Management Staff and Instructors

Dr. Irena Kofman
Artistic Director

Dr. Kofman is a renowned Russian-American pianist holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Miami, where she studied under the tutelage of Dr. Sackstein, a pupil of the legendary Claudio Arrau. After founding the Arcangelo Piano Quartet--a distinguished American chamber ensemble--she toured Guatemala, China, the Bahamas and the United States, all to rave reviews. In the words of critic Lawrence Budmen, “Kofman was brilliant in her phrasing and control. The entire performance had a unique sense of deeply felt, highly personal music making.”  Later, Dr. Kofman established a duo with the eminent Belgian pianist André De Groote. Their 3 recorded albums received critical acclaim, bringing high words of praise. The MusicWeb International critic Philip R. Buttall notes, “The performance, too, is absolutely first-rate.”  Dr. Kofman continues to collaborate with other outstanding musicians, such as Japanese violinist Junko Ohtsu. As a solo artist, she has been heard in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland, Serbia, the Bahamas, Guatemala, China, and Curacao. Many of Dr. Kofman’s former piano students are notable performers and educators throughout the Americas, former Soviet Union, and Europe. Dr. Kofman is currently a distinguished piano faculty at Cremona International Academy in Italy and an Assistant Professor and the Director of Keyboard Studies at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.

Edgar Miguel Abréu
TOPS Director

Dominican-American tenor "Mr. Edgar" made his Gulfshore Opera debut this season as The Shepherd in Ottorino  Respighi’s Lauda per la Natività del Signore.  Also this season, Mr. Abréu performed the role of the Rally Leader in Opera Fusions World Premiere of Not In My Town. The Palm Beach Arts Paper wrote, “...as the rally leader of the LGBT rally, tenor Edgar Miguel Abréu also unleashed serious vocal power.”  Mr. Abréu made his Florida Grand Opera debut last season. On his interpretation of Flavio in FGO’s Norma, South Florida Classical wrote  “Edgar Miguel Abréu made the most of Flavio’s brief appearances with a fine lyric tenor.” Mr. Abréu also portrayed Ambrogio in FGO’s modern production of Il barbiere di Siviglia, which Tuffgnarl.com exclaimed him as a “fantastic Ambrogio in this season’s opener The Barber of Seville.”  Mr. Abréu covered Walter in Weinberg’s The Passenger.  Mr. Abréu holds a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Florida International University and his Bachelor in Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Florida Atlantic University. Mr. Abréu studies voice with Jorge Pita Carreras. 

Anjane Girwarr
Yoga Instructor

Anjane Girwarr is currently on her sixth year as a musical theatre voice instructor for the University of Miami. She spent the past summer in the Venetian Alps of Italy teaching voice and yoga to UM's theater students.  She recently played the role of Gretel in Magic City Opera's production of Hansel and Gretel. She sings for the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables as a soloist and section leader.  She is an active coffeehouse performer for the Broward Performing Arts Center and throughout Miami with her husband, Eric Firestone.  Some of her past credits include the voice of Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella, Carnival (Lily), Big Fish (Josephine), Into the Woods (Cinderella), Songs for a New World (Woman One), and Street Scene (Mae Jones). 

She has also performed in concerts with Andrea Bocelli and under the baton of Itzhak Perlman with the Master Chorale of South Florida.

Morgan Healey
Piano Instructor

Jessika Roy Piano Instructor

Morgan Healey is studying Choral Music Education at Florida State University. She graduated as a vocal major from Dreyfoos School of the Arts. She is a former TOPS camper, and worked as a counselor for 4 years before becoming the Junior Assistant. She has formerly tutored students and taught private lessons in piano and guitar. She is passionate about teaching and excited to work with the students and the rest of the faculty this summer!

Jessika Roy, mezzo-soprano is an active singer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. She was recently a soloist for Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches soloist for their Handel’s Messiah concert, La Maestra delle Novizie in Opera Fusion’s production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and performed various concerts in Palm Beach county. Ms. Roy has performed with Manhattan Opera Studio, Institut Canadien d’art Vocal, Opera Fusion, and many others. She has a private voice and piano studio where her students have been accepted into Bak MSOA, Dreyfoos School of the Arts, music universities, and won numerous competitions. Ms. Roy graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Master’s degree in vocal performance and The Cleveland Institute of Music with a Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance. Ms. Roy is excited to be returning to TOPs this year!

Sergei Skobin 
Piano Instructor

The Uzbek pianist, Seregei Skobin made his orchestral debut at age of 15 and has since appeared numerous times with various orchestras. Skobin performed all around the world and his solo recitals and concertos has repeatedly attracted positive critic reviews: “Sergei is an artist of exceptional gifts – a brilliant pianist with great creativity,” noted renowned piano professor Alla Kim. In addition to performing as soloist, Sergei Skobin has been recognized as a chamber musician. He collaborated with an array of esteemed artists, including conductors Vladimir Neimer, Aziz Shokhakimov, Guillermo Figueroa, the soloists of Navoï Opera Theatre, the soloists of Staatsoper Hanover, Omnibus Ensemble, Palm Beach Symphony Chamber Ensemble. Sergei Skobin received four degrees from Uspensky School of Music for Gifted Children, Tashkent Conservatorium of Music, LYNN Conservatory of Music, Florida Atlantic University, including two Master of Music degrees. Skobin has won multiple awards and accolades through regional and international competitions. He is the recipient of the “Tasanno” Award for contribution to Uzbek culture in 2010, the “Best Collaborative Artist” from the “Istedod” International Competition 2016.Teaching ranks is among Sergei’s greatest joys. His teaching career started when he was a freshman at the Tashkent Conservatorium of Music. Skobin’s success as a teacher is noteworthy in that some of his students won regional and international competitions. 

Madison Garber 
Creative Writing Instructor

Madison Garber is originally from Tallahassee, Florida, where she graduated from Florida State University with a BA in English. She also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Florida Atlantic University, where she was the managing editor of Swamp Ape Review and a graduate teaching assistant for the Department of English. She teaches prose and poetry as an Artist in Residence at A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Her work has appeared in Watershed Review.

Penelope Wendtlandt 
Body Percussion and Tap Instructor

Penelope Wendtlandt is a former company member of the NYC Off Broadway hit STOMP. She has had the privilege of working with the West End Company in London, National and International Tours leading her to teach and perform all over the world. She performs regularly with the internationally acclaimed dance company, Dorrance Dance as a guest artist, performing in venues such as New York City Center, Jacobs Pillow and the Guggenheim Museum. Penelope recently originated a new role in the upcoming Off-Broadway immersive show "The Fallen Saint". Trained in multi-form dance, theatre and music she continues to explore new ways to integrate these forms into developing new and authentic modes of expression.