Laity Institute of the Arts and Sciences
FACULTY BIOS
Jeremy Tardy - Youth Acting Instructor
Jeremy Tardy is an actor, director, and musician from Milwaukee, WI. Jeremy started working with First Stage Children's Theater, where he performed in several plays and musicals, making a name for himself in the Milwaukee area. Jeremy studied in Oxford, England, at the British American Dramatic Academy. He received his BFA in Drama at The Juilliard School. Now residing in Los Angeles, he enjoys a career with TV/Film credits, including Paramount Network's "68 Whiskey", HBO’s “Ballers,” Netflix’s “Dear White People,” “The Mindy Project,” “10 Days in the Valley”, “Castle”; KALAHARI, VOODOO MACBETH, WAR DOGS, and more.
Jeremy now serves on the board of directors of First Stage Children’s Theater and CLIMB USA, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster economic empowerment in underserved communities. Jeremy believes that financial literacy and education are key components for empowerment and liberation in America. As an artist and activist, Jeremy has worked with the NAACP and ACLU, and he strives to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Dennis Gonzalez - Youth Acting Instructor
Meet Dennis, a Theatre Major who has showcased his talent in various shows with LAMC Theatre (Los Angeles Mission College). Some of his notable performances include Culture Clash's Chavez Revine, Dead Man’s Cellphone, and a Lead Role in She Who Was No More.
Dennis was even recognized for his acting prowess, as he was nominated for an Irene Ryan Acting Award for his outstanding performance in Mr.Grieves & The Vampires. Aside from theatre, he also dabbles in voice-over and film work. Recently, he starred as the lead in a web series called High School Never Ends.
Dennis is set to compete at the Kenndy Center American College Theatre Festival later this year. It's worth noting that he also studied Culinary Arts at Los Angeles Mission College.
Ben I. Goins - Character Design: Sketching and Drawing
Ben has been immersed in the world of art for most of his life. He believes that art is an integral part of life, a means of perceiving, living, and exploring one's surroundings. To him, art is like the wind and the ripples in water, the beams of light. Since he was very young, he has enjoyed painting, drawing, dancing, and entertaining. His love for art, however, stems from his fascination with the unknown and his drive to explore it. Art is his way of examining his mind and gaining insight into his understanding of it.
Ben is a prodigious painter who has been honing his craft for 14 years. His education has been shaped by exceptional teachers who have influenced his work, and he is a direct product of the art teachers at Laity. He is presently enrolled at Antelope Valley College, continuing to expand his skill set and knowledge. His aspiration is to teach, following the same approach that he has been taught, by assisting each student in exploring their own creativity through studying works of the masters and encouraging students to pursue their imaginations.
Ben's artistry encompasses drawing, sketching, and a passion for oils. He has created numerous oil-based pieces and acrylic-based paintings, always striving to enhance his skills and knowledge of his tools. Ben has always enjoyed teaching others and recognizes the significance of art in young people's lives.
Ariana Tejeda - Sketching, Painting, Pastels & Watercolors
Ariana has had a passion for art her entire life. Even as a child, she could often be found sketching in her notebooks, and this passion only grew stronger as she got older. Her dream has always been to inspire and teach others through her love of creative expression.
Throughout her career, Ariana has taught numerous art classes and workshops and has participated in various exhibitions alongside members of her community from all walks of life. She holds an Associate's degree in both Art History and Business and has experience working with a variety of mediums such as watercolor, acrylics, oils, and digital art.
In her free time, Ariana enjoys creating jewelry, sewing, exploring fashion trends, and making digital illustrations. She often uses her artistic talents to raise awareness for important causes and promote wellness within her community.
Alejandra Ramirez - Sketching, Painting, Pastels & Watercolors
Alejandra Ramirez is a Mexican multidisciplinary artist with an educational background, holding a bachelor’s degree in visual arts from the Autonomous University of Baja California. Her career is distinguished by her active participation in a range of art exhibits throughout Mexico, showcasing her diverse skills and creative vision.
Alejandra’s artistic practice encompasses both photography and painting, and she is particularly passionate about exploring new techniques to push the boundaries of her work. This enthusiasm extends to her teaching career, where she has dedicated herself to educating students of all ages, from young children to adults. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of self-expression and creativity through various painting and drawing methods. In addition to her individual artistic pursuits, Alejandra is a co-owner of a production company specializing in photography and videography. This role allows her to blend her artistic expertise with practical applications in visual media.
