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JULY 2013
If you would like to submit up to date bios or pictures, or if you have never submitted information, please forward your material to Ron
Mangum at [email protected] or Russ Link at [email protected]. This letter is a great way to keep everyone informed about
what’s happening in our lives; please help us to keep it going.
The BAVPA Beacon is sad to report the passing of RAFAELLA SPINELLI-BEATTY, January 30, 1923-May 22, 2013. The BAVPA alumni, staff
and faculty offer our condolences to the family; they are in our thoughts and prayers.
MRS. BEATTY, SHEILA JONES’ mother and NICOLE JONES’ and
DON JONES, JR.’s grandmother, affectionately known as “Raffie”,
assisted in many BAVPA Dance, Music and Theatre productions.
She helped to produce costumes for many of our musical
productions, such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Aladdin, and The
King and I. Those of us who worked with her will long remember
her good humor, her expertise, and her perseverance.
Farewell, dear Raffie.
SHEILA JONES, YVONNE JAMES-BROWN and RAFAELLA BEATTY
at Peregrine’s Landing Assisted Living in Cheektowaga, New York,
celebrating MRS. BEATTY’S life.
MRS. BEATTY’S obituary can be located at this link:
www.legacy.com/obituaries/buffalonews/obituary.aspx?pid=164938155#fbLoggedOut
Congratulations go out to the BAVPA 8th grade class promotion to 9th grade and the graduating BAVPA Class of 2013. All the best in your
academic and occupational pursuits! We are very proud of all our graduates, especially the 25 who received scholarships totaling over
$400,000, to such colleges and universities as Canisius College, Cazenovia College, DePaul University, D’Youville College, Ithaca College,
Medaille College, Niagara University, SUNY Fredonia, and the University of Buffalo and more. Special recognition goes to the Valedictorian,
Marissa Smith, who received the first Michelle D. Hare (Class of 1993) Scholarship and Salutatorian, Mayane Barnes.
HERE’S THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT OUR ALUMNI:
ALEXIS SPIGHT (2011) will perform at the Walt Love Lupus & Cancer Research Foundation
Fundraiser at New Covenant Church, 1326 North Moore Road in Chattanooga, Tennessee, July
12, 2013, 6PM. Admission is free and open to the public. Her debut CD jumped up to the #2 spot
on Billboard’s Gospel music chart, June 6: www.billboard.com/charts/gospel-albums .
CONNOR J. GRAHAM (2010) is a playwright and a magician. His play will be performed, free admission, at the American Repertory Theatre of
WNY’s Young Playwrights Festival, July 23- 24, 2PM-5PM, at Buffalo Canalside, http://www.artofwny.org/ . He is also performing in the
Subversive Theatre’s sUBVERSIVE sHORTs? Gun Shop. The production is running through July 7; for tickets and show times, go to
http://www.subversivetheatre.org/productions/shorts_2013/mainpage.htm.
TRAVIS HEDLAND (2008) will appear in the motion picture remake of the Stephen King’s
horror classic, Carrie, opening October 18: www.carrie-movie.com/.
GRACE STUMBERG (2007) will perform at the Corn Hill Arts Festival in Rochester,
New York, http://cornhillartsfestival.com/ July 13 at 2:15PM: http://gracestumberg.com/ .
JAMES BRANDON LEWIS (2002) will perform with the Karl Berger Quintet at Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, New York, July 13, time TBA.
For more information, go to http://www.jblewis.com/.
CHANON JUDSON (1997) is a Cum Laude graduate of the University at Buffalo. She was a cast
member of Cotton Club Parade and the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, FELA! Chanon is
a former company member and rehearsal director of the critically acclaimed dance company, Urban
Bush Women, and served as Director for UB2, Urban Bush Women’s performing apprentice ensemble.
She also served as the Site Director for Ailey Camp (Kansas City, MO) and is a teaching artist with
Alvin Ailey Arts in Education, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane Dance Company
Urban Bush Women, Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts, and the The Public Theatre. Her commercial
credits include Victoria Secrets Live, L’Oreal Live, The Jimmie Fallon Show, Macy’s at Radio City and
Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Concert. She is the daughter of successful local actor Willie
Judson: http://ceuledance.org/dance/whos-who/chanon-judson/.
JENNIFER CIOCCA (1995) was a Theatre major. She will be appearing in the
motion picture drama, The Romans, starring JON CESAR (1989).
