.png)
Event Committee Members
Prof. Arthur Wang (event chair)
Dr. Wenyan Wang
Julie Chou
Brain Jiang
Dr. YZ (Yingchao) Zhang
Jaclyn Lee
Grace Ren
Nimo Ren
Angelina Xi
Ryan Zhao
Wayne Xiao
We're truly grateful for the generosity of our sponsor, Mark Qi, and the fantastic collaboration with New Stone Age Band, the #1 NJ community band, and Heal4Music, a talented student musician group and our Keynote speaker Sunil Robert. Their support is invaluable to us!
2022 Recap
2023 Recap
Watch the recap!
.png)
What is Master Class?
Masterclass is a conference that brings together expert rhetoricians and young uprising speakers in a long seminar. Our program will spotlight select young students to give their own formal and informal speeches with direct feedback straight from the masters. Other students will get the chance to evaluate the masters themselves and be able to take away valuable information about public speaking and how to give an effective oration. Masterclass is a great opportunity for both attendees and students to learn and improve their elocution.
Our Vision
Our vision for Master Class 2023 is to make new leaders. We want to encourage a new generation of public speakers through a friendly mentor-student environment, one that can be made available to everyone. By moving to a virtual setting, we are looking forward to expanding our audience and increasing the diversity of our participants.
VIP Speakers
Brielle Caruso
Brielle Caruso, a trailblazer in the spirits industry, boasts over 17 years of expertise in brand management and global marketing. As the groundbreaking Chief Marketing Officer of Uncle Nearest Inc., she made history as the first Female Asian-American CMO in American Wine and Spirits. Her strategic brilliance revitalized the SelvaRey Rum Portfolio, driving unprecedented growth and bringing Bruno Mars' creative vision to life. Brielle's exceptional career also includes leading award-winning campaigns for Hennessy Cognac and successfully launching renowned spirits like Belvedere Vodka and Casamigos Tequila. A certified Life/Career Coach, Brielle is passionate about building strong teams and cherishes her personal hobbies of entertaining, travel, and writing.
Professor Wallace Ford II
Professor Wallace Ford II: A visionary driving change at Medgar Evers College, CUNY, and Columbia University. A trailblazer with vast expertise in banking and law, advising NY State and NYC on crucial matters. From Counsel to the NY State Assembly Committee on Banking to President of NY Mortgage Agency, his influence in the financial realm is unmatched. As an international corporate attorney, he navigates complex deals with finesse. A captivating voice on major news channels, resonating with the NextGen worldwide. Harlem-born, globally educated at Dartmouth and Harvard Law. Thriving in Harlem, he empowers the NextGen to lead purposefully and impactfully.
Mario Lewis
Mario Lewis, DTM, is an award-winning, energetic speaker, and presentation coach, who provides audiences and individuals with motivational messages and strategies to become powerful and dynamic communicators. He delivers high-powered talks at leadership conferences, and corporate events that teach people how to CONNECT with their audiences to make their message memorable. As a finalist in the Toastmasters’ 2012 World Championship of Public Speaking (and a semi-finalist in 2017, 2018, and 2020), the largest public speaking contest in the world, Mario has demonstrated the unique ability to engage audiences of all sizes and backgrounds.
Kaila J. Lim
Kaila is a versatile writer and communicator, known for her captivating storytelling and deep, reflective observations. With a passion for public speaking and connecting, she has led a sales training and community career at unicorn tech startups in New York, California, and Seoul where she has leveraged her expertise to make positive impacts on the businesses and their cultures. As a Toastmaster for over 10 years, Kaila honed her public speaking and leadership skills, inspiring others through her engaging speeches and winning competitions. Through her writing and poetry, she shares life experiences on self-improvement, mindfulness, and creativity, guiding her readers on a transformative journey of deeper self-discovery. You can subscribe to her newsletter on her website or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Sunil Robert
Sunil Robert Vuppula, a TEDx Speaker, a Youth Champion, and a global executive with a 25-year career, has worked in esteemed companies like Eureka Forbes, Acer, iflex/Oracle, and TCS across India, Europe, and North America. Known for his brand-building skills, Sunil is a writer, motivational speaker, and leadership coach changing the world through effective communication. His bestselling debut work, ‘I Will Survive’, endorsed by leaders like Ratan Tata, and his second book, ‘Bound To Rise,’ recommended by Anand Mahindra and others, showcase his inspiring storytelling. He was recently honored with the Rex Karmaveer Global Fellowship award for efforts to inspire India’s youth.
Marc Williams
Marc Williams is a finalist from the World Championship of Public Speaking, coach, author, TEDx Speaker, and entrepreneur. Growing up in the streets of Brooklyn, he lived in poverty but dreamed in abundance. Despite the trials and trauma he’s been through, he’s known as “one of the most positive people you will ever meet.” As the founder of the Make Your Mark Movement, a personal development and public speaking program, Marc empowers leaders to rise beyond limitations, make their marks, and express themselves in a compelling way to greatly influence their communities and world around them.
