Faculty and Experts

Meet our dedicated performing arts educators who are industry professionals that inspire and guide students on their creative journey at NESA. Our team brings a wealth of artistic expertise, passion, and real-world experience to provide an unparalleled arts education.

NESA fosters a collaborative learning environment where our teachers and professional artists work together to provide students with an innovative education in Cinema, Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Musical Theater, Technical Theater, and Visual Art. Our faculty includes experienced experts who bring their diverse backgrounds across artistic fields into the classroom, empowering students to explore, experiment, and excel in their respective areas of the performing arts.

Passionate Educators & Professional Artists 

Richeler Aladin, Director of Cinema

With natural storytelling talent and a passion for the craft, Richeler Aladin has built an acclaimed career as a multifaceted filmmaker. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas State University, having graduated cum laude from the Honors College. This comprehensive education equipped him with critical thinking and business skills applicable to the creative industries.

As a director, Richeler has brought compelling narratives to life across short and feature films. His work has earned praise from media outlets like CBS and Austin Chronicle for its refreshing authenticity. He directed and produced the thriller “Evinced,” handling casting, editing, and writing in addition to his directorial duties. The film was distributed by Gravitas Ventures. His shorts “Ms. Anita” and “The Masked 4” were acquired by ShortsTV, with the latter screening as an editorial pick.

Richeler has won numerous accolades at prestigious competitions like Accolade Global Film Competition, IndieFest, and WorldFest Houston. His dual Awards of Recognition for Direction and Short Film demonstrate excellence across cinema crafts. 

In teaching cinema, Richeler prioritizes immersive learning through hands-on filmmaking projects that mirror real-world practices. He guides students through every facet of production to build practical skills while exploring their creative voices. An environment of collaboration and problem-solving enables students to gain expertise for thriving careers. Through his dedication to teaching, he continues to help students captivate audiences with compelling storytelling.

Amie Charney, Director of Creative Writing

With robust qualifications spanning secondary education, creative writing, and literature analysis, Amie Charney has cultivated an impactful career guiding aspiring writers. She holds a BA in English Literature and Writing, an MFA in Creative Writing, teaching credentials in Texas and California, and certifications including AP coursework.

As a published author across mediums, Charney lends real-world expertise to students. Her accolades include placing first in a writing competition and securing a development deal for a TV script. She also made her acting debut in an Associate Producer role for a feature film.

Charney’s teachings center on tapping into students’ unique voices through creativity, collaboration, and real-world applications. She crafts an interactive learning environment where students are motivated to take ownership of their growth. Her approach emphasizes that there are many paths to reach one’s potential.

With prestigious honors like the HEB Texas Secondary Leadership Teacher of the Year award, Charney is an influential advocate for writing education. She also earned the Scholastic Gold Medal for teaching excellence. By fostering supportive student-teacher relationships, she unlocks voices destined to enrich the literary world.

Carolyn Gresham, Co-Director of Dance

With extensive dance credentials and professional experience, Carolyn Gresham aspires performers as a Director of Dance at the North East School of the Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University and state certification in Dance Education.

Carolyn honed her artistry touring with the American Spirit Dance Company and performing in musicals, conventions, and events. She has taught internationally in Spain and France while dancing across the U.S. This diverse background enables her to equip students with real-world expertise.

Carolyn focuses on building dancers' confidence alongside technical prowess to excel professionally. She facilitates a rigorous yet nurturing environment where students strengthen skills inside and outside dance. By instilling her own passion into each student's journey, Carolyn aims to guide motivated artists toward success in prestigious programs, careers on stage and screen, and more. Her leadership helps shape NESA's next generation of talented, well-rounded performers ready to contribute their gifts to the global dance community.

Anthony Martinez, Co-Director of Dance

With a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance and professional experience across the globe, Anthony Martinez develops students as a Director of Dance at the North East School of the Arts. He graduated Cum Laude from Oklahoma City University as a featured dancer in shows and events.

Anthony has performed on every continent and also for celebrities, including Chita Rivera. This diverse background allows him to provide students with real-world expertise.

Anthony inspires students to take ownership of their learning and skill mastery. His goal is to ensure dancers can work with any teacher or choreographer confidently. By instilling a passion for lifelong learning, he prepares versatile, well-rounded performers ready to excel.

Connor Towns, Director of Instrumental Music

With advanced degrees in music education and trumpet performance, Connor Towns leads aspiring musicians as Director of Instrumental Music at the North East School of the Arts. He graduated top of his class from Texas State University, was a Henry Mancini Institute Fellowship, a Theodore Presser Scholar, and had “Sky Rising” published by Lawson Press.

