Art
Brighton
Natalie Assemany
Natalie is an Art Teacher in Oakland County. She has been teaching Art for 9 years and operating her private art business, Noah’s Art for over 10 years! Natalie has a true passion for children and creativity. Natalie looks forward to having you participate with her on creative adventures!
Culinary
Brighton + Livonia
Andi Bissett
Andi, Bissett, a graduate of the Madonna University, has honed her baking craft in her home kitchen for 20+ years. Baking has always been a passion for Andi, and over the last few years she has taken classes at Zingerman’s Bakery and Teresa Greenways to perfect her art.
Andi has been married to her college sweetheart since 2003, together they have three children who all LOVE their mama’s baking. A motivated self learner, Andi is always tweaking and perfecting. Her sourdough devotion runs deep.
Art
Brighton + Livonia
Lynn Burrows
Lynn has enjoyed teaching many varieties of art (watercolor, gouache, inking, block printing, rubber
stamping, and…) for the past 8 years at homeschool cooperatives and groups, local art centers, and her
private studio. She has also enjoyed her face painting hobby turned business with her friend for the past 18 years. Both, the happy painted faces and the students learning new skills to create art are fun for all!
Lynn loves to help new students develop and grow their artistic side and also delights in encouraging students to continue to pursue art beyond high school. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Spring Arbor University.
Art
Brighton + Livonia
Cheryl Chidester
Although Cheryl Ann Boc Chidester’s art can be described as eclectic, it shares common themes strongly inspired by nature, her travels and experiences, and by her love of history. These themes are often interconnected in her art, as well as our world. While places, and people and their culture, offer unique perspectives and experiences, there are universal ideals and shared history, knowledge and spirit that transcends time and place. Cheryl strives to touch upon these connections.
After attending Eastern Michigan University and earning a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree (and, later, a Master of Science Degree), Cheryl has held a number of art-related positions – graphic designer, gallery manager, art instructor, muralist, set designer, architectural historian – she currently serve as the curator of the Argus Museum and is the proprietor of Cheryl’s Creative Custom Art & Framing/Inspirecreationsart. Her work has been accepted in juried exhibits throughout the country and has been honored with several awards. She has held solo exhibitions and was awarded a 2021-2022 Michigan Council of the Arts and Cultural Affairs grant.
Cheryl works in a variety of media combining techniques of texture, light and color to convey her impression of a subject matter, place, culture or moment. She appreciates exploring materials, methods and ideas, while staying true to them, as they guide her to a finished piece of art expressing an interpretation and shared experience. One of her joys in life is sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm of art.
Electric Bass, Guitar, Ukulele
Brighton
Nick Dalbis
Nick Dalbis is a Music Producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and teacher. For over 30 years he has produced, recorded, collaborated and mentored hundreds of songwriters and bands in the Detroit metro area.
Nick started playing guitar at age nine. By age 12, Nick and his brother formed a popular wedding band and entertained at hundreds of events for over a decade. In his teens, he became interested in songwriting, recording and music production. Nick has written and produced a successful series of children’s educational songs
His passion for music and the creative process has evolved into sharing his love of music and sparking that passion in his students. With over ten years experience in teaching students from 8-80, Nick believes pursuing music as a pastime or as a professional, is a fulfilling lifelong quest. Recognizing each student is different, Nick adapts his lessons to the individual’s musical interests and needs to ensure a fun, successful musical journey.
Drums, Electric Bass, Guitar
Graphic Arts
Photography
Brighton
Thomas DeVoy
With over 15 years of experience as an Art/Creative Director, Thomas DeVoy has had the privilege of working with over 100 clients, bringing their visions to life through innovative design and creative solutions. Beyond his professional endeavors, Thomas is also a seasoned live performance musician, having played drums and guitar for 20 years.
Whether through visual design or musical expression, Thomas is dedicated to making a positive impact and fostering community connections.
Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone
Brighton
Holly Finch-Glynn
Holly began playing saxophone in fifth grade, she loved it so much she wanted to try all of the woodwind instruments. In sixth grade she started playing clarinet outside of her band class and eventually started playing flute in college. Holly participated in marching band, concert band, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble and jazz combos at Saginaw Valley State University. Her main instrument is saxophone but has played in multiple groups on clarinet and flute as well.
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Piano
Livonia
Patrick Fitzgibbon
Patrick Fitzgibbon is a musician based in the Detroit, MI area who has made his career performing, teaching and composing. Patrick is a professor of music at Oakland University where he teaches courses in world music, aural skills and steel band. Patrick regularly performs with many of Detroit’s top musicians as well as his own quintet (Patrick Fitzgibbon Band), and his steel drum ensemble (Steel Sound) and Rela Percussion. Other performance highlights include the Fisher Theater Orchestra, recording sessions at Yessian Music and residencies at Duke University, Bloomberg University and the Toledo Glass Museum. His original compositions can be heard on his albums “The Travelers” and “Just Ahead” and have been published with Tapspace and C. Alan Publications. His compositions have been licensed for use by Ford, Bosch Automotive, and Investigation Discovery Studios. Patrick earned his bachelor’s in music performance from Michigan State University, his master’s from Oakland University and has studied traditional music in India, Ghana, Jamaica and Trinidad.
Piano,
Play Today: Piano,
Rhythm + Music
Brighton
Marilyn Floyd
Marilyn has been teaching piano for more than two decades. She was an inaugural teacher at School for the Arts in 2013. Her goal is to offer innovative, tech-savvy lessons that develop pianists who stick with music for a lifetime. In largely student-led lessons, she uses music apps, dynamic teaching tips, and off-bench activities. Marilyn teaches music theory through chords, composing, and improvisational techniques. No boring workbooks here!
Having taught over 20,000 piano lessons with students ranging in age from 4 to 74, she understands that with each stage comes different goals. Each student has their own musical journey; her goal is to support, teach and mentor at each juncture. She has taught individual, partner/buddy, group, and online lessons. While individual lessons are the mainstay, partner lessons are her favorite. What’s more fun than learning with a friend!
Marilyn studied music at Julliard and holds a certificate from the Richards Institute (Education Through Music – ETM). ETM promotes physical, mental, and social growth through language, song, movement, and interactive play. In recent years, Marilyn has done extensive study in teaching boys and teens, chords, and online piano lessons. She holds a B.S. in Journalism with a minor in voice at the University of Kansas.
Between lessons, she plunks on another keyboard as a freelance writer for a music education app.
On a personal level: Marilyn survived a stroke after childbirth, grew up raising pigs in rural Kansas, and has done mission work in Central America. Winston, a medium Goldendoodle, is her therapy dog partner. Together, they love to offer comfort and confidence to kids in need. She and her husband of 30+ years love to travel and have three extremely creative twenty-something-year-old sons and a daughter in college.
Marilyn can’t wait to help you/your child take their next steps in music!
Piano + Voice
Brighton
Rebecca Gillespie
Rebecca has taught private lessons for a number of years and has a bachelor’s degree in music from Oakland University. Teaching others to share in the skill of learning an instrument is something she truly enjoys doing. Rebecca loves to see how excited and fulfilled a student feels after they have spent time learning, practicing, and making progress in their lessons.
Rebecca has held a strong, deep-rooted, love and passion for music since she could walk! Whether dancing, singing, or playing an instrument, any music avenue she pursues brings such joy in her life. She began as a ballet dancer from ages 4 to 14 and also took jazz and tap classes during those years, participating in many recitals.
Piano
Brighton
Kay Girolamo
My story is probably like that of many people who take up the piano. Maybe even yours?
I started playing at age six and took private lessons for about three years. I was no piano superstar. I was spectacularly average. However, the lessons taught me the fundamentals of music and gave me a life-long love of the piano. Growing up, I sang in school choirs and later in community choirs, but my family and my career in accounting kept me busy. There were months—sometimes even years—when I didn’t play the piano at all. But it’s something I’ve always been drawn back to.
