About Alma Mentors
Who We Are
Alma Mentors formed out of our combined skill set and professional experiences in academia and the arts, our both having enjoyed careers as successful professional actors -- receiving standout reviews while starring alongside veterans and winning awards, and working consistently in an extremely competitive field of the performing arts.
Zina and Ben creatively cover many angles of approaching professional preparedness & performance - not only as actors, but in helping young adults working through coursework and standardized testing to college interviews, job interviews, and beyond.
We believe young artist-academics are the future. Those who can support themselves by way of academic and professional excellence distinguish themselves as leaders in both areas. We look forward to working with you to help develop the next generation of creative professionals!
Zina Ellis
Zina is a third-generation educator and creative multihyphenate from western Illinois. She was a YoungArts Winner and National Achievement Scholar and graduated from Yale University with a degree in Theater Studies with Distinction in the Major. As a performer, she has toured the United States and the world with multiple vocal ensembles, in addition to playing the Fairy Godmother on the national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. In addition to many years of tutoring experience, she holds a certificate in College Advisement from Columbia Teachers College.
Ben Edelman
Ben grew up the son of a doctor and a lawyer in the Philadelphia suburbs. He attended Carnegie Mellon University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Theatre. Ben has since become a successful professional actor having won Obie and Dorothy London Awards for Josh Harmon’s Admissions as well as being a two time nominee for the Drama Desk. He has been tutoring for over a decade and along with specializing in working with students in the arts, he specializes in working with student-athletes.
