Artist Symposium

2010 – Daniel Andai, Romero Britto, Wendy Leigh, Robin Nigh and Mike Thomas

Daniel Andai
Daniel Andai is currently the concertmaster of the Miami Symphony Orchestra and the New York City based Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas. He is a member of the prestigious contemporary music Claremont Ensemble and the first violinist of the Vols String Quartet, with whom he has appeared throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe. Andai is currently on the faculty at the Miami-Dade College and New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida as well as on the advisory board for the City of Aventura Performing Arts Center. He is a recording artist for AMZ Records in Miami. He holds both the Master of Music and the Professional Arts Degrees from the Manhattan School of Music's Orchestral Program as the Helen F. Whitaker Fund String Initiative Scholarship recipient. He also holds a Bachelor of Music Degree (graduating Cum Laude) from the Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Florida.

Romero Britto

A modern day pop culture icon, Romero Britto is one of the premiere artists of our time. His original artwork, dubbed the art of healing, brings together bright colors and playful themes with compositional elements of cubism. Embraced by the international community, Britto’s paintings and sculptures are currently featured on five continents in more than 100 hundred galleries worldwide. Recently, he completed the 2007 London Pyramid Project as a tribute to the Ancient Pyramids of Giza, the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the World. As part of the project, Britto enlisted the help of 1,500 students from around the world to paint alongside him in the largest educational arts project ever to come to London.

Wendy Leigh

Wendy Leigh is Vice President of Education and Humanities at the Patel Conservatory at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. She holds degrees in both education, from Columbia College in Missouri, and theatre, from the University of South Florida. Leigh taught for seven years in the Hillsborough County School District and taught drama in the Bennington College summer program in Vermont for three summers. She has 20 years experience in professional theatre, including acting, directing, producing and presenting, has opened up two spaces from the ground up (The LOFT Theater and the Off Center, now Shimberg Playhouse) and was instrumental in launching the opening of the Patel Conservatory. She is a certified Florida teacher and a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Robin Nigh

Robin Nigh, Manager, Art Programs Division for the City of Tampa, joined the City in 1999. Through her leadership she has developed innovative programs such as the Photographer Laureate Program and Lights On Tampa, and has tripled the program’s collection inventory. Prior to her position with the City of Tampa, she served as a project administrator for Florida’s Art in State Buildings Program at Florida State University, and as director of Sculpture Chicago from 1987 to 1990. Nigh has taught art history at Florida State University, Florida International University and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She received her M.A. from the Art Institute of Chicago and has completed postgraduate studies at FSU and Pennsylvania State University. She served as president of the Florida Association of Public Art Administrators from 2001 to 2003, and has lectured and consulted about public art across the country. She is currently working on several initiatives in Tampa including Lights On Tampa 2011, a cultural plan for The Tampa Riverwalk, several upcoming transportation related projects, and continues to oversee the Public Art Program and Public Art and Private Development.

Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas is a journalist with the Orlando Sentinel.

2009 – Donald Rupe

Donald Rupe is no stranger to Arts for Life!, having been a scholarship recipient in 2003.  Donald graduated from Florida State University in 2006 with his Bachelor's Degree in Theatre and each summer he travels to work on his Master's Degree in Educational Theatre from New York University.  During the school year, Donald teaches Theatre at Gateway High School in Kissimmee, Florida.  During his first three years as a teacher, Donald has earned numerous honors.  He and his students brought “A Few Good Men” as a "Mainstage" performance and his one-act, "Woman at a Threshold, Beckoning" to the State Thespian Festival. His work earned many "Superior" ratings and three "Best in Show" awards at the District festival.  He is proud to have fostered tremendous growth in his school's program and in each of the individual students with whom he has had the pleasure of working. 

Prior to teaching, Donald was the founder of Nothin' Productions, a non-profit theatrical organization dedicated to fostering theatrical arts in the young people of Central Florida.  During the three years as Director, he produced and directed many successful productions at the Orlando International Fringe Festival and in several theaters throughout Central Florida.  Donald primarily considers himself a director and some of his favorite credits include Seussical the Musical, Songs for a New World and My Favorite Year.  Donald is currently preparing to direct A Chorus Line in Central Florida and is looking forward to future projects as well as continuing to teach theater at Gateway High School. 

2008 – Romero Britto

"Helping aspiring artists reach their full potential is a joy. I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with Mrs. Bush and others on this exciting initiative." – Romero Britto 

The Foundation for Excellence in Education was honored to have Mr. Romero Britto as the 2008 Artist-in-Residence for Arts for Life! The world-renowned artist shared his experiences and expertise at a professional development workshop for 2008 scholarship recipients.