Arts Camp

Who’s Who at Camp

March 28, 2025

Meet Our Year Round Camp Team

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our year round camp team! We’re here to support you and your camper in making this summer a successful and rewarding experience. 

Ellamarie Quimby, Director of Camp Programs | Camp Director (She/Her/Hers) is overjoyed to return to the Appel Farm community after having served as seasonal camp staff from 2012 through 2017. Most recently, Ella held the position of Director of Residence Life at Interlochen Arts Academy. In her youth work, Ella is dedicated to being the kind of advocate that she did not have access to as a teenager. As a queer indigenous woman, growing up without many adults who looked and identified as she did was difficult. She is committed to the short and the long-term work that will help Appel Farm Arts Camp remain a space of inclusive excellence and a place where every young person can take risks and thrive. Email Ella with questions about classes, curriculum, and staffing!

Tanner Rushing, Director of Camper and Family Engagement | Camp Director (He/Him/His) came to Appel Farm in 2018 as a bunk counselor and theatre director! He fell in love with Appel Farm as the perfectly imperfect bubble of love, kindness and acceptance that it is. Campers were able to be exactly who they were, they created and explored art in a way that was safe and non-competitive, and they were loved and encouraged by their community. Since then, he’s been involved with Appel Farm in many capacities and is so excited to be working with our campers again this summer! Email Tanner with questions about registration, bunking, and bunk life!

Bethann Grasso, Programs Administrator (she/her) is excited to be part of the amazing team at Appel Farm! Bethann served as Assistant Production Manager of Walnut Street Theatre for 9 years and before that, was an AEA Stage Manager for various theaters in Philadelphia including Walnut Street Theatre, Prince Music Theater, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival and Venture Theatre Company. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from Point Park University and is a proud mom to her three sons (all campers). Her passion for the arts and organization combined with her love of children and the incredible mission of Appel Farm makes her so thrilled to be here to help and support all of the staff and campers! 

Jessica Hanson, Bookkeeper (She/Her) 
Equipped with a B.S. in Finance from Rowan University and an A.S. in Business Administration, she’s a QuickBooks wizard, a payroll pro, and a master of financial reporting. From non-profit accounting to cost analysis, Jessica makes the numbers work so others can focus on what they do best. When she’s not conquering spreadsheets, Jessica is busy managing her most important operation—raising her four amazing daughters! Balancing budgets and bedtime stories, she’s a pro at keeping everything (and everyone) in line.

Meilynn Cardona, Office Assistant (she/her) fell in love with Appel Farm’s mission last summer and strived to do her part in making positive impacts on the community. Now, as an AmeriCorps team member, Mei continues to support Appel Farm in her position as an office assistant.At 111 words-per-minute, Mei is a typing whiz and tremendously enjoys working behind the scenes. Her extensive background in customer service and retail has bolstered her enjoyment for being the friendly face you see when you first walk through the door! Her college experience with creative writing, journalism, theater and English shines through her vibrant determination to see every task to the fullest.

Kay Pellegrini, Office Assistant (they/them) graduated with a B.A in Interdisciplinary Studies and a double minor in Music and Music Industry from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. While Kay pursued a career in creative writing after college, they turned to Appel Farm as a camp counselor and media arts instructor for the summer and learned about the AmeriCorps program.In the past, Kay worked with local a newspaper, Cape Fear Voice and The Teen Scene, where they wrote and edited articles and original poems and managed social media. They also teamed with Leland Magazine where they conducted interviews and wrote and edited articles.

Share the Love!

Refer your friends! Our community is made up of young artists, many of whom learned about us from camp families who know and love Appel Farm. If you know anyone who might be a great match, we would love to introduce ourselves and send them some information. 

We look forward to you all being a part of the Appel Farm family! Until then, keep in touch, and let us know if you have any questions.