Jesse Furman - Acting

Theater Department Head

Jesse Furman is a SAG actor and comedian and has been teaching acting in South Florida since 2008. Jesse was the managing director, acting teacher and a director at Atlantic Arts Academy in Jupiter from 2003 to 2013. Jesse is a founding member of the Jove Comedy Experience, an Addy award winning improv and sketch comedy troupe that has been entertaining south Florida since 2004. Jesse has appeared in over 30 stage plays including 5 years with the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival as well as 10 years as an actor/director with The Atlantic Theater in Jupiter. Jesse’s television credits include Burn Notice and Maximum Bob and he has hosted numerous events in South Florida including 3 years as co-host of the Palm Beach Student Film Festival. Jesse’s film credits include: Caravan Pictures’ “Holy Man”, a starring role in “Scary Tales 2” as Frank Draven, an executive producer and lead role as The Prowler “Christian Soldiers” and Executive Producer and lead role as Dick Noble in “Film Contest?” Currently Jesse teaches acting at St. Mark’s School in Palm Beach Gardens and Good Shepherd in Tequesta.

Jeff Harding - Guitar

Music Department Head

Jeff Harding is a singer, songwriter and guitarist that has been carving out a name for himself for more than a decade. In that time, he has released two full length studio albums, Nobody Knows and Look East and has logged more than 1000 performances. As of 2014, Jeff continues to keep a busy schedule of about 100 performances per year.

Jeff has been booked by Live Nation, AEG and has shared the stage with national and international artists: Heart, Robert Cray, STYX, Howard Jones, Colin Hay (Men At Work) twice, Tower Of Power, Better Than Ezra, Hootie & The Blowfish, Uncle Kracker, Andy Grammer, Delbert McClinton, Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), The Hooters, and comedian Ron White among others.

In addition to performing, Jeff has recently begun to combine his passion for music and his creative experience as a producer, arranger and session player for other artists. Acting as both arranger and producer, he also contributed guitar to up and coming folk/rock artist, Perry Strait's new album, set for release in 2014. Additionally, Jeff is producing Joel Zoss' upcoming album to be released in the fall of 2014. Joel has earned worldwide recognition for writing hit songs that have been covered by Bonnie Raitt and several other artists.

Jeff has also musically contributed to many charitable events including: The American Cancer Society, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation.

Jeff is currently endorsing these fine products: Taylor Guitars, Tom Anderson Guitars, Dean Markley, Evidence Audio, Fuchs Amplifiers, Hermida Audio, Bock Microphones and Lava Cables.

Toni Wright - Dance

Artistic Department Head

Toni Wright is a truly experienced, committed and extremely dedicated teacher. She has taught in some of the most prominent dance schools all around South Florida and we are so excited that she has joined the Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter's' prestigious team of instructors. Toni brings to her classes and to each of her students her vast knowledge and an an uninhibited amount of creativity, as well as an exuberance and joy for dance. Toni is a teacher that connects with students on an individual level and most importantly, makes sure that while her students are receiving a top notch education, they are also having FUN.

Gillian Safran - Dance

Artistic Department Head

Gillian Safran, DipDT, began her training in Canada under the direction of acclaimed choreographer Anna Wyman and master Cecchetti teacher Kay Armstrong. As a full scholarship recipient Gillian attended the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School for multiple intensive training programs and was hand picked to attend a private training program with the Mariinsky Ballet School in Saint Petersburg, Russia before attending the London Studio Centre, England where she received her diploma in Dance Theatre from Middlesex University as a scholarship student under the direction of Nic Espinosa and tutelage of Miss. Anita Young MBE. Gillian has performed internationally in classical, contemporary, and musical theatre productions. Performing for many years in large scale production shows for the cruise industry including Miss.Saigon, Fosse, and Dreamgirls. Additionally performing for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Austrian Embassy with contemporary and classical works. She's had the privilege of working with award winning choreographers including Nic Navaro, Kerry Stables and Christopher Alan Graves. As a teacher of classical ballet Gillian has been training and developing dancers and high level athletes focused on the development of strong technique, artistry and virtuosity. Since her arrival at PAAJ she has collaborated with South Florida productions of Nutcracker and prepared multiple students for professional training programs for continued education throughout the nation.

Rose Accardi - Dance

Artistic Department Head

Rose has been teaching since 1980 where she began teaching Tap, Jazz & Ballet in Port Orchard. In 1983 she moved to New York and taught at the Conservatory of Dance in Oceanside. Miss Rose has choreographed numerous winning competitions as well as performed in Oliver, Carousel, South Pacific and Anything Goes. Her training includes Steps on Broadway, Luigi’s and Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan.

