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Policies and Procedures
The Power of the arts
Creativity is Intelligence having fun.
– Albert Einstein
The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning. – Mark Twain
Of all human attributes there is none that is so commonplace and yet so underrated and neglected as creativity. This simple gift allows the individual to choose a sense of discovery, the use of imagery and the joy of accepting challenges to define their inner space controlled by no other person. Creativity is innate in each of us; it is only by choice that we devalue it. The benefits of our creativity to our team, organization, society and to us personally are numerous and non-depreciable. – Jonathan Wosu
OUR MISSION
Promotes, creates, and disseminates community development and participation in cultural, economic, and civic life through arts education and cultural programs of distinction, serving people of diverse abilities, racial, religious, ethnic, gender, and economic backgrounds, collaborating with community focused grassroots institutions to increase capacity to positively impact lives. Using the arts to bring members of communities together to engage in the arts to promote, create, and encourage opportunities, and deepen positive organic community engagement
OUR VISION
The vision of ACCA is to reach beyond our immediate community, building and strengthening the quality of our programs and seeking partnerships that broaden community connections. We engage in shared opportunities with other groups and institutions with aligning visions. Quintessential to this vision is serving people of diverse racial, religious, ethnic, economic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and abilities.
OUR TEAM
Dr Marcia E. Heard – Executive Director
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Heard received the Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master of Arts, and a Doctorate of Philosophy from New York University. She’s also the recipient of several grants, awards, certificates, and fellowships. Her resume comprises a plethora of training and productions such as a dance program at Schurz High School in Chicago that grew to fill two full time teaching positions. She has studied and performed with notable teachers and choreographers inclusive of Darlene Blackburn (Nigerian and Ghanaian); Bentley Stone and Walter Camryn (Ballet-Cecchetti); Joel Hall and Pepsi Bethel (Jazz); Wali and Andara Rahman (Sabar African Dance). Not only has Dr. Heard studied Dunham, Humphrey-Weidman, Katherine Dunham (Dunham Technique), and Limon techniques, she was a scholarship student at the Ailey School.
Dr. Heard served on the Core Course Proficiencies and Standards Panel for the Arts in New Jersey and the panel that drafted guidelines for licensing dance and theater for the State of New Jersey.
Today she is married, the mother of two children and continues living and giving her passion to the arts.
April Thompson – Vice President
April was born and raised in the Vailsburg area of Newark. She is a proud product of the Newark Public School system. April graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelors and Masters of Arts in Sociology – Criminal Justice and also has a law degree from Rutgers School of Law in Newark. April now works as an attorney committed to helping others. A founding member of ACCA Creates, April is passionate about family, community, the arts, and travel.
Lois Rockson – Co-Treasurer
Dr. Lois Rockson is the Program Director of the Rutgers School of Health Professions’ Masters in Diagnostic Cytopathology Program. Dr. Rockson completed a BS in Biology from Rutgers Newark College of Arts and Sciences in 1989 and a certificate in Cytotechnology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-School of Health-Related Professions in 1993. She holds two masters’ degrees, a MS in Health Professions Education, a joint degree from Seton Hall University and UMDNJ-School of Health Professions in 2000 and a MS in Public Health, Epidemiology concentration from the UMDNJ School of Public Health in 2008. In 2020, Dr. Rockson completed her PhD in Urban Systems with an Urban Health concentration, a joint degree with the Rutgers School of Nursing, New Jersey Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Rutgers Graduate School, Newark. Dr. Rockson’s research interest is in cancer health disparities among immigrant groups from the Caribbean and Central America.
Mary Bey- Co-Treasurer
Mary got hooked on the art of singing after singing Patii LaBell and the Bluebells – Down the Aisle in front of a crowd. Her talents were noticed when in high school she was auditioned for the girl chorus by her teacher, and was the youngest student allowed in. Since then, her career has been spent in the telecommunications industry, working with AT&T R&D, Lucent, and Vonage America. She also has returned to school and received a BA in Economics from Montclair State University Feliciano School of Business in 2020. She looks forward to returning in a couple months to complete her Masters.
