Our Teachers
Our caring, nurturing teachers cannot wait to meet you!
Our caring, nurturing teachers cannot wait to meet you!
Cristina Faicco -Hall
Director/Voice/Piano
Cristina is an educator, singer, and actress with over 25 years of performance experience. Having taught for over a decade, Cristina works with singers and pianists to develop their technique and nurture their passion. Her students are often seen in lead or supporting roles in school and community theater, are accepted into All-County and All-State chorus, receive perfect or near-perfect NYSSMA scores, get accepted to prestigious music schools, and perform on Broadway and in National Tours. She is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA), and New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) and is fascinated with new research in education and singing.
Cristina appeared on Broadway in the original production of Les Misérables and has been seen on the stage of the John W. Engeman Theatre, Theatre Three, Broadhollow Theatre Company, and Plaza Theatrics. As a member of Growing Up Broadway, Cristina regularly performs at Feinstein’s/54 Below. She has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from the Ithaca College School of Music.
Brielle Budway
Voice/Piano
Brielle (She/Her) is a music educator with a passion for voice, piano, and theater. Her musical story began when she enrolled in a local studio for performing arts at the age of 3, and later started taking piano lessons. She was always an active member in the music community being in choir, orchestra, and band all throughout high school along with participating in the school musicals. Her first two years of college were spent at Suffolk County Community College, where she continued to participate in all but two ensembles including the jazz band as a pianist and the Suffolk Singers. This is where she got her first experience teaching; a student-run a capella group in which she arranged music. Brielle then transferred to Mansfield University of Pennsylvania where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. During her time at MU, she continued to participate in the musicals (West Side Story and The Music Man) and performed with the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Wind Ensemble. She performed twice at Carnegie Hall with the Concert Choir; one of which was Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday performance of Candide. She has completed requirements for both vocal and instrumental teaching and incorporates ideas from both schools of thought to enhance her teaching ability. Her ultimate goal through teaching is to help students express themselves, and strengthen their self-confidence.
Kate Keating
Musical Theatre
Cristina is an educator, singer, and actress with over 25 years of performance experience. Having taught for over a decade, Cristina works with singers and pianists to develop their technique and nurture their passion. Her students are often seen in lead or supporting roles in school and community theater, are accepted into All-County and All-State chorus, receive perfect or near-perfect NYSSMA scores, get accepted to prestigious music schools, and perform on Broadway and in National Tours. She is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA), and New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) and is fascinated with new research in education and singing.
Cristina appeared on Broadway in the original production of Les Misérables and has been seen on the stage of the John W. Engeman Theatre, Theatre Three, Broadhollow Theatre Company, and Plaza Theatrics. As a member of Growing Up Broadway, Cristina regularly performs at Feinstein’s/54 Below. She has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from the Ithaca College School of Music.
Dimitra Vrosgou
Piano/Voice
Dimitra is engrossed in music. As a pianist, music theory and technique is instinctive to her. Dimitra broadens her expression and camaraderie with her professional endeavors as a cellist. She pursues goals as a singer-songwriter to verbalize life experiences that may resonate with others. A natural composer, Dimitra writes and arranges music in all genres, with respect to concrete music theory law balanced by the fluidity of feeling.
Dimitra believes music is a way of life and breath. It ebbs and flows, sustains and grows, may be fleeting or memorable. Having previous teaching experience, Dimitra is well-versed in establishing healthy building-blocks for musicians, honing theoretical and practical technique, and expanding passion projects. She integrates advanced concepts appropriately in her teachings.
Dimitra has studied piano jazz principles with Dr. Dave Llalama at Hofstra University. She has learned string technique, phrasing, and teamwork from accomplished cellist and professor, Tomoko Fujita at Stony Brook University and Hofstra University. Dimitra has also had the privilege to challenge her musicianship under the Director of Orchestras at Hofstra, Professor Adam Glaser. She owes her comprehension of the choral world to Adam Paltrowitz from Plainview Old-Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, and her training with Dr. David Fryling from Hofstra University. Her performance experience is wide and varied. Most notably, Dimitra played as a church organist and cantor for St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in Franklin Square. She has traveled as an alto in the Hofstra Chamber Choir and performed as a cellist in the Hofstra Chamber Orchestra and a variety of ensembles, including Hofstra’s Opera production of “The Fairy Queen.” She finds joy in accompanying others and music directing ensembles.
Dimitra aims to consistently update her teaching methods to meet the needs of the local community she serves. She believes in the power of connectivity to achieve goals and the effectiveness of private instruction to unleash artistry.
Jennifer Geissman
Voice/Piano
