Sarah Altmeyer (Ceramics) has been born and raised in Falls Church, VA. She is a graduate of Marshall University located in Huntington, West Virginia. Sarah majored in Journalism/Public Relations and minored in Studio Arts with an emphasis in wheel- thrown pottery. She organized the initial “Empty Bowls” campaign at Marshall University in which ceramic bowls are made and sold by students to raise money for the homeless. This program is nationally recognized and is now in its fourth year of fundraising. Sarah is currently an Executive Assistant at a Washington DC consulting firm but has also had experience as a swimming instructor and as a substitute teacher. She has been studying pottery for 10 years and showcased her work in various art shows.
Flo Anito (Music) Classically trained in voice, piano, and cello, Flo Anito began her singer/songwriter career at age 16 when she got her hands on her first guitar. Already rewarded for her musicality with All-State recognition and roles in Summer-stock theatre, songwriting came naturally to this young talent who has quickly proved herself a prolific writer of thought provoking alternative folk/pop songs. Since her recent graduation from Wesleyan University in Connecticut with a BA in Music, Flo has been performing and selling her debut cd in venues across New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. Her lively performance style, along with her powerful voice and candid lyrics make her a force to be reckoned with in the future so... look out!
Josh Arvizu (Music Appreciation)
Nana Ama Bentsi-Enchill (Visual Arts)
A Washington D.C. born, native of Ghana, Ama is an artist devoted to traditional and community arts. Ama has worked with Atlanta-based Alternate ROOTS and Art Around/Kohala Community Art Center in Hawaii. In Atlanta, Ama co-created projects including, “The Womb Room” a community open mic series, P.E.A.C.E (Promoting Environments for Arts and Cultural Expression) workshop for the city’s Youth Summer Recreational program. She additionally produced “Talk Story, Open Mic”, “Asé at Art Around” and served as a visiting Art teacher and “Talk storyteller” at Kohala Elementary School on Big Island, Hawaii.
Ama’s creative exploration led her to guitar, poetry, painting and mixed media works. Some of her art can found at http://oceanfire.ecrater.com.
John Aaron Blanchette (Dance) has been dancing in the DC Metro area for 14 years. During that time he has taught ballroom and Latin dance to adults and children at local studios, in private homes, and at numerous social functions. Mr. Blanchette is an accredited dance professional through the North American Dance Teachers Association, and has experience as a successful Pro/Am dance coach and competitor.
Amy K Bormet (Voice, Piano) is a versatile jazz pianist and vocalist who recently returned
to Washington, DC after graduating from the University of Michigan with a
BFA in Jazz Studies/Piano Performance, where she studied with Geri Allen and
Ellen Rowe. Amy previously graduated from the Duke Ellington School of the
Arts, where she performed in legendary D.C. saxophonist Davey Yarborough's
New Washingtonians Jazz Orchestra. Amy's infectious voice and keys have
appeared everywhere you can find jazz, from the White House to local jazz
bars. In addition to playing her own original works, Amy's jazz trio brings
a youthful interpretation to jazz standards, including those by Nina Simone,
Nancy Wilson, and Frank Sinatra. Among Amy's influences are Cassandra
Wilson, Shirley Horn, and Nat King Cole.
Alan Braley (Visual Art), former art director, illustrator, advertising consultant,
and designer, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with
a BFA in Applied Arts and also studied at the Art Academy. He
is a national award-winning artist and designer. Alan and his
wife, Claire, are the owners of The Village Gallery on Capitol
Hill. For more information on Alan, visit www.braleyart.com.
Virginia Bramante (Digital Arts) A southern transplant, Virginia graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies specializing in International Relations, Economics and Business Administration. Virginia began her career on Capitol Hill teaching computer skills to Members of Congress and their staff. Leaving the political world to follow her passion in the horse industry, she spent several years in public relations and marketing working for a magazine, a trade association and a nonprofit group before transferring those skills to the communication medium of the Internet. Virginia has consulted on web development and production in the areas of design, content and e-commerce for Cable in the Classroom, the FEC, and various grassroots organizations.
