  | Donna Dyer - Director BS Psychology, AAS Public Administration Donna Dyer is a skilled administrator with a special interest in providing quality programs for children and youth. She has worked as a counselor and supervisor for various after-school and child care programs in both Rochester and New York City, and she also worked for the New York City Welfare Administration. MaryAnn Hamilton - Founder & Arts Director BS Education MS Music DMA Molly Hamilton has enjoyed working with children for over 30 years. As well as directing children's choirs for many years, she has completed Level 3 certification in the Orff Schulwerk music education method. Molly developed the Community Arts Academy and its predecessor, the Community Girls Ensemble, to address the need for arts activities for urban students in Rochester. | |||
 | Carolyn Haygood - Dance Director completed the apprentice program of PUSH Physical Theatre in 2004 and is on the teaching staff of PUSH Pins, the children's division. Carolyn studied with Garth Fagan for many years and ministers in dance in various churches in the Rochester area. Presently Carolyn is a student at Elim Bible Institute with a goal of becoming a teacher/evangelist after her graduation in 2008. Carolyn is married and has a teen-age daughter. Their family lives in Rochester. | |||
| | ||||
 | Marissa Rys- Art Director Marissa is completing her K-9 certification in regular and special education PLUS her Bachelor's degree in English at Nazareth College. She is originally from the Utica area and led the art projects and other activities at "Sail the Seven Seas" Summer Camp 2008. Marissa also plays field hockey in her spare time! Working with oil pastels, drawing Andy Warhol self-portraits and making turkey wreaths are some of the art projects that Marissa has helped the students create | |||
  | Shawnda Urie - Drama Kids Teacher since 2008 Shawnda is passionate about drama and teaching children. She has been teaching improv to children and adults over the last six years at Geva Theatre Center, the University of Rochester, SUNY Brockport and the Delaware Theater Company. Shawnda has both a Bachelors (SUNY Geneseo) and Masters (Villanova University) of Arts in Theater. Shawnda and her husband, Chris Holden, Marketing Administrator for Geva, live in Rochester. Their first child, Seth, was born in early December 2008. Carla Stough Huffman - Drama/Guest Artist BS Child Development/Psychology, Minor-Theater Carla has been associated with the Community Arts Academy and its predecessor program for almost ten years. She has been writing and performing since early childhood. She works with youth programs throughout the area, most recently the extended day program at Jefferson Middle School. Her specialty is incorporating drama and creative writing whenever possible. Darline Blyden - Guest Associate Teacher attended Wilson Magnet High School. She has taken several courses at Monroe Community College and is using this year to explore different areas that interest her. Darline is a great asset to our program. One can often find her with a whistle and stop watch supervising games and relay races. She makes every day a fun day! |