Staff

Sherye Weisz – Executive/Artistic Director: Sherye has been involved in the arts and education for over thirty-five years.  Growing up in Providence, RI, Sherye took classes at Rhode Island School of Design, was a company member of the nationally known Looking Glass Theatre Company, played flute in state-wide groups and continued her creative pursuits at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York; Emerson College, Boston; and University of Calgary, Alberta.  Sherye has been executive/artistic director of SMARTS since 1988.  She was on the faculty of Lesley University, Cambridge, MA in the Creative Arts in Learning graduate program for 15 years and was president & artistic director of The UnCommon Theatre Company, a local regional children’s theatre, for 18 years.  Sherye is also an educational consultant, providing regional school districts with long and short-term in-service programs that address strategies to enhance student learning through integrated arts curriculum and assessment design.  She served on the Fine Arts Advisory Council to the Commissioner of Education for 6 years and was a member of the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education for many years.  Sherye’s greatest joys come from her husband Jim of 34 years, her 3 children and her grandchildren.

Jennifer Van – Office Manager: Jennifer is a graphic designer who joined SMARTS in September 2004 as our creative administrative assistant who tracks enrollment and supplies, designs promotional material and keeps the wheels of progress moving.  Jen has been married to Phuoc for eleven years and has two active and delightful children who keep her on her toes…and she loves to cook and bake!

Donna Bellerose – Bookkeeper: Donna has been retired for six years after working in the treasurer’s office at the Attleboro City Hall for ten years. Before that, Donna worked in the banking industry for over twenty years. She joined the SMARTS administrative team in September 2004.  Donna has been married to Wayne for thirty-three years, is an avid gardener and golfer and loves to spend time with her five grandchildren.

ELEMENTARY

Taylor Hall – Dance Assistant: Taylor is 20 and a junior at Bridgewater State College, where she studies Elementary Education and Sociology. Back in the day, she participated in the SMARTS Senior Dance Program for three summers. She has been teaching classes at New England Dance Academy for years now and also was a member of the dance team. This will be Taylor's 5th summer working with the SMARTS program and she can't wait!  She looks forward to an awesomely entertaining three weeks with the campers…business as usual.

Diane smiling pretty with a SMARTS friend.

Diane Postoian – Drama: Diane, a creative dramatist and storyteller, has made children her business for 25 years.  As former executive/artistic director of Rhode Island’s Looking Glass Theatre, she received grants nationwide for work with young audiences in New England Schools.  Diane has excerpted and adapted over 25 children’s novels for the stage.  She currently tours Ask Olga!, a show for middle school students on media and culture hype and a Language Arts classroom series called Acting Naturally About Reading for K- 5th grades.  In 2006, Diane received an Honorary Doctorate for her contribution to theater and education.

Janey Cawthorn - Drama Assistant:  Janey is a sophomore at Boston University, where she is studying history and classical civilization. She recently was involved in a performance of the Ides of March for her high school and played a part in her classical studies' department performance of Aristophanes. Janey participated in SMARTS for 7 years and is very excited to be back as an assistant for her second year.

Steve and Hannah doing a song with SMARTS children. 

Steve Dennis – Musical Theatre: Steve has degrees in Elementary Education and Theatre Arts from Bridgewater State College and a Masters in Education with an emphasis on literacy from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.  He is a composer, lyricist and musical director, a first grade teacher at the Peter Thatcher School in Attleboro and has been the music teacher for the junior and now the elementary SMARTS Summer Institute.  He loves The Beatles, writing songs, rock n' roll, and putting on a show!

Hannah Kelly – Musical Theatre Assistant: Hannah is excited to return for her second year as an elementary musical theater and junior creative writing assistant. A graduate of Norton High School’s class of ’05, she is currently enrolled at Emerson College as a Theater Education major. Previously, Hannah has also assisted the SMARTS After-School Story Theatre program and February Around the World program. She looks forward to this summer when she will reunite with old friends, make new ones and have all kinds of fun!

Alan and Kait banging out a tune.

Alan Clavette – Percussion: Alan grew up on the SMARTS Cabaret stage.  Later years in school found Alan performing on the Attleboro Community Theatre (ACT) and North Attleborough Theater stage, acting or playing his trombone.  Alan is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Music Education and is currently teaching general music at Studley Elementary School in Attleboro.  He is a trombone player, and also plays percussion for a local percussion group called "The Rhythm Room".

