Madelyn Battistoni has been an educator in Region 6 for 22 years. Several years ago the “hula hoop” rolled into her life and she hasn’t stopped hooping since. She has presented at schools, workshops, nursing homes and weddings. She’s been making hoops for 4 years and in 2009 founded Mad About Hoops. She loves to share her passion for hoops and has taught people from ages 8 to 80!
Joe Bouchard was a recording artist on Columbia Records in the 1970s and 1980s, and a founding member of the world-famous band, Blue Oyster Cult. He has nine Gold and two Platinum records to his credit. Retiring from Blue Oyster Cult in 1986 Joe has since dedicated much of his time to teaching. He is a producer, author, and freelance musician, with a degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Masters degree in Music Composition from the University of Hartford. His highly acclaimed solo record entitled Jukebox in My Head was released in early 2009. He performs with several bands, including Blue Coupe, The X Brothers, TreeTop, Rock and Pop Masters, and Orleans. In 2010, Joe performed for US Troops stationed in Iraq and Kuwait with RPM, which includes members of Orleans. For more information on Joe, see www.joebouchard.com.
Donna Cloutier is a professional freelance photographer whose images have won awards in local and regional competitions, as well having been featured in the book Equine Angels: Stories of Rescue, Love and Hope. As a Roxbury resident with a studio on her small farm, Donna has shared her talent and passion for her art by mentoring promising young photographers in her community. She offers her work across a variety of media, including fine art prints, note cards, greeting cards, and stretched canvas. Donna is available for private portrait sessions for individuals, families, and pets in her studio or on location. www.donnacloutierphotography.com.
Austin Dailey, a Connecticut native, developed at a young age a passion to learn as much as he could about Hip Hop dance and its culture. In 2000, after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from Springfield College, Austin established Red Supreme Productions, Connecticut’s leading entertainment company for break dance performances and workshops. He is also the co-founder of the Hip Hop performance group, Poetry in Motion Crew. Austin has taught thousands of kids throughout New England and continues, through them, to spread his love for Hip Hop dance.
Zachary Fairbrother, musician, was born and raised Nova Scotia and currently lives in Philadelphia. His passion for music has led him to perform a variety of styles from the avant-garde to metal. He holds a Bachelor of Music, with a focus in composition, and has been an artist in residence at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Canadian director Salomon Nagler and legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk have used his music in films. Currently, Zachary’s efforts are focused on his rock ‘n’ roll band, Lantern, whose sound combines the roots of rock ‘n’ roll with the energy of punk.
Marc Ganych began fencing at the age of ten. By 16 years of age he was a Gold medalist of the First Junior Games, and became a fencing Master. He owns and operates his own gym in Torrington and loves introducing this sport—and art form– to new students.
Tom Hanford is a visual artist, musician, storyteller, and teacher who has been integrating his various talents into multimedia performances for young people for almost twenty years. He received BS and MS degrees in Art Education from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. Since 1998 he has been teaching Music Together in Litchfield and Fairfield Counties, a nationwide program for preschoolers and adults. Tom has appeared with his series of family shows at Old Sturbridge Village, Clermont State Historic Site, and many other museums, festivals, schools, and libraries.
Flo Hatcher began teaching in 1965 at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina and co-directed their printmaking program for twenty years. Flo returns to Penland this September for a NEA grant sponsored invitational residency. Flo taught art at Southern Connecticut State University for twenty-six years, as well as the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, and headed the Creative Arts Workshop printmaking department in New Haven for several years. Flo continues to teach printmaking at the Creative Arts Workshop and at the Penland School of Crafts, in North Carolina. Her artwork is included in numerous university, museum, and corporate permanent collections including the Ringling Museum of Art (FL), Indianapolis Museum of Art (IN), and University of New Mexico (NM). Flo has conducted workshops and lectured throughout the US.
Keith Hatcher, a watercolor painter, printmaker, and basket maker, received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from John Herron School of Art of Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN. Recently, one of his watercolors was included in the Housatonic River Reflections at the Norman Rockwell Museum. He conducts workshops at universities, colleges, and art organizations throughout the country.
Kezia Hearn graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Clark University with a BA in Fine Art. She studied at the Lacoste School of the Arts in southern France and at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She holds a Master’s degree in Holistic Thinking from the Graduate Institute in Bethany, CT. Kezia has been teaching art to children in a variety of educational settings for over 15 years. Her studio is located in the Switch Factory in Bantam, CT. Kezia’s paintings and prints have been collected throughout New York and New England.
Friso Hermans has taught music in schools for 25 years, leading string, band, chorus, chamber music, music theory, and composition classes. He started the Strings program at Shepaug Middle/High School four years ago, and led the High School orchestra to a first place trophy from Fantastic Festivals this year. He has played viola in a variety of community and professional performances, and is an award-winning fiddle player. He has directed the Salisbury Band, a community concert and marching band in Salisbury, CT, for the past 7 years. He studied music at Indiana University and California State University, earning a Master’s degree in Music Theory.
