a unique arts background in his presentation of mathematics.

On Faculty Since: 2016

Courses: Government & Economics, Theatrical Design & Production

Mr. Winship received his BA in Theatre Arts at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where he also studied history, politics and government. This year he is teaching Government & Economics, and Theatrical Production. He is co-sponsoring the Thespian’s club with Ms. Faigel. Mr. Winship is excited to engage students in cross-curricular study in all of his classes, and help students practice good academic, social, and civic skills.

On Faculty Since: 2012

Courses: Creative Writing, American Literature, Beg/Int Acting

Luke Young graduated from the University of Arizona (UofA) with a BFA in Theatre. While at the University of Arizona, he completed the rigorous Actor’s Training Program, where he focused on American Realism, Chekhov, Shakespeare, Commedia Dell’Arte, Moliere, and Restoration acting styles. Luke also completed Rio Salado College’s Teacher Preparation Program and has received his Secondary Teaching Certificate in English, Structured English Immersion and Dramatic Arts. He has also completed his Master’s in Education Degree with a focus in Instructional Leadership at Northcentral University. He worked previously for Arizona Theatre Company managing their Education Department and outreach, and in his spare time directs theatre productions and writes screenplays.