Discover Our Expert Faculty at PTW!
Each of our teachers bring a unique blend of professional expertise and a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of performers. From Broadway veterans to industry experts, the PTW team is equipped to provide unparalleled guidance and mentorship to our performing artists. One of the reasons for PTW’s fast-growing success as the Tri-State Areas leading performing arts school has much to do with its top notch faculty—hand-picked by the director with a keen eye toward individuals who may be entrusted with the ideals of the school. Those chosen are well-trained professionals who love to teach and are willing to share their expertise, experience, and love for the theatre with others. They are gifted artists who are currently active in their respective fields.
Dean Kravitz
PTW Executive Artistic Director – Music Director – Song Interpretation Classes – Musical Theatre Performance Classes – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach – Private Lesson Teacher
Dean began his studies at age five on the violin and added piano at age seven. After his piano debut at Carnegie Recital Hall at age 11, Dean received the Van Cliburn award for piano performance at age 13. He studied violin, piano, composition, and scoring at the Eastman School of Music where he won the Duke Ellington Award for Outstanding Arranging and Composition. Dean also received the highest score in the BMI Musical Theatre Songwriting competition in 1986.
He graduated with honors from Yale University in 1987 where he received a BA in Composition. At Yale, Dean composed, orchestrated and musical directed the full length musical, “Experiments”, which was performed at Yale commencement. Also at Yale, Dean studied orchestration with Jacob Druckman (from Julliard faculty) and composition with Maury Yeston (composer of “Nine”). Dean has also studied jazz improvisation with the legendary jazz alto saxophonist Phil Woods. He has studied vocal pedagogy and voice therapy at Westminster Choir College and choral conducting at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Dean is a New Jersey Certified Teacher, received his Masters in Teaching in 2008, and is currently a Choral Director for the School District of the Chathams.
With his production companies, Dean Kravitz Music (DKM) and Elasticmusic, Dean has composed, orchestrated and sung/played for over 150 National and Regional TV/Radio commercials for major advertising agencies in NY, Boston, Dallas, and California for products such as Pepsi, Toys R Us, McDonalds, Reebock, Motorola, Lady Footlocker, Hefty, Blue Cross/Blue Shield & Clairol. Dean has composed, orchestrated and arranged music for several cartoons on Nickelodeon’s “Nick Jr.”, as well as the music that premiered the TV Land network. He currently still has music played frequently on the air.
Howard Kravitz
PTW Founder
Howard received his BS at the Juilliard School of Music and his MA and Six-year Level degrees from Columbia University. He was certified in the state of New Jersey in both Supervision and Administration. Howard was a teacher and Director of Music in New Jersey public schools for 35 years. He left the public school system in 1992 so he could devote full time to PTW, which continued to expand in both enrollment size and course offerings. Howard’s musical compositions and arrangements have been performed worldwide by such notables as Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, and Phil Woods. He also wrote arrangements for WABC-TV and the Arlene Francis Show.
Brian Loeffler
Musical Theatre Department Chair: Director & Choreographer – Song Interpretation & Acting Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Brian’s long list of credits include the New York production of Grease! on Broadway (starring Rosie O’Donnell), and national/international tours including Bye, Bye, Birdie (starring Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking), West Side Story (Riff) and Oklahoma! (Will Parker – 50th Anniversary Production). His regional directing and/or choreographing productions include Jerry Springer – The Opera, Urinetown: The Musical (Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award and After Dark Award for Choreography), Pirates of Penzance, Grease, Disney’s Aladdin, A Chorus Line, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Anything Goes, Damn Yankees, The Wizard of Oz, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Wit and Wisdon of Will’s Women: A Shakespeare Celebration (which he conceived and co-created) and Big River at theaters which include the Mercury Theater in Chicago, Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, Carousel Dinner Theatre in Ohio, Seaside Shakespeare Festival in Nantucket and Milford Theatre in Pennsylvania
Brian has more than 15 years teaching experience. Former students include Michael Pitt (leading role in Boulevard Dreams, Henry Parker in Dawson’s Creek, also Murder by Numbers and Funny Games) and Patrick Wilson (Little Children, The Phantom of the Opera, Angels in America). He is a member of both The Actors’ Equity Association and The Screen Actors Guild and most recently perfrormed in The Taming of the Shrew at the New York Fringe Festival. Brian is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and resides in New York City.
