NICOLINO APPLAUSO, PhD
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR (MAIN PROFESSOR)
Dr. Nicolino Applauso is an Italian native speaker (Italian and U.S. citizen) born in Miami, Florida but since he was 6 month-old raised and educated in a small town in the Emilia Romagna region.
He studied at the University of Bologna, Italy and returned to the U.S to attain his PhD in Romance Languages and Literatures (with a Major in Italian and Minor in Spanish) from the University of Oregon, and a Master in Italian Studies at Florida State University. For over twenty years, Dr. Applauso has been teaching innovative courses from elementary to advanced Italian language and literature at all levels in different universities, high schools, middle and elementary schools across the U.S. (in Florida, Oregon, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland) striving to inspire and deepen students’ perspectives on Italian Studies. He is also involved in program building initiatives and has created several Italian language programs in middle and elementary schools as well as community outreach programs in public libraries in different states.
Dr. Applauso is the main professor at the Center and is involved in all aspects of the administration and coordination of the adult and children programs (which combined serve about 250 students annually), recruitment and development, marketing initiatives, as well as fundraising and community outreach throughout Baltimore County, Baltimore, and nationwide. Besides directing the Center he teaches Italian, Spanish and Latin at local public and private universities in Baltimore. He is an active scholar of Italian Studies and has published more than twenty publications, including 2 books, several book chapters, numerous scholarly articles, encyclopedia entries on various topics relating to Italian history, language, literature, ethics, politics, and culture. His research has been published and presented in the U.S., Italy, England, Spain, Germany, Poland, and in the Netherlands.
His two recent books are on Dante and medieval political invective in Italy (2019), and on Dante and satire (2020). He is currently working on a textbook on the history of Italy from WWII to the Coronavirus Pandemic (forthcoming in 2023), and a monograph on the history of Italians in Baltimore and Maryland. He has presented his research at numerous national and international conferences, and is regularly invited to lecture in Italy sponsored by various Italian universities, as well as in public events by invitation from local Italian mayors.
Dr. Applauso is also a certified translator for the General Consulate of Italy in Philadelphia, PA and has assisted numerous clients in gaining Italian citizenship, genealogy studies, as well as obtaining the B1 Language Certificate for Italian Citizenship through marriage.
He studied at the University of Bologna, Italy and returned to the U.S to attain his PhD in Romance Languages and Literatures (with a Major in Italian and Minor in Spanish) from the University of Oregon, and a Master in Italian Studies at Florida State University. For over twenty years, Dr. Applauso has been teaching innovative courses from elementary to advanced Italian language and literature at all levels in different universities, high schools, middle and elementary schools across the U.S. (in Florida, Oregon, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland) striving to inspire and deepen students’ perspectives on Italian Studies. He is also involved in program building initiatives and has created several Italian language programs in middle and elementary schools as well as community outreach programs in public libraries in different states.
Dr. Applauso is the main professor at the Center and is involved in all aspects of the administration and coordination of the adult and children programs (which combined serve about 250 students annually), recruitment and development, marketing initiatives, as well as fundraising and community outreach throughout Baltimore County, Baltimore, and nationwide. Besides directing the Center he teaches Italian, Spanish and Latin at local public and private universities in Baltimore. He is an active scholar of Italian Studies and has published more than twenty publications, including 2 books, several book chapters, numerous scholarly articles, encyclopedia entries on various topics relating to Italian history, language, literature, ethics, politics, and culture. His research has been published and presented in the U.S., Italy, England, Spain, Germany, Poland, and in the Netherlands.
His two recent books are on Dante and medieval political invective in Italy (2019), and on Dante and satire (2020). He is currently working on a textbook on the history of Italy from WWII to the Coronavirus Pandemic (forthcoming in 2023), and a monograph on the history of Italians in Baltimore and Maryland. He has presented his research at numerous national and international conferences, and is regularly invited to lecture in Italy sponsored by various Italian universities, as well as in public events by invitation from local Italian mayors.
Dr. Applauso is also a certified translator for the General Consulate of Italy in Philadelphia, PA and has assisted numerous clients in gaining Italian citizenship, genealogy studies, as well as obtaining the B1 Language Certificate for Italian Citizenship through marriage.
Recent publications by Prof. Applauso:
Click here to check his most recent book in 2020
JEANNETTE APPLAUSO, PE
CO-DIRECTOR AND MARKETING STRATEGIST
Jeannette Applauso is a Professional Civil Engineer and has a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Loyola University Maryland. Since 2017, she has been assisting the Director by leading marketing initiatives and organizing special events at the Applauso Italian Learning Center, as well as managing the finances and accounting. Jeannette enjoys serving the community and spending time with her family around the dinner table.
LYLA KLINE
ASSISTANT COORDINATOR FOR EVENT PLANNING
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Lyla Kline has a fascination for the Italian culture and graduated with a B.A. in Italian and Fine Arts (with a minor in Communication) at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. During her spring semester freshman year, despite the global pandemic, Lyla signed up for a Study Abroad program in Italy and moved to Florence in January 2022 for three months. While in Italy she traveled and contributed to the local community by donating one of her paintings in a Florentine café.
In Mount St. Mary's University, she served as Vice President of the Italian club and created Italian themed events while managing the Italian club social media account. She is currently an art teacher in the Archdiocese of Baltimore where she leads an Italian club there.
Lyla started working for Applauso Italian Learning Center in September 2024 and assisted the Director and Co-director in setting up and organizing several events held at the Applauso Italian Learning Center. This experience has allowed her to continue to follow her passions as well as learn and grow.