She's in a banquet hall scene dancing and in a Buffalo City Hall scene.
JENNIFER "JENNI" BYRNE CORDNER (1993) misses everyone and hopes people will keep in touch with her via e-mail,
[email protected] .
UMAR ADEYOLA (1988) is the President and Founder of the Heart Foundation for at risk youths. Here’s a Buffalo News article about the
organization: http://www.buffalonews.com/Article/20130626/CITYANDREGION/130629337.
KRISTEN CRAGE (1988) is a djembe and dun dun accompanist, specifically for West
Africa Ivory Coast rhythms, for West African Dance classes at Alvin Ailey’s dance
school in NYC, www.alvinailey.org/ and a member of Kotchegna, Ivory Coast
Dance/Drum Company: www.kotchegna.com.
ROBERT PATERSON (1988) and the Colby College Faculty will have a performance of a work
TBA at the Atlantic Music Festival Composition Program in Waterville, Maine, July 28-August 6:
www.robpaterson.com/.
LISA VITRANO (1988) is portraying Gertrude in Shakespeare in Delaware Parks’ Hamlet, running through July
14. Here’s a review: www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130622/CITYANDREGION/130629677.
She will also perform in the WNY premiere of Clybourne Park at Road LessTraveled Productions this
fall at the new 710 Main Street Theatre: http://www.sheas.org/710main/710main_2013_14.asp .
CHERYL GORSKI (1987) is a nationally renowned photographer. Here’s an interview about her
career:www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130623/CITYANDREGION/130629817.
JESSE L. MARTIN (1987) will portray Reverend James in the film Silent Rhythm, now in pre-production
with Tony and Emmy award winner, Debbie Allen of Fame fame. The film is about a hip-hop world,
at-risk kids, gang-relations, multi-racial relationships and a Chicago inner city dance school. It’s a
gritty and inspirational dance drama of redemption. Jesse recently portrayed Scott Welker, an artistic
director of a theater company who was a potential love interest to Debra Messing's Julia in the NBC-TV
Broadway based series, Smash, which will be broadcast in reruns on the Ovation Network starting
July 19: http://www.ovationtv.com/.
ANI DIFRANCO (1986) and several contemporary songwriters will have their songs featured in the
World Premiere musical, Talk to Me Now at MuscialFare, opening July 10-August 17. For tickets go to:
www.musicalfare.com/page/season/title/2012-2013/.For the latest Ani news, go to
http://www.righteousbabe.com/.
JOSEPH MICHAEL MAHFOUD (1985) will perform at Balloon's
Nightclub, 20 Monroe Street, in Ellicottville, New York, June 29
at 6PM: www.josephmichaelmahfoud.com/ .
CAITLIN COLEMAN (1984) and VICTORIA PEREZ (1996)will perform
in BUATakes 10: GLBT Short Plays 2013, July 5-21. For tickets and
show times, go to www.buffalobua.org/enter1.html.
VINCENT FOSSITT (1984) DAVID MALIA (1986) and NAHEEM SHABAZZ are members of
the Rock, Soul, Dub, Reggae, R&B, Ska and Funk band, The Rockaz. They will perform
at The Mansion, 414 Delaware Avenue , Buffalo July 24 at 5:30PM : http://therockas.com/.
PETER GALLIVAN (1983) was a reporter for WGRZ-TV2 news and now works for
New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo as Communications Director.
Here’s a Buffalo News story about his new career, along with other former local
TV news personalities: www.buffalonews.com/Article/20130609/GUSTO/130609242 .
DEBORAH LIPA-CIOTTA (1982) a Dance Major and former Faculty member (1986-2006), founded in 2001 the Dance for Children Classes and
in 2009 the Pleien Dance Company, a modern dance repertory company for ages 8-18. Pleien was created to provide young dancers rich
performance opportunities and increase people's awareness of and appreciation for creative and modern dance. Ms. Lipa-Ciotta is also on
the faculty of the Tapestry Charter School, where she instructs Kindergarten through 4th grade dance as a core component of Tapestry’s
multi-age program. Through her association with the New York State Summer School of the Arts Dance program, she has also served in the
capacity of Administrative Assistant and member of the audition panel. She was co-coordinator of the Buffalo Academy for Visual and
Performing Arts Jamaica, West Indies Cultural Exchange programs and taught at the Jamaica School of Dance Summer Program. Additional
professional affiliations include membership in the daCi (dance and the Child international) organization, promoting growth and development
of dance for youth internationally and NDEO National Dance Education Organization. She is married to Peter Ciotta; they have three children,
Melina, Elena, and Peter John. We apologize for annotating a photo of Ms. Lipa-Ciotta incorrectly in last month’s Newsletter. For further
information, check her web site: www.creativedanceclasses.com/ .
