Arts Hall of Fame Inductees 2014

MICHAEL BOLTON - CLass of 1986

With the Opera Philadelphia since 2001, Michael Bolton is the company’s Vice President of Community Programs. In this capacity, he oversees the Opera’s acclaimed student opera appreciation program, Sounds of Learning. TM.

Winner of OPERA America’s first ever Diversity Award in 2006 for his community-wide outreach programming for Richard Danielpour and Toni Morrison’s opera Margaret Garner. Mr. Bolton’s other activities with the opera company include community and pre-performance lectures, free community recitals, the Academy of Music Open House Tour, the lecture-recital series A Taste of Opera, and forging partnerships within Philadelphia. There are over 25,000 people that experience his programming each year.

Mr. Bolton has lectured on opera for Opera Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Curtis Institute of Music, and Academy of Vocal Arts, just to name a few. He has curated opera programming at African American Museum of Philadelphia, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, The Barnes Foundation, Fleisher Art Memorial, National Museum of American Jewish History, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, among many others.

Mr. Bolton has been organizing “pop-up” performances throughout Philadelphia for the past several years and his random acts have included two events at Reading Terminal Market, a 650 voice choir for a performance of the Hallelujah Chorus at Macy’s, and most recently, he organized over 400 singers, instrumentalists, and dancers to perform O Fortuna from Carmina Burana at Amtrak’s 30th Street Station.

Mr. Bolton attended Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music and studied classical voice with George Massey. He has performed roles in such operas as Gianni Schicchi, Un Ballo in maschera, Beatrice et Benedict, and Tosca. In 2010, Mr. Bolton and his partner Peter, welcomed an individual from Elwyn’s Life Sharing program into their home and have been a family ever since. They consider this to be the most rewarding and most inspiring thing they have ever done.


SUE D’ESPOSITO - SPringfield High SChool Parent Contributor 1992-2003

Sue D’Esposito began her teaching career in the William Penn School District in 1972 and remained there until 1978. Following a hiatus which involved having three children, Sue returned to the classroom in 1988 and began a 25-year Springfield teaching career that included substitute teacher, reading assistant, and finally a full-time first-grade teaching position at Scenic Hills and Sabold Elementary schools and the Springfield Literacy Center. Particularly while her children were in the Springfield system, Sue was a continual volunteer for 21 years in numerous organizations including an E.T. Richardson Middle School parent volunteer for 10 years, Scenic Hills Home & School Board for 11 years, SHS girls softball parent’s club president for 3 years, and 10 years teaching religious education at Holy Cross Church.

Sue D’Esposito has been having a positive effect on the lives of so many young people for over 40 years. One of her most outstanding contributions has been with the Springfield High School Band and Orchestra Parents Association for which she faithfully served 11 years – 5 years as president. In the words of teachers Sue Descano and Kevin Cooper, “She is the epitome of a dedicated, highly involved and caring parent who has been a role model for our students. We wish every parent was like Sue D’Esposito.” Always giving credit to others, Mrs. D’Esposito states, “I am the proud mother of Melissa Adam, Lindsay Cowan, and Chris D’Esposito, who all still have the gift of music in their lives…all due to the wonderful teachers they have had at Springfield”,…the always-giving and ever-humble, Sue D’Esposito.


LINDA DEVLIN - CLass of 1971

After graduating from Springfield High School in 1971, Linda Devlin earned a BS in Art Education from Millersville University and an MA in Art from Montclair University. She began her teacher career in New Jersey where she has 38 years of experience at the high school, middle school, and university levels both in public and private schools. Currently she is chairman at the Humanities Department at St. Rose High School in Belmar NJ and teaches part time at Seton Hall University. Linda’s passion for art and art education has allowed her to reach out to thousands of students throughout her career. Her passion and advocacy for the arts went well beyond the classroom, serving in many leadership roles.

At the state level she served as president of Art Educators of New Jersey (AENJ) for an unprecedented three consecutive terms, the AENJ executive board for an additional eight years, and the New Jersey Department of Education Standards Interpretation Advisory Committee. At the national level she has been a delegate of the National Art Educators Association (NAEA) for six years and NAEA Eastern Regional Middle School Representative for several terms.

Linda has been honored by her peers and other art advocacy organizations many times, including: middle school teacher of the year 3 times; (one being national in 2009), art educator of the year twice, and NJ Governors Awards in Art Education 4 times. The arts have always been a centering force in Linda’s life. She attributes her enduring devotion to this passion to her parents, husband Michael, and daughter Morgan, who is just finishing her second year as an art teacher. According to Linda, “If there is one statement I could make about my career it is that I have opened students’ eyes allowing them to see the world in a different way, a way not possible except through art.”


