The Faces Behind the Talent:
Our Instructors

Music has been an integral part of Donna’s life. This includes private study in trumpet and voice; performance in numerous bands and choirs; solo work in voice and trumpet; hired for brass quintet, musicals, and many other music performances at various venues. Donna obtained an associate degree in liberal arts from Rowan College of South Jersey in 2019 and continued her studies in Music Education at Rowan University; she earned a BA in music from Thomas Edison University in 2024. Relative classes include Foundations of Music Education; Human Exceptionalities; Instrument method classes such as clarinet, trombone, flute, saxophone, piano and more. Donna is passionate about working with and helping children and has served as a substitute teacher for the past seven years including a recent 2024 long-term substitute position as a music teacher.

Walter is currently the vocal music and drama director for the Commercial Township School District. During his 21 years at Commercial, he received Teacher of the Year during both the 2003-2004 and 2016-2017 school year. His productions and students have received awards and recognition at the Bucks County Playhouse Theatre Festival, the New Jersey local and state Teen Arts Festival and the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star awards. During his 30 plus years in education, Walter is very proud to have had the privilege to teach students who are now published playwrights, artistic directors, choreographers, actors, and teachers of Theatre Arts.

A graduate of Rowan University, he also studied at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey where he was a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir who performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Walter is a passionate advocate for Arts Education for both children and adults. He currently serves as the Artistic Director of The Off Broad Street Players which is the resident theatre company of the Levoy Theatre. Walter recently received the NJACT Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to New Jersey Community Theatre.

Amanda Ellis (choreographer, The Jungle Book KIDS) is a recent undergrad alumni from Seton Hill University earning her bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education. She is currently enrolled at Seton Hill getting her masters in Innovative Instruction. This is her second summer working with the Levoy Summer Camp. She has previously music directed 101 Dalmatians at the Levoy. She is currently the Children’s Ensemble Director/Choreographer for Wizard of Oz at the Levoy Theater. She has also performed in numerous shows over the years.

Julia Terry, a University of Maryland alumna with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a concentration in French Horn, is a distinguished figure in both music and education. Her passion for the French Horn flourished during her time at the university, and she further showcased her leadership as Mellophone Section Leader for the Mighty Sound of Maryland, the university’s Big 10 Marching Band. Julia has marched in Open and World Class DCI drum corps from 2016-2020. Her love for the marching arts led her to become the Lead Brass Instructor for the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corp from 2021 – present. Julia’s contributions have been integral to the ensemble’s success. She has found her calling as an instrumental music teacher, dedicated to nurturing young talents from 4th to 8th grade in Mullica Township, Atlantic County, NJ. Julia’s unique blend of musical expertise and pedagogical skills inspires her students, fostering a deep-rooted passion for music that will last a lifetime.

Tanya Nakai has been teaching music and theater for 26 years at Upper Deerfield Township Schools, where she has directed countless musicals and had the pleasure of being named Teacher of the Year. Some of her favorite productions have included The Little Mermaid Jr., The Lion King KIDS, Aladdin KIDS, and The Jungle Book KIDS. She also assists and accompanies the Woodruff A.C.E. Music Ensemble, traveling with them to many award-winning Junior Theater Festivals in Atlanta, GA, and recently to Walt Disney World for a Disney Imagination Campus workshop. Tanya is a lyric coloratura soprano, who earned Vocal Performance and Music Educations degrees from The Greatbatch School of Music in New York. While there, she traveled to sing in Finland, Switzerland, and Russia. Mrs. Nakai also studied at the University of Siena, in Italy, performing in Rome, Siena, and Florence. Her favorite performing roles include Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and Julie Jordan in Carousel. Tanya is married to her husband, Ryan, and they have two children in college right now, Lindsay and Drew. Lindsay has performed in many shows at the Levoy and taught Dance at the Levoy Summer Camp. Tanya is excited to begin her time at the Levoy sharing her love of music and theater.

Deserea Lachelle Byrd began her dance education in 1998, studying Ballet, Hip-Hop, and African dance with the NJBC Liturgical Dance Team in New Jersey. By 2001, she was the head teacher and choreographer for the team, creating performances for mission trips to Mexico and Jamaica.

From 2002 to 2008, Deserea was involved with the HRHS Backstage Players Theater Company, first as a performer and later as a choreographer for shows like "Grease" and "Bye Bye Birdie." She earned her Associate's Degree in Dance from Camden County College in 2008 and her Bachelor's Degree in Dance: Studio Operations from Richard Stockton University in 2011. At RSCNJ, she performed and choreographed numerous pieces.

Deserea briefly returned to HRHS in 2011 and then worked with the NJBC Liturgical Dance Team until 2013. She also taught at All That Dance Studio and performed with OMNI Professional Dance Company. From 2017 to 2020, she served as a missionary with YWAM Tyler Texas, managing MCMC Studio and participating in various creative projects. She taught and performed in Texas, Mexico, South Korea, and Eastern Asia. Currently, she teaches multiple dance styles at All That Dance Studio.

Renee Brecht-Mangiafico, an alumna of University of South Dakota, has studied violin since the age of 9 and taught private violin and fiddle lessons for over twenty years. As a youth she competed on a national level on her instrument. She is currently the Director of Education at the Levoy Arts and Education Center and leads the monthly Celtic Sessions.