Decades passed until I finally decided to get back to taking lessons.
In time, my own teacher began encouraging me to consider teaching. You never realize how much you know—and how much you still have to learn—until you teach. Working with students requires me to look at concepts from all kinds of different angles. They frequently come up with questions I’ve never thought to ask. I meet each student at their own skill level and constantly tailor my approach to how they’ll learn a given concept best. It’s exciting, challenging and not-just-a-little-bit humbling.
Teaching kids is fun; there’s so much energy there! With experience as an adult piano student myself, I also hold a special affinity for teaching adults. I really appreciate the slower, more thoughtful approach most adults have and the agency they take in their learning. I feel like I can be more of a personal tour-guide than an instructor: helping them understand the local language and customs (aka music theory), showing them sights they might not have found on their own (repertoire), and keeping them from unintentionally getting into too much trouble (piano technique).
I’d love to walk with you through your own piano journey!
Culinary
Brighton
Nancy Goliver
Nancy started decorating cookies in early 2019 and fell in love with the craft. It quickly became a creative outlet, something she could for herself. Over the next year Nancy found reasons to design and decorate cookies for family, friends, and special people in her life. In March 0f 2020 she was encouraged to participate in an Empower Women’s Market alongside other amazing female business owners. Nancy left feeling so inspired and days later the pandemic shut down our world. More than ever, cookie decorating became a great escape.
As celebrations were canceled, friends would reach out asking her to create custom cookies. It brought joy and excitement to their special occasions and Nancy loved being a part of that energy. Word spread quickly and Nancy’s cookies business has organically grown. In 2023 she began teaching cookie decorating workshops and classes to students of all ages and it has amplified her love for this art form. Her classes teach custom designs and Nancy is pleased to offer regular and vegan cookie dough options.
Nancy cannot wait for you to be a part of this experience and she looks forward to helping to make your world a little bit sweeter!
Baton
Brighton + Livonia
Katrina Grace
Katrina Grace is the Hartland High School feature baton twirler and a JR Olympic gold champion. Coach Katrina started her own baton team Twirling for Grace in 2020, Twirling for Grace is the reigning WTA National Championship team. Katrina works with students of all ages in Michigan and Ohio and is excited to offer baton classes at School For The Arts.
Voice
Brighton
Paige Heidrich
Paige Heidrich, soprano, is an Ohio native currently pursuing a MM in Vocal Performance at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University’s Conservatory of Music with undergraduate degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Hailed as “brilliant and funny” for her work on stage, Paige has been seen performing throughout the Northeast Ohio area in a variety of venues, including the Fairmount Center for the Arts and Willoughby Fine Arts Association with Resonanz Opera, Rabbit Run Theater, at “The 9” in Cleveland, and in the Baldwin Wallace University Opera mainstage productions. As a soloist, Paige had the privilege of debuting a chamber work by composer Lincoln Sandham titled “29 July, 1856” and has been a featured soloist for Baldwin Wallace’s Treble Choir, as well as the Ashtabula Area Orchestra. Paige has held positions as a general music teacher, vocal coach, and church choir director throughout her time in Ohio. She taught private voice at the Aurora School of Music for almost two years before pursuing graduate study. Paige believes that all people should have the opportunity to experience the joy that music-making brings. She brings her performance skills into the classroom to promote active learning and is able to share real-world performance experiences with students.
Guitar
Brighton
Andrew Hively
Andrew has been playing acoustic and electric guitar for over 35 years. As a teenager he played in different rock bands around the southeast Michigan area and started writing and recording his own instrumental music. Since that time, Andrew has recorded 9 instrumental guitar albums and has played on various other projects by Oak Pointe Church and Ephesus Music. He also continues to play live as a solo instrumentalist at parties, weddings, restaurants, and other events as well as part of the acoustic duo Coty & Andrew and as the lead guitarist for Radio Graffiti. Andrew also plays lead guitar in and is the Team Lead of the 2|42 Community Church Worship band.
