Meet our star-studded board & staff!

Welcome to the Board of Directors page at Westinghouse Arts Academy. Our board members play a critical role in shaping the vision and direction of our school.

We are fortunate to have a diverse group of individuals who bring a wide range of skills and experiences to the board. Our members include educators, artists, business leaders, and community advocates who are all dedicated to providing exceptional arts education to our students.

Our board provides oversight and guidance to ensure that the school is fulfilling its mission to nurture artistic talent, academic excellence, and personal growth. We work closely with the school administration to establish policies, approve budgets, and make strategic decisions that benefit our students and faculty.

We are proud of the work we do and the impact we have on the lives of our students. We believe that arts education is an essential component of a well-rounded education and that it provides students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life.

Click to view our board policies.

Bill Pricener

Bill Pricener is a lifelong resident of the Borough of Wilmerding, where his family has lived since the 1890s. He is a graduate of the East Allegheny School District, Class of 1980 and the Pennsylvania State University. Bill has been employed by the YMCA of Greater for the past 32 years, where he currently serves as the Executive Director of the Allegheny YMCA, on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Dexter Hariston

Dexter has spent his professional career working in education and the not-for-profit sector. He currently mentors four young professionals in (3) different states. He has strong relationships with several local universities and school districts. Most notably, McKeesport Area School District as he has coordinated summer school programming and teen programming collaboratively for 15 years.

Dexter completed the Multi-Cultural Executive Development Institute and has used his knowledge to impact many young aspiring professionals in a variety of fields. He is loyal, self-motivated, and a good communicator with a passion for youth development. Currently he volunteers with several youth serving organizations to stay involved with the ever-changing challenges facing today’s youth. He serves on two community boards in an effort to strengthen post-secondary educational opportunities for local scholars. He was a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (F.B.I.) prestigious Adopt-A-School Advisory Board which assisted local school districts in need of additional student support services. Dexter is originally from Teaneck, N.J. He attended Teaneck High School and was inducted into their Hall of Fame for his academic and athletic accomplishments. He attended the University of Pittsburgh where he played football on a full athletic scholarship. He and wife Jennifer have a 13-year-old son Drew. Dexter enjoys reading, writing, family travel and golf. His favorite activity is attending Pitt football games in the fall with family and friends.

Dr. John Hisiro

Dr. John Hisiro is a retired educator with six and a half years as a teacher and twenty eight years of administrative experience including eight years as a superintendent. He is currently teaching graduate level courses for Marshall University.

Greg Jakub

Greg Jakub is the proud Mayor of his hometown of Wilmerding, PA. Mr. Jakub is currently the Director of Business Operations at Wizzard.

Ms. Gibson

Ms. Gibson is a veteran educator with nearly thirty years experience as both a classroom teacher and administrator. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and her Master’s degree in Instructional Leadership. She taught in the Special Education Department in Pittsburgh Public Schools for twenty years. She completed seven years in Administration at PPS, serving as a Vice-Principal and three different times as an Interim Principal. During her time teaching at MLK Elementary she was named Outstanding Teacher of The Year. Ms. Gibson is certified in Special Education and as a Principal.

Dr. Marinelli

Dr. Marinelli co-founded the world-renowned Carnegie Mellon Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) and served as a tenured Professor of Drama and Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University. Since retiring in 2012, he consults around his interests in technology and education.

Gloria Rayman

Gloria Rayman is the Director of Business Development with SMARTSolution Technologies. She brings expertise gained from a dynamic 25-year career in marketing, sales and business development. Her roles span the professional audio visual, high-end niche media and entertainment.

Dance

Tracy Casciato

412-646-1718 Ext. 8039
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Mrs. Tracey Casciato is the head of the Dance Department here at Westinghouse Arts Academy. Having been teaching in the industry for over 30 years as well as co-owning/directing her own dance studio and competitive dance team,where she is an award winning choreographer. Mrs. Casciato is extremely well-versed in all styles of dance. While she currently teaches mostly juniors and seniors, you can find her observing and overseeing all dance classes, choreographing performances for school productions or working at her studio, Studio G Dance Center. Tracey has taught dancers who have gone on to be professional dancers and performers for theme parks, cruise ships, and equity stages. Miss Tracey is overjoyed to be returning for her third year here at WAA!

