Faculty

Heather Capelle
Owner/Artistic Director
Heather Capelle is committed to ARTISTREE’s mission of educating and inspiring children through the performing arts and makes it her goal to help as many students as she can achieve their dreams through music, theater, dance and film. Heather directed and managed at Applause NY for 13 years and rose through the ranks to become President of the company before opening Artistree in Westchester, which she now calls home. She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, and her professional credits include Special Skills (a one-woman show she co-wrote with Martin Charnin–the director and lyricist of the Broadway musical Annie), several appearances on ABC’s One Life to Live and lead roles in over 30 New York and regional theater productions. Heather also has performed at Walt Disney World, for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines and the Six Flags organization. But her most important and fulfilling roles are wife to Artistree’s head musical director, Peter Capelle, and mommy to son Lucas and daughter Spencer Elizabeth. A proud native of a farm in Nash, Oklahoma, Heather holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Theater and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Peter Capelle
Owner/Musical Director
Peter Capelle is a composer, arranger, music director, and keyboardist active in the New York area. His compositions have been performed at Steinway Hall, The Knitting Factory, Galapagos Art Space, and The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Honors and Awards include an Orchestra Reading by the St. Paul Symphony, a commission from The Oklahoma Arts Institute, and a Silver Medal of Excellence from the Park City Film Music Festival for his score to Williamsburg Bridge – a film by Nicole Koschmann. Capelle has composed commercial jingles for MTV and in 2014 was the music director and pianist for “Annie” director and lyricist, Martin Charnin’s “Real to Reel,” performed at the Emelin Theater. He also musically directed the Off-Broadway Hit, Flanagan’s Wake in addition to several regional theater productions including Bat Boy, Hair, Rent, Working, The Wedding Singer, How to Succeed in Business, Legally Blonde, Oklahoma, Little Shop of Horrors and Into The Woods. Peter arranged music for choreographer Jason Marquette’s “The Next Step”, and composed string arrangements for original songs by Lucas Steele. He has performed with jazz vocalist Kriste Peoples, singer-songwriter Ed Hale, and was the lead keyboardist for The Infinite Orchestra. Along with his wife, Heather Capelle, he is the co-owner of ARTISTREE PERFORMING ARTS in Mamaroneck. Peter holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition from The Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Master’s Degree in Music Composition from Indiana University.

Jeanette Haviland
Studio Manager
Jeanette Haviland has a B.S. in Theatre Arts from SUNY College at Oneonta where she studied with John McCaslin-Doyle, Andrew Kahl, and Colby Thomas. While at SUNY, she performed in David Auburn’s “Proof,” Neil Simon’s “Sweet Charity,” Shakespeare’s “Richard III” as well as several selections from varying musicals. Along with performing, she was an active member in the reputable theatre honor society, Alpha Psi Omega. After completing her studies, Jeanette was inspired to teach. She is so excited to be a part of Artistree Performing Arts along side Heather and Peter Capelle! Jeanette will strive to push her students to bring out their inner creativity, and inspire them to bring out the artist within. She believes it is important to guide students to become confident and true to themselves, no matter where life will take them.

Sasha Friedman

Michael Taglieri has been a musician and actor since he started working in the Boston area at age 8. Since then he has performed regionally, on tour, and in New York City. He was trained at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, Massachusetts, The Musicians Institute of Los Angeles and at CAP21 Conservatory in New York City. He has had the privilege to work with directors like Tony Award winning director Diane Paulus, Daisy Prince, Barry Ivan, Deb Mcwatters, and many others. He has performed in concerts conducted by Jason Robert Brown, Georgia Stitt, Ryan Scott Oliver, and Matt Gould among others. He also headlined a concert series for Carnival Cruise Lines. With many years of diverse performance and audition experience in theatre, he brings a unique perspective with a strong background in vocal technique, vocal performance, piano, and audition technique. He thanks both his family and his city family for all of their amazing support. If you seriously put in the work, and you truly love the work, you will see the rewards. See you in the Artistree studio!
Michael Taglieri
Musical Director

Samantha Kalt
Sam studied directing and stage management at Muhlenberg College. She has been performing since she was very young and has been directing and stage managing for multiple years at different schools and companies. She is so excited to be part of the Artistree family and can’t wait to work with students, inspire them, and share her love and passion for theatre with them!

