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Adriana Donohue
2015 Instructor of the Year
Adriana has been a Hill House parent for nine years, and has accompanied her child to many classes such as art, basketball, soccer and more. She enjoyed working as a nanny in Beacon Hill when she moved to Boston, where she learned every nook and cranny of the neighborhood. She started working at Hill House as the Playgroup Faciliatator, and has since grown to teach tumbling and art classes in both English and Spanish. Originally from Mexico City, Adriana has lived in the area for over twelve years and loves the community in Boston. She has spent four years playing and telling stories with families new and old as a playgroup facilitator, class instructor and Kiddie Kamp Art Coordinator. She is excited to learn and grow with her brand-new art students this fall!
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Aaliyah Mokalled
Art Instructor
Aaliyah joined Hill House's team in the Fall of 2019, teaching a variety of classes from Jewelry Making to baking. She started off teaching arts & Crafts at summer camps and is excited to share her love of art and creativity with the children at Hill House.
What she loves most about her job is the creative freedom it offers, the kids get to explore and learn without the pressure of having to make a perfect polished product - which is what art should be at their age.
When she's not working, she's spending time outside with her cats, or inside working on her own skills as an artist, which never stop improving.
Favorite quote: "When you're doing what you love you never work a day in your life."
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Andrew Gottlieb
Hill House Athletics
Andrew is joining us for another semester at Hill House! As a Coach Across America alum, he is looking forward to putting his coaching skills to use out on the fields and on the basketball court. Outside of Hill House, Andrew plays rugby and soccer. He is a fan of both the Celtics and the New England Revolution.
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Barbara DeFreitas
Music Together
Born in California from a Brazilian family, Barbara grew up in Rio de Janeiro. Music has been part of her life from an early age-singing in the school choir and spending long afternoons sitting at the piano with her grandfather. She started her music studies at Antonio Adolfo Music School in Rio de Janeiro, taking guitar and voice lessons. This love for music led her to move to the USA in 2000 where she formally started her studies at the Santa Barbara College. In 2004 Barbara relocated to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music earning her Bachelor’s in 2007. During her years in Boston she was a vocalist in an acoustic ensemble playing Brazilian music around New England, including rhythms like Bossa Nova and Samba. Barbara is now back in Boston, after teaching voice and basic keyboard lessons to children in Los Angeles for three years. In her free time Barbara loves running along the Charles, spinning rides, yoga, dancing, singing and relaxing with good friends.
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Ben Silvers
Private Piano Instructor
Professional Background: Current student at Northeastern, studying Music Industry and Pre-Law. I work full-time for Mintz Levin. Also worked as a Hill House Camp Counselor!
I love the people at Hill House. Both the kids and parents as well as the staff. The leadership team are rockstars that magically keep everything running smoothly.
When not working I enjoy hiking, going on adventures on my bike and eating lots of food.
Favorite quote: "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." - Albus Dumbledore |
Duane Lucia
Kiddie Karate, Beginner Karate, Intermediate/Advanced Karate
Duane started his martial arts training in 1972 under the tutelage of Al Ford sensei. In addition he trained with George Mattson (Al Ford's sensei) from 1983 to 1993. In 1993 upon the death of his sensei, Mr. Lucia chose to move his 24 years of uechiryu training in another direction and focused on the further development of Sanchin Martial Arts. Sensei, as he is known to his students, teaches children as young as 3-years old all the way to seniors over 70 years of age, 6 days each week.
In 1979 the Sanchin Martial Arts Club was started in Boston by Duane Lucia. The club's martial arts style was based on one of the oldest and most widely practiced forms: sanchin. With Mr. Lucia's dedicated and advanced study in movement education, sports-psychology and martial arts, he developed what is now Sanchin Martial Arts.
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Tung-Shan "Fritz" Chang
Fencing Instructor
Professional background: Math & Science Teacher
Fritz was an assistant fencing coach from 2013-2017 at Wellesley College and is the founder and owner of the New England Movement Arts (NEMA) Fencing Center, founded in 2013. He teaches fencing classes and lessons in foil, epee and saber.
Fritz loves working at Hill House because he believes that teaching fencing to young children is an interesting and relaxing contrast to teaching academic subjects like math & science.
When not working, Fritz loves traveling to foreign countries.
Favorite quote - "Practice makes perfect"
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Jonas Kublickas
Instructor for Private Guitar/Ukulele/Piano/Drums Lessons
Professional background: Graduated from New England Conservatory of Music in 2016 with Master of Music Degree along with Music-in-education concentration. Graduated from Mozarteum (Salzburg, Austria) in 2014 with Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on classical guitar and Renaissance Lute performance.
Jonas believes Hill House is a lively place to be! Truly a backyard in the city, he loves working with the staff and kids.
