Meet our Star-Studded Staff!

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Leadership Staff

Administration & Operations

Academics

Culinary Arts

Dance

Digital Arts

Literary Arts

Musical Theatre

Instrumental Music Program

Studio Arts

Theatre Arts

Vocal Music Program

Leadership Staff

Richard L. Fosbrink

Chief Executive Officer

412-646-1718 Ext. 7010

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Dr. Kelly Lombard

Principal

412-646-1718 Ext. 7002

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Dr. Debra Lehew

Director of Special Education

412-646-1718 Ext. 7019

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Nadine Dunn

Director of Engagement

412-646-1718 Ext. 7009

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Anna Very

Dean of Students

412-646-1718 Ext. 7034

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Administration & Operations

Gregory A. Beal

Director of Operations

412-646-1718 Ext. 7024

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Adam Barbee

Business Coordinator

412-646-1718 Ext. 7001

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Alex Boyd

School Operations Specialist & Production Manager

412-646-1718 Ext. 7000

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Walter Boyd

School Security Guard

412-646-1718 Ext. 7022

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Christina Branch

Marketing Coordinator

412-646-1718 Ext. 7030

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Shirley Brynda

Student Services Administrative Assistant

412-646-1718 Ext. 7013

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Rebecca Black

School Counselor

412-646-1718 Ext. 7025

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Cologero Coppola

Directory of Technology

412-646-1718 Ext. 7008

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Gary Farrell

Chief of Campus Security

412-646-1718 Ext. 8101

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Amber Hinkle

Business Manager

412-646-1718 Ext. 7018

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Harleyrae Geary

School Security Resource Officer

412-646-1718 Ext. 8101

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Susan Maskarinec

Director of Enrollment

412-646-1718 Ext. 7017

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Donna McCoy

Student Accounting and District Admin.

412-646-1718 Ext. 7023

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Sheri O' Leary

Food Services Supervisor

412-646-1718 Ext. 7027

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Kathy Parello

Director of Food Services

412-646-1718 Ext. 7027

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Jason Pratt

Human Resources Manager

412-646-1718 Ext. 7031

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Mya Ras

Fundraising Coordinator

412-646-1718 Ext. 7028

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David Simpson

Maintenance Personnel

412-646-1718 Ext. 7020

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Alicia Schmidt

School Counselor

412-646-1718 Ext. 7011

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BethAnn Utz

Nurse’s Office

412-646-1718 Ext. 7007

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Caitlin Weaver

School Couselor

412-646-1718 Ext. 7005

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Academics

Amanda Bateman (English)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8011

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Justin Calderone (English)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8007

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Gretchen De Lopez (Spanish)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8006

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Chris Estadt (Mathematics)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8016

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David Graham (Science)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8014

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William Kobily (Science / Math)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8018

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Christina Krahn (English)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8024

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Lindsey McDivitt (Science)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8019

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Andrew Murphy (Social Studies)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8015

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Paige Parshall (Seminar)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8042

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Julianna Ruzbacki (Social Studies)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8036

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Taylor Sandsmark (Physical Education / Health)

412-646-1718 Ext. 

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Mariah Yushinski (Mathematics)

412-646-1718 Ext. 8028

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Dance

Tracey Casciato

412-646-1718 Ext. 8039

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Award-winning choreographer, Tracey Casciato is the head of the Dance Department here at Westinghouse Arts Academy. She has taught in the industry for over 30 years while co-owning/directing her own dance studio and competitive dance team.

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!

Stephanie Tolbert-King

412-646-1718 Ext. 7004

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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 the 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.

Digital Arts

Jon (Rob) Shultz

412-646-1718 Ext. 8017

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Alea DelPrete

412-646-1718 Ext. 8010

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Emily Newman | Digital Arts & Studio Arts

412-646-1718 Ext. 8009

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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.

Emily Newman was born in Singapore, raised in London, and settled in Pittsburgh about 10 years ago after years of living and traveling all over. Since then she has taught art extensively in Pittsburgh all the way from elementary to collegiate levels. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Bard College in New York, her Master’s of Fine Arts from CalArts in Los Angeles, and her Master’s of Art Education from Chatham, here in Pittsburgh. She is a Fulbright Scholar and has shown her work internationally, most recently in 2022 at the Mattress Factory Museum in Pittsburgh where she displayed a wide array of works in video, interactive sculpture, and screenprinting. She is a recent recipient of a Heinz Endowment grant, Newman is using to make socially engaged artwork with Russian families recently scattered across the world in response to the war in Ukraine. Her work is located directly at the intersection between digital and studio and she is excited to work with students across those disciplines while teaching at Westinghouse.