Taylor Robinson

Mr. Taylor Robinson is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Point Park University. While attending, he performed in pieces set by esteemed choreographers such as Terrence Marling, Christopher Huggins, Randy Duncan and Robert Battle. Immediately following graduation, he embarked on the Disney Cruise Lines fleet as a main stage performer. Back ashore, he began his education career with Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School, The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Point Park University, Seton Hill University and many other independently operated studios where he teaches and choreographs. Taylor believes his greatest accomplishment is the success of his students on and off the stage and their continued growth and development in the art of dance. His hope is that dance is the vehicle through which they get to experience the best parts of their life and carry it with them whether they dance professionally or otherwise.

Stephanie Tolbert-King

412-646-1718 Ext. 8020
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Stephanie Tolbert-King has 13 years of professional dance training and 11 years of experience teaching and choreographing. She has training in a diversity of styles from modern to ballroom. She graduated from Eastern University with a BA in dance. Her teaching assistantship experience in higher education includes Temple University, Drexel University and Eastern University. In 2013, she was awarded a full tuition scholarship from American Dance Festival, Durham, NC. Her choreography has been recognized by internationally renowned adjudicators at several American College Dance Festivals. Her choreography credits include Philadelphia and Wilmington Fringe Festivals, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers present Inhale Performance Series (Philly), WAXworks (Brooklyn), Amalgamate Artist Series (Manhattan), American College Dance Festival (Penn State and Hofstra University), 7Midnights Physical Research (Manhattan), That Which Connects: Camden’s Festival of Dance, and Ground for Sculpture (NJ). Stephanie has performed in pieces originally choreographed by Isadora Duncan, Michel Fokine and Dr. Kariamu Welsh. She choreographed/performed as a company member for 2 seasons with MM2 Modern Dance Company and Introspective Movement Project. She was Site Director and dance teacher in New Orleans for 3 years with Indigenous Pitch Dance Collective, as well as First Position Dance Arts and Academy of Social Dance (PA).
Stephanie was a full-time lead dance teacher at Success Academy Charter Schools, the largest and highest performing charter school network in NYC. Her other dance teaching credits include The Harvey School, a private, college-preparatory school in Katonah, NY, Ridgefield School of Dance and Conservatory of Dance, Wilton, CT. In 2020, she became Dance Program Director at MVP Camp in Honesdale, PA, where she founded the dance program. Stephanie is the founder and artistic director of TK Dance Lab, a dance company and virtual platform that connects artists across area codes, and uses dance to advocate for equity and social change. In 2021, Stephanie received a residency with Mignolo Arts in Metuchen, NJ, where she prepared and presented her full-length work, Algorithms, AI & The Machine. Stephanie is certified with the NAAADT (National Association of American African Dance Teachers) to teach Umfundalai, a contemporary-African dance technique founded by Dr. Kariamu Welsh. Stephanie was also the Founding Dance Teacher at Catalyst Academy Charter School, where she founded the dance program, curated 5 arts showcases independently, developed a dance club for scholars with additional investment in dance as an art form, and provided scholars with quality dance education as part of their curriculum.
Stephanie is now a full-time dance faculty member at Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School, where she is excited to be educating both dance majors and other arts majors in the dance department. Her current coursework includes Core 3 and Core 4 Ballet/Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Tap and Intro to Dance, and includes technique, choreography, composition, improvisational techniques, and performance.

Emma C. Frank

Emma C. Frank (she/her) is a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, actor and singer. A Pittsburgh native, Miss Emma is the first WAA alum to return as an employee. In addition to WAA, she is also a Pittsburgh CLO Professional Development Program and Studio G Dance Team alum who swiftly moved to New York City upon graduation. She has worked in multiple elements of the performing arts across the country, including theme park credits, professional union stages for both theatrical and concert dance productions, television, film, music videos, and in-house and guest choreography. Emma is so happy to be back in the ‘Burgh dancing and teaching with such fabulous students at Westinghouse Arts!

Digital Arts

Jon (Rob) Shultz

412-646-1718 Ext. 8017
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Jon (Rob) Shultz’s design aesthetic revolves around a pinch of a retro flair mixed in with a bit of an art-deco and industrial influences. His work ranges from graphic design to product and mixed media design to painting and sculpture. Shultz has worked with major brands/clients including Harley-Davidson, Coca-Cola, Playboy, Littlearth, RUE 21, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Spencer Gifts, REI, Hobie, Eyetique, and MTV. His work has evolved and has taken front and center on a world wide stage. His work for bands including Nine Inch Nails, Front 242, Depeche Mode, and The Clark’s helped cement his gutsy, industrial edge. From the runways of New York Fashion Week to showrooms and stores all over the world, Shultz’s creations have sold in the millions. Now an instructor at Westinghouse Arts Academy, Shultz has found a great home where he brings a cornucopia of experience and a lifetime of real world success.