Sherry Lorraine Harrington
Jr. Jr. Department Chair / Acting & Dance Teacher / Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Sherry is an actor, dancer, choreographer, director, and educator. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, and began dancing at the age of 4. She studied dance for 14 years at Anna Marie’s Academy of Dance, learning Tap, Ballet, Jazz, and Modern dance. She was a member of the Elysian Dance Company, performing at various venues in the Philadelphia area.Sherry performed in her first musical at the age of 14 in her high school’s production of “Funny Girl,” and she was bitten by the acting bug. She attended college at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting. She then moved to New York for a decade, performing in local and regional theaters and short films, and continued taking acting and dance classes. She began teaching dance and musical theatre at a children’s enrichment center, and that’s where she found her niche!After relocating to Central New Jersey, Sherry joined the faculty of a local dance studio, teaching Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Musical Theatre dance to students from ages 3 years old to adult. She also was the co-founder and head of the Acting department for the inaugural year of the studio’s Musical Theatre program. Sherry continues to share her passion for the performing arts with her students, and is thrilled to be a part of the PTW family!
Carlie Craig
Comedy Crew Instructor – Voice, Acting, On Camera, & Song Interpretation Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
After nearly a decade in Hollywood actively working as an actress and producer, Carlie recently relocated to New York to continue developing musical projects across television & theatre and to elevate her teaching career, all under her creative banner Queen Cornelius Entertainment. An accomplished musical comedy writer, performer and multi-hyphenate artist, Carlie is most known as a cast member on the 15th season of MADtv, where she performed spot-on impressions of vocal powerhouses Ariana Grande and Kristin Chenoweth & a variety of original characters. Additional television credits include Will & Grace, First Impressions with Dana Carvey and Kevin Hart’s LOL Network series The Donors. Carlie couldn’t be more proud to be spearheading the PTW Comedy Crew and sharing the gift of improv and character creation with her talented students!
Rosena Hill Jackson
Voice & Song Interpretation Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
On Broadway, Rosena performed with Patti LaBelle, Tony Braxton, Baby Face, K.D. Lang, Vanessa Williams, Gladys Night and Fantasia in After Midnight. Other Broadway credits include, Come Fly Away (Featured Vocalist), The Color Purple (Church Lady) with Fantasia, Monty Python’s Spamalot (Lady of the Lake) with Tim Curry and David Hyde Pierce, Imaginary Friends (Mrs.Stillman), Oklahoma (Ellen) 2002 revival with Patrick Wilson, Riverdance on Broadway (Soloist), Marie Christine (Ophelia) with Audra McDonald, and Ragtime (Sarah’s Friend). On the 1st National tour of Ragtime, Rosena performed the role of Sarah. Off- Broadway credits include, Cotton Club Parade at City Center and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Lost in the Stars at City Center, Tin Pan Alley Rag at the Roundabout, and In Gathering. Regional highlights include, Man Of La Mancha (Aldonza), Baby (Pam), Dreamgirls (Michelle), Cinderella, Chess, Gypsy, Kiss Me Kate, La Cage aux Folles, Aint’ Misbehavin, Carmen, and La Boheme. Rosena has performed internationally for three seasons with Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem Gospel Singers & Band, touring in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Hungary, and the Netherlands as a featured soloist.
As a concert soloist, Rosena, has performed at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops; Teatro di Massimo Symphony Orchestra, Teatro di Lirico Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Florida Sunshine Pops, Long Island Philharmonic, Sarasota Symphony, Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic’s recording of Carousel “Live at Lincoln Center” shown on PBS.
A native of Sarasota, Florida, Rosena’s debut CD, If You Believe, combines the styles of jazz, gospel, and show tunes in honor of her late father. Rosena and her husband, Grammy award winning trombonist Jason Jackson, run Jack & Hill Music. They perform original compositions, arrangements of jazz, standards and the American Songbook.
Meghan LaFlam
Voice, Acting, Song Interpretation, Piano, Guitar, & Songwriting Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Meghan LaFlam is a thoroughbred thespian and musical theatre vocal master. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory, where she studied classical voice, with an emphasis in Linklater Technique. Meghan studied Shakespeare and classical acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Her professional credits include Sweeney Todd (Joanna), City of Angels (Mallory) with Lyric Stage Company, Henry V(Katherine) at Colonial Theater, Spring Awakening (Thea) with Gloucester Stage Company, and My Fair Lady at Bay Street Theater.
