Joe Anzalone
Videography
Joe is a graduate of Slippery Rock University where he studied digital media production, empathizing in television production and minoring in film studies. He then continued his education at Point Park University where he obtained his MFA in writing for screen and stage. He has been an After School Arts instructor and currently teaches art classes at Summit Academy.
Jocelyn Beatty
Watercolor Painting
Jocelyn studied art at Edinboro University before working as an architectural draftsman. She began pursuing a full time career in painting over two decades ago and has taught at the Hoyt for more than 20 years. She is the first woman to take 1st place in the PA Game Commission’s Duck Stamp contest.
Kate Burke
Mosaics
Graduate of the Art Institute of Boston, Kate has worked in public art for over 25 years. As a painter and relief carver, her works can be found in public, private, and corporate collections in Minneapolis, Boston, and beyond.
Richard DiGia
Drawing
Richard has his degrees from Westminster College and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and brings 27 years of experience in advertising and design. He is adjunct professor at Geneva College and has taught at Westminster College and the Butler Institute of American Art.
Alina Glath
Youth Classes
Alina received her BFA with a concentration in K-12 teaching preparation from Slippery Rock University. She has taught art classes at the Butler Art Center, Brushes and Barstools, and Slippery Rock University for all ages. These classes included various media such as painting, printmaking, fiber art, and clay sculpture. Alina’s work has been included in many regional and national juried exhibitions such as the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at Kennesaw State University, GA.
Beth Goldstein-McKee
Cello
Beth has taught cello to children for over thirty years at institutes, workshops, and conferences across the country and internationally, and in her private studio. She is a registered Suzuki Association of the Americas teacher trainer of Suzuki pedagogy. Beth also teaches in her private studio at Hope Academy.
Nancy Hawkins
Oil Painting
Nancy Hawkins studied at Fort Wayne Art Institute before receiving her BFA in painting and drawing from Kent State University. She is an active exhibitor and member of the Ohio Plein Air Society.
Paige Kleinfelder
Youth Classes
Paige is an avid painter and has exhibited her work regionally, including the annual Regional and former Mid Atlantic juried exhibitions at the Hoyt. She received her art degree from Elmira College, Ithaca, NY. She held various roles with the Associated Artists of Butler County, including instructor and board member, before becoming the organization’s Education Coordinator. She now serves as the Outreach Coordinator the Hoyt.
Cindy Naples
Yoga
After practicing yoga for 15+ years, in 2015 she Earned her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification at Broad Street Yoga (Grove City) studying Ashtanga and Vinyasa styles of yoga. She then joined the teaching staff at Infinity Flow Yoga (New Castle) and now here at the Hoyt. Practicing yoga can greatly improve one’s strength and ability to move. Each time on the mat becomes a mental, physical and spiritual learning experience. By teaching yoga, it is Cindy’s desire to share with others the benefits of this wonderful practice.
Beth Magyan
Origami
Beth has her art degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (BFA) and Tyler School of Art at Temple University (MFA). She is a member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh. Beth has taught ceramics and origami at community art centers, schools and senior living facilities. She has also exhibited in both the retail and wholesale marketplaces. Beth is owner of Magyan Clay and Paper, a studio that includes both decorative and functional ceramic products and an origami jewelry line of earrings, pins and floral arrangements.
Alissa Pesavento
Harp
Alissa is a highly accomplished Harpist who received an MA from Kent State. She has taught extensively at universities and privately. Her performances includes solos, festivals, and events.
Robert Presnar
Hoyt Education Director
Bob has served as the Hoyt’s Education Director since 2008. His undergraduate degree is in Secondary Education, Social Studies. He has a Master’s degree in History from Slippery Rock University. In addition to planning the Hoyt’s adult and youth class semesters, he teaches the After School Arts Program and Art’s Club and is affectionately known by his students as “Mr. Bob.” He is also known as a researcher, writer, and local historian and has published various works on the area’s past.
Stephanie Presnar
Special Education Instructor
A graduate of Slippery Rock University, Stephanie holds degrees in Early Childhood Development and Special Education and a minor in Art for Elementary Education. She is an elementary art teacher at Mohawk Area School District. She previously worked in the Autistic Support program at Mohawk and was a Hoyt STEAM instructor for the New Castle Area School District’s CANES Club After School Program. Miss Presnar was also previously an After School Arts instructor for the Hoyt. She joined the Art Camp staff in 2018 and has been teaching the 3-5 year-old class ever since. She also teaches our Sensory Friendly Workshops.
Lou Recchione
Stained Glass
Lou is a native of New Castle who currently resides on the city’s north hill. Growing up three streets from the Hoyt, He would walk by the complex and admire the architecture but never entered until he was an adult. Lou’s introduction to stained glass was as a pupil in an 8 week course offered at the Hoyt where he instantly fell in love. He has since taken the course multiple times, made many stained glass window panels and sun catchers for family members, and made a stained glass demonstration video for the Hoyt.
Nancy Sontich-Lenhart
Ceramics
Nancy Lenhart received a BA in Art from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. She continued her studies at Youngstown State University working as a studio assistant in the ceramics department. She owns a private studio in Struthers, OH and has been teaching ceramics at the Hoyt for over twenty years.
Cassidy Tonks
Photography & Digital Media
Cassidy received her BFA from Clarion University. She had a variety of professional experiences ranging from photography and graphic design to marketing. She taught at McGuire Memorial as a part of their life enrichment program and Sewickley Sweet Water Center for the Arts as a photography instructor before joining the Hoyt Staff. Cassidy teaches classes & workshops in digital media and graphic design in the Hoyt’s Digital Media Lab.
Jewel Ullrich
Voice
Jewel is a certified vocal coach, singer and performer. Jewel started singing at an early age and always loved the stage. Her love of expression through music, led her to perform in various musical productions and even earned many achievements as a vocalist, such as: 1st Runner Up in Western PA and Eastern Ohio’s singing competition, Rocket To The Stars.