Alea DelPrete

412-646-1718 Ext. 8010
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Jon (Rob) Shultz’s design aesthetic revolves around a pinch of a retro flair mixed in with a bit of an art-deco and industrial influences. His work ranges from graphic design to product and mixed media design to painting and sculpture. Shultz has worked with major brands/clients including Harley-Davidson, Coca-Cola, Playboy, Littlearth, RUE 21, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Spencer Gifts, REI, Hobie, Eyetique, and MTV. His work has evolved and has taken front and center on a world wide stage. His work for bands including Nine Inch Nails, Front 242, Depeche Mode, and The Clark’s helped cement his gutsy, industrial edge. From the runways of New York Fashion Week to showrooms and stores all over the world, Shultz’s creations have sold in the millions. Now an instructor at Westinghouse Arts Academy, Shultz has found a great home where he brings a cornucopia of experience and a lifetime of real world success.

Instrumental Music Program

Travis Rigby

412-646-1718 Ext. 8032
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Mr. Travis Rigby is an educator, music director, composer, arranger, and orchestrator. He holds a Master’s Degree in Music Composition from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition from Trinity University. He holds a Pennsylvania PK-12 Music teaching certificate. He maintains an active membership in PMEA, ASCAP, and SCI. His music is published by T.U.X. People’s Music. He is active in the theater community as a music director. This is Travis’s fifth year teaching at WAA. He lives in Bethel Park with his wife Lauren and several pets.

Literary Arts

Genna Malatino

412-646-1718 Ext. 8025
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Genna Malatino received her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University with a major in English, minor in Technical Writing, and concentrations in Media Writing, Rhetoric and Writing, Creative Writing, and Professional Writing. During her time at Penn State, Genna worked for Penn State Learning as a Writing Tutor and serviced students, PhD, candidates, as well as professors. After her undergraduate degree, Genna went on to pursue a Master’s degree at Carnegie Mellon University and completed a program in Literary and Cultural Studies. During that time she worked as a Teacher’s Assistant for a freshman English course with students who studied English as a second language. After studying at CMU, Genna decided to pursue teaching full-time and got a Masters degree in Teaching: Secondary English from Chatham University. Professionally, Genna has worked as a copywriter for an educational firm located in New York City, as an instructional designer for an educational firm that focused on curating content for institutions in higher education, and as an Academic Counselor for students of varying disciplines and degree levels. Genna has had a wide array of experiences in writing and education, and brings that knowledge to the classroom at WAA.

Studio Arts

Bailey Chick

412-646-1718 Ext. 8013
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Bailey Chick is a visual artist whose practice is rooted in printmaking and drawing with a particular focus on domestic spaces and the influence these spaces have on development and identity. Chick teaching philosophy seeks in both projects and practice to challenge, compell personal and cultural reflective skills, and build a community of compassionate accountability. Prior to starting to teach at Westinghouse Arts Academy in 2018, she was adjunct faculty at The University of Delaware and taught workshops at The Philly Art Center. She has exhibited her work nationally and internationally, and worked as an arts administrator and a curator. When not teaching she can be found coaching North Allegheny High School’s varsity rowing team and spending time with her fiance, Joe and fuzzy pitbull, Maple. Chick holds a BA in Studio Art from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and an MFA from the University of Delaware.

Austenne Gniadek

412-646-1718 Ext. 8026
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Austenne Gniadek earned a bachelors in K-12 art education and a masters in further studies in secondary education both from California University of Pennsylvania. She has experience in a wide variety of mediums, however, gravitates towards working in colored pencil, pen and ink, and watercolor. Austenne began teaching at Westinghouse Arts Academy in spring of 2021 and is the faculty leader for Westinghouse’s summer art camps and our chapter of National Art Education Association. Austenne is also an avid art history enthusiast and loves to learn and discuss art throughout time. Outside of teaching, Austenne keeps busy with her Australian Shepherd pup, Indigo. Her personal teaching philosophy leads her teaching style to be flexible, understanding, and comprehensive in all aspects of art and its history. Austenne aims to teach empathy, creative problem solving and creative thinking in all aspects of the curriculum.

Makenna Wingrove

412-646-1718 Ext. 8027
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Makenna Wingrove holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Penn West University. She is a jack of all trades, but enjoys sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking most of all. Makenna began teaching at Westinghouse Art Academy in 2021. Her teaching philosophy encourages students to tap into their own unique artistic talent while also being pulled out of their comfort zone. Creativity is essential to succeed in an interdisciplinary education and students should be encouraged to express their individuality. When she is not at school you can usually find her at the AMC movie theater surrounded by buckets of popcorn.

