The Judy Dworin Performance Project Inc. (JDPP) was founded in 1989 in Hartford,
Connecticut. JDPP sees its role in the community as further building a diverse and
innovative cultural mix of offerings at the highest professional level and giving voice to populations who have been silent or
unheard. The work of the organization endeavors to reach the hearts and minds of those involved whether as audience or workshop
participants in a process that reminds us of our collective humanity.
Judy Dworin founded the Judy Dworin Performance Project, Inc. (JDPP) in 1989 based on a commitment to the important role the arts can and do play in challenging and creating change in our universe – personal, educational, and global. She has been the Artistic Director of the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble for 23 years and has brought its highly acclaimed and cutting edge dance/theater to the region, the state and beyond. Its edgy, evocative and humorous repertory has reached audiences in professional venues such as La MaMa E.T.C. in NYC and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as well as colleges, schools and correctional institutions alike and speaks to critical issues of social justice that we face today. Judy is particularly interested in bringing little known stories in history to the forefront and her piece 'The Witching Hour' received an award of merit from the American Association of State and Local History for it unique presentation of CT history. She is a lead teaching artist for several of JDPP's multi-arts residencies and is on the Teaching Roster for the State of Connecticut. She is the recipient of numerous awards and this past year JDPP received the notable Hartford Courant Tapestry Award for its support of diversity and its efforts to bridge different sectors of the Hartford community. Judy is on the faculty of the Theater and Dance Department at Trinity College and served as chair of the department for many years. She recently contributed a chapter to the book, "Performing New Lives: Prison Theatre", edited by Jonathan Shailor, and published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers that discusses the first JDPP project with the women of York CI that catalyzed a powerful direction in Judy's work over the past six years with those incarcerated and their families.
JDPP is home to three distinct programmic offerings, all centered around the idea that the arts make a difference in our lives.
The Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble (JDPE) has been the core member and catalyst for the organization,
creating cutting-edge dance/theater performance work of the highest professional quality. JDPE has performed
locally, regionally and internationally and is a uniquely qualified group of performers who are also committed
and experienced teachers. JDPE’s repertory is made up of full-length and shorter performances pieces. Pieces from
our Current Repertory may be booked for performances in a wide variety of venues and contexts. Please see our Bookings page or contact our office
for more information.
The Moving Matters! Residency Program brings movement-based multi-arts residencies into schools, correctional
institutions and community centers through collaborative multi-arts projects. JDPP's Moving Matters! Residencies are
founded in the belief that the arts can and do make a difference in the lives of children and adults—opening up worlds of
self-knowledge and awareness, expanding cognitive skills and providing tools for living. A particular focus of Moving Matters! Residences is to reach out to underserved populations, whether at schools, community centers, or state correctional facilities.
JDPE's innovative approach integrates movement with the program participants' own personal writings and artwork in an effort to
enlarge their expressive vocabulary and in the case of schools residencies consequently improve their language and communication
skills.
The Reaching Out program takes the lead in the artist mentoring and service component of the
organization with the vision of artists helping other artists in the Greater Hartford community
by nurturing their potential and facilitating their professional growth. JDPP has a firm commitment
to providing arts services to a select roster of artists to help them achieve their maximum potential.
Over the years, JDPP has served a range of performing artists in addition to its core member, JDPE,
providing support with publicity, bookings and fundraising using JDPP, Inc.’s non-profit designation.
Judy Dworin founded the Judy Dworin Performance Project (JDPP) in 1989 based on a commitment to the important role the arts can and do play in creating change in our universe - personal, educational, and global. JDPP has provided cutting-edge performance through the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble (JDPE), an educational residency program, Moving Matters! and a mentoring program for artists, Reaching Out. Judy has taught residencies in Bulgaria and Taiwan as well as throughout New England. Her performance work has received widespread acclaim and her piece The Witching Hour (2007) received a national Award of Merit from the American Association of State and Local History and also from the CT League of History Organizations for its innovative portrayal of history focusing on women who were accused as witches in 17th century CT. She is on the Teaching Roster for the State of Connecticut and is the recipient of the Distinguished Advocate for the Arts Award in 1998, the Governor's Arts Award in 1999, the CT Dance Alliance Award for Distinguished Service and the Charter Oak Vision Award for Arts and Education in 2006, among others. Her commitment to education has also had a 40-year history at Trinity College, where she established the Dance Program, co-founded the Trinity/La MaMa Urban Arts, Semester in New York City, chaired the Theater and Dance Department for many years and is presently a Professor of Theater and Dance. Judy's work in performance and teaching is informed by her belief in the wisdom of the body and its spontaneous and creative expression as a foundational element in our growth, development and understanding of the world in which we live.
