GROWING GIFTS THROUGH THE ARTS
About Us: Faculty
Our faculty members are passionate about teaching. All were chosen based on technical expertise and a strong desire and ability to teach students of all ages and skill levels. BYPC faculty members also bring real-world knowledge and experience to lessons and classes. Practical skills and performance norms are communicated to students for the purpose of developing informed emerging artists. Faculty members inspire and encourage students to achieve their personal best and impart an appreciation for the arts that benefits students for a lifetime.
Charles Baroody:
Guitar
Charles earned his BS from the University of NH and his MA from Brooklyn College. He has been an educator in visual arts and music for more than 30 years. He has participated in numerous art/music collaborations both in New York City and internationally. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand for four years, facilitating urban/rural income generation projects. He began teaching at BYPC in 2004.
David Couture:
Assistant Music Director
Guitar, Bass Guitar, and Ensemble Director
David received his training at Berklee College of Music where he recently has returned to complete his degree in Performance with a concentration in Guitar. He has studied extensively with such notable guitarists as David Newsam and Jim Kelley. David recently attended Jazz at Lincoln Center's summer workshop on Jazz Improvisation. He is a guitarist and bassist with a broad experience in performing, composing, and recording in a wide variety of muisc styles. His performance credits include appearances with Annie and the Orphans and Notable Decades. He is currently the Director of Blue Soul. David's teaching career spans 20 years teaching guitar, bass, and directing ensembles.
Mary Couture:
Preschool Teacher, Math and Outdoor/Environmental Specialist
Mary joined the staff of BYPC in 2001 and has been teaching in the Creative Kids program since September 2007. She holds an Associate's degree from the University of New Hampshire Manchester and is working towards her Bachelor's degree in communications. Mary has studied early childhood education in several intensive courses, focusing on developmentally appropriate practices, curriculum models, math curriculums and environmental education. Mary's focus in the preschool program is in teaching the math curriculum and on special gardening projects and building environmental awareness.
Ann Davison:
BYPC Director, Theatre, Preschool
Ann, with husband Jeff, co-founded BYPC in 1996. She holds a B.A. in education and psychology from Boston College and pursued graduate studies in curriculum development at the University of Northern Florida and in mass communications at Boston University . Ann has produced summer stock theatre and enrichment and remedial productions for school districts in Massachusetts, Florida and New Hampshire. As a former communications consultant, Ann developed and taught Presentation Skills and Media Management courses to corporate executives throughout the U.S.
Jeff Davison:
Music Director, Piano, Voice
Jeff, with wife Ann, co-founded BYPC in 1996. A lifelong pianist, he studied at New England Conservatory, Music School at Rivers, Syracuse University, Berklee College of Music and is a former student of David Beyer, George Pappastavrou, Neil Olmstead, and Bill Davies. He has recently studied with Dorothy Taubman in New York. Jeff has taught piano for over 30 years; many of his students have pursued professional music careers. He has years of experience as music director for community and youth musical theatre productions and has attended JALC Band Director Academy, Taubman Institute at Julliard, Piano Teachers Institute at Berklee. He has broad experience performing as a solo pianist, and as keyboardist and vocalist with rock, jazz and pop music groups. He is currently a member of reggae band Dell Smart & Exit/In which has opened for Jimmy Buffett, performed with Ronnie Earl and released two CDs “Sure ‘Ya Right!” and “Party Time”.
Kate Davison:
Preschool Dance Instructor
Kate hales as an alumni from both BYPC and Dartmouth College where she graduated with a degree in psychology and education. While at BYPC Kate studied ballet, jazz, and tap as well as voice and musical theatre. She attended the Bates Dance Festival studying with some of our areas top master teachers. An accomplished rower, Kate found time to continue her dance education and her love of the performing arts at Dartmouth. She brings a love of dance and children earning her the adoration of BYPC children of all ages.
Cindy Eskelinen:
Choral Instructor
Cindy holds a B.A. in Music from Wellesley College and a M.A in Music Education from Columbia University. She has taught music at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden MA, as well as in the Westborough and Ayer MA. public schools, developing Chorus and Band programs and expanding curriculum to include musical elements through performance and music. She has taught volcal music in Londonderry, NH and was Musical Director of the Palace Theatre's Children's Theatre program. In addition to her vocal instrument, Cindy is proficient on and has performing experience in trombone and English hand bells.
Anna Flanagan:
Preschool Teacher and Dance Instructor
Anna joined BYPC as a fourth grader, studying dance and performance classes and performing in many musical theatre productions. During her high school and college years Anna worked as an intern in BYPC's Circle of Giving program teaching performing arts to special needs and low income children. Anna earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Studies from Plymouth State University. She brings her dance and teaching experience into the Creative Kids preschool and kindergarten classroom as well as teaching and choreographing in the dance department.
