Meet Our Team

PIANO, VOICE, AND SUMMER CAMP INSTRUCTOR

Emily is a summa cum laude graduate of Westminster Choir College, where she majored in Music Education and Voice, and a graduate of Drexel University, where she received her Masters Degree in Music Therapy. Emily currently works as a music teacher and music therapist for the CCIU, voice/piano teacher at CCSA, and has been a Music Director for several Revival Productions. In addition to being a professional singer, Emily has directed over 20 musical productions. Some favorites from the Director's Chair include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Into the Woods, The Music Man, Seussical, and Grease. Favorite on-stage appearances include Crazy For You (Polly), My Fair Lady (Eliza), Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie) and Oklahoma! (Laurey). Emily resides in Downingtown with her husband and two sons, and is thrilled to be a part of the CCSA/Revival community! 

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

TAP DANCE, THEATER, MUSIC, AND ART INSTRUCTOR

Emily began dancing at the age of 12. During her years as a dancer, Emily trained in many styles including: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, Lyrical and Hip Hop. During these years, Emily studied under the CDTA and RAD syllabi and completed several examinations, up to RAD Intermediate Foundations. 

As a dancer, Emily achieved many awards at regional events, and went on to train professionally with Ballet Kelowna. She is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts with a major in Musical Theatre and minor in Playwriting. Emily went on to have a successful career working as a cancan dancer and choreographer, has worked on many film and television sets as a background performer, and lead several dance workshops to children in the communities she's performed in.

Emily teaches tap, musical theater, art, music, and acting at Chester County School of the Arts and is excited to spread the love of art far and wide.

SUMMER CAMP INSTRUCTOR

Michael Covel is an actor, musician, and teaching artist from Montgomery County, PA. A theatre graduate of DeSales University, he has performed professionally for the last 7 years and is excited to be sharing his knowledge and experience with the campers here at CCSA . Regional theatre credits include: People's Light Theatre, The Walnut Street Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Act II Playhouse, Montgomery Theater, Heartwood Regional Theatre, and Revival Productions. Michael is looking forward to a fun productive two weeks!

FOUNDER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Heather Grayberg is a producer, director, choreographer, performer, and consultant serving the Greater Philadelphia area. With a career spanning over twenty-five years, she has performed professionally across the country and has been seen on creative teams throughout the region as a Director/Choreographer of over 75 productions. Heather holds a B.M. in Musical Theatre from Westminster College of the Arts and a Master’s in Arts Management and Executive Leadership from Rider University, where she graduated with distinction. From educational to professional venues, some of her favorite directorial and choreography credits include Ruth: An Original Sight and Sound Production, The Spongebob Musical, Godspell, Bye Bye Birdie, The Wedding Singer, Mary Poppins, and many more! Heather is the owner of Rise Up Theatrics LLC, an arts consulting company specializing in strategic planning, producing, casting, and bringing organizational health solutions to arts and culture-based institutions, including prestigious organizations like the Levoy Theatre (Millville, NJ) and The Brandywine Ballet Company (West Chester, PA). She is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographer’s Society, a theatrical union. Heather is the founding director of Revival Productions and Chester County School of the Arts and while there has brought over $60,000 in subsidized tuition and tickets to area youth. Prior to Revival Productions, Heather served as a professor of Musical Theatre and Dance and as the Dance Coordinator for Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA. In addition to creating inspiring artistic experiences in both arts education and performance, Heather is passionate about arts advocacy, organizational leadership, and accessibility.

FACILITIES MANAGER

Steve dabbles in site security and safety. Steve is a retired IT professional and grandpa to two of the most wonderful Grayberg children, who also frequent CCSA. He was key to getting CCSA up and running in Parkesburg, and has broadly participated in the continuous improvement of the school and its facilities. Steve has been associated with performing arts since he was a kid, and plays drums in a band even today. His 45-year career in Information Technology was just a side-hustle

DRUMS AND GUITAR INSTRUCTOR

Sara Herman received her Masters of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Eastern University.  For the past three years, she has been seen as a substitute teacher for the Downingtown and Octorara school districts.  She is currently the Middle School Science teacher at West Fallowfield Christian School in Atglen, PA, where she also teaches percussion and guitar.  Ms. Herman has played in the pit for many productions, including Godspell, Working, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, and Songs for a New World.  She has also had the privilege of playing in the pit for two original musicals: Broken by Kevin Monaghan (2016) at Eastern University, and The Word by Bill Monaghan (2000-2001 Tri-State Tour).  She was last seen playing drum set for Revival Production’s 2021 of Godspell.  Ms. Herman also has Stage Combat experience (hand to hand, swords), and has worked choreographing Stage Combat for productions including Newsies, Peter Pan, Danny in the Deep Blue Sea, Twelfth Night, and Carousel.  Ms. Herman currently resides in Christiana with her husband and three children.

VOICE, PIANO, AND SAXOPHONE INSTRUCTOR

Matthew is a graduate of West Chester University with a Master of Music in Music Education-Performance. Outside of his cognate studies in voice, he has a passion for and research focus on classroom pedagogy for LGBTQIA+ students and vocal pedagogy for Trans, Gender Nonconforming, and nonbinary singers. Before his studies at West Chester University, Matthew graduated from Seton Hill University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, with secondary studies in music composition, piano, and saxophone. He was the sole recipient of the Sister Clementine Oler Memorial Award for Excellence in K-12 Certification, having been selected from a pool of all art, music, language, and physical education students in his graduating class. Matthew holds additional vocal pedagogy certifications from the Chicago Voice Lab in Gender Affirming Voice and Speech and the Estill Voice Method from Estill International. He has taught all vocal, instrumental, and general music levels in private, public, and specialized psychiatric settings throughout his seven-year career in Pk-12 music education. Currently, he is the Performing Arts Coordinator at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, NJ, overseeing music, theater, dance, and entertainment technology.

