Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Karen Cassidy

Montclair,NJ

Summary

Dynamic News Designer with an extensive background in crafting visually compelling designs that engages and informs readers. Proven ability to deliver impactful visual solutions while contributing to high-profile projects and ensuring alignment with editorial content. Proficient in design software and typography, consistently achieving success in meeting tight deadlines and exceeding expectations. A passion for innovative design fuels a commitment to enhancing the reader experience through engaging visual storytelling.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

Musician/Art Instructor

Kidville
04.2018 - Current
  • Fostered a creative learning environment that encouraged artistic expression and music exploration among students.
  • Collaborated with fellow musicians to develop engaging performances for increasing audience participation.
  • Enhanced student creativity by incorporating various art themes and techniques into projects.
  • Assisted in event planning coordination efforts by promoting events via social media channels, resulting in higher attendance rates at various functions.
  • Created digital content for social media, succeeding in driving up the client-base growth.

Music instructor

School of Rock
09.2024 - Current
  • Led group rehearsals, strengthening teamwork and collaboration among musicians of varying skill levels.
  • Mentored students through music theory, instrument techniques, and performance preparation.
  • Coordinated with fellow instructors for successful School of Rock concerts, showcasing students' progress and talents.

President/Owner

Fast Forward Entertainment, LLC
12.2014 - Current

Musician, Entertainer, Social-media editor, Graphic designer

  • Increased client satisfaction through professionalism, communication, and excellent customer service.
  • Analyzed music industry trends and tracked competitor activities to assist in decision-making.
  • Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, venue owners, and booking agents.
  • Hired and managed talent and musicians, organized rehearsals and performance schedules.
  • Developed strong partnerships with a team of musicians for improved collaboration, and creating a dynamic entertainment experience for audiences.

Substitute teacher/para-professional

Educational Staffing Solutions
01.2024 - Current
  • Implemented lesson plans to meet diverse student needs and learning objectives.

Certified Group Fitness Instructor

Juniper Yoga & Fitness
06.2023 - Current
  • Designed and implemented diverse fitness programs for various skill levels and age groups.
  • Led group classes, ensuring participant engagement and adherence to safety protocols.

Music Instructor

Jam Cats Music
06.2017 - 02.2018
  • Familiarized students with basic concepts of music, such as notes, tempo, beats, genres, and instrumentation, while incorporating their favorite sing-along songs and encouraging gross motor skills movement for pre-K and special needs children.

News Designer/Graphic Artist

North Jersey Media Group Inc.
09.2007 - 11.2016
  • Collaborated with the editorial team at daily news meetings to develop cohesive visual narratives while meeting deadlines.
  • Created content-driven page designs and graphics for front-page news, business, and feature sections for the print editions of The Record and The Herald News. Produced concise visual elements, interactive charts, and maps to enhance the digital editions on northernjersey.com.
  • Developed engaging illustrations for print and digital media, supporting storytelling and communication objectives.

News Designer

The New York Sun
01.2006 - 01.2007
  • Produced page designs, created icons and illustrations for newspaper

Graphic Artist

The New York Post
01.2006 - 01.2007
  • Produced graphics, maps and photo silhouettes for daily tabloid newspaper

Senior Artist

Gannett News Service
01.1995 - 01.2005

Home News Tribune

  • Fulfilled project-development needs for a monthly kids' activity page, which consisted of the following duties: generated concepts, wrote instructional steps, organized photo shoots and designed page layout. Illustrated art for Pets and Kid Stuff page. Created maps, graphics, page design for news, business, features, sports and special sections. Contributed to the paper’s overall redesign by revamping style templates and icons.
  • Artist I 1997-2003
  • Editorial Technician 1996-1997

Asbury Park Press

  • Prepress Technician 1995-1996
  • Accomplishments: 11/2003 & 12/2004 Employee of the Month

Education

Associate of Science - Advertising Design

Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL
09-1989

Fine Art and Music curriculum - undefined

Monmouth University
01.1993

Advanced HTML & CSS, Web Design

Essex Community College
01.2015

Web Design certification - HTML, Java, Flash, Dreamweaver

Ocean County College
01.1991

Commercial Art & Photo Reproduction - undefined

Ocean County Vocational School
01.1987

Skills

  • Proficient in graphic design software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Quark Xpress, HTML & CSS coding, WordPress, interactive Google maps, Prestige
  • Effective public speaking
  • Strong organizational abilities
  • Time management
  • Consistent reliability
  • Proficient in managing classroom dynamics
  • Curriculum development
  • Music theory education
  • Music performance
  • Performance coaching
  • Proficient in multiple instruments

Timeline

Music instructor

School of Rock
09.2024 - Current

Substitute teacher/para-professional

Educational Staffing Solutions
01.2024 - Current

Certified Group Fitness Instructor

Juniper Yoga & Fitness
06.2023 - Current

Musician/Art Instructor

Kidville
04.2018 - Current

Music Instructor

Jam Cats Music
06.2017 - 02.2018

President/Owner

Fast Forward Entertainment, LLC
12.2014 - Current

News Designer/Graphic Artist

North Jersey Media Group Inc.
09.2007 - 11.2016

News Designer

The New York Sun
01.2006 - 01.2007

Graphic Artist

The New York Post
01.2006 - 01.2007

Senior Artist

Gannett News Service
01.1995 - 01.2005

Fine Art and Music curriculum - undefined

Monmouth University

Web Design certification - HTML, Java, Flash, Dreamweaver

Ocean County College

Commercial Art & Photo Reproduction - undefined

Ocean County Vocational School

Associate of Science - Advertising Design

Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

Advanced HTML & CSS, Web Design

Essex Community College
Karen Cassidy