Arts Hall of Fame Inductees 2011

RICHARD BALDWIN - CLass of 1938

Richard Baldwin began his career as a mural artist and his work was on prominent display around the high school and in local churches while he was still a teenager. He and his twin sister, Nancy, became high school celebrities both in dramatics and the arts, even co-directing the school orchestra. Richard quickly became a versatile illustrator and sculptor, studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts under Walker Hancock, George Harding, and eventually Harold Von Schmidt. He follows the Howard Pyle tradition having been encouraged in his early career by N.C. Wyeth, father of Andrew Wyeth. After serving in the United States Air Force, Richard began an active career in advertising and editorial illustration in Philadelphia and New York. His work appeared in numerous national publications including The Saturday Evening Post, Argosy, Western Fiction, and on covers for American History Illustrated. In 1965, Richard joined the newly founded Franklin Mint – he was the first art director for the mint and later served as Senior Master Sculptor. He designed and sculpted more than 600 coins and medals over the next 20 years, plus many 3-dimensional figures and animals in pewter and bronze. Mr. Baldwin’s works have been shown in various galleries in Texas, New Mexico, and Florida. He is represented in art collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the University of Texas in Austin. He has contributed numerous paintings and murals to the military collection of the John Hay Library at Brown University and he is also recognized in the Congressional Record as a Combat Artist in World War II.


JOSEPH BRENNAN - Class of 1980

Joseph Brennan received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from Temple University while studying violin with Julian Meyer. While at Temple University, Mr. Brennan also participated in small ensembles on Trumpet. He is the director of the string program at Haverford Middle and High Schools, a position he has held for the past 25 years. In 2006, Mr. Brennan was recognized by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) with the Citation of Excellence Award. Joe has presented sessions at various music educator conferences around the country and has been a guest conductor for various Pennsylvania String/Orchestra festivals. Joe has brought many string chamber ensembles and orchestras to perform at PMEA annual state conventions. The Haverford High School Orchestra has participated in a “Side-by-Side” rehearsal and performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra. The Haverford High School Symphony Orchestra represented the State of Pennsylvania by performing in America’s 400th Anniversary, a national event, with President Bush in attendance, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in the US, namely Jamestown. Prior to coming to Haverford, Joe taught a Suzuki program in Readington Twp. School District in New Jersey. Joe is the former music director, organist, and choir director at St. Pius X Church in Broomall, PA. He continually performs as a violinist and trumpeter throughout the Philadelphia area, especially for events throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In addition, Joe is a former Music Specialist with the Wilmington chapter of The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA).


ROSALIE COHEN - Class of 1968

Rosalie Cohen was a standout performer during her entire career at Springfield High School. During her four years, she was a participant in not only band and orchestra, but dance band, district orchestra, regional band, regional orchestra, and all-state band. Her love of music grew and it became obvious that she wanted to share this passion with others. After graduating with honors from Temple University’s music department, Rosalie began a lifelong career in the Pennsauken school system where her instrumental music has spanned all levels. From elementary orchestra to high school marching band and annual musicals, Rosalie’s responsibilities have included teaching band and orchestra to all ages, including jazz band and host and conductor of the Olympic Conference Honors Band. In addition, her bands have consistently achieved superior ratings at performance festivals throughout her career. Rosalie later earned her Master’s of Science in human behavior from Drexel University and eventually retired after 36 years of teaching music. In her own words, “I have dedicated my career to instilling the love for music and performance to all my students.”


PATRICK CRONIN - Class of 1992

Pat Cronin received his undergraduate degree in Industrial Technology from Millersville University. Pat began working at Pearl Pressman Liberty (PPL) as a general press-room helper during the summer of 1994 after receiving the William Connors Memorial Award for Graphic Arts upon graduation from Springfield High School. Pat joined PPL full time after graduating from Millersville University in 1997. From 1997 to 1999 Pat worked as an Assistant Production Planner until his promotion to Project Manager in 1999. Serving as project manager from 1999-2006 his responsibilities were to increase productivity, reduce errors and open better lines of communications between internal customer service reps and clients. In 2006 PPL proudly promoted Pat to Vice President of Production Services. As Vice President his responsibilities were expanded to overseeing Customer Service, Production, Purchasing and Estimating. Currently Pat is implementing Lean Manufacturing concepts to increase customer satisfaction, reduce costs and waste, and decrease turn around times. Pat enjoys his free time with his wife Terry and their two daughters, Meghan and Claire. He is also an avid ice hockey player, and a yearly returning judge for our annual Celebration of the Arts.


