Meet the APA PTSO Board
Welcome to the Academy for Performing Arts!
My name is Heather Lessing and I am new to the role as the APA-PTSO President. I'm very excited to be a part of this amazing group of parents and APA staff to make our school year successful.
I was born and raised in Union County and reside in Scotch Plains with my husband, Brian, my daughter, Alina; a rising sophomore in the APA theater program, my daughter, Zoe; a 7th grader at Park Middle School, and my three-year-old son, Sawyer. We also made room in our family for two rescued dogs; Maya and Olivia, and three cats; Mittens, Buddha, and Tiny. Currently, I work as the Kids' Programming Assistant Manager at Life Time Athletic in Berkeley Heights.
Heather Lessing
APA-PTSO President
HEATHER LESSING
APA-PTSO President
CHRISTINE BEVENSEE
Vice President
Christine is a first-time Vice President for our APA-PTSO. She works at Overlook Medical Center as the Rehab Manager. Christine has four children Her daughter, Catherine, is a senior Theater Major, and her son, William, is a freshman Theater Major. William's twin attends Seton Hall Prep, and her daughter, Caroline, is a 6th grader.
JENNIE HERNANDEZ
Treasurer
Jennie is thrilled to be returning to the APA-PTSO Board and is looking forward to the upcoming school year. Jennie has four children. Her older daughter graduated APA, Class of 2017, and her daughter, Bridget, is a sophomore Theather Major.
PAM MAGEE
Corresponding Secretary
Pam is excited for her first year on the APA-PTSO Board. She is looking forward to getting to know everyone better this upcoming year. Her daughter, Amanada, is currently a sophomore Dance Major at APA.
CELESTE AARONS-JENKINS
Recording Secretary
Celeste and her family live in Roselle. Her daughter, Morgan, is a Junior Tech Theater Major. Morgan's twin brother is a Junior at AIT.
LISA MERCURIO
Board of Ed Liaison
Lisa is a licensed massage therapist and mother to three children. Her daughter, Paris, is an APA graduate 2019, and her son, Maxiumus, is a junior APA Theater Major; Class of 2022. Her youngest, Marcus, is a first-grader at J A Coles Elementary.