Notable Alumni

Zakiyah Dalila Harris

2010 Hamden High School Graduate ZAKIYAH DALILA HARRIS is a Brooklyn-based author with a passion for writing (and talking) about Blackness, books, and oldies music. After graduating from HHS, she received her MFA in nonfiction creative writing from the New School and her BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her debut novel, THE OTHER BLACK GIRL, was released on June 1, 2021 by Atria Books in the U.S. in June 2021, Bloomsbury in the U.K., and elsewhere around the world. A TV adaptation is currently in active development with Tara Duncan, Temple Hill Entertainment, and Hulu. We are so proud of this outstanding alum! Be sure to get a copy of her novel!

Linedy Genao

2009 Hamden High School Graduate LINEDY GENAO is a professional actress and singer.  Linedy is currently appearing in the National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen.  She appeared on Broadway in On Your Feet playing the lead role of Gloria Estefan at more than 75 performances.  She has also appeared in In The Heights and West Side Story.  At Hamden High, she portrayed The Witch in Into The Woods, Lola in Damn Yankees, Esther in To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday and Smitty in How To Succeed.  We are very proud of this distinguished alum!

Rebecca Nathanson

Rebecca Nathanson is a nationally recognized opera singer and entrepreneur.  She has sung leading roles at Santa Fe Opera, Center For Contemporary Opera, Royal Opera House Muscat, and LA Opera.  At Hamden High, Rebecca was heavily involved in both the theatre and music programs.  Recently, she held a master class for students in our choral program.  Thanks for giving back, Rebecca!

Aisha Harris

2005 Hamden High School Graduate AISHA HARRIS is a cultural editor at the Opinion Desk at The New York Times. She also co-hosts The NPR Podcast, "The Pop Culture Happy Hour".  Previously she was a culture writer and editor for Slate and host of the film and TV podcast "Represent." She earned her bachelor's degree in theater from Northwestern University and her master's degree in cinema studies from New York University.  At Hamden High, she was very involved in the theatre program, appearing as June Stanley in The Man Who Came To Dinner, and major roles in Much Ado About NothingWest Side Story, and Kiss Me Kate.  We couldn't be prouder of Aisha!

Blessing Offor

2007 HHS Graduate BLESSING OFFOR is an incredibly gifted singer-songwriter and musician.  He was born with no vision in one eye and limited vision in the other but completely lost his sight by age 11.  He appeared as a contestant on NBC's The Voice in 2014, coached by Pharrell Williams.  He was very active in the music program at Hamden High and even returned as a guest star alumnus in the Mainstage Ensemble production of Grease.  Always generous with his time and talent, Blessing headlined the Hamden Education Foundation benefits The Voice of Hamden (I and II) thrilling audiences and the contestants each year.  He has performed at The Kennedy Center and opened for such big name artists as The Temptations and Tower of Power.  He continues to write songs and perform around the country. 

Yekaterina Satanina

Yekaterina Satanina graduated at the top of her class at Hamden High School.  She went on to study Film and Animation, and Computer Science at Rochester Institute of Technology.  She has worked for Pixar Studios and Whiskytree and currently works as a freelance artist specializing in set dressing and prop creation.  At Hamden High School, she was an award-winning visual artist, and she designed the posters for the theatre department.  A fine actress as well, Yekaterina shined in all of the arts during her time in Hamden.  We wish her the best as her career takes off!

Ray DiMattis

Hamden High Alum Ray DiMattis has made a lifetime career as a professional actor.  Ray was in the original Broadway cast of GREASE in 1972 playing the role of Roger alongside such unknown actors as John Travolta, Barry Bostwick, Adrienne Barbeau and Jeff Conway.  Also on Broadway, Ray has performed in Zora's Apartment, Little Shop of Horrors and City of Angels.  On screen, Ray appeared in Law and Order:  Criminal Intent, The Sopranos and The Cosby Show.  Ray was so gracious to attend HHS's production of Grease a few years ago and "hung out" with the cast after the show.  He is a Hamden Distinguished Alumni award winner and a role model for our theatre students that you CAN make a career in theatre!  Well done, Ray!