Newark & Jersey City

Danette E. Sheppard-Vaughn (she/her) is a native New Yorker and currently resides in Jersey City, NJ. She began as a vocal mentor with ArtSmart in 2023. Danette is also the Ringmaster of Omnium Circus, making her one of only eight female Ringmasters in world history to date. In 2024, she performed on Broadway with Omnium. She made history as the First Featured Female Vocalist in the 150-year history of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. Currently a member of Actor’s Equity Association, Danette began singing at the Memorial Baptist Church in Harlem at the age of 14. Since making her professional debut, she has amassed an impressive list of musical theater credits, including sharing the stage with legends like Patti LaBelle, Freda Payne, and Debbie Gibson, just to name a few; a three-month European tour of Jesus Christ Superstar (Soul Girl/Mary u/s), a tour of the musical revue Smokey Joe’s Café with Gladys Knight, a leading role in the Off-Broadway production of Red Hot Broadway starring BJ Crosby, and regional theater productions of Pippin (Berthe), In the Heights (Abuela), Sister Act (Mother Superior), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Jewel), The Last Session (Tryshia), Chicago (Mama Morton), Nunsense (Sister Mary Herbert), and Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Nell, for which she was awarded the Connecticut Critics Circle Award). 

Danette is commonly described as having infectious energy, and loves bright colors, glitter, and sparkles! In her freetime, she can be found cooking, listening to music, dancing, swimming, and spending time with her sixteen-year-old daughter, Bree (her pride and joy), who sings and performs as well. Danette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from New Jersey City University with a concentration in Musical Theater.

Mentoring Philosophy
My approach to teaching involves lots of encouragement, positive reinforcement, and confidence building. I think a good mentor is fun and inspiring, listens and provides support, and encourages growth and accomplishment, while enriching the life of the mentee with useful knowledge, positive role-modeling, and patience.

“You may not control the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” –Maya Angelou

Greek American soprano Ioanna Tsakalakos (she/her) started as a vocal mentor with ArtSmart in 2023 at East Side High School in Newark, NJ, and is an elementary (PK-8) Music teacher nearby. She holds a Master of Music in Classical Vocal Performance from New Jersey City University, a Diploma in Monodia from the Athens Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music in Music and Comparative Literature from Rutgers University. Ioanna has performed the roles of Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica), Liza (Pikovaya Dama), Mimì (La bohème), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Miss Pinkerton (The Old Maid and the Thief), Poppea (L’incoronazione di Poppea), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), and Madame Goldentrill (The Impresario). She has also partially performed the roles of Liu (Turandot), Cathy (Wuthering Heights), Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly), Margeurite (Faust), Floria Tosca (Tosca), and Violetta (La Traviata). In addition to performing classical vocal music, she sings Greek songs, and is a sound yogini and sound healer. Ioanna loves to dabble in other genres such as musical theater, pop, and rock. Her compassion-based approach to teaching is influenced by her yoga teacher training, and she includes mind-body techniques in her vocal teaching.

Mentoring Philosophy
A good mentor leads by example, approaches students with compassion, and learns just as much from their students.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

Stephen Walley (he/ him) is a professional baritone, voice teacher, and artistic director located in Gladstone, NJ. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and a Masters of Music in Voice Performance from University of Florida.

Mentoring Philosophy

A good mentor instills confidence through encouragement, while also giving necessary constructive criticism. Creating a trusting environment is crucial for the relationship to thrive.

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”—Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh (A.A Milne)