Judy’s performance work creates emotionally moving and transformative images that challenge and provoke with a multi-layered intensity. Her work has been noted for its wit as well as its ability to delve into the darker reaches of experience shaped by a sense of possibility. Her company has performed at such venues as Dia Center for the Arts (now The Joyce Soho), La MaMa E.T.C., and St. Ann’s in NYC, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the new Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook, CT, Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford, CT where it premieres all of its work, and at such colleges and universities as Wesleyan, Vassar, Trinity, and Eastern Connecticut State University and at national conferences such as the Arts in Criminal Justice in Philadelphia, PA. Her company also performs in prisons and urban schools in CT and its work has been recognized for its unique and challenging presentation of social justice issues facing our contemporary culture. She has been especially moved in the past six years by her work with women in prison at York Correctional Institution, the only state prison for women in CT. Working inside of a prison has afforded her the opportunity to examine the notion of justice through a completely different lens and has inspired her to bring some of these perspectives which are not readily available to the public into their purview through her performance and residency work. She is now engaged as project director and lead teaching artist in a four-year project with social service and community organizations and York Correctional Institution reaching out to children with incarcerated parents and also York mothers and their children. The various in-school and after-school workshops and summer week-long and weekend intensives culminate in performances and sharings as well as a published workbook on this collaborative approach to be widely distributed within the Hartford community and beyond. She recently was invited to contribute an article on her work with incarcerated populations as part of Jonathan Shailor’s newly published book, "Performing New Lives: Prison Theater".
Kathy Borteck Gersten received a B.S. with a specialty in Dance from the George Washington University in Washington, DC. Her continued
dance studies took her to New York City, Wisconsin and Florida. Kathy has performed with various dance companies in Washington, DC,
including the GWU Dancers, Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, Dance Alliance and Michael Kasper Solos; in New York with the Merce
Cunningham Summer Repertory and Orion Dance Theater which she also directed and choreographed; in Florida with Fusion Dance Company and her
own KBG and Dancers; and in Hartford, CT, with the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble.
Through all of this time, she has been involved in teaching dance and movement to students of all ages in many different settings. Kathy's
teaching includes the various Y branches from DC to Hartford; private dance studios, schools (K-12) and colleges - private, public,
performing arts and at risk, and prisons. Kathy is a member of the CT Commission on Culture & Tourism's Master Teaching Artist Roster and
has lead Teacher/Artist Collaborations in HOT Schools around the state, integrating kinesthetic movement with school curriculum. She has
lead teacher in-service workshops for Hartford Public Schools as well as an instructor at the former School of the Hartford Ballet, the
Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, and Trinity College.
Kathy's commitment to dance extends beyond her teaching and performing to include Dance Vice President for the Connecticut Association for
Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance; a member of the Dance Committee developing the Connecticut Standards for the Arts in
Dance and the State Guide to Arts Development K-12 Framework and a member of the Dance Certification committee for the Connecticut State
Department of Education. For the Connecticut Commission on the Culture & Tourism she has served on the Artist panels for Art/Artists
Residencies, Arts Development Grants and Teaching Artists Roster. For Aiken Elementary and Hall High Schools, West Hartford, she has
served on the School Improvement Councils. She was a founding member of Dance Services Network and its Director for six years and on the
Board of the Connecticut Dance Alliance. She is currently on the Board of the Judy Dworin Performance Project; Dance Umbrella for Greater
Hartford and the Dance Coalition at Charter Oak Cultural Center.
Presently, Kathy is the Associate Artistic Director and a performing member of the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble (JDPE). She is the
coordinator for the residency program Moving Matters! at the Parkville Community School in Hartford, CT, where she also teaches along with
the team of JDPE teaching artists and is a guest lecturer in the Department of Theater and Dance at Trinity College.