Emily Hubelbank is a director, writer, and actor who has performed for children across the country. She also teaches with Broadway Bound Kids in schools in NYC. She has a BFA in Theater from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and is currently working towards her Masters in Speech and Language Pathology. Favorite credits include Macbeth at the Mint Theater with the Roust Theatre Company and the female lead in the award winning feature length independent film Bummin’ It: The Life and Times of Oyster Bummins.
Lisa Worth Huber is an educator, writer and storyteller. She holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies, and researches methods for utilizing the creative arts in developing empathy and shifting worldviews. She teaches in a variety of settings – from universities to preschools to hospitals and homeless shelters. Passionate about the spoken and written word, Lisa’s work includes: storytelling, poetry, fantasy, personal narrative, theatre, comic books and graphic novels. Lisa is honored to be the first recipient of the Frank McCourt Prize for Excellence in Teaching.
The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) offers fun, interactive and exciting programs, workshops and Native American festivals for all ages. IAIS educational programs are based on historical research, oral traditions and archaeology. Programs are designed to be accurate and to stimulate further interest in the wonder and diversity of Mother Earth’s many American Indian histories and cultures.
Brooks Jones began bboying in the early 80′s as a toddler and his interest in bboying remained constant since. After being introduced to the NYC bboying scene for a few years, he relocated to Philadelphia, PA to pursue a B.A. in English at Temple University. It was at Temple were he began working with Bboy Dance Theater company, olive Dance Theatre. He has been a principal dancer with oDT for the past 8 years where he has been touring the US teaching students, performing full production Bboy theater shows as well as organizing, hosting & judging Hip- Hop and Bboy competitions. Brooks still competes in Bboying and Rock Dance competition with his NYC-based hip-hop group, The Breaks Kru. Brooks currently lives in the Bronx, NY where he and The Breaks Kru are working with and mentoring city youth from all over the city. “My mission as well as my Kru’s mission is Preserving Bboy Culture and sparking interest in the youth is the only way we can ensure that will happen”.
John Kane, local photographer and goat farmer, has been published in many leading magazines and has some work in museums and private collections. Publisher’s Weekly says “Kane’s transcendent images…elevate viewers to a higher state of consciousness.”
Mark Kaufman owns BackRoom Studios in Roxbury, CT and has produced and/or engineered numerous full-length CD projects and dozens of tracks for budding artists and established performers in the New England area. Mark is also the President of CTM Productions, LLC, a theatrical production company, which has produced shows on and off-Broadway. CTM Productions has received four Tony Award nominations and has received one Tony Award for its production of Fool Moon. In addition, CTM Productions received an Obie Award for its production of The Tricky Part.
Heidi Kirchofer, veteran performing and teaching artist, has traveled internationally performing and training students. She is co-founder and managing director of Matica Arts whose focus is on Circus, World Music, and the Moving Arts. Matica can be found performing at many festivals, events, and schools. Heidi is a teaching artist at Oddfellows Playhouse, Rumsey Hall, and many schools and programs. She loves the circus arts as an outlet for her creative and physical energy and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Heidi is a mover, yogini, percussionist, fire artist, gardener, costume builder, momma, and all around creative individual.
Jerry Koch is Chief Technology Officer for WebNow1, an interactive marketing and information technology company, established in November 1999. Jerry’s experience is enormously diverse and ranges from over 17 years in web site design and network engineering to marketing and management. Jerry’s clients are throughout the tri-state area and vary from real estate and manufacturing to medical and consumer related industries. Jerry also sits on the Board of a non-profit organization as an IT Consultant.
Reggie Marra is the author of two volumes of poetry and two books of nonfiction. An educator for 37 years, prior to founding Integral Journeys in 1996, he spent 21 years as a teacher, basketball coach and administrator in secondary and higher education. He is an award-winning poet, a Teaching Artist with the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, and an Integral Coach™. You can find out more (than you might want to know) at www.reggiemarra.com.
John Marshall performs on concert stages, radio, television, and film both nationally and internationally. He includes the drumming traditions of the Middle East, North and South India, Egypt, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Central Asia in his repertoire. Performing on frame drums, tabla, doumbek, tombak, djembe, congas, riq, pandiero, mbira, conventional Western percussion, and all manner of hand-held percussion, John Marshall’s music has been featured on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, Echoes, Hearts Of Space, PBS Television, and the British Broadcasting Company (BBC).
Joel Melendez, Co-founder of the touring duo Matica Arts, has traveled the Americas performing and learning. He is a gifted performer known for his unicycling, clowning, improvisational, and acrobatic skills. Joel is a “physical artist” who loves exploring the vast capabilities of the human body. He is the director of the Advanced Circus Program in the Children’s Circus of Middletown, and teaches at Oddfellows Playhouse, Footlights Center for the Performing Arts, as well as many schools and programs. Joel is also a musician, Capoerista, and juggler.
Michael Morrissey has 20 years of software design experience. He is the co-founder of Robotics & Beyond, a summer camp program that designs and carries out projects on the forefront of robotic engineering. He is the founder of the New Milford Public Library’s Junior Robotics Lab and Science Fair Judge for the Naval Science Award Program.
