WriteUps

Sun Transcript Staff Report

From the time they can first hear and appreciate music, or watch a favorite actor on television or in a movie, many children dream of becoming performers themselves.
In Winthrop, those dreams can often be encouraged and talents developed at the Winthrop School of Performing Arts.
For 14 years Trudy Macero, a former singer, dancer and actress herself, has led the one-time dance studio she bought in the mid 1980's. In that time, she has transformed dance school into a multi-faceted performing arts school that teaches children music, dancing and acting skills, as well as giving them the confidence to perform in front of others.
On Friday and Saturday the students of the Winthrop School of Performing Arts will once again seek to entertain the residents of the town, with two performances of the classic Broadway musical "Annie."

Both shows will be performed at the Winthrop Middle School Auditorium, with Friday's performance beginning at 7 p.m. and Saturday's matinee beginning at 2 p.m. "This was really a one-room dance studio, that was called 'Tassinari and Tirrell' when I had the opportunity to buy it," said Trudy Macero, who with her new husband and partner John Macero has built the school by bringing in a variety of performing artists as teachers over the years. Currently the school boasts 11 teachers in a variety of disciplines including dance, acting, voice, piano, guitar and more. Among the many teachers at the school, the most two most important are Trudy and John.

When Trudy bought the school she wanted offer her students more than just a dance and voice school and sought the help of an accomplished acting teacher. She found that help in Saugus Middle School drama teacher John Macero.
Macero joined the school's staff about nine years ago and has been a fixture there ever since, in addition to continuing in his capacity at Saugus Middle school.
Trudy and john further solidified their partnership, when they got married last year.
Other accomplished teachers at the school include dance teacher Patricia Mellace, who also teaches at the Boston High School for the Performing Arts; piano and voice teacher Adrian Secam musical director for the Young at Arts program of the Wang Theatre; drama teacher Karen Candelmo of the Winthrop Middle School drama department; street funk teacher Kristen Shipulski of the Saugus school system, Kristen also coaches cheerleading in Danvers and Everett and recently coached the Everett Pop Warner Cheerleaders to a national championship in Florida; piano, voice and guitar teacher Christine Jankowiak of the Saugus School system; voice and piano teacher Cassandra Marsh a noted Boston area club performer who has also performed in several area theater productions; drama teacher Dave Palen a Winthrop high graduate who continues to pursue his own theater education; Trudy's daughter Jaime Montesano, a dance teacher who is currently pursuing a double major in biology and theater at Suffolk University ; and locally known dance teacher Cheryl Dallessio who brings 20 years of dance teaching experience to the school.
"After I ended my own performing career," said Trudy. "I cane back here to settle down and I wanted to form a school of Boston caliber, outside of Boston. I wanted to give back what I'd learned and I also knew that there were no schools like this when I was growing up."
Trudy noted that she and John and the staff of the school were fortunate to be able to keep all of the varying disciplines under one roof, in the Wadsworth Building at 220 Winthrop Street.
"Fortunately, when it came time to expand, there was room in this building and we were able to stay right here," said John.
"The school has gone from a one-room dance school to four rooms, with a mini-theater and several areas to teach vocal and music lessons," added Trudy.
Trudy and John estimate that a combined audience of more than 3,000 see the school's performances throughout the year, annually. And they offer summer theater camps as well.
"Our season never ends," said Trudy with a chuckle. "We perform two larger shows each year, with several other smaller shows an recitals in between. We're always preparing for the next show."
The school also raises money for local charitable organizations such as the Winthrop Food Pantry and the programs of the Winthrop Public Library.
For more information about the Winthrop School of Performing Arts, you can also check out their website at www.stageperformers.com or by calling them at 617-846-5299 or 846-8010.