DAVID HOFFECKER - CLass of 1964

“Art is what separates man from beast,” is originally from Aristotle but a favorite quote used in the teachings of Mr. David Hoffecker – incidentally, to whom we should immediately say “Happy Birthday!”

After graduating from Springfield High School in 1964, Mr. Hoffecker earned his Bacholar of Music in performance and Master of Music in Music Education degrees from the Eastman School of Music. He later performed his doctoral studies at College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. From 1976 to 2004, Mr. Hoffecker performed for the Orquesta Nacional de Costa Rica, the Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Columbia, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. Through the years 1968 – 1995, he taught solely at the collegiate level – most recently at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1989 – 1995.

Having taught only at the college level, Mr. Hoffecker was initially reluctant to “regress” to the secondary level but now states he wouldn’t leave his current job for any college position. He is now in his 18th year at the Fine Arts Magnet School in Chattanooga, TN where he teachers instrumental music, Music Appreciation and Aesthetics. He is responsible for three bands and the full chamber orchestra at the Center for Creative Arts. Mr. Hoffecker has guided many of his students into professional careers in all aspects of music and believes that, “Without music and all the arts, we would be a bankrupt society.” We could not agree more with Mr. David Hoffecker.


ELIZABETH (BETSY) KLINGER - SPringfield School DIstrict Faculty 1980-2008

Elizabeth (Betsy) Klinger’s love of music and performing began at an early age as she listened to jazz, popular and classical music while growing up in Louisville, Kentucky. She performed on violin in a city youth orchestra, and in high school was named “Outstanding Orchestra Member.” Betsy went on to receive her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Temple University and was then awarded a full scholarship as a graduate assistant from the University of Miami where she received her Master of Music Education degree. After graduation, she conducted the orchestra for SRA, a community group of high school and adult players in Swarthmore.

While her career in teaching music began in the Philadelphia School System, then Wallingford-Swarthmore, in 1980 she accepted the position as music teacher at Springfield School District where she taught for 28 years. Her classes included strings at all levels, chorus and general music at the elementary and middle school levels. Early in her tenure, she introduced hand bells to the Springfield School District, directing both adult and student bell choirs. She wrote the Scenic Hills School song, “Reach for a Star” which was professionally orchestrated in 2008 and trained a Springfield High School string octet that performed at the Capitol building in Harrisburg and ran two district-wide string concerts.

Recognized as a talented professional musician on both the violin and viola, she has performed with popular singers and celebrities such as Florence Henderson, Totie Fields, Seals and Crofts, and locally, in the Philadelphia/Atlantic City area, with Chita Rivera, Barbara Mandrell and Victor Borge. She has also performed for First Lady Pat Nixon, Governor Rendell, and with the Delaware Symphony, Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, and Pottstown Symphony.

As both an accomplished performer and conductor, she has guest-conducted at several events including the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association festival, with the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra for five years, and with the Delaware Valley Young Musicians’ Orchestra since 2007.


MARK LORD - CLass of 1979

Mark Lord graduated from SHS in 1979 and attended Williams College and Swarthmore College. After working at the Actors Theater of Louisville for a year, he completed an MFA at The Yale School of Drama. While in graduate school, he taught at both Yale College and at the School of Drama, as well as working as a director and dramaturge at the Yale Repertory Theater. He also began to publish critical writing in Theater and Theater Three and to work as a director and dramaturge in New York and Philadelphia.

At the age of 25, Mr. Lord returned to the Philadelphia area to become the Director of the Theater Program of Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges, a position he has held since 1987. He is currently Professor of Theater and Theresa Helburn Chair of Drama at Bryn Mawr College, a Contributing Editor of Yale’s Theater Magazine, as well as the Academic Director of The Headlong Performance Institute, a cutting edge training program for young artists. He is an award-winning teacher, whose students are influential teachers and editors, television stars, novelists, and innovative performance artists. His writing about theater is taught at Colleges and Universities around the world.

As an artist, Mr. Lord, has worked as a theater director, playwright, adapter, actor, installation artist, poet, and dramaturge, at numerous theaters across the country, including the Yale Repertory Theater, Actors Theater of Louisville, The New York Public Theater and, locally, at the Arden Theater, The Wilma Theater, and – for the past ten years – at Headlong Dance Theater. He was also, for ten years, the curator of Philadelphia’s Last Monday Performance Series.

He has directed acclaimed site-specific performances of plays by Gertrude Stein, Samuel Beckett, and an adaptation of Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself called Across that was staged through Old City, Philadelphia, in which the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was a character.

Mark Lord will be forever grateful to his high school theater teacher and friend, Marylou DiFilippo, for holding open the doors of the world for him.