Joy Bridy (Ceramics) is an effervescent clay artist living in the Eastern Market area of Washington, DC. With a BA in Studio Art (photography, ceramics) from Indiana University, IN, as a springboard, she has carved out the rest of her education from hard work and an inquisitive spirit. In rural PA, Joy continued the learning curve as a studio tech for Jack Troy at Juniata College, where she got hooked on teaching. She also visited Haystack Mountain School of Craft as a Technical Assistant, South Korea as part of a month-long Rotary sponsored cultural exchange, and Pottery Northwest, Seattle, as a summer resident. She also travels regularly to fire wood kilns from Maine to Virginia. Since moving to DC, she’s been known to spin clay at DC’s own Eastern Market Pottery, as well as the Lee Arts Center in Arlington, VA. She's a blood hound for opportunity, loves new experiences, seeks out atmospheric firings wherever and whenever possible, and is amazed to find herself firing a suburban smokeless bourry box wood kiln just off the metro in Maryland. For more information on Joy, visit www.joybridy.com.
Mary Ashby Brown (Yoga) received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington D.C. She has conducted workshops with Shiva Rea, Ana Forrest and Darren Main, and is inspired by the flowing, energetic, creative style of vinyasa yoga. Mary Ashby believes that, through linking breath and movement of the body, practicing yoga cultivates strength and confidence, a deeper awareness of the mind-body connection, and above all, an abiding sense of joy in life.
Gabriela Bulisova (Photography)
Jason Bulluck (Sculpture) was born in Chester, PA and raised in Schenectady, NY. BFA from
Howard University additional study at the Corcoran College of Art & Design. His upcoming work is an individual response to the 'team sculptures' and industrial production capacities of groups like
Industrial Light & Magic, Dreamworks and Pixar studios. It is intended, as an emerging body of work, to be the analog of the virtual database. It is the effort to break hegemony through personal narrative and an exploration of the material conditions of my youth.
Chrissi Charba (Visual Arts) graduated from Mary Washington College with a BA in art
history and studio art. She then studied art education at Virginia
Commonwealth University where she devoted much of her time in the
printmaking studios. Following her completion of The Rhode Island
School of Design's MFA program in printmaking, she has worked as a
contract printer, art teacher to middle school students, and laborer
in construction. Presently, she is organizing a non-profit for the
donation and installation of art in VA hospitals and centers. She is
the happy owner of a printing press, which she enjoys in her own home.
Natalie Cheung (Photography)
is a photographer who lives in Falls Church, Virginia, and has been working primarily in traditional black and white photography for the past seven years. In the Spring of 2008 she will have of completed a BFA in Photography from the Corcoran College of Art and Design. Her work has appeared in many group and juried shows in DC and Virginia. For more information about Natalie and her work please visit http://nataliecheung.blogspot.com/.
Gina Clapp (Visual Arts) has a BA from Boston University, an MPA from the
Maxwell School at Syracuse University and has studied drawing
and watercolor at the Corcoran School of Art. She has gallery
representation locally and in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Her work
is included in numerous permanent collections, including those
of the Georgetown University Medical Center, the National Institutes
of Health, and Verizon, as well as private holdings in the United
States, Europe, and Asia. She has taught adult classes at the
Workshop for 15 years.
Michelle Cohen (Yoga)
Amy Conley (Cabaret) is currently serving as Music Director for “Godspell” at the Atlas Theatre in February 2008, and recently served as music director for St. Mark’s Players’ “Jesus Christ Superstar” and for Foundry Players’ “Company” for which she received a WATCH nomination. She has also served as vocal/music director on a number of productions including “Side by Side by Sondheim,” “Putting it Together,” and “No, No Nanette”. Amy has appeared in many local productions including “One Touch of Venus” (The American Century Theatre), “The Last 5 Years” (Foundry Players), “Cabaret” (Little Theatre of Alexandria – WATCH nomination), and “Kiss Me, Kate” (The Arlington Players – WATCH nomination). Amy has been a voice coach and piano instructor for 18 years and is currently the Music Director at Celebration Center of Religious Science in Falls Church.