CHRIS DeSANTIS - Class of 1993

Chris DeSantis was a superior performer in two areas during his career at Springfield High School – he excelled in two years of mechanical and architectural drawing while at the same time earned several awards during his experience in the Industrial Materials program, becoming one of the first students to succeed in the course four successive years. Upon graduation, he earned the Industrial Technology Department Award and continued his education at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, where he also graduated with honors. Chris continuously strived to hone his skills, working at several high-end production companies, including the renowned Kinloch Woodworking. After years of dedication, Chris finally realized his goal and began his own business in 2010, CR DeSantis Construction, LLC. Always a strong supporter and promoter of education and the arts, Chris ran for the position of School Board Director for the Morton Borough in 2007 and has served for the past four years. Chris hopes that every child is provided the same opportunities to meet with success. As he states, “The arts have been a big part of my life and I want to ensure they remain a big part of Springfield School District for many years to come.”


ROBERT HOLDEN - Class of 1976

Baritone Robert Holden has been singing professionally for twenty years both in the United States and Abroad. He is a master of opera, operetta, musical theatre, oratorio, and art song. Holden is also a voice teacher on the faculties of the University Central Arkansas, and the Arts Academy of Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. Having performed in over 35 major operatic roles, Mr. Holden has sung with Central City Opera, The Pennsylvania Opera Theater, Piccola Opera, Opera North, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Utah Festival Opera, and others. He is currently a resident artist with The Arkansas Theater at Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts. He has also performed with such notable orchestras as Denver Symphony, Arkansas Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra, among others. Holden has taught voice privately for the past 11 years at the University of Central Arkansas where he is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of voice. He has held similar positions at Temple University and at Gordon College in Boston. He frequently judges voice competitions and gives master classes throughout the U. S. Holden attended Westminster Choir College and received his Bachelor degree from Keene State College. He holds a Masters degree from The Boston Conservatory and a Doctorate from Temple University.


KATHY JORDAN - CLass of 1978

Kathy Jordan has been working professionally in stained glass since 1987, owning and operating her studio, The Art of Glass, Inc. in Media, Pennsylvania. The primary focus and concentration for The Art of Glass is in the field of stained glass conservation and restoration – specializing in historic paint replication for turn-of-the-century windows and devoting the past twenty years to the study of vitreous glass and china painting. The Art of Glass, Inc. has been honored and recognized with numerous preservation awards, including the US Capital Building – House and Senate Skylight Project, Princeton Chapel – Princeton University, the Lalique Façade of the Bendel Building – Manhattan, New York, Packer Chapel – Lehigh University, and the Philadelphia Academy of Music. Kathy has been among the teaching staff at St. Michael Institute of Sacred Art, The American Glass Guild, and The Stained Glass Association of America, among others. Always in an effort to preserve or replicate the past, Kathy is a member of The National Trust for Historic Preservation and lists as her objective, “To rigorously follow the guidelines for the preservation of historic stained glass set forth by the Department of the Interior.” As Andrew Young, president of The Stained Glass Association of America states, “Kathy is emerging as one of America’s treasures in this most difficult of art forms.”


RICHARD LAWN - Class of 1967

Richard (Rick) Lawn is currently Dean of the College of Performing Arts at the University of the Arts where he has also served as Interim Provost. Before settling in Philadelphia, Rick held the Morton Marlene Myerson Centennial Professorship and served as Director of Jazz Studies, Chair of the Department of Music, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas. He also served as Director of the Center for Advanced Studies in the Arts. Before joining the Texas faculty he was Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa. He began his teaching career in the Oneonta, NY public school and Hartwick College. Rick holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Eastman School of Music. As a member of the Nova Saxophone Quartet, Rick has recorded on Musical Heritage Society, Crystal and Equilibrium labels. “Unknown Soldiers”, a CD recorded by the Third Coast Jazz Orchestra features his compositions and arrangements. Rick has been reviewed in Cadence Magazine and The Austin American Statesman. Kendor Music, CL Barnhouse , Walrus music, Alfred Music, UNC Jazz Press, among others have published his music. Also a notable Jazz author, his books entitled The Jazz Ensemble Director’s Manual (celebrating 30years in print), Jazz Theory and Practice and Experiencing Jazz have become staples among jazz educators and students. Over the past 33 years Rick has appeared as a soloist, clinician and adjudicator in 14 states. Ensembles under his direction have won acclaim at national conferences and festivals throughout the US and Europe.