PHIL DAVIS attended BAVPA from 5th grade to 8th grade (1993-1997) and is the Founder and CEO of
Alemaedae Theater. He’s employed with the Buffalo Board of Education as a Substitute Teacher and
is a Math Tutor at Canisius College Academic Talent Search. His company will have the film premiere
of the stage play, The Wonderful World of Peter Williams, July 13 at Dipson Theatre, 639 Main Street,
Buffalo at 7PM. For tickets, go to www.webjam.com/atp2008 .
LUCKY PETERSON attended BAVPA from 1978-1979. He will perform at Blues Paradise in Cognac, France,
July 14. For more tickets and information, go to http://www.songkick.com/artists/446828-lucky-peterson.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED
LINDA BARR performed in the drama Sex'd, presented by the Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center. Here’s a Buffalo
News review of the show, http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130613/GUSTO/130619736/1046.
HENRI L. MUHAMMAD (1994) and his students had its 14th annual Celebration of Youth Concert, June 23 at Burchfield-Penny Art Center.
MSOM is also enrolling for its summer music classes, starting July 8. For more information, go to www.muhammadschoolofmusic.net/ .
JON CESAR (1989) portrayed the lead role of Earl Roman in the motion picture drama, The Romans, now in post-production. Here’s a
WIVB-TV4 news story about the final day of shooting and their participation in the film shoot: www.wivb.com/dpp/news/buffalo/movie-shootwraps-up-in-buffalo . The Romans and Jon are the featured cover story in the July issue of BlackWNY.com. Look for it at selected stores
around WNY.
RON MANGUM (1988), LISA VITRANO (1988), JON CESAR (1989) and SARIELYS MATOS (2000) appeared in the motion picture, Queen City
directed and starring Buffalo's own Peter McGennis. Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day, Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2 and the TV sitcom, Mr. Box
Office ) stars in the film. Here’s a WIVB-TV4 and Buffalo News stories about the theatre's future, www.wivb.com//dpp/news/buffalo/attorneyvows-to-restore-the-north-park and http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130606/CITYANDREGION/130609396/1109.
JESSE L. MARTIN (1987) participated in a stage reading and discussion panel at the Public Theatre’s 3rd annual free public forum
program, What Are We Worth? Shakespeare, Money and Morals in New York City June 17. Here’s a New York Times article about the event:
http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/theater/money-and-morals-sharing-the-stage-with-shakespeare.html?_r=0 .
TIMOTHY LYONS is a Band Director at BAVPA. Here’s a Buffalo News article with his comment about the plight of the elimination of
music programs in the Buffalo Public School system and the forGOT MUSIC? campaign to save music in schools and rally June 12,
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20130611%2FCITYANDREGION%2F130619881%2F1010.
Congratulations to Irish Classical Theatre’s FORTUNATO PEZZIMENTI and the cast and crew of Next to Normal for winning “Outstanding
Director of a Musical” and “Outstanding Production of a Musical” at the 2013 Artvoice magazine's Artie Awards, June 4.He also directed
Hugh Leonard's comedy A Life for the ICTC: www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130608/LIFE/130609292. Congratulations
also go out to Kavinoky Theater for winning “Best Play” for August: Osage County. SAUL ELKIN was a cast member in the show. Here’s a list
of the rest of the winners:http://artvoice.com/issues/v12n23/theaterweek.
General and Instrumental Music Teacher Buffalo Public Schools PAUL
M. SIEKIERSKI is the founder of ForGOT MUSIC? Campaign hoping to
raise awareness of the recent budget cuts that will affect 18 musical
programs throughout the BPS; 10 teachers will be laid off and THOUSANDS of students will be affected. Here’s a WIVB-TV Channel 4 news
story about the rally that was held June 12. Steve Miller Band member
and motivational speaker Steve Wooten spoke about the importance of
saving Music in the BPS in front of the Buffalo School Board.
www.wivb.com/dpp/news/buffalo/students-plea-for-bps-to-keep-music .
