August 22, 2001

FRANKLIN - As the Franklin School for the Performing Arts continues to grow and expand in its 17^th season, FSPA has added eight faculty members to its departments of music, dance and drama. These new additions include professional artists, performers and teachers. Their impressive credentials are indicative of the excellent instruction available in all programs and the high standard of excellence held at the school.

Nick Athanasiou, FSPA Instructor of Guitar, holds a B.M. in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory. He was also awarded First Prize/Scholarships - Epirotic Society, AHEPA, and Young Performance Competition (NEC). His teaching experience includes guitar and bass improvisation and theory instruction, arranging, and composition. His performance experience throughout New England includes Jordan Hall, The Above Club, The Choppin' Block, Wally's Cafe, and Framnas Folkhogskolla. A member of Nick Athansious 4tet, China Jackson Sextet, and Dejona Jazz, his principal teachers include Charlie Banacos, Jerry Bergonzi, Mick Goodrick and John Abercrombie.

Frederic Bednarz, FSPA Instructor of Violin, holds a B.M. from Harid University and an M.M. from Eastman School of Music. He has taught privately in Canada and United States and is currently Artist-in-Residence at Longy School of Music. His recognition includes Quebec Arts Council Award, The Marseille International Music Competition, The Quebec Symphony Competition, Starling Foundation Award, Prix d'Europe, and John Newmark.

Amy Cheng, FSPA Instructor of Piano, holds a B.M. from Curtis Institute of Music and a M.M. and Artist Diploma from Yale University of Music as well as a D.M.A. from New England Conservatory. Her extensive performing experience includes Merkin Concert Hall, Sprague Memorial Hall, Taipei National Concert Hall, Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall), Federal Reserve Bank Concert Series and Williams Recital Hall. Her awards and distinctions include Heida International Piano Competition, Rising Artist Award (Taiwan National Symphony), Mary Clapp Howell Scholarship, and Lucy G. Moses Fellowship. Ms. Cheng’s principal instructors include Wah-Kyung Byun, Claude Frank, Rol-Peter Wille.

Diane Manzoli, FSPA Instructor of Children's Ballet and Rhythm & Movement, received her first dance training from her mother, a respected dance teacher in the Boston area. She continued her dance training at the Boston Conservatory of Music, the Ballet Theater of New York, and with many outstanding teachers from Europe and the U.S. A former professional dancer, Diane is a member of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston, where she is a graduate of their Teacher Training Course, and has a degree in Child Development from Lasell Junior College. She is currently serving on their teacher examining board and for many years was the director of her own studio in Needham, The DuBois School of Dance.

Nick Paone, FSPA Instructor of Drama and Musical Theater, is a graduate of Occidental College from which he holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater. He is an Equity Performer and has performed roles in such shows as Cabaret, Oklahoma, Red Noses, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Little Shop of Horrors, and Romeo and Juliet. Nick has also written and directed numerous shows and has produced a night of one-act plays in New York City. Nick enjoys bringing the art of theater to young people and has traveled all over the U.S. performing with TheaterWorks, USA.

Andrea Rash, FSPA Instructor of Voice, earned her B.A. cum laude in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Duke University and her Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is the co-founder and director of Voices Rising and a member of National Association of Teachers of Singing, Early Music America, American Choral Directors Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda (music honor society). Ms. Rash has maintained a private voice studio since 1992. She also has extensive experience as a church musician and choral director.

Kellie Stamp, FSPA Instructor of Dance, Musical Theater and Acting, has diverse background and training in the performing arts. A graduate of Stonehill College, she recently completed a graduate degree from the Performing Arts Division at Emerson College. Kellie has served as Board of Directors member for the Stonehill Theater Company, Director/Choreographer for the Westport Junior Miss Scholarship Program, and Instructor at the On Stage Academy of the Performing Arts. She received Honorary Recognition from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Senate, and City of Fall River for program she designed and implemented entitled "Artists Volunteering for the Arts". Kellie is an advocate for Americans for the Arts and is a member of Alpha Psi Omega.

Elizabeth Winslow, FSPA Instructor of Tap, received a B.F.A in Dance with Children's Dance Emphasis at the University of Hartford/Hartt School She has taught at the Dancing Arts Center, The School of Hartford Ballet, The Family Center, and Farmington Dance Center at the Body Station. Elizabeth's choreography credits include Sweet Charity, Folk Dance, Mini-Dance, My Silent Field as well as works for the Discover Dance Outreach Program and University of Hartford. She has performed with the Choreographer's Group and Kelly Donovan and Dancers in Cambridge.