THE FACULTY
Click any image to MEET the faculty members.
ART
GUITAR +
PERCUSSION
PIANO
SONGWRITING
THEATRE
VIOLIN
VOICE
WOODWINDS
The STAFF
MICAH BURGESS • executive DIRECTOR
Micah Burgess is the co-founder and Executive Director of Art House Astoria, a community-based arts education nonprofit serving children, teens, and adults across Queens. A lifelong musician and educator, Micah helped launch Art House with a simple belief: that meaningful access to the arts can be life-changing, and that neighborhood-rooted creative spaces matter.
Since co-founding the organization, Micah has guided Art House Astoria’s growth from a small grassroots program into a vibrant multidisciplinary arts hub offering music, theater, visual arts, camps, and community outreach in partnership with local schools and organizations. Micah’s leadership blends artistic practice with organizational stewardship, with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and artist-led education.
Drawing on decades of experience as a performing artist and teacher, Micah brings a deeply human, practitioner-centered perspective to nonprofit leadership. At the heart of Micah’s work is a commitment to building welcoming, inclusive spaces where creativity, curiosity, and belonging can thrive — for students, families, teaching artists, and the wider community alike.
Jane Burgess • Director of marketing
Jane Burgess is a New York City-based singer/actor/instructor.
She has performed throughout the United States and Italy. She received her B.M. and Artist Diploma in vocal performance at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA). Jane has appeared on opera, musical theater, and cabaret stages.
In 2009, Jane and her partner, Micah co-founded Art House Astoria, and Jane has since found herself busy teaching and co-directing for this ever-growing organization. The 2019-2020 season marks Art House Astoria’s 10 year anniversary! Jane is also the mother of two smart, energetic, creative, funny, and loving little boys; Charlie and Pete.
Cara picone • Theater Administrator
Cara Picone is a resident of Brooklyn, and knows you Astorians will forgive her for that! Cara is a professional actor and singer. She holds a Bachelor of Music from NYU’s vocal performance program and is a proud member of Actors Equity Association. Favorite credits include Sweeney Todd, Camelot, and Ragtime. Cara has also directed many student and professional productions in the NJ/NYC area. Cara is passionate about educating the next generation of artists and has been teaching voice and theater for nearly two decades. She is thrilled to be a part of the Art House Astoria faculty.
brooke vahos • front desk coordinator
Brooke Vahos is an experienced operations and communications professional passionate about mission-driven work and community engagement. Most recently, she supported leadership, programming, and development at The Explorers Club and Goldsmith & Company. As a longtime Astoria resident, she loves meeting people from the neighborhood and continues to hold out hope for the Mets to win the World Series. Brooke is excited to bring her skills and love for connecting people to Art House Astoria’s mission of making arts education accessible to everyone in the community.
Randi Hinds • Receptionist
Randi is a recent graduate from Cornell University who studied both Fine Arts and Film and who is thrilled to begin her career as an emerging artist and writer. Randi specialized in screenwriting and digital media and she is a fan of all things animated, with a slight bias towards the horror genre. Randi is passionate about art as well as diversity and ensuring that people of all backgrounds have the space to express themselves.
Corrine civil • Receptionist
Tayloe Schinz-Devico • Office Assistant
Tayloe Annalisa Schinz-Devico's personality is bigger than her name. Tayloe is a resident artist at Pure Vision Arts in Manhattan. She takes great pride in her art work and her work at Art House Astoria. Tayloe is thrilled to be back to work. She enjoys being part of the team and keeping everything clean and healthy for all of the Art House staff and participants.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bronwyne Burke • President
Patrick Redding • Vice President
Lynda Kennedy • Treasurer
Sue Landis • Secretary
Aniko Domokos • Board Member
Erin Wilhemi • Board Member