Jessica Woodard - Dance

Artistic Department Head

Jessica is a Musical Theatre and Tap teacher born and raised in Jupiter, Florida. She attended New World School of the Arts in Miami where she received her Associate’s Degree in music education and is a recent graduate of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Professional Training Program where she received her certificate of completion in musical theatre training. Jessica has performed in several musicals and operas throughout South Florida. She is passionate about sharing her love for theatre with her students and strives to inspire them to work hard and tell their story onstage.”

Maria Elena Marso - Aerial Arts

Maria-Elena started dancing in September 1974, and has never stopped. Her performance career, spanning three decades and six continents, includes Regional Ballet Companies, Dinner Theater, Summer Stock, Repertory Theater, European Tours, Cunard Cruise Lines and Walt Disney World Productions.

Her dance education began with Anna Marie & Sonny Leo in her home town of Wilmington, Delaware. During 10 years in New York City, she studied with Madame Gabriela Darvash, David Howard, Robert Blankshine, Michael Vernon, Frank Hatchett, Bob Rizzo, Chris Chadman, Chet Walker, Germaine Salsberg and Germaine Goodson. In 1996, she forged the way in Aerial Dance by developing her own act with husband, Joe Marso.

Maria-Elena has taught over 25 years of Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pointe, Modern, Swing, Salsa, and Tango to hundreds of students in Florida, New York, Delaware and California. She holds certifications in Pilates, Yoga and continues to update her education in Bio-mechanics and Anatomy. She is a member of AYCO/ACE and has been accepted into the prestigious Nimble Arts Teacher Certification Program at New England Center for Circus Arts.

Flow - Dance

Originally from NY, Flow has a very unique take on Hip Hop. His first style under the umbrella of Hip Hop is Breaking. Over the years Flow has studied and learned many styles ranging from House, Popping and New Jack Swing. Rooted in both technique and creativity, Flow teaches both foundation and finding your own creativity within Hip Hop. Flow has been featured in music videos as well as movies while performing with music artists. He is also an active competitor in the national and international underground hip hop dance scene.

Jennifer Perrone - Dance

Ms. Perrone began her dance training at the Miami Conservatory and Miami Ballet under the direction of Thomas Armour, formerly of Ballet Russe De Monte Carlo. She was a member of the first summer scholarship class of American Ballet Theatre II in New York, and a scholarship student at San Francisco Ballet School where she studied under Anatole Vilzak. Ms. Perrone studied with Benjamin Harkarvy and performed in works by Mark Morris at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. She performed at Chautauqua Dance Festival under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux where she studied with Violette Verdi, Sandra Jennings, Patricia McBride and Andrei Kramarevsky. She performed in works by George Balanchine under the direction of Mr. Bonnefoux at Indiana University where she was a scholarship student and earned the Arts & Letters Career Award in Ballet. She was a scholarship dance student at The Juilliard School, performed with The Joffrey Ballet during an internship and then with The Metropolitan Opera Company in New York, including performances in Seville, Spain. She received a BFA in Dance, magna cum laude, from New World School of the Arts in Miami under Director, Daniel Lewis.

Ms. Perrone has taught at dance schools in Miami, Indiana University, and more recently in West Palm Beach. She is a guest teacher at A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Theatre Department and is excited to be sharing her knowledge and love of dance with the students at Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter.

Kaitlyn Pineda - Dance

Kaitlyn has more then 17 years experience in dance studying in the genres of ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary and musical theater. This is her third year teaching at Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter. She is currently furthering her dance education at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

As part of Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter’s dance company, Kaitlyn’s competed and won platinum awards for both solo and group performances. Her musical theater performance credits include: Guys and Dolls, Seussical, Peter Pan, School House Rock and Grease.

Kaitlyn enjoys weightlifting and the occasional opportunity to pose as a fitness model.

Tigre Astiasaran - Dance

Tigre Astiasaran was born in Syracuse, New York. She began dancing at the age of 2 at her mothers dance studio, which immediately sparked her passion for dance. Growing up Tigre majored in dance at Bak Middle School of the Arts, and Dreyfoos School of the arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. She has worked with well known choreographers including Julie Branam, Eliana Gerard, and Billy Bell. She also danced with the Radio City Rockettes and Broadway productions including the Wizard of Oz, Marry Poppins, and 42nd Street.