Brian Costner
(Ceramics, Fused Glass) has been working in ceramics and
glass for more than five years. A central theme of his work is our
relationship with our environment. This manifests, in part, through a
fascination with developing handcrafted items for everyday use and
enjoyment. Brian sells work locally, and he regularly exhibits in Capitol
Hill Art League shows, where he has won several awards. In recent years,
he has studied with several nationally-recognized glass artists, including
some of the founders of modern fusing. He has worked as a professional
photographer and in print and web design.
Ellen Cornett (Visual Art) holds a B.A.
in Fine Arts from the University of Maryland where her concentration
was in printmaking. Though she spent several years painting, most
recently she has been in working with watercolor, pastel and charcoal
on paper. She has exhibited in juried shows in Colorado and Wyoming
as well as the Washington, D.C. area. She is a frequent exhibitor
in Capitol Hill Art League shows, and her work is held in several
private collections. She is a graphic designer and illustrator
withclients throughout the U.S., and serves as the chair of the steering committee
for the Capitol Hill Art League.
Kathy Detwiler (Piano) is a graduate of the Catholic University of America with a Master's degree in piano performance. She has been an accompanist for the Bethesda Summer Arts music Festival for the past 2 years and plays weekly at St Matthew's Cathedral. She has been a soloist with the American Liszt Festival where she performed on the Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage and has been invited to perform the Tchaikovsky piano Concerto No. 1 with the Gardner-Webb University Orchestra in North Carolina this fall.
Matthew Dievendorf (Guitar) Matt, a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, is a professional guitarist with a broad range of teaching and performance expertise, ranging from classical to contemporary styles. Matt served in the U.S. Marine Band as a guitarist for four years. He performs professionally with both jazz and rock bands and has taught guitar to school-aged students in Ann Arbor and Washington, DC.
Nancy Donnelly (Visusal Arts)
Alison Duvall (Photography) graduated from Syracuse University in 1999 with a BFA in Photography and has lived in the Washington DC area ever since. She currently teaches art at the Parkmont Schooland has taught at the National Cathedral School, River School and Corcoran School of Art and Design’s Camp Creativity. She is also a freelance photographer with her husband for their company, Anything Photographic. Along with her husband, Pete, they teach workshops and classes for the Art League School, Washington Glass School, and Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery. Vist anythingphoto.net for more information.
David Ensor (Guitar) is a graduate of The University of Virginia where he majored in Theatre Arts. While pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles, he befriended several musicians who gave him guitar and songwriting tutelage in exchange for his carpentry and equipment "toting" skills. David has been playing guitar for over twenty years and continues to work as a professional acoustic rock musican with solo, duo, and trio formations. He's been teaching guitar privately for the past two years, but his teaching career with children and adults stretches back more than twenty years: substitute teaching in L.A. public schools, acting seminars, and tennis lessons. His approach in all teaching situations includes an emphasis on relaxation and concentration. This requires an appreciation for what the student naturally does well and a focus on what he/she needs to improve upon. A classroom should be the safest place for a student to take chances.
David Evelyn (Visual Art)
Karma Foley (Bookmaking) makes books and book forms for all sorts of uses, including journals, photo albums, and boxes. Sometimes things get made just because they're beautiful. In addition to her love of books and papers, Karma also works in traditional black and white photography and alternative and historical photographic processes.
Olivia Harrison
(Knitting) After a life long interest in fiber arts,
I was initiated to knitting in the Spring of 2002. Since then
I have made 4 sweaters, 9 hats, 5 scarves, 1 pair of gloves and
2 baby blankets. I am a passionate possibly addicted knitter and
love sharing my passion with others. When I manage to put down
my needles, I work as an event planner and grassroots organizer.
I can often be found KIPing* at Politics & Prose author talks,
Quizzo games at the Penn Ave Pour House and coffee shops all over
Washington.
*Knitting In Public
Heidi Hess (Dance) As a native of the Pacific Northwest, Heidi began dancing at the age
of four. After experiencing many different styles of dance she came back to her ballet roots. With over 18 years of experience, she has grown to love the art of movement. Upon graduating from the University of Washington with a minor in dance, she moved to the D.C. area and with her came her passions in life and love for teaching.
