Mercyhurst Prep-Performing Arts Department

Performing Arts Department

PERFORMING ARTS
Name	Email	Telephone Number
Kara Grise	kgrise@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2210
Maryanne Mager-Dombrowski	mamagerd@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2210
Arthur Martone Department Chair	amartone@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2063
Michael Miele	mmiele@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2063
Nicole Wojciechowski	nwojciechowski@mpslakers.com	(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
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

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 Singer–1985 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

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

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