2024 Staff
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, (she, her)
Executive Director
Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“I could not imagine a life without the arts because the arts have greatly influenced the person I am today. I am grateful to have an opportunity to work for an organization that not only understands that but lives by the energy the arts puts into the community/world.”
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas joined Arts Mid-Hudson in April 2015 and has been a part of the arts scene for the majority of her life. She holds a BA in Acting for Theatre, a BA in Music Performance, a Masters in Public Administration, and a Masters Certificate from the International Institute of Event Management. Melissa was a singer, dancer, actor, photographer for 10 years following undergrad as well as the Managing Director at Allenberry Resort Inn & Playhouse in Pennsylvania. There, she coordinated volunteer programs, auditions, events, social media, and theatre representation among many other responsibilities. Melissa serves as a board member for Theatre Untitled, and the Greater Hudson Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is also on the advisory board of The Dutchess Community College Academy of Music. In her free time, Melissa loves to cook, bake, travel and spend time with her family.
Lisa Fiorese, (she, her)
Director Administration
Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“I wasn’t exposed to a lot of art growing up. Working with Arts Mid-Hudson has kept me connected to all forms of art. And by working here I’ve learned why the arts are important for our communities and why it’s essential for a strong economy.”
Lisa Fiorese joined Arts Mid-Hudson in 1992 as a part-time bookkeeper. Over the next few years she took on additional responsibilities, at first job sharing the Administrative Assistant position and eventually moving into the position full time. In 2000, Lisa stepped into the position of Manager of Development & Administration and in 2007 was promoted to Business Manager. Lisa’s current position includes bookkeeping, office administration, contract administration, memberships and event coordination: in mid-2014 her title was changed to Director, Administration. Lisa resides in Staatsburg with her husband of 24 years. She wishes she had more time to spend with her camera but it waits patiently for her to retire.
Lilia Pérez, (she, her)
Grants Manager
Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“As a visual artist, I understand the need for creative people to connect, collaborate, and have access to resources. Arts Mid-Hudson provides opportunities and support to so many hardworking artists and arts organizations in our region. I feel honored to support that mission and support Hudson Valley artist’s work!”
Lilia Pérez joined Arts Mid-Hudson in May 2016. As Grants & Programs Manager, she facilitates a grant program that distributes arts funding from the New York State Council on the Arts Statewide Community Regrant Program, and Dutchess and Ulster Counties. Additionally, Pérez manages the Arts Mid-Hudson Gallery and Community Gallery program which provides showing opportunities to artists in our region. She has provided guidance to hundreds of grant applicants, led workshops, and works to strengthen partnerships in our communities through the arts. She is a practicing artist utilizing photography, textiles, and sculpture. She graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz with a B.F.A. in Photography in 2015.
Elinor Levy, (she, her)
Folk Arts Programs Manager
Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“My family, going back several generations, have always been supporters of the arts. With that tradition and being a folklorist, working at Arts Mid-Hudson allows me to immerse myself in art and culture daily. And with each program I participate in, whether it is an exhibit in our gallery or a festival for the community, I gain a better understanding of the world I live in.”
Elinor Levy joined Arts-Mid Hudson in September 2016 as the Folk Arts Program manager. A native of Oakland, California, she has bounced around the country from California to Indiana, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and now New York. Previously, she worked in Las Vegas as the folklorist for Clark County Parks and Recreation and as executive director of the Northwest Jersey Folklife Project. Having spent the last decade as a folklorist consultant and an adjunct professor, she is excited to be doing public folklore again especially in the culturally rich Hudson Valley. She has a master’s degree in Anthropology from California State University, Sacramento and a doctorate in folklore from Indiana University, Bloomington. She is a folk artist in her own right as a third generation knitter on her mother’s side. In the past three years she has added spinning her own yarn to her skills and looks forward each year to helping a friend shear a small flock of Jacob sheep.
Christen Sblendorio, (she, her)
Marketing Coordinator
Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“I am inspired daily by the Hudson Valley's beauty and the people who live here. I strongly believe that art is everywhere, and everywhere is art, and art IS everywhere, and everywhere IS art in the Hudson Valley. I am grateful and excited to be part of an organization that supports and gives a platform to my home's creativity, expression, and diversity.”
