Richard Cherry (Music Direction/Accompaniment) is a pupil of Herb Cohen who fenced on three US Olympic teams. Richard has been teaching sword-fencing in the local area since 1999. He has been the Musical Director for a number of theater companies in the region. Richard has been a faculty member of the Canberra School of Music in Australia and of the Rockland Conservatory of Music and the Blue Rock School in Rockland County, New York. He presently works in the Music Department at Skidmore College.
Nelson Clark (Tai Chi Chuan) began his practice of Tai Chi Chuan in 1983 when upon seeing a chiropractor for back issues due to construction work it was suggested that he try the practice of Tai Chi Chuan. Nelson slowly learned to move his body efficiently and correctly avoiding injury, and it’s been a wonderful journey of self awareness Physically, mentally, and emotionally. In 1990 he received his full Sifu certification and has taught extensively in New York and Connecticut. He teaches Yang style Tai Chi long form, short form, stick form, double edge sword, broad sword, Chi Kung, Nei kung, and sensitivity training exercises such as sticking hands. Nelson is also a N.Y.S board certified licensed massage therapist and a personal trainer. He is very passionate about teaching Tai Chi Chuan and is very much looking forward to teaching here at Hubbard Hall.
Maureen Cossey (Stage Manager) is a native of Cambridge, NY. She has worked on many prior productions at Hubbard Hall including The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Stage Manager), Madama Butterfly (chorus), Elixir d’Amor (chorus) and Tosca (chorus). She also works with the CCS Drama club as a vocal coach and stage manager. Maureen’s current engagements include Music Ministry at three local churches as well as being an adjunct instructor in music at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, VT. She thanks Hubbard Hall for continuing to allow her to learn and grow in the theater community.
Carolyn Exler (Early Childhood Music) has been teaching Early Childhood Music (ECM) for over 10 years and is very excited to bring this program to the Arlington/Manchester area! She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Tuba performance with a minor in Piano Performance from Michigan State University (MSU) and a Master of Music in Tuba performance from Western Michigan University. Carolyn has taught at the MSU Community Music School, The Flint Institute for Performing Arts, Gunma Kokusai Academy (in Ota, Gunma, Japan), and Randolph Elementary School. While at MSU, she studied under Dr. Cynthia Taggart, co-author of “Music Play: The Early Childhood Music Curriculum” which is the curriculum Carolyn uses as a base for her ECM classes. She is a certified music teacher in the state of Vermont. Carolyn lives with her husband and three cats (Kiki, Xylophone, and Mo) in Arlington, VT. She is a roller coaster enthusiast, plays tuba and piano in her free time, is currently learning bass guitar, and loves writing short tunes to use in her classes.
Jacquie West Farbman (Gyrokinesis) is a certified Gyrokinesis instructor with an M.A. degree in Movement Sciences from Columbia University. As a professional dancer she performed with Charles Weidman Dance Theatre and other dance companies in NY and California. She recently performed at 40th anniversary of a performing arts high school in NJ where she taught ballet and modern dance for 25 years. She also taught and directed the dance program at Monmouth University. Continuing education includes courses on balance and osteoporosis care/prevention.
Lauren Herrington (Jazz) has been dancing for over 25 years. She danced with The Dancin’ Place on Long Island, NY, focusing on ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip hop styles, and competed nationally at Performance Plus and Starpower dance competitions. In college, she was President of Del Sarte Dance Club, a student-led dance group that held performances twice a year. In addition to performing, Lauren also choreographed and taught classes throughout high school and college, and takes jazz and hip hop classes at Broadway Dance Center whenever she is in NYC.
Isabella Knecht (Irish Step Dance) grew up Irish dancing here at Hubbard Hall for ten years under Darcy May, assisting with classes for many of those years. She graduated from Covenant College in 2017 and Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. She now works locally as a veterinarian and is thrilled to be rejoining the Hubbard Hall Irish Dance program as an instructor.
Darcy May (Drawing, Irish Step Dance) is a 1985 graduate of the University of the Arts, Philadelphia where she majored in illustration. She studied Irish Dance as a child at Fay and O’Connell School of Irish Dance in Pearl River, NY, and danced with Wild Irish Acres of Saratoga Springs. Darcy has taught at Hubbard Hall since 2004. She also illustrates children’s books.
Bliss McIntosh (Tune Jam, Community Garden) has a BA in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University and has been a musician/ craftsperson/ dancer/ gardener/ cook for her whole life, passing on her knowledge along the way to anyone who will come along for the ride.
Gabi Moore (Painting & Watercolor) is an artist living and working in the Battenkill Valley and as an art teacher in Saratoga Springs. A Master of Fine Arts, she taught at Fordham University, Union College, and in art centers with people of all ages and also she continues to paint in her studio. She enjoys sharing the delightful processes of painting in watercolor with children and adults alike.
Lindsay Shaner (Ballet and Tap) received her B.S. in Dance from Radford University, graduating with honors. Since then, she has performed professionally with Footworks Percusive Dance Ensemble and spent the past 18 years teaching.
Rachel Sargood (Irish Step Dance) has been Irish dancing for more than 15 years, and has been an assistant dance teacher for 10 years under Darcy May. She teaches Irish Dance classes at Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts & Education.
Megan Stacey (Theatre, Arts & Crafts) is a local Director, Performer, Artist, Educator, and Professionally Fun woman based out of Saratoga, NY. After receiving degrees in New Media and Theatre and Performance (with a concentration in Directing) from Purchase College, she has taken her love for digital arts and performance across the creative fields, and the country. From serving as the Artist in Residence at the Billings Public Library in Montana, to devising immersive and site-specific performances at Historic Huguenot Street as the Arts and Interpretation Manager, to developing new performing arts curriculums across the capital region, she has found a way to foster creative communities wherever she can- and she is delighted to be part of the wonderful community here at Hubbard Hall! When she is not in a classroom, museum, library, or theatre, she loves playing board and video games, cooking soup, and spending time with her cat, Jesse.
Jenette Wilkinson (Pilates and Yoga) MBA, RYT 200 holds certifications in Pilates, yoga, children’s yoga, Yin & Restorative yoga, Breathwork, and Ayurveda + Self Care. She is currently working toward completing the Art & Science of Contrology Pilates Instructor Training comprehensive program under the guidance of Second-Generation Master Teacher Simona Cipriani. Jenette resides in the village of Cambridge, NY.
Sarah Wood (Hip Hop) has a B.A in Psychology and Dance from Bates College. She has been dancing since she was eight years old when she started Irish Dance with Darcy May. Since then she has explored hip hop, ballet, jazz, modern, and more. She believes that everyone should have access to the arts and loves learning, teaching and sharing dance with anyone and everyone.
