Aine Lafferty Bruhl is Saint Mark’s new director of VPA.
Saint Mark’s High School has appointed Aine Lafferty Bruhl as its new Director of Visual and Performing Arts, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in arts education, performance, and nonprofit leadership.
Bruhl steps into the role after serving as Program Director at the Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership.
There, she managed arts programming in eight public schools and led professional development initiatives for teaching artists, along with community and family engagement efforts.
Her career also includes seven years at the Charter School of New Castle, where she founded the middle school drama program and served as Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator.
During her tenure, she directed school productions and secured grants to support arts integration.
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Bruhl’s early work included teaching theater, music, and dance in schools and community programs across New York and Pennsylvania, including the Walnut Street Theatre and Riverdale YM-YWHA.
These roles laid the foundation for her enduring commitment to the arts and student-centered education.
At Saint Mark’s, Bruhl will lead the growth of the school’s visual and performing arts (VPA) program.
She aims to strengthen existing offerings while introducing new opportunities that make the arts more accessible and appealing to all students.
“Working for a well-established institution like Saint Mark’s excites me because of its rich history and the many individuals who have poured their time and energy into its success,” Bruhl said. “I’m eager to elevate the Visual and Performing Arts program, putting it on the map as a competitive and inclusive space where every student can find a way to be involved.”
Bruhl envisions a future where Saint Mark’s becomes a destination for aspiring young artists.
“I envision students applying to Saint Mark’s specifically to be part of its thriving theatre, dance, music, and visual arts programs, establishing the VPA department as a true draw and point of pride for the school,” she said.
Her plans include launching new student-led projects, building community partnerships, and connecting creative work to real-world careers.
Many of the careers students aspire to pursue rely on the very skills developed in arts classes, such as collaboration, problem-solving, innovation, and communication,” she said. “By highlighting how these skills translate beyond the arts, I hope to inspire more students to see the value of participating in VPA programming.”
Among her ideas are original student-written plays, improv-based clubs, and expanded involvement in local arts events in Delaware and Philadelphia.
While she kept upcoming production themes under wraps, Bruhl hinted that exciting details are on the way.
Dr. Eileen Wilkinson, principal of Saint Mark’s, expressed enthusiasm about Bruhl’s arrival.
“From her initial interview, I knew Mrs. Bruhl shared the mission of Saint Mark’s with a strong commitment to making the world more pleasing to God through the visual and performing arts,” she said. “Her passion and expertise will make more things possible for our students. I look forward to working with Mrs. Bruhl in the years to come.”
Bruhl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater-Acting from Point Park University, with minors in Musical Theatre and Jazz Dance, and a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at jarek@dimgrey-peafowl-504880.hostingersite.com or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn.
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