Spotlight on Alumni – Spring 2014

Students graduating from the College of the Arts go on to pursue successful careers as actors, dancers, directors, choreographers, technicians, producers, filmmakers, teachers and arts administrators, among others. The alumni are part of our extended family and their numerous successes are our successes:

Art and Design

TONI-LEE SANGASTIANO (MFA class of 2004) is presenting work in a juried exhibition entitled “Amazing Marvels at the Off Rhode Gallery” at Art Enables in Washington D.C.,  through April 19.

DAVID OQUENDO (MFA class of 2012) is presenting his work as part of “DisConnect” April 5-May 10, at The Farm, in NYC (Soho).

Music

LYNN CHAO (BMus. Performance ’13) is pursuing a master’s in Trumpet Performance at the Manhattan School of Music, where she studies with Vincent Penzarella. Based on her strong audition, she was invited to join the elite Orchestral Repertory class under Tom Smith. She studied at the Cali School with Prof. DON BATCHELDER.

JOSHUA DELA CRUZ (BFA – Music Theater ’11) joined the cast of Disney’s Broadway-bound Aladdin at Toronto’s Mirvish Theatre. He studied with Prof. PETER GILLIS at the Cali School.

Soprano MIA PAFUMI (BMus. Performance ’13) was engaged by the Sarasota Opera in its apprentice program in November. She will perform as a soprano in ensemble roles throughout its mainstage season. She studied with  Prof. PETER GILLIS at the Cali School.

Communication and Media

TANJA REKHI (Broadcasting/English ’12) is working as a local television news reporter at WENY-HD News in Horseheads, N.Y. She is featured in an article of recent Montclair State graduates who have successfully started on their career paths.

KENNETH SPOONER (Broadcasting ’13) wrote an article, “Life Through a Lens,” that was published by the Huffington Post. (Read it here.)

ASHE McKENZIE (TVDM ’12) joined a local station in Elmira, N.Y., as a reporter. Prior to that, she was working as a news desk associate at WABC, Channel 7, N.Y.