The Art of Success
Charter Arts is proud to honor all of our alumni. It is exciting to see how the rigorous arts and academic curriculum at Charter Arts translates into our graduates’ future accomplishments.
Graduates of Charter Arts leave our school as mature, responsible and disciplined young men and women. Whether a graduate continues their education and pursues a career in the arts or outside of the arts, the infusion of academics and the arts that brought them success in high school continues to influence their lives as professional artists, educators, business leaders, doctors, engineers, scientists, etc.
Our graduates keep us informed about their lives, their milestones and their future goals. We have devoted this special page as a place to highlight alumni stories, so please enjoy!
JAMES
James Cusati Moyer stars in SLAVE PLAY on Broadway which opened in October 2019. He also starred in Terrence McNally’s Broadway production of Fire and Air in January 2018. James is a proud 2007 LVPA/Charter Arts theatre graduate. He then went on to pursue an MFA in Acting at the Yale School of Drama. While growing up in the Lehigh Valley, James was extensively involved with Civic Theatre, Touchstone Theatre and Muhlenberg College’s Theatre and Dance program. While at Charter Arts, James was a founding member of Second Stage, the school’s student run theatre company. His regional acting credits include: Sidewalk Art, Williamstown Theatre Festival. New York credits include: Columbia University, Metropolitan Opera. He was the recipient of the Pennsylvania Award for the Creative Achievement in the Arts. Other training credits include the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, the Apprentice Program at Williamstown Theatre Festival, and a BA in Theatre Performance from Marymount Manhattan College.
REBECCA
Becky is a 2012 graduate in the instrumental music department where she majored in violin. While at Charter Arts (formerly LVPA), Becky was a part of the National Honor Society and was treasurer her senior year. She often tutored during lunches through NHS, as well as helping to serve as a TA and helper to some of the underclassmen music theory classes. She was on Honor Roll every semester and earned both the Donnely Award for Excellence and the Cohen & Feeley Best of the Best awards her senior year.
After graduating from Charter Arts, Becky went on to Wilkes University, pursuing a B.S. in Mathematics with double minors in Physics and Statistics, where she made Dean’s List every semester. She graduated fro Wilkes in 2016 where she was also concert master of the Wilkes University Chamber Orchestra as well as being a first violinist for the Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra.
Becky went on to continue her education at Stevens Institute of Technology where she was accepted into the Masters of Science in Financial Engineering program with plans on concentrating in the field of risk analysis and regulations.
KRISTIN
Kristin graduated from Charter Arts (LVPA) in 2006, and went off to Berklee College of Music, graduating in 2010 with two degrees in Music Business/Management and Songwriting. After moving back home to Bethlehem for a while, she then took the plunge and moved to New York City. She began working a full-time job all while hustling into the music scene, working on various music gigs, making time for rehearsals and performances. She eventually landed in a band performing around the city as a featured vocalist.
Then in March 2014, she got her first break. Through a Berklee alum/friend she landed a part in a choir performing with a new UK artist that was doing his US premiere at Saturday Night Live. That artist happened to be pop singer/songwriter, Sam Smith. She ended up doing a few more dates with him in the same setting for various tv shows, and in June was offered the job to be one in a trio of background singers for his debut concert at the famous The Apollo Theater and has gone on to perform with his international tour since January 2015.
In addition to working with Smith, she has worked as a background vocalist/dancer for rap artist Iggy Azalea, and Stevie Wonder, on his “Songs in the Key of Life” tour.
TAYLOR
Taylor graduated from the Charter Arts (LVPA) theatre department in 2010. From there he attended the theatre program at Fordham University. He now lives in New York City where he oversees the New Projects branch of film and multimedia production company Karmic Release Ltd. His current endeavor with Karmic Release is as director of “This is Honduras.” A documentary film that follows the Humanitarian Aid Workers of Honduras in the years between the coup d’état that overthrew President Manuel Zelaya and Honduras being named the most dangerous nation on Earth. He also works Off-Broadway on Wayra: Fuerza Bruta, a sequel to the show that was an inspiration to him and many other members of the class of 2010 over their years at Charter Arts.