Andrew started teaching at School for the Arts in 2014 and enjoys teaching and sharing his passion with students of all ages. He believes in customizing the lesson for the individual student and writes the curriculum based on the goals that the student wants to achieve. Andrew believes in making sure the student knows what they need to know to be a well rounded musician but also that they are having fun during the process. Andrew teaches beginner to advanced acoustic and electric guitar.
Culinary
Livonia
Abigail Jeong
Abigail (Abby) has had a passion for cooking and baking for nearly three decades, starting from the time she first used a recipe to make cream puffs by herself at the age of seven. She has spent 8 years abroad, and her cooking was greatly influenced by her experiences overseas. More recently, she has been pursuing cookie and cake decorating, and is especially fond of using royal icing.
Abby is a special education teacher who is taking time off from the classroom to be at home with her two young sons. She taught cooking and food preparation skills within her classroom for 5+ years. It is something she feels very strongly about continuing to teach, as it is an essential life skill that benefits all people to learn. She believes if people can see cooking as something fun and meaningful, that they are more likely to continue doing it.
Drums
Brighton
Garrett Livernois
Garrett, who has Native American heritage, developed a passion for percussion at a young age, as he was often exposed to the sounds of drum beats at Pow Wow gatherings. At the age of 10, he received his first complete drum kit and started formal lessons with Ryan Edwards, a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Throughout middle and high school, Garrett excelled in playing various percussion instruments, such as full drum set, snare drum, bass drum, and others, in marching, concert, and jazz bands. He also consistently received the highest ratings at all Solo and Ensemble competitions.
During his college years at Adrian College, where he studied Communication Arts & Sciences, Garrett remained active in music, playing snare drum in the marching band and various instruments in the concert band for all four years. He also played tennis at the collegiate level. Garrett’s love for music has driven him to produce and perform his own music, both as a DJ and as a drummer in his own band.
Aside from teaching percussion, Garrett has also served as an assistant coach for the Beach Middle School tennis team and has provided tennis lessons at a local tennis club. It appears that teaching comes naturally to him.
Cello, Ukulele
Brighton + Livonia
Adalus Low-Manzini
Adalus started her musical studies in the renowned musical program “El Sistema” in Venezuela and has performed as a soloist with orchestras all throughout her country. Between 2019 and 2021, she attended the renowned summer festival Center Stage Strings, a music program for emerging young artists held at the University of Michigan. In 2020, she won third place in the Louisiana State University concerto competition, allowing her to perform as a soloist with the university’s orchestra in April of 2021. Adalus obtained her Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance from Louisiana State University in 2021 and is pursuing a Master’s degree at the University of Michigan.
At present she carries out an important activity as a musician that includes both pedagogy and chamber and orchestral music. Adalus was a cello teaching artist at Kids’ Orchestra (an “El Sistema” inspired music program), where she taught music to elementary school children in the Baton Rouge area. Adalus has taught students from elementary to advanced levels.
One of Adalus’ passions is the creation of educational and informative content for social media related to music.
Violin, Viola
Brighton + Livonia
Paul Lundin
Paul is currently living in SE Michigan where he is a freelance violinist. He has performed locally with Ann Arbor, Flint, Midland, Saginaw, Oakland, and Rochester Symphonies. He studied at the University of Iowa where he earned Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Violin Performance. Most recently while living in Wisconsin, he performed with the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Waukesha, and Green Bay Symphonies and held the post of Concertmaster for the Racine Symphony from May of 2000 until 2008. In addition to performing, he was a sabbatical replacement at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point (2001) and was adjunct instructor at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin for 8 years. Formerly, he was a full time member of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra from 1992-1999, was on the faculty of Northwestern State University and Centenary College and concertmaster of the Longview (Texas) Symphony. He received critical acclaim as a soloist in Longview playing Erich Korngold’s “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra” in 1998.
