Summer Arts Program ~ Artists

Carla Campopiano

Carla Campopiano is an Argentine flutist and Composer specializing in tango and Latin American Music. She has developed a career in the US for a decade leading and accompanying varied ensembles of world music.

Carla performed in several stages in Argentina, US and Europe. She attended the “Escuela de Música Popular de Avellaneda”.

Since 2018 she has directed Carla Campopiano trio a project in collaboration with Gustavo Cortiñas, the project aims to build bridges of communication between cultures.

She is currently working in several projects, her most recent works were her last albums Chicago Buenos Aires Connections and Carla Campopiano Trio, both composed by jazz, tango and Latin American Repertoire.

She is currently in a collaboration project with cultural ambassador from Argentina as well as the singer Maryta de Humahuaca. Check out some of her latest work on her YouTube Channel: @Carla Campopiano

Maryta De Humanhuaca

The Argentine born Maryta de Humahuaca has been an important part of the Argentine Folk & ancestral chant scene for more than 20 years. Her rich musical heritage from Jujuy province results in delightful music. The songs roots are linked to the original songs of the world prevails. The singer has also been exposed to the world’s music, in more than 20 tours around the globe, which resulted in leaving performances open to improvisation and taking the chance for spirit ancestral music.

She is a Cultural Ambassador of Jujuy ProvinceWinner of the prestigious Atahualpa award “Nueva Jornada” 2011 – Similar to the US Grammy Award and has been Appointed Secretary of Culture for the Municipality of Humahuaca 2012

Maryta, has traveled the world performing her music at important venues, concerts, festivals, as well at lecturing on “Ancestral Chants” in Universities & Music Colleges, such as; Purmamarca , Argentina concert with the “Seven Colors orchestra”, Lima, Peru Chabuca Granda’s 99th Birthday Concert, Cuernavaca, Mexico Performed with the National Symphony, performed “Las Voces del Silencio by Maestro Jerez Le Cam, Buenos Aires, Argentina performed with The Argentine National Philarmonic Orchestra, Director Mariano Chiacchiarini at Kirchner Cultiual Center, Washington DC & New York, USA Tour 2019, performed at The Argentine Embassy, New York City Ancestral edge workshop at the New York School University., Latin American Cultural Week 2018 New York City Hamilton College, Clinton, New York – Participation in Saint’s Peter Church, New York, Bogota, Cali & Quindio, Colombia, Colombia Tour Peace & Reconciliation Center Bogota- Patino workshop, Cali – Rayo Museum, Roldanillo – Bandola Festival, Seville, Ancestral song Master class University of Quindio – Ancestral Singing Clinic at the Cali Institute of fine arts – Music for life School Geneva, Guadalajara, Mexico, Ancestral singing workshop at University of Guadalajara, Bibian Blumenthal Theatre – Tepoztlan Ancestral Singing workshop, Sao Paulo, Brazil – Ancestral Singing class, Juapanga Check out more of her work on her YouTube Channel: @Maryta De Humahuaca …. Maryta also has many Cd’s available for purchase.

Mary E. Grenchus:

Mary E. Grenchus is a singer, musician, composer, dancer, writer, photographer, performing arts director, and artist (oil, acrylics, pen and ink, charcoal, pastels). She loves supporting the arts, and making deeper connections with artists and within the arts community as she continuously uncovering what brings her soul happiness and joy. Mary creates the programs offered by the Grenchus Foundation and offers support in arts, faith, culture, health and well-being. She has a deep spirituality which can be seen in her work, her creations, and in her aspirations, goals dreams as well as the vision for the Foundation. Mary also advocates for culture as she has come into contact with many different cultures, and as her grandfather was Lithuanian-American and grandmother was Irish-American. She shares ethnic cultural traditions, enthusiasm and respect for different cultures and promotes others to do the same. She was also highly influenced by her first employer - a female entrepreneur - who owned her own small business in Fashion. As a female Entrepreneur herself, Mary promotes a deep sense of love, well-being, and flourishing, in others ~ all of which we find present here at the Foundation. Mary also engages in consultations with world leaders, religious leaders, and govt officials… as well as does transformational coaching and runs our Health, Fitness, and Well-Being program. She is the founder of The Grenchus Foundation and continues to advocate for the arts and artists in the midst of the pandemic. Mary has helped with planning, and attending, as well as attended and overseen certain aspects of World Youth Day and World Meeting of Families for years. Mary has a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with a focus on Black Adolescent Development, a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry from Boston College, and a partial Master of Arts in Spirituality from Fordham University. To learn more about Mary please go to our About Section and Board Members Page.

Nicole Reichenbach:

Nicole Reichenbach is a Founder of Elizabeth Cordelia Children’s Fashions and Design, Founder of Strong Enough Coffee, Former Marketing at Nine West, Former Teacher at Westchester Dance Academy.