Sara Gallo
Voice, Dance, Acting, & Song Interpretation Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Sara is a Philadelphia native and a graduate of The Boston Conservatory where she majored in Musical Theatre with an emphasis in Dance. Sara trained under Nadia Pavlenko & Max Ponomarenko at Dance Elite School of Dance in Bucks County, PA, and began her training with an emphasis in ballet. Upon graduating from The Boston Conservatory, Sara went on to perform at the top regional theatres in the US including the MUNY, Theatre Under the Stars, North Shore Music Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, & more. Sara was thrilled to be a part of the regional premieres of MAMMA MIA as Ali (MUNY), MATILDA as Mrs. Wormwood (Tuacahn), and CINDERELLA as Gabrielle (Tuacahn). Sara made her Broadway and National Tour debut in 2022 with 1776 THE MUSICAL and can be seen on the Hallmark Channell in A Holiday Spectacular as Sophia the Italian Rockette. She also founded “The Broadway Masterclass Series” – a program in collaboration with her alma mater high school in Montgomery County, PA – where they bring Broadway and all of its many elements to middle school and high school students, in hopes to educate and inspire the next generation to see the many career possibilities within the arts. Sara strives to bring the best out of every student in an individualized, positive, and welcoming classroom.
Taylor Elise Gautier
Acting & On Camera Teacher / Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Taylor Elise Gautier has been involved in theater for as long as she can remember. She always knew that working in the arts was her biggest passion. At the age of 15, she started training professionally at The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. In her senior year of high school, Taylor was accepted into the oldest, and one of the most prestigious theater conservatories in the country, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and graduated with her Associate’s Degree in Theater. Taylor has graduated from Lehman College with her BFA in theater, as well as a 4.0 GPA, in May of 2022. She has starred in multiple short films, as well as having been cast as a recurring character in the new Amazon Prime show, Narcissists of NYC. Besides acting herself, teaching acting has also been a passion of Taylor’s. She has taught acting classes for multiple different organizations, including day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, as well as in after school programs with kids. She has also directed a full-length play, as well as directed students in Acting 101 classes in college.Taylor is very happy to be working with PTW and hopes to inspire her students with the love that she shares for the craft of acting.
David Guggino
Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Ballet Teacher
A Joffrey alum, Jersey boy David Guggino began his dance training at age 5; by 12, he was performing professionally with The Rainbow Company in Philadelphia. David trained with Rennie Harris, Pure Movement, The Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadanco, and at the Joffery Ballet/New School where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
David’s choreography credits include What Guys Do (Off Broadway; Choreographer/Director/Producer), West Side Story, Rocky Horror, Sid in the City (Creator/Choreographer/Producer at New Dance Group), and A Beautiful Sadness produced by The Muse Theater. His commissioned works include We Were Always Coming Back (Symphony Space), Conversations, The Life, Sid ’n the City (excerpts), What Guys Do! (excerpts), and Cosmic and Opposing Forces. Most recently, David has created a new event called “SlamBamDance!” which premiered at acclaimed Brooklyn venue The Knitting Factory.
His theatre highlights include Ward 9 (Bobby Fisher), West Side Story, Damn Yankees, and Grease! Company credits include Momix (nat’l/int’l tour), Joffrey Ensemble, Rebecca Kelly Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, and the Chase Brock Experience, through which he was able to combine his interest in concert dance and theater.
David is a member of Actors Equity Association and lives in New York City.
Neil Ginsberg
Music Director
Neil Ginsberg’s first experience in musical theater was playing piano for a production of “Annie” where the dog playing Sandy ran off the stage into the audience! Since then, he’s played piano and music directed a ton of shows including the Off Broadway and national touring productions of “Forever Plaid” and “Nunsense.” He has made music at Papermill Playhouse, Pantomonium, the New London Barn Playhouse, HERE Arts Center, and the Henry Street Settlement (and many other places). He has taught at the Julliard School of Drama, Opera America, Brooklyn Friends School, Avenues and is currently teaching at Kent Place School. He composes choral music sung by children and adults all over the world. One of his favorite gigs was improvising music as a silent movie accompanist at the Silent Movie Theater in Los Angeles. He lives in Maplewood with his theater and music-loving family consisting of daughter Tabitha and wife Michelle Tattenbaum.
