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THE TEACHING ARTISTS and Staff

Meet the creative people who have come together to Keep Kids Inspired.

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Mr. D (aka Stephen Duffy)

FOUNDER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

& SINGING TEACHING ARTIST

Meet the creator, founder, and inspiration of Mr. D's Music Club, Stephen Duffy. Mr. D tapped into the love and inspiration of music at an early age (7 and certain stardom would hit at 9). Only as an adult and well into parenthood did he fully realize the value of music in a child's life. Not only is Mr. D an accomplished singer/songwriter, but he is also, more importantly, a valued educator and mentor. He inspires the students he teaches to create an eclectic playlist in life that isn't always obvious. As a mentor to young Teaching Artists, he always maintains the most important mantra: Make.It.FUN!

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"Stephen has a wonderful rapport with the kids, and his enthusiasm for music and performance -- not as work, but as a source of joy and fascination -- is infectious!"

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  - Ben G., Berkeley, CA

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DALIA BENDER

DANCE TEACHING ARTIST

New York City native Dalia Bender has been a dancer her whole life through various ebbs and flows of intensity and relationship to a movement practice. She’s been a Registered Yoga Teacher since 2018 and seeks to root her dance teaching into a practice of embodiment. Having studied dance in her tween years, Dalia felt the impact of a rigid style of dance teaching that had more to do with how you looked and less with how you felt. Dalia aims to imbed the confidence to do something weird or scary into the dancers she teaches and creates choreography to match that intention. Besides being a dancer, Dalia is also a sexual health educator, artist, and doula who finds joy in building community, doing arts and crafts, and spending time in the trees.

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Molly Brennan

 SCRIPT WRITER

Molly is back for another summer season at Mr. D's Music Club with her fun, lively, and creative scriptwriting talents. Molly has worked in all aspects of theater and film, including directing, acting, stage managing, sound, writing and more. This summer she’ll be writing a variety of wacky original plays for the kids to bring to life on stage. Sharing the joys of theater with Mr. D's Music Club is always a wonderful break from her everyday life as a student at New York University, where she studies Film and Television. She has a focus in screenwriting and just finished writing her second feature film. Molly can't wait for the campers to act out hilarious scenes together and put their own spin on her plays!

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Hailey Magsig

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Hailey has supported Mr. D's Music Club from behind the scenes since its inception in 2011. However, during the pandemic, Hailey took on a leadership role to help the business through Covid and the various pivots the company had to make. Her background in the child activity industry, tech, and operations helped stabilize Mr. D's Music Club during this challenging time. Today she continues to run the business side of things and is excited to guide the program, staff, and future of Mr. D's Music Club into the next phase and beyond.

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ERIC STEPHENSON

ACTING TEACHING ARTIST

Originally from Ontario, Canada, Eric’s recent performances include a workshop of Devil In A Blue Dress at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Bright Star at 42nd Street Moon. His other credits include the Fulton Theatre, Bard SummerScape, East Lynne Theater Company, Musical Theatre Factory, 34 West Theater Company, 54 Below, the Secret Theatre, Town Hall, Kentucky Repertory Theatre, the Workshop Theater, and La MaMa. He co-wrote and produced the short film Progress, which he hopes to submit to festivals. Eric is a graduate of Muhlenberg College, a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association, and is represented by Metropolis Artists Agency. As a teacher, he’s worked for Spindrift School for Performing Arts and received a voice teacher certification through NY Vocal Coaching. He lives in Oakland with his fiancé Rachel and their dog Jamie, and he’s so excited to join Mr. D’s Music Club!

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