Georgia DeFalco

Secretary and Co-Founder

Georgia DeFalco graduated from the University of Illinois in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a minor in vocal performance. Upon graduation, Georgia lived in Chicago and worked at Davenport’s Cabaret while teaching middle school in Hinsdale, IL. Georgia moved to New York City in 2001 with her now husband, award-winning singer/songwriter pianist and performer Johnny Rodgers. She immediately secured the position of vocal director at the High School for Environmental Studies in midtown and began building up the program to include Beginning and Advanced Choral and Musical Theater studies. Her after school programs include Gospel Choir, Women’s and Men’s Glee Clubs, and Madrigals. Her school groups have toured and competed around the United States.

Having no real funds in her public school, over the years Georgia has applied for numerous grants and thanks in part to the funding she received, her program at Environmental Studies was picked by Donor’s Choose to be featured in a press conference with actress Claire Danes for their international re-launch in 2007. Georgia met Liza Politi in 2003 and teamed up to fill the immediate need for supplies, college audition preparation, and master classes at Environmental Studies. Their partnership led to the creation of Statement Arts.

Georgia has completed the masters’ program in theater at Hunter College in 2008 and received her Master’s Degree in Educational Theater from City College in 2009. One of the first two graduates of this pioneer program, Georgia studied with top professionals in the field including Gwendolyn Hardwick, Tony Goode, Augusto Boal, and the Creative Arts Team. She currently mentors student teachers in educational theater from City College and NYU as well as student teachers from the music program at Teacher’s College and Hunter College.

Doing her part for the environment, Georgia became a vegetarian and amateur raw foodist in 2007. She has worked with Team in Training, mentoring beginning triathletes while raising money for cancer research. Georgia has completed six marathons, including four in New York City, numerous triathlons including one Half Ironman, and is a member of New York Road Runners and the Asphalt Green Triathlon Club. She married John Rodgers on August 9th, 2008, and their new mini-dachshund, Maggie, can be seen running them around their neighborhood in south Harlem.