Meet the Arts Faculty

Faculty
jamesc@blair.edu

Caroline James, a 2023 graduate of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, has joined Blair’s fine arts department as a video studies teacher. At Kenyon, Caroline majored in studio art and minored in classics and art history, and she completed undergraduate internships with a wealth advisory firm, a law firm, a medical solutions firm and a mortgage company. She also played women’s varsity lacrosse for four years and participated in the 2022 NCAA tournament as a Division III goalie. Caroline is no stranger to the boarding school world, having graduated from The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, in 2019. Caroline, who is Blair's current Hardwick Teaching Fellow, teaches photo, graphic design and film at Blair and coaches skiing and lacrosse.

Faculty
kinge@blair.edu

Since joining Blair's faculty in 2003, Eli King has taught the School's architecture courses, which approach the topic of design in a creative vector. Prior to coming to Blair, Eli earned an MA at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation and taught at the City College of New York and Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Among his goals are to make students discerning consumers of architecture, while also teaching them time-management and presentation skills. Eli lives in New York City and commutes to Blairstown twice a week during the school year.

Student Life Office; Director of the Romano Gallery; English; Fine Arts
linke@blair.edu 

Blair welcomes Eliza Link as an adjunct teacher of ninth-grade seminar and English, as well as Director of the Romano Gallery. Her previous experience includes remotely designing ninth-to-12th-grade curriculum and creating workshops for the advocacy program at Saint Edward’s School in Vero Beach, Florida. As a member of Saint Edward’s fine arts faculty from 2020 to 2022, Eliza designed and taught studio art, design and art history. She also sponsored the Social Justice Club, which involved leading a diverse group of students in work relating to equity and privilege. A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Eliza began her teaching career in 2016 at The Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, where she served as a dorm parent, oversaw the yearbook, and taught two- and three-dimensional media, as well as English. She is joined by her husband, Patrick, who teaches mathematics at Blair.

Dean of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Faculty
thomae@blair.edu
(908) 362-6121 Ext. 5688

A teacher of fine art at Philadelphia-area independent schools from 2009 to 2015, Evan Thomas joined Blair’s faculty as a studio art teacher in 2015, where he taught all levels of drawing and painting as well as "Art for Social Change". After a nationwide search, Evan was appointed as Blair’s Inaugural Dean of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, where he serves as the strategic and academic leader of the School’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) initiatives. He also serves as an advisor for the Black and Latinx Student Union and as the SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) program leader for faculty and staff. Evan holds a bachelor’s degree in art education from Kutztown University (2009), a graduate degree in art education from Boston University (2013), and a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard's Graduate School of Education (2021).

An active member of the Art Educators of New Jersey (AENJ) and the National Art Education Association (NAEA), Evan serves as president of the NAEA’s Independent School Art Educators interest group and earned NAEA’s Certificate for Cultural Competency in Teaching and Leadership (2021). His interests include STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) education, the subject of his graduate research; advancing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; and engaging local communities. Outside the classroom, he operates a successful portrait and wedding photography business and has coached Blair's track, debate, JV Basketball and JV volleyball teams. Evan and his wife, Ally, Blair’s Director of Counseling, are parents of a daughter, Kiley.

Faculty
trishg@blair.edu

Gina Trish, who worked at Blair in a part-time role as Leadership Stories Project coordinator from 2016-2018 while also serving as art history and design professor at Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey, returned to Blair as a full-time member of our fine arts department teaching all levels of 2-D art and art history. Prior to returning to Blair, Gina served as a communications director for the New Jersey Lieutenant Governor’s Office and the Department of Community Affairs. After earning a BA in fine arts from The George Washington University in 1997, Gina held a number of roles related to the arts, communications and marketing, beginning her career as a senior designer at Fidelity Investments in Boston and later becoming art gallery director of GJ Cloninger & Co. in Morris Plains, New Jersey. Following a guest artist residency at Peters Valley School of Craft in 2006, she has pursued a number of postgraduate arts courses in advanced painting, sculpture and drawing. Gina coaches JV girls’ soccer, leads Blairs Arts in the Community and serves as a dorm head in Kathryn Hall at the School. She, her husband, Tyson, and their children Weston ’25 and Cameron '27, live near campus in downtown Blairstown. 