A fun fact about Lyla is that she loves anything Snoopy. She loves to wear, watch, and draw this infamous dog whenever she gets the chance to. Another fun fact is that Lyla loves to make, eat, and breathe pizzelles. If you are lucky enough, you might get the opportunity to indulge in one of these scrumptious treats of Lyla’s.
In Mount St. Mary's University, she served as Vice President of the Italian club and created Italian themed events while managing the Italian club social media account. She is currently an art teacher in the Archdiocese of Baltimore where she leads an Italian club there.
Lyla started working for Applauso Italian Learning Center in September 2024 and assisted the Director and Co-director in setting up and organizing several events held at the Applauso Italian Learning Center. This experience has allowed her to continue to follow her passions as well as learn and grow.
A fun fact about Lyla is that she loves anything Snoopy. She loves to wear, watch, and draw this infamous dog whenever she gets the chance to. Another fun fact is that Lyla loves to make, eat, and breathe pizzelles. If you are lucky enough, you might get the opportunity to indulge in one of these scrumptious treats of Lyla’s.
AGATA MEUTI, MA
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INSTRUCTOR OF ITALIAN
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Agata is originally from the province of Rome, but she spent the last 10 years living in Milano.
She holds a university degree in Humanities at La Sapienza University of Rome and a Master degree in History and Culture of Food from the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum).
She started to assist Prof. Applauso at the Applauso learning Center since November 2024. Starting from January 2025, she is currently teaching an intermediate Italian language course. She is very passionate about Italian language and culture, traveling around the world, and everything about wine and food.
She holds a university degree in Humanities at La Sapienza University of Rome and a Master degree in History and Culture of Food from the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum).
She started to assist Prof. Applauso at the Applauso learning Center since November 2024. Starting from January 2025, she is currently teaching an intermediate Italian language course. She is very passionate about Italian language and culture, traveling around the world, and everything about wine and food.
VIVIANA MILAZZO, MA
INSTRUCTOR OF ITALIAN
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Viviana Milazzo (Master of Arts in TESOL, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) has taught a wide range of courses from beginner to intermediate Italian level courses in New York City and has been involved in presenting workshops incorporating technology in the foreign language classroom. Since August 2020, she has been providing virtual synchronous as well as in-person instruction at the Applauso Italian Learning Center in Cockeysville, MD. Ms. Milazzo enjoys teaching grammar and exposing the rich culture of Italy to students. During her free time, she enjoys yoga, jogging, and reading books.
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RUBY LARYEA
ASSISTANT TRANSLATOR
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Ruby Laryea (Au Pair, Childcare Assistant, and Language Specialist) is a Ghanaian citizen who is also an Italian permanent resident.
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ANTONIO APPLAUSO
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR OF ITALIAN
Antonio Applauso has been speaking Italian since childhood. He recently completed the Advancement Placement (AP) Exam in Italian Language and Culture (Score 4/5: "Well-qualified").
He is an Assistant instructor of Italian at the Applauso Italian Leaning Center since 2018. He assists the director in teaching the STEAM children classes as well as the family classes. Antonio also serves as a guest speaker in the adult classes both online and in person organizing and presenting various workshops on Italian art, engineering, and architecture. In his spare time he likes reading, writing, and has specialized training in carpentry.
He is an Assistant instructor of Italian at the Applauso Italian Leaning Center since 2018. He assists the director in teaching the STEAM children classes as well as the family classes. Antonio also serves as a guest speaker in the adult classes both online and in person organizing and presenting various workshops on Italian art, engineering, and architecture. In his spare time he likes reading, writing, and has specialized training in carpentry.
SHERRI MARDER
VOLUNTEER OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Sherri retired from Baltimore County Public Schools after many years as an elementary school teacher and counselor. For the past several years she has been a student of Italian and has experienced first-hand the benefits of learning a foreign language. Her study of the Italian language and culture has inspired her to make yearly trips to Italy.
Sherri has served as the Chairman of the Italian STEAM program at Mays Chapel Elementary School since its inception in May 2019. She is involved with the financial and accounting aspects of the STEAM after school program, which is part of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks. As a Cockeysville Recreation Office volunteer member, she also manages all budgetary reports of the program in the Baltimore County Recreational Council.
Sherri has served as the Chairman of the Italian STEAM program at Mays Chapel Elementary School since its inception in May 2019. She is involved with the financial and accounting aspects of the STEAM after school program, which is part of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks. As a Cockeysville Recreation Office volunteer member, she also manages all budgetary reports of the program in the Baltimore County Recreational Council.
LEA PULITI, MA
VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT FOR CHILDREN CLASSES
With a background in elementary education (Master of Arts in International Education, Cross Cultural Exchange and Training), and a passion for public service in the community, Lea has volunteered for the Catholic Relief Services, Esperanza Center, and participated in various initiatives for teaching languages (such as English as a Second Language classes and Italian lessons for children). Her interest in the Italian language and culture is a result of her many trips to Italy to visit family and friends.
Since December 2019, Lea has assisted the Applauso Italian Learning Center by volunteering for the STEAM children classes both at the Cockeysville Center and at Mays Chapel Elementary school, assisting by organizing vocabulary building activities, as well as grammar practice, and various scientific experiments, and mathematical games and exercises. The age of the children in our STEAM program ranges from 5 to 12 years old.
Since December 2019, Lea has assisted the Applauso Italian Learning Center by volunteering for the STEAM children classes both at the Cockeysville Center and at Mays Chapel Elementary school, assisting by organizing vocabulary building activities, as well as grammar practice, and various scientific experiments, and mathematical games and exercises. The age of the children in our STEAM program ranges from 5 to 12 years old.