Mercedes Ellington
Founder and Artistic Director

Composer Of Dances And Situations
Theater! Dance! Jazz!.

Mercedes Ellington, Director/Choreographer, Producer, Performer, and Family Historian. This career has been affected in time related increments by race-ism, sex-ism, name-ism, and age-ism. Meanwhile…………..

After graduating from The Juilliard School of Music with a B.S. Degree in Dance, her first Union job was performing in the Australian company of West Side Story for seven months: three months in Sydney and four months in Melbourne.

Other work in New York City, included at least ten Broadway and Broadway related productions: Sophisticated Ladies, Play On, No No Nanette, The Night That Made America Famous well as three revivals at City Center, three of George Wein’s Jazz Festivals, New York City Opera’s L’Histoire Du Soldat, regional Industrial Shows and ten productions at the MUNY in St. Louis.

An honorary citizen of Paris, she recently narrated Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert Music at L’Eglise de Madeleine. Other overseas assignments include accompanying the Duke Ellington Orchestra on part of their 1971 Russian tour, three tours of The United Arab Emirates; two with Andre De Shields in Ambassador Satch and one with The Duke Ellington Center Big Band. Earlier overseas tours included Hong Kong, Tai Pei and six cities in Japan with her tap dance company: BalleTap USA assisted by Maurice Hines and Bernard Johnson.

She was awarded an Audelco award for her choreography in the York Theater production of Storyville.

Early groundbreaking credit as the first and only June Taylor Dancer of color on the Jackie Gleason Show for seven seasons, her first encounter with Ms. Taylor was as a dancer in three productions at The Jones Beach Marine Theater.

Recently involved in the world of Ballroom Dance Competitions, she and her teacher/partner, Michael Choi, won first and second places in Cuba last year.

The founder, CEO and Artistic Director of The Duke Ellington Center For the Arts, a not for profit 501C 3 since 2007, she currently presents concerts with Tony Waag and his American Tap Dance Foundation, at Birdland and other venues based on the musical output from the Ellington catalogue of almost 3,000 compositions.

Michael Konopka
Chairman of the Board

Attorney Michael Konopka is the founding member of The Konopka Law Group, located in downtown Manhattan.  A top-rated, award-winning trial attorney with more than 37 years of legal experience, Mr. Konopka focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, personal injury claims and appeals. He serves a diverse range of clients throughout the greater New York City metro area, who have legal challenges involving commercial litigation, personal injury, real estate litigation and other serious civil disputes.

A 1979 graduate of Wayne State University, Mr. Konopka obtained his Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1982. He holds a diploma in trial advocacy skills from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Throughout the course of his career, he has achieved considerable success advocating on behalf of his clients in state, federal and appellate courts across his region, securing millions of dollars in settlements and awards on their behalf.

Recognized for his success, Mr. Konopka has earned a lifetime membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has been recognized by "Super Lawyers", a national rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Mr. Konopka has received listings in Marquis Who's Who in American Law as well as Cambridge Who's Who in Executives, Professionals & Entrepreneurs. Moreover, he received the Attorney Appreciation & Achievement Award from the Bay Ridge Jewish Center along with a Top 10 Attorneys and Firms designation from the American Institute of Legal Counsel. He also holds excellent client ratings on AVVO as well as the site's top attorney designation.

Highly active in his legal community, Mr. Konopka is a member of the American Association for Justice, the New York Civil Liberties Union, the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, among his other professional affiliations. He also supports his local community through his involvement with various civic, charitable and artistic organizations, including his position as chair of the DECFA Board of Directors.

Tony Waag
Secretary

Tony Waag founded the American Tap Dance Foundation (formerly known as the American Tap Dance Orchestra) in 1986, along with Brenda Bufalino and the late Charles "Honi" Coles. From 1989-1995, he co-created and operated, with Ms. Bufalino, Woodpeckers Tap Dance Center which became a model for numerous tap organizations and tap studios worldwide creating, producing, and presenting various educational programs for adults and children year-round, as well as annual winter tap intensives with master classes, courses and workshops taught by leading International artists and master tap dancers. I n 2001, he renamed the organization the American Tap Dance Foundation and created Tap City, the annual New York City Tap Festival with premiere performances of all styles of tap by artists from around the world, as well as an extensive training program for adults, teens and children, city wide events, tap jams, student showcases, panel discussions, lectures and film screenings. As a performer and choreographer, he has been featured in hundreds of concert, film and television productions including appearances at the legendary Apollo Theater, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the United Nations, the Atlanta Arts Festival, the Utah Arts Festival, the Colorado Dance Festival, the Lincoln Center "Out-of-Doors" Festival, the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, PBS’s "Great Performances, a national Seagram's commercial, and in a French car commercial for Renault in Paris. International appearances include USIA tours of Turkey, Poland, Cyprus, Latvia and Estonia, and recent American ambassador tours of Armenia and Romania with his production of Tap City on Tour. He has also taught and performed in Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, and Spain. Mr. Waag has received numerous grants towards the presentation and preservation of tap dance as a unique American art form. In 2002, he created the first International Tap Dance Hall of Fame honoring the contributions of legendary tap dancers by preserving their legacies for future generations to enjoy. He also created the annual Tap Preservation and Hoofer Awards, the Gregory Hines Youth Scholarship Fund, and the Gregory Hines Collection of American Tap Dance Archives which are now housed at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. In 2009, he created and staged the touring production of “Thank You Gregory”, a tribute to the Legends of Tap Dance which can now be seen in theaters across the country. In January of 2010, he opened the American Tap Dance Center in New York City where he currently directs on-going education and training programs for tappers of all ages and levels. For more information visit: tonywaag.org