Faculty, Director of School Photography
trisht@blair.edu

A photojournalist since his 1998 graduation from The George Washington University, Director of School Photography Tyson Trish has traveled across the country and around the world documenting diverse communities and historic events ranging from the Super Bowl to the Iraq War. Prior to joining Blair’s faculty in 2015, he was an award-winning staff photojournalist for The Record in northern New Jersey, where his work was most recently recognized by the Deadline Club and the Society of Silurians for his contributions to a series called “In Heroin’s Grip.” At Blair, Tyson teaches all levels of photography, is a contributing photographer for the School’s publications and website, and serves dorm duty in Freeman Hall. He lives in Blairstown with his wife, Gina, sons Weston ’25 and Cameron ’27, and their dog, Miner.

Chair, Performing Arts Department; Director of Instrumental Music
pagotj@blair.edu
908) 362-6121 Ext. 5678

Jennifer Pagotto, appointed to Blair’s faculty in 2005, serves as performing arts department chair and Director of Instrumental Music. During her tenure at Blair, the instrumental music program has grown significantly and now offers a large Symphony Orchestra, honors Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, as well as string, wind and jazz chamber ensembles. Jennifer also teaches the advanced courses in music performance and theory/composition, conducts the pit orchestra for Blair’s musicals, and organizes the private music lesson program and Blair’s Bartow Concert Series. In addition to her responsibilities in the performing arts department, Jennifer has previously served as dorm head of South Cottage and head coach of the JV softball team. Prior to teaching at Blair, she earned a master’s degree in music performance at the University of Colorado at Boulder, as well as a BS in music education and performance at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Jennifer and her husband, Ryan ’97, Blair’s Associate Head of School, live in Grullon House with their children, Jack, Will, Ella and Addison, and their dog, Teagan.

 Faculty
evansc@blair.edu
(908) 362-6121 Ext. 5682

Craig Evans, appointed in 1994, teaches English and theatre. He graduated cum laude from Dickinson College with an AB degree in English and theatrical literature and technique in 1979 and earned an MA in English from Middlebury College in 1991. Prior to coming to Blair, Craig taught at the Tilton School in New Hampshire and The Hun School of Princeton, New Jersey. At Blair, he has directed more than 75 plays, built the Robert J. Evans Open Air Theatre and serves as the Frisbee Golf Course Pro. He lives on campus in Hanson House with his wife, English teacher Kaye R. Evans. They have two children, Faith ’05 and Dylan ’08.

Director of Vocal Music, Faculty, Intersession coordinator
mannir@blair.edu
(908) 362-6121 Ext. 5670

Originally from southern New Jersey, Ryan Manni-Brennan is an educator, conductor and vocalist who serves as Blair’s Director of Vocal Music and Intersession Coordinator. A member of Blair Academy’s faculty since 2016, Ryan has worked in a variety of roles including as director of the Blair Academy Singers, Chamber Choir, Blairitones, Sopralti, Alumni Choir and Community Choir, instructor of music technology courses and vocal lessons, and vocal director for theatrical productions. Ryan has studied with leading choral conductors and was a member of Westminster Choir College’s Grammy-nominated Williamson Voices and Symphonic Choir. He has performed on some of the world’s greatest stages, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, performed on recordings under the Naxos label and contributed to several texts on contemporary choral music pedagogy through GIA. Mr. Manni holds a bachelor’s degree from Westminster Choir College in music education and a master’s degree from Colorado State University in music education and conducting. He and his husband, Drew, live in Ringe House across the lake with their cat, Princeton.