Philadelphia

Jade Blocker (she/her) is from Great Neck, NY. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Voice from Westminster Choir College. Jade began teaching for ArtSmart in 2023. She is a professional ensemble member of the Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble and the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, with whom she has regularly sung with the Philadelphia Orchestra and was featured in the Netflix film Maestro. Jade enjoys practicing yoga, meditation, and writing poetry.

Mentoring Philosophy

A good mentor is patient, adaptable, receptive, and kind hearted.

“All dreams are within reach, you just have to keep moving toward them.” – Viola Davis

Lisa Gwyn Daltirus (she/her) has served ArtSmart since the 2019-2020 program year, providing one-on-one multi-genre vocal instruction. As an alumnus of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, where she majored in Voice and Opera Performance, Lisa has over 25 years of professional experience singing internationally with companies and orchestras, including Opera Philadelphia, the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Cape Town Opera in South Africa. She has also performed with the New York, Philadelphia, and Boston symphony orchestras, as well as the Radio Philharmonic of Amsterdam.

Lisa wholeheartedly believes that equipping young people with the skills, creativity, and cultural legacies that music imparts is vital for building a strong, stable world. Furthermore, teaching life skills and exploring the wide range of career opportunities that intersect with the music industry can broaden their horizons. As a naturally social person, Lisa thrives in activities that involve collaboration and sharing with diverse groups of people.

Mentorship Philosophy

An impactful mentoring relationship is characterized by a safe, encouraging, and positive environment where students feel free to develop and express themselves. It involves meeting students where they are and not imposing repertoire that does not resonate with them. As a mentor, my goal is to inspire and support students in a way that aligns with their needs, providing guidance and encouragement that helps them grow in their own unique direction.

“I come as one, but I stand as 10,000.” – Maya Angelou

A native of West Chester, PA, Paul Giess (he/him) is a versatile trumpet player, producer, and educator. Since receiving a Bachelor in Music Industry degree from James Madison University and a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Louisiana State University, Paul has garnered extensive teaching experience while living in Philadelphia since 2013. As a performing artist Paul can be seen performing as a leader and a side musician with artists including Yolanda Wisher and the Afroeaters, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, and Kimpedro’s Nu Gruv. Paul has performed at festivals including the Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival, New York City Jazz Festival, and the the Timitar Festival in Agadir, Morocco. Paul brings his performance experience into his lessons with Artsmart students encouraging them to search for their individuality through music.

Mentoring Philosophy 

Encouraging students and building their confidence and setting a good example they can look toward.

“What we play is life.” – Louis Armstrong

Sirapat Jittapirom (she/her) is a Thai-American pianist based in Philadelphia. She received a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from Temple University, where she trained with Lambert Orkis, and with Luke Housner and Elise Auerbach in opera coaching. She currently serves as Music Director for the undergraduate opera workshop at Temple University and as the pianist for Dr. Paul Rardin’s conducting studio. Additionally, she is a staff pianist at the University of Delaware and the Commonwealth Youth Choirs. Sirapat joined ArtSmart in 2021.

Mentoring Philosophy

A good mentor is able to meet students where they are and help guide them toward achieving their goals. They should always aim to foster independent thinkers and lifelong lovers of music.

“Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.” — Johannes Brahms

Maya Lassiter (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist who has been within the entertainment industry for over 18 years as a performer, composer, director, producer, and educator. She began her teaching career at 13 as a student instructor alongside her vocal coach Chrissie Loftus at the Music and Mentorship Program of Philadelphia. Once in high school, she started the school’s first glee club Vibrato. Maya spent the next eight years performing at dozens of venues around the city further mastering her performance skills. The Philadelphia native set her sights on Boston as she furthered her music education at Berklee College of Music. In 2018 she created Intertwined Entertainment LLC, an arts-centered holistic wellness company. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in curating safe environments for art and emotional expression.

Mentoring Philosophy

I listen. I specialize in whole-body wellness. As a vocalist, our instrument lives inside of us; whatever is not in homeostasis will show up in our performance. I pay attention to the individual, address their needs, give resources from my field, and show them love and respect. 

“I believe in myself, I got this, I’m talented, I am more than enough! Whatever happens, happens. It’s not the end of the world. It’s only a moment.”

Andrew W. Monath (he/ him) earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Westminster Choir College and a master’s degree in Integrated Arts Education with a concentration in Musical Theater from Arcadia University. He has served ArtSmart as a vocal mentor since 2022. Andrew  has spent over 30 years as both a music educator and a church/ synagogue musician in the greater Philadelphia area. He is currently a choral music teaching artist and division lead with Play on Philly where he directs a choral program of 235 students in grades 1-12. Andrew is also the organist and choir director for High Holy Days at Congregation Rodeph Shalom and Director of Music Ministries at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Conshohocken. He is currently serving as the baritone section leader in the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, and sings Bass with Singing City and the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, the latter which performs regularly with the Philadelphia Orchestra. A Broadway connoisseur, Andrew spends most of his free time supporting the arts and the people who create it.

Mentoring Philosophy:

First and foremost we teach humans. Music is just a vessel. Everyone has an instrument within them that can be nurtured. 

“No one leaves here a worse musician.” – Bill Evans

Scott Purcell (he/him), a baritone and Westville, NJ native, is recognized for his strong voice, receiving praise from the National Opera Association and Broadway World. Since joining ArtSmart in 2018, Scott has focused on helping students develop a love for music and achieve personal fulfillment through singing. His performance credits include multiple portrayals of Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia at Annapolis Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Opera Louisiane, and Druid City Opera. Scott is also an accomplished interpreter of new works, including the title role in the world premiere of Evan Mack’s Roscoe at Seagle Music Colony, and Glory Denied by Cipullo at Tri-Cities Opera. He can also be heard on the live recording of Blitzstein’s The Cradle Will Rock with Opera Saratoga and Bridge Records. Scott holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Louisiana State University and serves as an Artist Affiliate at Lehigh University.

Mentoring Philosophy

A good mentor is patient, honest, and constructive. Mentors lead by example, both in their professional and personal lives, and should embody everything they wish their students to be.

Psalm 23: 4-6: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”