Meet Our Team

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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.

EDUCATION COORDINATOR, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, AND DANCE INSTRUCTOR

Julianna’s dance journey started in New Jersey and  began at the tender age of two, igniting a passion that flourished throughout her childhood. By seven, she was already competing in a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theater, and pointe.

As she grew older, Julianna became deeply immersed in the competitive dance scene, attending conventions and master classes that enhanced her technical skills and broadened her artistic horizons. Her love for performance and choreography inspired her to pursue a college major in Dance. During her college years, she showcased her talent in multiple musicals and numerous dance showcases, many of which featured her original choreography.

After, Julianna spent four enriching years in New Mexico, where she embraced the vibrant culture of the Southwest. This experience further broadened her dance education, allowing her to explore diverse cultural movement styles. While living there, she continued her training through master classes, refined her technique, and forged meaningful connections within the local dance community.

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.

ACTING INSTRUCTOR

Gina’s professional journey in the theatre began at a young age, guided by a deep

love for storytelling and the stage. She launched her acting career in Houston,

Texas, before moving to New York City to pursue postgraduate training at the

Circle in the Square Professional Acting Program. Over the course of a 40-plus-

year career, she has had the great privilege of inhabiting a wide range of beloved

roles, including Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Lady Anne in Richard III, and Celia in

As You Like It.

Her artistic foundation was shaped by extraordinary mentors whose influence

continues to resonate throughout her work, including José Quintero, Edward

Albee, and Annalee Jefferies, among others she holds in the highest regard.

Many years ago, Gina’s path led her back to her home city, Los Angeles, opening a

new chapter that expanded her craft into television, film, and voiceover. Her on-

screen and vocal work includes numerous commercials, the Netflix series Absurd

Planet, and several fictional podcast series, where her voice continues to bring

stories vividly to life.

Gina made her directorial debut over 20 years ago with the American classic The

Man Who Came to Dinner. Since then, she has directed stage productions across

the country, including touring productions, bringing a director’s eye shaped by a

lifetime on stage and a deep reverence for the theatrical tradition.

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

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! 

ACTING  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!

Dance 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.

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.

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.

DANCE INSTRUCTOR 

Christy Wesolowski is a highly motivated and performance driven dancer with 16 years of experience in delivering exceptional stage performances, with 6 of those years dedicated to competing at dance competitions all over the east coast. She’s experienced in most styles of dance including tap, modern, musical theatre, pointe, and ballet with special focus in contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. Throughout those 16 years she received many accomplishments and opportunties such as Two-time 1st Place Regional Champion at KAR Dance Competition, Received Hollywood Dance Invitational (2016) and Australia Dance Invitational (2017 & 2018), Participated in a master class in Philadelphia under the instruction of Tyce Diorio from “So You Think You Can Dance”, took class with the Rockettes in NYC and master classes at the Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, Participated in a Disney Audition Workshop in LA under the direction of one of Disney’s top choreographers, Modeled for KAR’s (Kids Artistic Revue) 2017 Dance Competition Campaign and many more. After graduating high school in 2019 she decided to take the next year off from dancing to focus on school but soon realized that she wanted nothing more than to get back into the studio, so she did. In 2021 Christy started her first official teaching job and found a new passion and love for dance she never knew she had. She has since choreographed and taught countless award-winning routines to students ranging from preschool to high school and continues to do so while also creating a fun, yet hardworking, environment.

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