Andrea Wright
Treasurer

Andrea Wright lives in New York City and she is delighted to join the Board of The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) as the Treasurer. She has enjoyed a career as a prominent jazz singer and songwriter.  

In 2003, she met Jon Hendricks’ protégé, jazz/bebop vocalist Marion Cowings at his New York Smalls Jazz Vocal Workshop. There she found her own identity and style through improvisation and has built a considerable jazz standard repertoire.

In 2009 she released her first studio jazz album September in the Rain with musicians Harry Whitaker, Saul Rubin, Noriko Ueda, Quincy Davis and Warren Vaché. Wright has performed at New York City Jazz spots such as Birdland, Carlyle Hotel’s Bemelman’s Bar, Fat Cat, Friar’s Club, Smalls Jazz Club, and Symphony Space. She has toured internationally in Japan, France, Canada, and on a State Department tour in Cyprus. Mentored by Mercedes Ellington and Phoebe Jacobs, Wright continues to work closely with The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) in many roles within DECFA as a stage manager, production assistant, performer as well as serving on the board.

As a singer/songwriter she debuted an EP entitled Riverside (2014) and went on to released Buoy Lights (2015), a live studio album. During the pandemic, Wright wrote and recorded Bruno (2021) in her apartment, playing the piano and guitar with her own background vocals. It is a deeply personal album about her difficulties of having a child of her own.

Wright is a proud member of Local 802 Musicians Union and Actor’s Equity. For more information visit: https://andreawrightmusic.com/

Jeffrey A. Barr
Board Member

Jeffrey A. Barr is a lifelong New Yorker who has been practicing law for nearly 39 years, focusing on General Commercial Law, Trusts, Estate and Real Estate Law.

Jeff graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University in 1977. He graduated with a juris doctorate degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University in 1983  Jeff is admitted to practice in both New York and New Jersey.  He is admitted in Federal Court and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals since 1987.

Mary C
Board Member

Mary C's extensive experience as a performer and producer will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the board of the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA). Her insights and expertise can contribute significantly to the center's mission and goals in promoting the music.

Mary C's background and accomplishments are truly impressive. Born and raised in New York City, Mary C’s star began to shine bright, with her scene stealing cameo in the John Hughes 80’s cult classic, "The Breakfast Club”.

It’s no surprise; the daughter of Jazz recording artist Mercedes Hall and the sister of “Brat Pack” member Anthony Michael Hall, Mary’s artistry was her birthright. Her first performance space as a kid was on the steps of her NYC schoolyard and ever since, she has been writing and performing original material.

Growing up in a house surrounded by artists and music, Mary has found a distinctive way to weave a unique mixture of pop, blues and rock, highlighted by infectious melodies and driven by Mary’s soulful voice. 

Mary C and The Stellars captivating performances have electrified and energized crowds internationally and has drawn the attention of various music media outlets, including MTV,  BRAVO, ELLE MAGAZINE, RACHAEL RAY, NY1, HITS MAGAZINE, ARTIST DIRECT, NEW NOW NEXT, THE HUFFINGTON POST and USA TODAY.

As an extension to her artistry, Mary founded WMC Creative, a multifaceted production company, where creativity meets craft, where they don’t just generate big ideas, they know how to execute them. WMC Creative was founded by veterans of New York City’s production world, with roots firmly planted in the music, television, film and theater industries. We are privileged to enjoy deep and longstanding relationships with many of the world's best-known artists, as well as emerging-talent. Our carefully built relationships with performers and artists allow us to craft exclusive access experiences for our clients and their guests.

