MUSIC

Marcos Crego

Vincent Thiefain

Lauren Coleman

On Faculty Since: 2025

Courses: Musical Theatre, HS Vocal Performance

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: MS Hip Hop, ESS Paraprofessional

Joo graduated from Arizona State University in 2023 with a BFA in Dance Education. Specializing in Hip Hop and contemporary styles, Joo has performed and choreographed various works around the valley. Her credits include ASU's Pippin, Blaktinx Dance Festival, Decadence AZ, Goldrush Festival, etc. Joo is excited to introduce students to not only the movement, but the culture and history of Hip Hop as well.

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: 2025

Courses: MS Show Choir. MS Drama 1. Spanish 1-2. Guitar

Lauren Coleman is a born-and-raised Arizonan with a degree in Secondary Education (History), Minors in Spanish and Mathematics, and a Certificate in Environmental Education from Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University.

As a student at Gilbert Classical Academy, Mx. Coleman was the President of their school's Music Council. They performed with the Arizona All-State Band and Orchestra, the Central Regional Choir, and the Youth Symphony of the Southwest, and they studied Double Bass with Dr. Dan Swaim for seven years. Their high school not only honored Mx. Coleman as an excellent orchestra member with the Niccolò Paganini Award, but also created The Coleman Award to recognize their tremendous contributions to the school's broader musical community. Mx. Coleman continued their musical career in ASU's Philharmonia and Choral Union as well as the People's Community Orchestra of Tempe, and was a music educator at the ASU String Project and Bach to Rock music school, where they taught violin, cello, bass, ukulele, guitar, piano, and voice.

Mx. Coleman also brings to NSAA their background in musical theatre. They spent many years at Actor's Youth Theatre performing onstage and in the pit orchestra, directing shows, and developing their skills through dance classes and show choirs. They founded the Awesome Actors program for Boys & Girls Club attendees, taught Tap Dance lessons through ASU Talent Match, and taught Glee camps at Bach to Rock music school. They are also a Theatre Technician at Herberger Theater in Phoenix.

Formerly a math teacher, Mx. Coleman is passionate about learning music theory and is fascinated by the mathematical aspects of music creation. They enjoy listening to most genres of music, but especially alternative indie pop, jazz, and showtunes. Some of their favorite artists include Taylor Swift, Lorde, Beyoncé, Florence and the Machine, and Sammy Rae & The Friends, and their favorite musicals are School of Rock and The Addams Family. Outside of school, Mx. Coleman is involved in their local drag community and is passionate about 2SLGBTQIA+ community organizing, mutual aid, and documenting queer history. They love cats, hiking, traveling, public transportation, farmers markets, and vegan cooking.

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: American Literature, Beg/Int Acting, MS Drama 1 & 2

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.