Carla Iovinella Corcoran – Managing Director
Carla graduated from the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford with a BFA in Printmaking and a minor in Art History in 2004. After graduation, she worked as an Admissions Counselor for the University
for 2 years. When this position ended, she took a job with the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism as the Public Information
Fellow. Simultaneously, she spent time working for TripleFrog, LLC, a
small graphic design firm in Middletown.
Recently, she designed the journal from the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford entitled, "A Life of the Land: Connecticut's Jewish Farmers", which won an award from the Connecticut League of History Organizations. Since coming to JDPP in 2008, Carla has carried out the day-to-day operations of the organization, including much of the graphic design, including this website.
Shelly Bayless – Director of Community Outreach & Programming
As the newest member of the Judy Dworin Performance Project team, Shelly brings 25 years of nonprofit communications and development experience to the organization. Throughout her career, Shelly has worked for many Connecticut-based arts, culture and human services organizations including Hartford Stage Company, Goodspeed Opera House, A Sacred Place, Connecticut Landmarks, and most recently as Director of Development for Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation. In addition, Shelly provides graphic design services and business management consultation, including development, marketing and public relations strategies, art direction, copywriting, original art and photography for broadcast, print and web-based media, and strategy and analysis for annual fund and capital campaigns. Shelly is a graduate of Lyme Academy of Fine Art with a BFA in painting and is currently pursuing a MA at Hartford Seminary in spirituality and worship.
Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble
Leslie Bird began her singing career as a voice student at the Hartt School of Music and at the Artists Collective in Hartford. In 1988, she became a singer and later musical director for a cappella gospel singing group Women of the Cross, founded at the Artists Collective. As musical director, Leslie composes all of WOTC's songs. They have toured throughout CT and the East Coast most recently performing at the University of Hartford, the New Britain Museum of American Art, the Hartford Stage Company, the Old State House, the Hartford Symphony, and Billings Forge Community Works in Hartford. They were featured at Philadelphia's Museum of African American Art and at the Martin Luther King Commemoration in Litchfield CT joining renowned cellist/composer David Darling. In 2001, Leslie became a Teaching Artist for the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism and has since completed several residencies in Connecticut schools. She has also been a lead teaching artist on JDPP’s collaborative teaching team at York Correctional Institution, as well as at Synergy Alternative High School, Kinsella Magnet School for the Performing Arts, Parkville Community School and with Hartford Performs.
Leslie composed the song score for three JDPP performance pieces and received a Meet the Composer Grant from NEFA for her work on the JDPP production of Dreamings in 2009. She composed and sings the entire vocal score for In This House.
Robert Byrd is a New Haven native whose love for dance and drama has been instilled and evolving since childhood. Although not ever formally trained in dance, Robert served as member and co-captain of New Haven's Mob Squad Drill and Drum team for over 7 years, where he performed competitively in front of large and small crowds, leading his team to numerous victories. He makes his dance debut in JDPP's production of "In This House," playing the role of Adam Jackson.
Mellissa Craig holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Trinity College and is in pursuit of a Masters Degree in Public Health, with aspirations to become a Physicians Assistant. She began her dance career with Cultural Dance Troupe at age 10, received numerous awards for discipline and commitment, and today continues on staff as an instructor and Company member. Mellissa has also performed in and choreographed for several recitals and showcases for Sankofa Kuumba, Hartford Public Schools, New Britain Parks and Recreation, and the Multicultural Arts and Technology program at CCSU. She is a trained stilt walker and has conducted numerous classes and workshops for students across the state. She recently traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, as a part of an artist exchange, centered around creating cultural and generational bridges between youth artists here and abroad.
Heidi Klecak is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and the Hartford Conservatory, and has attended Wesleyan University
taking graduate courses in Dance and Movement Studies. She has served on the dance faculty of Eastern Connecticut State University,
Saint Joseph College and The Hartford Conservatory among others. She currently is owner and Director of the Stafford Academy of Dance
LLC, and Directs the Figments Youth Dance Ensemble. Heidi teaches creative movement at the Preschool for the Arts in Ellington and
Tolland, and also choreographs a musical production for children each summer with Act Out, Sing and Shout.