 For more information visit: https://www.wmccreative.com/

Mary Dove
Board Member

Mary Dove, a respected figure in her community, leverages her diverse background in psychotherapy, community organizing, and education to make a positive impact. As a Board member of the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts, she actively contributes to the promotion of artistic excellence and cultural enrichment.

Founder of Lean In NYC, Mary curated educational events for over 6,000 members, fostering dialogue and personal development on leadership. Her initiatives empowering women, such as "Changemakers" and "Urban Retreat," challenge cultural narratives and build community.

Notably, Mary's accomplishments include the Change Makers Project, launched in 2017, which celebrates women making significant impacts in their respective fields. Through portraiture and storytelling, Mary in collaboration with photographer Jena Cumbo and writers Camile Sardina and Tira Harpaz, documented the inspiring journeys of these individuals, resulting in the publication of "The Change Makers" book in 2019. She also partnered with Hudson Guild to organize an exhibition showcasing the portraits, accompanied by educational events for their teen youth program.

Passionate about storytelling, Mary collaborated with the American Tap Dance Foundation on the "Tap Into Your Story" project during COVID-19, exploring tap dance's hiatus through discussion, discovery, and performance.

Mary founded The Narrative Center in 2021, focusing on well-being, connection, and empowerment through narrative therapy. Offering workshops and storytelling events, she continues to inspire and transform lives, leaving a lasting impact on the communities she serves.

While not engaging in community events, Mary Dove continues her work as a Licensed Psychotherapist, drawing on over a decade of clinical experience. Specializing in providing therapy and support to individuals in New York City and at The Juilliard School Counseling Services, Mary recognizes the power of creativity as a precious resource that should be nurtured and cultivated. In her therapy practice, she assists clients in tapping into their creative potential, guiding them on personal journeys of self-discovery and growth.

Kent Drake
Board Member

Kent Drake Singer, Performer, Former Host of the Apollo Theater

With an extensive career in entertainment, Kent Drake has left an indelible mark as a singer, performer, and host. He's best known for his tenure as the host of the iconic Apollo Theater, where he brought energy and talent to the stage.

Kent's passion for music and performance has led him to be part of numerous remarkable events, including:

-André De Shields and DECFA to Celebrate Jazz Greats Live In Concert (Sep 18, 2020): Kent Drake graced the stage alongside legendary artists, contributing to a memorable celebration of jazz greatness.

-Duke Ellington's Birthday Celebration Events: Kent Drake played a pivotal role performing at these special event, honoring the jazz icon Duke Ellington.

Kent's ability to connect with audiences, combined with his talent, has made him a cherished figure in the music world. His dedication to celebrating the rich legacy of jazz and his performances continue to inspire and entertain audiences.

Jim Mirrione
Board Member

Since 1978, Dr. James P. Mirrione has been the playwright-in-residence for the Creative Arts Team (CAT), the resident educational theatre company at New York University.  As author of nineteen plays for the company, he established himself as one of the leading writers of Theatre-In-Education (TIE) plays for American audiences. 

During his time with the Creative Arts Team, Dr. Mirrione has also engaged in numerous other creative endeavors. In 2000-2003, for example, Dr. Mirrione was the AHRB Research Fellow in Creative and Performing Arts at Leeds University, Bretton Hall Campus, and England.

In addition, he has written for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway as well regional theater. His commissioned plays include The Ghost Café for Carnegie Hall (1992) and The Last Stop, Will and Testament of Saint Jack Kerouac for New York University (1995). He is the 1995 winner of the Spokane Playwrights Festival for his play Area Code 212.

Dr. Mirrione also sits on the Board of The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) and was the producer that enabled the Duke Ellington Band to perform in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 2010.

In 2017, he directed a production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives at the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, China. This was the first time the play was ever performed in the very place that Coward composed his work in 1930. His latest project was as Assistant Director for the 2019 revival of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, with was presented at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and produced by Crossroads Theatre Company.

Antoinette Montague
Board Member

“My Grandfather said of Ella Fitzgerald that she was ‘Beyond Category’, and I would would like to say the same of Antoinette Montague, that she is ‘Beyond Category’.”
Mercedes Ellington, CEO

Antoinette Montague, a member of the DECFA Board of Directors, International Women in Jazz ACTIVE Advisory Board Chair, Professor at Marymount College Manhattan 

If you had a chance to see Antoinette Montague WOW the audience at the Charlie Parker Festival at Richard Rogers Theater In Marcus Garvey Park, you’ll know she is a great crowd pleaser and festival favorite among many attendees and staff. She included “Bird” in her programming and delivered an excellent SHOW. Antoinette is internationally renowned Jazz, Blues, and Beyond Category singer and ENTERTAINER. Known as one of “The Hardest Working Woman in Jazz” by insiders & “Jazz Woman To the Rescue” (an edutainment piece and 501c3 she created to donate instruments to kids) and is musical performing and teaching service provider for many jazz organizations, i.e. Jazz at Lincoln Center Syncopated Leadership for MBA students,, Music on the Inside Prison Program (Alina Bloomgarden), Jazz Power Initiative, Jazz mobile festivals and Celia Cruz program, Schools, Senior programs and Jazz Vesper events.