Kelly Berman
Voice, Dance, Acting, & Song Interpretation Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Kelly is thrilled to return to PTW faculty! She has been teaching all across the country since she was 16 years old; from theatre, ballet, pointe, tap to commercial jazz. It’s one of her favorite things to do outside of performing! She considers herself a dance/theatre tutor. After graduating from the Boston Conservatory, Kelly has loved working regionally around the country. She was last seen off-Broadway in “How to Steal an Election” (Associate Choreographer/Dance Captain) at the York Theatre NYC. Regional credits include Holiday Inn (The Rev), Seven Brides (Ogunquit Playhouse), Oklahoma! (Goodspeed Opera House), Music Man (Goodspeed and Muny), and Cinderella (Papermill Playhouse), Camelot (The Muny), and Gypsy (Goodspeed Opera House). She is so excited to share some of her experiences in staying confident and joyful in the ever-changing theatre world, as well as conquering dance auditions/self-tapes, finding your styles, how to dance captain, and understudying/swinging. @kbermanator
Gary Mauer
Song Interpretation & Audition Technique Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Gary recently starred as The Phantom in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera. Broadway and National Tour credits include Les Miserables, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Show Boat. Other features include Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Sweeney Todd (Anthony), and Pirates of Penzance (Frederick).
Gary was born in Phoenix, Arizona and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona in Tucson. He has delivered “All I Ask of You” on ABC’s “LIVE” and “The View” as well as NBC’s “The Today Show.” Gary has traveled extensively with celebrated composer and master conductor Marvin Hamlisch, joining the late maestro alongside Chicago and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras.
Gary is a proud member of Actors Equity Association (AEA), and American Guild Of Musical Artists (AGMA)
Elizabeth Southard
Voice & Song Interpretation Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Elizabeth has worked extensively in musical theatre, on Broadway and in National tours. Beth starred on Broadway as Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, a role she also performed in the Vancouver, B.C. production and the National tour along side her husband, Gary Mauer. She was chosen by Harold Prince to star as Magnolia in his latest revival of Showboat in the First National Tour. She was also seen Off-Broadway in Jack Eric William’s Swamp Gas and Shallow Feelings as Sherlyn. Other tours include: Christine in the Yeston/Kopit Phantom, and The Sound of Music with Marie Osmond. Regional highlights include Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Claudia in Nine, and Sukey Tawdry in Three Penny Opera.
Elizabeth has been guest soloist with orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony with Marvin Hamlisch, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Anchorage Symphony, and the Flagstaff Symphony. She also toured throughout Germany and performed at the Opera Comique in Paris. Elizabeth received her degree in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College School of Music. She received a scholarship to study at the prestigious American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria and went on to receive first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. Beth is joyously married to actor Gary Mauer and plays Mommy to Nicholas and Eden.
Elizabeth is a proud member of Actors Equity Association (AEA)
Diane DiCroce
Song Interpretation & Audition Technique Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Diane DiCroce’s resume reflects a seasoned musical theater professional with more than 25 years of performing, teaching, and directing experience. After a decade performing on Broadway and in national tours, the conservatory-trained artist has spent the past 15 years teaching and mentoring students in New York, Boston and cities across the United States. Her work as a director and producer has secured her place among this generation’s most prolific theatre professionals.
Diane is a member of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), New England Theatre Conference (NETC), Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Musical Theatre Educators Association (MTEA), Massachusetts Education Theatre Guild (METG), and Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC).
Ava DeMary
Song Interpretation, Acting, Dance & Audition Technique Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Preparation Coach
Ava De Mary is an NJ/NYC based actor, singer, and dancer who received a BFA in Film, Television, Voiceovers, and Commercials at Pace University. She made her Broadway debut at age 8 in the Tony Award winning musical Billy Elliot. She went on to appear in the Broadway revival of Evita and the original Broadway company of Matilda the Musical. She can currently be seen recurring as Teen Davie Adams on the HBO Max series Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and will next be seen in the upcoming feature Sweethearts, written and directed by Jordan Weiss, and the independent feature Fresh Kills, written and directed by Jennifer Esposito.
