Meet Our Team
Learn from the Best
LIHSA students benefit from Long Islandâs most prestigious and acclaimed arts training. We aim to guide each student to realize their full potential and our teaching faculty collectively bring a wealth of experience from the worldâs arts, entertainment and cultural industries. Their expertise across theatre, screen, the latest performance platforms and many other cultural areas provides students with the skills and knowledge to build successful careers, and instills them with the passion and confidence to become the regionâs next creative leaders.
LIHSA teachers are practicing artists, working at a high level within their respective careers, and are skilled masters of their crafts.
Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Nassau County
Deborah Coates, President
Michael Weinick, Vice President
Susan Bergtraum
Lawrence Greenstein
Michael A. Jaime
Martin R. Kaye
Fran N. Langsner
Robert “B.A.” Schoen
Nassau BOCES Administration
Larry J Leaven, District Superintendent/Chief Executive Officer
James R. Widmer, Deputy Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer
Anthony N. Fierro, Chief Administrator of Facilities Services and Capital Projects
Susan Maddi, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services
Dr. Sam Gergis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Education Management/RSIP
Susan McNulty, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education/Curriculum & Instruction
Regional Schools and Instructional Programs
Judith A. Hynes, Associate Director
Samuel McAleese, Interim Assistant Director
Dr. Peter J. Dalton, Workforce Development
Our Administration
Lindsay Rogan – Principal
Lindsay is a life-long dancer and performer having earned her BFA in Music Theatre from University at Buffalo. During and after college, she performed locally in professional productions until she began teaching.
During her time as an educator, Lindsay worked for the Diocese of Rockville Center creating theatre, dance, and curriculum for K-12 schools and serving as Director and Choreographer for 6+ school productions a year. Concurrently, she was earning her MA in Educational Theatre and English Education at New York University.
Lindsay was the founding Theatre Arts teacher at Millennium Brooklyn High School in Park Slope where she was Arts Department Chairperson and Instructional Leadership Team Chairperson. In New York City and Long Island, Lindsay has directed and choreographed hundreds of students, preparing them for dance competitions, college auditions, musicals, and careers in the arts. Her original production âFriday Night Liveâ was invited to the Shubert High School Theatre Festival on Broadway for outstanding writing, performances, and production value.
Lindsay is a NYS Certified English, Dance, and Theatre teacher as well as School Building Leader and School District Leader. She is a mom and wife who is honored to be a part of the LIHSA team and looks forward to working with and welcoming new faculty and students as our tremendous school continues to grow.
Student Support
Melissa Stencel – Guidance Counselor
Ms. Stencel lives in St. James and has three sons. She graduated with a BA in Political Science and a MA in Foundations of Education and Policy Studies from Hofstra University. She also holds a Masters in School Counseling from Long Island University. She has been part of the LIHSA team for 6 years. She has over a decade of experience working with higher education in both admissions and the student activities offices. A fun fact about Ms. Stencel is that she competed within both the Miss America and Miss USA organizations. She is inspired by seeing people put in hard work and learning from others who are passionate about what they do.Â
Jacqueline Collard – Social Worker
Geraldine Kehrns – Nurse
Jerry Nobile – Student Support & Admissions
Since joining LIHSA in 1995, Jerry has served as a teacher, mentor, guide, cheerleader, and so much more to three decades of performing and media arts students.
Jerry has drummed in just about every musical style and configuration: symphonic orchestras, jazz big bands, jazz combos, regional theater pits, pop and wedding bands, ballroom dance music, studio recording sessions, and countless times on LIHSAâs stage in support of school performances.
His role at LIHSA continues to evolve. For the past 3 years he has been the attendance coordinator, technology & student support, assisted with admissions for the summer arts program, assists with admissions for the academic school year, edits performance videos, updates portions of the LIHSA website, chaperones outside of school performance, and works behind the scenes in many ways to support the school.
Performing Arts
Natalie L’Etoile
L’aura Bagdziunas
Chris Brick
Kimberly Larkin
Francis Lees
Additionally, he has performed with Cabaret groups and solo featured performers at Donât Tell Mama, 54 Below, and The Cinema Arts Center. Most nights Francis can be found doing what he lovesâplaying. As a pianist, Francis has performed with various bands and ensembles in many localesâfrom local pubs to Carnegie Hall. Francis typically spends 200 nights a year performing.
An in-demand vocal accompanist, with perfect pitch, he boasts a large repertoire of music from the Great American Songbook and Broadway music. His keyboard knowledge, strong technical skill, affable personality, and warm disposition make him a favorite with his fellow musicians.
It is noteworthy to mention that Mr. Lees is the son of Francis Lees Sr., who has been an Economics professor at St John’s University, and Fordham University. As the Chairman of the department for many years, Francis senior bestowed an avid interest in Economics, fostered in many thought-provoking conversations over the years.
Alex Vietheer
After teaching music production at The Academy for Language and Technology, Alex was invited to join the LIHSA team in the Sonic Arts Department. When he is not teaching at LIHSA, Alex performs around Long Island and Manhattan, instructs private music lessons, and produces music. He is also an Adobe Certified Professional in graphic and video design. It is Alexâs goal to draw upon all of his experience in the industry to create engaging lessons that focus on real-world applications to provide students an opportunity to practice the skills needed to be marketable in their future industries.
Media Arts
Kevin Edwards
Christopher Fedorczak
Chris is a chair of the SkillsUSA 3-D Visualization Competition in Syracuse, NY, where his students have won multiple âbest in showsâ at the Long Media Art Show and recognition at SkillsUSA state and national competitions. His past students have received multiple scholarships from the work they have done in school.
Chris holds career and technical teaching licenses as well as administrative licenses and teaches animation courses at Nassau Community College, Briarcliff College, and the NYFA.
Michael Minerva
Robyn Morgan
Production Managerial Arts
John Vaiano
Arts Exploration Skills
Melissa Dorcemus
Support Staff
Rachel Ferrara – Typist Clerk
Katia Foerschner – Purchasing
Jessica Hancock- Teachers Assistant
Kira LoMele Bunce – Teachers Aide
Lynn LaCorte- Teachers Aide