Solange Bila
Deric Borrero
Michael Ferman
Mary Foti
Kristen Giordano
Randi Huss
Lawrence Mascia
Christine Nappi
Steve Nutt
Janice Patrignani
Rita Rampulla
Irene Santoro
Kaitlin Soltys
Youngbiz
Solange Bila
Solange has been involved in Staten Island theatre and arts for the past twenty years. During this time she has directed numerous shows for both children and adults. She is an entrepreneur, having owned and operated a theatrical performance company where she stressed the importance of being a “triple-threat” performer. Solange is a graduate of Brooklyn College and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Among the shows that she has directed on the Wagner College stage are; Thoroughly Modern Millie, Fiddler on the Roof, Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, and Annie, Jr.
Deric Borrero
Deric is a NYC licensed teaching professional and Assistant Principal at I.S. 24. He is co-founder and owner of Science Fellows, Ltd. and is involved in Lego Robotics at all levels. He has worked with students, formed teams and competed at Lego Robotics competitions at the local, state and national level.
Michael Ferman
Michael comes to us with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech and Theatre from Wagner College, and a Master of Science in Elementary Education from City University of NY. He also participates in ongoing professional acting workshops at the William Alderson Studios in NYC. Currently, Michael is the Director of Theatre Arts at the Park Slope Educational Facility at M.S. 88 in Brooklyn and is a NJ and NYS Certified Elementary Education Teacher. Michael has been teaching in our A.C.T. program since 2009. In his spare time, Michael is a professional actor and can be seen on stage, in film and on TV.
Mary Foti
Mary is both founder and CEO of Landmark Pictures & Sound. She has combined her technical expertise, industry experience, and business acumen to create a production company of award winning talent, focusing on content creation and development. Prior to starting her company, Mary served as a producer for Good Morning America at Post Works New York, while acting as tech-operations liaison, and producer for Bromley Communications at Match Bram in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to honing her production skills, Mary has edited on-air content for Nickelodeon, the Oxygen Network, The Holiday, Charlotte’s Web, and a number of projects for A&E. She has been published in Videography Magazine and has directed both broadcast and web content. Mary has delivered film/technical lectures at Cornell University, The Director’s Guild of America, Marymount College, the School of Visual Arts, and Future Media Concepts.
Kristen Giordano
Kristen is a recent graduate of Wagner College majoring in Education and Art, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education. She is a NYS licensed Teacher and is certified in Special Education. She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Art Therapy at Pratt University. Kristen has also started her own organization "Art for a Cure" at Wagner College, which she hopes to become a non-profit organization in the future, to assist people in overcoming their obstacles using art. Kristen truly believes in the words of Pablo Picasso when he stated "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” She hopes to nurture her students’ gifts and build their confidence, so they too can believe that they are an artist.
Randi Huss
Randi holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Psychology and is currently a NYS certified guidance counselor for the past 14 years. Randi comes to Wagner with many years’ experience working with the First Lego League at the intermediate school level. She has formed successful teams who have traveled across the country participating in Lego Tournaments. Randi currently works with Science Fellows as an instructor providing science and Lego Robotics classes.
Lawrence Mascia
Lawrence received his Master of Fine Arts in Design and Technology from the New School, and both his Bachelor of Science in Advertising Art and Bachelor of Fine Arts from Seton Hall University. Currently, Lawrence is the Lead Designer for DataPlayed, creating games for the iPhone. In addition to teaching a variety of computer, art and design courses at Wagner College, Lawrence also teaches continuing education courses in Web Design at the New School. He has authored numerous articles and won “The Most Innovative Level” Parsons award.
Christine Nappi
Christine has performed and choreographed a number of shows both locally, and for competitions through Power Pak Dance Tours. She has received formal training in jazz, hip-hop, tap, modern, ballet, and others. Christine attended LaGuardia HS for the Performing Arts, and received her B.A. in Dance & Theatre from Hunter College. She received her Masters in Elementary Education from St. John’s University, and is a NYS licensed teacher.
Steve Nutt
Steve is a Staten Island resident artist who has worked in clay and other media since 1975. He was employed at Richmondtown as a costumed interpreter and master craftsman from 1979 until 1987. He has been an adjunct professor in the Art Department at Wagner College continuously since 1979. He designed and manufactured red earthenware pottery under the brands Yankee Redware and Steve Nutt, Potter.
Janice Patrignani
Janice is a design professional, visual artist, and art educator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati's School of Design, Architecture, and Art. Since 1995 she has been developing and teaching workshops in her many areas of media expertise which include silk painting, shibori, ceramic sculpture, paper transformations, and book making. Her mixed media sculpture has been exhibited throughout New York. Janice has been working at Wagner in both our children’s programs as well as Hand-building and Silk Painting for adults.
Rita Rampulla
Janice is a design professional, visual artist, and art educator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati's School of Design, Architecture, and Art. Since 1995 she has been developing and teaching workshops in her many areas of media expertise which include silk painting, shibori, ceramic sculpture, paper transformations, and book making. Her mixed media sculpture has been exhibited throughout New York. Janice has been working at Wagner in both our children’s programs as well as Hand-building and Silk Painting for adults.
Irene Santoro
Irene Santoro is an accomplished LEED® Accredited professional and a multi leveled designer in the tri state area. She is the founder and owner of Charles Anthony Interiors, LLC, a highly creative and diversified interior design company based out of New York and New Jersey. Irene has created a holistic Allergy Free Design™ solution for those who suffer from seasonal or yearlong allergy symptoms. Ms. Santoro is also currently undergoing a complete redesign of her own beach home in New Jersey; the new design showcases the elements of green design in which Irene puts into practice in her design firm. Her vision and hope is that her new home will set an example and encourage others to build and be part of the green movement. Irene is also a LEED AP BD&C consultant and instructor for a continuing education program called, Forever Green Training & Sustainable Design, and has authored several preparatory books that coordinate with the LEED reference guides. She also teaches LEED courses in continuing education at Wagner College. Ms. Santoro is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology with 18 years of design experience.
Kaitlin Soltys
Kaitlin received her Bachelors of Science in Arts Administration from Wagner College and is currently completing her Masters in Education at Wagner College. She studied in Rome, Italy and was an accomplished dancer on the Wagner College Dance Team. She is currently student teaching in the Staten Island public school system, and has created the inaugural curriculum for the C.S.I. (Children’s Science Institute) at Wagner College.
Youngbiz
YoungBiz is an international training company that specializes in business, entrepreneurship, and personal finance education. To accomplish the mission of empowering young people with entrepreneurial, business and personal finance skills, they offer innovative educational materials with real world experience. Their curricula in financial literacy are based on the national standards in personal finance published by the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, as well as the national standards in personal finance published by the National Business Education Association (NBEA).
