The Flight Crew
Sharon Costianes, GCFP
Founder, Artistic Director, Voice Faculty, Feldenkrais Practitioner
Sharon (she/her) is the fierce and tender force behind Flight. With a degree in vocal performance and sociology from Ithaca College (plus a theater minor because, obviously), she brings both heart and brains to everything she does. She’s a Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner, trained in Manhattan and sharpened through years of deep study and hands-on work—especially at the Field Center for Children’s Integrated Development with the incredible Sheryl Field.
Basically, if you’ve got a body and a voice, Sharon’s your girl.
For over two decades, she’s been guiding folks—whether they’re in pain, coming out of surgery, or just craving more freedom—back into ease and connection with their bodies through the Feldenkrais Method®. And when it comes to singing? Let’s just say there’s a reason people call her the Voice Whisperer. She’s got an uncanny ability to spot what’s getting in the way and help you break through it—fast. Think more breath, more power, more YOU in your sound.
Sharon’s not just about technique, though—she’s about transformation. She’s taught voice at Ithaca College and the Community School of Music and Arts, popped into Cornell as a guest lecturer, and regularly directs musicals and theater in the Ithaca schools. Whether she’s leading a room full of singers or working one-on-one, she shows up with heart, humor, and a laser-sharp eye for what’s possible.
She’ll meet you where you are—but don’t be surprised if you end up somewhere way more powerful than you imagined.
Sheila Wallis
Voice Faculty, Elusive Voice™ Certified
Sheila (she/her) holds B.A. degrees in Music and Theatre Studies from Ithaca College. Sheila has worked with students of all ages as a teaching artist at Hope Repertory Theatre in Holland, MI, and The Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY. In addition to her position at Flight Performing Arts, she is a teaching artist for Project 4 bringing theatre education into public school classrooms.
Sheila’s love of vocal pedagogy began during her time at Ithaca College and she is thrilled to start cultivating this practice as a Teaching Apprentice for Flight Performing Arts.
Aimee Rials
Dance Faculty
Aimee moved to New York to attend graduate school at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where she received her Masters of Fine Arts in Dance.
Her work has been seen at 92Y Harkness Dance Center, Symphony Space, Dixon Place, Triskelion Arts, Merce Cunningham Studio, DUMBO Dance Festival, University of Buffalo, Huntingdon College, Washington University and the Depot Theater. She has been an Artist-in-Residence at Huntingdon College, University of Buffalo, youarehere dance company, and We Are Artists in Virginia.
As a performer, Aimee has worked with Trebien Pollard’s Residue Dance Theater, Lauren Hale Dance and Beliz Demircioglu while in residency at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. She has been on faculty at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC and is currently an Assistant Professor at Ithaca College.
Trudy Pantalia
Managing Director
Jess Brock
Summer Academy Faculty
Jessica (she/her) is very excited for another Flight Performing Arts Summer! Beign an Ithaca College grad (Acting Major and Dance Minor), has prepared her with a toolbox of games, techniques, and fun to share with everyone. Jess is originally from Jacksonville, Fl graduating from Douglas Anderson School of the Performing Arts with a specialized degree in Acting. While attending Ithaca College, she performed in many of their productions such as Tilly in She Kills Monsters Virtual Realm, Chorus in The Trojan Women, Girl/Time in Everybody, and more. She has gotten the opportunity to work with some great influencers in the industry as well. Such as being a mentee for Beatrice Capote with Camille A. Brown Dance Company for the summer of 2021. She is very grateful to work with everyone this summer!