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: Concert & Symphonic Band Director, 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 wife, and have four children. 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 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 2001.
Education: The Juilliard School, Bachelor of Music; The Juilliard School, Master of Music; Stony Brook University, Doctor of Musical Arts
What I love about my role: Teaching orchestra is teaching life long communication with each other. When you listen to others, your mind will open.
Other professional experience: I was a freelance orchestra musician traveling all over the world.
Hobbies: Besides playing bass, I love to play the guitar which is my passion. I love cooking.
Family: My wife Jeanine is a horn performer and college professor in L.I. We have no children but 4 cats we adopted as a family Yuki, the mom, Miki, Taheiji and Kojio the babies.
What do you love about LuHi: The caliber of our students and the administrative support.