Zack Autieri
Zack Autieri is a director, music director, composer, and teaching artist based in Brooklyn and Westchester NY, and is beyond excited to be part of the Artistree team! He is an alumnus of Emerson College’s BFA Theatre program, and has since worked full-time as a musician, teacher, and performer. He held a senior staff position at The Play Group Theatre in White Plains NY, where he directed and music directed various shows, and served as Camp Director for two summers. Zack is currently part of the national touring pop/rock/funk act Remember Jones, as a backup vocalist, keyboardist, and occasional cowbell player. When he’s not on tour, Zack teaches piano and voice to students across Westchester and at Artistree. As a fierce advocate for arts education, Zack has worked across the country with children of all ages, from New York to Boston to Alaska, learning just as much from his students as he hopes to have taught them.

Akari Funakoshi
Akari is a Westchester local and has been performing since she was very young. She graduated from Mamaroneck High School where she was a part of the PACE program and learned about all of the importance of the performing arts. Since then, she has been stage managing all around and also choreographing for schools. As a former student of Artistree, she hopes to inspire the students the same way she was inspired.

Ryan Hudzik
Ryan is absolutely thrilled to be joining the Aristree Team as the Music Director for Newsies, Jr! Ryan is a New York City based actor, singer, improviser, pianist, and music director. His most recent Music Directing credits include Newsies, Jr. (Riverdale Y), Once On This Island (Success Academy HSLA), and Fourways to Go (Dixon Place). Recently, Ryan originated the role of Ellis in the world premier Off-Broadway production of The Parts I Keep Inside at the Triad Theater. When you don’t see him behind this particular piano, you might find him playing piano or improvising in the Off-Broadway improvised musical, Eight is Never Enough at the Broadway Comedy Club, or as a piano player for the New Studio on Broadway at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he also received his BFA in Drama. Ryan is also a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association. Much love to Heather, Peter, and the whole cast of Newsies, Jr.for trusting him with such a beautiful and important score!

Emilie Goodrich
Emilie Goodrich is a Westchester – raised, NYC – based actor, singer and teaching artist. She has been a teaching artist and acting coach for many years and is thrilled to now be part of the Artistree family! Emilie received her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Performing Arts Management & Arts Education from the University of Michigan. Following graduation, she continued her acting training at The Barrow Group’s Conservatory in NYC. Favorite credits include: “Pinkalicious” at the John W. Engeman Theatre, “Gossip Girl”, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, a West End Workshop titled “Mad Hatter”, and the TYA tours of “James and the Giant Peach” and “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure”. Also, as an actor and teacher with Tourette’s Syndrome, Emilie supports and advocates for actors that come from all walks of life and struggle with any and all disabilities.
If you want to chat about Michigan sports, puppies (proud dog mom to Phoebe), or new musical theatre/monologue repertoire, come hang out with Emilie at Artistree!
Fun fact: Emilie used to work in marketing for the Princely Family of Monaco – Daghe Munegu!

Nikki Wood
Choreographer
Nikki Wood grew up dancing in Sacramento California and received her training at Northern California Dance Conservatory. She continued her dance training through college at San Jose State University where she received her BFA Dance degree with an emphasis in Modern Dance. She had the opportunity to work with several California choreographers such as Kara Davis, Nahn Ho and Holly Johnston. After college Nikkimoved to New York City to pursue her dance career. Since moving to the city, Nikki has had the opportunity to perform at several contemporary dance festivals in the city such as The Dance Gallery, Brooklyn Dance Festival, The Tank, and The Peridance Gala. Additionally she dance in Chitty Chitty Baily Chang web series, and has been in several concept dance films. Most recently she has performed pieces with Mike Esperanza, Shirlene Quigley, Gigi Torres, and is dancing as a company member for DVDance’s first season. Nikki loves teaching and is excited to share her knowledge of dance with the students at Artistree!