Lavonne Jones Mceashern – Secretary
LaVonne is a lover of the arts. She is a retired marketing manager for UPS. LaVonne presently mentors many youth in Paterson fighting for the right to a thorough and efficient education. As Secretary of the ACCA Creates Board, LaVonne helps to lead ACCA Creates with wisdom, and a love and respect for all people
Tatiana Hyrnzyan – Board Member
Tatiana was a Ukrainian WWII child refugee who celebrated her 4th birthday one month after arriving in the US. Growing up here, she got a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music in Piano and Public School Music and then a Master of Arts in Voice from SUNI’s Brooklyn College. In 2003 she founded the Ivy Hill Music Studio which she ran until 2018 teaching piano, singing, and music theory as well as aspects of the performing arts to children and adults in the Newark area.
Our Staff
Adrienne Armstrong- Cooper – Dance
Adrienne Armstrong is a native of Newark, New Jersey, has attained a Bachelor of Science in Management from Rutgers University. She began her illustrious dance career at Garden State Ballet. She continued her professional training through scholarship programs at Dance Theatre of Harlem, Garden State Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ms. Armstrong has performed with several professional dance companies including Ailey II and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (under the tutelage of Alvin Ailey), Garden State Ballet, Louis Johnson Dance Theater, Forces of Nature, the Seventh Principal, Nommo Dance Company, Captial Ballet, Alfred Gallman’s Newark Dance Theater, a Production of the Chocolate Nutcracker (Soloist) and Joan Peters Dance Company. Ms. Armstrong has been employed by AileyCamp, Henry Street Settlement Abrons Arts Center, Creative Expressions, Newark School of the Arts, Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts, Arts Conservatory, Phoenix Academy and Gallman’s Newark Dance Theater.
Kelley Blessings – Theatre
Kelley Blessing is a graduate from Drew University with a BA in Theatre and an MAT in Theatrical Education. She is also a graduate of the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies. In addition to teaching theatre to students at TJMS, BFMS, and ACCA, Kelley is a freelance artist, actor, stage manager and designer. Of all the theatrical disciplines Kelley works and teaches in, her favorite is playwrighting. She is beyond grateful to Dr. Heard, the amazing ACCA Creates! faculty who have pushed her to stretch her creative limits and to her ACCA Creates! students for being amazing! She is so proud of her ACCA Creates! students for the hard work and dedication to their 2022 summer production of Disney’s The Lion King Jr! You all absolutely rock! She’d also like to thank all of her friends and family for their continued love and support.
Jee-Hoon Krska – Piano
Jee-Hoon Krska is the founder of Keys 2 Success, a program that seeks to improve the lives of children growing up in the most underserved areas in Newark through music education. She studied piano in the Juilliard pre-college program and at MIT (Ph.D. EECS). She has performed in concerts, including at Boston Symphony Hall, Lincoln Center, and Yo-Yo Ma. Dr. Krska spent twenty years in the semiconductor industry. During that time, she was actively involved in a series of projects aimed at serving Newark youths. Through this experience, she saw firsthand the effects of generational poverty. She developed a passion for investing in youth’s lives, which ultimately led to her decision in 2016 to work full time with the children of Newark by founding Keys 2 Success.
She believes in ACCA Creates! mission and loves the work they’ve done so far. She hopes that in collaboration with each other, both Keys 2 Success and ACCA Creates! will propel their students to even greater successes than they’ve already achieved.
Taylor Souels – Vocals
Taylor Souels is a teaching artist and Newark-native. She was fell in love with music in her first year at the University of Hartford after being urged to join a talent show. There, she unleashed her voice for the first time and sang in front of a packed room. From this experience, she was motivated to transfer schools to Essex County College, where she received a degree in Music Education with a focus in Voice. Since then, she has used her voice to sing in community theater, for events, and with various local bands.
She is honored to help ACCA Creates! as a musical director for their productions.
Latoya Princess Cargeor – Vocals
Latoya Princess Cargeor is a dedicated and loving teacher with over 11 years of experience in inspiring and educating young minds. Her commitment to her students is unparalleled, driven by a passion to foster a nurturing and effective learning environment. Latoya has a rich background in singing, a talent she has honed from a young age. Her musical journey began in church choirs, where she first discovered her love for singing. This passion was further cultivated through participation in school choirs and small singing groups, allowing her to develop a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for the art. Latoya strives to be the best she can be in all aspects of her life.
