Bargaining Team
Lee Quarrie
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Acting
I have served as an academic advisor for 7 years and a member of the Acting and LAS faculty for 10 years. I have served on several advisory committees and worked diligently to make NYFA a good community and a good place to work and study. I would like to continue this service as a member of the Bargaining Committee as we move forward with gaining transparency and having a meaningful voice in our employment agreement.
Neil Casey
Associate Professor, Filmmaking Department
Over the past 15 years, I’ve experienced NYFA as a student, staff member, and faculty member. Through each of these lenses, I’ve often reflected on our school’s immense potential. This potential has motivated me to serve as the NYFA-LA Faculty Senate President and as a faculty representative on numerous academic and administrative committees. While there’s been some collaborative work done to secure small gains for employees over the years, major policy and procedural issues remain unresolved. We recognize there are challenges—some beyond our control—that have hindered NYFA’s growth post-pandemic, but we need a clear roadmap to guide us in a direction that’s sustainable for all stakeholders. Through bargaining, let’s work to address the systemic obstacles that our faculty and staff continue to face, and develop a transparent plan for allocating resources to properly support students, employees, and the institution as we collectively strive to realize NYFA’s full potential.
Michael Hsueh
Adjunct Assistant Professor in Filmmaking/Equipment Staff
13 years at NYFA have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of how the institution operates from multiple perspectives. I have held various roles, including bilingual Equipment Technical Assistant, Foreign Program Coordinator, Chinese Student Tutor, and served as a member of the DEI Council. Currently, I teach Cinematography in the Filmmaking Department, but I have also taught for Producing and Screenwriting Departments. Additionally, I collaborate as Director of Photography for the Acting Department and work as Equipment Staff. Beyond NYFA, I have served as President and CFO of my Homeowners’ Association, gaining experience in policy writing, legal interpretation, and financial management. As a member of the ATSLA Organizing Committee, I prioritized in amplifying the underrepresented voices of NYFA staff members, ensuring they are being heard and valued. With this diverse background, I am committed to helping craft a contract that ensures equity for all faculty and staff at NYFA.
Chad Miner
Filmmaking Faculty and Equipment Staff
I am acutely focused on ensuring staff are given equal and equivalent energy as faculty are. This is a union of all of us, and an office worker or photo TA deserves the same tenacious representation, protections, and improvements as any teacher will have. I believe we all want a bargaining team with no blind spots!
Sue Jin Song
Adjunct Instructor, Screenwriting
I was a Realtor in the DC Metro area for Coldwell Banker for years. I have experience negotiating and reviewing contracts. I believe the key to negotiating well is clearly understanding the priorities of each party and seeking common ground. I would advocate strongly for my clients while striving to bring each deal to a successful close. As a newer contract instructor, I don’t have as much history or emotion in regard to the administration. Yet as a Faculty Senate member I have heard the frustrations of the faculty. I look forward to also hearing more about the concerns of the staff. I want to serve our union by negotiating the best terms possible.
Bart Mastronardi
Professor, Filmmaking Department, Cinematography
I have been teaching at NYFA since 2009 in New York City. I was a part time camera and lighting instructor. I have seen many changes within NYFA. I moved to Los Angeles to be a full time instructor to be at NYFA because I enjoy the philosophy of what NYFA offers and the strong and evolving program we offer to students to grow further in their education. For me to be a part of the next step at NYFA in its own growth and the support for its staff and faculty to continue helping our students while helping those of us who are also making a living here at NYFA. Moving NYFA forward is quite the honor to be a part of. I am fully aware of what the school was then when I started in 2009, and where it is now, 2025. But I am unsure of its longevity. Better is where NYFA must go to succeed. Without our students we have no school, but without a strong and supportive staff and faculty to push it forward, do the work, NYFA will slow to a halt. All at NYFA work hard, believe, and maintain the philosophy and values of a higher level of excellence to continue providing the best education and experience for our students is important. However, it is the value, safety, and worth of the staff and faculty who give so much of their time where I am eager to be a voice in the discussions, listen intently, and knowingly be a part of a hopeful future for our staff and faculty at NYFA LA.