Tina Fosman:
Dance Instructor
Tina has been a dance educator for over 20 years. She has been recognized for her versatility and technical aspects in all genres of dance. Tina takes the most pride in the accomplishments of her students, many of whom have gone on to dance in New York, in ballet companies, on cruise ships and in theme parks. Others have opened their own studios, so they too can share their love and passion for dance. Tina is looking forward to doing the same for many more to come and can't wait to instill the love of dance to the students at BYPC!
Tara Greenblatt:
Acting and Improvisation Instructor
Tara is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston with a BS in drama and education. As a certified teacher, Tara taught drama at Brookline High School in Brookline, Massachusetts where she also directed both dramatic and comedic productions including student written and produced shows. She taught improvisation classes to students ages 7 - 12 at the Actor's Workshop of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Tara is also an accomplished singer/songwriter and percussionist with her own CD, "River Belly." She is teaching and facilitating drumming programs currently at Club Passim in Cambridge, Massachusetts; The Music House in Milford, Massachusetts; and The Fishtown Artspace in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Kristen Heald:
Preschool Teacher and Dance Instructor
Kristen received her BS in education (K-8) from the University of Southern Maine and has studied curriculum development and instruction at the master's level. Kristen is a former competitive gymnast and NH State Champion on balance beam who was coached by Judy Shenk, attended camps with Bela Karolyi, and studied dance with Gay Nardone. She has experience with dance choreography for high-level gymnasts' floor and beam routines. Kristen has worked with children of all ages for the past 21 years, including coaching high school gymnastics in Amherst and Milford, NH. For five years at BYPC, Kristen has taught Adult Fitness, Dance Explorers, Jazz, Video Jazz, Hip Hop, and Acro Jazz/Hip Hop. She also brought Jazznastics, a unique combination of jazz dance and gymnastics, to BYPC.
Nancy Huseman:
Preschool and Front Desk
Nancy is not only the welcoming voice that greets BYPC family members on the phone or at our door, but she is also a creative and loving member of our Creative Kids faculty. Joining our Creative Kids Preschool Readiness Program, Nancy brings years of early childhood and childcare experience to our program. With craft projects as her favorite venue Nancy is a welcome addition to our Creative Kids faculty. Not to worry – she will still be welcoming you at our front desk, too!
Dee Keri:
Guest Teacher
Dee's resume reads like a best of list, having performed throughout New England in such well-loved classic musicals as "South Pacific," "Guys and Dolls," "Beauty and the Beast," "Hello Dolly," among others. She has also performed on cruise line stages and in the largest theme parks of America. A recipient of national choreography awards from the Dance Masters of America, the American Dance Awards and Dance Xplosion, Dee brings a wealth of real world talent, training and experience to the BYPC family.
Lee-Ann Magin:
Preschool Teacher
Lee- Ann began her work in childhood education in 2000 and has had experience working with children of all ages. She holds a BA in Education K-12 and Special Education K-8 from Notre Dame College with a focus in fine arts. Lee-Ann taught 4th, 5th and 6th grades at Mountain View Middle School in Goffstown for five years while also coaching their field hockey team. After her twins were born, Lee Ann operated an in home child care program for four years. She is pleased to be teaching the Creative Two's in the Creative Kids preschool program.
D.J. McIntosh:
Percussion
Born Darryl Jay McIntosh in San Francisco Bay area, “D.J.” graduated from Berklee College of Music (dual B. A. degree in Music Education and Jazz Composition/Arranging). DJ has studied percussion with Alan Dawson, Jon Hazilla, Giovanni, Ed Saindon, John Ramsey, Ed Kaspik, Skip Hadden, Jamie Haddad, and Bob Nadler. DJ also studied jazz composition with Dick Lowell, Scott Free, and Ted Pease, among others. He has taught K-6 general music, band, and chorus in northern New Hampshire and is now an active freelancer in the New England area. He has had appearances with Russell Kennedy’s Generation Gap Big Band, Derek Jones, The John Fugarino Trio, Charles Quinn, and various other jazz, latin, rock, top 40, and pop acts in both the New England area and the Greater San Francisco Bay area.
Michael Murphy:
Piano
Michael studied piano for 10 years with Patrick Hebert at Highland Piano Studios. For six years, he served as pianist at the Trinity Full Gospel Church, and has provided accompaniment and music arrangements for holiday and special celebrations at schools in southern New Hampshire.
Maryrose Salem:
Preschool Director and Teacher
Maryrose has been teaching and caring for young children since 1988, operating her own licensed child care program for 11 year prior to joining BYPC in 2000. She holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Hesser College and has a special interest in art, puppetry and music. In addition to teaching in and directing the Creative Kids program, Maryrose is an advisor and teacher in the Circle of Giving program.