Sara Linger
Sara Linger is an NYC based musical director, pianist, singer, and teaching artist. A member of the Artistree family for many years, she loves working with the students and supporting their love of music and theater, while emphasizing a standard of excellence no matter what age. Following university, where she received bachelor's of music in both vocal performance and piano performance, Sara moved to NYC and has spent the last decade working professionally in many areas of the arts, including theater, cabaret, opera, short film, television, and of course, education. She frequently collaborates on new work with organizations like SheArts Festival, 24 Hour Musicals, and Moxie Arts NY. As a musical director, recent credits include: Pirates of Penzance (Cap21), An Axe-mas Story (Off Broadway), Urinetown (Iona University); Audrey, A New Musical (Off Broadway), and many more. When not in rehearsal, you can find Sara spending time with her objectively adorable cocker spaniel, Ella.

Becky Grace Kalman
Becky Grace Kalman (she/her) is an actor, singer, dancer, director/choreographer, and teaching artist based out of New York City. Growing up as a classically trained dancer, she performed with the Eglevsky Ballet for six consecutive seasons and made her Carnegie Hall debut with the American Theater Dance Workshop Repertoire Company while still in high school. She graduated summa cum laude from Wagner College, where she earned a BA in Theater Performance with a minor in dance. Since then, she has performed in over fifteen musical theater productions and plays in regional houses all over the country from Wyoming to Maine. As a director/choreographer, her work has been seen onstage at The Minskoff Theatre during the 2019 Easter Bonnet Competition, as well as at the John W. Engeman Theater on Long Island and all over the tri-state area. Every year, Becky shares her love of theater and dance with hundreds of students of all ages. As both a current working professional and a teaching artist, she takes what she is learning every day back to the studio to share with her students so that they can become the best performers they can be. Becky’s most important job is being a dog Mom to her rescue pup, Tofu. She loves hiking and taking care of her 40+ houseplants.

Melissa Katz
Melissa Katz has been singing and dancing since she could walk, and talk! She discovered her passion for musical theater at a young age while attending summer camp at the Summer Arts Center at the JCC in Scarsdale. A Westchester native raised in New Rochelle, she was a student in the PAVE dance program at New Rochelle High School and was on the dance team. She went on to graduate from Stony Brook University with a B.A in psychology, where she also studied dance extensively. She is a graduate of the Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center, as well as the Dana Foglia Dance International Mentorship, Rhapsody James' Motivating Excellence Program, and Luam Keflezgy's Rock The Industry Program, training with some of the most respected choreographers and teachers in the dance industry. She has been seen dancing on stages at Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, the Playstation Theater, the Prudential Center and other notable venues in NYC and LA. She has danced alongside artists such as Maluma, Demi Lovato, The Wanted, and Chris Brown. Melissa is also a passionate singer and songwriter, and she aspires to develop her skills in teaching both crafts in the future. While Melissa loves performing, she is equally passionate about teaching and working with children. She earned her MA in Dance Education from New York University and has been teaching children and teens in the Westchester area. Melissa is dedicated to guiding and inspiring her students as they develop their friendships, confidence, storytelling abilities, self-expression, teamwork, kindness, and star-power through the magic of song and dance. She is so excited to reconnect with her love of musical theater and to use it as the tool for allowing children and teens to discover their uniqueness and reach their full potential. Melissa is honored to be on the Artistree team, and cannot wait to work with your wonderful and talented children.

Nicole Maggio
Nicole is an actor, singer, dancer and voice-over artist from Westchester County, NY. Nicole is thrilled to be a part of the teaching staff at Artistree! She received her BFA in acting from Marymount Manhattan College. Favorite credits include Perception of Color, Love & Human Remains, Polaroid Stories and a voiceover for Revlon Cosmetics. In addition to pursuing acting and musical theatre, Nicole enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for the arts with the students at Artistree.

