Staff : of The Lancaster Academy for the Performing Arts!
Training us....in what we do!!
Administration Department
Jean Newswanger, Executive Director
Jean graduated from Grace College with a B.S. in Fine Arts. She has been involved with the Academy since 2004, along with her 4 children and husband, Keith. She has served in many different areas of the Academy and is excited to be involved in building the Fine Arts department and serving as Executive Director. Her passion for the glory of God in the arts and her love of homeschooling motivate her commitment to the Academy.
Jean graduated from Grace College with a B.S. in Fine Arts. She has been involved with the Academy since 2004, along with her 4 children and husband, Keith. She has served in many different areas of the Academy and is excited to be involved in building the Fine Arts department and serving as Executive Director. Her passion for the glory of God in the arts and her love of homeschooling motivate her commitment to the Academy.
Choral Department
Dr. Bruce Gerlach, Concert Choir Director
Dr. Bruce Gerlach hails from Washington Boro (Lancaster Co.). He graduated from Penn Manor. He has a BS in Music Ed from The King’s College (NY), a Master of Music in composition from West Chester University (PA) and a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting from Southern Seminary (KY). Bruce began his career as music minister in several Lancaster area churches. He then moved to the Midwest for 28 years teaching at the college and university level. He recently retired and moved back to PA with his wife, Margie. They have 2 children and several grandchildren. Bruce is currently teaching music theory and composition part-time at Lancaster Bible College.
Dr. Bruce Gerlach hails from Washington Boro (Lancaster Co.). He graduated from Penn Manor. He has a BS in Music Ed from The King’s College (NY), a Master of Music in composition from West Chester University (PA) and a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting from Southern Seminary (KY). Bruce began his career as music minister in several Lancaster area churches. He then moved to the Midwest for 28 years teaching at the college and university level. He recently retired and moved back to PA with his wife, Margie. They have 2 children and several grandchildren. Bruce is currently teaching music theory and composition part-time at Lancaster Bible College.
Elisa Chodan, Choir Director
Elisa graduated from Bob Jones University with a bachelor of science degree in Music Education with a voice proficiency followed by a master of music degree in Voice Performance. While in college, she performed extensively in choral, solo voice, instrumental, theater, musical theater, and opera settings. She has competed regionally and nationally in solo voice competitions with the National Association for Teachers of Singing and is a member of the American Choral Directors Association. As a LAPA alumnus, she is honored to come alongside present LAPA students and further equip them to make art to the glory of God.
Elisa graduated from Bob Jones University with a bachelor of science degree in Music Education with a voice proficiency followed by a master of music degree in Voice Performance. While in college, she performed extensively in choral, solo voice, instrumental, theater, musical theater, and opera settings. She has competed regionally and nationally in solo voice competitions with the National Association for Teachers of Singing and is a member of the American Choral Directors Association. As a LAPA alumnus, she is honored to come alongside present LAPA students and further equip them to make art to the glory of God.
Karen Pawson, Piano Accompanist
Karen Pawson's love for accompanying began when she was in 8th grade and was asked to accompany the high school choir. She graduated from Cedarville University in 1995. While there, she enjoyed playing for chapel services with a worship band and traveling with a music group who toured, representing the college, on weekends and for 10 weeks in the summer. Now, she is a homeschooling mom of four and is active in her church where she also enjoys playing with the worship team. She has been accompanying Academy choirs since 2012.
Karen Pawson's love for accompanying began when she was in 8th grade and was asked to accompany the high school choir. She graduated from Cedarville University in 1995. While there, she enjoyed playing for chapel services with a worship band and traveling with a music group who toured, representing the college, on weekends and for 10 weeks in the summer. Now, she is a homeschooling mom of four and is active in her church where she also enjoys playing with the worship team. She has been accompanying Academy choirs since 2012.
Theatre Department
Bonnie Bosso, Theatre Director & Instructor
Bonnie is a theatre professional with more than 30 years of experience in a variety of areas which include directing and managing. She worked in NY as a stage manager, as the Director of Entertainment for Hersheypark, and for 20 years at Sight and Sound, most recently as their VP of Production. Bonnie has directed shows for the Academy since 2011 and also instructs the advanced theatre students.
Bonnie is a theatre professional with more than 30 years of experience in a variety of areas which include directing and managing. She worked in NY as a stage manager, as the Director of Entertainment for Hersheypark, and for 20 years at Sight and Sound, most recently as their VP of Production. Bonnie has directed shows for the Academy since 2011 and also instructs the advanced theatre students.
Reji Woods, Theatre Director & Instructor
Andrea Calderon, Theatre Dance InstructorAndrea Calderon, originally from Lexington, Kentucky, holds a BFA in Performing Arts/Dance from Western Kentucky University. Andrea has performed, taught, and choreographed around the country over the past 15 years. Currently, Andrea teaches dance at Premiere Danse Academy, Lancaster Bible College, and Sight and Sound Conservatory. Performance credits include five years with the award winning show Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge, TN (Matt Davenport Productions) and Branson, MO (Starlite Entertainment) as a featured dancer. She also spent two years working with her husband at Fee/Hedrick Entertainment, where she performed in The Miracle, Joseph…Dreamcoat, and Christmas at the Smoky Mountain Opry. Locally she has been seen with The Magic and Wonder Show, Servant Stage Company, PRiMA Theatre Company, and as a back-up dancer for Weird Al Yankovic at The American Music Theatre. Andrea feels very blessed and grateful to God that she has been living out her dream of dancing and sharing the joy of dance with others! Love and thanks to husband Wally and daughter Joyanna for their unending support. Psalms 149:3
Caleb Heckman, Musical Theatre Director
Caleb Heckman is a teachre, actor, and music director in Lancaster County. He has music directed summer camps for the Lancaster Academy for the past 5 years, as well as Anne of Green Gables and The Wizard of Oz. He has also music directed for Susquehanna Stage Company and Cavod Academy, and has appeared on stage in theatres around the county, including Cavod Theatre, PRiMA Theatre, Servant Stage Company, and the Fulton Theatre.
