AARON PICKENS
CLASS OF 2007
Inspired by everything around him, Aaron Pickens challenges you to be curious and willing to investigate the world around you. “The more you are willing to understand, the more possibilities of inspiration,” he explains.
Just over two years out of high school, this alum has been out investigating quite a bit. After one semester at the University of Michigan, Pickens made a strategic move to Bowling Green State University to study Digital Arts & Animation while maintaining a cumulative GPA of over 3.8. At BGSU, he was one of just 19 students selected to go cross country; studying geology, environmental issues and American culture. BGNews regularly includes Aaron’s work in special edition sections. The band he started during high school, Phantasmagoria, is now touring local venues and writing their third album.
LOGANNE BOND
CLASS OF 2007
After graduating as valedictorian from TSA, Loganne Bond received a scholarship, became a Buckeye, and is now studying both dance and strategic communication. Bond has had the opportunity to perform in works by faculty and guest artists including Teena Custer (freelance hip-hop dance theater artist, performs with Venus Fly Trap (the first all female/ all styles hip hop crew in America)), Meghan Durham (founder/ artistic director of Merge Dance), Manwe Sauls-Addison (MTV VMA nominated choreographer, NYC Broadway Dance Center instructor) and Susan Hadley (Mark Morris Dance Group principal dancer/ rehearsal director) to name just a few. Loganne has been selected by faculty to attend the regional conference of the American College Dance Festival, where she will adjudicate a self- choreographed solo. She has also performed in many student works, most notably the MFA project of Julie Fox.
This year Loganne was awarded the Toledo Community Foundation Amertish Scholarship, The Joseph S. Myers Scholarship (awarded to one student each year on the basis of distinguished achievement and scholastic accomplishment), a dance department scholarship, and the Stella J. Becker Dance Scholarship. She also spent this past summer in NYC with an internship with the PULSE On Tour.
GREG BECK
CLASS OF 2005
Greg Beck attended the heralded Columbus College of Art and Design, where he majored Advertising and Graphic Design and minored in the ever-helpful Copywriting. In that challenging environment, he earned a 3.7 cumulative GPA, was awarded various grants and scholarships, held three internships and did a variety of freelance work. In 2008, Greg flew to Taiwan for the press-check of a book he helped to design. Also that year, while college students, he and a friend entered and won Best Campaign in Central Ohio- in the professional category- at the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts’ Creative Best Awards. He adds, “I wasn’t there to accept the award. I was working on homework.”
Now that he is a CCAD graduate (and the mounds of homework are out of the way) Greg will more than likely have many more opportunities to accept awards as an employee of the heavy hitting Columbus agency, Resource Interactive. Resource’s client list includes Coca-Cola, Victoria’s Secret PINK, Hewlett-Packard and Sherwin-Williams. Beck keeps busy there as a full-time Web Designer.
CHELSEA KOENIG
CLASS OF 2005
Upon graduation Chelsea received Academic and Dance Merit scholarships to attend Butler University. While at Butler, she received full scholarship to attend the National Dance Institute’s Teaching Artist program, and studied ballet at the Rimsky Korsakov School in Russia. TSA taught Koenig to “be flexible and to seek out the information needed to succeed,” a tool she has used to carve her spot as an integral member in the New York City dance community. She now dances with an Isadora Duncan inspired company, but spends the majority of her time working as the Education Assistant for New York City Center (NYC’s second largest theater). In this position, Chelsea coordinates student matinees and in-school workshops for five thousand kids per year surrounding such mainstage companies as Alvin Ailey and ABT. She recently designed the structure for Twyla Tharp’s new education program. If all of that didn’t keep her busy enough, Koenig teaches ballet in Long Island through National Dance Institute and volunteers with House of Roses to help homeless children. She is also starting a dance company and despite all of her impressive feats, she admits that the hardest part is choosing a name. So, look for “Insert Name Here” at a choreography festival near you!
TATIANA OWENS
CLASS OF 2010
Tatiana Owens is an Alumnus of 2010. After graduation, Tatiana secured the part of Diana Morales in the Croswell Opera House’s Production of A Chorus Line in Adrian, Michigan. At the completion of her successful run in that production, Tatiana moved to New York City. Upon her arrival, Tatiana was awarded a showcase opportunity at the IMTA event. Tatiana, who is also an IMTA alumni and three time winner of the IMTA vocal competition, showcased her song “Boy Watcher” to an audience of over 2,000. Her song, “Boy Watcher” was also featured in the MTV network show, “The Hills” and will also be included in the DVD release of the MTV show “The City”. Since Tatiana’s New York City arrival, she has begun co-writing sessions with Jeff Franzel (N’Sync), Dan Ferrari (MTV, Oliver Wimmer), Robo Pop (Cherry Lane Music Publishing), Noel Cohen (Carlin America Music Publishing) and was cast as the lead singer for a potential new Martha Stewart TV theme song working with the legendary Peter Fish (Broadway Video) and Timbaland (Justin Timberlake). Tatiana was also the opening act for Omarion (B2K, You Got Served) in Farmingdale, NY.
