Our Teachers

Our Teachers

All our teachers are native-Italians and qualified to teach Italian as a foreign language

	Sergio Stefani - Educational Consultant Born in Bologna, he studied in Rome and graduated with a Diploma di Maturità Classica and he attended Law at University in Rome. In the USA he worked for the major bank of Boston, Massachusetts, for the New York branch of BNL and for the late Bankers Trust of New York. He has developed many relationships with the New York lyrical world, teaching diction to non-Italian singers, at the Metropolitan Opera and the NYC Opera. In the last 6 years he has concentrated on both the diction and the principles of the Italian language, and the interpretation of the libretti of the young lyrical artists, in a programme founded by the famous Soprano, Martina Arroyo
	Maria Martyak- School Coordinator Maria was born in New Jersey, and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She attended New York University and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and International Business Studies. She has various management experience, ranging from fashion to law to finance. Currently she is the School Coordinator for the Learn Italy Schools in New York City.
	Salvatore D'Alia - Italian Teacher D'Alia Salvatore is graduated with a Bachelor in "Cinema, Tv and New Media". He made several short movies and one feature film concurring to international festivals like Tel Aviv Film Festival, Rome film festival and the Encuentro Internacional de Cine Ciudad de México. In television and Theatre he made projects like Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and many TV productions like La7 in Italy and NBC and Food Network in NYC.
	Vincenzo Enea - Italian Teacher Fields of expertise: Molecular Biology/Molecular Genetics/Molecular Evolution, Drug development, Biomedicine Major appointments: Professor at New York University and at the Rockefeller University, New York, Director of Research and Development at SIFI S.p.A. Lavinaio (CT) Italy, Director of Scientific Affairs and Director of Preclinical Development at Enzo Biochem, NY. Other interests: Classical music, Philosophy of Science, Visual Arts
	Stefano Baldasseroni "Stefano Baldasseroni is one of the most sought-after drummers in the European scene. He relocated to NYC to better establish his carreer as a free-lance drummer in the US.He also teaches Italian and Italian diction to non-Italian Opera singers and has been the diction coach for “Falstaff” and “Lucia di Lammermoor” conducted by Thomas Muraco at Manhattan school of Music.In August 2012 he will be in Siena teaching Italian to foreign singers for the “Opera Siena” young artist program."

Cristian Salimbene - Italian Teacher

Education: Università degli Studi Orientale del Piemonte - Facoltà di Giurisprudenza; Hotel School Colline Astignane Agliano Terme Professional qualification as cook

Work experience: sous chef at Tabacanda, Ristorante il Flauto Magico, Mangia Ben; Inteuropa S.R.L.; F.t.Logistic S.R.L. Warehouse Assistant; Coop.Hamici for a.s.l.19 Auxiliary Nurse, Nephrology and Dialysis Department; Ministero della Difesa della Repubblica Italiana; M.P. Elite SRL.

	Raya Karmely - Italian Teacher Raya Karmely grew in Milan, Italy, and attended IULM, the Italian University of Language and Modern Literature. She teaches in schools as well as privately concentrating on Italian language, literature and history. Raya teaches all levels of this beautiful language making the student savor the tradition, history and Italian customs. The levels start from beginners to advance and she has also a conversational class where students enjoy friendly conversation about everyday topics.
	Olivia Poli - Italian Teacher Education: Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy - BA: Journalism 2003 - Professional Journalist recognized by National Examination - Rome, June 2008 Work experience: Contributor, Vice Media; New York, July 2011- Present; Columnist, La Stampa; New York, 2010-Present; Us Correspondent, Sky Tg24 - Newscorporation; New York, 2009-2011; Nyfw Reporter, Luisaviaroma.Com; New York, 2008- 2011; Contributor, Gioia Magazine; New York, 2009-2010; Columnist, Quotidiano Nazionale; New York, 2008-2009; Anchor, Italia 7- Tgt News; Florence- Italy, 2003- 2008.
	Valeria Graffeo - Italian Teacher Born and raised in Pisa, Valeria attended the Universita' degli Studi di Genova, and received a BA in Foreign Languages.Her passion for language has brought her from the heart of Tuscany to just below the arctic circle in Sweden and to Boston where she currently resides. She has worked as a translator and is also a musician- having released several records and asong featured on a Dateline NBC special.
	Andrea Roccella –Italian Teacher Andrea Roccella was born in Catania on August 17, 1978.He began his multifaceted career in touristic resort entertainment where he developed, expressed and enriched his eclectic talent.Artistic director, TV and radio host.Actor and singer in several Italian theatrical tours.Professor of History of The Musical Theatre at the University of Parma.Composer and arranger of the musical "Una Famiglia Diversa".In 2009, produced his first literary work: " Qui Dove Vivo è Ancora Buio Pesto, Aiuto, Sono Nato Troppo Presto!"The following year, an excerpt from his aforementioned book was published in an Anthology of Italian poets.In search of challenge, he decided to move to New York where he found fertile opportunities for growth and inspiration for his creative nature.He wrote a new book: "Reality is a Point of View."Worked as a transcriber for an American dubbing company translating Italian TV Series scripts into English.Discovered a strong and natural passion for sharing his knowledge of the Italian language.Started, therefore, teaching grammar and Italian diction to actors and opera singers.The number and assortment of students rapidly increased.Teaching Italian thus became a stable profession.He is now happily proud to be part of the team of professors from the school Learn Italy New York.