About The Grove

Amanda Berkson is an award-winning director, producer, and dramaturg based in NYC. She is Co-Founder of Berkson Productions, a theater development company that focuses on bringing new theatrical works to New York audiences. She has been a consultant on scripts and screenplays and has led workshops and developmental readings.

She learned music production from award-winning producer Michael Moritz Jr. and has since worked as a music producer for independent artists. Her goal is to bridge the gap between young artists and the professional world by relaying all the tools of the trade she has learned thus far.

Tate, originally from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, obtaining a BFA in Musical Theatre. He recently got his Equity card at Westport Country Playhouse, performing in R&H Cinderella (Jean Michel) alongside Tony Award winner Cady Huffman.

His other professional credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Righteous Brother) at Theatre Aspen, Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd), MasterClass (The Stagehand) at Aspen Music Festival (starring Phylicia Rashad), and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Claude Frollo) at Summer Repertory Theatre. Additional credits include Spring Awakening (Hanschen) and Sunday in the Park with George (Boatman). Since moving to NYC, Tate has also directed and produced two productions at The Green Room 42 (CUT! and Her Name is Barbra).

Nicolette-Marie Tsialas is a Transition Specialist based in the New York City metropolitan area who brings a deep understanding of the human mind to the art of organization. With a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology from The George Washington University, Nicolette blends scientific insight with practical life strategies. At Lincoln Square Coaching, she works directly at school partner sites to support student success and provides personalized one-on-one career counseling and development services.

Her professional background is distinguished by her membership in the Psi Chi Honor Society and her previous role as an intern at Psychological Facts PLLC, where she developed specialized guidebooks and 6-week wellness programs to help clients manage anxiety and improve social skills. Having served as a long-term student tutor and a leader within the Hellenic Student Association, she has mastered the ability to break down complex goals into manageable, actionable steps.

Her curriculum at The Grove focuses on the tips, tricks, and strategies necessary to transform daily chaos into a calm, organized lifestyle. By combining her clinical research background with practical coaching experience, Nicolette empowers her students to build sustainable habits that foster both professional productivity and personal well-being.

Sarah Tancer is a Master of Social Work candidate at Hunter College, where she is pursuing the Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups track. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from Tulane University, along with a Liberal Arts Certificate in Gender-Based Violence Studies, and she completed a semester of study abroad in Developmental and Child Psychology through DIS.

Sarah brings a rich background in education, youth development, and mental health support to her work at The Grove. She has taught and student-taught across early childhood and elementary settings in New Orleans, designed and led after-school art and STEM programming, and spent multiple summers as a head counselor and one-on-one support at Sunrise Association, working closely with children navigating complex medical, developmental, and emotional needs. She has also served as a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line and is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. She is currently completing a clinical social work internship at Westchester Square Academy in the Bronx.

Since early 2025, Sarah has worked as a Transition Specialist at Lincoln Square Coaching, where she supports young adults building the skills, confidence, and self-knowledge needed to step into adult life. At The Grove, she teaches Everyday Independence, a practical class on the skills, resources, and everyday technology people need to participate fully in modern life, and co-teaches The Design Studio, a hands-on class in visual design with Canva. Sarah's teaching reflects her belief that learning is most powerful when it is grounded in real relationships, honest conversation, and respect for each learner's experience.

Yaakov Gottlieb is a filmmaker, photographer, and creative producer whose work focuses on visual storytelling across documentary and narrative projects. His work has taken him from capturing landscapes in Iceland to working as a visual journalist in Buenos Aires and across the U.S., documenting real-world stories and moments as they unfold.

He is the co-founder of NYG Studios, where he develops and produces film and digital content across documentary and branded formats. Yaakov is interested in how images can communicate ideas in simple, powerful ways, and brings a collaborative, approachable style to his projects with an emphasis on making creative expression accessible and engaging.

In addition to his production work, Yaakov enjoys creating environments where people can explore their own creativity. His teaching focuses on curiosity, observation, and helping participants discover new ways of seeing and sharing the world around them.