Katie Clavette – Percussion Assistant: Kait, like her brother Alan, grew up on the SMARTS Cabaret stage. Acting right along side members of her family, Kait participated in the Attleboro Community Theatre (ACT) as well as numerous performances on the North Attleboro High School Theatre stage.  Throughout her high school career, Kait had been involved heavily in the music program, playing many instruments ranging from the Euphonium to the guitar, as well as playing percussion with the local percussion group called “The Rhythm Room”. Kait is currently attending Rhode Island College, pursuing her degree in Speech Therapy, as well as minors in music and business.

Grace and Janey relaxing by the pool.

Tracy Korneffel - Visual Arts: Tracy Korneffel has worked as a professional artist and painter since 1990. She has designed and executed murals, painted furniture, floors, and interiors for designers, residential, and commercial clients in New England, Florida, and North Carolina. She currently enjoys teaching Visual Arts at Willett Elementary School in Attleboro, and has taught painting and sculpture classes at the Attleboro Arts Museum in the past. She holds a BFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design, and an Associates of Arts Degree from the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Colorado. She is excited to return to SMARTS for her second year because last year was so much fun!

Grace Guillotte – Visual Arts Assistant: Grace is 15 years old and a junior at Mansfield High School.  She has participated at SMARTS for 4 years - 3 years in the junior level and 1 year in the senior level.  She is actively involved at the Rhode Island School of Design's young artist programs, and has just earned her Art School Prep certificate there.  This will be Grace's first year of assisting with SMARTS summer institute, and she is greatly looking forward to it.

JUNIOR

Pete Tarsi – Creative Writing: Pete holds a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing and Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts. He is in his twelfth year teaching physics at Attleboro High School, where he is also the after-school Drama Coach. During his time there, he has world premiered two of his own original plays. His one-act play "Tracks" will soon be published by the Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois--one of the three largest play catalogs in the country. He has also penned numerous short stories, poems, and novellas. In his spare time, he enjoys the company of his three beautiful daughters, his oldest who loves attending the SMARTS elementary program.

Peter discussing story lines. "What if...?" 

Hannah Kelly – Creative Writing Assistant: Hannah is excited to return to the SMARTS summer program, having previously attended and thoroughly enjoyed the elementary and junior programs. An assistant for both the SMARTS After-School Story Theatre program and February Around the World program, Hannah is a graduate of Norton High School's class of '05 and is currently enrolled at Emerson College, majoring in Theatre Education. In addition to a passion for the written word, Hannah has cultivated an interest in the theater, having appeared in performances with Mansfield Music and Arts Society and Actors Collaborative. Hannah is looking forward to this summer with anticipation and the opportunity to interact with inspiring and unforgettable people.

Jill Goodwin - Dance: Jill grew up in the dance world with her mom, Jean Wenzel, who was the very first SMARTS Summer dance teacher and a vital part of the senior program for 14 years. Jill took dance while majoring in Education at Dean College. Jill says SMARTS was her favorite part of growing up having attended as a student for 7 summers. As a young dancer, Jill's formal dance training led her to earn several Gold metals at dance competitions around the region. She was fortunate to study with some of the area's best, including Nailah Bellinger, Joan Pallidino, and Jill Silverman. Jill also took master classes from tap dance greats like Gregory Hines and Savion Glover. Jill's teaching experience covers both dance and gymnastics. She is a certified fitness professional, currently teaching Jazzercise in Milford, MA. Primarily, Jill is the mom of two busy children who will be attending the SMARTS elementary program this summer. Jill is so very excited to return to the SMARTS program as a teacher and cannot wait to share her creativity and love for the performing arts!

Chelsea Lembo – Drama: Chelsea holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theater Studies with an emphasis in Acting and Creative Writing from Emerson College. Currently, she is the Assistant Artistic Director at a Theatre and Creative Arts Studio in Cambridge, MA teaching acting classes and conducting after school rehearsals for drama productions. She also leads a drama enrichment group with students at a middle school in her area. Chelsea has performed in many shows at multiple theatre venues between NY and Boston, and has enjoyed acting in various independent films. Additionally, she has voice over acting experience with Outside the Classroom and other companies, and also has an original play being produced and performed in the local Boston area. Chelsea believes that drama gives young people the permission to explore and express in a fun, creative way, and is very excited to be a part of all the artistic discoveries and imaginative possibilities of this summer’s SMARTS program!