A number of speakers appeared at the Buffalo School Board meeting
June 26 and voiced their objections.
Here are photos from the ForGOT MUSIC? Rally held June 12:
BAVPA Student Annisa Nowicki
ForGOT MUSIC? rally participants
THE FOLLOWING ALUMNI’S GRADUATION YEARS IS UNKNOWN:
(If anyone knows the graduation dates of these alumni or if they attended BAVPA, please let us know)
MIKE HANSEN is a drummer for the punk rock band Pentimento; they will perform at Cobalt Café, 22047 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA.
For tickets, go to http://www.songkick.com/concerts/15713179-pentimento-at-cobalt-cafe.
FACULTY, STAFF & FRIENDS
KELLY BEUTH is an actor, director and Theatre instructor at BAVPA; she is the Co- Founder and Artistic Director of The Brazen-Faced Varlets
Theatre. Here’s a Buffalo Spree magazine article about the company; http://digital.buffalospree.com/buffalospree/june_2013#pg. She also
directed two short plays for sUBVERSIVE sHORTs’ A Quick Stop at the Florist, with BAVPA student BRIANNA SIMMONS, and What Are You
Going To Be? The production closes July 7: www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130615/LIFE/130619425/1031.
BENJAMIN BOYAR will be the Head Conductor at the BAVPA Arts/Hutch Tech Band Reunion Concert at Casa di Pizza, 477 Elmwood Avenue
August 11 at 6:30PM. You are invited to play with the band or just visit with the band members. Tickets are $15.00 (including dinner) at the
door. Contact Mr. Boyar at [email protected]
SAUL ELKIN, the founder of Shakespeare in Delaware Park, presents Hamlet, running through July 14, free admission. Here’s
a Buffalo News article about the production, www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130620/GUSTO/130629990/1031:
http://shakespeareindelawarepark.org/
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s Lead Conductor JOANN FALETTA will speak at the Buffalo Public School
board meeting July 24 supporting the ForGOT MUSIC? campaign to keep music programs in schools.
BARBARA D. GLOVER is a choreographer and founder of Miss Barbara’s School of Dance. Her students will
perform in the Get Up and Dance concert June 29 6PM at BAVPA. Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at
the door. Tickets may be purchased by calling 716-834-1644.
LORNA C. HILL is a full-time Theatre and Musical Theatre teacher at BAVPA, and is the founder of the Ujima
Theatre Company. She directed the original play, Ain’t She Brave, written by Erika and Ntare Ali Gault at
Buffalo East, 1419 Main Street, Buffalo, New York. The show opens August 9. For tickets, call 716-553-9491:
http://ujimatheatre.org/.
SANDRA LEE HITCHCOCK (FOLEY) was a parent volunteer in many of the BAVPA productions during the 1980's in the Costume Department.
She is the creator of the new BAVPA Beacon newsletter header. Sandra designs graphics and websites; for more information, go to
www.warandra-productions.com/Website_Hosting_and_Design.html .
JON LEHRER is a choreographer and founder of LehrerDance M&T Bank Plaza, downtown
Buffalo July 9 at 12 noon: http://www.lehrerdance.org/ .
RUSSELL LINK will portray King Lear in Convolutions with Lear (Scena
drammatica for actor-reciter, hand and percussion instruments and six
tracks of magnetic tape) as part of Marotta Hour, July 18 at OSU
Space http://uas.osu.edu/program/marotta-hour-returns with composer
ROCCO DIPIETRO. During the evening, Marotta Hour will include
new works by Anthony Vine and David Nelson Tomas and will feature
Larry Marotta, Ramsey Sadaka and Chelsea Arthur in the premiere
of the Lilith Aria. Check out his works: www.dipietroeditions.com/#shows.
Dancer, choreographer and educator MAKEDA THOMAS will conduct Contemporary Dance classes
at New Waves! 2013 being held at the University of Trinidad & Tobago’s Academy for the Performing
Arts, July 22-August 1. For more information, go to http://makedathomas.org/
JESSE SWIMM is an actor/musical theatre performer who held a musical theatre workshop at BAVPA. He’s
performing in Mary Poppins at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins, Utah, running through October 25.
For tickets, go to https://www.tuacahn.org/online/ .