SHELDON MADEIRA – Springfield High School Teacher 1934-1957

Sheldon Madeira graduated from Elizabethtown College about 1924. He was a gifted speaker and one of only three selected to deliver orations at his commencement. Dr. Madeira taught English at Springfield High School from 1934-1957, finishing his career as the department head and one of the most respected members of the faculty by students and staff alike.

What entitles his entrance into the Springfield School District Arts Hall of Fame is his work in establishing a successful and thriving dramatics club where otherwise there may not have been a senior class play for years to come. Madeira’s first direction began with the very first senior class in 1935 with “Tiger House,” a novel mystery comedy in 3 acts. He followed that production with “Talk of the Town” in ’36 and “Square Crooks” in ’37. It was after “Square Crooks” that people really began appreciating Dr. Madeira’s directing skills. Critique included, “Mr. Madeira’s untiring efforts and excellent coaching ability were responsible for the clever acting, which enabled an appreciative audience to derive genuine pleasure from the production.”

His directions over the next decade included “One Mad Night,” “Growing Pains,” “American Passport,” and “June Mad” which in 1947, was touted as the “Best play yet!” Dr. Madeira left Springfield in 1957 to become the Curriculum Planning Specialist for the State Department of Public Instruction.

He opened the door for aspiring actors during the first days of this high school, and also served as advisor for the Spri-Hian Newspaper, Senior Student Council, Footlighters Dramatic Club, not to mention a Captain in the Air Force for Three years. As part of their fondness for Dr. Sheldon Madeira, students dedicated the 1942 yearbook in his honor, stating “We are confident Dr. Madeira’s spirit and timely advice will lead to a better appreciation of his friendliness.”


BRIAN MORRISON - Class of 2001

Having just recently broken through to the decade of being in his 30’s, Brian Morrison is Springfield School District’s youngest inductee for 2014. After reading about the careers and accomplishments of some of his fellow inductees, Brian first exclaimed that he was particularly honored, and maybe even slightly surprised, at his entrance into the Hall of Fame at such a young age. Rest assured Brian, we feel fortunate to have you join us – your rise in the media world has been quick and colorful and we hope today’s honor, in this esteemed company, motivates you on to even greater heights of achievement.

Following his continual stellar performance in the Video Production program at Springfield, Brian began his career in television volunteering at public television stations in Pennsylvania through high school and college. He co-founded the Penn State Student Television Network in his second year and served as its treasurer until his graduation.

After completing the Intentional Radio and Television Society’s Fellowship Program in New York City, he accepted a position as a freelance production assistant at MTV Networks (now Viacom Media Networks) and climbed the ranks of TV Land, Nick at Nite, and Nickelodeon as a writer, producer and director in just a short time span. Now living in Los Angeles, Brian continues to produce studio television and direct commercials for Viacom, Sony Pictures Television and a host of other clients.

In 2009 he expanded into internet television and has since produced content for top web outlets including Stan Lee’s YouTube channel. He currently chairs Penn State’s LA-based film & television alumni interest group, and also produces and directs music videos. Brian uses the skills he learned in Dr. Jeffrey Benton’s Computer Graphics for Video, TV I, TV II, and Broadcast Journalism classes every day of his professional and personal artistic life.


ROGER ROTH - Class of 1960

Roger Roth fell in love with drawing one night long ago, around age 7. He was watching his older brother drawing an elaborate scene of an old gas station complete with all the details. He was mesmerized watching his brother create this scene with just a pencil and a rich imagination. Ever since, Roger’s dream has been to make a living through what he loves best – drawing and painting.

Roger Roth earned a Fine Art degree from Pratt University in 1980 and has been a working artist ever since. He’s done everything from mural paintings to illustrating for the New York Times and he’s been illustrating children’s books since 1982. The children’s books he’s written are based on real life experiences and his editorial work has appeared in many publications, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Barron’s. Mr. Roth’s work has gained much positive attention and acclaim. “The Roller Coaster Kid” was chosen as an honor book for the 2013 Carolyn W. Field Award as the best book for young people by a Pennsylvania author or illustrator. “Star of the Week: A story of Love, Adoption, and Brownies with Sprinkles,” continues to touch the lives of people around the country on the themes of adoption and diversity, “The Sign Painter’s Dream” was featured on “Reading Rainbow,” and “Fishing for Methuselah” won a Golden Archer award by the children of Wisconsin – an accolade that Mr. Roth values most highly.

Mr. Roth is currently a senior lecturer at University of the Arts and teaches illustration at Delaware College of Art and Design. Close to home, Mr. Roth’s book, “My New School” is presented to all Springfield first graders, and “Your Cool New School” describes the Springfield Literacy Center on a daily basis.


