Staff Bios
Founder & Executive Director, Yasemin Wasserman has been a student and lover of the arts her entire life. Inspired by her work with chilren in other non-profit organizations, Ms Wasserman aspired to create a program that not only offerd the best possible training in the arts, but one that was accessible to all individuals regardless of their circumstances. The end result of her efforts was MUSE and along with an incredible wealth of teachers from around the world Ms Wasserman continues to provide outstanding Arts education to her community.
Dance Department
Roberto Cosentino began his dance training in Naples, Italy where he studied at the prestigeous Danza Lyceum Academy and Ballettificio Napoletano. He continued his studies in the United States at the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance in New York as well as John Tremain & Sleight Center in Los Angeles. After dancing for several years with professional dance companies in Europe, he began his teaching career. His experience includes teaching and choreographing for the Scottish Ballet in Glosgow and Pianeta Danza in Naples.
Mr. Cosentino is currently teaching Ballet, Contemporary, Broadway and Lyrical Jazz at MUSE.
Whitney Shulman is a former professional ballet dancer with Boston Ballet, Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Arizona. Ms Schulman has been teaching ballet and modern dance in South Florida for the past decade. She studied with renowned artists and instructors at S.U.N.Y. Purchase College, where she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance. Whitney has been an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Dance at Florida International University since 2006, previously teaching at Miami City Ballet in both the pre-professional and professional student divisions. She also conducts various regional master classes and workshops, and participates annually with the Florida Dance Masters Association as both an adjudicator and master teacher. Additionally, Whitney has choreographed several full-length ballet productions and is currently choreographing original Ballet Theater pieces for MUSE.
Ms. Schulman currently teaches all levels of Ballet at MUSE.
Leah Parkinson began dancing at the age of four in Manchester, England. Her training includes
Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical and Greek. She has been awarded numerous trophies and
medals through dance competitions all over England. She was awarded two Bursaries from the United Teachers of Dance and was placed 1st in England with her exam results.Ms. Leah began her professional dance career at the age of seven, performing each Christmas season with both British and American celebrities at the Manchester Palace Theater. She won the leading role of Annie at the age of eleven at Wigan Theatre. She went on to study dance teaching at Preston College, England, where she graduated with teaching associates in both ISTD Tap and Modern/Jazz dance.
Ms Parkinson is currently teaching all levels of Tap and Jazz at MUSE.
Crystal Acevedo was born in Brooklyn New York and has been dancing since the age of three. She is trained in all areas of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, broadway and lyrical jazz. Crystal attended Dillard high school for the performing arts in Ft. Lauderdale Fl, where she concentrated on ballet and modern dance. While attending high school Crystal competed both Regionally and Nationally and won numerous awards. She has had the opportunity to work with many choreographers including Shane Sparks from "Americas Next Best Dance Crew," and Lori anne Gibson from mtv's "Making the Band." After high school Crystal becam of member of the hip-hop company Extreme Measures. She has also performed many artists including R&B singer Genuwine and rap sensation Trick Daddy. She was chosen by famous LA choreographer "Ro Ro" to take place in R&B's artist Tank's music video. As a choreographer her pieces have competed regionally and nationally. Crystal graduated from FLorida Atlantic University where she majored in criminal justice and minored in dance. Today she continues to work as teacher/choreographer and enjoys sharing her love of the art with all her students.
Ms Acevedo currently teaches all levels of Hip Hop at MUSE.
Theater/ Music Department
Barbara Schaapp
Bio coming soon....
Ms Schaapp is currently teaching Piano and Vocals at MUSE.
Nick Ramliak
Bio coming soon...
Mr. Ramliak is currently teaching all levels of guitar at MUSE.
Paulo Diaz
Bio coming soon...
Mr Diaz is currently teaching all levels of violin at MUSE.
Marizelda Soliz studied at the International Conservatory School of Music in Paris (Conservatoire International de Musique de Paris) and was awarded the First Medal Prize in Classical Saxophone by Unanimous Vote. She continued to perform in Europe as a soloist and in renditions with various accompaniments of piano, organ, and voice. Serving as an Assistant Professor, Ms. Soliz continued at the Conservatory of Music in Paris. In 2004 Ms. Soliz represented the United States of America as a member of the Board of Examiners during the Adolphe Sax International Saxophone Competition in Paris France.
Ms. Soliz is currently teaching private Saxaphone lessons at MUSE.
