Staff Profiles

Randy Au, Ceramics Instructor
Randy Au currently serves as assistant director of the Orange County High School of the Arts Visual Arts Conservatory. He also serves on the conservatory’s faculty, teaching ceramics. Au holds a bachelor’s degree in fine art from California State University, Fullerton, where he studied under the advisement of Jerry Rothman and John Stokesbury. Additionally, he has studied at Biola University with Grant Logan, and University of California, Irvine with Gifford Myers. Au has maintained a studio since 1987 and has been a full-time practicing studio artist since 1992.

Au’s work has been awarded a Gold Medal in the “Discovery Award 1993” for Craft in California. It has also been featured at the “New Artist Tea Party” show; Ferrin Gallery in Northampton, Massachusetts; Pacific Craft Show; Orange County Museum of Art; and the invitational exhibition at the prestigious “DinnerWorks” show for the Louisville Kentucky Visual Arts Association. Au’s artwork has also been included on the “Modern Masters” series of the Carol Duvall Show on Home and Garden Television.

Additionally, his work has been highlighted in a traveling show of Southern California ceramics at the Taipei Cultural Center in Taiwan; at “Tea and Fantasy” at the Alianza Gallery in Boston; and at a featured artist exhibition at the Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro. Au was also an invited exhibiting artist at the Orange County Fair 2005.

Jennifer Remolif, Visual Arts Instructor
Jennifer Remolif currently serves on the Visual Arts Conservatory faculty at the Orange County High School of the Arts, teaching courses in three-dimensional design. She holds a master’s degree and teaching credential from Azusa Pacific University and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with an emphasis in ceramic arts from California State University, Long Beach.

Danica Ristow, Visual Arts Instructor
Danica Ristow currently serves on the Visual Arts Conservatory faculty at the Orange County High School of the Arts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art from California State University, Humboldt and master’s degree in painting from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). Originally from northern California, Ristow has also studied art at California State University, Sonoma. She was drawn to Southern California because of its contemporary art scene and eclectic culture. While participating in graduate studies at CSUF, Ristow opened her own studio at the Grand Central Art Center in the Artists Village located in downtown Santa Ana. Ristow continues to be an active part of the Orange County arts and culture scene by exhibiting her work in local galleries.

Brenda Rodriguez, Dance Instructor
Brenda Rodriguez holds a bachelor's degree in dance from California State University , Fullerton She has been a performer at the Disney Theme Parks for more than six years in various parades and shows such as Eureka ! A California Parade, The Electrical Parade, Grad Night Tour 2004 and Fantasmic! An emerging talent in the dance industry, Rodriguez served as the choreographer and show director for the 2003 national tour for Barbie with Mattel. She has also managed and toured with several special events for Nike, New Balance and Hershey. Her most recent performance engagements include a role as a dancer/actress in the musical staging of “The QUAD Tribute,” a fully-staged musical tribute to The Who’s Quadrophenia for Luna C Productions. She is currently a stage manger for Guest Talent Programs at Disney and also teaches jazz dance, acting and dance history at the Orange County High School of the Arts.

Christy Stoner, Visual Arts Instructor
Christy Stoner currently serves on the Visual Arts Conservatory faculty at the Orange County High School of the Arts, teaching 3-D design. Stoner also teaches private arts classes in a variety of disciplines. Additionally, she has taught drawing and painting at Hermosa Valley and Acacia Elementary School. Previously, Stoner worked at Mattel Toys where she designed Barbie and other children’s toys. Her favorite project she worked on for Mattel is the one-of-a-kind Polly Pocket replica of Dakota and Elle Fanning which sold for $14,000 at the 2005 Dream Halloween Benefit in support of the Child Affected by Aids Foundation.

Wendy Tobiska, Vocal Instructor
Wendy Tobiska began performing professionally in musical theater at the age of 17. She has performed in coveted roles such as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl,” for which she was nominated for the prestigious Irene Ryan Award; Mona Kent in “Dames at Sea” at Downey CLO, for which she was nominated as a Robby Award for Best Actress; Tzietel in “Fiddler on the Roof;” and Aldonza in “Man of La Mancha.” Tobiska has performed with many musical groups throughout California , including lead vocals in several Top 40, Rock, and R&B groups. She was a featured solo artist on the NBC-TV special “Performance” hosted by Peter Marshall, and has recorded studio work with arranger Jimmy Haskell. Most recently, she appeared as Jimmy's Mom in the world premiere production of "Quad," a fully-staged musical tribute to The Who's "Quadrophenia". Tobiska currently serves on the Music and Theatre Conservatory and Integrated Arts Conservatory faculty at the Orange County High School of the Arts. She is also a production assistant for the Music and Theatre Conservatory. Tobiska taught Kindermusik, Gymboree Play, and music classes for 13 years and served as a private voice and performance coach. Additionally, she is a drama faculty member for the Pacific Symphony’s Arts X-Press program and serves as outreach coordinator for the Santa Ana College Theatre Arts Department.