Orchestra

Born in Hungary, Palma Rajki earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Shenandoah University, in Winchester, VA. She also holds a Master of Special Education degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. 

When asked what inspires her, she says: “Never stop learning because it is the fuel that ignites the fires of curiosity and self-discovery. I embrace the notion that every experience, whether successful or challenging, is an opportunity to gain wisdom and insight.”

Ms Rajki has been at Ligon for several years now. “I teach because I want to inspire students to achieve their goals. I want to share a passion and a love for music and to make a difference in our students’ lives by cultivating in them the love for music,” she added.

Her favorite artist? Metallica. 

Chorus and Piano

Ms. Hanna Castellano runs Ligon’s choral and piano programs with care, compassion, and a genuine desire “to help kids find the beauty in the world around them.” As a graduate of Wake County Public Schools schools herself, she is also uniquely poised to connect with the Ligon community.

“I love to see the relationships and community that is created when we all work for that common goal. The collective breath or consonant attack,” she says. “Our singers hold themselves and each other accountable which is a skill that so many struggle with as adults. I tell people all the time that singing saved my life. I teach because I know there are kids who feel that way, too. We get to tell the composer’s story through our music, all while writing our own along the way.”

Ms. Castellano earned her BA in Music Education from Campbell University and a Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida. Her favorite artists are Renee Fleming, Leslie Odom Jr., Sara Bareilles, and Prince.

“I’m inspired by the way you can connect to music or the arts in a way you can’t with anything else,” she says. “Music has gotten me through the hardest times in my life. I am inspired by the next generation of musicians, their creativity, and their ability to see beyond the surface.“

Band

Greg Jenner is the Director of Bands at Ligon Magnet Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina. Greg is additionally an alum of Ligon (2009). He previously held the position of Director of Bands at Sanderson High School and Garner Magnet High School, where his concert ensembles received Superior and Excellent ratings at district Music Performance Assessment, and his marching bands received numerous awards at competitions throughout the state. Greg has collaborated with numerous musicians from the NC Symphony and faculty from collegiate schools of music as soloists with his ensembles. Greg is currently a cornet player in the Triangle Brass Band, and he previously served as the conductor of the St. Francis Brass Band. In 2019, he received The Ed Rooker Encore Award presented by the NC Chapter of the American School Band Director’s Association. Greg holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he studied trumpet with Professor Mark Clodfelter and conducting with Dr. Kevin Geraldi.

Dance- Modern and Ballet

Taylor Harrison comes to Ligon from Rolesville Middle and has been teaching choreography at the dance studio level for 13 years. Her favorite styles of dance are jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. Ms. Harrison hails from Greensboro where she started dancing as a wee girl, at 4. 

When she is not at school, you can find her with friends, at her favorite restaurants, or watching her fave, The Office. She is a big fan of doughnuts, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-A, and she likes to listen to R&B and pop.

A favorite quote: 

“Do it big, do it right, and do it with style.”

-Fred Astaire

Dance- Tap and Jazz

Bio

Drama

Isabel Kaczmarek teaches Encore Acting Ensemble, Acting I, Shakespeare, Puppetry, and Costume and Makeup at Ligon. Ms. Kaczmarek, or Ms. Kaz as she is known, is a Raleigh native, App State grad, Star Wars buff, Percy Jackson fan, and of course, a theater enthusiast.

One of her favorite artists is Ashley Eckstein. “She is a voice actress who has done a significant amount of work for her fans, the community, and charity. I look up to her and what she stands for,” says Ms. Kaz.

Technical Theater

Bio

2D Visual Arts

Ms. Chelsea Greninger, born and raised in the South Bay of California, brought her passion for art to Ligon in 2022 as our 2D visual arts teacher and arts club advisor. She holds an MFA in Ceramics & Printmaking from New Mexico State University as well as a BFA in Art Studio and a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Davis. 

She finds nature the ultimate inspiration. “I absolutely have my favorite artists, museums, cities to see art in, art theorists,” she says, “but what inspires me the most is being OUT in nature and alone in it. I love to take very long hikes beyond the tourists and the towns. Some of my favorite National Parks are Arches, Zion, and Yellowstone.” 

Ms Greninger’s favorite artists change often, but topping her list at the moment are Joan Mitchell, Ann Hamilton, Viola Frey, and Hilma af Klint.

On teaching at Ligon: “I teach art because I love art. Not just making art but immersing myself in the art process. I love watching students discover things about art and themselves through the process of creating it. It has been my life’s passion and work to make and teach art. It makes me smile, curious, excited, drives me and gets me going on a daily basis.”

3D Visual Arts

Aleix Murphy grew up in Wallace, North Carolina, a tiny town in Duplin County, and is a proud alumnus of East Carolina University where she studied Art Education with a concentration in ceramics. She is currently studying to get a Master’s degree in Art Education there as well.

Art is in Murphy’s DNA. “My mother is my biggest inspiration. She was an artist who put her family above her artistic passions,” Murphy says, “and because of that she has always supported my career in the visual arts.”

Ms. Murphy’s favorite artist is Simone Yvette Leigh, an African American ceramist who focuses on sculpture and instillations. In October 2020, Leigh was selected to represent the United States at the 2022 Venice Biennale, and was the first black woman to earn that honor. Simone Yvette Leigh also has a beautiful sculpture in the North Carolina Muesum of Art.

On teaching at Ligon: “I teach because it gives me an opportunity to share my passion for the visual arts with our future generations.” Murphy is thankful for the experience she had as a young artist. “I only hope to create that same environment for my students.”