Today's blog focuses on Michaelle Vilsa, Spring Valley High School class of 2014. From her high school days to the present, Michaelle has always done her best work in the spotlight. Read on to learn how she's taken her early training in the arts to new heights.
Category: Changed for the Better
Changed for the Better, episode 25
Chizi Duru is a content creator/influencer/entrepreneur/media personality. With over 500,000 followers, her YouTube channel promotes her mission to create a space for women to love themselves authentically so they may step into their power. Read on to see how her time in the dance studio helped her to overcome her fears and inspire her trajectory towards the creation of her social media empire.
Changed for the Better: episode 24
Elya Shavrova talks about learning through disappointment, developing strong roots, and how her performing arts experiences gave her the self-confidence to determine who she is and what she wants.
Changed for the Better: episode 23
Before Robyn Corujo became the superhero beast she is today, our paths first crossed in my first year at Spring Valley. Here's a look back to that important musical experience and how we were both "Changed for the Better" because of it.
Changed for the Better: episode 22
Brittany Gischner is straight out of Central Casting - literally. This successful casting director looks back to her roots as Thespian President, and how she applies our motto, "Act well your part; there all the honor lies" every single day.
Changed for the Better: Episode 21
Back in high school, Bianca was a bright, personable, happy young woman with a smile as wide as Texas, full of positivity and light. Despite some significant, unresolved childhood traumas, Bianca found a home with Thespians, where she was surrounded by a community who embraced her energy and helped her channel the difficult emotions she was experiencing behind that smile.
Changed for the Better: episode 20
Alex Domini's story is another example of how you make plans, God laughs, and you make new plans. Life is a journey, and it's best to traverse the terrain with eyes wide open, ears attuned to the universe, and heart ready for the ride. Read on to learn about Alex's journey.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 19
This episode shares the experience of someone diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, and how his Thespian experience provided the community he needed to navigate some dark times in his life.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 18
The third of the Alexandre legacy at Spring Valley, Kinsley talks about learning to enjoy the journey every day, and how maturing has taught him to work smarter, not harder.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 17
We have a tendency to stay comfortable. Part of growing up is learning to sit in a space where you don't have control, that pushes your buttons and still tolerating feelings of awkwardness and instability. Sofia Poe tells us how she did just that.
Good news!
For your listening pleasure, "Changed for the Better" is now available on Spotify! Click the link in the blog.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 16
Though known as "the quiet one" of the family, Kenney had lots to say about his high school Thespian experience. Following closely behind his sister as "Tendrina's little brother," he learned how to make his own impression and became his own person.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 15
Victor went from the "new kid in town" to the shining star who found his home in the studio. In this episode, we talk about learning to live your authentic self, in all of its incarnations, despite the immense challenges of adolescence.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 14
In this episode, we travel back to the class of 2003 and get an inside look at the life of a first responder/law enforcement professional who found his peace in the performing arts.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 13
Graig Kriendler is all about nostalgia. It seems to be the driving force behind his life's work, which is why this interview feels so special. For a guy who has been interviewed for tons of articles and podcasts about his professional achievements, this discussion was particularly meaningful for both of us.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 12
Special college edition! Tom Dheere is a fellow Montclair State alum (class of 1993!). We chatted about college, his prolific career as a voiceover professional (aka The VO Strategist), and how taking care of your mental health is paramount to any measure of success.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 11
Growing a leader requires an infusion of trust in a young person and giving them the support it takes to help them trust themselves. Becoming a leader requires taking that trust and further developing it yourself. This week's discussion with Hilary Becker-Jarusinsky shows how this can be accomplished through arts education.
Changed for the Better: the value of arts in education
We hear the cries all the time - budgets are getting squeezed, cuts have to be made, and things wind up on the chopping block. What is often the first to be sacrificed? The arts. This is one arts educator's perspective as to why that should never, ever happen.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode TEN
Tendrina Alexandre We made it to episode TEN (cue the balloons and confetti)!! I feel like there should be bells, whistles and heralding trumpets! Tendrina Alexandre (get it? TEN??) is another superstar from the past, who comes from a superstar family. Does it feel like everyone I interview here are my faves? Yes, yes it… Continue reading Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode TEN
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 9
Hopefully, there are people in your life who, when you think about them, spark a sensation of pure joy, love, and light. While I have many people who fit in that category, Kayla Tavares is at the top of the list. Read more about why.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 8
There's a lot to say about this budding superstar. I knew her as a teenager - smart, observant, swimming in talent. She melted the paint off of the auditorium walls of and now she is releasing simmering Neo-Soul singles to the world. Someday soon, everybody will have Brianna Knight's name on their lips.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 7
When Kristen Santos walked across the threshold of my classroom, I knew I had to up my game. What a gift it was to work with such talent, and a joy to know she continues to hone her craft today. Read on to learn what this dancing-beast learned in my classroom and how she has worked to find balance and peace in adulthood.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 6
Hernz Laguerre, Jr. has worn many hats. Linebacker, dancing cowboy, storyteller, multimedia journalist - he has taken the lessons learned from high school and infused them into his transition to adulthood. Read on about how his performing arts experiences informed who he is today.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 5
Stephanie Lauredent-Diasio is back in my blogspace! "Aside from being yourself, realizing that you have your own special thing that you do so incredibly well, will get you so far in life. It's not about the grades...it's really about you as a person and the tools that you bring to the table that matters so much more than the grades you have."
Changed for the better: the power of arts in education, episode 4
Teachers have the special task of getting kids to try new things, hopefully inspiring them to develop interests and talents that they might otherwise never be exposed to. Sometimes, you get a student who walks into your classroom and immediately feels at home, taking her space in the atmosphere and making her impression for everyone in the room to witness. Read on about dance and Thespian alum Denishah Desroches.
Changed for the better: the power of arts in education, episode 3
Now, Elijah Fremont is all grown up. We have kept in touch over the years, and always have good conversation when we connect. It’s like we were never really apart, we just pressed pause for a little bit. In this blog post, I share some of the highlights of our chat that made me smile.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 2
I've always felt that teaching is much more than the content in which you specialize. Arts educators have the superpower of connecting to kids in ways that they will remember forever. Take a look at this week's episode of my new video podcast, "Changed for the Better: the Power of Arts in Education" to watch my inspiring conversation with Emily Dowd, class of 2015.
Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, episode 1
I've always felt that teaching is much more than the content in which you specialize. Arts educators have the superpower of connecting to kids in ways that they will remember forever. Take a look at my new video podcast, Changed for the Better: the power of arts in education, to see how my connections have thrived from their experience in my classroom.
Stacey's Headspace 