Zaidee Bliss (Food for Wellness) specializes in showing everyday people how to take advantage of the least expensive and most efficient ways to get healthy – eating well, moving well and sleeping well. She is an anatomy geek, health nut, animal lover and has been a Yoga teacher, health coach since 2004. She graduated from the Kripalu school of Ayurveda as an Ayurveda counselor in May 2024. Her offerings are influenced by her study and practice of Ayruveda, and a fascination with healthy functional movement and pain-free living. Everything she teaches comes from the desire to help her students and clients find a sense of peace and joy in their life. When Zaidee is not with clients or teaching yoga classes, you can find her in a beautiful little nook of Upstate New York with her songwriting husband, three spoiled cats, 8 or so chickens and their beautiful active dog.
Scott Carrino (Tai Chi) holds a BA in Literature from Hofstra University (1980) and a Massage Therapy License (1986), with a lifelong dedication to Tai Ji and the exploration of human consciousness. His diverse career includes roles as a publisher, editor, community activist, environmental lobbyist, stagehand supervisor, theater set designer, and lighting designer for various arts organizations. He has also designed and built both conventional and alternative houses and is an avid organic gardener. Along with his wife Lisa, Scott owns and operates Round House Bakery and previously ran Round House Bakery Café. A singer/songwriter and percussionist, he has performed at various venues over the years. Since 1985, Scott has taught Tai Ji and explored deepening human relationships through it, and as a founding member of Pompanuck Farm, he is committed to living a joyful, honest, and transparent life with his family.
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.
Emily Cushing (Discover Your Strength) Emily is not just any fitness instructor; she is a strong first certified instructor dedicated to helping you reclaim your strength and tackle any challenges that come your way. With her expertise and enthusiasm, Emily ensures that each class is not only effective but also enjoyable and inspiring.
Terry Dansin (Gentle Movement & Dance) has lived in Washington County for over 30 years and has been a high school science teacher for the past ten years. Terry began dancing in high school with the Mahopac High School Dance Company and upon moving to this area was fortunate to begin dancing again with The Dance Company of Cambridge (formerly Margaret Wagner and Dancers) where she performed with the Ensemble for a few years. She has continued to study ballet and more recently Irish step at Hubbard Hall. She has also taken many different classes over the years in the local NY/VT area which also includes contemporary dance and pilates. She enjoys sharing with others her love of movement with musicality and the benefits that dance can provide to the body and mind.
Gina Mammone Deibel (Bollywood) danced with Nataraj Performing Arts in Hadley, MA for more than 10 years, studying classical Indian dance in the Odissi style and various folk traditions under artistic director/guru Ranjanaa Devi. Gina’s background in dance also includes jazz, modern, tap, ballet, flamenco, Middle Eastern, lindy-hop, and yoga. She is a certified BollyX instructor, has served as a regional delegate for National Dance Week Foundation, holds degrees in Childhood Education and Television/Film Studies from Boston University, has taught in the US and the UK, and has performed throughout the Northeast.
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 Cambridge/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 part of the Hubbard Hall Irish Dance program as an instructor.
Darcy May (Drawing, Irish Step Dance) Darcy May is a 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, Irish Dance and Drawing. Since 2013 she has worked as an assistant in the Hubbard Hall offices. She also illustrates children’s books.
Bliss McIntosh (Tune Jam, Community Garden, Food for Wellness) 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.
Mandy McKillop is a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist in private practice since 1995. She earned her BA at Binghamton University and her Massage Therapy degree at the Somerset School of Massage Therapy. She also practices Energy Healing and offers meditation gatherings and support at Studio 3 in Cambridge, NY. Through her work she supports and enhances healing, wellness, vitality, and the expansion of body-mind health. She brings compassion, love, and a strong foundational knowledge and understanding of the body’s anatomy and physiology to her work.
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 early dance training from the Carter School of Dance in Maryland, where she studied ballet (Cecchetti Method), tap, jazz, modern, pointe, and hip hop. She went on to receive her B.S. in Dance from Radford University in 2001, graduating with honors. In addition to performing in Ballet and Modern productions while at Radford, Lindsay was also one of the original members of the RU Cloggers. Since graduating, Lindsay has focused her career on teaching. Lindsay has experience teaching creative movement, tumbling, ballet, tap, jazz, modern, pointe, hip hop and liturgical and has worked with ages 2 yrs-adults. In addition to teaching, Lindsay spent 2 years performing professionally with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. Footworks performs Appalachian Clogging, Irish, Cape Bretton Step Dancing, South African Boot Dances, Hambone, and Tap. Beyond the dance world, Lindsay works as an Elementary Teaching Assistant and is a wife and mother.
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) Jenette is a certified yoga instructor and dedicated Pilates teacher with expertise in guiding students of all levels. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes safe, effective techniques tailored to each individual’s goals and abilities, fostering balance, strength, and personal growth. Whether leading private sessions, semi-private lessons, or group classes, She creates a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages students to embrace their unique journeys. She holds a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification from Yoga Renew and Pilates Mat Certifications from Power Pilates in New York City. She is currently completing the comprehensive Art of Contrology® Pilates Instructor Training Program under the mentorship of Second-Generation Pilates Instructor Simona Cipriani. Her commitment to lifelong learning has also led her to additional studies in Yin yoga, restorative yoga, children’s yoga, anatomy, breathwork, and pelvic floor health.
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.
Shannon Woodcock (Food for Wellness) is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner based in Cambridge, NY. She specializes in digestive and metabolic health. Using diet, exercise, sleep and stress management tools she supports her clients in bringing balance back to their body. www.shannonwoodcocknutritionaltherapy.com
