OUR INSTRUCTORS
Chad Cassano
Owner, Teacher and Main Studio Producer.
I have been acting for years. After falling in love with Voice Acting, my wife and I started Cassano Studio in a little 3 person sound room. Currently we service over 100 students and own 2 studios to accommodate many more students. I absolutely love people and have made many friends. My goal is to help people find jobs in the world of voice and to help those individuals gain confidence.
Jim Sidoti
Teacher and Producer
Jim has quite the history of being on film and radio, they both have been broadcasted nation wide. Jim has been a professional actor for a number of years, he has also spent time giving workshops and has provided lesson plans to help individuals be successful in their endeavors. He is also an on air personality for some of our Rochester radio stations.
For more information on Jim visit his website.
Tristan Berlet
Teacher and Producer
Meet Tristan, the multi-talented theatre artist and educator at Cassano Studio! With a wealth of experience in acting for stage, camera, and radio, as well as writing, directing, and dramaturgy, Tristan brings a dynamic skill set to his teaching and editing roles. Passionate about fostering a fun and nurturing learning environment, he is dedicated to passing on his expertise to his students. Beyond the studio, you can often find Tristan gracing stages in various productions across the Rochester area—he's practically a permanent fixture in rehearsals! 🎭
Derick Thompson
Teacher and Producer
Derick possesses a comprehensive skill set across the entertainment spectrum, encompassing film, theatre, commercial productions, live performance, mixing, and audio editing. Drawing from his diverse experiences, Derick tailors his expertise to meet the unique needs of each project, ensuring a high-quality and customized approach every time.
Collin Arend
Teacher and Producer
Collin's journey began with a humble role in a church play as a toddler, marking his early start in performance. His diverse experience spans commercials, feature films, short films, animations, and his original web series. With a passion for storytelling and character development, Collin is continuously driven towards his next creative endeavor.
Stef Sea
Teacher and Producer
Steffani Sea (Stef) is a brand-new Rochester resident! Originally from Iowa, she spent her college years traveling across the country in pursuit of a high-quality and diverse performing arts education. As a lifelong learner, Stef’s favorite areas of study include classical and musical theatre, Shakespearean acting, the science of sound, and voice-over acting. She loves creating new characters and bringing their stories to life through her extensive knowledge of classical performance—while never forgetting to have fun! Stef’s classroom philosophy is simple: “Be brave and know it’s okay to look silly.”
Stef currently lives in Webster with her boyfriend Sean, their two cats, Elsa and Kim, and their dog, Mojo Jojo.
Collin Zweigle
Teacher and Producer
Collin is a versatile performer and audio engineer with over 12 years of experience in both live and studio settings, complemented by an extensive background as an actor and singer. His deep technical knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a standout in the field.
As a natural coach with a degree in speech pathology and a background in special education, Collin brings a unique blend of skills to his role as a teacher and producer at Cassano Studio. He loves connecting with his students by diving into their special interests and sharing his passion for audio and video equipment. For Collin, the most rewarding part of teaching at Cassano Studio is witnessing his students’ growth and helping them discover their own passion.
Maggie Cain
Teacher and Producer
Maggie Cain brings a rich background in teaching and local theater to our team. She spent 23 years as an elementary teacher in the Rochester City School District and has appeared in numerous local theater productions with Greece Paint Players, Penfield Players, and the Fringe Festival. Maggie was also a member of the Nuts and Bolts Improv Troupe.
She’s excited to blend her teaching experience with her passion for acting as she works with Cassano Studio students.