Meet Our Instructors
Welcome to the Roudenbush Community Center Instructors Bio page! Our dedicated team of instructors brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to every class and program. From arts and fitness to academics and enrichment, each instructor is committed to fostering a welcoming and engaging learning environment for all ages. Get to know the talented individuals who make our community center a place of growth, creativity, and connection!
The Community Center
Vanessa Bellitti, Adult and Teen Hip Hop Instructor
Vanessa started her dance training at the young age of 1 1/2. And it was then, her love for the stage set in. Her dance career began after graduating high school. Dancing professionally for Phunk Phenomenon and the Boston Celtics. Having the opportunity to perform on many stages across the country. After a performance break to start her family, Vanessa rejoined the dance community. Today she enjoys performing with the ballet company Dance Prism, sharing her love of dance and the stage with two of her children.
Mr Ben Stanley, Kids Fitness and Drawing
Mr. Ben lives here in Westford where he resides with his loving wife and their 5 children. He has years of experience in early childhood education and working with school age children here in this community and surrounding towns. In 2016 he created "Mr. Ben Sports and Fitness" and over the years his experience has opened many doors to other creative classes that he has taught here at Roudenbush and other locations. Mr. Bens love of sports, and music stems from having grown up in a family of artists, musicians and athletes. He plays many instruments and incorporates the music into a high energy gross motor program that will be sure to get your children moving.
Craig Coffman
Craig Coffman is an experienced piano and guitar instructor, professional pianist and music director. He has over 30 years experience teaching piano privately. His piano and guitar seminars have been offered live through Community Colleges and Community Education Programs nationwide for over 30 years. Over 30,000 students have attended these popular classes. Now the classes are offered exclusively online and they are more popular than ever. He has a degree in Sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University in Illinois (where he also studied piano) and a Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Christine Robinson, What is Your Story? Workshop
Exploring the world of writing has always been a fascination for me. As anEnglish educator of 40 years, I have enjoyed helping people develop their ownunique writing “voice “. Educated in New York, I have traveled extensively inthe USA and visited Europe, Working also in the retail, corporate, andhospitality worlds has given me insights into the inspiring personal journeys ofmany people.
Rachel Goclawski, Mushrooms
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Rachel Goclawski, Certified educator, state-certified in Mushrooming, is a Programmer for The Museum of Natural History, New England Botanic Garden, the Girl Scouts, and other non-profits and land preserves. She is a contributing writer for The Cook's Cook: Now, Forager Magazine and has been featured on WBZ, in The Boston Globe, Edible Magazine, local television, and other documentaries and print. Rachel comes from a long line of foragers, including her great-grandfather, Dr. Arthur W. Fairbanks, a founding member of the Boston Mycological Club in the 1800's. Visit her Facebook, Instagram or YouTube for Forage to Table tips, recipe ideas and videos
Rachel Toups, Ballet
Rachel started dancing at the age of 2 ½. At 8 years old, she began performing with the professional company Dance Prism. She is currently a soloist and company member, performing roles such as Lead Marzipan in The Nutcracker, among others. In college, she discovered her love of sharing her art while teaching a classical variations class. Rachel’s hope is to continue sharing her love of ballet with those who want to learn, regardless of dance background.
Sharon Cox, Art
After receiving a B.A.in Art and traveling the globe with the musical group 'Up With People' Sharon moved to California, where she opened Premo Art. After close to 20 years of painting mural's, commissions and teaching along the California coast line, Sharon and her family moved back to her hometown in MA where she continues to run Premo Art. You can also find Sharon hard at work at her studio gallery at Western Ave., Studios in Lowell #219.
Ashley Driscoll, Art
​Ashley is an award winning visual arts educator. With a background in graphic design as well as a masters degree in art education, Ashley focuses on creating an environment that incorporates a sense of wonder through creative exploration. Believing that every child should have agency over their own creativity and be given the opportunity to work on pieces of art that showcase self expression and independent thinking. In her Art.Cart.Studio. classes Ashley focuses on play, open-ended concepts, and problem solving skills by allowing students to engage with the artistic process.
Alona Popova, Pysanky
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Alona Popova is originally from Ukraine. Having relocated to the USA in 2017 and settling in Massachusetts in 2019, Alona is committed to giving back to her community and maintaining her Ukrainian roots. She is a Pysanky Artist, Instructor, Teacher, Community Activist, and Volunteer. Alona has been creating pysanky for nearly a decade and now leads regular workshops and an online Pysanky Club. She experiments with natural dyes and modern techniques while preserving traditional designs, sharing her passion with others through teaching and social media. As co-founder of the Ukrainian Cultural Center of New England (UCCN), Alona is actively involved in event planning, fundraising, and promoting Ukrainian culture. She also teaches at a Ukrainian school and leads Pysanky workshops. Artist’s website: https://pysankyclub.com/