William Wakefield ’25 has had a tremendous senior year at Pine Crest School. Coca-Cola Scholar, Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar, National Merit Scholar and Silver Knight Recipient are just a few of the accolades he earned. William’s list of accomplishments reflects not only academic excellence but also heartfelt service.

For Karen Awaida ’25, who joined Pine Crest in fifth grade at the Boca Raton campus, receiving the Founder’s Council Award for Excellence in Musical Theater wasn’t just a celebration of talent, it was a full-circle moment.

Though she’s been singing her whole life, Karen came to musical theater later than many of her peers. It wasn’t until her senior year that she decided to dive in fully. “I really made it my main extracurricular,” she said. “I joined Thespians for the first time, helped with Middle School productions, performed in Spring Scenes and everything I could. I wanted to give it my all in my last year.”

The magic of performing arts extends far beyond the spotlight. While audiences are captivated by performances on stage, behind the curtain, there’s an intricate world of technology and expertise that makes every show a success. Pine Crest is fortunate to have a dedicated theater technician, Mr. Jeffrey Ronner, who brings decades of experience and passion to our productions.

By Veronika Hesse ’27

Mr. Antoine Khouri, Orchestra Director on the Fort Lauderdale campus, has loved music since he was a child. His parents and grandparents encouraged him to sing in his church’s choir and begin learning the piano at five years old, with his mother as his teacher. 

Brandon Goldberg ’24 joined Pine Crest School as a seventh grade student, already an accomplished jazz pianist. 

Pine Crest Upper School student Priya Ghanta ’24 has devoted the last four years to scientific research and music.

Since joining Pine Crest School as a third grade student, Greer Udelson ’23 has been a standout student-musician. A singer in the chorus and musical performances, Greer also plays the flute in the band, which she joined in fourth grade. 

As a two-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway co-producer and practicing entertainment attorney, Class of 2010 graduate David Manella’s professional and personal lives revolve around theater. More than a decade after his high school graduation, David credits Pine Crest with sparking and nurturing his interest in this field. 

In 2019, Pine Crest faculty, staff, and administrators created and finalized the School’s strategic plan to be executed over the course of the following five years under the leadership of President Dr. Dana Markham ’18H.

Dani Pendergast ’13 is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist. After graduating from Pine Crest, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Syracuse University, ultimately deciding to stay and earn her Master of Fine Arts degree while building her portfolio and making the leap to work full time as an illustrator.

By: Sabrina Kreiss ’21

Originally from Vineland, New Jersey, Pine Crest School Choral Director Mr. Michael Testa moved to Florida in 2001 to work with the Florida Grand Opera.

During that time, a former faculty member introduced him to Pine Crest where he became a member of the Fine Arts faculty in 2005. Now, almost 20 years later, Mr. Testa oversees and teaches chorus for students in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools on Pine Crest’s Fort Lauderdale campus, in addition to Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory.


After graduating from Rowan University with his bachelor of arts in music education, Mr. Testa began performing all over the United States as an opera singer.

Mr. Testa began graduate school at West Chester University shortly after earning his bachelor’s degree. There, he studied music performance. Feeling drawn to education, he began teaching extracurricular classes in music throughout his collegiate studies. He landed his first teaching job at a K-8 public school while studying for his master’s degree.

I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Testa to learn more about his career at Pine Crest and his passion for music and singing.

By Emily Roy ’20

Emily Bufferd ’07 has been dancing since she was a toddler.

Ohio has always been a second home for alumnus Hayden Grove ’11. After graduating from Pine Crest with a love for journalism, music, and sports, Hayden’s passion for sports brought him to The Ohio State University to complete his undergraduate studies.

Long-time Pine Crest School Dance Director, Brenda Gooden, retired in June 2017 after teaching at Pine Crest for 36 years.

Building fun, customizable, affordable bicycles has been a way for Avery Pack, founder of Republic Bike and Pine Crest Class of 1996 alumnus, to encourage people to get moving.