Masterminds
Beverly Howard
Beverly Howard is a public speaking and presentation skills expert, empowering professionals to deliver impactful presentations. With lively worshops, seminars, and customized coaching, she helps executives, business owners, and individuals exude confidence and charisma on stage. Her talks inspire and motivate audiences to take action. Beverly is a Certified World Class Speaking Coah and an international best-selling author with the book, Put Me in Coach: Top Strategies for the Game of Life and Business. With nearly 25 years in Toastmasters International, she is a leader, mentor, and Distinguished Toastmaster--the highest level of achievement.
Dorcas Jegede
_edited.jpg)
Dorcas Jegede is an experienced program manager, mentor, and prolific communicator. Starting in high school, she represented her school in speaking competitions and on national television. Discovering Toastmaster International elevated her speaking proficiency and leadership skills. With a passion for children, teenagers, and youth, she has dedicated over three decades to this ministry. Dorcus launched “GurlzTalk,” a nonprofit organization empowering young girls to discover their uniqueness and become change agents. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, volunteering, singing, and playing the guitar.
Charnette M. Lewis
Charnette M. Lewis, DTM/PM5/SR5, is an accomplished speech coach, mentor, and executive committee member in multiple Toastmasters clubs, including MINY Toastmasters, Verbal Assassin, and Impact21, and has over 30 years of experience as a Distinguished Toastmaster. She dedicates her time to mentoring CUNY students and serving as an executive board member at Image Impact International. Additionally, she is the author of “Time Out 4 ME” and is a passionate advocate for disability awareness. Charnette has participated as a panelist and speaker at the John Jay CUNY Accessibility Conference.
Neulessa Major
Neulessa Lundy-Major is a dedicated professional with over 31 years of experience in educating young people. She holds a degree and Teaching Certificate from The College of the Bahamas and is a certified Ministry of Tourism Bahama Host Graduate. As the Owner and Administrator of the Effective Learning After School Care Program, she currently serves at The Central Abaco Primary School in the Bahamas. Neulessa is passionate about teaching, viewing it as a calling to fulfill her purpose. She is a Toastmaster, Division Director, and has received recognition for her community contributions.
Yingchao Zhang
Dr. Yingchao “YZ” Zhang, former councilman of West Windsor Township, is a visionary leader. With a background as a high-energy physicist from Stony Brook University, he has 25 years of experience in the IT industry. Now, he is a partner in an AI startup, utilizing his extensive network in technology sales. In addition, he's a self-taught passionate musician and has been performing one-man-band in the community for the past 15 years.
Meet our Youth Speakers
Steven Ambrister
Steven Ambrister is a college sophomore who has had many encounters with the Toastmasters clubs of the Bahamas. He is a young man with many God given talents which include but are not limited to speaking. He wishes to spread mental health awareness through his words and inspire others to do the same.
Ruyi Lin
_edited.jpg)
Ruyi Lin is a rising 7th grader at TE Middle School. She has no prior experience in speeches, and is working on being more confident and expressive when public speaking. She loves to draw, read, cook and raise chickens during her free time.
Helen Yu
Helen Yu is a rising freshman at Princeton High School. She loves helping others and expressing her opinions. She enjoys public speaking as well as debate. In her free time, you can often find her reading, running, or talking with friends.
Sophia Ji
Sophia Ji is a rising seventh grader going to Montgomery Upper Middle School. She started Toastmasters online when she was in fourth grade. She plays tennis, but also likes to sing, dance, and act. She especially likes snacking on marshmallows.
Alina Ji
Alina Ji is a 12 year old who is a rising seventh grader at Montgomery Upper Middle School. She likes to run and play cello. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and has done Toastmasters for one year and this is her first time attending a Toastmasters event!
Andrew Ikemoto
Andrew Ikemoto is a rising Senior at John P Stevens High School. He enjoys playing cello and eating. He has little public speaking experience but through Masterclass 2023 he hopes to become a skilled and versatile public speaker. Andrew is dedicated to doing his best in everything.
Sean Chen
Sean Chen will be going into 7th grade in September. He attends Bernardsville Middle School and enjoys every subject. Outside of school, he enjoys painting, playing piano, and playing tennis. His main on-stage experience was his school play. The play was Jungle Book and he got the main character Mowgli. There, he acted, sang, and had fun.
Ryan Zhao
Ryan Zhao is a sophomore at Ridge High School. He spends the majority of his time pursuing his passions in chemistry and basketball, but he also makes sure to dedicate some time to his friends and family. He dreams of using public speaking to leave a lasting positive impact on his audience and the world.