Annie DiStefano
Owner of Garden Street School
of the Performing Arts
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Annie DiStefano (Miss Annie)
Director/Owner
Annie DiStefano is a native New Yorker whose life has been defined by the stage, the studio, and the spotlight. A classically trained dancer in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary, Annie began her training at age five and went on to perform with professional dance companies nationwide. She’s choreographed for musical theatre, staged original works, and trained under legends including Joe Istre, Jeff Edmond, Ann Reinking, Svetlana Katen-Noble, Shirlene Blake Neal, and Alan Onickel. Her studies took her from The Cultural Arts Center and STEPS on Broadway, to The Edge in L.A.,
The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and Fredonia School of Music.
Annie’s artistic reach extends beyond dance — she’s a songwriter, recording artist, actress, and creative producer. Her song Inside Her Love is featured in the indie film Calling It Quits, and she co-wrote the original Hoboken-based musical A Hoboken Tale. On screen, Annie has worked on Sex and the City, Law & Order, Saturday Night Live, and Zoolander. In L.A., she served as pop star Tiffany’s acting coach, and she has helped countless rising stars in NYC and Hollywood land roles in TV, film, and Broadway productions.
As the Owner and Director of the award-winning Garden Street School of the Performing Arts and founder of the #GSTREET Performing Arts Company, Annie is more than an educator — she’s a mentor, connector, and creative force. With deep industry contacts and an intuitive ability to spot and shape talent, she specializes in jump-starting children’s careers in entertainment. Her two sons, Finn Douglas and Jack Casey, are both professional TV, film, and Broadway actors — living proof of the possibilities her guidance can unlock.
If you or your child are ready to step into the business with confidence, Annie’s unmatched blend of expertise, network, and hands-on mentorship can light the path. She doesn’t just teach — she launches careers.
Finn Douglas — Owner, Garden Street Music School & Recording Studio
Musician and actor Finn Douglas is not only a celebrated performer but also the owner of Garden Street’s Music School and Recording Studio, where he leads with vision, creativity, and a passion for nurturing the next generation of artists.
A child prodigy turned professional multi-instrumentalist, Finn trained at Garden Street under Brian Lawlor and Neal Tracy, building extensive music theory knowledge and mastery in piano, guitar, voice, bass, and drums. As a songwriter, Finn penned the hit track Forever There, which he performed in Amazon Prime’s Riley’s Unforgettable School Project (a spin-off of After Forever), where he also starred in the role of Riley.
His theatrical career is equally impressive: Finn was the first and only child actor to headline a solo musical Off-Broadway in Inner Voices: The Costume, and appears on the original cast album alongside Broadway legends Rebecca Luker and Farrah Alvin. On screen, he originated the role of Charlie Conway in Netflix’s House of Cards (Seasons 4 & 5), and his credits also include Broadway workshops, School of Rock’s promo team, Eric Kornfeld and John McDaniel’s The Game, and Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty’s Knoxville. He has shared the stage with Broadway greats in Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol and performed at Broadway Sessions with Ben Cameron.
Finn continues to perform across the tri-state area, writing and showcasing original music, while also playing guitar and keys on the Worship Team at Hoboken Grace. As a teacher, Finn excels at working with young students, introducing them not just to music but to the thrill of live performance. His creative, encouraging approach makes him a favorite among beginning musicians and aspiring performers alike.
Finn is proud to bring his industry experience and artistic leadership to Garden Street, ensuring students receive world-class training in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Jensen Sirmon
Creative Arts Administrator & Personal Assistant to Miss Annie
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Jensen began performing at just eight years old and quickly fell in love with the stage. Over the years, she has performed for audiences of thousands, developing a lifelong passion for storytelling, collaboration, and the transformative power of the arts. After her Grandparents took her NYC for the first time in 2013, then sixteen-year-old Jensen knew this was where she was meant to be (her grandparents love to remind her that she “didn’t want to do the tourist things.”)
Jensen went on to study Motion Pictures at Belmont University in Nashville, where she discovered a deep appreciation for the creative process that happens both in front of and behind the scenes. She has since worked on a variety of live theater productions, music videos, commercials, and both short and feature-length films.
During the pandemic, Jensen rediscovered her love for theater and performing, and, in 2021, made the move to New York City. She has since performed at renowned venues including 54 Below, The Green Room 42, Chelsea Table + Stage, The PAC, and Merkin Hall. As a writer, her original works have been produced and staged for private industry readings around the city.
Now based in the Hoboken/Jersey City area, Jensen is thrilled to be part of the Garden Street team. She looks forward to connecting with the local arts community and bringing her blend of creative experience and organizational insight to support artists and inspire the next generation of performers. Having begun her own artistic journey as a young performer, Jensen understands firsthand the confidence, discipline, and joy that come from creative expression
📧 gardenstreetschool5678@gmail.com
Victoria Lisa
Administrative Assistant
Victoria Lisa is a proud Hoboken native and Saint Peter’s University graduate with a deep love for her community. For the past three years, she has been part of the Garden Street School of the Performing Arts, where she has found a second home. Victoria thrives in the school’s warm, friendly, and creative environment and loves being surrounded by the joy and energy of the children she works with.
To Victoria, Garden Street School is more than a workplace - it’s a family. She is passionate about contributing to a space where students feel happy, inspired, and supported every day.
Sherissa Salas
Facilities Assistant
Sherissa Salas is a Hoboken native whose life is steeped in creativity, community, and connection. Married to her high school sweetheart of 16+ years, Sherissa and her husband Christopher are proud parents to their almost four-year-old daughter, Embry Sage, Sherissa balances her role with the same passion and precision she brings to her family life.
With a B.A. in English and a minor in Dance from Montclair State University, Sherissa’s love for the arts spans both the written and the performative. She’s spent over five years with the Hoboken Public Library and is an integral member of the Hoboken Grace Events Team, continually building bridges within the community she’s called home her entire life.
Her performing arts journey began with Little Shop of Horrors at Wallace Elementary and continued through dance showcases at The Hudson School, extensive training at Hope Center Arts Academy in Jersey City, and numerous stage performances. From age 12 onward, she immersed herself in dance, eventually assisting in teaching classes and participating in performance outreach at events like Night Out Against Crime, Six Flags, and the Jersey City Arts & Music Festival.
Sherissa brings to Garden Street not only her organizational expertise and creative vision, but also her deep commitment to fostering community and supporting the arts. With a heart for family, a mind for detail, and a lifelong passion for music, dance, and theater, she ensures our programs run seamlessly - while championing the same spirit of artistry and connection that defines Garden Street.