Joanne Link has been teaching music and producing performances for young people for over 27 years. She has taught in 12 different schools, holding teaching certifications in NJ and PA to teach music for grades K-12 and certificates for Violin Suzuki Books 1-3. Joanne is the orchestra director at Toms River South Intermediate School and owner and founder of Mind Steward, Mindsteward Kids Theater: The Complete Theater Experience, Mindsteward Teen Theater, Viobling, and My Mom’s Here Blog. In over 30 productions, she has held positions including director, music director, producer, violinist, pianist, stage manager, vocal coach, and conductor. She performs violin with Toms River Multigenerational Orchestra and is the pianist and vocalist on Ocean Community Church worship team.

Joanne specializes in motivating children to pursue skills in the arts and strives to bring people together while assimilating to the local culture and needs of each community she interacts with. She happily runs and grows the infrastructure of Mindsteward Kids Theater with the contagious energy and skills of the arts community of education enthusiasts and professionals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She has taught thousands of children how to play instruments and innovates pedagogical techniques to increase zeal and motivation for arts education.

Joanne enjoys spending time with her supportive family, husband, and children, playing games, playing music together, and scuba diving.

Dena McKell (Director/Choreographer) is from the Harrisburg region and has been a teacher, choreographer, and director of theater arts for over 27 years. She began teaching dance instruction at the Harrisburg Dance Conservatory under the guidance of Forrest Gehret at the age of 16. Ms. McKell currently teaches in the Children’s Division at Pennsylvania Regional Ballet. Ms. McKell also serves as the choreographer for East Pennsboro High School Panther Productions for which she has choreographed GREASE, NEWSIES, SISTER ACT, MATILDA, and HELLO DOLLY! Ms. McKell is currently the director and choreographer for Encore Homeschool Productions. Her choreographic works include SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, THE MUSIC MAN, PETER PAN, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST to name a few. Ms. Mckell is also an Apollo Award Recipient for her Outstanding Choreography for PETER PAN in May 2016. Ms. McKell also received an Apollo Award for her choreography in May 2017 (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), May 2018 (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF), and most recently in May 2022 for her choreography in THE LITTLE MERMAID. In May 2022, Ms. McKell directed Encore Homeschool Productions Apollo Award Outstanding Musical THE LITTLE MERMAID. Encore Homeschool Productions also received the Apollo Award for Outstanding Musical in May 2024 for their production THE WIZARD OF OZ under the direction of Ms. McKell. Ms. McKell also works with local community theaters and colleges such as Keystone Theatrics, Creative Pursuits Academy, Lancaster Bible College, and Oyster Mill Playhouse.

She has worked in theater arts for over a decade. Music Director – Peter Pan Jr., The Music Man Jr., Mary Poppins Jr. (SMMS), Frozen Jr., Flat Stanley – A Zoomsical, The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka Jr., Finding Nemo Jr., Seussical Kids (Eisenhower), Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Winnie the Pooh Kids, Anne of Green Gables (Pollock Center), The Jungle Book Kids (Mind Steward). Associate Music Director – Newsies Jr. (Pollock). Director – Aladdin Kids, Aladdin Dual Language, Beauty and the Beast Jr., Cinderella: A Ridiculous Retelling of a Classic Tale, Beauty and the Beast: A Ridiculous Retelling of a Classic Tale (Mind Steward). Book - Cinderella: A Ridiculous Retelling of a Classic Tale, Beauty and the Beast: A Ridiculous Retelling of a Classic Tale. She also performs as a solo musician as well as with the group Seasons with which she has recorded four albums.

Hey Guys! I am Naomi Link. I am a competitive dancer. I love working with kids, helping them learn new things and grow from their experiences. I have been in many shows and have had professional dance training in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Manahawkin, New Jersey as-well as Houston, Texas. Some of you may know but we recently moved to NJ and that has really opened "A Whole New World" to me, I am so thankful to have all my friends and teachers that have made me who I am today. I have been with Mindsteward from the very start, and some would say that this camp was even based around my family and our needs. I have seen this camp grow from the 13 kids that were in the very first one to now almost hitting 100!! I hope I will always be able to bring "The sunny side to every situation" as they said in my last show 42nd Street!😎😎

Masters in edu in the US

Hello! My name is Dawn McDonnell. I am an Artist that has always been inspired by the world around us. I was born and raised in a suburb outside of NYC. I received my BFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts. I went on to become certified in teaching early childhood education. I love to paint, I stay busy year round with commissions for pet and house portraits. I have many of my personal pieces in various shops and boutiques as well as hanging in Veterinarian and Dentists offices. You will find me dabbling in many creative forums as well. For the past several years, I have been creating weekly events for fellowship, at my Church. I have worked for several textile companies, an artist representative, Teaching Art classes at various schools and foundations. I have owned my own businesses as a mural painter, a gallery owner, and an interactive art studio. I moved to Manahawkin, NJ about 19 years ago with my very supportive husband and two children.