COLLEEN
Colleen is a 2010 Instrumental Music graduate. She went on to Cornell University to major in Animal Science and she graduated in 2014, Cum Laude with Distinction in Research. She was a four-time Cornell University undergraduate teaching assistant, a student supervisor and barn manager for the Cornell Raptor Program, and played as a cellist with the Cornell University Registry of Small Ensembles. Colleen went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine for her VMD.
Colleen says, “Being able to successfully divide my day between the academics and the arts at Charter Arts (formerly LVPA) enabled me to create a mental and physical balance in my college and graduate life. Attending LVPA empowered me to enter college with confidence and a broadened mind. I was able to immediately relate to and communicate with students of various interests and backgrounds and combine my passions for the arts and sciences into a successful college experience. Not only did I draw on the personal attention and premiere education I received in my academic classes at LVPA, but I also maintained the passion I have for the arts by seeking out and working with colleagues from various artistic fields. Now as I enter graduate school, I am assured that my experiences at LVPA will continue to positively influence my life.”
JESSICA
Jessica is a 2012 Visual Art graduate. She then went on to attend the Maryland Institute College of Art and Design in Baltimore, MD, where she was a triple major in Illustration, Humanistic Studies, and the Masters in Art and Teaching program at MICA. Over the years, her work has been shown at Banana Factory, The BAUM School of Art, The Allentown Art Museum, Timezones Gallery, Euro Yogurt, Terra Café, Arts in the Park, The Ignite Show, and others. Jessica has been awarded twelve Golden Keys and four silver keys for the Scholastic Art Awards on the Regional Level, two Silver Keys and an American Visions Award on the National Level, and her work for the AP Portfolio has toured nationally. She was a finalist in the Illustrators of the Future Contest and winner of the Gates Millennium Scholarship Award as well as the winner of numerous calendar and poster contests. Jessica designed the official Musikfest 2019 poster.
EMILY
EMILY is a 2010 graduate of the Theatre Department. After graduating she toured with the National Broadway Tour of Spring Awakening as Thea. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Film/TV/Music. She will appear in a Paramount Studios picture releasing in 2013 titled “A Malibu Horror Story.” At Charter Arts she appeared in Little Women as Jo, Hunger as Caroline, and Threepenny Opera as Molly. She toured at the age of 11 with the National Broadway Tour of Oliver! Then performed in the Off-Broadway American Girl’s Revue as Molly. She sang at President Barack Obama’s PA Inaugural Ball and as a halftime soloist at Madison Square Garden.
ADAM
Adam is a 2007 Vocal Music graduate. This Nazareth native is an accomplished American Tenor. Adam continued his studies at Mannes College- the New School for Music in New York City, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance and Opera, and then his Master of Music degree.
His professional singing career has taken him from coast to coast, and his performance resume is impressive. To name a few of his credits: Adam appeared at Carnegie Hall in the Weill Recital Hall debut with The Mannes College of Music Lizst Festival. He was the Tenor Soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Mark Shaprio and The St. Cecilia Chorus, Carnegie Hall Debut. He appeared in a concert at SongFest at Pepperdine in Malibu, CA with pianist Martin Katz in summer 2011. In May 2011 he was seen as Bardolfo in Verdi’s Falstaff with the Mannes Opera and Orchestra under Maestro Jospeh Colaneri. Also with the Mannes Opera, Adam has appeared in numerous piano and orchestral scenes programs including Act III of La Boheme as Rodolfo and Act I of Robert Ward’s The Crucible as Giles Corey. He performed the role of Arturo in Chautauqua Opera’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor.
Adam’s awards and scholarships include: Encouragement Grant from The Opera Index Competition, September 2011, The Michael Sisca Opera Award upon graduation, May 2011, finalist in The Gulio Gari Competition, May 2011, grant winner from the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation Vocal Competition (2012), third place winner in the Giulio Gari Foundation Vocal Competition (2012) and the fourth prize winner of Opera Index Competition.
RACHEL
Rachel graduate in 2009 as a figure skating major. She heavily focused her training in ice dancing and show skating. She had the privilege of auditioning with prospective ice dance partners trained by prestigious world and Olympic coaches such as Robbie Kaine and Igor Shpilband.
Upon graduating from Charter Arts (formerly LVPA), Rachel decided to give up her competitive skating status and turn professional. Her first professional contract began two days after leaving Charter Arts. As a professional figure skater, Rachel has performed in shows for Woodstock Ice Productions at Doroney Park, Rand Family Productions, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, and Advanced Entertainment Group at Sea World in Orlando, Florida.