CARL LENTHE - CLass of 1974

Carl Lenthe, Professor of Music at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, was born into a musical family in 1956 and grew up in the Delaware Valley in Pennsylvania. His love of good music, inspired by concert bands and recordings of the great orchestras, was nurtured by both the school and church music programs in his hometown of Springfield. Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music led him to a career in music, which commenced at the age of 20 with his engagement as principal-trombonist under Wolfgang Sawallisch at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, Germany. His 17-year tenure there, during which he was named "Bavarian Chamber Virtuoso" by the Ministry of Culture, was followed by his appointment as principal-trombonist with the Bamberg Symphony, where he also served on that orchestra's executive committee. As an orchestral trombonist Carl Lenthe has been a frequent guest with the Berlin Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Maggio Musicale in Florence and many other major orchestras in Europe. His expertise on the Wagnerian bass trumpet kept him in regular demand in many European opera houses. In the US, he has performed with the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and others. Having received high quality instruction from the start, he feels a commitment to teaching and, beyond his regular studio teaching, enjoys working with a wide variety of pupils both on an individual basis as well as in workshops, clinics and master classes in southern Germany, Austria, northern Italy, Brazil and in the USA. Through his pedagogical and performance reputation he is frequently called upon to serve as juror for instrumental competitions at both regional and international levels.


CHRISTINA DAPPOLLONE McGOVERN - CLass of 1994

Christina Dappollone McGovern began her theatre career as a member of The Springfield Theatre Workshop in 1990. While a student, she was in both the band and chorus, participated in three district choral concerts, two regional choral concerts, and was a member of the 1993-94 state choir, where she placed 13th in the state overall. Upon graduation, Christina worked at the Upper Darby Performing Arts center and helped oversee more than a dozen productions in two summers while majoring in both secondary education and theatre at Ursinus College. After graduating with honors from Ursinus, she began her professional career at Upper Dublin High School as an English teacher and marching band instructor. With her passion always on the stage, Christina accepted a position at Ridley High School and is currently in her 11th year as producer and director of the Ridley Drama Group and the sponsor of Ridley’s International Thespian Society. During that span, she has produced and directed over 30 productions, helped to found the Greater Philadelphia Cappies Program, and is the Cappies sponsor for Ridley. Christina continued in her own theatre studies and received a Barrymore nomination as an ensemble member of “Parade” in 2004 while at Villanova University. She is an active member of The Adult State Board of the Pennsylvania Thespians and is responsible for the Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference. Christina continues to inspire others both as a director and costumer for many local theaters and is a lifelong contributor of the arts.


ROBERT MOORE - Class of 1965

Upon graduating from Springfield High School in 1965, Robert Moore proceeded to earn a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the Philadelphia College of Art and Master’s degree in theatre from Villanova University. Following two years of service in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, West Africa as an art teacher, Mr. Moore began a career teaching art in the Ridley School District that would last 33 years. Retiring just seven years ago, Robert taught all levels and all ages of children in the Ridley school system. In addition to developing future artists at Ridley, Robert has been an actor, instructor, and director for over 40 years working professionally in many forms of theatre. He helped found a highly successful children’s theatre, “The Young People’s Theatre Workshop”, in 1978 and directed numerous plays with them. Robert has been involved in local theatre at Candlelight Dinner Theatre, The Players Club, and Rose Valley Chorus. He currently works as a designer for Special Event Company and in the film industry as a freelance director. One of his colleagues states, “Bob Moore has taught thousands of the youngest actors in the county and promoted the love of performing live theatre to all of them.”


LISA ZULLI MORAN - Class of 1993

Lisa received her undergraduate degree in Graphic Design from the College of New Jersey. During her college years she was employed with Blue Cross/Blue Shield in their graphic arts department. Upon graduation she was employed with Shamlian Advertising as a designer and worked on numerous creative accounts including a regional billboard campaign for the Moshulu Restaurant in Penns Landing. Her next career stop was with AND 1 Basketball Company. Here she enjoyed working in an industry with other creative professionals and developed a National Basketball sneaker campaign with Kevin Garnett and Letrell Spreewell. Currently, Lisa is employed with Ubiquity Creative Services in Philadelphia as a production manager, traffic coordinator and account manager. One of her largest clients is PJ Whelihan’s Pub and Restaurant with eleven locations in PA and South Jersey. Her employer, Brian DiRienzi stated, “She is able to quickly compose a layout based on thoughts or sketches, and then take the layout to final production…she helps with every aspect of the agency’s business, from contacting clients in the most gracious manner to ensuring that staff meets the deadline for a schedule she helped define. She is an amazing asset to Ubiquity and we wouldn't be who we are without her on the team.”


