Performing Arts Department
PERFORMING ARTS |
Name |
Email |
Telephone Number |
Kara Grise |
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(814) 824-2210 |
Maryanne Mager-Dombrowski |
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(814) 824-2210 |
Arthur Martone
Department Chair |
|
(814) 824-2063 |
Michael Miele |
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(814) 824-2063 |
Nicole Wojciechowski |
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(814) 824-2210 |

Arthur Martone,
Performing Arts Chair
27 years teaching experience –
23 years at MPS |
- Stage director/producer of the first high school production of The Phantom of the Opera in NW PA 2011
- Music Director of the MPS Little Mary Sunshine troupe performance at the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2005
- Music director of the first high school production of Les Miserables in NW PA 2002
- Music Director for the 1995 MPS I.T.S. Main stage production of Nunsense in Lincoln, Nebraska
- Stage director and performing member of the Erie Opera Theatre 1983 -2010
- Music director/performer at Erie Playhouse since 1986
- Former assistant conductor for the Erie Chamber Orchestra
- Has been the music director/conductor for Erie Parks and Recreation Department, the Erie Diocesan Summer Musicals, and the Titusville Summer Theatre
- Sang as a soloist with the Erie Chamber Orchestra and the Erie Philharmonic
- Former assistant musical director and head cantor at St. Peter Cathedral
- Sang National Anthem at numerous professional sporting events
- 2005 MPS Outstanding Faculty Service Award recipient
- 2009 Golden Apple Award recipient
- 2011 MPS Distinguished Alumni Service Award recipient
- Has traveled extensively in the world to Italy, Germany, France, England, Scotland, Greece, Turkey, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Canada & Mexico
Teaching Assignment: Concert Choir-IB/H & CP, Show Choir-IB/H & CP,
Musical Production, Technical Theatre,
Music Appreciation,
Beginning Piano, Advanced Piano, and Beginning Guitar
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Kara Grise,
5 years teaching experience –
5 years at MPS |
- Graduate from Mercyhurst Prep in 1999.
- Bachelor of Science, Marketing from Penn State, Behrend (2003)
- Master’s degree Business Administration (MBA) from Penn State, Behrend (2004)
- Was awarded the Penn State Alumni Association Leadership Scholarship.
- Dance instructor at Marguerite’s Academy of Dance since 1999.
- Traveled to Sydney, Australia with the Marguerite’s Academy of Dance Adage Team to perform at the Summer Olympics in 2000.
- Coached the Penn State Behrend Dance Team (2005-2006)
- Moderator of the Mercyhurst Prep Dance Team for the past three years.
- Attends conferences for Dance Instructors annually, including the Robert Christopher Dance Seminar and the Dance Teacher Summit in New York City.
- Choreographed numerous pieces for the MPS Dance Company and Show Choir that were performed at Magic Music Days at Walt Disney World.
Teaching Assignment: Dance Company:
Intermediate/Advanced, Intermediate & Apprentice,
Dance Styles, and Social Dance
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Maryanne Mager-Dombrowski,
Director of Dance Company
31 years teaching experience –
26 years at MPS |
- Villa Maria Academy graduate
- Stephens College, Columbia Missouri, BFA Music and Dance
- Western Kentucky University, MA Dance /Theater Arts
- Continuing Studies New York City, 3 years
- Dance Educators of America Certification
- MPS Dance Company Founder and Director since 1985
- Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green KY, Dance Department 4 years
- Celebration Touring Company, Columbus, OH, Dance Captain/ Choreographer and Lead Dancer, 2 years
- Dance Instructor Lake Erie Ballet under Arlene Haye
- Dance Instructor North Coast Ballet under Robert Steele
- Summer Stock Theater Choreographer: Musical Oklahoma, OK, Little Abner, VA
- Choreographer for MPS Theater Department and school events since 1985
- Choreographer, NBC Special History of Tap Dancing
- Kenley Players, apprentice, Warren OH
- Performed and Choreographed for Village Dinner Theater and Erie Playhouse
- Performed with Center Stage, Erie, PA
- Organist Holy Cross Church 20 years
- Wedding Singer1985 to present
- Erie Diocese Summer Musical Choreographer
- Erie Opera Theater Choreographer since 1990
Teaching Assignment: Dance Company: Master & Advanced,
and Show Choir-IB/H & CP
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 Michael Miele,
Director of Instrumental Music
5 years teaching experience –
5 years at MPS |
- 2003 MPS Graduate
- Recipient of the 2003 MPS Award
- 2003 Recipient of President’s Award for Excellence in the Creative Arts at Mercyhurst Prep
- Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Mercyhurst College 2007
- 2007 Recipient of President’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities at Mercyhurst College
- Conductor, Trombonist, and Pianist at Erie Playhouse since 2001
- Music Director/Conductor for Diocese of Erie All School Summer Musical from 2004-2010
- Rehearsal Pianist and Assistant Choir Director for Erie Opera Theatre from 2005-2011
- Assistant Conductor of the Gannon University Concert Band from 2010-2011
- 2009 Recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Service Award
- Member of NAfME: The National Association for Music Education
- Member of PMEA: The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
- Substitute Organist/Pianist for various local churches
- Member of the MPS Middle States Planning Team
- Co-authored MPS Profile of a Graduate
- Helped create Profile of a Graduate webpage
- Created MPS Student Assistance Program Website
Teaching Assignment: Orchestra-IB/H & CP, Concert Choir-IB/H & CP, Musical Production, Music Appreciation, Advanced Piano, and Beginning Piano
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Nicole Wojciechowski,
10 years teaching experience –
10 years at MPS
|
- 2011 recipient of the Golden Apple Award
- Awarded WQLN’s student-nominated “Great Teacher Contest”
- Moderator for the MPS Model United Nations delegation, which has earned nearly $30,000 in college scholarships within the last four years
- Cooperating teacher and mentor to student educators
- Has taught SAT essay preparation courses at Gannon University
- Has travelled throughout Europe and also assisted in coordinating a student trip to Greece during the spring of 2008, sponsored by the English Department
- Director for the winter drama at MPS for three years
- Former President of the Board of the Roadhouse Theater for Contemporary Art
- Involved in local theatrical productions, but also spent several years working as a professional actor on the stage and in commercials (voice)
- Former news anchor/morning show co-host for WESB Newsradio in Bradford, PA
Teaching Assignment: Basic Acting |
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