Caira Cramer-Walter, a Syracuse Area Live Theater (SALT) nominee for choreographer of the year, has over 35 years of dance experience. She grew up learning jazz and lyrical dance under the direction of Jody Lyn Bogardus in Oneida. During that time, she was also classically trained in Ballet by Joanne Rinaldo. She attended Le Moyne college where she became head choreographer of the Le Moyne student dance company. Since then she has choreographed musical theater shows for schools in the area and for the Talent Company. She has also choreographed various summer programs for Cazenovia College. She is honored to be on the judging panel of the talent showcase at The Great New York State Fair. She currently is the jazz instructor and competition team choreographer at Cazenovia School of Ballet in Cazenovia under the direction of Joanne Rinaldo. Her competition numbers routinely win 1st place and receive special judges’ awards. She is also a teacher for the East Syracuse Minoa school district where she teaches 7th and 8th grade English at Pine Grove middle school. In addition to her teaching responsibilities at Pine Grove, Caira is the Ela department leader, and choreographs for the ESM high school musical, the cultural festival and the end of the year teacher flash-mob.

Aimee deBerjeois has been a music and choral teacher in the ESM school district for 23 years. During her years at ESM she directed, produced, vocal coached and even choreographed several plays, talent shows and musicals at Pine Grove Middle School. She is an Ithaca College School of Music graduate who continues her education by attending professional NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) and ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) Conferences, and Choral Music Experiences. She is an active member of ACDA which has allowed her to observe, work with, and sing for current composers and conductors, Francisco Nunez, Dr. Kevin Fenton, and Dr. Rollo Dilworth.  Theatre has always been passion since her first musical, Annie, in 1987! She previously taught vocals and acting classes at the BDC Summer Theater Camps. She’d like to thank her entire family, Evan, Emma, Mom and Dad, and particularly her teammate and husband, Mike, for always supporting her and making it work for all of us to follow our passions! She is especially excited an attached to the cast of Grease, the School Musical, as the seniors have all been together for 7 years! “We go together, Forever and Ever!” She can’t imagine the high school without them but looks forward to all their amazing futures “Wa- oo- yah!”

Darlene Baker is a business and marketing teacher at ESM CHS for 23 years. As a previous entrepreneur and business owner, she is thrilled to put her skills to use for the first time as a musical producer! She is the Business and Information Technology Department Chair, ran the DECA program for over 10 years, started the Youth Development and Leadership and PRIDE programs at the high school. She is also a Yearbook Advisor, Career Exploration and Development Coordinator and the ESM United Teachers & Related Professionals VP of Public Relations. Darlene has a Bachelors in Accounting and Masters in Career and Technical Education from SUNY Oswego and a second Masters in Administrative Education from Syracuse University. She has advised and developed student leadership through projects that have raised over $100,000 for local charities and foundations in CNY area.

Thomas Davis has been a teacher at ESM for 20 years! He teaches engineering and aviation classes! He is happy to be back on the drama team, having built sets many years ago for Spartan Stage Jr,. at Pine Grove.

Todd Bachta has been as ESM art teacher for 16 years! He teaches drawing classes at ESM and has had several students earn Gold and Silver Key awards through the years! Todd designed many sets for Pine Grove Middle School Shows years back and is excited to be on board again!

Todd Durantini Jr. has been involved with Lighting design throughout ESM for 6 years now. He has done work for Spartan Stage Jr. for 4 years lighting their Talent Shows and Musicals and has been an assistant lighting chief for the past 3 years with Spartan Stage. Todd has experience in all types of lighting for events because of his own DJ Business T.J.D.J. Todd is also involved with Encore Youth Productions a local youth theater company in Syracuse lighting their musicals and masterclasses in the summer. Todd is super excited to be working on our lighting for Grease!