Christen Sblendorio joined Arts Mid-Hudson in July 2022. Unsure of what she wanted to do after high school, Christen attended Dutchess Community College in 2008, majoring in Liberal Arts and the Humanities. While attending Dutchess, Christen was accepted into Vassar College’s Exploring Transfer Program in the summer of 2009, where she had the opportunity to study and live at Vassar College for six weeks. After a brief hiatus from college, Christen studied Communications with a concentration in Journalism at Marist College and received her B.A. in 2015. She then went on to take various writing workshops and classes at Catapult in Manhattan to further enhance her writing skills and begin writing her book. To further her creative strategy and marketing skills, Christen began Graduate School in 2018 at L.I.M. College in Manhattan, where she received her M.A. in Fashion Marketing. When she is not being a mother to her three black cats, working, creating, writing, or searching for vintage treasures, Christen spends her free time researching the history and taking pictures of abandoned places throughout New York State. She also likes to hike, kayak, and indulge in the finer things the Hudson Valley offers, such as art, food, drink, its views, and spirit.
Adriana Torres-Trinidad, (she, her)
Programs Coordinator
Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“I have an intense passion for all things arts-related and being in an environment where creative practices meet the general public inspires me. In addition to being a visual artist, I work to create welcoming and inclusive spaces for other artists. My experience as a Latina emphasizes my commitment to accessibility in the arts and I'm thrilled to be working with an organization that provides so many opportunities and empowers the diversity of Hudson Valley artists and arts organizations.”
Adriana Torres-Trinidad joined Arts Mid-Hudson in September of 2023. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art and a Master’s Degree in Arts Management, both from the University at Buffalo. She is a triplet who found her individuality by expressing herself through artistic practices, her preferred mediums being painting and photography. Born and raised in New York and of Puerto Rican descent, she has experience in a variety of roles in the arts sector ranging from working with other non-profits, commercial galleries, and museums. She looks forward to driving positive change in the lives of the people in our communities.
Lucy Tarantino
(she, her)
Development Coordinator
Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“As a musician, I have experienced the many benefits and challenges of navigating the artistic landscape, firsthand. This is why I am thrilled to work at Arts Mid-Hudson (AMH), an organization dedicated to providing essential funding, innovative educational and programmatic opportunities, and helping foster community relationships. Impacting Hudson Valley artists, just like myself, through AMH, is an absolute dream!”
Lucy Tarantino assumed the role of Development Associate at Arts Mid-Hudson (AMH) in October 2023. Her primary responsibility is to support Arts Mid-Hudson's programs through a variety of fundraising initiatives. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Percussion Performance from The Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, a Master of Arts degree in Arts Entrepreneurship from Purchase College, and a specialization certificate in Organizational Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Rice University. As a percussionist of over 20 years, she is a staunch supporter of the arts and arts non-profit organizations, just like AMH.
Before joining AMH, Lucy served as an Assistant Director of Development at Bard College. She has also worked administratively and as a performer with distinguished arts organizations such as Argento New Music Project, Kamratōn, the Purchase Symphony Orchestra, and the Network for Diversity for Concert Percussion (NDCP). Lucy also currently serves on the Board and as Development Chair of the NDCP. As a musician, she champions the works of underrepresented composers and is dedicated to furthering diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, in the music field and beyond.
During her free time, Lucy enjoys performing, teaching, composing, reading, and spending quality time with her recently adopted 7-year-old cat, Gnocchi.
Vanessa Cappuccio-Baer, (she, they)
Grants Associate
Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“Arts Mid-Hudson exemplifies what it means to put the artists at the forefront. There are so many access barriers that can stand in the way of an artist's ability to engage in a meaningful way with their community. Arts Mid-Hudson provides an avenue to deconstruct those barriers. As a theatre practitioner, I believe the most valuable tool the arts gives us is the ability to connect to one another. I'm excited to be a part of an organization so committed to upholding the vital connection that arts programming provides.”
Vanessa Cappuccio-Baer joined Arts Mid-Hudson in November, 2023. At Arts Mid-Hudson, Vanessa assists in implementing the organization's outreach initiatives and provides technical support for grants programming. Vanessa is a multi-hyphenate theatre practitioner who has directed, designed, and managed theatrical productions throughout the region. They hold a BA in Theatre Studies and an AS in Performing Arts. When not at Arts Mid-Hudson, Vanessa is the Communications Manager and Resident Dramaturg at Ancram Center for the Arts in Columbia County. Additionally, Vanessa stands as a founding member of Definitely Human Theatre, a Hudson Valley-based theatre collective dedicated to bringing cutting-edge new works to the community. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys crocheting, baking, going to concerts, and spending time with her cat, Elio.