Nicole Reichenbach is a mother, fashion designer and new coffee business owner. She began her children's clothing brand Elizabeth Cordelia in 2015 and is inspired daily by her two daughters to make clothing comfortable and classic. Her designs are inspired by a wide range of experiences. These designs are tied into the hope for a sustainable way of life & bring classic looks for children's wear. Elizabeth Cordelia has been photographed world-wide, from Paris, Amalfi Coast, the UK, the United States: LA, Miami & NYC, and has been featured in numerous fashion magazines. The designs have been shown at New York Fashion Week for many seasons for the past six years.

Nicole's coffee brand, Strong Enough Coffee, is based out of Charlotte, NC. Proceeds from all Strong Enough purchases goes to Light School Uriri, Kenya, a school and orphanage that strives to feed, cloth, shelter and educate orphaned, abandoned, street children, and abused and exploited girls. Nicole believes that all children and women are resilient to overcome any situation. Nicole is an advocate for abused children relief and also helps her daughters in their community service efforts to help the ASPCA, rescue dogs, and breast cancer awareness by supporting the Susan B. Komen Foundation. Nicole also dances ballet in her free time! Nicole is also an active board member of the Grenchus Foundation.

For more information, please see more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e0u3dvTEEs&feature=youtu.be : Press Coverage HERE

Jack Bambo:

Jack Bambo is the Founder of Light Uriri School. Jack Bambo is a trained teacher by profession, with a Bachelor's Degree in Education Maths and Geography and a Masters in Environmental Planning and Management. He is an environmentalist, Girls, Women and Human Rights Defender. Light Uriri School is an orphanage and a Girls Rescue Centre. Non Profit Organization that feed, cloth, shelter and educate orphaned, abandoned, street children and abused girls. He is also a member of the East African Wildlife Society, Member or Red Cross Kenya, Member of Kenya Climate Change Task Force. Member, Speaker, Presenter: IUCN: INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE: Presenter and Speaker on REDD & Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, Member, Speaker, Presenter: UNDP: UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM on REDD & Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation. Jack is also an active board member of The Grenchus Foundation. Jack’s School will have free access to The Arts Education Program throughout the summer, as he is one of our Partner Schools we are offering the program to. Jack will be contributing to our Nature theme with Specials from Kenya.

Taunya Rivera

Taunya Rivera, MA, ED is the Founding Director of My Second Breath Inc. a 501c3 non-for-profit created in 2005 to empower people from all walks of life to breathe their life with a positive balanced healthy wellness and consciousness vibration. She is a member of the Sound Healers Association, Certified as Advanced Master Level IV Himalayan Singing Bowl Practitioner by 9Ways Academia, and has served as meditation instructor at 9ways Academia.

Taunya has been vibrating the harmonics of her authentic antique Himalayan Singing Bowls for over 28 years. Her dream to travel and do this work to harmonize lives of the planet became a reality. Taunya has facilitated group harmonic meditation sessions, private treatments, and instruction classes in the US, Caribbean, Asia, South America, and Central America, and the Middle East. Taunya facilitates retreats in Jamaica, Bali, and free Sound Vibrations Meditation sessions in New York’s Central Park.

Taunya Laya, also known affectionately as “Mama T”, was born into a family of natural musicians, teachers, and healers of African and Native American decent. She brings her heritage, education, spiritual practices, personal singing bowl techniques, and many years of study with her Master Teacher, world known Mitch Nur PhD, to each Scared Sound experience. For More see website: www.mysecondbreath.org

Julián López

Julián López born Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1991. At an early age he began his musical studies approaching them from the guitar. In his artistic career, he has composed numerous songs and has integrated various musical groups of different genres. The music took him to different parts of the world. Currently he is dedicated to teaching and music. He has his own Tango Band.

Melissa Rosado

Melissa Rosado - an Internationally acclaimed dancer: AKA “The Mambo Princess”, is one of the top international instructors and performers of NY Style Mambo “On 2.” She is an energetic and charismatic dancer who is known all around the world for her unique, sexy styling and body movement on and off the dance floor, powerful stage presence, and passionate love for teaching. In addition, her humble attitude and welcoming personality is what makes her popular amongst the mambo community today. She has an ability to effortlessly follow any lead and is known to be one of the best examples and instructors of the Eddie Torres technique.

Melissa has shared stages with some of salsa’s greatest musical legends such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Tony Vega, Eddie Palmieri, Wynton Marsalis, El Gran Combo, Jose Alberto “EL Canario,” Gilberto Santa Rosa, Menique and many others. Furthermore, she has performed at prominent venues such as Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, Apollo Theater, and Manhattan Center. Some of her television appearances include a promotional commercial for Univision (Channel 41) with merengue celebrity Millie Quezada, as well as a video production of “Oye Como Va” with legendary salsa singer Celia Cruz. In 2006, as part of the Eddie Torres Dance Company, she was featured in the CW’s segment on Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Not only has Melissa shared her talent in many festivals and congresses only in the US, but also internationally in countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Russia, Portugal, France, Canada, Turkey, England, Korea, Japan, Austria, Germany, China, UK, Australia plus many more.

