Performing & Visual Arts Department
Mr. Jason Albert has been the Director of Bands at Lincoln Park Academy since 2005. In this role, he directs the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Drum Ensemble, and several chamber ensembles. Additionally, he teaches the IB Music and AICE Music programs.
Before joining Lincoln Park Academy, Mr. Albert taught in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Under his leadership, the Lincoln Park Academy Band program has received numerous district, state, and national accolades. His ensembles consistently earn superior ratings at various FBA Music Performance Assessments. As active participants in the WorldStrides Heritage Festivals, his bands have been recognized with Gold, Best in Class, Grand Champion, Adjudicator’s Choice, Carnegie Hall Invitation, and Spirit Awards.
Mr. Albert holds a Bachelor of Science and Arts degree in Music Education from Samford University and a Master of Music degree in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi. He was a lead soprano in the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in Rockford, Illinois.
Beyond teaching, Mr. Albert is an active adjudicator for the Florida Bandmasters Association and served for 15 years on the faculty of Indian River State College. He has also contributed to music education at the state and national levels, serving as Logistics Coordinator for the FMEA All-State Conference and Concert Band Manager for the NAfME All-National Honors Ensemble.
Mrs. Budhu is currently our Middle School Art Teacher. She has been an educator since 1988 and has taught K-12, traditional and digital art in other countries and the US. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree specializing in Fine Arts.
Stephanie Richards Lawrence is a multi-talented arts professional who has significantly contributed to the performing arts as an actress, director, filmmaker, playwright, acting coach, and arts administrator.
She pursued a BFA in Acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and minored in English Education. Additionally, Stephanie studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute for Theatre and Film. She has received numerous accolades for her work, including a grant from Lehigh University for the Our Digital Humanity: Storytelling, Media Organizing, and Social Justice Conference. Stephanie’s stage work has also been presented at the Touchstone Theatre and the Sherman Showcase.
Stephanie also holds a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University and has worked at prestigious art institutions in New York City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. She completed an internship with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and worked at the home of the iconic Paul Robeson as an intern arts administrator. Furthermore, Stephanie has dedicated her time to teaching theatre arts and performance to students in elementary, middle, and high school, directing several children’s performances along the way.
Stephanie is the founder of Ripe Crop Performing Arts and Productions, LLC, which has been presenting industry talks, and theatre workshops since 2007. Ripe Crop has also produced concerts and multi-day conferences at various venues including East Stroudsburg University (ESU).
Stephanie, under the auspices of Ripe Crop Productions, has been extensively involved in film. She can be seen in the film “M.O.T.H. (Matters of the Heart)” on Prime Video. Currently, Stephanie coaches acting online. Additionally, she is presently in the post-production phase of a film she wrote and directed, which is scheduled for release at the end of this year. Stephanie’s extensive experience and passion for the arts make her a true inspiration to artists and performers everywhere. She is highly respected in the industry due to her significant contributions to the performing arts.
Laura Hopkins has been a teacher for 39 years; Ms. Hopkins has taught at several schools in both Wisconsin and Florida. Most recently she teaches Orchestras and Exploring Music Classes at Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce. She is an adjudicator for the Bak Middle School of the Arts solo and ensemble festival, has served as co-principal cello with the Palm Beach Atlantic University Symphony Orchestra, Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra and the Treasure Coast Symphony. Ms. Hopkins teaches private lessons on violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, and beginning piano. She has a degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a Master’s in Music History from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and completed course work for a pre-vet degree at the University of Milwaukee. She is a current member of FMEA, and the Florida Orchestra Association. She conducted the Four County High School Honors Orchestra in 2023. Besides this, her biggest accomplishments include singing alto with Andrea Bocelli, and inspiring former students to become professional musicians and teachers. She performs regularly on cello and violin throughout Palm Beach and surrounding counties.
Mr. Jason Hatfield is the current director of the jazz and concert bands at Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce, Florida. Prior to his career at Lincoln Park, he spent 16 years at Palm Pointe Educational Research School where he was the founding band director.
He has also been an active band director in Miami-Dade County as both a director and clinician. He is a graduate of Maranatha Baptist University and holds a master’s degree in Instrumental conducting from Southern Oregon University He is also a graduate of the Lincoln Center Jazz Academy. He is a two-time consecutive recipient of the Linda Mann Five-year superior award for band directors and has served as the chair of the Florida Bandmasters Association State Composition Committee. Mr. Hatfield is an active member of FBA, and FMEA where he is an FBA Certified Adjudicator and is regularly called upon to adjudicate for Music Performance Assessment Evaluations throughout the state. He is a Conn-Selmer VIP and 2017 teacher of the year for Palm Pointe Educational Research School. His Jazz and concert groups regularly receive the highest ratings at FBA district festivals. He is also a past winner of best overall Middle School Band at Lakeside Jazz Festival.
Mr. McGarry earned his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree at Fordham University at Lincoln Center in New York. He also studied Art History with New York University at the Instituto Internacional in Madrid, Spain. He has been teaching Visual Art in the Saint Lucie District for over twenty years, including three years in the Carolinas. He has taught at all academic levels, kindergarten through 12th Grade, and in alternative programs. His students have contributed and gained recognition in numerous county and state-wide exhibits, events, and competitions. With certification in Art K-12 as his primary credential, he is certified in ESOL and Spanish and also utilizes classroom skills in these areas to inspire and engage his students.
- 43 years as an Music Educator
- Received Bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman University
- Received Master’s Degree from Florida Atlantic University.
- 20 years as Choral Director at Lincoln Park Academy (43 years total). Although the choral program is small (40-45 members),
- The LPA Choral Program consistently receives Superior ratings on the district, state, and national levels.
- Invited and performed at Carnegie Hall, New York
- The middle school program also consistently receives superior ratings on the district level.
- Selected as the Distinguished Minority Educator of the Year at Lincoln Park Academy three times and received the same award at St. Lucie West Centennial HS.
- Teacher of the Year Lincoln Park Academy 2017
- Certified adjudicator for the Florida Vocal Association
- Mentor for beginning and experienced choral directors/programs.
