Miss Porter’s School

Josh Bezdek earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI in 1999, where he studied fine art and art history. In 2003, he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Printmaking/Drawing from Washington University in St. Louis, where he also studied painting, digital art, and non-silver photography. He has exhibited art in various media throughout the country, and has previously been affiliated with Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts in St. Louis, MO, and Studio 107 Gallery in Austin, TX. Josh has been a devoted art educator since 2007, with a broad range of teaching experience including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate art courses. In 2012, he received the honor of Special Congressional Recognition for Dedication to Art Education by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Josh is pleased to be a member of the Miss Porter’s School community, teaching photography, filmmaking, and digital art, and serving as advisor to the Photography Club and the Filmmaking Club. He lives on campus with his wife, math teacher Hur-shiu Webb, and their two daughters, Beata and Andromeda.

Ariana Kolins teaches Ceramics, Sculpture and AIS Art and Social Change. Ariana teaches for many reasons but most importantly she loves to make things with her hands and wants to share that love with her students and the wider world. She believes that art is a way of looking at our environment, community, and other important facets of our lives and tries to open that world to others through the practice of teaching. Her educational goal is always to assist students to reaching their full potential- if that is through making art in the classroom or through informal conversations beyond the walls of the ceramic studio.

In addition to teaching she is the faculty advisor to Bowl-a-Thon, co-facilitates Art Enrichment, and is an advisor. In her spare time, Ariana makes art, explores her surroundings, is in the kitchen or on dog walks. She lives on campus with her partner Will and dog Sweet Dee.

Patrick Reardon is the Director of Music. In addition to conducting the concert choir and orchestra, Patrick teaches courses in music theory, history, and composition. He also serves as the music director for our yearly musical production in collaboration with Avon Old Farms, as the advisor to our Senior a cappella group, the Perilhettes, and facilitates our music enrichment afternoon program.

“To achieve this discipline means frustration… intense concentration, and endless patience. It means an addiction to perfection in our service to music--an endless quest for more insight into the beauties of this great art. My function is to serve you in this quest.” --Margaret Hillis (1969), Music Director, Chicago Symphony Chorus

Patrick is honored to serve the students at Miss Porter’s School in their quest for knowledge and meaning through music. Their hunger, insight, and compassion are second to none. Patrick lives on campus with his wife (soprano), three sons (trebles), and two dogs (baritones) in a sometimes cacophonous yet always harmonious home.

My name is Jennifer Terzian and I teach Art History. I feel grateful to combine my background and passion for art with the opportunity to share my experiences with the students at Miss Porter's. What excites me most about teaching Art History is recognizing the connections with the past, present and future through a visual dialogue. An integral part of my class is hearing from professionals in the field of art. I believe this space for professional engagement creates a tangible connection with the material. My work as a curator and gallery director help shape my way of teaching. A fun fact about me, I lived in London in the early 2000s, while contemporary art was taking center stage and the opening of the Tate Modern. It was truly an exciting time and one that inspired my career. I hope to pass on this enthusiasm to my class at Miss Porter's.