To that effect, she has received the Cedar Grove "Jazz and Blues Entertainer of the Year Award 2017", among other community awards.

Recently voted onto the WBGO CAB, (Community Advisory Board, 2019), she has her OWN radio show on WHCR 90.3fm highlighting artists in what she calls “The. 3EEE’s” Emerging, Established and Elder States-persons, Jazz, Blues and beyond category.) Antoinette has supported and mentored many in the inter generational Jazz community.

A member of several Jazz Boards (The Duke Ellington CFA, Advisory Board Chair for International Women in Jazz.

Antoinette Montague has recorded several CDs Pretty Blues, Behind the Smile, as a leader with Mulgrew Miller, receiving national and international airplay. Her most recent CD, timely World Peace in the Key of Jazz. This Summer she will be at The Litchfield Jazz Fest, Morristown Blues and Jazz Fest. For more information visit: antoinettemontague.com

Bobby Sanabria
Board Member

Bobby Sanabria is an eight time Grammy-nominee as a leader. Known as a drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, conductor, documentary film producer, educator, activist, and bandleader, his versatility as both a drummer and percussionist, from small group to big band, has become legendary. A native son of the South Bronx born to Puerto Rican parents, he has performed and recorded with every major figure in the world of Latin jazz and salsa from Mario Bauzá, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Dizzy Gillespie, Chico O’Farrill, Ray Barretto, Cándido, to Larry Harlow, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, and jazz luminaries as diverse as Henry Threadgill, Charles McPherson, Randy Brecker, Joe Chambers, Jean Lucien, The Mills Brothers, and others. DRUM! Magazine named him Percussionist of the Year (2005); he was named Percussionist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association in 2011 and 2013. In 2006, he was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame. He was a recipient of the 2018 Jazz Education Network (JEN) LeJENS of Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as a musician and educator. In 2008 Congressman Dennis Kucinich honored his work as a musician and educator by reading his name into the Congressional Record and in 2018 the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus honored him as a musician, educator. Every single one of his big band recordings, seven in total, have been nominated for Grammys. His 2018 recording, ‘West Side Story Reimagined,' reached #1 on the national Jazz Week radio charts, was nominated for a 2018 Grammy, and won the prestigious 2019 Record of The Year Award from the Jazz Journalists Association. Partial proceeds from sales of this double CD set go to the Jazz Foundation of America’s Puerto Rico Relief Fund for musicians. He is the Co-Artistic Director of the Bronx Music Heritage Center and the forthcoming Bronx Music Hall. His lifetime dedication to spreading the history, culture, of jazz and Latin jazz to the general public as a performer, as well as educating a new generation of players, composers, arrangers, has no parallel. A member of Max Roach’s legendary M’BOOM percussion ensemble, he is on the faculty of the New School and NYU. He is also the on air host of the Latin Jazz Cruise on WBGO FM.

Karyn Tomczak
Board Member

Karyn Tomczak performed professionally in the US and internationally for over 15 years in shows such as 42nd Street, Sophisticated Ladies, Will Rogers Follies, and Funny Girl. She was seen on PBS in Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall, which was choreographed by Tony-award winner, Susan Stroman. Her dream job came true when she performed as a Radio City Rockette for six and a half years both on tour and at Radio City Music Hall.

Ms. Tomczak’s choreographic credits include 42nd Street, The Drowsy Chaperone, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, Me and My Girl, Grease, and A Chorus Line, Zombie Prom, and Fiddler on the Roof.

For the past 20 years Ms. Tomczak has been dedicated to dance education and conducts master classes in precision dance around the U.S. She was awarded Dance Teacher Magazine’s 2014 Dance Teacher Award in Higher Education. She is an ABT® Certified Teacher, Pre-Primary-Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum and Certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor.

In 2020, she turned her precision dancing into precision organizing with her business, Precision Organizing Plus (POP). She is a champion-level Certified Boss Organizer with Dorothy the Organizer (DTO), from the hit television show, Hoarders. She has appeared with Dorothy on seven episodes, Seasons 13-16 episodes.

Her passion for dancing has transitioned to that of organizing and she loves to see the smile and relief on her client’s face when they complete a session. Karyn enjoys watching her clients, “dance their way into an organized life!”