In addition, Tatiana has written and/or recorded two other songs as potential TV theme songs – one of which is for a new MTV show all the while keeping her audition schedule that includes auditioning for the Broadway show, Rock Of Ages. Currently, Tatiana is working with Dan Ferrari writing and producing songs for Stealth Entertainment/EMI Records as well as songwriting with Bill Grainer (Jennifer Hudson). In late September, Tatiana starts an Actor’s Master Workshop with Richard Kline (Larry Dallas in Three’s Company).
CASSANDRA CARDENAS
CLASS OF 2006
Cassandra Cardenas recently graduated from Otterbein College with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and minored in Dance. While at Otterbein she was the General Manager for WOCC TV-3, Otterbein's television station, co-hosted a radio show, received awards for
on-air talent and was recognized each year for excellence within the Communication Department.
Cassandra stayed involved in the arts as well. She performed as a featured dancer each year in the Otterbein Dance Concerts as well as in NINE: The Musical (2009) and Pippin! (2010). Cassandra was also awarded within the Theatre and Dance Department for excellence in dance in both 2009 and 2010. Cassandra represented WOCC and was nominated for Homecoming Queen in the fall of her senior year...and won! Now Cassandra is working toward her Master's in Communication as well as a Bachelor of Science in Dance at Bowling Green University.
TANYA JOHNSON (HAMMOND)
CLASS OF 2007
“I have been an Alumni for three years now. While I haven't moved far, I have branched out much farther than I thought possible since the TSA days. I have been working as a Massage Therapist here in the Toledo area for the past year while also putting myself through college. I am continuing my education for a bachelor in Health Science Specialization with a possible minor in Exercise Movement at BG so that I may continue into UTMC for the master/doctorate program in Physical Therapy. I also teach martial arts, volunteer for Passages: a life skills community outreach program, and play Apples to Apples with friends in my non-existent spare time. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart and look forward to the years ahead of us!”
ADRIENNE POPLAWSKI
CLASS OF 2008
Adrienne Poplawski definitely distinguished herself as more than just the little sister of Beth Poplawski. She started as a beginning violin player and worked tirelessly to perfect her skills. Soon she progressed to the sizeable string instrument known as the stand-up bass. And if that didn't prove Adrienne worthy of artistic admiration, being chosen for the Toledo International Youth Orchestra surely did. TIYO afforded her the opportunity to travel abroad, experiencing a wide range of cultures. She's been to China, Poland, Germany and Tanzania, all before leaving high school.
Her interest in diversity led her to double major in Political Science and International Studies at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. She studies thanks to a hefty scholarship, one which is well earned and pays nearly 100% tuition. Adrienne will take part in a social enterprise to create a Kiva-like support mechanism for no interest micro-loans to Hartford area first-time entrepreneurs, with the underlying strategy to strengthen Trinity's relationship with the city.
This young explorer plans to venture to Argentina and Italy via study abroad. Upon graduation, Adrienne has set her sights on joining the Peace Corp, then attending graduate school.
BETHANY URBANSKI
CLASS OF 2004
Bethany Urbanski graduated from TSA in 2004. Having been a part of the "founding fathers," she holds great pride in the wealth of success that TSA has developed. After graduating in 2004 she earned her Bachelor of Arts from Point Park University (Pittsburgh, PA) in Dance. While there she performed with the Playhouse Dance Company and won numerous awards for her choreography. After college she worked for Live Entertainment at Cedar Point in the "The Graveyard Shift with the Good Time Ghouls" during Halloweekends. Returning to her roots in Toledo, she has become the first TSA alumni to join the Faculty! Bethany is a dance instructor in the morning and the Outreach Coordinator in the afternoon. She loves being a part of the TSA family again and was recently seen in "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" with Triumvirate Productions as "Pickles!"
HEATHER SCHRAMM
CLASS OF 2006
After graduating from TSA in 2006, Heather Schramm attended the University of Toledo and is graduating in Fall 2010 with her Bachelors of Arts in Communication with a focus in Broadcasting. She is currently the director of UT:10 News, the campus news program, and, in April 2010, won an Emmy from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for best college newscast in the nation, as well as best newscast regionally with the Society of Professional Journalists. Heather has also hosted her own radio show, was a reporter/anchor for Rocket Report, and has taught audio in a basic television class. She currently is a technical director for Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN).
Apart from Broadcasting, Heather is also still very interested in the Arts. She was in the Rocket Marching Band during her freshman, sophomore, and junior years at Toledo and has played French horn in Symphonic band, Wind Ensemble, and a brass quintet. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the national honorary band fraternity. After graduating this semester, Heather is planning to move out west to continue her career in television.