UPCOMING BAVPA EVENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL REUNION NEWS
BAVPA Band Boosters Performance
Elmwood/Bidwell Parkway Farmer’s Market
June 29 and August 11
For more information, go to http://www.bavpabandboosters.com/
Get Up and Dance Concert, June 29 6PM at BAVPA
Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. Tickets may be purchased by calling 716-834-1644
VELMA J. COTTON (1987) is planning a reunion for 2014 and is looking for volunteers. Please contact Velma at cottonvelma@gmail if you are
interested in being a member of the committee board.
LISA FESSLER-KILBER (1988) is planning a BAVPA Class of '88 reunion picnic on August 3, 2013 from 11AM-8PM, site TBA. For more
informationabout the event, contact Lisa at [email protected] .
Call (716) 816-4220 or go to http://www.buffaloschools.org/Visual_PerformingArts.cfm for information regarding any of the above events. If
you would like to unsubscribe the BAVPA newsletter, please contact Ron Mangum or Russell Link at the emails in the opening paragraph
above.
The mission of the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts Foundation (BAVPA Foundation) is to enhance and to enrich student
learning opportunities by providing additional financial support to the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts High School (“Arts
Academy”). Its singular goal is to facilitate the successful transition of Arts Academy students from high school to college. The BAVPA
Foundation Board of Directors meets regularly to plan and to implement programs designed to realize this goal. BAVPA Foundation is a 501©
3 not-for-profit organization incorporated in February 2010 and it solicits contributions from the public, individuals, alumni and the business
community to fund programs at the Arts Academy. These student academic opportunities and expanding performance opportunities for
artistically gifted students are designed to give students better opportunities to pursue their music and art studies in college. For further
information about the BAVPA Foundation, please e-mail questions or comments to [email protected]. The official link to the foundation is
http://bavpa.org/. The BAVPA Foundation is creating a home address mailing list for BAVPA alumni. Please email your home addresses to
KATE SULLIVAN at [email protected]. They are trying to expand their database to inform more people about their accomplishments and
upcoming events.
BAVPA ALUMNI & EDUCATORS
STEVE APPLER
1981
Visual Art Teacher, Amherst High School
KAREN TOMZAK
1981
Program Director of Dance at Western Carolina
University, Cullowhee, North Carolina
DEBORAH LIPA-CIOTTA
1982
Tapestry Charter School, K-4 Dance Teacher
CAITLIN BAUMLER-COLEMAN
1984
Tapestry Charter School, K-8, Grade ½ Teacher
OMAR CARTER
1984
Arts Teacher, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TRACEY HOLT COFIELD
1984
Principal, Tapestry Charter School, Buffalo
DONNA KERR
1984
City Honors Music, Buffalo
ARTHUR PERRY
1984
Crossing Guard and Volunteer Librarian Aid at
Clear Creek Elementary School, Kileen/Temple,
Texas
GEORGE DAVIS
1986
BAVPA Arts Vocal and Music Teacher
JAY INGERSON
1987
BAVPA Arts Theater Tech
ROMONA THOMAS-REYNOLDS
1987
Principal, Martin Luther King, School #39
JODY COVINGTON
1988
BAVPA Principal
JOSEPH MICHAEL MAHFOUD
1989
Tapestry Charter High School, Music Teacher
ORNIECE HILL
1990
Assistant Principal, South Park High School, Buffalo
SEAN CLEMENTS
1992
Bronx, New York
JESSE MANK
1994
Tapestry Charter High School, English Teacher
PATRICIA ENFIELD
1996
Elementary Education
TAMMY GAGOLA
1996
Elementary Education
NICOLE JONES
1996
BAVPA Dance
ERNEST KEEN
1996
Physical Education, Rochester
LISA SANTIAGO
1996
Vocal Music
LUCY ALTIERI
1997
Visual Arts
MICHEL DEVANS
1997
Tapestry Charter School, Buffalo
TANDY GREEN
1997
Elementary Education
MATTHEW HURLEY
1998
5th Grade Teacher, Raleigh, North Carolina
MINDY LUCAS
1998
PAUL M. SIEKIERSKI
1999
Music
MARIA INTORRE
2000
Elementary Charter School
DENNIS YACOBUCCI
2001
Brooklyn Special Education
CHRISTOPHER RUDROFF
2002
Music