The Viera Studio for the Performing Arts

Viera Studio for Performing Arts


By George White

The love of drama instilled early on, for two Brevard County students, has now resulted in The Viera Studio For the Performing Arts opening May 2.

Before going to New York City to pursue careers in the arts, founders Monica Toro-Lisciandro and Jonathan McFadden met in Suntree Elementary and got early instruction in drama at Johnson Junior High in Melbourne.

“It was in New York, when we started talking about opening something like this. We’re focusing on the whole child and how to apply these skills to their everyday life,’’ McFadden said.

Toro-Lisciandro received a Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in theatre performance and theatre education at the prestigious theatre university, Marymount Manhattan College. While in college she student-taught at the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan, interned for a prominent casting director, and performed in professional touring theatre companies.

McFadden first discovered his love for the performing arts more than a decade ago, while volunteering as a cast member in countless community theatre productions at The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.

In 2004, he headed to Hollywood where he won the Best New Talent of Los Angeles Award. He also has appeared on television in national commercials, on stage in numerous professional musical and dance productions, and can be seen hosting promotional web videos for Brevard Community College and WBCC-TV.

“We’ve always wanted to do this and now we’re back in Brevard, so it just sort of worked out,’’ Toro-Lisciandro said.

Classes to be offered at the studio include acting, musical theatre, commercials, audition techniques, college audition preparation, public speaking, movement, instrumental techniques and vocal techniques.

There also will be instrumental music taught by Bob Barone, music instructor at the School of Performing Arts at Gardendale Elementary Magnet School and music director for Rockledge United Methodist Church and the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse. Also on staff is Carolyn Barone, an 18-year veteran teacher from the School of Performing Arts at Gardendale Elementary Magnet School.

The cost for weekly classes starts at $35 per month for children with discounts for multiple classes. There is no registration but all students must purchase a T-shirt to be worn at all related classes and events.

The studio also offers eCoaching, which allows students to video chat with one of the experienced professionals for 15 or 30 minutes for advice and feedback.

Former Johnson Junior High School drama teacher, now Viera High School Principal Jim Hickey, well remembers a couple of star students who dreamed big.

“We had something magical then for a few years. The benefit was as much for us teachers as it was for the students. I always said that one day I’ll be working for them. It’s great to have them back and to see that they got into drama. They’ll do fine,’’ Hickey said.

The Viera Studio for the Performing Arts is located at The Suntree Business Center, Suite 219 at 3270 Suntree Blvd. For more information, call 646-263-6859 or visit thevierastudio.com.