Michele Hoben (Visual Arts) is a practicing artist, architect, independent curator, and faculty member at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. She is a member of both the Capitol Hill Art League and the Art League in Alexandria. She has studied painting at the University of Michigan, the Art League School, and in workshops throughout the United States and Europe. She works in watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints as well as mixed media, incorporating detailed drawing. Her paintings have won several awards and are in private and corporate collections.
Scott Hunter (Visual Arts) earned his BA from American University here in Washington, DC. He has been a successful papier maché, mixed media artist and instructor for over 12 years. Scott has had numerous art shows in the DC metro area, including juried shows at CHAW, solo shows at local Eastern
Market locations and throughout the region. His corporate commissions have included 10 sculptures called "Busboys & Poets" for a restaurant at 14th & U Streets. Scott's teaching experience includes being the lead arts teacher for Arena Stage's "Camp Arena Stage Summer Camp," - a four week intensive
arts camp sponsored by Arena Stage for children ages 8-15 for the past two years. He has also worked with public and private schools including The British School and Montgomery County public schools. Scott is known for his ability to connect with artists of all ages and help them discover their own
unique artistic talents. More information and images can be found at http://www.tensecat.com.
Philip Hutinet (Digital Arts) a native of Washington DC and a Capitol Hill resident holds a graduate degree in Information Systems from Johns Hopkins University. Currently, Phil consults on network and e-commerce projects for both the public and private sectors. In addition, he teaches Linux and Network Security courses at the Graduate School USDA. An avid artist since childhood, when he is not sitting at a computer terminal, Phil finds himself in front of a canvas painting with oil.
Angela Ingram (Dance) began her dance career at the age of nine studying ballet, jazz, tap, and Hawaiian. Her passion for dance and moment led her to study with Alvin Ailey, Frank Hatchet and Fred Benjamin. Angela is especially attracted to folklore dance and she frequently travels to Brazil and Cuba studying Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban folklore as well as samba and rumba.
Monica F. Jacobe (Creative Writing) is a writer from Washington, DC, who earned an MFA in creative writing at American University with a concentration in creative nonfiction. She is now working on a doctorate in American literature at The Catholic University of America. Monica has taught writing of all kinds at American, Catholic, and the University of Maryland, College Park. Since January 2006, she has been hosting and organizing a literary reading series for emerging DC writers of all genres called A Space Inside and hosted at Riverby Books. Her creative works have appeared or are forthcoming in The Del Sol Review, Crosscut, apt, The Ward 6 Review, RY-K-RY Quarterly Literary Journal, Prism, and The Ampersand, among others. Monica will spend May 2007 at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts revising her memoir manuscript currently titled Woman with a Bottle and Flames.
Christopher Janson (Theater) is a company member and founding artistic associate
with Catalyst Theater Company. Chris appeared as the Drum Major
in Catalyst’s first production of Woyzeck, and directed
Catalyst’s critically acclaimed productions of Jean Paul
Sartre’s No Exit and Samuel Beckett’s Endgame. Additional
acting credits include roles at Washington’s Shakespeare
Theatre, Studio Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Washington,
Source Theatre, Project Y, Olney Theatre’s National Players,
and Washington Shakespeare Company. In addition to these acting
credits, he has written and produced six one-man plays for exhibits
at The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and Museum
of American Art. For the past five years, Chris has been employed
as an Educational Services Representative for The Washington Post,
helping area teachers implement the newspaper into their curriculum
as well as giving presentations for area students.
Charles Jones
(Ballroom/Latin Dance) is a native Washingtonian who has been
active in DC community issues. He is a graduate of Arthur Murray
Studios Full Bronze Medalist Program and is now a silver level
competitive ballroom dancer who participates in many area dance
competitions. Charles is also a member of the United States Amateur
Ballroom Dancers Association.
Thea Kano
(Capitol Hill Youth Chours, Artistic Director) A native of northern
California, Thea Kano began studying the piano at the age of four.