Piano + Voice
Brighton
Ashley McGrath
Piano
Brighton
Christine Maiorana
Clarinet
Brighton
Lei Min
Clarinetist Lei Min first studied clarinet at the age of 7. Her first public performance was at the age of 8 and by age 11 she won first prize in the China clarinet youth competition. She achieved her bachelor’s degree in China Conservatory of Music. In 2017, Ms. Min was excited to come to the United States to study clarinet. She is currently a DMA student at Michigan State University, where she also obtained her Master’s degree. Besides clarinet study, she is interested in computer music and music therapy. Ms. Min has premiered her computer music pieces at MSU. She is also pursuing a music therapy major at Western Michigan University. Her major teachers include Mingzhe Wang, Keith Adam Lipson, Yi He, Corrado Giuffredi, Benjamin Lulich, Nicolas Baldeyrou and Donald Montanaro. Lei Min looks forward to helping her students have new and exciting experiences with music.
Robotics
Brighton
Daniel Pace
Dan Pace is the owner operator of Creative Minds Robotics and More and a professional educator of 25 years. As an educator he has worked with multiple age groups, ranging from ages 3 – 18yrs, and multiple subject areas including, core academics, Special Needs, and STEM. He also holds multiple professional licenses in education and Masters in Special Needs and Counseling.
In recent years Dan has been an international teacher working in South America creating STEM programs for multiple schools. In addition to his contributions to the classroom, Dan has also served as coach for sports and robotics teams. His most recent accomplishments as a robotics coach includes leading teams to national and world appearances in First Lego League robotics competitions, in Chile and Peru.
Dan is a passionate life-long learner that started his journey into teaching STEM by accident. As someone who likes to tinker and make things, his curiosity in robotics and CAD caught the eye of others and eventually turned into his day job.
“I imagine some might assume the focus of my classroom is programming and robotics but it’s really about people, teaching our kids how to work as members of a team, accept mistakes as valuable learning opportunities, and most importantly to learn about themselves. The high interest nature of robotics seems to do a good job keeping the kids engaged, sometimes challenging them to manage their frustrations or develop a new perspective applying their creativity to find solutions for the tech hiccups that naturally occur in robotics. Its a wonderful experience seeing a young mind acquire new skills in robotics but to see them develop a better understanding of self and improved problem-solving skills is the ultimate.”
Dance
Brighton
Amy Pacheco
Amy Pacheco has been a dance educator for over 30 years, she has enjoyed working with toddlers through adults. Amy has directed 11 Holiday Showcases and 11 Spring Dance Recitals. Many of her students have gone on to receive college scholarships and pursue professional positions in the art of dance. Amy has certifications through Dance Educators of America and Cecchetti Council of America. She is also a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance. She is a mother of four with children ranging from five years old to twenty-three years old. Amy is excited to join the School for the Arts team!
Piano
Brighton
Marianne Potter
Marianne started playing the piano at the age of five and studied piano at Rochester College while pursuing her Elementary Teaching degree. She took classes at Schoolcraft College through their Piano Teacher’s Program, when she first began teaching piano. Marianne finds joy in seeing young children master a new skill and develop their musical abilities. She believes piano not only enriches lives, but also is a great teacher of discipline and contributes to higher success in other academic areas as well.
Banjo, Bass, Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele
Brighton
Steven Prevett
Steven Prevett is an active composer/songwriter, performer and instructor from Flint, Michigan. He graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music with a focus in composition and classical guitar. As a multi-instrumentalist, he has developed a unique style of playing, ranging anywhere from classical to broadway to popular music. His most recent successes includes the original musical about dogs, “3 Pekes in a Pod,” co-written by Quincy Dobbs. Other works include the original score for Central Michigan University’s production of William Shakespeare’s “Pericles”, music scores for various short films, and original music for live comedy sketch acts in Chicago. His current performance acts are the classical guitar and accordion duo “Everything but the Polka”, the classical guitar group “The Phly Boys” and the husband & wife comedy-duo “Melon 2 Melon”. As an instructor, Steven has had the pleasure working with many wonderful students of all ages. With over five years of teaching, he has had the opportunity to watch students grow and reach their goals as growing musicians. Steven strongly believes in the importance of music education, that music should be explored and shared with everyone.
