Contact UsThe HAPI Board
 |
President:
Alexandra Lopez has been working in the field of social services for over 15 years. Alexandra has a Masters Degree in Counseling Education & Administration from Kean University. She is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor and a Licensed Substance Awareness Coordinator. Alexandra has directed musical theater for 10 years and continues to direct for community theaters throughout the State of New Jersey. Her passion for the arts along with her extensive experience as a therapist working with children, adolescents and families, led her to merge the two: using the arts as a method of therapeutic healing. |
||
 |
Vice President: Jo-Ann Faulkner has been involved in the arts for sixty years. Her involvement has run the gamut from young dance student to successful business owner. In 1978, Jo-Ann found that she wanted to devote her focus to a unique concept of dance education. Consequently she opened her own studio in South Plainfield, New Jersey, where she has brought her love of dance and her creative approach to the arts. The studio has achieved her original vision that and has become a full performing arts centre, offering classes in all forms of dance, movement, musical theatre, vocal and music lessons. Jo-Ann developed such programs as dance for gymnastics, dance for the hearing impaired, dance and movement for students with special needs and dance for athletes to enhance their performance. She also began incorporating Yoga with dance and she introduced the “The Alexander Technique” to her students. In 1983, Jo-Ann founded and was the Director of the award winning student dance company, Le Centre Dance Ensemble, a dance company for the serious dance student. |
||
 |
Secretary and Director of Business Operations: Leonore Witchey-Lakshmanan, Ph.D. comes to HAPI primarily through her love of music. While working as a Ph.D. in chemical engineering for over 20 years, she has fueled her artistic passion by training in music theory and composition under Julliard-trained instructors. She has also been active in the musical pursuits of her children. Her commitment to HAPI is to create a safe place for aspiring musicians and other artists to develop their talents and dreams. She brings years of business and management experience to her role as HAPI’s Secretary and Business Manager. |
||
 |
Treasurer and Director of Programs: Christina Rak-Samson is a Preventionist I at a Middlesex County non profit. She has earned a BA in psychology from Rutgers University and is continuing her education to attain her certification as a CPS (Certified Prevention Specialist). Christina also teaches dance and choreographs Center Stage Dance and Theatre School in East Brunswick, as well as choreographing throughout New Jersey for various events. |