Tigre has been teaching dance for 8 years and also is a Certified Personal Trainer. She has always had a strong passion to help kids flourish and develop a love for dance as well as building self confidence and self esteem. She believes that there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a student or client succeed and achieve their goals. She feels extremely lucky to do what she loves every day and share her love for dance and fitness.

Jennifer Roach - Dance

Jennifer Roach, BA Dance. Is an engaged educator and joins the PAAJ staff as the Limón Contemporary technique teacher. With a certificate in music and masters in education Jennifer brings the importance of music and its relationship to the art of contemporary dance, creating strong young artists. With years of experience on and off the stage Jennifer was a dancer and choreographer for the New Jersey Nets, and was a guest teacher in Malmo, Sweden. Additionally Jennifer was a judge for the Swedish National Cheer Championships.

She has trained and choreographed dancers from elementary to high school for stage and competitions, throughout Palm Beach County and abroad.

Her holistic approach to the development of well rounded dancers is clear with multiple awards including the E.Clement Bethel Award, from the Bahamas National Arts Festival, the Shirley Hall Bass Award, the Kayla Edwards Award, and has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee and International Cheer Union as the founder of the official governing body for the sport of cheer, Cheer Bahamas.

Tamra Tilly - Dance

Tamra has been teaching Acrobatics for 15 years in South Florida and Atlanta. She started her Gymnastics training at the age of 2 and competed competitively until college. This passion for movement simultaneously brought her to teaching Gymnastics, Acro Dance, and Pilates. Mrs. Tamra has certifications in Acrobatic Arts, Peak Pilates, AAAI, NASM, and CrossFit L1. She is continuously exploring new methods and approaches to introduce to her students to keep them motivated and learning in a positive and functional way.

Laurie Brandon- Dance

Laurie Brandon, a Native Floridian, grew up in South Florida spending most of her time at the studio, on stage, or climbing trees. She started ballet & tap at the age of three. Over those next 23 years she absorbed the world of dance by studying ballet, tap, lyrical, modern, musical theatre, hiphop, voice, and performing in local productions. Taking advantage of any dance opportunity she could, she completed many Master Classes from choreographers passing through town, Miami Heat Dance Team clinics, competing at StarPower competitions & workshops, performing in commercials for art schools, and performing at Walt Disney World.

She enjoyed growing up around music, dance, photography, and visual arts. With her love of music from a young age, she started playing music at age 8 and has spent her life enjoying music from every genre & generation!

Later in life she studied art design, commercial marketing and business operations and has management experience in business and human resources. Laurie is an active member of her community, serves on the board of the Northern Palm Beaches Cultural Alliance, Village of Tequesta Vice-Mayor, T.C.C.C. Association, and is an active volunteer in the local schools.

She very much enjoys spending time with her three children and husband. Gardening, crafts, outdoor recreational, and traveling are just a few of their favorite activites to do together.

Laurie strives for her students to gain confidence in themselves, foundations of dance & movement, love of music, and friendships!

Brent Durham - Aerial Arts

Brent Durham is twenty-eight, he has a background in Gymnastics and Martial arts . He has been teaching for over ten years and performing Circus arts for the past five years. Brent specializes in aerial straps. He enjoys teaching/training all circus apparatus.

Kaya Mancini - Dance

Kelsey Fout - Dance and Vocal

Kelsey Fout is thankful be a new vocal/dance teacher at Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter. Kelsey graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2021 with her Bachelor's degree in Theatre (musical theatre concentration). Kelsey has studied professional voice for 15 years and is trained in classical, contemporary, and jazz voice. Along with her teaching, Kelsey is an accomplished vocalist winning multiple local and national vocal competitions. She is also a local professional actor performing with the Kravis Center and Arts Garage of Delray Beach. Her goal is to inspire vocalists and performers of all ages to pursue their dreams and be the best they can be.

Pamela Petersen - Music

PAMELA PETERSEN received a BA MUSIC DEGREE from WESTERN CT UNIVERSITY, with the primary focus in classical piano, and including studies in flute and voice. Pam has taught piano and flute in many establishments including her own studio, Southwood School of Music, located in CT. Other credits to Ms. Petersen include, audition pianist in NYC for summer stock theaters located in the New England area, pianist on tour with the CLOCKWORK REPERTORY THEATER CO, presenting musicals nationwide, and Music Director for ENGLAND'S CORNWALL THEATER, producing American Broadway Musicals. Also, Pamela entertained as pianist and vocalist aboard the HOLLAND AMERICAN and CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES ,originating out of Miami. Locally, Pam has been pianist, flutist or Music Director for BAK, INTERACT Summer Camp, PBSC, PBAU, LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE and including the RIVERSIDE, BRITT and JUPITER MALTZ theaters. Currently, Pam is the DIRECTOR OF MUSIC at GARDENS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ,located in Palm Beach Gardens. Pam enjoyed teaching 11 years at the ATLANTIC ARTS ACADEMY and is very pleased to return and continue teaching PIANO and FLUTE at PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY OF JUPITER.