Piano
Brighton
Anastasia Ries
Hello, my name is Anastasia and I was born with music intertwined within my soul. From the age of 6, I have been playing the piano. It is without a doubt my favorite musical instrument. I immigrated from Russia in 2013, formerly known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. I obtained my Bachelor of Russian Classical Piano and a Master’s Degree in music and Choir Direction, from the State University of Culture while in the USSR. I have been teaching piano for over 20 years in both Russia, and the United States. I have taught students of all ages ranging from ages 5 to 50 years old. I absolutely love to teach piano and to assist my students in developing their musical talents. I also teach my students the discipline of becoming a pianist and performing to the best of their ability. At the same time I hope to create in my student’s a passion for the piano and develop a lifelong desire to continue improving their skills as a pianist.
Bass, Cello, Flute, Guitar, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet, Ukulele, Violin
Brighton + Livonia
Steven “Thor” Sigurdson
Steven Sigurdson received his bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School as one of the final students of the great Leonard Rose. He also pursued conducting at Juilliard as a student of Ronald Braunstein, and as a frequent auditor of the conducting classes of Jorge Mester and Otto Werner Muller. Upon graduation, he was among the first cellists selected by Michael Tilson Thomas to perform in Miami’s celebrated New World Symphony, an ensemble with which he performed and toured internationally for three seasons. He was subsequently hired as Associate Principal Cellist of the Florida Philharmonic, a post he held for 13 years, finishing his tenure as Principal Cellist. Over his 25-year orchestral career, he performed under dozens of legendary maestros, including Leonard Bernstein, Sir Georg Solti, and Seiji Ozawa. As a soloist and chamber musician, he was a finalist in both the National Society of Arts and Letters Cello Competition and the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition.
After relocating his family to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his wife is earning a PhD in Anthropology, Sigurdson is excited to finally be pursuing his solo career in earnest. His debut recording of favorite cello solos along with Chicago-based harpist Nichole Young, entitled After a Dream, is now available. In between concerts and recitals, he remains committed to training and inspiring musicians of all ages throughout the greater Detroit area.
Art
Brighton + Livonia
Rebekah Start
Rebekah Start is a visual storyteller working in cut-paper collage, mixed and digital media. She has taught a variety of art classes for skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Rebekah creates a welcoming and encouraging environment for all of her students and believes that art is meant to be fun for everyone.
She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Storyteller Academy and is currently working on illustrating a picture book.
Rebekah earned her Bachelor of Fine Art and Creative Writing minor from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where she was on the president’s list and graduated with Honors.
Voice
Brighton
Catherine Sulla
Catherine has her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Millikin University and her Maters of Music in Vocal Performance from Western Illinois University. She has studied under a wide variety of accomplished teachers, pedagogs, and performers, and was selected to perform in masterclasses for both Alan Held and Cynthia Lawrence.
Catherine has a varied experience as a performer, music director, and teacher. Catherine discovered her love of teaching while taking Pedagogy Practicum during her undergrad and hasn’t stopped since. She believes in building well rounded singers and incorporates music theory, ear training, and pedagogy into every lesson. Each student has a wonderful and unique instrument, and this gives Catherine the opportunity to tailor lessons to each student. Part of what she loves most is adapting and problem solving her teaching to work best for her students! Her love for what she does is infectious and she can’t wait to help you or your child on their singing journey!