MATT OWENS - Class of 1997

Matt Owens’ involvement in the arts at Springfield High School began when he was about eleven years old… maybe younger! As a 5th and 6th grader, Matt would leave E.T.R. Middle School, and run up to the high school to assist with every production possible. Whether it was a musical, a play in the Knorr Theatre, a choral or orchestral performance, or Celebration of the Arts, Matt was there. He did anything necessary to assist those in charge and to make anyone’s job less hectic, even if sometimes it was merely watching and learning. It wasn't long before Matt, at about 13 or 14 years old, was the person that everyone else sought for advice and assistance. He knew how to operate the lighting, run the board, and while he was a student, was the resident expert, even selected to attend the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts “Technical Theatre” in 1994. He was elected president of Springfield Choir as a senior, earned first place in woodworking at Celebration of the Arts, and was the first Industrial Materials student ever to be nationally published. He now is active in nearly every high school production, helps establish Celebration of the Arts, is the district’s sole electrician for 5 schools, and has been owner of “Owens’s Electric” for 11 years. In addition, he conducts the lighting and sound design for many groups including Springfield Theatre Workshop and Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra. To say Matt Owens contributes to the arts is a vast understatement – without him, many artistic events would not occur. Matt Owens is an encyclopedia of art – and he deserves a stage all his own.


ALAN PATERSON (1949-2007) - Class of 1967

Mr. Paterson, who earned degrees from Oberlin College and Temple University, joined the Richmond Symphony in 1974 and performed under three of its four music directors. He played in the sym-phony's woodwind and brass quintets, led the Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble, served the orchestra in several administrative posts, including personnel and stage manager and librarian, and appeared as a soloist on numerous occasions. He served for two years (1985-87) as principal horn player of the Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence, Italy, then conducted by Zubin Mehta, and played in the Chamber Orchestra of Musicus Concentus under Lorin Maazel's direction. He was a member of the faculties of Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond and the Summer Residential Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts. In 2006, Mr. Paterson was diagnosed with brain cancer and bravely continued to work until he succumbed to the disease in April of 2007. As his wife, Barbara states, “Alan thought very highly of his Springfield experience, he would have been very proud to receive this honor!”


ROBERT PATTON - Class of 1965

Robert Patton received his undergraduate degree in music education from Temple University. As an active performer in concert, club, musical and show bands, Robert Patton has performed and/or toured with Stanley Clarke, Sammy Davis, Jr., the Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Hall and Oates, Liberace and Artie Shaw. An audio engineer for over 30 years, he is the owner of Thin Ice Productions, and has engineered soundtracks for Computervision, Sikorsky, Bose, Reebok, PBS and many others. Robert Patton was the recipient of the Berklee Performance Division Award for his interactive ear training website used with the music majors at Berklee College of Music, where he is currently a part-time faculty member. As a teacher, he believes that his “professional experience allows me to give real-life examples of what you really need to do and what you don’t to be successful. I frame everything in Ear Training class in terms of real playing and what would be expected of you. Part of my job is to try to shorten students’ journeys without letting the discovery somehow be absent. I’m trying to show students a path through things.”


AMY WESTCOTT - CLass of 1988

Amy Westcott graduated from Springfield High School and immediately entered Syracuse University where she earned a degree in fashion design. Amy’s first foray into film was as a wardrobe production assistant on James Mangold’s crime drama “Copland”, starring Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro. Soon after, she ventured into independent films, receiving her first design credit on the graphic novel inspired horror film, “Campfire Stories”. It wasn't long before Amy’s talents were in such demand that she needed to be a resident of both coasts. Other credited work include “Rodger Dodger” and “P.S.”, both directed by Dylan Kidd, “The Secret Lives of Dentists” for director Alan Rudolph, and “Off the Map” for director Campbell Scott. Most notable is her 2011 Costume Design Guild’s Award in the contemporary film category for her costuming of the movie, “The Black Swan”. Amy had previously done the costuming design for last year’s film, “The Wrestler”, starring Mickey Rourke and worked on the award-winning HBO series “Entourage” for five years. She recently completed work on the pilot for “Charlie’s Angels” produced by Drew Barrymore and is looking forward to returning to the Philadelphia area this summer for her upcoming project “1000 AE”, a $100 million film directed by M Night Shyamalan and starring Will Smith.