Alex Almonte, technical support associate in the I.T. Department, first came to Juilliard as an I.T. intern. He became interested in information technology during his undergraduate studies at PACE University, where he majored in finance, with a minor in computer science. His current responsibilities include supporting faculty and alumni e-mail printing operations, as well as general day-to-day network up keeping. In his spare time he enjoys reading, dancing, and spending time with friends. During the summer months, he is an active member of the New York Triathalon Club. As a member of the club, he spends long hours training for competitions in swimming, biking, and running.

Before coming to Juilliard as assistant director of international advisement, Kofi Mawunyo Amouzou worked as a case manager/caseworker with Catholic Charities' immigration department, while also working with the International Trauma Studies Program (I.T.S.P.) at N.Y.U. as Refsource project coordinator. (Refsource compiles and maps out the network of existing direct services for refugees and their families in the New York-New Jersey area.) Kofi studied comparative societies at Fondation des Sciences Politiques in Paris. He received his B.A. in sociology from the Université du Bénin in Togo, West Africa in 1995 and his M.S. in tourism and management from N.Y.U. in 1999. In his spare time, Kofi enjoys tae kwon do, dancing, and playing drums.

Renaldo Barrios joins Health and Counseling Services as a nurse practitioner to provide primary care for the School's student body. His experience includes work in emergency medicine, internal medicine, and public health. Renaldo attended N.Y.U. and earned a B.S. before completing his graduate work at the University of Miami. He will be available at the Health Services office during the afternoons.

Eddie Buggie, assistant director of residence life, is a graduate of the Dance Division. He has been working off and on at Juilliard since his graduation in 1994: as house manager for the Drama Division and Juilliard Theater, stage manager for Paul and Morse Halls, and rehearsal director for the Dance Division, as well as assisting the Admissions Office for the Dance Division's regional auditions. While doing all this he managed to have a dance career, performing with the Doug Elkins Dance Company (with which he was fortunate enough to have toured more than 35 cities in France). He has also danced and taught in Italy, Holland, Austria, Germany, Guatemala, Brazil, and all over the United States. His last gig was in Las Vegas, where he danced in the U.S. premiere of the French musical spectacular "Notre Dame de Paris" at the Paris Hotel. He is happy to be back at Juilliard.

Christopher Clarke, director of residence life, was most recently assistant dean of campus life/director of housing at Wagner College on Staten Island. He is a graduate of LeMoyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., where he earned a degree in political science (with a minor in fine arts). Upon graduation, Chris became a residence director at Ripon College in Wisconsin. He then took a position as an area coordinator at Manhattan College in Riverdale, N.Y., where he also earned his master's degree in education for counseling, with a specialization in alcohol and substance abuse counseling.

Orchestra librarian Frances Duffy is both a harpist and bass trombonist. In addition to her B.F.A. and M.M. from Carnegie Mellon University, she most recently completed an M.M. in orchestral performance at Manhattan School of Music. Fran has studied harp with Sarah Bullen, Deborah Hoffman, Anne-Marguerite Michaud, and Katheen Bride as well as bass trombone with Byron McCulloh, Lisa Albrecht, Murray Crewe, and Steve Norrell. She is currently principal harp with the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and tours with the River City Brass Band. Also on the faculty at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, Fran spends seven weeks at that festival every summer, teaching and playing with the Festival Orchestra. She was also librarian there for two years. Fran has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and New Jersey Symphony and subs on Broadway. Born in N.Y.C, she now resides in N.J. with her dog, Clifford.

Shaheen Fatima joins Health and Counseling Services as medical receptionist. She graduated from Queens College of the City University of New York, studying family nutrition and exercise sciences. Before coming to Juilliard, Shaheen worked as clinical coordinator and nutritional research assistant for Mount Sinai/N.Y.U. Health, department of pediatric hematology oncology, where she implemented and improved the patient scheduling system and designed a new training module for the specialized science high school students.Her previous work experience also included a stint at Kennedy Airport as a part-time customer service agent.

Clara Jackson, assistant director of student affairs, just recently completed her graduate work at N.Y.U. Prior to that, she worked as the coordinator of student activities at Florida Atlantic University. She grew up in South Florida and loves the beach; someday she would like to own a house on the beach and sleep in a hammock. In her spare time she likes to read, go to movies, travel, and kickbox.

Aaron Kaplan, office assistant in Jazz Studies, graduated cum laude from Westminster Choir College of Rider University with a bachelor's degree in music in 2000. During his years there, Aaron performed with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, and Orchestra of St. Luke's as a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir. He gained additional administrative and teaching experience working for the Hartwick College Summer Music Festival and Institute and the American Boychoir School. Most recently, Aaron worked for the Arts and Business Council Inc. as program assistant in education and training.

Drama Division office manager Jerry Shafnisky is proud to be reappearing on Broadway here at Juilliard. He debuted at 1501 Broadway at Dodger Theatricals before moving further uptown. He's also appeared off-Broadway in such offices as Civic Theater of Allentown; Pennsylvania Youth Theater; Cordell Players; Disney Theatricals; Roundabout; Jujamcyn; and Westside Theater in various levels of creative and administrative positions. Originally from Allentown, Penn., Jerry has also lived in Chicago. He enjoys writing letters and rollerblading.

Abby Shikles, assistant office manager in the Drama Division, was born in Steamboat Springs, Colo. and graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A in drama and dance. She spent the past year as a production assistant for stage management here at Juilliard. Abby is truly a westerner at heart, but is enjoying her time exploring the city and is looking forward to working at Juilliard for another year.

Faculty assistant Molly Skardon grew up in Wilton, Conn. and graduated from Wellesley College. The course of her life was changed when she substituted at short notice in the development department of the Metropolitan Opera. Since then, she has worked for Lincoln Center and other performing organizations, in the violin business, and in artist's management. Her amateur singing career includes (most recently) five seasons with Amato Opera.

Lillian Stillwell is pleased to join the delightful staff of the Admissions Office. She lives in Brooklyn with two cats, her husband, and his record collection. Among her favorites in the collection are Eddie Palmieri's Superimposition, Bill Evans' Waltz for Debbie, the Brahms Piano Trios, and anything by Atlanta rappers Outkast.

Sabrina Tanbara, director of student affairs, received her B.A. in psychology from Binghamton University in 1992. From 1992-1994, Sabrina was assistant director of student affairs at Juilliard before attending the University of Georgia, where she received her Master of Education in student personnel in higher education in 1996. Before coming back to Juilliard, Sabrina was working in residence life and orientation at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Sabrina is glad to be back at Juilliard and in her hometown of N.Y.C.

Juilliard alumna Li-Ling Wang returns to her alma mater to join the Communications Office as a publicity and administrative assistant. She holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from Juilliard and was a pupil of Harvey Shapiro.

The Production Department welcomes the following new staff: Mary Barrett (Drama Theater master electrician), Chris Bessette (staff carpenter), Traci Digesu (Costume Shop supervisor), Lance Harkins (Drama Theater foreman), Stephen Hills (Juilliard Theater master electrician), Benjamin Johnson (staff electrician), and Robert Zevack (staff carpenter).