Theresa Academy Faculty and Staff
Susan S. Russo, Director
At the age of 18,Susan decided that she wanted to bring the joy of movement and the excitement of creativity to young people of every ability.It was while teaching danceto a young man with cerebral palsy that she made that life-changing decision.
To follow that dream she obtained a BS in Dance Education from UNC-Greensboro and a Masters in Dance Education from Teacher'sCollege at Columbia University.
Having taught in both public and private venues for over 35 years, Ms Russo recently obtained another Masters in Special Education and dedicates her life's work to her four children, in particular her special angel, Theresa. for whom the Academy is named.
Recognizing the need for quality afterschool programs in the arts for students with special needs, and wishing to combine her experiences working with both typically developing and special needs children “under one roof”, she petitioned the Board of Directors of the Theresa Foundation to expand their consumer base.
Now, in addition to the wonderful recreational opportunities provided by Theresa’s Fun Place (a park and playground) at UCP-Nassau in Roosevelt,children will have the opportunity to act, dance, sing and create their own art at TAPA, the Theresa Academy of Performing Arts.
TAPA is open to the siblings, parents and caregivers of our students so that they may also participate in classes with their loved one who has special needs. Everyone benefits…everyone creates…everyone has fun!Amy Dolan-Fletcher
Amy has been sharing her love of dance with students of all ages for the last 20 years, most recently as an artist in residence for the Port Jefferson school district and at the Stewart School in Garden City.
Amy's latest accomplishment is her recently sold out show "Come on-a My House - The Songs of Rosemary Clooney". She is also the driving force behind Midtown Productions which produces world class entertainment for corporate and private events, seminars and workshops for theatre professionals and future professionals alike. She graduated Magna cum Laude from Fordham University.
Debi Holmes-Mucci
Debi Holmes-Mucci has been teaching dance and theater to children and adults for many years.
Currently relocated to Long Beach , Debi holds a degree in Dance Movement Therapy, has trained as a dancer with choreography greats such as Twyla Tharp and Merce Cunningham and is an Interpreter for the Deaf. She has owned and managed her own dance school in East Hampton,"100 Miles Off- Broadway" and worked as an Arts enrichment teacher for 12 years at a Charter School built for Special Needs children, The Child Development Center of the Hamptons.
Debi is happy to be part of TAPA where she will continue to enjoy teaching the arts she loves - dance, drama and sign language to the wonderful children here.
Lindsay Rogan
Lindsay Rogan earned her BFA in Music Theatre from University at Buffalo where she began the production company "From the Wings". Since then, Lindsay has gone on to pursue her love of teaching and recently graduated from New York University with an MA in Educational Theatre and English Education. Lindsay has traveled to Greece and Italy with the World Congress of Theatre to present her papers on Theatre in University settings and is a part of The Dance Theatre Company on Long Island. Some of her favorite professional performance credits include "A Chorus Line", "Oklahoma", and "The King and I".
Micah Shepard
Micah Shepard has traveled the country with Disney's High School Musical as a dancer, is a member of the International Hip-Hop Dance Company DANCE 2XS, and is now an NYC based choreographer. Choreography credits include the off-broadway show "Street Lights", San Francisco production of the new musical "Lost and Found", and a music video for the web series "Weiner and Weiner".