Tracy Lombardo received a BFA from Adelphi University. She performed with Adelphi Dance Theater for two years, studied with Frank
Hatchett for one year and participated in a Broadway Dance Center Showcase in NYC. Tracy also performed with Sonia Plumb Dance Company
for five years. Presently, Tracy is teacher and choreographer of New Steps Dance Center in Glastonbury.
Lisa Matias received her BA from Trinity College, Hartford, CT., where she was awarded the President's Fellowship in Theater and
Dance. She has taught and performed with several companies throughout the Northeast. Lisa currently teaches at Trinity College and at her
own studio, Lisa Matias Dance Centre. Lisa has been with JDPE since its inception and continues to be inspired by Judy's work.
Alexa Melonopoulos began her dance training with Estelle Jones. She earned her BA in Dance from Hofstra University and holds an MA in
Dance in Higher Education and Administration from New York University. She has had the opportunity to perform with choreographers Eleo
Pomare, Remi Charlip, Rosalind Newman, Robin Becker, Stormy Brandenberger, Lance Westergard, Lili Weiss, John Mead and Ching Wen Yeh.
Alexa has been affi liated with a number of groups including Washington Square Repertory Dance Company, Sonia Plumb Dance Company, and
Works / Laura Glenn Dance. She is currently the Director of Dance and Arts Department Chair at Miss Porter's School in CT.
Jeff Shortt is a 21 year old music student; he has been a gymnast for 18 years, and studied dance for 15. Jeff would like to thank his mother for introducing him to the universal art form of dance, Mary-Ellen Reilly and the staff at Dance 10 for making dancing as comfortable as breathing, and Judy Dworin for showing him endless opportunity. He would also like to thank Heidi Klecak, Frank Hatchett, Wendy and David Fish-Lawrence, Lorelli Chang, Rebecca Mehan, Frank Valentine and of course the rest of the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble for conditioning him, enlightening him, and inspiring him.
Deborah Thompson (Sign Language Specialist) has worked extensively and passionately with the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Community
for over 20 years. Primarily she has provided interpreting services in American Sign Language. She also is a sign language instructor,
tutor and consultant. Through the State University of New York at Buffalo's Distinguished Speaker Series, she has had the honor of
interpreting for Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Colon Powell, George Will, Edward James Olmes, Hilary Clinton as well as many other notable
figures. She holds an M.S. in Spirituality from Hartford Seminary.
Alvin B. Carter, Jr.
Musician /Community organizer
Marc Casslar
Principal, GeoQuest, Inc.
Carole Clifford
American Federation of Teachers CT
Eric Colon
Supervisor of Special Education, Newtown Public Schools
Robin Cullen
Victim Impact Panel Coordinator, M.A.D.D.
Nelson DaCunha
Attorney, Cantor Colburn
Theresa Desilets
Marketing Communications , CIGNA
Kelson J. Ettienne-Modeste
Hartford Public Schools Unified Arts- Health Education (Retired)
Amy Goldbas
Consultant, The Learning Curve
Tracey Hardman
Counsel, The Hardman McPadden Law Offices
Stacey Lopez
Program Coordinator, Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy
Mary O'Connor
Executive Director, Guilford Arts Council (Retired)
Brendan Witherell
Attorney, Robinson & Cole
Helen Wong
Teacher, Parkville Community School, American Federation of Teachers CT
Advisory Council
Ron Compton, Aetna CEO (retired)
Andrew De Rocco, CT Commissioner for Higher Education (retired)
Jerry Franklin, President, CPTV & Radio
Deborah Forand, Development Director, Riverfront Recapture
Billy Grant, Owner/Chef of Grant's & Bricco's
Eliot Gersten, Attorney
June Kennedy, Dancer & Educator
Wally Lamb, Author
Deborah Laviero, Vice President, Marketing for
OFI Contract Interiors
Betsy Mahaffey, CT Commission on the Arts (retired)
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Judy Dworin founded the Judy Dworin Performance Project, Inc. (JDPP) in 1989 based on a commitment to the important role the arts can and do play in challenging and creating change in our universe – personal, educational, and global. She has been the Artistic Director of the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble for 23 years and has brought its highly acclaimed and cutting edge dance/theater to the region, the state and beyond. Its edgy, evocative and humorous repertory has reached audiences in professional venues such as La MaMa E.T.C. in NYC and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as well as colleges, schools and correctional institutions alike and speaks to critical issues of social justice that we face today. Judy is particularly interested in bringing little known stories in history to the forefront and her piece 'The Witching Hour' received an award of merit from the American Association of State and Local History for it unique presentation of CT history. She is a lead teaching artist for several of JDPP's multi-arts residencies and is on the Teaching Roster for the State of Connecticut. She is the recipient of numerous awards and this past year JDPP received the notable Hartford Courant Tapestry Award for its support of diversity and its efforts to bridge different sectors of the Hartford community. Judy is on the faculty of the Theater and Dance Department at Trinity College and served as chair of the department for many years. She recently contributed a chapter to the book, "Performing New Lives: Prison Theatre", edited by Jonathan Shailor, and published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers that discusses the first JDPP project with the women of York CI that catalyzed a powerful direction in Judy's work over the past six years with those incarcerated and their families.
