NHS PERFORMING ARTS

Lisa Zaleski earned degrees in Theatre Education from New York University and Emerson College. She has worked as an actor, singer, teacher, and director at several schools and theatres in the Northeast and Midwest, including Lexington Children’s Theatre, one of the oldest professional theatres for youth in the country. Ms. Zaleski is particularly drawn to plays with social justice themes and sees the arts as a powerful vehicle to help students engage with difficult topics. Ms. Zaleski joined the Newburyport High School staff in 2003 and spent 10 years as Department Chair for The Visual and Performing Arts. She lives in Amesbury.

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Stephanie Williams is a graduate of the University of Vermont's Department of Theatre where she was fortunate to spend a summer studying with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England. After graduating, she spent four years performing, teaching, directing and choreographing in California's Central Coast before returning home to teach Theatre and Video Production at Newburyport High School in 2005.   Ms. Williams has had the honor of working with some incredible teachers and directors in her life thus far, and feels blessed to be in a career where she can "pay it forward." Ms. Williams recently earned her Masters in Arts Integration from Lesley University. 

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Steve Cohen has been teaching for 27 years, the last 7 of which have been at NHS. He recently finished a military career of 30 years in Army National Guard bands in Wisconsin and Massachusetts. Mr. Cohen has led school trips to Florida and NYC, and has been a part of trips to the Tournament of Roses Parade. He continues to perform as a conductor, soloist, drummer, and singer for many types of music around the greater Boston area. Mr. Cohen and his wife and son love enjoying the beauty of life in and around Newburyport.

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A graduate of the University Massachusetts of Lowell, Brian Nickerson holds a Master's Degree in Music Education and Piano Performance. Arriving at the Nock in the fall of 2013, Mr. Nickerson currently directs the school's 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Concert Bands, 7th-8th grade Jazz/Rock Band, the 6th Grade Chorus, teaches 7th and 8th grade Music Technology, and directs the yearly musical theatre productions. While his primary instrument is piano, Brian is also an accomplished clarinetist and able saxophonist, trumpeter, and singer. Outside of public school teaching, Brian is often involved in community theatre as a Music Director, composer, and actor. He enjoys an off-the-clock life on the lake in Amesbury with his wife and three cats.

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Jamie Sokolowski graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.M. in Music Education and Lesley University with an M.A. in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. She is also a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor. Ms. Sokolowski believes in well-rounded music education where students learn through exploring, creating and performing. At the Molin, she teaches General Music, beginning band (Gr. 5), and orchestra (Gr. 5).

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Gardner Rulon-Miller joined our staff in 2017 with enthusiasm and creativity. A recent graduate from the University of New Hampshire, Mr. Rulon-Miller is an accomplished string player and is thrilled to share his love of music with our youngest grades. You might see him playing guitar as students arrive at the Bresnahan, or dancing with others teachers at assemblies. 

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Molly Karlin spent a year with us while completing her Masters at Emerson College and is thrilled to be working as Instructional Assistant at the Bresnahan School. She'll also be directing the fall play at the Nock, and you'll likely see her around town taking on a variety of tasks. A 2016 graduate from Muhlenberg College with degrees in Theatre and Dance, Molly specializes in drama through movement, dance ranging from concert to theatrical, and musical theatre. 

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Kathy Sheperd has joined the Nock Middle School staff as the 7th & 8th grade Choral Conductor as well as the 6th, 7th & 8th grade Orchestra Conductor.  She graduated from the New England Conservatory of music and is a violinist with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra. Having volunteered at the school for the past two years, she is very happy to an official part of the staff! 

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