The Bronx born native has trained in a variety of dance styles consisting of Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, African, Afro-Cuban, and Flamenco since the tender age of 5. It was not until the age of 9 that she discovered her passion for mambo when she began taking classes with Eddie and Maria Torres at the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club in the Bronx. After years of training under Eddie and Maria and being a part of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Senior Dance Company, she partnered with Eddie Torres principal dancer Adolfo Indacochea for almost two years, performing and teaching as one of mambo’s international leading couples. Currently, she is an established and highly sought out solo artist who continues to make her mark on the salsa scene today.

In 2013, she officially formed both a semi-pro ladies team titled “Inaru” (meaning spirit of women) as well as a children’s competition company titled “Petite Royale” which perform all over the tri-state area. Not only does she choreograph for her teams, she is one of the most sought out instructors, coaches and choreographers worldwide for many dance schools, teams, and couples. Many students from all over the world come to NY just to train with Melissa. In addition to teaching youth classes in the Bronx, she provides special event choreographies for weddings, Sweet 16’s, competitions, and more.

Melissa’s extraordinary talent and genuine love for mambo is evident through her captivating stage presence, sensual style and sincere manner with people. It is for this reason that she is considered to be one of the most prestigious and sophisticated dancers of her generation.

Maria James

Maria James’s love of dance began as a young teenager and like most aspiring artists, her first audiences were family and friends at parties. Her love for the art of dance quickly grew as she began to dance in classes and school shows; the lessons in self-esteem and discipline have stayed with her throughout here professional career. Maria has studied with Bernice Johnson, Gloria Jackson, the Jamaica Arts Center, and the Alvin Ailey School. Maria has faithfully served the Queens and New York City areas for over 10 years as a professional dance instructor and mentor. In that service she has studied the aspects of dance that are necessary for personal and professional growth and success. She says, “I feel I am ready, as an instructor, to fill the void so left by the lack of resources in our communities. My mission is to now pass that information on to the next generation of dancers so that they may enrich themselves and the community in which they live.

Tim Foster

Tim Foster Happy To Announce Guest Performer, Teacher, Artist, and All Things The Arts : Tim Foster!! Tim Foster from the Pacific Northwest moved to NYC in 1987 to dance, act, and sing in Musical Theatre. Dreams came true working on many Shows and Operas at Lincoln Center and around the world. He has danced in many productions of Broadway shows here in New York and toured Europe and Southeast Asia. He has many years of experience on and off stage with New York City Opera and Ballet and loves to talk to others about a life in the Arts. He also loves to walk his dog, and take his dog dancing in Central Park, and his dogs have frequently attended rehearsals with him - for the joys of all!!We love it!!

Tim is currently with New York City Ballet as a shoe specialist ~ painting and dying shoes (mixing the love of dance, theater and art together) for New York City Ballet and is looking forward to live Performances beginning September 21, 2021. He will be teaching some things about dance (ballet, and others), theatre and art with us, while we are getting excited about the re-opening of the Arts here in NYC, the United States, and Abroad.

One of the latest articles written in relation to New York City Ballet is HERE: https://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/at-city-ballet-footwear-is-almost-as-important-as-feet/

Orit Bak :

Orit Bak grew up in New York City, and currently lives in Long Island, NY. She is a local artist and has been creating art since High School. She has created beautiful Fine Art in Watercolor, Pencils, and Oils. She is a self taught artist, and began creating art as a way to reconnect with her inner self. She was passionate about art when she was three and continued to create art ever since. She creates beautiful work including abstracts, still life. She loves nature and the Universe. Please see some of Orit’s artwork below…. if you would like to purchase one of her pieces or to see more of her work, please reach out to her directly via FB Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/oritstyle

Laura Daquila

Laura Daquila is a full time artist and art teacher. She focuses on watercolor, drawing, photography, street art, and sculpture. Laura graduated undergrad from Otis Collage of Art and Design in Los Angeles California, Graduate school at The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), in Santa Clarita California. She has worked as an art teacher in many nursing homes, shelters, and with many private students of all ages, both in person and online. She and the love of her life, Rob, has a mobile street gallery which moves around the city of New York, where she sells her work to the public. She was born in New Jersey and is now a long time resident of New York City. She, and Rob, get most of their inspiration from New York City. You can Follow her at: Instagram: @lalapop_art or reach out to us via our connect page - to email her directly.

Laura is humble…. and declares blessings… and is amazing in her truth, in her human dignity, as well as her art form…. she is amazing at what she she does…. it is amazing how her spirit and Rob’s has endured the pandemic…. we alone, as well as together, with the whole NYC ~ Manhattan Community - have seen her testimony to faith, the arts, and overcoming every single obstacle that could stand in an artist’s way…. as well as ways forward throughtou this time, in Manhattan, who have continuously shown us the beauty of Art during the Pandemic. Please See more of her artwork below —- in our special gallery…. also … if you have a special image you would like created… she is more than happy to create it for you (for a small fee - compared to what you pay for everything else) ….