TAPA is always an exciting place to be! On evenings and weekends this place is packed with students who are thrilled to be taking dance, music, and art classes. With students of so many differing abilities we are proud to offer every student who needs one a personal one-on-one to guide them in classes, redirect in transitions, and demonstrate exceptional social skills. All of our incredible volunteers have given so generously of their time and talents to all of our programs. And we would be completely lost without them.
In addition to our robust volunteer list, we are also blessed to have our interns. Volunteers can apply to be an intern after a year of volunteering on a consistent basis of 20+ hours per month. We currently have four amazing interns who make our days and classes at TAPA so much brighter.
Jillian Feuerstein is our oldest intern and a senior at Hewlett High School where she is an active part of school musicals and plays, Concert Chorale, and the Vocal Jazz Choir, National Honor Society, National Thespian Honor Society, and Human Rights/Anti-bullying Club. She says, “the best part of TAPA for me is getting to share my love for theater and music with kids who benefit so much from it. I also love getting to connect with these amazing kids through something I am so passionate about.”
Valentina Musto is a sophomore at Oceanside High School. Since she began at TAPA she has been an active Girl Scout and member of her high school track team, and has been an integral part of the TAPA family for the past three years. “The best part about TAPA is walking into summer camp or respite and seeing all the smiling faces on the campers,” Valentina said about her time here.
East Rockaway native, Max Cohen, is our newest intern after a year and a half of volunteering at TAPA on weekend. He is a part of his school musicals and track teams and thinks the best part of being at TAPA is the positive relationships and making a difference on the lives of the kids. He works with students from age 5 – 25 and is always an energetic and positive.
And Long Beach local, Tatiana Ramos, is a 15-year-old who is a member of Forensics Club, Special Ed art helper, and reading assistant at Long Beach High School. After two years of being a member of the TAPA family, she says, “I learn also from the kids good action and how strong they are by always being happy and positive. Its not a job is like a second home being there even though it means waking up early but once you get there is wonderful. The best part is seeing the kids laugh and having fun , smiling because you know ur doing a good job and that they are enjoying it. I definitely love working there.”