KERRY SACCO - Class of 1978

Kerry Sacco earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Millersville University in 1982. She has pursued graduate and continuing education classes at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, as well as Millersville where she focused on printmaking, as well as painting. The focus of her current work is the exploration of color and form in multicolored, hand-pulled lithographs and realistic, light-filled oil paintings. Ms. Sacco exhibits throughout the United States and her exhibition schedule continues to thrive in the tri-state area. Her award winning paintings and lithographs are part of both private and public collections. She has received several first place prizes in the field of lithography as well as painting and her most recent award was first place at the Bucks County Gallery’s Local Color Plein Air Festival. In 2010, she was thrilled to be included in the “100 Artists of the Brandywine Valley” publication.

Ms. Sacco has taught art classes for children and adults for 10 years at the Community Arts Center in Wallingford, PA. As a contracted teacher, she taught all levels but her favorite was the outreach program for Chester Upland school district, teaching still-life, portrait, and landscape drawing. In 2008, she was selected as the Artist in Residence at the Wallingford Elementary School and she continues to teach on a private level. Ms. Sacco maintains a studio in her home in beautiful Lancaster County as well as one in her childhood home in Delaware County and finds inspiration right out her own back door. Her belief is that art is therapeutic and should be accessible to all.


JOE SALATINO - Springfield SChool District teacher 1960-1993

Joe Salatino graduated from Mansfield University in 1955 and earned his Masters in 1958 from Penn State University. From 1955 to 1960, Mr. Salatino honed his skills directing plays and musicals and teaching high school music and choirs but did not gain a full time position in Springfield until 1960. Versatile at all levels, Mr. Salatino taught for four years at Springfield High, seven years at ETR Middle School, and completed his Springfield career in 1993 after twelve years at the elementary schools.

Joe Salatino was a pillar in the Springfield music program and even after retirement a number of years ago continued to teach privately. He was a multi-talented teacher who was completely dedicated to his students and teaching. He played clarinet and saxophone, taught vocal ensemble music and played piano to accompany his choirs. Many of his former students from this era still remember Joe and the wonderful experiences they had under his tutelage. As fellow Hall of Famer, Rick Lawn, recalls, he studied both instruments with Mr. Salatino on Saturday mornings in the basement of Central Elementary School – he was completely unselfish with his time and his talents. To this day, Rick fondly remembers the lessons that Mr. Salatino taught him, and not just things specific to playing an instrument.

Mr. Salatino eventually became the elementary instrumental music teacher, which fit perfectly as he was so patient and always had a good sense of humor with his young students whether or not they were destined for careers in music. Joe Salatino spent nearly his entire life in the Springfield system and was one of the reasons why the music program was so successful for many years at the high school level. He was an integral part of a training feeder system that prepared students for the high school programs where they achieved much recognition.

Besides educating so many young people, Mr. Salatino fondly recalls the highlights of being chosen to conduct the Mansfield Orchestra honoring the class of 1955, singing the lead role in the Mansfield University Opera’s presentation for the “Marriage of Figaro”, and directing the PA Military College Glee Club at a banquet honoring astronaut John Glenn just a few days after his historic space flight.


PAUL STOUFFER - Springfield School District Teacher 1951-1974

Paul Stouffer was born in Chambersburg, PA in 1916, into a musical family where his mom sang in the church choir and his dad directed the town band, called the “Queen City Band.” The band greatly influenced him into music and he was soon playing duets with his father every Sunday. As his talents grew, Mr. Stouffer adopted many of his father’s private students and taught clarinet and saxophone in his parents’ living room, earning him about $1,000 a year.

After studying clarinet at the Peabody Conservatory, Mr. Stouffer earned his Bachelors and Masters of Arts degrees from the School of Fine Arts at the University of PA. Teaching first at the Philadelphia Music Academy, he then wrote to about 50 schools in order to obtain the full-time position that he desired. Several schools responded to his letters but he felt that Springfield had the best reputation so in 1951 he was hired directly by the school board for his asking salary of $3,000. Mr. Stouffer’s first course was two classes of “Music Appreciation” and later he traveled each day to either; Central, Oakdale, or Scenic Hills Elementary schools initiating an exceptional instrumental program. He taught third through eighth grade throughout his career and instituted an innovative program where talented high school students taught young beginners at Central School School on Saturdays with a guided curriculum provided by Paul and later Joe Salatino.

Not only a music teacher for 40 years, Mr. Stouffer composed and arranged for his beginning ensembles. Many of his over 100 classical compositions were widely published by the likes of Kendor Music, Almitra Music and Columbia Pictures in the United States and by Augner Press in the United Kingdom. His “Six For Two” and “Six For Three” ensemble series have been praised in “Instrumental Magazine” and Kendor Music still advertises his duets introducing young people to great works by Mozart, Schubert, and other classic composers.