She studied music at Arizona State University, where she received
her undergraduate degree in Choral Music Education and Piano Performance.
Thea taught high school vocal music and musical theater in southern
California for several years. Her ensembles received several prestigious
awards, including Most Outstanding Performance at the Reno International
Jazz Festival. Thea earned her Master of Music degree in choral
conducting from UCLA and recently completed the doctoral program
in choral conducting there with Donald Neuen. Additional study
includes private conducting lessons with Paul Salamunovich. While
attending graduate school, Thea served as the Assistant Director
of the Angeles Chorale and was the Artistic Director of the San
Fernando Valley Youth Chorus in Los Angeles. She was an administrative
assistant and teaching associate for the Department of Choral
Music at UCLA where she directed the University Chorus. Additional
responsibilities included serving as the Assistant Conductor of
the UCLA Chorale and the UCLA Chamber Singers. Along with her
position as the Artistic Director of the Capitol Hill Children’s
Chorus, Thea is the Assistant Conductor of the Washington Chorus
and the Assistant Conductor of the Gay Men’s Chorus Washington.
Cora Lee Khambatta
(Piano/Recorder) majored in piano at Grinnell College, where she
earned her BA. She continued her studies at the conservatory in
Florence, Italy. Cora Lee pursued graduate studies in curriculum
and instruction at the University of Colorado and theatre at the
University of Maryland. She teaches in the Arlington County schools,
formerly directed the music program at the Workshop and now is
working on publishing a collection of songs and original arrangements
in Spanish.
Jensen Kvarnes (Drumming) started drumming on a table in the Little Tavern hambuger shop in the 60s while trying to imitate the drum solo from the surf song, "Wipe out" playing on the jukebox. “It was the coolest thing I had ever heard”. He convinced his parents to buy him a drumset and has been drumming ever since. A self taught drummer, he would play along to his favorite records which included the Beatles and Frank Zappa.
He currently teaches hand drums, guitar, and Macintosh computer skills in addition to his professional activities as a Photographer.
Jensen has also been teaching with the MusicLink Foundation, a program to provide underpriviledged talented youngsters with private lessons.
Chris Law (Dance) is a member of Culture Shock D.C. Hip-Hop Company, a Choreographer for the Colours Arts and Education Program. He is pursuing a degree in modern dance at the University of Maryland where he has performed in numerous productions and is a member of The University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe(Gymnastics). Chris is a National Society of Collegiate Scholars Inductee.
Jacqueline E. Lawton (Theater) In May of 2003, Jacqueline E. Lawton completed her MFA in Playwriting from the University of Texas at Austin. Since then, she has worked diligently to remain actively involved in theatre as an actress, dramaturg, playwright and teaching artist. Since moving to DC, she had worked with Active Cultures, African Continuum Theatre Company, Extreme Exchange, Folger Shakespeare Library, Ford’s Theater Society, Journeyman Theater, the Kennedy Center, Rorschach Theater Company, Shakespeare Theater Company, Theater Alliance, Woolly Mammoth, and Young Playwrights Theater. This is her second summer at CHAW and she is thrilled!
Kyung LeBlanc (Violin/Viola) is an active freelancer in Washington, DC. Ms. LeBlanc has
played with the National Philharmonic, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and has been a
member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She has served as principal viola for the
Philharmonia and Concert Orchestras of the Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music
and also for the AACA and Sinfonia at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Ms.
LeBlanc has participated at the Cascade Festival of Music and Prague International
Spring Music Festival and has been a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School
and a scholarship recipient at various summer music festivals including Round Top,
Weathersfield, Sewanee Music Festivals, National Orchestral Institute, and Interlochen
Arts Camp. An avid chamber musician, Ms. LeBlanc is a founding member of the Sage
Chamber Players, and has performed chamber music across the country and abroad
with artists including Charles Pikler, Herbert Greenberg, Richard Hirschl, David Perry,
and Michael Mermagen. She has been featured as a soloist with the Chicago Chamber
and Rhode Island Youth Philharmonic Orchestras. As a graduate of the University of
Michigan with a Bachelor of Music degree, Ms. LeBlanc's principal teachers include
Charles Pikler, Dr. Catharine Carroll, Tsuna Sakamoto, Roland Vamos, and Yitzak
Schotten.
