Artists in Residence List

Artists in Residence at St. Joe's for 2008-2009

PASCHAL FRISINA III - an adjunct teacher of Advanced Drama at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute as well as an alumnus.  He also travels to local public and private high schools to introduce and involve students in reading, discussing and performing Shakespeare. Mr. Frisina graduated from Niagara University and and is well known as a performer in the WNY theater scene, as well as in various touring companies.

JAMES P. McCOY - an adjunct teacher of Photography and Digital Arts at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute.  He is a Professional Sports Photographer for the Buffalo News. He also works free-lance in photography and website design.

NADEJDA NIGRIN - Professional violinist who works as a sub for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.  She assists Mr. Russ Owens with students in the Strings Ensemble.  She has played in the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra as 2nd violins concert master, is part of the Arts Nova Chamber Group, Slee Symphonetta, and works as a free-lance musician in Buffalo.

NICOLE PAVLOVICH - Creative consultant assisting Mr. James Deiotte with Swing Choir in Choreography. Besides working as a special education teacher, Nicki has performed onstage in various venues in western NY. She has also worked as assistant choreographer for 9 St. Joe's musicals and now is the main choreographer.  Nicki coordinates and teaches workshops in various dance styles. 

SKIP BATTAGLIA - Carl "Skip" Battaglia graduated from St. Joe's in 1966. Mr. Battaglia has taught film and animation on the university level, currently at Rochester Institute of Technology. He has created animated films including Parataxis (’80) How the Frog’s
Eye Sees (’84), Pigment Forest (’85), Geologic Time (’89), Restlessness (’94), Second Nature (’00) and Crossing the River (’06)... his films and animations have been honored with awards from around the globe. He will be presenting workshops on film and animation.

VINCENT BENBENEK - is the proprietor of SansSerif Design, a Buffalo based Company.  Beginning this year, Mr. Benbenek will be working with the students of St. Joe's to introduce them to the highest standards of excellence and integrity in visual communications and advertising.  He provides encouragement and visual fuel for students interested in the field of graphic design.

JOE BRANCATO - Mr. Brancato is a respected educator in Western New York and active as a tutor/evaluator at Empire State College. He has recorded two CDs on the QRS label, When I Fall In Love and Broadway Revisited. In addition, Joe is also featured as a co-leader on the "Hidden Treasures" CD release from the Dave Schiavone/Joe Brancato Quartet.Joe performs all styles for any occasion. Mr. Brancato will help keyboard players to understand how to read and use a "lead sheet".

 

KRISTY CAVANAUGH -  Ms. Cavanaugh is a graduate of UB with a BFA in dance. She has performed both locally and nationally with the Zodique Dance Company, MusicalFare Theater, Artpark, Kavinoky Theater, Shakespeare in Delaware Park and the Tennessee Repertory Theater. She is also a dance educator in the Williamsville school system.

JOSEPH CIPOLLA - is known internationally for his talent in Ballet.  Joe has presented numerous lecture demonstrations to students from all socio-economic backgrounds.  He has conducted a number of ballet dance workshops for SJCI students, as well as girls involved in the school's other performance groups.

BOBBY COOKE - is a local performer who has been seen in numerous production venues in Buffalo.  He is also a choreographer and works with a few local high schools.  He studied tap for 10 years and will introduce basic tap movements and their relevance to each other through workshops with St. Joe's students.  Basic steps will be used to build upon and create more intricate steps.

LARRY GRIFFIS III- is a local sculptor as well as an alumnus. Mr. Griffis studied in Italy earlier in his career and has had a lifelong interest in sculpture. He worked in the toy businesses for Fisher-Price, Hasbro and Toy Biz. Mr. Griffis works in life size bronze sculptures, some of which adorn the HSBC Arena, John Carol University, Canisius College – and have been collected by many other private collectors and institutions.He works with SJCI students in sculpture.

BRIAN GRUNERT - is a local Professional Graphic Designer focusing his talents on designing CD packaging through his own business, White Bicycle Design.  He won a Grammy for his CD Design "Evolution" with Ani DeFranco, and was nominated three other times.  He has worked with SJCI students on various aspects of graphics using our computer lab to teach Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop techniques.

GUILLERMO IZQUIERDO - a multi-talented individual in the areas of music and art.  He has performed with several local bands as guitarist and also has an arts studio, BrightiDesign.  Guillermo has most recently done extensive work in web design. He has worked with the students doing workshops on graphic and web design.

TRACY DEGENFELDER-NAVARRO - Professional career in Musical theater; traveled on a national tour for a production of Chicago, performed with Footloose in Las Vegas; Performing Apprentice in the Gus Giordano Dance Studio, Chicago. She has teaching experience with the Royal Academy of Ballet in Buffalo and is well known as a choreographer in the area. She has done workshops with St. Joe's students on Hip Hop and other current dance trends.

VINCENT O'NEILL - Mr. O’Neill a Dublin-born, internationally acclaimed actor and former member of Ireland's celebrated Abbey Theatre, came to Western NY in 1985. He founded the Irish Classical Theater and continues as its director.  His work also includes an affiliation with University of Buffalo's Theatre Department.  The students of St. Joe's can get an all around view of professional theatre and mime from Mr. O'Neill.

DEREK ROLAND - Mr. Roland lives and performs professionally in NYC. His workshops will share his expert skills at tap dancing

MIKE SACCO -  Mr Sacco is a  very successful local actor. His workshop will involve learning basic jazz steps  often used in musical theater productions, while also teaching how to infuse character and intention of the text into the movement.

 MICHAEL WALLINE - a local performer and award-winning choreographer.  He is a member of Actor's Equity Association and has performed with National Touring Companies.  This year his workshops at St. Joe's will introduce basic steps of Hip-hop and other current dance trends.

This is just the beginning of a list of professional artists that are working with the students in the Visual and Performing Arts program at St. Joe's. Watch for future updates...