Hey campers! My name is Noah Ryall, I was born and raised in India. I am eagerly waiting to meet everyone this summer and have a great time, all of us together! I came to the US to pursue my passions in acting and performance and I graduated from Muhlenberg College with a BA in Theatre and Communication, having done one semester in London training under the London Theatre academy! Can’t wait to carry out our two musicals lined up for this summer! I had the honour of working with Mind Steward last summer and can’t wait to do so again!

Hello all! My name is Emily Goranson I was the Box Office Manager for The Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre at Penn State Harrisburg. I graduated from Penn State with a BA in English and a minor in theatre. I have contributed to many Penn State Harrisburg productions in varying roles – stage manager, stage crew, performer, and charge scenic artist. I have also assisted local theatre companies such as Teatro Paloma, Gamut, and Narcisse. I was the backstage director for Mindsteward's theatre camp in 2022 and excited to be involved again this summer!

My name is Leanne Griffo and my biggest passion is education. I love to teach and I love to learn. Growing up in New Jersey, I started studying music very early with violin and piano lessons and once in school I concentrated on voice. I

sang and played in many different groups and attended Lebanon Valley College and majored in music education. I am certified K-12 in vocal and instrumental music in PA and NJ. I am in my 21st year of teaching elementary instrumental music and I am currently employed in the Central Dauphin School District. Yes I teach music, but I also teach a lot more than that. Some of my favorite skills to teach in my classroom is perseverance, problem solving, time management, collaboration, coping skills, empathy and sooooo much more! The arts are a perfect vessel to teach all these important skills for students to have and a place to be creative! What I love most about Mindsteward and what made me want to join the team is that all of the campers are involved in the show and no one sits out. It is a beautiful display of using everyone’s gifts for the greater good. I am looking forward to being part of the team and learning from all of you as well. The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you -BB King

My name is Amy Eckel and I live in Harrisburg, PA with my family. Music is an important part of our home, including our homeschool. When I was in high school I was a band geek through and through and loved being a part of the musicals. I graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2003 with a dual degree in special education and elementary education. After teaching for about 6 years I became a stay-at-home mom, eventually homeschooling our four children. I love being a part of Mind Steward Kids Theater and observing children finding and growing in their skills and talents. Working together to create a unique experience is a highlight for me. So many people of many ages and gifts bring together something amazing every summer.

Hi! I’m Tommy McDonnell, also known as “Pipes”. I am a musician who grew up on the streets of New York City’s East Bronx. By the time I was 10 years old, I began studying drums and by age 15 I was already performing in established bands. In 1988, I decided to step out from behind the drums and embark on a singing career that met with instant success. A featured singer on many albums including the SOS All-Stars, Syndicate of Soul, and with young guitar virtuoso Gil Paris. My résumé includes recording and performing with "The Original Blues Brothers Band”, The National Symphony, The Pacific Symphony, The Dallas Symphony, The Pittsburgh Symphony, The Super Bowl, The Hollywood Bowl, The David Letterman Show, Saturday Night Live, and was a featured singer and Universal Pictures’ “Blues Brothers 2000”, with Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, Blue Lou Marini, Alan “Mr. Fabulous” Ruben, Steve Cropper, Matt Guitar Murphy, Duck Dunne, Paul Schaffer. I have also shared the stage with such greats as a BB King, James Brown, ZZ Top, Eddie “knock On Wood” Floyd, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Lou Rawls, Isaac Hayes, Gary US Bonds, Koko Taylor, Travis Tritt, Grover Washington, junior., Bo Diddley, Sam Moore, Wilson Pickett, Jewel and Al Green. All this allowed me to tour the USA and the world for the last 28 years. For the last two years I have been privileged to be the music Director at Ocean Community Church, which I love a lot! It was there that I met Joanne. Last year I was the drummer at the show . I loved it so much I really wanted to be involved more this year.

I have been a part of Musical Theatre since I was a kid. Having been on the stage and then finding my true love in behind the scenes. I have managed many stages and shows from my education career and Mind

I've been an artist all my life, and have had the pleasure of teaching art for many years. Art, music, theater, writing and dancing are important ways of nourishing our spirit! Most people don't recognize that they are artistic. To quote Picasso: "Every child is born an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once they grow up." Making art, listening to music and dancing have become special coping mechanisms to me. I have loved leading art activities at MindSteward Camp, and working with the very special people who join the camp.

I'm a rising 10th grade student at Susquehanna Township High School. He is a violinist who has participated in DCMEA County Honors Orchestra, Lebanon Valley College Orchestra Festival, Messiah University string orchestra camp, and, of course, his school ensemble. He also enjoys photography and computers. Ben brings his enthusiasm for violin and backstage/technical theatre operations to Mind Steward for the fourth consecutive year.

Hello! My name is Alexia Kaplin! I have been a dancer for 16 years and an acrobatic dance teacher for 2 years! I love everything creative arts related and have a passion for helping kids reach their goals! I am very patient and many would say I do a very good job at breaking skills down in order for students to achieve them. I am looking forward to meeting you all and dancing with you!