Judy Ngo: The Making of a Theatre Teacher
Judy Ngo ’16 plans to take her ten years of vocal training, as well as her singing, acting and dance experience, and combine it with her passion for arts advocacy and youth to become a teaching artist. Her goal is clear—to spend her days creating community among young people while sharing stories worth telling.
Ngo’s desire to work with children is due, in part, to the 100 hours she has spent in classrooms throughout her four years at Santa Clara. Whether she was teaching a dance workshop to kindergarteners and first graders at Washington Elementary School as part of the SCU Ignatian Center’s Thriving Neighbors Initiative, or assisting in a special education classroom at Buchser Middle School, Ngo has felt a calling to work with children.
When not serving in the classroom through the Community Based Learning program at SCU, she has gained further experience by offering her time as a children’s summer reading volunteer, serving as a preschool summer camp counselor, and participating in a performing arts immersion trip to Nicaragua through the Department of Theatre and Dance.
She is the currently the president of Artists Striving to End Poverty at SCU, a student chapter of a New York based organization. Through ASTEP, Ngo has participated in and led arts outreach programs in theatre and dance at Sacred Heart Community Services and Washington Elementary School. She has also helped to fundraise money for these outreach programs through silent auction and cabaret variety shows with ASTEP club members.
For her many efforts and successes, Ngo has been recognized by the Jesuit Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu; the Honor Society in Education, Kappa Delta Pi; and the Theatre Honor Society, Alpha Psi Omega.
When reflecting on the many artistic and educational experiences that Santa Clara has afforded her, Ngo says, “I have learned so much from collaborating with highly experienced and talented students and faculty. I have also learned the importance of being able to adapt to moments in live theatre when something goes unplanned. These lessons in flexibility and collaboration will be instrumental in my success in the classroom.”
Before having a classroom to call her own, Ngo is hoping to pursue a Master’s in Educational Theatre at NYU.