Chelsea Thomason
Choreographer
Chelsea is so excited to be part of Artistree and its mission! Chelsea has been dancing for over two decades and performing professionally in musicals across the country since she was 16. She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and holds a diploma from both the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and Harrison Arts Center (in Lakeland, Florida). She also holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has performed all over the country and can currently be seen every Friday night at 9 PM on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch performing her live ukulele show “Chels Barks a Song” (@chelsbarks)She resides in New York City with her awesome husband Jet and her fat cat named Doris.

Ryan Kessler
Film and On-Camera Teacher/Director
Ryan Kessler is a graduate of Marist College and has been fortunate to work in theater, film and television as an actor. Selected theater credits include: Sideman (Meetinghouse Rep.); A Few Good Men and A Comedy of Errors (River Rep.), A Christmas Carol—A Ghost Story (Hartford Stage Company), and Sixteen Wounded (Long Wharf Theatre). His film and TV credits include: Pinkville (nominated for Best Drama at the Hollywood Film Festival, Rome Independent Film Festival), Fox TV Studios’ SubterraNYa, Practice (Golden Starfish Award, Hamptons International Film Festival), He has also appeared on As the World Turns, The Vampire Diaries and South of Hell. Ryan is thrilled to be joining the Artistree team this fall.

Michael Mastroianni
Music Director
Michael Mastroianni is a music director, orchestrator, musician & conductor, and thrilled to be a member of the Artistree family. Michael has been playing piano since the age of 4, and has been involved with over 150 productions of musicals. Locally, he has worked with the Sandbox Theatre, White Plains Performing Arts, Helen Hayes Youth Theatre, Lighthouse, & Yorktown Stage, as well as dozens of public and private schools in Westchester. Michael’s professional credits include off-Broadway shows, regional premieres, revues and cabarets, and most recently, music directing the national tour of FINDING NEVERLAND. Other favorite credits include BORN FOR THIS (Cutler Majestic), BURN ALL NIGHT (A.R.T.), SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE (Emelin), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (WPPAC), and WEST SIDE STORY (Seacoast Rep).
Michael has also appeared on a number of records from up-and-coming artists as musician & orchestrator, and is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Aside from music, Michael’s passions include sushi, napping & interior decorating. Mastromjm.com

John Treacy Egan
Teacher/Director
John is thrilled to be part of the faculty at Artistree! Recently appeared Off Broadway as Newt Gingrich in CLINTON the musical. His recent credits include the TONY nominated CASA VALENTINA at Manhattan Theater Club. He played Chief Berry in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT and created the roles in the Broadway productions of SISTER ACT(Joey) and DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID (Chef Louis). He played Max Bialystock in the Broadway Production of THE PRODUCERS as well as the roles of Roger DeBris and Franz Liebkind. He was an original cast member of the Broadway production of JEKYLL & HYDE and Roundabout’s BYE BYE BIRDIE. He has toured the U.S. and Europe in productions of KISS ME KATE and CATS.
Off-Broadway, John created roles in Howard Crabtree’s WHEN PIGS FLY!, DISASTER The Musical, IT MUST BE HIM and BATBOY The Musical. He has performed at Carnegie Hall as Nicely Nicely in GUYS & DOLLS with Nathan Lane and Megan Mullaly. He was also performed with Josh Groban in The Actor’s Fund of America Benefit of CHESS. Regionally, John has performed with Yale Reparatory Theater in THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS.
He has appeared on television in THE GOOD WIFE, THE KNICK, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, NURSE JACKIE, 30 ROCK, CUPID, LAW & ORDER, LATE NIGHT with CONAN O’BRIEN, and AS THE WORLD TURNS and the films LAST NIGHT, and the film version of THE PRODUCERS.
He can be heard on many theatrical recordings as well as his own solo CDs Count the Stars and On Christmas Morning are available on itunes and cdbaby.com.