Sarah Skinner:
Acting Teacher
Sarah began her career as Director of Investigations for a Boston detective agency. She soon transitioned into acting, studying with acclaimed Broadway Casting Director Michael Shurtleff, a major casting director for producers David Merrick, Bob Fosse and Andrew Lloyd Weber. After relocating to California in 1997, Sarah worked in the motion picture and television industries both as an actor and casting director. Her credits include projects for Disney, Nickelodeon and Porchlight Entertainment. In 2004, Sarah decided that teaching acting is her first love and joined Edgemar Center for the Arts in Edgemar, California, teaching Acting, Improv and On-Camera Audition classes for children and adults. In her classes, Sara uses her keen observation skills, honed while working as an investigator, to offer her students the tools to dissect each character and identify the qualities which make that character true and enticing to watch.
Julie Pappas Smith:
Permanent Guest Teacher
Conditioning Instructor Julie received her BFA in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory. She has studied voice under Jeff Halpern, Brad Garside, Arlene Thomas, and others. She studied jazz with Phil Black, floor barre with Zena Rommett, and tap with Leslie Lockery. Her career includes the Broadway Tours of "Showboat," "Beauty & the Beast," and "A Chorus Line." She has worked extensively in regional theatre and been a featured dancer on "The Arsenio Hall Show" and on E! Entertainment television. She has performed all over the world on various cruise lines and at Disneyland Tokyo. Julie also is a certified IM=X Pilates instructor and experienced Floor Barre Instructor.
Anna Smith:
Acting and Performance
Anna is a student at Plymouth State University anticipating graduation in 2013. She is in the process of earning her BA in Theatre Arts with Options in Acting and Dramatic Writing. She has had experience performing at community theatre, high school and collegiate levels, and has even performed abroad for the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Anna began at BYPC as an intern for the Circle of Giving program and is now teaching acting and performance classes.
Nicole Stroumbos:
Preschool Dance/ Dance Instructor
Nicole is an interdisciplinary artist, performer & instructor. She has been dancing since the age of three and grew up training primarily at The Carlene Nazarian Dance Center in Salem NH. There, she was exposed to various genres of dance, although she feels most passionately about Lyrical, Jazz & Contemporary movement. She also became well immersed in the competitive dance world, as part of a group, solo performer and eventually a choreographer. She has taught master classes and been a guest choreographer at The Carlene Nazarian Dance Center, The Dance Works, Salem Dance Network, A Dance Vision by Nicole, Thornton Academy, and Portland Youth Dance Company and has worked for The University of New Hampshire's summer dance intensive. Nicole is a recent graduate of Maine College of Art obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting. She is currently a performer/member of Collective Motion Dance Company in Portland ME, while teaching at The Studio of Dance Arts in Methuen MA and The Dance Works in Haverhill MA. Nicole is looking forward to working with Bedford Youth Performing Company & is grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented and passionate individuals!
Sergey Tarayan:
Piano
Sergey has broad experience as a professional concert master and pianist in the former USSR. A graduate of Sumgait Music College in Baku, USSR, Sergey was an esteemed professional pianist throughout the 1970s and 1980s, playing at prestigious artistic gymnastics events in Moscow and other cities in the former USSR.
Allyson Yennaco:
Dance Instructor
Allyson Yennaco is a choreographer and dance educator with more than 18 years of teaching experience in all major forms of dance. Dancing since age 3, she began assisting classes at 12 and teaching at 16. After graduating high school she moved to NYC to train with industry professionals at the Broadway Dance Center and studied the Zena Rommett Floor Barre Technique for corrective body alignment and injury prevention at Broadway Dance Center and at Steps on Broadway. Allyson is most influenced by her modern training under artists from the former Dance Space Center in SoHo (currently known as Dance New Amsterdam) where she also studied anatomy and kinesthetic body awareness.
Allyson successfully owned and operated Artistic Ballet and Creative Dance in Hampstead, NH for 8 years before marrying her husband and raising their 2 daughters. She is currently on staff at Phantom Gymnastics in Hampstead, NH where she coaches dance and choreographs competitive floor routines for NH State Champion gymnasts training in USAG Junior Olympic Program. Allyson is a graduate of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston Dance Education Training Course, a member of AAHPERD, NHAHPERD (American Alliance and NH Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance), and the NDA (National Dance Association). Allyson continues her own dance training by attending classes in NY and Boston, as well as dance conventions and professional educator seminars across the Northeast. Her creative ideas and choreographic style have earned numerous Gold Medals, Overall High Score Awards, and Special Judges Awards.