ASSOCIATE EDUCATORS with New England Wine Academy
New England Wine Academy is very pleased to have the resources of top wine, spirits, and beer professionals to teach and guide our student candidates through the various offerings and programs.
SUSANNAH MARCHESE
Susannah comes to the world of spirits from an unlikely path.
Having had a long career in dance, one that took her all around the world and back to Broadway, the spirits industry has become her passion.
As part of her current position as Tasting Room Manager and Event Coordinator for The Hartford Flavor Company, in Hartford, Connecticut, Susannah takes deep dives into cocktail creation, menu development, team management, and customer relations. She enjoys running tasting tables, giving tours, and heading up mixology events, all to promote her love for the Hartford Flavor line of spirits, but also to share her knowledge.
For education, Susannah is proud to have completed all three levels of the WSET Spirit awards through New England Wine Academy, and is excited to be teaching WSET Spirits Level 1 for the New England Wine Academy.
Having had a long career in dance, one that took her all around the world and back to Broadway, the spirits industry has become her passion.
As part of her current position as Tasting Room Manager and Event Coordinator for The Hartford Flavor Company, in Hartford, Connecticut, Susannah takes deep dives into cocktail creation, menu development, team management, and customer relations. She enjoys running tasting tables, giving tours, and heading up mixology events, all to promote her love for the Hartford Flavor line of spirits, but also to share her knowledge.
For education, Susannah is proud to have completed all three levels of the WSET Spirit awards through New England Wine Academy, and is excited to be teaching WSET Spirits Level 1 for the New England Wine Academy.
ELAYNE DUFF
I first met Elayne about 10 years ago when she was with Diageo and came to help me with some top-level staff training for our bars. Her experience and enthusiasm was/is absolutely fantastic and gave energy and motivation to my entire staff. We have reconnected through WSET to offer a series of qualification courses in New York City, where Elayne is based. Her knowledge and drive are unparalleled and the opportunity to work and learn from someone at this level is huge for any one in or considering being in the drinks industry.
Elayne Duff is an accomplished professional with more than 15 years within the beverage and alcohol industry. She has a solid track record of developing and implementing successful programs to drive brand growth, advocacy and customer/trade loyalty for brands such as Cîroc Vodka, Tanqueray Ten, Bulleit Bourbon & Don Julio Tequila. Within her global role for AB InBev, she created a groundbreaking sales strategy for selling craft beer within the unchartered territory of fine dining in addition to the global training strategy for over 1,500 AB InBev restaurant employees across five continents. In the United States, she is widely recognized by distributers, trade and consumers alike for delivering highly entertaining and interactive training programs, celebrity brand partnerships, on-trade brand building events, as well as being an award-winning luxury brand ambassador, mixologist & educator.
"Elayne is an absolute joy to watch working; her energy and enthusiasm is unrivaled," says Sean Muldoon, Dead Rabbit. "She is well-liked and highly respected by all who know her and is one of my favorite people in the entire industry."
"I have known and worked with Elayne for more than 15 years, having witnessed her Brand Ambassador career, first hand. Elayne is not only one of the best brand presenters that I know, but she is an industry leading trainer, educator and mentor. She presents with an unmatched energy and passion and has the inherent ability to connect with trainees of all skill levels. I have the highest regard for Elayne and the utmost confidence in her abilities." Tony Bagnulo owner of Bullrush Gin
Elayne Duff is an accomplished professional with more than 15 years within the beverage and alcohol industry. She has a solid track record of developing and implementing successful programs to drive brand growth, advocacy and customer/trade loyalty for brands such as Cîroc Vodka, Tanqueray Ten, Bulleit Bourbon & Don Julio Tequila. Within her global role for AB InBev, she created a groundbreaking sales strategy for selling craft beer within the unchartered territory of fine dining in addition to the global training strategy for over 1,500 AB InBev restaurant employees across five continents. In the United States, she is widely recognized by distributers, trade and consumers alike for delivering highly entertaining and interactive training programs, celebrity brand partnerships, on-trade brand building events, as well as being an award-winning luxury brand ambassador, mixologist & educator.
"Elayne is an absolute joy to watch working; her energy and enthusiasm is unrivaled," says Sean Muldoon, Dead Rabbit. "She is well-liked and highly respected by all who know her and is one of my favorite people in the entire industry."
"I have known and worked with Elayne for more than 15 years, having witnessed her Brand Ambassador career, first hand. Elayne is not only one of the best brand presenters that I know, but she is an industry leading trainer, educator and mentor. She presents with an unmatched energy and passion and has the inherent ability to connect with trainees of all skill levels. I have the highest regard for Elayne and the utmost confidence in her abilities." Tony Bagnulo owner of Bullrush Gin
DEBORAH BAZZANO-BANHOS
For over 15 years Deborah has dedicated herself to studying wine, exploring wine regions around the world and working in all facets of the business. She has worked abroad in wineries both in Chile and South Africa, where she performed a wide range of tasks in viticulture and production.
Thereafter Deborah worked in distribution and importing in the tri-state area including New York City where she represented prestigious brands from key regions such as France, Italy, Spain and California. Over the years she has had the privilege of visiting many producers around the globe in North/South America, Europe, Africa and Australia.
Deborah holds a degree from the University of Connecticut in Communications with a focus on Italian Cultural Studies, and she is fluent in Italian and Portuguese. Additionally, she has earned an Advanced Certificate with Distinction and a Wine Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Deborah has also been certified as a Spanish Wine and Sherry Specialist by the Wine Academy of Spain.
NEWA Educational Focus - Deb is spearheading a focus on regional and category specific Academy classes, developing PRO-level courses, as well as the more advanced WSET hybrid classes.
Thereafter Deborah worked in distribution and importing in the tri-state area including New York City where she represented prestigious brands from key regions such as France, Italy, Spain and California. Over the years she has had the privilege of visiting many producers around the globe in North/South America, Europe, Africa and Australia.
Deborah holds a degree from the University of Connecticut in Communications with a focus on Italian Cultural Studies, and she is fluent in Italian and Portuguese. Additionally, she has earned an Advanced Certificate with Distinction and a Wine Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Deborah has also been certified as a Spanish Wine and Sherry Specialist by the Wine Academy of Spain.
NEWA Educational Focus - Deb is spearheading a focus on regional and category specific Academy classes, developing PRO-level courses, as well as the more advanced WSET hybrid classes.