Rachel O'Donnell - Drama Assistant: Rachel is eighteen years old and a sophomore at Rhode Island College. There she will be majoring in social work with a minor in theatre performance. She has participated in SMARTS for 8 years. She spent one year in the elementary program, 5 years in the junior program, and 2 years in the senior program. This is Rachel's 4th year as a student assistant and she is looking forward to the experience once again.  Rachel was a very involved member of the Attleboro High School Drama club, chorus, select choir, and women's choir. While assisting this summer she hopes to teach her students all the aspects of theatre she has been taught all through her acting career!

  Rick performing a tune with SMARTS guys.

Rick Morin – Percussion: Rick is a composer and a performer currently working as a freelance drummer/percussionist for original artists, general business bands, dance companies and theater companies.  He has performed with Betty Buckley and Shirley Jones with Heart To Heart Production based out of Taunton, MA.  His teaching experience includes teacher/owner of the Innerythms studio in No. Attleboro and SMARTS Summer Institute.  Rick is also the master artist/teacher of the SMARTS World Beat Discovery Project which was recently awarded a grant by the Francis R. Dewing Foundation to provide children grades 3-5 in 8 SMARTS member school districts with an in-school music enrichment program in world beat and percussion.  Additionally, he received the 2006 Kathleen McKiel Memorial Award by the North Attleboro Cultural Council for his contribution to the Arts. Rick is also very involved with the Hasbro Children's Hospital Arts Program and Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Attleboro.  Additionally, Rick formed an ensemble called The Rhythm Room. They travel throughout New England performing original compositions and have released 2 CD’s, The Rhythm Room and Circle of Souls.  Rick has also created a TV show for local cable, The Rhythm Room.  Rick is an endorsed percussionist by LP, Sabian, HQ, REMO, Evans and Vic Firth.  He is also a member of the original band Spiney Norman and the house drummer for Paris Cabaret in Stoughton, MA.

Seth Antonitis – Percussion Assistant: Seth Antonitis has been drumming since age thirteen, taught by percussion master Rick Morin. Seth was formerly the drummer for local band Strait Laced, playing venues such as the Paradise Lounge, Jarods Place, and WAAF's Locobazooka 2003. Seth is currently focusing his music with The Rhythm Room, also lead by Rick Morin.  Being an original member of the Rhythm Room, Seth has gotten to perform all across New England, and most recently in Washington D.C.  Along with performing, Seth teaches private lessons at the Innerythms studio in North Attleboro. Scholastically, he has earned a philosophy degree at UMass Dartmouth and has had a fantastic, awesome time teaching percussion at the SMARTS Summer Institute for six years.

Kelly and Ali belt out a tune.

Kelly Graeber – Vocal/Musical Theatre: Kelly received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Southern Maine, a Master of Music Education from The Boston Conservatory and studied vocal performance at the graduate level at the University of Illinois .  A native of Quincy, Ma, Kelly is an active performer and teacher in the Boston area.  She performs regularly with the opera company, Mass Theatrica. Comfortable on both the opera and musical theatre stage, she recently performed the role of Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera By The Bay and the role of Grace in Annie with Cohasset Dramatic Club. Kelly currently teaches general music in Fall River and has a private piano studio in Quincy.

Ali Drucker – Vocal/Musical Theatre Assistant: Ali is a freshman at Skidmore College and has participated in numerous productions through her high school and various theatre companies in the past.  She has participated in three different choruses and has taken private voice lessons for five years.  Some credits include winning two awards for Technical Excellence in Makeup and Hair Design for her high school's entry into the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild Festival. Her most recent achievement in the arts is successfully completing a dance class at college without getting injured! She eagerly looks forward to returning for another great summer at SMARTS.

Laura Wheeler – Visual Arts: Laura is nationally recognized for her work in art education.  Robert Rauschenberg and the Rauschenberg 

Foundation in Washington, DC acknowledged her as an outstanding arts educator.  She has been invited to work with many arts foundations, 
including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Young Audiences, and the Mass. Department of Education. Laura has been an instructor 

at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and is a full time art educator for the Natick Public Schools in Natick, MA.

Kate Wheeler - Visual Arts Assistant: Kate is currently attending Bridgewater State College as a senior majoring in Art Education.  She graduated in 2004 from Attleboro High School and took part in nearly every art course that was offered.  Some pieces of her artwork have been sent to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and her portfolio was accepted to the Art Institute of Boston and RISD. Kate has thoroughly enjoyed watching her mother, Laura, teach art at the SMARTS Summer Institute for several years. This will be Kate’s first year teaching for SMARTS and she is looking forward to the opportunity to share all of the aspects of art that she loves with the kids this summer.