Caleb Heckman is a teachre, actor, and music director in Lancaster County. He has music directed summer camps for the Lancaster Academy for the past 5 years, as well as Anne of Green Gables and The Wizard of Oz. He has also music directed for Susquehanna Stage Company and Cavod Academy, and has appeared on stage in theatres around the county, including Cavod Theatre, PRiMA Theatre, Servant Stage Company, and the Fulton Theatre.
Instrumental Department
Sandy Johnson, Orchestra Director
Sandy Johnston grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania where she began her study of violin with Salvadore Cresce. She earned her B.S. in Music Education and M.A. in Music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a concentration on violin where she studied with Delight Malitsky. In order to become a string specialist while at IUP she also took viola lessons from Larry Perkins and cello lessons from Jane Trimarki. Sandy taught instrumental music in the Indiana Area School District until her daughter was born. Always maintaining a private studio at home, most recently Sandy has taught at Lancaster County Christian School and Lancaster Bible College. She is the director of Summer Strings at LBC, is part of a performing trio, Accord Trio, and plays for various local groups. Sandy and her husband, Scott, along with their children, Annie and Seth, live in Lititz.
Sandy Johnston grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania where she began her study of violin with Salvadore Cresce. She earned her B.S. in Music Education and M.A. in Music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a concentration on violin where she studied with Delight Malitsky. In order to become a string specialist while at IUP she also took viola lessons from Larry Perkins and cello lessons from Jane Trimarki. Sandy taught instrumental music in the Indiana Area School District until her daughter was born. Always maintaining a private studio at home, most recently Sandy has taught at Lancaster County Christian School and Lancaster Bible College. She is the director of Summer Strings at LBC, is part of a performing trio, Accord Trio, and plays for various local groups. Sandy and her husband, Scott, along with their children, Annie and Seth, live in Lititz.
Kathy Horein, Band Director
Katheen is a graduate of Ball State University with a B.S. in Music Education. After relocating to Pennsylvania, she received her Master’s degree from West Chester University and taught music in the Central Dauphin School District and the School District of Lancaster. Kathleen most recently taught instrumental and general music at Lancaster Country Day School. Kathleen has performed with the Harrisburg, Lancaster and York Symphonies. She has also performed with the Allegro chamber orchestra, Lancaster and Reading Pops orchestras, the Lancaster Woodwind Quintet and the Fulton Theater and Opera Lancaster’s pit orchestras. She is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. She is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Delta Pi and Pi Lambda Theta. Kathleen is a former faculty member of the York Music Center Summer Camp and Strings Excell Music Camp. She is currently serving on the board of the Lancaster County Youth Symphony and the Lancaster/York Musicians Union.
Katheen is a graduate of Ball State University with a B.S. in Music Education. After relocating to Pennsylvania, she received her Master’s degree from West Chester University and taught music in the Central Dauphin School District and the School District of Lancaster. Kathleen most recently taught instrumental and general music at Lancaster Country Day School. Kathleen has performed with the Harrisburg, Lancaster and York Symphonies. She has also performed with the Allegro chamber orchestra, Lancaster and Reading Pops orchestras, the Lancaster Woodwind Quintet and the Fulton Theater and Opera Lancaster’s pit orchestras. She is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. She is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Delta Pi and Pi Lambda Theta. Kathleen is a former faculty member of the York Music Center Summer Camp and Strings Excell Music Camp. She is currently serving on the board of the Lancaster County Youth Symphony and the Lancaster/York Musicians Union.
James Martin, Percussion Instructor
James Martin is a percussionist and drummer who performs with numerous groups and in various venues. He is a member of Manor BIC Church and plays for the praise band. He has two degrees from Millersville University and teaches percussion at various locations. Jim has performed for the Academy's orchestra and musicals and coached a couple of students on their parts with the orchestra.
James Martin is a percussionist and drummer who performs with numerous groups and in various venues. He is a member of Manor BIC Church and plays for the praise band. He has two degrees from Millersville University and teaches percussion at various locations. Jim has performed for the Academy's orchestra and musicals and coached a couple of students on their parts with the orchestra.
George Yellak, Guitar Instructor
Fine Arts Department
Jean Newswanger, Fine Arts Instructor
Jean graduated from Grace College with a B.S. in Fine Arts. She has been involved with the Academy since 2004, along with her 4 children and husband, Keith. She has served in many different areas of the Academy and is excited to be involved in building the Fine Arts department and serving as Executive Director. Her passion for the glory of God in the arts and her love of homeschooling motivate her commitment to the Academy.
Jean graduated from Grace College with a B.S. in Fine Arts. She has been involved with the Academy since 2004, along with her 4 children and husband, Keith. She has served in many different areas of the Academy and is excited to be involved in building the Fine Arts department and serving as Executive Director. Her passion for the glory of God in the arts and her love of homeschooling motivate her commitment to the Academy.
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