Selah J Piett – Dance
Selah Piett ( Newark, NJ) received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Dance from Montclair State University. She received her formal training under the instruction of Ronnie Carney and Krystal Hall-Glass at Newark Arts High school, the nation’s first high school of visual and performing arts. Selah has performed works by Bradley Shelver, Maxine Steinman, Christian von Howard, Yusha Sorzano, Kyle Abrham, Francisco Gella, Barkak Marshall and more. She premiered her two Choreographic works “Simulacrum Shakti” and ” Ceaseless Dismay” at Montclair state. Her affinity for the arts and the community strengthens her commitment to help other aspiring artists, as well as support a range of causes.
Alfred Gallman – Dance
Alfred Gallman called an “Artistic Son by Alvin Ailey” trained on Full Merit Scholarship at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Clark Center for the Performing Arts. He has worked with the giants in Dance including Pepsi Bethel, Fred Benjamin, Kelvin Rotardier, Peter Anastos, Talley Beatty, Keith Lee, Elbert Watson, Otis Solid, George Faison, Ella Thompson Moore, Louis Johnson, Geoffrey Holder, Eleo Pomare and Alvin Ailey. His first professional teaching job was with Fred and Evelyn Danieli of the School of the Garden State Ballet, Newark. He has created over 150 Ballets, 25 musicals, and Commissioned Works. Alfred was a featured performer in the national touring company of THE WIZ!. Mr. Gallman was the Dance and Artistic Director of Newark School of the Arts (1997-2004), and received the (2018) Lifetime Achievement Award for Culture and Arts from the Newark Branch of the NAACP for Gallman’s Newark Dance Theatre School’s Contributions to arts and culture in Newark (1984-2018)
Founder/Director of Gallman’s Newark Dance Theatre (1978-2018) it was the first professional Black salaried Modern Dance company in Newark NJ. GNDT garnered a National and international reputation performing at the American Dance Festival, Dance St Louis, Manmade Festival at the Joyce Theatre NYC, Lincoln Center out-of-doors Festival and NJPAC Dance Jam Festivals.
Mr. Gallman has worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, Sounds of Blackness Cheryl Lynn, Ben Vereen, Melba Moore, Vickie Winan, Vanessa L. Williams, Bishop Nathaniel Townsley Jr, Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem Gospel Singers, Bishop Andrea Vereen, Tina Fabrique, Gwen Guthrie, Harold Perrineau, and Gabriel Casseus. His solo- Mother’s Prayer, was performed at the White House by Presidential Award Winner Lisa Attles for the Reagan Administration.
Alfred was a featured performer in the national touring company of THE WIZ!. Mr. Gallman was the Dance and Artistic Director of Newark School of the Arts (1997-2004). Alfred Gallman received the (2018) Lifetime Achievement Award for Culture and Arts from the Newark Branch of the NAACP for Gallman’s Newark Dance Theatre School Contribution (1984-2018). He was Artist in Residence during the 2019-2020 Season at Faison Firehouse Theatre in Harlem. Mr. Gallman is currently the Dance Director at the historic Kelly Temple COGIC Community Liturgical Dance Ministry celebrating 42 years of Excellence in Dance!
Sarah Nowakowski – Art
Sarah Nowakowski is a graduate of Saint Elizabeth University and is currently completing her Master’s in Arts Education at Kean University. Between her undergraduate and graduate studies, Sarah fell in love with working with children as she worked at the Goddard School in Fanwood. She especially enjoys painting, ceramics, printmaking and sharing her love of visual expression with her students.
Our Sponsors
Sponsorship
We at ACCA know that our vision of uniting communities through the arts is a shared vision by many. It takes the right planning, resources, and support to reach communities so that truly everyone has opportunities to grow in meaningful, rewarding, and joyful ways.
Contact us for ways you can sponsor ACCA programming in your local community!
Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs
Our Partners
New Hope Village