Lesley Neilson-Bowman received a BFA in fine arts from Syracuse University and an MFA in theatre design from the University of Connecticut. She has extensive experience in children’s theatre, having been the resident designer for the Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre in Bridgeport, CT for the last fifteen years. She has been a professional costume designer for nearly twenty years, working on shows regionally in NY and CT, as well as several off-Broadway productions.
Jon Olivieri is a professional artist living and working in Connecticut.
Pilobolus grew from a Dartmouth College dance class in 1971. Today, it is a major American arts organization that revolves around three nuclei of activity: PILOBOLUS DANCE THEATRE, the umbrella for a series of radically innovative and globally acclaimed concert dance companies; THE PILOBOLUS INSTITUTE, unique educational programming for schools, colleges, and public arts organizations, as well as a series of classes and leadership workshops; and PILOBOLUS CREATIVE SERVICES, a division specializing in a wide range of movement services for film, advertising, and publishing. Pilobolus lives and works in Washington Depot, CT, and performs for stage and television audiences all over the world, including the Annual Academy Awards, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Pilobolus has recently collaborated with Pulitzer Prize winner, cartoonist Art Spiegelman and the Grammy-winning American composer and musician Dan Zanes.
John Potter, a native of Washington, CT., and a Cornell graduate, has had a life-long passion for fly-fishing. He and his wife, Anne, have fished from Alaska to Belize; Idaho to Connecticut; Maine to Florida, and many places in between. John is a ten-year member of the Connecticut –Rhode Island Coastal Fly Fishing Club (CTRI), and is chairman of its outing committee.
Cassandra Purdy is a local organic vegetarian chef. She is an alum of WMS and went on to study Anthropology at Vassar and has always been interested in the social and cultural aspects of food, the mobile wood fired pizza oven has been a great way to share this interest with the community. She travels extensively every year in Europe and India and the oven is largely based on traditional oven she has seen all over the world.
Alyssa Robb is an artist and photographer based in Philadelphia. She teaches art and photography to children and adults, and takes pictures for artists and independent designers. Her most recent exhibition was at the Metro Gallery in Baltimore, MD, July 2010, in which she created a salon-style display of 16 hand-made C-prints. Alyssa has worked and taught for ASAP for over 5 years. You can view her work at www.alyssarobb.com.
Emily Robb grew up on an island in Maine where her exploration of music, books, arts, and nature began. She has become steadily more focused on a career in music through both teaching and performing. She earned a BA in English in Halifax, Nova Scotia and continues to study at private music schools. Currently based in Philadelphia, Emily teaches music and visual arts for adolescents and plays in the rock ‘n’ roll band Lantern, inspired by America’s rich history of rock and blues.
Jenna Robb studied Textiles at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI. After graduating, she designed prints, patterns, and palettes for Free People in Philadelphia for two years. Recently, she moved to Maine to start Three Beast, an interiors company. She loves the versatility of textiles, from dying, weaving, and silk screening, to fabric manipulation and sewing objects. In addition, she makes lighting fixtures, draws and paints, and rehabs old furniture. She is very excited to be passing on her talents and knowledge to young people.
The Silo has been a magnet since 1972 for fans from our local community, New England, and all over the USA. The cooking school is a key component of Silo Country, which operates to support the preservation of Hunt Hill Farm under the leadership of the Hunt Hill Farm Trust. Hunt Hill Farm Trust was formed two years ago with the mission to preserve the farm’s land, buildings and archives, promote public awareness of its unique history, celebrate Americana in music, art and literature, provide educational opportunities for children and adults, and to share the rich life and legacy of Skitch and Ruth Henderson.
Jesse Smolover graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration. He has worked as a draftsman for an archeological dig in Italy, as a graphic designer, and as a freelance illustrator. Jesse is currently illustrating book covers and drawing comics. He reviews portfolios for Rhode Island School of Design at their Connecticut and New York open houses.
Terri Tibbatts is a book artist and calligrapher. She studied calligraphy, typography and art history at Smith College and later worked for the Meriden Stinehour Press, a printer of fine art books, broadsides, and catalogues. She studied Japanese brushwork in Japan and the U.S., and recently received a Master’s Degree in Art from Wesleyan University.
The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra is currently in its 74th season, and is comprised of 70 professional musicians from throughout Connecticut and beyond. The orchestra performs in greater Waterbury and presents multi-faceted education programs throughout Northwestern Connecticut. WSO teaching artists are gifted artist-educators with a passion for inspiring students to achieve and exceed their goals in music, and life.
The Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust is a regional non-profit land trust, founded in 1965, to protect the natural and agricultural legacy of Litchfield County. As stewards of almost 10,000 acres in Northwest Connecticut, we are the largest land trust in the state. Our goal is to preserve and restore natural, scenic, forever wild, and agricultural lands. We do this by engaging landowners, farmers, conservationists, and the public to collaborate on behalf of the wild places and farms that define the Southern Berkshires. The natural beauty and productivity of our region is the inspiration for our work, to protect our lands in perpetuity.