Paul Dengler Photo/Video/Sound/Publication Paul is a photographer of more than 30 years. He currently teaches Photography, Television Production, and Yearbook classes at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts. He lends his expertise to aid in the recording and publication of Beauty and the Beast Jr. He has been involved in the production of Lion King Jr. and works outside of the school as the event photographer for WGCU (PBS) public media. He is a published and award winning photographer in his own right. His works have been featured in Expressions magazine and he was involved in photographing local families for the documentary film, Family Pictures USA, which premiers this summer on PBS.

David is in his 4th year at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts. He moved to Fort Myers in 1997. In Lee County he taught music at Three Oaks Elementary, Canterbury School and Cypress Lake High School. Before coming to Florida he taught music in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. David is certified to teach music, general elementary and middle school math. This is his 30th year of teaching music. Music and musicals are David’s biggest passions. He has either been the Music Director or overall Director in over 20 musicals; at the elementary, middle school, high school and community theater levels during his career. His favorite musicals are “Wicked,” “Les Miserables,” “Oliver” and “The Fantasticks.” New York is his favorite travel destination! Next to music and musicals David is a diehard University of Iowa football fan. He grew up in Iowa and has followed the team since childhood.

Cyndi teaches Art for Kindergarten through 5th grade. She has been at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts since the school first opened 15 years ago. She has taught her whole career in Lee County at 5 different schools.This is her 32nd year of teaching in the Florida public school system. She has also taught SLD Special Education classes and has her ESOL and reading endorsements. She has had several other professions prior and during to her teaching career. She has sold real estate for about 5 years. Then owned a 24 hour Daycare center with 124 children enrollment. She has done professional matting and framing for customers all over the world. She currently owns an authentic autograph business on the internet for the past 22 years. She has met many astronauts, actors/actresses, sports stars and several presidents. She will be retiring from teaching the end of May and will travel for a while then possibly start a new career.

Shandra began studying dance when she was four years old. Growing up she had twelve years of formal training at Teresa’s Academy of Dance where she studied ballet, pointe, tap and jazz. Through her teen years she assisted Ms. Teresa in both dance and choreography with the younger students. Her dance studies continued upon entering the University of Northern Iowa. Shandra auditioned and was accepted into the Orchesis Dance Company which enriched her study of ballet, tap and jazz. She added the study of contemporary dance styles along with multiple opportunities to choreograph. Shortly thereafter, she discovered Ballroom Dance and trained in styles such as the waltz, foxtrot, tango and clogging. A plethora of authentic costuming design and choreography came along with studying international folk dance from numerous countries such as Africa, Ukraine and Bulgaria.

Maria Iannone was born and raised in Milan, Italy and attended the American School of Milan. At 18 years old, she moved to the United States to pursue her passion for the performing arts by studying theatre and dance at the university level. She attended M.S.U.M. in Moorhead, Minnesota and graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with a BA in Theatre Arts and an emphasis in dance. The highlight of her college career was performing in Cats (the musical) as Bombalurina. In 2010, she started her teaching career at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts, as a dance director and instructor. She continues to share her passion for dance and performing arts with VPAA and is thrilled to see the arts continually growing in Lee County Schools.

Casey Davis is in his first year teaching at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts and currently teaches Elementary Theatre. He is originally from Memphis TN and moved to Cape Coral, FL this past July in order to teach at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts. He attended Mississippi University for Women for his B.A. in Theatre Studies and is currently attending Regent University for his M.A. in Theatre Studies. Casey has worked in theatre for the past seventeen years working in several professional theatres over the years. His favorite show that he has worked on is Singing In the Rain at Lee’s McRae Summer Theatre where he helped to make it rain on stage. He is a member of the Stage Managers Association, the World Mime Organization, International Thespian Society, and Society of Fight Directors.

Gina is a former student of the Philadelphia School of Dance, where she studies under former Prima Ballerina, Donna Warren for three years; she trained in ballet, point, tap, jazz, and hip-hop. From there, she moved on to sports where she was involved with cheerleading, tumbling, and volleyball. Currently, Gina is an ESE paraprofessional for instructional support in the math department, providing assistance for middle school students. With her astonishing eye for enhancing natural beauty and imagination for realistic design, that is what centers her as the main volunteer to the middle school arts department and the committee lead for the costumes, props, hair and makeup.

Amanda Kranich joined the VPAA faculty this academic year, teaching Middle School Visual Arts and Stage Design. The visual arts have been a passion of hers since a young age. Kranich studied studio and ceramics at Montclair State University. Since graduation, Kranich has worked at Montclair State University as Ceramic Studio Manager and production potter. She has established ceramic art programs at local art studios, been an instructor at public, private, and community institutions in New Jersey, New York, and Florida.

Lauren Forbis is a trained vocalist and music education specialist with performance experiences near and far, including Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Varna, Bulgaria. Ms. Forbis earned her Associate’s Degree in Arts under a full vocal scholarship at Florida SouthWestern State College, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Central Florida. Ms. Forbis has worked as a paid soloist at Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida and has recently sung as a featured soloist with the Voices of Naples. Ms. Forbis has enjoyed her 8 years teaching experience in elementary music, beginning band, middle school choir and middle musical theatre, and was thrilled to debut VPAA’s first large-scale musical, The Lion King Jr., last year!

Mr. Stevenson, a native of Prince Edward Island, Canada, received his education from Maritime Christian College (BA in Biblical Studies), Concordia University (BFA in Theatre), and Eastern Michigan University (MA in Drama/Theatre for the Young). His love of Theatre began back in the 4th Grade, when he started attending Saturday morning Drama classes. In addition to his love of Theatre, Classic TV, and gardening, he enjoys singing Choral Music (Fort Myers Master Singers). Besides his native Prince Edward Island, Mr. Stevenson has lived in Montreal, and Toronto, Canada; Maine, Virginia, Maryland, DC, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. He moved to Florida in 2015, to be closer to his daughters Alena and Emma, both Theatre Majors at Lehigh. He currently works at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts, as the Middle School Drama Director and Junior Thespian Co-Sponsor.