Carolina Mayorga (Visual Art) was born in Bogotá, Colombia and received
a BFA in Art and Textiles from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá and a MFA from the University of Kansas. She has had exhibitions
in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Sweden and several cities
in the United States including Washington, D.C., New York City,
Loveland, CO, Hickory, NC, and Baltimore, MD, among others. Her
work is represented in private and public collections in Colombia
and the United States including the Art Museum of the Americas,
the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C. and
the Andres Institute of Art in Brookline, NH. Her work is also
part of the permanent collection of the Kronan Sculpture Park
in Lulea, Sweden. She became a CHAW faculty last fall, where she
teachesdrawing and three-dimensional media for children and adults. More information about Carolina and her art work can be found at www.carolinamayorga.com.
Bruce McKaig
(Photography, Department Chair) has been making photographs for
over thirty years, living and traveling in Europe, North and South
America, Siberia, and India. His photography involves meticulous
processes that produce one-of-a-kind pieces, working with chance
elements and exploring techniques as diverse as pinhole photography,
ambient light images, stereo photography and hand colored images.
His photographs are in museum collections in the USA, France,
and Guatemala. He has been awarded private and public grants from
the city of Paris and Washington DC and has participated in over
thirty solo and eighty group exhibitions since 1979. He is represented
by Jean-Pierre Lambert (Paris), Ricco Maresca (New York), and
Kathleen Ewing (Washington DC). He regularly lectures and writes
on photography and teaches at The Graduate School USDA, The Smithsonian
Residents, The Corcoran College of Art and Design, and to children
at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop in Southeast Washington DC where
he currently lives. For more information about Bruce and his work, visit www.brucemckaig.com.
Rochelle Mendoza (Visual Arts) recently moved here from Kahului, Maui. She was Director of Children's Art Programs for the Hui Noeau' Art Center. She produced the award winning "Baby Hawaii Lullabies" DVD, which contains nursey rhymes in twelve languages. Rochelle graduated with a BFA in Commercial Design (with a Minor in Motion Pictures and Television) from UCLA in Westwood, CA. She has taught toddler classes in tumbling, art and swimming at the YMCA in Kahuili, Maui. She has taught physics, robotics and arts classes for summer programs in Hawaii, Maryland and Virginia. She is also a professional photographer focusing on family portraiture and children.
Twylene Moyer
(Ceramics) has a BA in studio art and art history from Goucher
College and completed her doctoral studies in art history at the
University of Pennsylvania. The managing editor of Sculpture,
she is a published art writer and critic and frequent lecturer
on contemporary art. Inspired by natural forms, each of her sculptural
vessels are wheel-thrown then altered and reshaped, evolving over
time. Rough, carved, and broken surfaces bear the marks of that
process. As with forming, so with firing: Moyer's pots are rarely
fired in an electric kiln; she prefers the interaction of control
and chance achieved through raku and wood-firing.
Josephine Nicholson
(Early Childhood Dance and Storytelling) is a member of the Erika Thimey Dance and
Theater Company. She has taught and performed throughout the Washington,
D.C. area and enjoys teaching movement to young people at the Arts Workshop.
Adrienne Penebre (Yoga) Adrienne's journey into the body was first motivated by the desire to experience strength, wellness and wholeness. She started that process in the
gym, for years an avid weightlifter. This eventually led to a yearning to
work with the body organically, without relying on external tools and
machines. She began taking yoga classes, and immediately found what she was
looking for. She has been a dedicated practitioner for 7 years, and earned
her teaching certificate from Samayama Teacher Training in 2000. Her
practice and teaching are inspired by the experiential art of being present,
and deepening an awareness of a greater Self.
Adrienne holds a BA for American University in Communications, and shares a
business with her husband, where she composes musical scores for television
and film. They also share a band, for which she is the drummer and singer.