Stephanie Kurtzuba
On Camera Acting, Musical Theatre Audition Technique
Versatile actor and producer, Stephanie has had the privilege of being directed by acclaimed filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes, Stephen Daldry, Sir Richard Eyre, and Phylicia Rashad. Alongside these legendary directors, she has graced the screen with iconic talents including Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Pacino, and Hugh Jackman. Her artistic journey spans across film, television, and live theatre,
Stephanie Kurtzuba has left an indelible mark with notable roles in acclaimed movies such as “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013), “Annie” (2014), and “The Irishman” (2019). On television, she has delivered memorable performances in recurring roles on popular shows like “The Good Wife” and
“Blue Bloods.” Her talent and versatility extend beyond the screen, as she has also graced the stages of Broadway and Off- Broadway productions, including the original casts of “Mary Poppins” and “Billy Elliot the Musical.”
Darian Clonts
Voice, Song Interpretation, Music Theory, Sight Singing & Audition Technique Teacher – Professional, College and School Show Audition Prep Coach
Tenor Dr. Darian Clonts is a native of Atlanta, Ga., where he attended the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts (CCCEPA) at Pebblebrook High School as a vocal major. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he studied voice under Dr. Uzee Brown, Jr. He was a member, soloist, and accompanist of the world-renowned Morehouse College Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. David Morrow. Dr. Clonts received his Master of Music degree and Doctor of Music degree from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he studied voice with Dr. Brian Horne. While attending Indiana University, he earned a minor in Musicology and a certificate in Vocology.
Clonts has an extensive performing career that spans various genres of music, from opera to gospel. Clonts has performed with several prestigious opera companies, including Cincinnati Opera, The Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater, The Princeton Festival, The Atlanta Opera, and the Indiana University Opera Theater. Some of his operatic roles include Benvolio (Roméo et Juliette), The Witch (Hansel and Gretel), Mingo (Porgy and Bess), Hérrison (L’Étoile), Goro (Madama Butterfly), and El Remendado (Carmen).
Clonts is member of the Music & Worship Arts staff at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church in East Orange, NJ., and serves on the Board of Directors for the New York City Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He also holds memberships with the National Association of Negro Musicians, the African American Art Song Alliance, the Collegiate Music Society, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In the summer of 2022, Clonts was selected to participate in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Intern program. He is currently a voice faculty member at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University, and William Paterson University. In addition to his faculty positions, he also maintains a private voice studio of students from various age groups. Clonts taught as an associate instructor at Indiana University in the department of African American and African Diaspora Studies. The main focus of his musical research includes opera and African American music, and he has lectured on his research at schools and institutions across the United States.
Current and Past Professional Track Industry Professionals
David Vaccari
Casting Director at David Vaccari Casting
David, formerly with Telsey and Company, is an independent casting director, focusing on commercials, film, and television. David’s film projects include the casting for “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson, “The Intern” featuring Robert DeNiro, “Focus” with Will Smith, and “The Kitchen” starring Melissa McCarthy. He has also contributed to casting for “Friends With Kids,” “Howl,” “Jonah Hex,” and collaborated with Gus Van Sant on three films, including “Restless,” “Paranoid Park,”,”Finding Forrester” with Sean Connery. Other projects include “Rachel Getting Married,” “Then She Found Me,” “Across the Universe,” “Ira and Abby,” “Keane,” “Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power,” “The Bone Collector” with Denzel Washington, and “Pieces of April,” earning an Oscar nomination for Patricia Clarkson.
David also cast numerous TV pilots, notably NBC’s “This Is Us,” as well as projects like “I’m Dying Up Here,” “Penny Dreadful,” “Nightcap,” “Murphy Brown,” “A Gifted Man,” “House of Cards,” “NOS4A2,” and “Time After Time,” reuniting with childhood friend Marcos Siega.
David boasts a portfolio of over 1500 commercials, collaborating with esteemed directors such as Martin Scorsese, Barry Levinson, Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris, Christopher Guest, and many more. His expertise extends to casting for musical theater productions, including groundbreaking shows like the original Broadway production of “Rent,” “The Capeman,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Martin Short- Fame Becomes Me,” and “Hairspray.” David has collaborated with luminaries like David Mamet, Eric Bogosian, Woody Allen, Estelle Parsons, and Al Pacino.
David has taught at Brown University / Trinity Rep, Stonestreet Studios (a drama conservatory of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts), and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. A member of the Casting Society of America, David has been nominated three times for their Artios award for excellence in casting.
Victoria Kress
Theater/TV/Film Agent at Osbrink Agency (NYC Office)