Meet the Cassar Sisters
Two Sisters - One Art

We are Annelise and Arianna Cassar, sisters by birth and by passion for artistic creation and education. A few years ago we each got married to the most amazing husbands, and as a result, now you will see us listed as Annelise Cassar Tedesco and Arianna Cassar-Cruice.

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We teach together at Chalmette High School in St. Bernard Parish, a community right outside New Orleans, Louisiana. We are alumnae of Chalmette High School and collaborate daily as arts educators specializing in music and theatre.

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We have collaborated with our mother and father, who are also career educators, for over 20 years in performing arts and educational endeavors. In 2002, we founded the Performing Arts Academy of St. Bernard. We are now co-directors for this program which reaches elementary, middle, high school artists in St. Bernard Parish Public Schools. This program has expanded today to include both a performing and technical theatre programs, a sided by side student-community volunteer-professional orchestra and a college young artist program.

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This year we are excited to celebrate Annelise being named as Louisiana's State Teacher of the Year for 2022. She was chosen out of the  over 60,000 teachers across the state of Louisiana. We are excited for her to represent the students and teachers of Louisiana and to see her elevate the voices of artists young and old as she advocates for the value of rounded wellness that is gained by artistic study and participation.

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Also, this year we are overwhelmed at our family growing in number! Arianna welcomed a new baby boy to the world and both her family at school and at home are elated with this new addition. We look forward to sharing her journey as she helps us learn how to manage the balancing act of being mom, educator, wife and artistic creator with all the power and flair that she brings to all of our #ArtsStrong endeavors and #CHSCourageousDreams