Cassandra Barbato
Director and Music Faculty

Cassandra received her Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance at California State University Northridge under Director of Guitar Studies, Dr. Steven Thachuk in the spring of 2006. In the spring of 2009 she received her Masters of Music in Guitar Performance at Azusa Pacific University under Director of Guitar Studies, Michael Kozubek. Cassandra has performed in master classes held by renowned guitarists Stephen Robinson, Scott Tennant, Oscar Ghiglia, Dusan Bogdanovic, and Roland Dyens. In 2006 she advanced to the semi-final round in the Juan Serrano Guitar Competition, and in June 2008 was a finalist in the LMC Awards Tour competition in Seattle, WA. Cassandra has been teaching music since 2006 at a variety of locations. She was adjunct faculty from 2009-2018 at Azusa Pacific University, was Head of Guitar Studies from 2009-2019 for the Azusa Conservatory of Music, and, since August 2016 she was Associate Director of the Azusa Conservatory. Cassandra is an experienced educator in general music, guitar ensembles, early learning music, musicianship, group and private guitar, rock band and worship band classes. She has served in non-denominational Christian churches since 2009 in worship leadership as a guitarist and vocalist, and in pastoral leadership since August 2017 including serving as founder and lead Pastor of White Stone Christian Ministries. 

Cassandra is the director of Rock Solid Performing Arts Academy and is currently teaching all music classes.

Philip Paul
Theater Arts Faculty

A graduate of the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, Philip began his career in the professional theater as an actor, director and production stage manager working on over 40 Equity & Non-Equity productions at Regional Theater, Off-Broadway, Broadway, and local Ventura theater venues. You may have seen him locally as Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Shrek in SHREK THE MUSICAL, Dr. Dolittle in DR. DOLITTLE, Old Man Potter in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and Doc in MR. ROBERTS, for which he was nominated for a 2018 Best Featured Actor Broadway World Award, as well as winning the 2018 Best Featured Actor Four Star Theater Alliance Award. As a studio executive at Disney, he oversaw such productions as REMEMBER THE TITANS, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE’S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, COYOTE UGLY, ENEMY OF THE STATE, ARMAGEDDON, CON AIR, and PEARL HARBOR to name a few. ​

Philip's extensive background and expertise in theater arts is passed on to our students through a variety of classes that teach needed techniques, develop creativity, and build collaborative skills across acting, directing and writing, as well as the performing arts disciplines. 

Marco Herrera
Dance Faculty

Marco has performed for Fortune 500 companies like Qualcomm, Volkswagen and others. He's also danced with several entertainment industry big shots like The Brian Setzer Orchestra, KC and the Sunshine Band, Royal Crown Review, Kool and the Gang, Earth Wind & Fire, Big Time Operator, and Seduction to name a few.  He was featured in the Megan Mullaly Show, better recognized as Karen from the hit show Will & Grace. Marco has danced for many world leaders, including the prince of Italy and the President of the US. He is proud to say that he danced with the First Lady. 

Marco has led several dance teams to competition victories. Some of these groups include a hip-hop group he founded called "Conspiracy Theory," which he led to a 3rd Place Bronze at the 2006 US Hip-Hop International Competition in Los Angeles, and then returned in 2007 to capture 1st Place Gold. In 2010, Marco directed the team “Repercussion.”  In the short time that Marco directed them, they placed 1st overall at local competitions Rainbow and Thunderstruck. They received the ultimate award earning the FDC award.
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Marco has more than 20 years teaching all ages a variety of dance styles and is an expert in handling our dance technique classes.

Romeric Botones Tolentino
Dance Faculty

Romeric Tolentino started dancing at age four. He founded the Christian dance crew Crossmoverz at age 19 and remained the head choreographer for 11 years. The crew enlisted Christian members from different churches whose passion came from their God-given talent and desire to share the Gospel message. This ministry team was a ministry in itself as Romeric helped lead the dance crew members out of destructive lifestyles and into a positive expression of their victory in Jesus Christ.

Romeric has worked extensively in the dance industry for Universal Studios Singapore, Norwegian Cruise Line, and many other companies providing world class performances across Asia Pacific. He has choreographed a variety of dance styles, specializing in hip-hop/lyrical hip-hop.  He has extensive knowledge of the techniques required to compose, produce and perform works of dance.
Romeric is a loving husband and cat-owner originally from the Philippines, but now resides in Ventura, California.

Romeric is in charge of teaching and directing our Praise Kids Dance classes. His choreography is crafted to lift up the name of Jesus Christ and spread the Gospel message through lyrical Hip Hop dance styles.

Angela Favreau
Theater Faculty

Angela is an actress and an all-around creative artist. She has a background in theater, dance, production, creative writing, painting, and photography. Angela received her Associates in Theatre Arts from Santa Rosa Junior College and studied TV and Film production at Cal State Northridge. While she has a broad acting style, her passion is for comedic acting. Her inspiration comes from actors such as Lucille Ball, Jim Carey, Robin Williams, Sandra Bullock, Will Smith and any actor who is able to produce a broad range of comedic characters. More than anything, Angela loves making people laugh. Laughter is healing and makes life much more exciting and enjoyable. 

Angela's playful and fun approach to theater arts is perfect for inspiring students to develop a love of the arts. She is currently teaching our early-learning and elementary age theater arts classes.