SENIOR

Julie Cassamas: Dance – Julie is a graduate of Rhode Island College and the Dean College School of Dance where she attended on a talent Scholarship. After enjoying a successful performance career, her love of teaching and choreography has brought her back home to become co-director and co-owner of the Shannon O’Brien School of Dance in MA. Julie’s training has awarded many of her dancers acceptance and scholarship to the country’s finest dance institutions, including the Alvin Ailey School and Julliard. Julie is Artistic Director of the Evolution Movement Company, a professional concert dance company, based in Southeastern Massachusetts. Julie’s dancers have performed throughout the United States and Europe. She is currently an Artist in Residence at the Highlander Charter School in Providence, RI, an affiliate of NEDO, RI Dance Alliance and RI2PN. As a member of the dance faculty at Dean College and Director of the Senior Dance Education Program for the SMARTS Institute, Julie continues to foster and promote dance in the New England area.

Janet Lynn O’Hare – Drama: Janet is an actor, director, playwright and teacher. She recently earned her Master’s Degree in Theatre Education at Emerson College, Boston and in 2002 received a B.A. in Theatre-Fine Arts from St. Michael’s College, Vermont with a concentration in Musical Theatre and Directing. She then spent four years professionally touring as an Actor/Director with the Missoula Children’s Theatre. Janet is currently directing Crimes of the Heart in Providence, RI and West Side Story in Boston. Additionally, Janet is performing a lead role in the musical Godspell, with the Mill River Theatre in Rhode Island, where she recently played the lead role of Anne Weston, in the musical, The Rented Christmas. She is a teaching artist with the Huntington Theatre Company in the Codman Academy 9^th grade partnership and is co-teaching with the Know the Law program. Janet teaches a Musical Theatre Class with the Arlington Children’s Theatre and has taught and directed at the Boston Arts Academy and Boston College High School. Janet was recently named the Director of Education at the Mill River Theatre in Providence, RI, where she resides.

  David filming with the "green screen" for a short film.

David Bettencourt - Film/Video: David received an MFA in Film Production from Boston University in 2001 and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.  His first feature film, "You Must Be This Tall", a critically-acclaimed documentary about Rocky Point Park, was recently screened for six weeks in New England cinemas. David has shot over a dozen short films and videos and has taught digital video production at the Boston Museum. This summer is David’s sixth year with the SMARTS Summer Institute.

  Tom jammin' with the Instrumental kids.  Mary fiddlin' a tune with SMARTS friends.

Tom Casale – Instrumental:  Tom graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Science in Classical Bass Performance with a Minor in Jazz Guitar Studies.  He is continuing his studies at Rhode Island College pursuing a Masters Degree in Music Education.  He has performed with Rhode Island College groups as well as with Jazz Saxophonist Greg Abate, Pianist Joe Parillo and many others.  Tom is currently playing with a group called The TC1 Jazz Trio. He also plays for St. Francis Chapel in Providence, Rhode Island and performs in the Casale/Falcon Wedding duo.  His main musical interests are in jazz composition.

Mary Casale - Instrumental: Mary Casale is a working artist and educator living in Rehoboth, MA.  She holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Master in Music Education degrees with advanced graduate studies in music composition.  A classically trained violinist, Mary has over 25 years experience teaching music at all levels preK-12 and higher education in public and private schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  She has worked at Bridgewater State College and UMass Dartmouth and has served as the director of the Southeastern Massachusetts Stage Band.  Mary is currently director of orchestras at the middle and high school in Mansfield, MA and the director of the Senior Instrumental Music Division of the SMARTS Summer Institute since 1992.  Mary also serves on the executive board of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, Southeast District and is active as a guest conductor and adjudicator for district music festivals.

Steve Hayes – Visual Arts:  Steve is a native New Englander who has worked in many areas of the visual and performing arts. He received a BFA in Painting and a BFA in Art Education from UMass Dartmouth. Four years ago he completed his MFA in Theater Design from UMass Amherst. Over the years he has worked as a painter, a sculptor, a designer and as an actor and producer in theater. He has shared his enthusiasm for the arts as a teacher of students from the elementary to the college level. Although his concentration is in painting and design, Steve believes that creativity and self-expression can utilize all forms of art and he is very excited to work in a cooperative environment like SMARTS.