Spring Musical

 

PERFORMING ARTS DIRECTOR

Mr. Kyle Barnes has earned a Bachelor of Music with Honors in Composition from the Royal College of Music in London, and a Master of Music in Composition from Carnegie Mellon University here in Pittsburgh. Mr. Barnes apprenticed as a music teacher under the mentorship of the London Symphony Orchestra's Director of Educational Outreach, Ms. Rachel Leach, as well as with expert educators from CMU, RCM, and Sherry Frush Music Studio. He is a composer of orchestral and theatrical works, has conducted professional and high school ensembles of various kinds, and is a practiced musician in voice, piano, violin, viola, and French horn. Mr. Barnes says “let us work to flourish the Performing Arts at SLS for the good of our Students, the joy of our Audiences, and for the glory of God alone!”

 

 

PERFORMING ARTS CONSULTANT

& MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE SPRING MUSICAL

Mrs. Elisabeth Charles (or “M.C.”, as the students call her) has enjoyed 43 years as a Music Educator, including Professorships at Duquesne University and at Robert Morris University in the role of Director of Bands. M.C. has conducted orchestras all over North America and Europe, and is an exceptionally talented wind instrumentalist who is quite capable at teaching any instrument! With her impressive career and experience, and as a Performing Arts Consultant, M.C. will lend her insights to Mr. Barnes for the good of the Performing Arts Department! As Music Director of the Spring Musical, M.C. will take on the full responsibilities of this role, teaching students how to deliver dynamic, entertaining, and musical performances on stage, and wielding her baton at the helm of our Pit Orchestra! M.C. says “I am honored and blessed to have the opportunity to work with the amazing students at Seton LaSalle, the supportive administration who very clearly realizes that arts education is crucial in our society today, and the faith-based Performing Arts Staff who will lead all of us to heights that we can only dream of!”

 

 

COMMUNITY MANAGER

Ms. Hastings Wagamon (or “Ms. W”, as the students call her) earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with certification in Theater Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and recently worked as the Project Coordinator for Rohn & Associates Design, Inc. Ms. W has seemingly bottomless energy and know-how for leading Performing Arts projects to success. As Community Manager of the Performing Arts Department, Ms. W will ensure that all members enjoy a pleasant experience throughout the course of their participation in our community by taking lead responsibility for managing all community experiences, including front-of-house activities, media marketing, Alumni and Donor Relations, premiere student experiences, The Masters-of-Fun, and The Performing Arts Banquet. Ms. W says “I could not be more excited to serve our community by lifting all Performing Arts experiences to the next level for the benefit of all our members, new and old!”

 

 

REVENUE MANAGER

Mr. Samuel Wormer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh; and enjoys a successful track record of managing finance products at PNC as a Client Solution Advisor and Team Lead, where he has worked closely with myriad Pittsburgh businesses over the past five years. As Revenue Manager of the Performing Arts Department, Mr. Wormer will be responsible for all revenue activities, including advertisement, ticket, front-of-house sales, in order that all elements work together to optimize the Department’s financial performance for the good of our students, audiences, and the glory of God! Mr. Wormer says “We are laying the foundation for the Lord to grow a top tier Performing Arts Department for the benefit of the whole Seton LaSalle Community!”

 

 

DIRECTOR OF THE FALL DRAMA

& SPRING MUSICAL

Mrs. Erin Wolf earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. She has worked in Pittsburgh, New York, and Philadelphia as a stand-up comedian, as well as toured Fringe Festivals across the country with several plays she wrote and produced, and continues to be an active author, producer, and director. Mrs. Wolf recently moved back to Pittsburgh from Kansas, where she worked previously in Secondary Education as a theater director, drama teacher, and speech and debate coach. During her tenure at Maur Hill - Mount Academy in Kansas, Mrs. Wolf was awarded Educator of the Year by the Atchison Rotary Club (2018-2019), New District Coach of the Year for East Kansas (2019), and will receive the Donus D. Roberts Coaching Excellence Award presented by the National Speech and Debate Association in June 2024. Mrs. Wolf is currently pursuing a Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in English through Point Park University. Mrs. Wolf says "The staff, faculty, administration, and students at Seton LaSalle are truly special and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work with them. I am especially excited to work with an amazing staff of Performing Arts Professionals; together, we work to take this department to new and dazzling heights so that our students will enjoy more opportunities than ever before to benefit from a top-notch Performing Arts experience!".

 

 

CHOREOGRAPHER (TB & SM)

Mrs. Maria Slutiak has been an Adjunct Dance Professor at Point Park University since 2002. Prior to Point Park, she traveled extensively for nearly a decade as a prominent member of JAZZDANCE by Danny Buraczeski. Mrs. Slutiak has performed at venues such as Jacob’s Pillow, The Joyce Theatre, and The Kennedy Center. In addition to Point Park, Mrs. Slutiak has taught master classes around the country at myriad dance festivals and universities, and has taught at the University of Minnesota, Ballet Arts Minnesota, Zenon Dance Company & School, the Dance Conservatory of Pittsburgh, and the Arena’s Dance Company in Moon Township. As an accomplished choreographer, Mrs. Slutiak has created for Ballet Arts, Waconia Performing Arts Center, Phillip Pelusi Runway Show, the West Allegheny Elementary School Variety Shows, and has presented works for the Adjunct Connections Performance at Point Park. There she has been the rehearsal director for numerous guest choreographers who have visited in the past twenty one years and has assisted Danny Buraczeski when he a signature work, “Swing Concert” in 2005. Maria says “I am elated to be joining the Performing Arts Department at Seton LaSalle as choreographer! My hope is that my passion for dance will bring you joy and inspire you each and every day.”