When not working, Jonas loves to hike (he did the Everest Base Camp Trek) and play chess - he's been playing since he was 3! Also loves basketball, scuba diving, surfing, running and writing music reviews.
Favorite Quote: "You were give your gift for the joy you may give in return" - Cornelius Elmore Addison
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Josie Gardiner
Total Body Strength
Josie is an experienced master trainer and co-author of The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan and The Breast Cancer Survivor's Guide to Fitness DVD and the Breast Cancer Survivor's 12 Week Training Program for YMCAs. She collaborated with Joy Prouty, Francesca Coltrera and Dr. Jonathan Bean to create The Workout Workbook, a Harvard Medical School Special Health Report that includes 9 different workouts. She is a Continuing Education provider for ACE, American Council on Exercise and AFAA, the American Fitness Association of America.
In addition, she received the ACE Instructor of the Year award in 2005 and the IDEA Health and Fitness Association instructor of the Year in 2002. She also collaborated with Joy Prouty in creating eight "Fit Over Fifty" videos, which were produced by Healthy Learning and endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine, and two "Fitime: Lite and Easy Workouts to Lift Your Spirits" DVDs. She has presented fitness training sessions internationally for the past 30 years. She has been featured on Chronicle and appeared on The Today Show as well as in interviews for many other media outlets. She is the co-developer of ZUMBA GOLD dance program for the active older adult and is a Zumba Education Specialist. She is a member of the BEAMFIT advisory board and the ACSM, American College of Sports Medicine, Summit Planning Committee. Josie was a Reebok Master Trainer for 25 years and a member of Reebok's Development Team.
Josie is known for her expertise in training the older adult. She is a 13 year cancer survivor! Josie and her husband, Ian, have two children and five grandchildren.
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Mason Fessler
Coach for soccer, flag football, basketball and baseball
Professional Background: Current Doctorate of Physical Therapy student at MGH Institute of Health Professions. Former college baseball player at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon
I love being able to share my passion for sports with kids and seeing the joy and friendships that sports can bring to their lives.
When not working, I enjoy watching sports, exploring new places to eat, and checking out what Boston has to offer.
Favorite quote: "Never let me fear of striking out get in your way"
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Melanie Maz
Private Music Lessons - Piano and Violin
Melanie is a violin and piano teacher, musician and visual artist. She has studied and performed violin and piano since childhood and has taught lessons to children and adults since high school. Melanie received a BA in Music Performance and Communication, with Distinction and Honors, from Goucher College. She has been teaching full-time in the Boston area since 2000, both privately and at the New School of Music, the Belmont Saturday Morning Music School, Buckingham Browne & Nichols Summer Day Camp, Boston Collegiate Charter School, Cambridge community schools, Soundfest Music Festival and Suzuki School of Music. In addition to performing for weddings and events, Melanie has performed locally with the Newton Symphony, Longwood Symphony, Serenata Chamber Musicians, the Brahms Society Orchestra, New England Philharmonic and Boston Neo-politan Orchestra. Melanie has taught private and group lessons and has coached chamber music ensembles. She currently teaches lessons in after school enrichment programs.
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Michael Almeida
United Coach, U12 Girls
Professional background: Girls Soccer Coach at Winsor Academy, 05 Elite Girls Coach GPS Metro Boston, 2016 Massachusetts Girls Coach of the year
I love working with the Hill House community, the families and players are the best!
When off the field, I love spending time with my friends and family.
Favorite quote: "The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do."
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Ryan Flanagan
Hill House Athletics and Day Camp Team Leader
Ryan is originally from Rockway, New Jersey and moved to Boston back in 2010. He is also the youngest of three boys in his family. From the time he could pick up a ball, he was playing sports. Of all sports, baseball has always been his favorite. He was the captain of his high school, college and now men's baseball teams. Ryan loves working with kids and bringing a youthful exuberance to everything he does.
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Vadim Martirosov
Chess I & II
Vadim is an experienced Chess Master (Highest Fide rating: 2345; Current: 2250) from the USSR and has lived in Boston for 12 years. Before immigrating to the US, Vadim studied chess under the supervision of Oleg Privorotsky (G. Kasparov’s first coach) and has been teaching chess full-time in the US for seven years. Many of his students have won tournaments locally and regionally. He has experience teaching hundreds of students at the elementary, middle and high schools levels, and has mentored many of them from beginners to the expert level. Vadim coaches chess students in groups and is also available for 1-on-1 instruction.
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Will Moore
Hill House Athletics
Professional background: Was a law firm controller for 15 years before switching careers to focus on coaching sports after a lifetime of playing sports (College Soccer/basketball and Semi-Pro Football). Started Spartans Will-To-Win Basketball AAU program and Will-to-Work Sports Training (wtwsports.com) in Quincy.
I love coaching kids at every skill level to play to their strengths, helping build their confidence and make sports fun while building lifelong friendships along the way.
When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and 3 kids.
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