Alejandra is excited to join the Laity Arts family, where she looks forward to nurturing young artists and helping them discover their own creative voices through diverse art techniques.
David Reyes - Media Arts & Animation
David has always had a passion for art and animation since he was young. When he was just a kid, he would write long journal entries accompanied by illustrations that would tell stories.
As he grew older, he pursued his passion by attending the Art Institute in San Diego and studying media arts and animation. During his time in school, he quickly learned popular programs and began tutoring students in Maya and 3d studio max. David was also fortunate to work as a caricature artist at Sea World, where he gained more insight and learned from many talented artists how to draw in a live, public setting.
After graduating, David gained more experience by freelancing as a 3d artist and drawing caricatures at company events, birthdays, and other theme parks such as Universal Studios and Six Flags Magic Mountain. He has also traveled throughout the United States, drawing caricatures at comic conventions. Recently, David has been excited to teach at the Laity Institute of the Arts.
Aliciya Brown - Dance
Aliciya's love and passion for dance began during her High School years in Massachusetts. As a member of the dance crew 8Count, she contributed to their impressive performances and competition wins, including a 1st place win and Key to the City at Worcester’s Got Talent, and key accolades at World Of Dance events across New York, Chicago, and New England.
After high school moving to New York City, she began college, but her love of dance never left. She was eager to grow in her passion, she has received specialized training in Hip Hop, Heels, and Street Jazz reflect her commitment to continuously honing her craft. Aliciya trained at Broadway Dance Center and took classes from respected choreographers. In 2022, Aliciya took her talents to the West Coast and has continued her training across Los Angeles studios; training under renowned choreographers.
Aliciya Brown is a dynamic and versatile performer with extensive experience in dance, modeling, and stage performance. With a passion for rhythm and movement, Aliciya has captivated audiences across various music videos, live events, and dance competitions. Aliciya has showcased her talent in prominent music videos, including her energetic and compelling performance in Kai Cenat’s “Every Mon to a Gyal” Parody. Aliciya has graced the stage at high-profile events such as Joyner Fest by Joyner Lucas, Burju Heels Launch Event, and "The Diplomats Tour." In addition to her dance career, Aliciya has made her mark as a model, notably featured in Foundrie Co.’s Spring Collection 2019 print shoot. Aliciya's diverse skill set extends beyond dance to include fitness, basketball, painting, and drawing.
Jayna E. Goins - Dance
Meet Jayna, a creative professional with a diverse set of skills, including choreography, show production, and styling. She has undergone training with renowned institutions such as Alvin Alley Dance Company, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and Millennium Dance Complex, among others, for over 15 years.
Jayna is known for her unique approach to creative projects and choreography, having curated numerous winter and spring productions for Laity and other major commercial productions in Los Angeles. She has also been teaching children how to dance for more than a decade and founded Laity's core dance team, "The Pandas," in 2017, inspiring and mentoring many Laity students along the way.
As a partner at First Flame Marketing, a marketing company dedicated to promoting and expanding businesses' social media presence and engagement through platforms like Instagram, Yelp, and TikTok, Jayna has collaborated with various artists, photographers, and models, honing her business acumen. She possesses extensive knowledge of the evolving social media industry and has helped boost the revenue of renowned restaurants such as Wokcano, Lotus Dim Sum House, and Han Korean BBQ.
Currently, Jayna is expanding her creative enterprise business, Eleimon, by collaborating with established startups and small businesses across California. Her ultimate goal is to open a flex space facility that caters explicitly to the needs of creatives, helping the arts community thrive and flourish in the coming years.
Mandy Hong - Piano & Theory
Meet Mandy Hong, a talented Contemporary Pop/Jazz singer and keyboard player. Born in Beijing, China, she began playing classical piano at the tender age of four. At 18, Mandy discovered Jazz piano while attending The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, where she studied under some of the best-known Jazz educators. She has worked with designers and artists to compose music for fashion runways, animations, and independent films.
Mandy began her professional music training at six years old in one of China's most prestigious choirs. She toured the world, lending her vocals to commercials and theme songs for movies, including the choir part in the theme song for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Last year, Mandy completed her Jazz Master's Degree at the esteemed California Institute of the Arts.
