Our staff is comprised of artists, musicians, emcees, writers, photographers, and actors drawn from New York City’s deep cultural pool, bringing our youth some of the city’s brightest artistic minds.

CARLY DELUCA, TEACHING ARTIST /VOCALIST/ACTRESS

CARLY DELUCA is Art Start’s head teaching artist in the Homeless Youth Outreach Program.  A singer and actress, Carly also attended New School University for Creative Art Therapy and Psychology.  In addition to Art Start, she currently works as a Para-professional with the New York City Department of Education, dedicating her time to work with emotionally challenged and special education students. As a performer, she has been in productions in collaboration with The Producers Club, Mirage Productions, Fernwood Resort Theater, BTAP, Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting NY, Circle In The Square NY, and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). She received a scholarship to attend AMDA, focusing on classical opera, voice, ballet, tap, jazz improv, and theatrical performance.  Carly is the lead singer and musical director of the live band, Kicksonic.

JAE JUDITH  NICOLAS/TEACHING ARTIST/DANCER

Jae is elated to serve with her passion at Art Start as the Dance Teaching Artist. Jae has taught dance for over eight years at various dance studios, public schools, mental facilities and performing arts programs across New York City and Richmond, Virgina.  The 2011 BFA Dance/Theatre Honors Graduate of CUNY Queens College is a recipient of The Farah Marcelus Emerging Choreographer Award. She received recognition for breathtaking, intense performances in her tribute and fundraiser dance to Earthquake victims in Haiti. Her work has been showcased at The Apollo Theater, The Kupferberg Theatre, UNCI New York/Richmond VA, and “The Lexi Show”. She was the principal tap dancer for tap extraordinaire Savion Glover’s partner Marshall Davis Jr. In addition to her work at Art Start Jae is a Benefits Counselor at the Department of Education.