Meet Our Team

Co-Founder: Monica Toro Lisciandro

Monica oversees all operations of the business and teaches the Musical Theatre, Creative Playwriting, Audition Techniques, and Private College Audition Prep classes.

She grew up performing in various Brevard County school and community theatre productions, and participated in the Disney Magic Music Days Program as the lead female singer for a dance company.

Monica received a Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in Theatre Performance and Theatre Education at prestigious theatre university, Marymount Manhattan College.

While in college Monica student taught at the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan, interned for a prominent casting director, and performed in professional touring theatre companies. Upon graduating college, Monica focused on teaching at a private school and started their first Drama Club with productions such as ANNIE, SCROOGE, GODSPELL and THE WIZARD OF OZ.

After eleven years of performing and teaching in New York City, she decided to use her knowledge of theatre arts education to create The Viera Studio for the Performing Arts in Brevard County.

Monica currently resides in Viera with her husband and two energetic little boys.

"As an educator and mother, I have witnessed how the arts can shape a young person's identity and build their self confidence. I believe that through creativity and self-expression, our children can grow to their fullest potential and realize their dreams."

Co-Founder: Jonathan McFadden

Jonathan oversees the public relations and advertising activities for The Viera Studio and teaches the Acting, Commercials, Audition Techniques, Theatre Dance 1, and Public Speaking classes.

A native of Brevard County, he first discovered his love for the performing arts over a decade ago while volunteering as a cast member in countless community theatre productions at The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse. While in high school, he became a proud recipient of the Student Volunteer of the Year Award for donating his time as a volunteer teacher's aid at Gardendale Elementary’s School for the Performing Arts in Merritt Island. There, he donated hundreds of hours tutoring every subject from tap dancing to the phases of the moon.

In 2004, he headed to Hollywood where he won the Best New Talent of Los Angeles Award and has since held active memberships in The Actors’ Equity Association, The American Guild of Variety Artists, and The Screen Actors’ Guild. Since then, he has worked in various avenues of the entertainment industry in Florida, New York, and Los Angeles.

In 2009 he worked as an on-air theatre critic on his own radio program for WMEL Radio titled Brevard Theatre in the Spotlight with Jonathan McFadden and co-hosted The Local Lounge, a program featuring the music of unsigned local musicians in Brevard County. Jonathan has also appeared on television in national commercials, on stage in numerous professional musical and dance productions, and can be seen hosting promotional web videos for Brevard Community College and WBCC-TV. Still, his true passion remains appearing live on stage in theatrical productions or hosting staged live events such as the Ms. Florida Pageant or Brevard’s own BBQ and Blues Fest. He has also held positions in numerous theme park entertainment venues and attractions as an actor, a wire-stunt performer, and a member of the creative development team.

Jonathan is a full time college student,  Phi Theta Kappa member, active Student Government Association officer, and T.A. for College Success Strategies and General Psychology. He also works part time as the assistant for the state of Florida for a corporate team building company called The Go Game, and from time to time he appears in professional musical performances produced by Penguin Entertainment of Winter Park, FL. Such performances include the high energy MOTOWN MAGIC featuring Bobby Hendricks of The Original “Drifters.”

“I decided to start The Viera Studio with my business partner because I believe the performing arts can add value and confidence to any young person’s life, helping them become a more productive, creative, and well-rounded adult no matter what career path they choose."

Theatre Dance 2 and Tap Instructor: Carolyn Barone

Carolyn is an 18 year veteran teacher from the School of Performing Arts at Gardendale Elementary Magnet School. She began her career there as the original “Performing Arts Specialist”, and helped to create and develop the performing arts magnet program that still exists today. Currently, she teaches 4th grade in the performing arts magnet, as well as producing and directing 2-3 musicals at the school each year. She also created and continues to direct the popular GEMS Showstoppers performing group, who can be seen frequently in community venues all around the county.

Even though she has trained in all areas of musical theater, Carolyn’s primary focus has always been dance. She began studying ballet, tap, and jazz at age 7, and then went on to study partnering techniques and ballroom dancing through high school and college. During that time, she also taught free-lance classes and performed at many dance exhibitions. This helped her to develop a passion for choreographing that has continued for over 25 years. She has even taken the occasional opportunity to choreograph at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse and the Henegar Center for the Arts in Melbourne.

In addition to directing, producing, and choreographing musicals, Carolyn loves to perform herself. You may even recognize her as a performer from one of the 50 musicals she has participated in on our local community theater stages.

Vocal & Instrumental Technique Instructor: Bob Barone

(Private or Group Instruction)

Bob earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University. He currently works as the music instructor at the School of Performing Arts at Gardendale Elementary Magnet School, where he teaches general music, band, strings, chorus, and theater techniques. He also serves as Music Director for Rockledge United Methodist Church, and the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.

Guitar & Bass Intructor: William Hensley

William Lee Hensley was born in Orlando, Florida. All of his life he's had music figures that inspiredand ultimately shaped him into the multitalented person he is today. Since the age of 6, he started exploring guitar and bass. As he began to master the strings, his passion for music grew. Well equipped with a consuming fire and love of the arts, his music career started in his teenage years. Afterschool, he would teach children the fundamentals of music and music theory. What he figured would be a hobby, quickly turned into what he realized was his calling in life. Throughout his journeny, he has played at venues all over Florida and even tinkered with modeling and acting. He currently lives in Brevard County with his wife and enjoys surfing, teaching, and performing.

"Music has a unique ability to allow a person to escape to a world where anything is possible."

Ballet, Jazz, and Piano Instructor: Amber Ganey

Amber studied education and dance at Florida State University and is thrilled to be able to extend her love of music, dance, and teaching to The Viera Studio. By teaching at Viera Children’s Academy and The Viera Studio, she is currently fulfilling both her passion for teaching as well as the arts.

“The arts are a vital avenue for many to learn. I'm glad that I'm able to be a catalyst on a positive journey for brighter futures.”

All The World's A Stage Program, Consultant & Associate

Instructor: Barbara McFadden

Barbara has over thirty years of experience working in the field of Autism, Asperger’s, and other learning and behavioral challenges. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in Psychology and Exceptional Student Education, and is currently serving as the district coordinator for Autism Programs for Brevard County Public Schools. Barbara believes in focusing on a person’s strengths and interests to help them build confidence and success.

Teya Pallante:  FUNdamentals of Dance, Assistant for Musical Theatre 1 and Move n' Groove Instructor