Christina Styer - Music

Christina Styer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music K-12 from Hunter College City University of New York where she received a scholarship to study voice with renowned vocal teacher Shirlee Emmes.

She studied acting in New York City at the HB Studio and performed Off-Broadway, in tours, regional theater, and summer stock productions, starring as Laurie in Oklahoma, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Guinevere in Camelot, Kate in Kiss Me Kate, along with many other lead and supporting roles. Christina also founded and directed the Evergreen Carolers, performing for events throughout Manhattan during the holiday seasons.

After re-locating to Florida with her husband and their two young boys, she began teaching and created music programs in addition to directing choirs, ensembles, and musical theatre productions at the esteemed St. Mark’s Episcopal School in Palm Beach Gardens.

She has prepared many students for the Florida All-State Elementary Chorus and All-State Middle School Chorus as well as teaching private voice instruction for arts school audition and jury preparation. Christina enjoys working with the many talented and dedicated students at PAAJ!

Melissa Mocogni - Music

Growing up in Orlando, there was a piano studio down the street and when I was 7, I began lessons with Miss Porter. She was an incredible teacher and President of the FSMTA, so she entered me in lots of piano competitions, local and state. My senior year in High School I was awarded a scholarship to Rollins College. There I studied with Sylvia Reynolds-Henry and my senior year at Rollins, I won The Most Outstanding Pianist Award. Winning meant I would perform with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. A few years later I was accepted to Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. I studied piano performance with world-renowned accompanist, Laurence Davis and I studied Piano Pedagogy with MTNA’s Frances Larimer. I began teaching piano and Kindermusik at the Music Arts School in Highland Park, IL. Mort and Janice Scheff were both owners and teachers and I learned so much from them. They encouraged me to incorporate new and innovative ideas into my traditional methods which was advice I still use today. While there I also adjudicated piano competitions in neighboring towns as well as work at Ravinia as a page turner where I was able to meet and work with so many accomplished performers. After moving to Jupiter in 2005, I was hired as the Music Teacher at Jupiter Academy and two years later I got a call from Atlantic Arts Academy to join their teaching staff. I happily worked there until 2013 when the school closed. I began my own teaching business and taught piano in peoples homes in Palm Beach County. During that time I also began working with the PBC Public Schools during Solo and Ensemble and I still accompany students for S&E today. As well as teaching piano, I have also successfully coached students who were preparing to audition at Bak and Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Now my career has come full circle and I’m so excited to be back!

Roseann Smith - Music

Formerly of Delaware, Roseann taught piano for over six years at the Center for the Creative Arts and the Christina Cultural Arts Center and had over 50 students (ranging in age from 4 to 67) over those years.

A former marketing/advertising executive and corporate instructor, Roseann brings decades of personal classical piano education and a roster of successful former students many of whom continue to study, perform and utilize the additional skill sets enhanced by music education.

Her teaching style incorporates a tactile, sensory approach, stressing the joy of accomplishment, responsibility and concentration. In addition, piano/music education supports reading, counting, listening, patience, self-esteem, organization skills and discipline.

Learning the language of reading and playing music also helps students interpret and understand how to listen to and appreciate classical music.

Lea Roy

Lea Roy received a Creative Writing and Theatre degree from Florida State University. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina but raised in Miami Beach—Lea is a playwright, director, ukulele player, guitarist and vocalist who has collaborated with South Florida artists and musicians on a broad range of creative projects.

She worked as a teaching artist at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts for over ten years—and served as a founding faculty member of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Professional Training Program.

Her original performance adaptation of Macklemore’s White Privilege II was presented in the 2017 Orlando Fringe Festival.

Lea served as directing mentor for many Youth Artists’ Chair productions including The Diary of Anne Frank, To Kill a Mockingbird and Romeo and Juliet.

Some of her Conservatory directing credits include: Oklahoma!, Schoolhouse Rock Jr, Sweet Charity, Anything Goes, West Side Story, 42nd Street and Cats. She also ran an after-school bilingual drama club at Jupiter Elementary School.

In January of 2020, Lea and her husband had boy/girl twins, Johnny and Juliet!

She is passionate about arts education and believes in nurturing authenticity and self expression in young artists.