Connor possesses diverse professional experience as an educator, performer, composer and more. His work has been published by a Pulitzer Prize winner and recorded internationally. This background allows him to provide students expert guidance.

Connor enhances student literacy across musical skills from reading to improvisation, emphasizing creative risk-taking. By encouraging a growth mindset, he enables students to confidently apply their talents in any setting as true multi-faceted artists.

Daniel Everidge, Director of Musical Theater - Acting

Qualified with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Otterbein University, Daniel Everidge leads aspiring triple threats as Director of Musical Theater Acting at his alma mater, the North East School of the Arts. 

As a graduate, Daniel has performed on Broadway in Grease and earned award nominations for Off-Broadway productions.Daniel has utilized his talents on hit shows like The Knick, Jessica Jones, and The Greatest Showman while recording cast albums and soloing on the Grammy-winning soundtrack. With this professional experience and training, he provides students expert guidance.

Having been on both sides of the classroom, Daniel connects with students' journeys. By sharing his performing knowledge and love of the craft, he equips the next generation to advance their skills and talents for esteemed careers in musical theatre.

Jordan Bryant, Director of Musical Theater - Voice

With her credentials including a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Jordan Bryant leads aspiring vocalists as Director of Musical Theater Voice at NESA.

Her qualifications also include Texas K-12 teacher certification in music, certification in teaching gifted students, and current pursuit of advanced OneVoice industry certification. She has completed over 45 hours of mental health training for educators focused on student wellbeing.

Jordan has performed leading opera and musical theater roles across prestigious Texas venues including the Tobin Center. As an in-demand educator, she previously taught at the university level and maintains a full private studio.

In research, Jordan placed first for her study on musical theater vocal technique and received grants to observe top voice instructors around the world. She has been recognized competitively, winning first place in the 2010 Women’s Vocal Competition.

As director, Jordan focuses on nurturing students' confidence to share their authentic voices. She provides tools to meet the demands of the arts while prioritizing mental health. By encouraging versatile technique and artistry, Jordan prepares students for careers where they can create positive change.

Lindsay Magee, Director of Technical Theater

With a BFA in Theatre and teaching certification, Lindsay Magee leads NESA's Technical Theater program. She graduated top of her class with Summa Cum Laude at Texas State University through an immersive theater program. Her qualifications include EC-12 certifications in both Theatre and Technical Theatre. She has 4 years of experience teaching technical theatre full-time at the high school level.

Lindsay possesses diverse technical expertise, from stage management and makeup to set building and lighting design. She has spearheaded productions like The Addams Family, Footnotes, and The Crucible, overseeing all technical elements while emphasizing the learning process over final products. By focusing on acquired skills and reflection, she ensures students gain knowledge applicable to future education, careers, and life.

Lindsay's comprehensive theater background allows her to instill a passion for the craft in aspiring technicians. Her leadership creates multidisciplinary, collaborative young artists ready to bring productions to life behind the scenes.

Jessica Gonzales, Director of Visual Art

With robust art credentials, including a BFA from the University of Texas and post-graduate studies at UTSA, Jessica Gonzales leads the Visual Art program at NESA. Her qualifications also include state certification and prestigious professional development programs.

Jessica has over 17 years of high school art teaching experience across drawing, painting, sculpture and AP-level classes. She extends her teaching through community programs and as a practicing artist exhibiting works statewide, including the Corpus Christi Creative Arts Council, UTSA Southwest, and the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

Her achievements include TAEA's Leadership Cohort selection, National Art Honor Society Sponsor of the Year, and nationally-exhibited student work under her instruction. Additionally, she has completed internships, advancing her expertise in the Picante Paper and Book Arts Studios.

Jessica believes visual arts allow students to understand themselves and the world while becoming creative change agents. She provides meaningful experiences nurturing young artists across mediums and critical thinking skills. Jessica's devotion to student growth coupled with her own artistic knowledge fuels NESA's next generation of visual talent ready to enrich the cultural landscape.

Connecting Education to Careers

The involvement of professional artists as our educators at NESA enriches the learning experience by bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world of performing arts. Through their teachings, students connect with and learn from successful arts professionals in diverse creative roles.

By collaborating with our professional and qualified instructors across multiple performing art sectors, NESA students gain valuable exposure to real-world artistic practices and various career pathways. From the available practical insights, networking opportunities, and mentorship, students graduate from NESA prepared for a career in the arts.