Dazzle 2024 VIP Dancers
Rob Connor
Rob Connor is the co-founding Head of School at Christina Seix Academy in Trenton, one the country’s only private boarding schools focused on serving under-represented families. A proud alumnus of Morehouse College, Rob holds a PhD in Educational Policy and Management from the University of Pennsylvania and recently served as the Harber Fellow of Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Wesleyan University. He also serves as a Trustee of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Watershed Institute, the NJ Assoc of Independent Schools, and Centurion, one of the country’s oldest nonprofits, focused on the vindication of the wrongly convicted. Above all, Rob is a devoted husband to Dr. Sushama Austin-Connor for 21 years and a father to two remarkable sons, Lekh and Rowan Connor.
‘“Young Audiences” is remarkable in helping so many deserving communities continue to enjoy the benefits of artistic expression.”
Jean Frankel
Jean Frankel is a dedicated advocate for education and community enrichment. She is currently a second-term Councilwoman for Tewksbury Township and served previously as Mayor. A resident of Tewksbury, NJ for over 35 years, Jean has dedicated herself to supporting the local public schools and she founded the Tewksbury Education Foundation (TEF). Jean’s community service spans a 12-year tenure on the Board of Education, where she served as President for four years and she is a member of the Women’s Club of Tewksbury Township. Through the TEF, Jean has helped bring Young Audiences programming to her local K-8 students. Jean received her MA in Choreography at UCLA, and her passion for dance has been a lifelong pursuit.
“I’m eager to join the Young Audiences event because I believe in a future where everyone enjoys a well-rounded education with an immersion in the arts.”
Deonté Griffin-Quick
Deonté Griffin-Quick is an actor, arts administrator and consultant. Deonté serves as the Managing Director of External Affairs for Artist Communities Alliance. Prior, Deonté served as the Director of Programs and Services at New Jersey Theatre Alliance. As an actor, Deonté has performed at many prominent theaters and was named the “Best Performer in a Play” by the Broadway World Regional Awards. He is a recipient of the Individual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and the Outstanding Achievement in the Arts Award from the Union County Urban League of Young Professionals. Deonté holds a BA in Theatre with a Communications minor from Kean University and a Masters in Arts Administration from Drexel University.
“I’ve been a big fan of the impact Young Audiences has on the area’s children. So this is a great way to amplify their work.”
Joy Molinelli
Joy Molinelli has run JM Manufacturer Representatives in the NY/NJ metro area for the last 30 years. She is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in marketing. After college she was an Account Executive at Boswell and Jacob’s Advertising, a Group Product Manager for Carter Wallace, and a Group Product Manager at Sunshine Biscuit Corporation, all of which laid the foundation for her own business, marketing household items to some of the biggest retailers in the country. Joy raised three boys in Lawrenceville and Pennington, NJ, and is active in the community, especially for 20 years at the John Molinelli Classic Basketball Tournament. Joy currently serves as Social Chair on the board of the Cherry Valley Country Club.
“As a lifelong lover of music and dance, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to learn something new and help open avenues for young artists.”