Behind all of her artistic endeavors is the yogic practice of intuitive
inner listening.
Dean Reichard (Cabaret) has appeared in various productions throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area, including “Side Show” with the Elden Street Players in the summer of 2007, “Jesus Christ Superstar” with St. Mark’s Players in the spring of 2006, and SIX productions of Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas at CHAW (summers, 2001-2006). Dean has performed cabaret material with DC’s Different Drummers in November of 2003, as well as at CHAW in June of 2006, and March and September of 2007. Dean studied cabaret at The Theatre Lab of Washington as well as The Boston Cabaret Intensive, a professional development workshop led by award winning New York cabaret artists Lina Koutrakos and Rick Jensen.
Roberta Rothstein
(Dance and Pilates) Born and raised in New York City, she trained at the Clark Center for Performing Arts, Steps Studio and at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. She has worked with and performed the choreography of Bill T. Jones, Talley Beatty, Paul Sansardo and other dance notables. Musical theater credits include “Guys and Dolls” and "Kiss Me Kate" Off Broadway in New York and "West Side Story" in Chicago. In Chicago she was a member of the Joel Hall Dancers and trained with Lou Conte of Hubbard Street Chicago. Her choreography has been shown at the Merce Cunningham Studio and Joyce Soho in New York, throughout Chicago and Washington, at the Theater Alliance, Adventure Theater and the Maryland Festival of the Arts and in national television commercials. She has been on the faculties of George Washington University, American University, Jones Haywood School of Ballet, Arlington Center for Dance, DC Dance Collective and Montgomery College. Ms. Rothstein has received grants from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Montgomery County Council on the Arts. In 2003 she was honored by the International Association of Blacks in Dance at the Kennedy Center. She is Founder and Artistic Director of Momentum Dance Theatre, Capitol Hill's professional dance company and Director of its popular Jazz, Hip Hop Nutcracker. More information about Roberta and her dance company can be found at www.momentumdancetheatre.com.
Joanne Seelig (Theater) is an arts educator, administrator and performer. She taught playwriting, music and acting to grads K-12 in a range of educational settings in both Boston , MA and Berkeley, CA. A native to the DC area, Joanne now works as the Family Programs Coordinator at the National Building Museum where she coordinates hands on visual and performing arts experiences for families about the built environment. She received her Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education and her BA in Theatre from Washington University in St. Louis.
Chuck Sharman (Creative Writing)
Chuck Sharman is a DC writer, teacher, bartender and goof-off. You can find him behind the bar at Mr. Henry's four nights a week. He also teaches composition and literature at Catholic University, Montgomery College and Northern Virginia Community College. He holds an AB from William and Mary and an MA from Johns Hopkins, whose Mass Ave Review has also published some of his work. He is currently working on a series of short stories and a novel.
Jennifer Sonkin (Visual Arts)
Jennifer Sonkin is the director of the Visual Art Department at the Cesar Chaves Public Charter High School, Capitol Hill Campus. Ms. Sonkin has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Art Institute of Chicago with a focus in photography and fiber. Ms. Sonkin has worked in art education for the last ten years. While living in D.C., she has been an artist in residence at The School for Arts in Learning overseeing all aspects of the art education program. She has experience teaching art with Washington Very Special Arts in the Articulate job-training program for high school teenagers with special needs. In addition, Ms. Sonkin has spent several summers working with physically challenged children during an annual one-week summer program in Mississippi. While in Mississippi, Ms. Sonkin was the director of the Children’s program for Stewpot, a non-profit organization for kids who are underserved in Jackson. Jennifer has also taught costume and set design with the Mississippi Ballet and The Mississippi museum of Art. Most recently, Ms. Sonkin has earned her Master’s of Art in Art Education from The Maryland Institute College of Art.
Abigail Stopper (Pre-Ballet and Ballet)
.Amanda Stulz (Visual Arts) is an innovative instructor who uses enthusiasm and
humor to establish rapport and a creative learning environment.
Currently a teacher in the D.C. public school system, Ms. Stulz
has taught high school art and managed her own studio in upstate
New York. Her work ranges from functional ware to a more artful
style of raku. Her pottery is in collections around the world
including Great Britain, Canada, Sweden, Japan, and Israel. Ms.
