Dr. & Mrs. Ralph G. Perrino Create the “Young Theatre Artist Development Fund” in Support of the Catawba College School of Performing Arts

Falls Church, VA, December 20, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Catawba College School of Performing Arts announced that Catawba College alumni Dr. Ralph G. Perrino, Founder and Director of Northern Virginia Tutoring Service, LLC, and Ms. J. Denise Perrino, charter inductee of The Catawba Blue Masque Hall of Fame in 2008 in recognition of her meritorious life in the theatre, have created the “Young Theatre Artist Development Fund.”

The “Young Theatre Artist Development Fund” (YTAD Fund) will be used to support deserving Theatre students by providing aid for guest artists, workshops, travel to conferences, and small scholarships. The School of Performing Arts had established a goal of raising an additional $15,000 in gifts this year to grow the YTAD Fund into an endowed fund. The fund will begin sponsoring student conference activities this academic year.

Dr. Perrino established Northern Virginia Tutoring Service, LLC in 1995 after a long career in the public and private sectors. Dr. Perrino is currently an Associate Professor of Behavioral Science at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) where he has taught sociology, political science, and business management since 1986. Earlier this fall Dr. Perrino was awarded the prestigious NVCC Educational Foundation Outstanding Service to the College Award for 2012.

Dr. Perrino is past-president of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and past president of Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources. He is also on the Boards of the Fairfax Partnership for Youth and The Friends of the Arlington Planetarium.

Denise Perrino is a retired educator and director with 34 years experience in the Fairfax County Public Schools, where she taught Theatre Arts, Public Speaking, Reading, Film Study, and Language Arts, grades 7-12. She was instrumental in the development and writing of curriculum for Fairfax County Public Schools including Drama to the Core!, an approach to learning that incorporates theater into core subject areas.

Ms. Perrino brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the resolution of the many learning issues facing children attending our public schools. Her teaching strategies have been recognized throughout the Fairfax County as innovative and effective ways to help children overcome learning issues to become successful students.

Ms. Perrino served as President of the Fairfax County Theatre Teachers (TADA) from 1984-1988 and as Co-President from 1998-1999. She also served as Vice President of TADA from 1982-1988 and 2008-2009. Ms. Perrino also served as Chairman of the Secondary School Division and Chairman of the Young People’s Theatre with Virginia Theatre Association from 1989-1993. She is also a member of The American Alliance of Theatre Educators and recently presented “Bringing Drama to the Core” at Arena Stage. She has been asked to serve on the Board for Vienna Community Theatre. She also acts and produces productions for Faction of Fools Theatre Company of Washington, D.C. and Creative Cauldron of Falls Church, Virginia.