The Moving Matters! Residency Program brings movement-based multi-arts residencies into schools, correctional
institutions and community centers through collaborative multi-arts projects. JDPP's Moving Matters! Residencies are
founded in the belief that the arts can and do make a difference in the lives of children and adults—opening up worlds of
self-knowledge and awareness, expanding cognitive skills and providing tools for living. A particular focus of Moving Matters! Residences is to reach out to underserved populations, whether at schools, community centers, or state correctional facilities.
JDPE's innovative approach integrates movement with the program participants' own personal writings and artwork in an effort to
enlarge their expressive vocabulary and in the case of schools residencies consequently improve their language and communication
skills. 
The Reaching Out program takes the lead in the artist mentoring and service component of the
organization with the vision of artists helping other artists in the Greater Hartford community
by nurturing their potential and facilitating their professional growth. JDPP has a firm commitment
to providing arts services to a select roster of artists to help them achieve their maximum potential.
Over the years, JDPP has served a range of performing artists in addition to its core member, JDPE,
providing support with publicity, bookings and fundraising using JDPP, Inc.’s non-profit designation. 
Kathy Borteck Gersten received a B.S. with a specialty in Dance from the George Washington University in Washington, DC. Her continued
dance studies took her to New York City, Wisconsin and Florida. Kathy has performed with various dance companies in Washington, DC,
including the GWU Dancers, Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, Dance Alliance and Michael Kasper Solos; in New York with the Merce
Cunningham Summer Repertory and Orion Dance Theater which she also directed and choreographed; in Florida with Fusion Dance Company and her
own KBG and Dancers; and in Hartford, CT, with the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble.
Carla graduated from the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford with a BFA in Printmaking and a minor in Art History in 2004. After graduation, she worked as an Admissions Counselor for the University
for 2 years. When this position ended, she took a job with the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism as the Public Information
Fellow. Simultaneously, she spent time working for TripleFrog, LLC, a
small graphic design firm in Middletown.
Recently, she designed the journal from the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford entitled, "A Life of the Land: Connecticut's Jewish Farmers", which won an award from the Connecticut League of History Organizations. Since coming to JDPP in 2008, Carla has carried out the day-to-day operations of the organization, including much of the graphic design, including this website.
Leslie Bird began her singing career as a voice student at the Hartt School of Music and at the Artists Collective in Hartford. In 1988, she became a singer and later musical director for a cappella gospel singing group Women of the Cross, founded at the Artists Collective. As musical director, Leslie composes all of WOTC's songs. They have toured throughout CT and the East Coast most recently performing at the University of Hartford, the New Britain Museum of American Art, the Hartford Stage Company, the Old State House, the Hartford Symphony, and Billings Forge Community Works in Hartford. They were featured at Philadelphia's Museum of African American Art and at the Martin Luther King Commemoration in Litchfield CT joining renowned cellist/composer David Darling. In 2001, Leslie became a Teaching Artist for the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism and has since completed several residencies in Connecticut schools. She has also been a lead teaching artist on JDPP’s collaborative teaching team at York Correctional Institution, as well as at Synergy Alternative High School, Kinsella Magnet School for the Performing Arts, Parkville Community School and with Hartford Performs. 
