Department: Performing Arts
Ms. Jean Benincasa
Ms. Jean Benincasa
LuHi Role: Teacher (Dance, Religion), Religion Department Chair; joined the LuHi faculty in 2008
Education: Hofstra University, Bachelor of Arts; New York University, Master of Arts; I am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Learning and Teaching at Hofstra University.
What I love about my role: I love teaching Dance because it allows me to share my passion for dance and connect with students through the arts. I also love teaching Religion because it allows me to share in the faith journeys of our students.
Other professional experience: Prior to teaching at LuHi, and still currently, I own and direct a private dance studio. I am also the adjunct program director for Dance Education at Hofstra University.
Hobbies: Dancing!, Spending time with family and friends, reading
Family: I love spending time with my family- parents, siblings, niece, and nephews. My furbaby is an eight year old Shih Tzu names Zeus.
What I love about LuHi: The LuHi community and the relationships with students and co-workers.
Dr. Jimmy-Lee Brown
Dr. Jimmy-Lee Brown
LuHi Role: Teacher (Choir); joined the LuHi faculty in 2013
Education: Centenary College Of Louisiana; Northwestern University, Master Of Music and DMA In Choral Music; Northcentral University, PhD In Gifted And Talented Education
What I love about my role: I love to inculcate in students the value of the arts and it’s interdisciplinary role for a holistic educational experience. It has been my joy to conduct LuHi singers on the stage of the world’s renowned concert halls, Carnegie Hall
Other professional experience: I taught choral, vocal, piano for eight years on the island of Bermuda. I conducted a choral music performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 2012 in Bermuda.
Hobbies: Traveling, performing, swimming, jogging, cooking
What I love about LuHi: LuHi offers a robust educational experience for the academics, arts, and athletics.
Ms. Nicole Nicholson
Ms. Nicole Nicholson
LuHi Role: Teacher (English, Religion, Theatre), joined the LuHi Faculty in 2021
Education: Hartwick College (2005), B.A. Performing Arts Management, Music (Magna Cum Laude); New York University (2007), M.A. Educational Theatre (Summa Cum Laude, Kappa Delta Pi- International Honor Society in Education); Hunter College (2011), Masters in Education – Child and Adolescent Duel Certification Program for General and Special Education
What I love about my role: I love that I can teach such diverse subjects and that it really allows me to utilize the different skills and talents that I have gained and share them with the amazing LuHi community.
Other professional experience: I taught in New York City in various capacities from 2005-2014 as an arts, general and special educator. I then taught in Long Island for 3 years before venturing back into New York City, to serve as the Director of Education for The Little Orchestra Society, which brought music and arts programs to under-privileged schools throughout the five boroughs. I was delighted to return to the classroom this past September, and join the faculty at LuHi this year.
Hobbies: Playing the flute, singing, choral conducting, sound design, writing.
Family: My husband Andrew is from Australia and works in IT, Information Technology. Our cat, Marco, has a ton of personality and always keeps us smiling and laughing.
Awards/Professional highlights: Presenter at the Impact Education Conference 2021: Honoring Student Dignity – The Importance of Social Emotional Learning
What I love most about LuHi: I am amazed at the kindness, focus, and collaboration of the faculty, students and staff. I wake up everyday, and can’t wait to get to work. I am so grateful to have found LuHi!
Mr. John Rodis
Mr. John Rodis
LuHi Role: Teacher (Band, AP Music, Music Fundamentals), joined the LuHi faculty in 1998
Education: Five Towns College (1998), Bachelors of Music Education; Hofstra University (2004), MA Music Education with a concentration in Music Conducting
Other professional experience: LuHi has created amazing opportunities for me to further grow in my craft and learn many new techniques and skills which I incorporate in my daily lessons. I also have a Kodaly degree from NYU, I studied Orff at Hofstra, I studied dalcroze at the Lucy Moses School at Kaufman Music Center, and have also studied African World Drumming for many years.
Why I love about my role: Music is my life – I love instilling the passion for the performing arts in all my students. I enjoy working with the students and showing them how to be a part of a band and work together to create something inspiring.
Hobbies: Playing guitar, music engineering, music composition.
Family: Married to my soul mate for almost 5 years. We have 3 beautiful children and a plethora of animals. My favorite pet is our hairless sphynx cat, Mr. Bigglesworth
What I love about LuHi: What I love most about teaching at LuHi is that we allow God to be be present in the classrooms. I also enjoy the empowerment and ownership the LuHi Administration gives teachers to really be creative and inspire their students.
Dr. Kageki Nagao
Dr. Kageki Nagao
LuHi Role: Teacher (Orchestra), joined the LuHi faculty in 2000.
Education: The Juilliard School, Bachelor of Music; The Juilliard School, Master of Music; Stony Brook University, Doctor of Musical Arts
Other professional experience: I work at USDN Summer Camp for the Arts during the summer as a conductor and double bass lead teacher. I also was selected to conduct the SCMEA (Suffolk All County) Division 3 orchestra in 2018
Hobbies: Besides playing the double bass – playing the guitar, eating healthy, and hunting the Loch Ness Monster
Family: My wife Jeanine is a horn player and teaches brass instruments at LuHi. We have two cats and four rabbits but no kids
What do you love about LuHi? The quality of our students and the administrative support