 

 

SET & PROP DESIGNER (FD & SM)

Ms. Sam Olszewski (or “Ms. Sam”, as the students call her) is the Associate Scenic Charge at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland, PA. In 2021, she earned a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Theater Design and Technology from Syracuse University; Ms. O has designed for the CLO Academy, Quantium Theatre, The New Hazlet Theatre, Gretna Theatre, and for many other college and high school productions, including at Seton LaSalle; and has designed for numerous shows, including Matilda Jr., Perdita, Hamlet, The Matchmaker, Lonely Planet, Oklahoma!, The Crucible, among many others. Ms. O is skilled at theatrical facade, carpentry, replica, and enjoys taking a Director’s vision and exploring creative realizations of it. We are thankful to have her join us again this year!

 

 

SOUND ENGINEER & DESIGNER

Mr. Dave Skalniak returns as Sound Engineer and Designer for his third year at Seton LaSalle, having worked on “Jerry’s Girls”, “Scenes from a Quarantine/Everyman” and "Oklahoma!”. He is excited to have the opportunity to continue to work with and supervise the student sound crew at Seton LaSalle. Mr. Skalniak is a veteran of community and high school theater and has designed sound and mixed shows including “The Boyfriend”, “Oliver”, “Hello Dolly”, “The Wizard of Oz" and “The Little Mermaid” just to name a few. By day, Mr. Skalniak is the Media Services Manager for a local school district and also freelances as a front-of-house sound engineer for events at the Petersen Events Center at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a 1991 graduate of Robert Morris College with a degree in Communication Management. Dave and his wife Deneen are the proud parents of three children: Brandon (Seton LaSalle class of 2021) and Julia and Nicholas, currently juniors at Seton LaSalle.

 

 

DIRECTOR OF "THE TREBELS" A CAPPELLA CHOIR

Ms. Anna Fitzgibbon (or “Ms. Fitz”, as the students call her) is a graduate from Seton LaSalle who is very excited to return as part of the Performing Arts Department! In 2023, Ms. Fitz graduated as a vocalist with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Duquesne University and currently teaches full time at Propel Northside as the K-8 General and Choral Music Teacher. As a former Trebel herself, Ms. Fitz competed in four years of International Championship of High School A Cappella Competitions from 2016 to 2019. During those years, The Trebels won first place in the Quarterfinal in 2016 and a special award for "Best Arrangement" in both 2016 and 2019. Now as Director, Ms. Fitz hopes to watch the Trebels grow into its best group yet! "Let's continue to make the Performing Arts Department a place where musicianship and character are strengthened simultaneously!" 

 

 

DIRECTOR OF THE MARCHING BAND

& JAZZ BAND

Mr. Michael Columbus is an alumni of Seton LaSalle with five years marching experience in The Sudler Award Winning “Pride of West Virginia” Mountaineer Marching Band at West Virginia University. There he earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and then earned a Master in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. He is a registered professional civil engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. From a young age, Mr. Columbus has taken every available opportunity to participate in drama, musical theater, church choir, mixed chorus, concert, jazz, and, of course, Marching band. He has been acting, singing, and dancing from the age of four, has been playing the trombone from the age of seven, and has always been obsessed with music, the Marching Band in particular. As Director of the Marching and Jazz Bands, Mr. Coumbus says “I hope to create wonderful shows for the entertainment of family, friends, and music lovers alike while also preparing students for a life-long pursuit of music making!”

 

 

GENERAL EFFECTS DIRECTOR (MB)

Mrs. Lauren Ringeisen started in the Marching Band in the summer of 2007, where she marched with the Keystone Oaks Marching Band for 3 years and served as colorguard captain for the 2009-2010 season. She then went on to march at Clarion University (now Penn West Clarion) for four years and served as section leader for two years. Mrs. Ringeisen then joined the Seton LaSalle Marching Band Staff in 2019 as the Colorguard/Silks Instructor, and this year in the position of General Effect Director. Mrs. Ringeisen takes the experience that she has learned performing for 15 years and translates that into a marching show that can be viewed and loved by all who watch. Mrs. Ringeisen is a full time Senior Operations Analyst at UPMC Health Plan in their Medicare Enrollment Department, and is a recipient of the UPMC ACES, which is the highest award given to employees for dedication and outstanding service.

 

 

AUXILIARY DIRECTOR (MB)

Ms. Emily Columbus was in Silk’s (Colorguard) when a student at Seton LaSalle and was instrumental in shaping the work of the group as captain for two years, she was part of the Rebelettes (dance team) for a year, and went on to march for four years in The Sudler Award Winning “Pride of West Virginia” Mountaineer Marching Band at West Virginia University. There she earned a Master of Arts in Elementary Education with certification in Special Education, Pre-K, and Kindergarten. Ms Columbus was a Rank Leader and an Assistant Section Leader of the 50-piece Color Guard and is a Foundation Outstanding Senior recipient. While in college, Ms Columbus established a Color Guard for individuals with special needs, called Morgantown Stars; after University she established a Color Guard of the same description in Bethel Park, called the South Hills Stars. Ms Columubus has been working at Seton LaSalle with the Color Guard for four years, and is currently a Special Education Teacher at an online school; Ms Columbus says “I love being able to share my knowledge and skills with students!”

 

 

GUEST PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR (MB)

Mr. Nolan Dowling joined us for the 2023 Marching Band Season as the guest Percussion Instructor. As an outstanding member of the Baldwin High School Performing Arts Department, Mr. Dowling has occupied many leadership positions, including drum major, drumline captain, and section leader. He is an exceptional percussionist, experienced with a broad range of instruments and styles and is excited to put his insights and skill in the service of our students!