Flute, Guitar, Piano, Voice
Livonia
Daniel Ward
A passionate advocate for the arts and education, Daniel Ward firmly believes that music is an essential tool in developing relationships between various cultures. Daniel started his formal music education at the age of 7, beginning on flute. Over the years, Daniel’s musical journey has led him to learn various instruments including acoustic and electric guitar, bass, and piano. As a multi-instrumentalist Daniel plays a variety of styles including Classical, Jazz, Gospel, Latin and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Daniel currently holds a BM in Flute Performance from the University of North Texas where he studied with Regents Professor of Flute Dr. Mary Karen-Clardy.
At present Daniel is on staff as the Worship Leader at Hill City Church, a church in the Oak Pointe family of churches. Daniel enjoys producing and writing music and has recorded, composed, and performed on various projects over the years.
Daniel’s core beliefs as a music educator are:
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To equip students with the necessary tools they need to have a joyful musical career
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To enable students to take ownership of their learning journey and evolve into self-guided educators.
Daniel is excited to serve the SFTA community!
Drama
Brighton
Jaclene Wilk
Jaclene has been an actor nearly all her life, beginning at the young age of five. Jaclene began by acting in community theater, and continued middle school through high school by performing in every play and musical. Her passion led her to pursue acting as a full time career, Jaclene went on to study Musical Theater at Oakland University where she graduated with a BFA. Shortly after graduation she moved to NYC to gain more opportunities, enhance her career and broaden her acting experiences. While living in NYC, she starred in numerous commercials, independent films, and an off-Broadway production. Since moving back to Michigan, Jaclene began coaching acting privately, and is still auditioning and working as an actor.
Jaclene loves to act and is excited to offer LET’S ACT! at SFTA Brighton!
SFTA Customer Support
Brighton +
Livonia
Jennifer Boshaw
Jennifer enjoys working with kids and families. She is actively involved in creating and growing fun new events as part of the PTO at her children’s school and manages a neighborhood ski club. Jennifer loves to be a part of providing kids with life enhancing experiences in fun and creative ways. She is excited to be a part of the SFTA team and to help facilitate artistic opportunities for the community.
SFTA Administrator
Brighton +
Livonia
Tara Roth
Tara plays a supportive role to all things behind the scenes at School For The Arts. As SFTA administrator, Tara works alongside Brenda Hively to ensure the smooth operations of all classes and offerings at all SFTA locations.
Tara knows firsthand the wonderful ways artistic pursuits enhance one’s overall development, having been fortunate throughout her life to take music and art lessons. Tara is excited to be a part of the School For The Arts staff, and is happy to help in whatever ways contribute to the successes of our SFTA students, families, and team.
SFTA Director
Brighton, Lansing, Livonia
Brenda Hively
Brenda is passionate about offering a variety of artistic offerings to students of all ages within our communities. From the new student who is trying lessons or classes for the first time, to those who are passionately developing their skills, and those who are returning to lessons and learning as adults; Brenda works to ensure the best experience possible at School For The Arts.
Providing students the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in artistic endeavors along with offering exciting SFTA performances is very important to Brenda. Her goal is for everyone involved with School For The Arts to have a positive and enriching experience while finding a place of belonging. Meeting our SFTA families, getting to know our students, and working closely with a team of top notch instructors to develop exciting classes, personal connections, and support for our students are all part of what excites Brenda about our SFTA motto of Creativity + Education + Community.
Experiences in the arts have always been a part of Brenda’s life and assist her in her role as director at SFTA. Brenda exhibited in art, culinary, photography, sewing, and more throughout her early years at the Washtenaw County Fair. She participated in elementary to high school theatre and as a young adult Brenda performed in dramas at her local church. As a child Brenda took piano lessons (which she wishes she had never stopped taking) and she has been married to a musician for almost 30 years.
Along with her experiences in the arts Brenda brings a background in business that includes studies in radio and TV broadcasting, journalism, and accounting at Eastern Michigan University. She also brings experience from her role in accounts receivable at a software company, sales at the Ann Arbor News, and two successful home based businesses.
Brenda is excited to work with you at SFTA!