Matthew's experience as a performer and conductor includes opera, musical theater, solo recitals, liturgical music, and choral performances. As a conductor, Matthew was the assistant conductor of the Seton Hill University's Chamber Choir, Una Voce, served as the Director of Music for Scottdale United Methodist Church, and was the conductor of Revival Productions 2022 Readings and Carols concert. He has also conducted musicals and opera chorus, serving as the Choir Master for WCU Opera's production of L'elisir d'amore. An avid lover of choral music, Matthew has worked as a professional chorister soloist since 2014, having worked for several churches in Greensburg, performing with the Westmoreland Symphony Chamber Singers and taking part in the Voces Solis Summer Singers Chamber Choir in Pittsburgh. His most memorable performances are L'Enfant et le Sortilèges ( La Libellule/Le Petite Vieillard/And La Rainette), Messa di Gloria, and performing Carmina Burana with the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra. Matthew will perform with the New Jersey Lyric Opera and Boheme Opera NJ in their upcoming seasons.

DANCE INSTRUCTOR

Julianna's dance journey kicked off when she was just two years old, sparking a love for it that just kept growing. By seven, she was already competing in her ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theater, and pointe. As the years went by, she dove into the dance scene, attending conventions and master classes that helped her level up her abilities and explore new artistic ideas. Her passion for performing and creating choreography led her to major in dance in college. There, she got involved in musicals and countless dance showcases, which also included yer choreography. After moving to New Mexico for four years, Julianna soaked up the unique culture of the Southwest. This experience not only expanded her dance knowledge but also let her explore different cultural movements. While in New Mexico, she kept dancing and took more master classes, building her skills and connecting with the local dance community.

PIANO INSTRUCTOR

Renee Mendenhall received her B.S. in Music Education from The Pennsylvania State University and obtained her M.M. in Music Education from Northwestern University. She taught public school instrumental and general music for ten years. She serves as piano accompanist and pit orchestra musician (performing on clarinet, saxophone, keyboard) for a local high school and enjoys performing in retirement homes and churches as well as busking on the streets with her accordion and ukulele.

DIRECTOR OF DANCE

JAZZ, CONTEMPORARY, BALLET, SUMMER CAMP INSTRUCTOR, AND ELEVATE DANCE COMPANY INSTRUCTOR

Jessica Newsome, affectionately referred to as Miss Jess, has always had a love for dance. Originally from South Jersey (OCNJ area), Miss Jess grew up taking dance, acro and contortion classes. Throughout her childhood, she had the opportunity to compete on two National award-winning competition teams, she competed in multiple pageants and talent shows (crowned “Future Miss Cape May County") and had the opportunity to perform in many community events, including a half time show for the Harlem Globetrotters.

In her adult career, Miss Jess was offered an opportunity to train and teach at Dance Dynamics, under the direction of MaryBeth Clark, where she fell in love with creating choreography. In 2010, she moved to New York City where she was enrolled in the Ballet/Contemporary Certificate Program, through the Peridance Center, under the direction of Igal Perry. After completing the program, she moved back home and finished out the rest of her associate degree in human development and family studies through Penn State. Miss Jess currently resides in Honey Brook, PA with her husband and their three children.

Miss Jess is new to Chester County School of the Arts, but not new to dance. She is big on technique and discipline in the classroom, but also believes that dance should be FUN and a safe outlet for kids and adults of all ages to express themselves through movement. Her favorite styles of dance are Jazz and Contemporary, and she has won many awards for her stunning choreography over the years, to include Choreographer of the Year 2023. She is excited to grow the NEW Dance Company at CCSA and help to mold such talented young people.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Robert serves as the Operations Manager, Summer Camp Director, and Social Media Coordinator at Chester County School of the Arts, where he oversees the day-to-day administrative functions of the school and discusses planning and execution of its dynamic summer programming. With a strong foundation in both the performing arts and business operations, Robert plays a key role in ensuring a seamless experience for students, families, and staff alike. As a 2022 graduate of DeSales University, Robert holds a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Business Administration and Accounting. This unique combination of artistic training and business allows him to bridge creative vision with strategic management, fostering a vibrant, efficient, and student-centered environment. Passionate about arts education and committed to organizational excellence, Robert brings a collaborative spirit and a deep love for theatre and dance to every aspect of his work at CCSA.

DANCE INSTRUCTOR

Lee Twombly (he/him/his) is a singer, actor, and dancer currently based in Lancaster, PA. He started dancing sophomore year of high school as part of the Franklin High School Dance Company. He then joined Orchesis Dance Company at Grove City College for a year, where he danced/choreographed in two full-scale productions. Soon after, Lee furthered his education by studying Musical Theatre at the Sight & Sound Conservatory and graduated earlier this year. He specializes in jazz and acro, but loves teaching/learning an assortment of styles. He continues to grow as a dancer by doing things like CLI Conservatory's Summer Intensives and classes in NYC. In his free time, Lee loves to run, swim, and hike. So excited to be here! :)