Our Faculty

Awaken The Gift℠ with expert instruction from our team of seasoned creatives from Broadway veterans to renowned painters and musicians.

Director, The School for The Arts™

Haven Burton (Director of the School, Art and Faith, Curtains Up!) is a Broadway and Voice over actress, living in West Orange. She earned a BFA from NYU where she studied at the Experimental Theatre Wing. She has been performing in Broadway shows for the past 20 years. Favorite Broadway credits include: Maureen in RENT, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Fiona in Shrek the Musical, Violet in Violet!, and Lauren in Kinky Boots.

You can hear her voice in national commercials, audio books, and beloved animated series like Pokémon. She has taught at Broadway camps and master classes all over the country. She is the proud mother of 3 beautiful children, and an advocate for the Autism and Down syndrome communities.

Instructor

Kevin Brooks, a professional artist, singer/guitarist at age 17 on the CBS weekly TV series, “Tell It Like It Was”, which featured African American History, in story, art, and song, from 1967-69.

His celebrity evolved into becoming a NY illustrator, requested by an agent, while attending The Philadelphia College of Art. Mr. Brooks is an invited Artist-in-Residence and teaches in several school districts creating specialized programs. His murals and portraits have honored the (ret.) Secretary of State, Colin Powell, the late Whitney Houston, and many others. “We serve the children of the world.” Owner of kevinbrooksdzineart.com

Administrative Assistant, The School for The Arts™

Abigail Oliver is the Administrative Assistant to the School for the Arts as well as the Marketing & Communications Assistant at The Life Christian Church. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate in Psychology at Montclair State University with a minor in Family Science and Human Development. She is the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship Award and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Abigail is an advocate for the arts as it played a huge part of her development and growth. Growing up she was able to be apart of the Essex County Honors Band and National Award-Winning West Orange High School Marching Band. She works to continue the arts movement in the Tri-State Metropolitan Area.

Instructor
Alex is a dedicated Youth Pastor at The Life Christian Church, where he passionately serves the younger generation. Alex's educational background includes a degree in Pastoral Ministry, which equips him with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on the lives of the youth. When he is not engaged in pastoral work, he has a deep love for movies. Exploring cinematic worlds and storytelling is a source of inspiration for him. His artistic expression finds its outlet in graphic design. It all began with a basic Dell computer and a Photoshop CD, where he discovered the exciting world of visual creativity. Since then, Alex has been honing his skills in graphic design to convey messages, ideas, and emotions through visual mediums.

Instructor
Alexa Astarita is the owner and artistic director of Motion Arts Dance Studios, located in Maplewood, NJ. She has over 25 years of training in jazz, ballet, modern, and hip hop, and has been teaching children in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for more than a decade.
Alexa earned her BA in dance and media/communications from Muhlenberg College and has continued her professional studies in NYC at the Martha Graham School and the José Limón Dance Foundation. Alexa’s passion for the art of dance drives her work every day, and she loves to create and grow along with her students.

Instructor
Gabby Florendo is the Worship Coordinator and Social Media Manager at The Life Christian Church. Before leading worship Gabby was heavily involved in musical theater studying with The Barrow Group, touring with Papermill Playhouse and is currently vocally trained by Linda Benanti. She appeared in roles such as Aida (Aida), The Little Mermaid (Flounder), In The Heights (Nina), Into The Woods (Cinderella), and Mamma Mia! (Sophie).
She currently creates songs for TLCC and Tehillah Worship Collective, but began her writing journey writing alongside Maverick City Music. In addition to her music career, Gabby received her BA in Social Media and Public Relations this past May from Montclair State University.

Instructor
Gwendolyn Valerius is a transformational book coach who helps struggling writers turn blank pages into binge-worthy books. She’s also a southern girl with a penchant for accents, Korean dramas, and steaming bowls of Ramen. Her writing career began in the sixth grade when she created stories about her friends, and all the adventures they were too young to take part in.
Fast-forward many years and many adventures, including publishing two novels, We Could Be and Vengeance, Be Mine, as well as a children’s picture book, Queen Baby. Her words have been published with Blerd, Verve Romance, Jersey City Writers, and The Sistah Girl Next Door.

Instructor
Franki DeSaro received a BFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2015. Franki has exhibited in and curated group and solo exhibitions internationally including New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and France. She has guided art education programs, classes, and workshops for ages 4-18+ years in multiple locations including The One River School and The Center for Contemporary Art. In addition, Franki has created art as healing programs for women and children throughout India and for underprivileged children on the East Coast.
Presently, she co-leads a non-profit organization Light to Earth Sanctuary while continuing her studio practice in NJ. DeSaro is currently exhibiting her solo exhibition ‘Rebirth into The Light’ at Bell Works, a metroburb art space located in Holmdel, NJ.

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