Stulz holds degrees in education and studio art from the State
University of New York.
Blair Swanson (Visual Arts & Ceramics) Born and raised in Houston, TX, Blair is a recent
graduate of College of Charleston in Charleston, SC where she majored
in early childhood education with an emphasis in studio art. Blair
has exhibited her ceramic pieces in a juried show at the Houston
Contemporary Art Museum. Blair has had a life long interest in art
through travels and her family's active collection of art. Blair has
also worked with children in a variety of atmospheres and is looking
forward to teaching at CHAW! In her spare time, Blair enjoys working
on art projects, spending time with her boyfriend, Jeff, and traveling
whenever she has the chance!
Joe Yablonsky (Photography)
Luis Vasquez
(Piano) has studied music since 1966 at El Acadamia de Musica,
Escuela de Musica de Chacao, and El Instituto Universitario de
Estudios Musicales in Caracas, Venezuela, and at BerkleeCollege
of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He has been teaching since
1980 in Venezuela, Boston, Massachusetts, Miami Beach, Florida
and now in Washington, DC.
Ed Wieland (Photoshop) has been a computer professional for twelve years. His teaching experience includes four years of teaching technical skills to students that aspire to be computer technicians and network engineers. He has eight years experience in the use of Photoshop for web development and printing for displays. Edward currently works at Arena Stage, where his duties include running the print shop, repairing, printing and display of actor’s head shots and the display of promotional and informational materials that are displayed in the public spaces of the theatre complex.
Heather Whyte
(Dance) has been dancing for thirty years and loving every minute
of it. The rhythm of tap in her feet comes from dancing and performing
in New York for ten years with tap dancer Ed Collinsand Estelle
& Alfonso Dance Academy. Heather also teaches adult ballet
at the St. Mark’s Dance Studio on Capitol Hill where she
danced with the company for six years, including a performance
tour in the Czech Republic in 1994. Her choreography has been
performed by St. Mark’s Dance Company and by the staff at
St. Mark’s for audiences overseas and here in the Washington,
DC area.
Matthew Wilburn (Youth Arts Program)
Dr. Matthew Wilburn (aka: Dr. Matt) earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, England where he studied Human Geography as a part of the Political Ecology of Development Research Group. He is a Fellow of the Cambridge Philosophical Society and a member of the Society, Environment, and Development Research Cluster. He worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a Conservation Training Specialist for two years before spending six years as the Sr. Program Manager for Latin American/Caribbean, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Previously, he studied in both Ireland and Scotland. He earned his Master’s degree in International Conflict Studies from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and completed work in International Law at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He also holds a B.A. in Political Theory and Legal Studies. He is the Founder and CEO of LivingGreenDC.org The course, Art and the Environment, has permitted Dr. Matt to bridge two of his deeper interests, ecology and the arts.
Helen Kate Wright (Aggie) (Dance) started taking tap lessons eleven years ago. At Sewnee: The University of the South she recieved her BA in Natural Resources while teaching dance to local children. She also performed with and choreographed for Sewanee's dance ensemble 'Perpetual Motion' during college. A new resident of the DC area, Aggie is excited to continue teaching dance.
Joe Yablonsky (Photography) specializes in fine art black and white images of historic public sculpture and architecture. In addition to his classes at CHAW, Joe also teaches photography at the Washington School of Photography in Bethesda, Anne Arundel Community College, and Rockville Arts Place. Visit http://www.joeyablonsky.com to see his work.
Mclain Zed (Visual Arts) began her artistic career in ceramics in her hometown of Annapolis, MD. When searching for new ways to get dirty she switched from mud to ink, later earning a BFA & MFA at Rochester Institute of Technology, the latter in Keith Howard's Contemporary Printmaking program. To escape upstate New York's tundra she returned to the area, where now she's a picture framer by day. At night, her art focuses on fiber arts and the demolition of her SE home. In each of these roles, she blends
techniques of past training to overcome artistic obstacles that arise.
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