With education being a very significant aspect of Rachel’s life, she graduated Charter Arts with a scholarship to Moravian College, where she studied English and Writing.
Rachel acknowledges Charter Arts as a vital stepping stone in her life; where she was able to gain opportunities she would not have otherwise, and where she worked with instructors who had a strong hand in providing her the essentials and aid to help reach her goals.
MATT
Matt, Class of 2013, is an accomplished ventriloquist who has had training with some of the most famous acts in the business, including Las Vegas headliner-Terry Fator, Jeff Dunham and Todd Oliver. Matt began producing and hosting an online talk show for ventriloquists called Ventriloquism Weekly. Through the show, he has interviewed Fator and Tony Award winner Jay Johnson, among others. The show has taken Matt across the country to appear as a host for various events.
www.ventriloquismweekly.com.
Since graduating as a theatre major from The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Matt moved to New York City to attend Pace University, where he earned a BA in Film and Screen Studies.
While at Pace, he obtained a residency at the Broadway Comedy Club in Manhattan, operating his full magic and ventriloquism show for sold-out audiences in Times Square.
KATIE
Katie is a 2009 graduate, who majored in Dance at Charter Arts (formerly LVPA). She has since graduated cum laude from West Chester University where she received her B.S. in Exercise Science/ Pre-Occupational therapy with a minor in dance. She was involved with the University Dance Company and attended the American College Dance Festival. She currently works locally as a dance and Zumba instructor. She went on to Alvernia University to pursue an M.S. in Occupational Therapy.
Katie says, “Charter Arts steered me on the right path. I have learned in my classes at college that a child is more likely to be successful if they are supported and have a strong passion. Charter Arts helps kids develop their passion for the arts. The school helped me to develop good friends and helped me prepare for the future.”
OCTAVIA
Octavia is a 2010 Visual Art graduate of Charter Arts. She went on to attend Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA.
Octavia majored in biology. “Because I am a visual learner, I feel that my visual art training at Charter Arts helped me appreciate illustrations, which is so helpful in biology, because pictures are used to illustrate many concepts. I have an advantage.”
DIOMI
Diomi graduated from Charter Arts in 2010. He went on to earn an Associates’s degree from The Institute of Audio Research in NYC in November 2011. Diomi finished his casework in just eighteen months, and continued his education at the City College of New York studying Journalism. Everyone who knows “D” knows that he is focused on attaining professional success as an R&B singer. Diomi is working everyday to ensure that his dreams are realized.
In addition to working on his music and education every day, Diomi works as a dispatcher on Wall Street at night, and also works with his aunt as a volunteer with incarcerated women to help them gain confidence and skills necessary to achieve their goals.
Diomi loves Manhattan. His education and ambition has put him in front of record labels such as; Def Jam, Interscope, Universal, Warner Music Group and Young Money/Cash Money. Diomi is busy performing original songs throughout New York City and he is working on plans to tour in Australia this spring.
“You have to prove yourself to a record label. As a Hispanic vocalist I have a unique opportunity to bridge the R&B industry”.
ARTURO
Since graduating from The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in 2012, Cabrera has developed an impressive career as an artist. Immediately after graduation, he was a resident artist at the Banana Factory where he had his private studio for one year—certainly a rare and impressive feat for a teenage artist. He participated in many solo and group shows in the region, including a solo show at Home & Planet in Bethlehem. He then went on to work for the renowned artist, Jeff Koons in New York City.
While a student at Charter Arts, Cabrera earned a variety of prestigious awards: In 2010 and 2012 he received the President’s Education Award, in recognition of outstanding academic excellence; in 2012 he earned Ten Gold Key awards at the Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and 2 Gold and 2 Silver Medals at the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards–for which his work was exhibited at Carnegie Hall.
“A proper high school education in the arts has influenced my life for the better,” says Cabrera. “It gave me the courage to follow my dreams and to make a difference in this world. My teachers taught me to be disciplined, courageous, and to work hard. Having this education gives me a sense of purpose in this world. It is something no one can take away from me. It provides me everything.”
Arturo adds, “The reason I work for Jeff Koons is because of my portfolio; and The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts gave me the time to focus on my craft and build my portfolio to where it is today. This high school has really changed my life.”