Robert Byrd is a New Haven native whose love for dance and drama has been instilled and evolving since childhood. Although not ever formally trained in dance, Robert served as member and co-captain of New Haven's Mob Squad Drill and Drum team for over 7 years, where he performed competitively in front of large and small crowds, leading his team to numerous victories. He makes his dance debut in JDPP's production of "In This House," playing the role of Adam Jackson.
Mellissa Craig holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Trinity College and is in pursuit of a Masters Degree in Public Health, with aspirations to become a Physicians Assistant. She began her dance career with Cultural Dance Troupe at age 10, received numerous awards for discipline and commitment, and today continues on staff as an instructor and Company member. Mellissa has also performed in and choreographed for several recitals and showcases for Sankofa Kuumba, Hartford Public Schools, New Britain Parks and Recreation, and the Multicultural Arts and Technology program at CCSU. She is a trained stilt walker and has conducted numerous classes and workshops for students across the state. She recently traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, as a part of an artist exchange, centered around creating cultural and generational bridges between youth artists here and abroad.
Heidi Klecak is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and the Hartford Conservatory, and has attended Wesleyan University
taking graduate courses in Dance and Movement Studies. She has served on the dance faculty of Eastern Connecticut State University,
Saint Joseph College and The Hartford Conservatory among others. She currently is owner and Director of the Stafford Academy of Dance
LLC, and Directs the Figments Youth Dance Ensemble. Heidi teaches creative movement at the Preschool for the Arts in Ellington and
Tolland, and also choreographs a musical production for children each summer with Act Out, Sing and Shout.
Tracy Lombardo received a BFA from Adelphi University. She performed with Adelphi Dance Theater for two years, studied with Frank
Hatchett for one year and participated in a Broadway Dance Center Showcase in NYC. Tracy also performed with Sonia Plumb Dance Company
for five years. Presently, Tracy is teacher and choreographer of New Steps Dance Center in Glastonbury.
Lisa Matias received her BA from Trinity College, Hartford, CT., where she was awarded the President's Fellowship in Theater and
Dance. She has taught and performed with several companies throughout the Northeast. Lisa currently teaches at Trinity College and at her
own studio, Lisa Matias Dance Centre. Lisa has been with JDPE since its inception and continues to be inspired by Judy's work.
Alexa Melonopoulos began her dance training with Estelle Jones. She earned her BA in Dance from Hofstra University and holds an MA in
Dance in Higher Education and Administration from New York University. She has had the opportunity to perform with choreographers Eleo
Pomare, Remi Charlip, Rosalind Newman, Robin Becker, Stormy Brandenberger, Lance Westergard, Lili Weiss, John Mead and Ching Wen Yeh.
Alexa has been affi liated with a number of groups including Washington Square Repertory Dance Company, Sonia Plumb Dance Company, and
Works / Laura Glenn Dance. She is currently the Director of Dance and Arts Department Chair at Miss Porter's School in CT.
Jeff Shortt is a 21 year old music student; he has been a gymnast for 18 years, and studied dance for 15. Jeff would like to thank his mother for introducing him to the universal art form of dance, Mary-Ellen Reilly and the staff at Dance 10 for making dancing as comfortable as breathing, and Judy Dworin for showing him endless opportunity. He would also like to thank Heidi Klecak, Frank Hatchett, Wendy and David Fish-Lawrence, Lorelli Chang, Rebecca Mehan, Frank Valentine and of course the rest of the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble for conditioning him, enlightening him, and inspiring him.
Deborah Thompson (Sign Language Specialist) has worked extensively and passionately with the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Community
for over 20 years. Primarily she has provided interpreting services in American Sign Language. She also is a sign language instructor,
tutor and consultant. Through the State University of New York at Buffalo's Distinguished Speaker Series, she has had the honor of
interpreting for Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Colon Powell, George Will, Edward James Olmes, Hilary Clinton as well as many other notable
figures. She holds an M.S. in Spirituality from Hartford Seminary.