ABOUT US

Marquis Studios is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing arts-­in­‐education services to 170 New York City public schools annually. We strive to develop a strong partnership between artists and teachers by providing arts programs to supplement traditional classroom teaching techniques. Each residency or workshop focuses on a specific visual or performing arts discipline selected by school staff and administration.

Founded in 1977, Marquis Studios has served over 500,000 students, 28,000 teachers and 18,000 parents at schools throughout New York City. Working with a diverse population, 80% of programs serve students living at or below the poverty line with over 50% of all grant-funded programming serving classrooms containing with disabilities.

Marquis Studios Offers:

  • Programming consisting of ten-week arts residencies taught by our staff of trained teaching artists.
  • A full spectrum of arts residencies that encourage student exploration of visual arts, theatre, music, dance architecture, circus arts and puppetry.
  • Custom designed programs to meet the educational goals set by the school through collaboration with Marquis Studios and classroom teachers.
  • Programs that address New York State Learning Standards, both in the arts and academic areas.
  • Professional development for classroom teachers to provide arts education techniques and concepts that can be brought back to the classroom.
  • Parent/Child Workshops that help parents understand the connection between arts and academics while providing a fun, hands­‐on experience parents and children can share.

OUR TEACHING ARTISTS

Marquis Studios employs 90 professional teaching artists whom specialize in a variety of disciplines. If you are interested in becoming a Teaching Artist visit our careers page.

  • Caleb van Gelder

    Caleb van Gelder is a drummer and percussionist focusing on jazz, world, experimental, and electronic music as a composer, collaborator, and educator. He has developed a prolific career as a performer and educator, having performed with the likes of Carole King, Camila Meza, Ryan Keberle, and Azar Lawrence, while maintaining a fervent and diverse teaching schedule the past 9 years. His music education experience includes directing general music and concert band programs at Sussex School and Seeley Lake Elementary in Montana, working with special needs children with Center for Music by People with Disabilities program, in Missoula, MT, as well as private piano and percussion lessons with youth and adults alike. Caleb’s education work focuses on a vast range of topics, including general and world music studies, concert band, choir, West African drumming, Latin percussion, and electronic music production. Caleb has been a Marquis Studios teaching artist since 2016.

  • Psacoya Guinn

    Psacoya is a native of Alabama and graduate of Troy University in Theatre Education. Psacoya enjoys bringing theatrical creative play and Shakespeare to students k-12. When Psacoya is not teaching she enjoys performing Classical Theatre in NYC and regionally.

  • Mara Jill Herman

    Mara Jill Herman is an actor, educator, writer, and producer based in Astoria. Her developmental highlights include The Band’s Visit (Playwrights Horizons) and Sam’s Room (Theatre Barn’s Impact Award). As a soloist, she has appeared at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Feinstein’s/54 Below, and with the Orchestra Japan in Disney On Classic. Favorite productions include On The Town (Hildy), Rent (Maureen), Guys and Dolls (Adelaide), and Jesus Christ Superstar (North American tour). Mara frequently appears with America’s Sweethearts, the all-female vintage trio. She directs/produces concerts at The Green Room 42 including Stronger Than Hate: A Benefit for Tree of Life Synagogue and Changemakers: A Celebration of Women and StateraArts. Select writing credits include coauthor of So You Wanna Be A Superstar? The Ultimate Audition Guide (Running Press Kids) and contributor to Musical Theater Today, Vol. 3 (Yonkers International Press). Mara is a proud alum of the National YoungArts Foundation and Regional Coordinator for StateraArts Mentorship (NYC Chapter). In 2011, she received the Young Alumni Service Award from University of the Arts. www.marajillherman.com @marajillherman