Burn Brae Alumni Notes
Sarah Chang started her violin carer as a Pre-Major at Burn Brae where she was first taught to play violin and developed a love for it. Today, Sarah, now in her 20’s, is recognized world over as one of classical music’s most captivating and gifted artists. Sarah has performed with nearly every major symphony orchestra in the world!
Matt Mezzacappa, stage actor who has appeared on main stages throughout the Philadelphia area, starred in The Boxcar Children with the Arden Theater Company and played Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol on Broadway. Matt also wrote and directed an original play that ran off-Broadway. He was a Theater major at Burn Brae for many years.
John Tartaglia, a Theater Major at Burn Brae for many years, was the star of Playhouse Disney’s Johnny and the Sprites on Saturday and Sunday mornings! He starred as Lumiere on Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast and was nominated for the Tony Award for his starring role in Avenue Q on Broadway.
Lee Lessack was a Theater Major at Burn Brae and then became our Theater apprentice. Today, Lee’s baritone vocals and sophisticated style have made him a shining star of the international cabaret scene. Billboard magazine calls his singing, “Cabaret romanticism of a high order.” Lee has toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe to sold-out performances and has released four albums. His latest album features duets with such notables as Michael Feinstein, Maureen McGovern and Ann Hampton Callaway.
Seth Green attended Burn Brae as a Theater Major. He has acted professionally in film and television since the age of seven, including roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Austin Powers as well as creating the voice of Chris in the Family Guy. Seth continues to entertain us in movies, plays and television.
Landis Smith taught magic and puppetry here at Burn Brae and studied theater at Carnegie-Mellon University. Landis was the founder and featured performer of a world-famous puppetry and magic company and has created, produced and performed in productions in the U.S. and Far East. He has performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and has appeared with major orchestras nation-wide, including the premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Stravinsky’s The Firebird with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Landis has also appeared with the Boston Pops on their annual PBS television special which aired for years nationally.
Josh Silverman was a Theater Major at Burn Brae and is currently a theater and television actor in New York City. He has appeared on Saturday Night Live.
Gabe Nathan was a Theater Major and later, a Theater apprentice at Burn Brae. He also minored in Creative Writing. Gabe wrote a book that was published and later sold in Borders and Barnes and Noble where he was featured at a book signing event in Philadelphia.
Robyn Savitsky was a Violin Major at Burn Brae. She was awarded a full scholarship for violin performance at one of the leading music colleges in the U.S. Robyn has since graduated and is now performing and touring with a major orchestra.
Esna Cosby, daughter of Bill Cosby, studied Theater and Dance at Burn Brae and was one of the leads in the drama A Children’s Hour performed at camp.
There are many, many more incredible alumni from Burn Brae Day Camp the world over...too many to include on this page!