Theatre Arts

Rebecca R. Lustig | Head of Theatre Arts Department

412-646-1718 Ext. 8040
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Rebecca R. Lustig (She/Her) was born and raised in Ohio. She received her MFA in Theatre Management from Wayne State University, her MA in Theatre and Directing from Miami University, and her BA in Theatre Arts from Ashland University. Mrs. Lustig served as a Board Member at Large and Vice President for Wyoming Educators of Secondary Theatre, whose mission is to support and enhance quality theatre education in Wyoming schools. She served as the Artistic Producer for the Put-in-Bay Community Theatre, and the President of the Put-in-Bay Arts Council both in Put-in-Bay, OH. Mrs.Lustig served as the Acting Teacher for Gillette Performing Arts Workshop and worked on several community productions including: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, A Christmas Carol, HONK!, Annie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Zara Spook and Other Lures, Marisol, and Afraid of the Dark. In her free time, Mrs. Lustig served on the board for the Fur Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of families with animals. Mrs.Lustig is excited to start her second year with Westinghouse Arts Academy where she serves as the Head of the Theatre Arts Program, the Director of the International Thespian Society Troupe, and volunteer eSports Team faculty advisor. Mrs. Lustig strives to create an inclusive environment for all students to learn, be curious, have fun, and explore the world of Theatre Arts.

Ace Lowry | Acting / Theatre

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Rebecca R. Lustig (She/Her) was born and raised in Ohio. She received her MFA in Theatre Management from Wayne State University, her MA in Theatre and Directing from Miami University, and her BA in Theatre Arts from Ashland University. Mrs. Lustig served as a Board Member at Large and Vice President for Wyoming Educators of Secondary Theatre, whose mission is to support and enhance quality theatre education in Wyoming schools. She served as the Artistic Producer for the Put-in-Bay Community Theatre, and the President of the Put-in-Bay Arts Council both in Put-in-Bay, OH. Mrs.Lustig served as the Acting Teacher for Gillette Performing Arts Workshop and worked on several community productions including: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, A Christmas Carol, HONK!, Annie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Zara Spook and Other Lures, Marisol, and Afraid of the Dark. In her free time, Mrs. Lustig served on the board for the Fur Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of families with animals. Mrs.Lustig is excited to start her second year with Westinghouse Arts Academy where she serves as the Head of the Theatre Arts Program, the Director of the International Thespian Society Troupe, and volunteer eSports Team faculty advisor. Mrs. Lustig strives to create an inclusive environment for all students to learn, be curious, have fun, and explore the world of Theatre Arts.

Nicholas Lenz | Musical Theatre

412-646-1718 Ext. 8041

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Nathan Wagner, is a graduate of Youngstown State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He has over a decade of experience as a theatre artist and a lifetime of experience as a theatre lover. Though his degree is performance-based as an actor, he also has significant experience as a director, dramaturg, designer, and playwright. As an artist he seeks to promote empathy and encourage audiences to seek out unique voices and perspectives. As an educator he has a profound interest in cultivating the passions of fellow artists and igniting the interests of burgeoning students of theatre. He is a collaborator by practice and by philosophy, and he strives to create a theatrical and educational space where all can be welcomed and comfortable.

Nathan Wagner | Acting Teacher

Nathan Wagner, is a graduate of Youngstown State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He has over a decade of experience as a theatre artist and a lifetime of experience as a theatre lover. Though his degree is performance-based as an actor, he also has significant experience as a director, dramaturg, designer, and playwright. As an artist he seeks to promote empathy and encourage audiences to seek out unique voices and perspectives. As an educator he has a profound interest in cultivating the passions of fellow artists and igniting the interests of burgeoning students of theatre. He is a collaborator by practice and by philosophy, and he strives to create a theatrical and educational space where all can be welcomed and comfortable.

Vocal Music Program

Anna Very

412-646-1718 Ext. 8022
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Miss Very graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. Certified in K-12 Music Education, Miss Very has taught in both middle and high school settings in North Carolina, American Sāmoa, and north central Pennsylvania. She has taught a variety of music courses, directed multiple musicals, and coached students all the way to state festivals. She also serves as the staff director for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, a summer camp that provides students from all over the world with an opportunity to work on their chosen art with leading professionals in their field. At Westinghouse, she has dedicated her time to creating a strong vocal program with core values focusing on community, positive and safe spaces, innovative musicianship, and a commitment to excellence.

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