Aspire Performing Arts Company's mission is to provide educational workshops and production opportunities for children and teens, offering a professional arts experience in a friendly atmosphere.
dream. create. aspire.
dream. create. aspire.
Who's Who at Aspire Performing Arts Company
Lisa Beth Vettoso (Founder/Artistic Director)
Aspire Performing Arts Company represents the culmination of Lisa’s 20+ years of experience in the arts and fulfills her dream of working with children in her own theatre company. Previously, Lisa was Artistic Director of the BG Theatre Club for five years, directing, choreographing, and producing 15 productions. Lisa holds a B.A. in Communication and Theatre from Villanova University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Theatre from New York University. She is currently the Executive Director of The Art School at Old Church in Demarest, NJ. Lisa has also worked with prestigious organizations such as The New York Pops, American Repertory Ballet, the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, Carnegie Hall, and the State Theatre. Over the course of her career, she has produced, directed, and choreographed more than 50 youth theatre productions.
Brooke Garfinkel (Instructor/Director)
Brooke Garfinkel works as a teaching artist, director, and actress, and has taught, directed, and performed on both the east and west coasts. She attended Montclair State University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with an honors Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting with a minor in Musical Theatre. She currently is pursuing her Master of Arts in Arts Administration at Rowan University. As an actress she has been seen at the Marin Shakespeare Company, across the tri-state area touring with Equalogy, and in New York City performing with a variety of Shakespeare companies. As a director, she has worked with students throughout New Jersey to perform traditional musical theatre and plays, as well as to devise and perform their own original plays. As a teacher, she has taught with Montclair State University, the Marin Shakespeare Company and Riverside Theatre Arts previously, and is very proud to currently be teaching for and working with George Street Playhouse, McCarter Theatre Center, Noteworthy Academy of Music, and now Aspire Performing Arts. brookegarfinkel.com
Casey Gorab (Instructor)
Casey Gorab is a composer and performer. Her original works have premiered at venues such as New York City's 54 Below and The Triad Theater, Hackensack PAC, and Montclair State University. With individual pieces, group numbers, and an entire musical in the making, her repertoire is constantly expanding. In addition to composing, she is a vocalist who can accompany both herself and others on piano, guitar, and ukulele. She also continues to practice violin and drums. She is currently a member of the Montclair State University Chorale, and the Montclair State University Singers, who have collaborated with organizations such as the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and Music for Life International.
Charles Linnell (Music Director)
Charles Linnell has directed and musically directed numerous school and community shows, including The 25th Annual...Spelling Bee, The Wedding Singer, Legally Blonde, Shrek, The Addams Family, Grease, South Pacific, Once Upon A Mattress, Beauty & the Beast, Oklahoma, Footloose, Evita, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wiz, Crazy For You, High School Musical, West Side Story, The Fantasticks, Once On This Island Jr., Schoolhouse Rock Jr., Bells Are Ringing, and Into the Woods. He is the Choral Director at Kinnelon HS, where his choirs and students have won acclaim with numerous superior ratings and acceptances to state, all-eastern, and national honor choirs. A graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts, he studied voice with Frederick Urrey and Taina Kataja, as well as conducting with Patrick Gardner. Mr. Linnell also serves as the Director of Music at St. Cecilia Church in Rockaway, and performs regularly in the NJ/NYC area. He recently received his master's degree in Educational Leadership through the University of Texas.
Rich Lovallo (Instructor/Music Director)
Rich Lovallo is a graduate of Ramapo College with a B.A. in theatre. He has worked professionally as a music director at the scholastic, college, community and professional level for many years. Rich was part of the voice faculty for NJPAC Summer Youth Performance Workshop. He was also resident musical director for 14 years at the Worth-Tyrrell School of Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ. He has been the Musical Theatre teacher and private vocal coach at the Rhino Theatre since 2006. Aside from his theatrical endeavors, he is the Director of Music Ministries at Butler United Methodist Church in Butler NJ. He is also a co-founder and current President of the Triad Arts Ensemble, and sings with the Triad Vocal Ensemble. With Triad he performs in an annual benefit concert for NJ AIDS related charities (www.canticlesforlife.org). In whatever time is left, he is husband to his wonderful wife, Jennifer, father to four amazing children, Sophie, Anna, Marcus and Michael, and grandfather to Julian. Rich gives all glory and praise to God for the gift of music.
Lauren Palmeri (Instructor/Choreographer)
Lauren holds a BFA in Theatre from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and has worked professionally as a performer for the past 10 years. She appeared in the first National Tour of Elf the Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast National Tour (Belle cover), and regionally in Funny Girl, Tick Tick Boom, My Fair Lady, Carousel, Ragtime, Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, and West Side Story. She most recently appeared as a headliner on a World Cruise with Princess Cruise Lines. Lauren has also been a teaching artist and choreographer for the NJPAC, MAYO PAC, Steps on Broadway, and Vanguard Theatre Company. https://www.laurenpalmerionline.com
Randi Seffinger (Director)
Randi Seffinger is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Speech and Fordham Law School. In addition to productions at Aspire PAC, she has directed numerous youth productions including Be More Chill (Rhino Theatre) and Singin’ in the Rain (Old Library Theatre). She has also directed several adult productions including the award-winning Thank You Notes (Rhino Theatre) and girl. (Eccentric Theatre Company). When not behind the scenes, Randi enjoys being on stage. Favorite roles include Diana in Next to Normal (Buzz Theatre/Rhino Theatre), Carol Strong in Catch Me if You Can (Old Library Theatre) and Anna in The King and I (Y Arts Theatre Company). Randi is also co-owner of Buzz Theatre Productions, a theatre company catering to local talent and innovative works.
Benjamin Yates (Instructor/Director)
Benjamin Yates was born into a family theatre company, Yates Musical Theatre, where he works as both a professional actor and stage manager in their musicals for children. He went on to receive his B.A. in Theatre from Seton Hall University where he directed A Tale of Sleeping Beauty and The Diary of Adam and Eve. He then founded Third Generation Summer Theatre, which consisted of week-long summer theatre camps for children. He has worked with Missoula Children's Theatre, KJK Productions, Stars Within Reach Productions, and has directed musicals such as The Frog Prince, Aladdin, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR., Disney's The Little Mermaid JR., and The Soldier and the Princess, an original musical with book, music, and lyrics by Benjamin Yates. He now teaches theatre at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and is ecstatic to teach and direct for Aspire Performing Arts!