Culinary Arts

Chef Evelyn Sussman

412-646-1718 Ext. 7006

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Chef Evelyn Sussman has been teaching Culinary Arts since 2007, working in high school and adult programs, as well as with special needs students to help them acquire the skills needed to successfully gain and hold employment in the food service industry. Chef Sussman’s educational journey began upon completion of her Associate’s in Culinary Arts with a certificate in Pastry. Continuing their culinary education,  they received their degree from Virginia Tech in Human Development and a master’s degree in Career and Technical Education. Chef Sussman also holds a Culinary Educator Certification through the American Culinary Federation. Their work experience ranges from simple quick, service locations to country clubs to high-volume food establishments.  During her time as an educator, Chef Sussman won multiple awards including the Idaho Potato Commission’s Innovative Culinary Educator Awards and the Award for the Effective Use of Technology in Culinary Education through Rational. She is always interested in growing her Culinary toolbox at summer conferences. When they’re not at Westinghouse Arts, Chef Sussman also works in food service and catering.

Instrumental Music Program

Travis Rigby

412-646-1718 Ext. 8032
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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 received a Pennsylvania PK-12 Music teaching certificate and maintains an active membership in PMEA, ASCAP, and SCI. His music is published by T.U.X. People’s Music. Mr. Rigby is active in the theater community as a music director. This is Travis’s fifth year teaching at WAA.

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, a minor in Technical Writing with 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, Malatino 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 master’s 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.

Musical Theatre

Nicholas Lenz | Head of Musical Theatre Department

412-646-1718 Ext. 8041

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With nearly two decades of unwavering commitment to Musical Theatre, Mr. Lenz’s journey has been marked by excellence, innovation, and an unyielding dedication to fostering inclusive artistic spaces. His journey in Musical Theatre began in Pittsburgh, where he trained and performed with institutions like Pittsburgh Musical Theatre and Stage Right! School for the Performing Arts. His quest for artistic excellence led him to Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. Currently, he is diligently pursuing a Master of Education in Advanced Teaching from the University of the People, further solidifying his commitment to the craft of education.

Notable productions under his leadership include titles such as “Into the Woods,” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Seussical: The Musical,” “All Together Now (2022 Gala),” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” and most recently “Godspell.” His artistic vision has not only brought acclaim to the program but earned regional recognition. Under his leadership, Westinghouse Arts Academy’s numerous nominations and impressive 11-time award recipient of the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre (please see the Musical Theatre Program overview for a complete list of awards received)

Central to Mr. Lenz’s philosophy is the creation of inclusive and nurturing artistic spaces. His classrooms stand as a refuge, embodying diversity and inclusivity by warmly embracing all individuals, especially those from the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. In his unwavering commitment to fostering acceptance and inclusivity, he ensures that students from all backgrounds not only feel welcomed, but genuinely valued.

Studio Arts

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.

Emily Newman | Studio Arts & Digital Arts

412-646-1718 Ext. 8009

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Emily Newman was born in Singapore, raised in London, and settled in Pittsburgh about 10 years ago after years of living and traveling all over. Since then she has taught art extensively in Pittsburgh all the way from elementary to collegiate levels. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Bard College in New York, her Master’s of Fine Arts from CalArts in Los Angeles, and her Master’s of Art Education from Chatham, here in Pittsburgh. She is a Fulbright Scholar and has shown her work internationally, most recently in 2022 at the Mattress Factory Museum in Pittsburgh where she displayed a wide array of works in video, interactive sculpture, and screenprinting. She is a recent recipient of a Heinz Endowment grant, Newman is using to make socially engaged artwork with Russian families recently scattered across the world in response to the war in Ukraine. Her work is located directly at the intersection between digital and studio and she is excited to work with students across those disciplines while teaching at Westinghouse.

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.

Vocal Music Program

Anna Very | Dean of Students

412-646-1718 Ext. 7034

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Anna 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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