(UCAL) Faculty

If you are interested in teaching a class at the Arts League, please send a copy of your resume and a short description of the class that you would like to teach to . Please see our current class descriptions to get an idea for your course description. Thanks.

Pat Albright: Teacher of yoga over 12 years; studied extensively with senior level Iyengar teachers since the 70's; taught for Thomas Jefferson University, The Women's Fitness Club, The M.S. Society, Interact Senior Center & Moving Arts Studio of Mt. Airy.

Richard Aldorasi: established the Philadelphia Handmade Paper Co. in 1989. He has since continually conducted hands-on living history programs in paper making, letter press printing, decorative paper, and book arts. Sharing his program at numerous historical venues and educational institutions, Mr. Aldorasi has displayed his expertise and experience as a teacher and artist with all ages and skill levels. As a working artist for 40 plus years, his talents go unsurpassed in handmade paper. Applying ancient techniques and working with 100% authentic tools, Mr. Aldorasi provides an adventure into the world of art as you experience history come alive You can learn more about Mr. Aldorasi from his website: www.2makepaper.com

Work by Maria Anasazi

Maria Anasazi: Maria Anasazi, a native of Greece, is an active member of the arts community in the Mid-Atlantic region. She has been teaching since 1993, in schools and various institutions including detention centers and prisons. Anasazi studied art in the San Francisco Bay area where she started exhibiting her sculptural and installation work in 1990. She has had solo exhibitions at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Arlington Arts Place (VA), and Montpelier Cultural Arts Center (MD). Her work has been featured in many group exhibitions, including South/Center, Miami, Florida; Frumkin/Duval Gallery, Los Angeles, California; The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.; and School 33 and Maryland Art Place, both in Baltimore, Maryland. She has received numerous awards from the Maryland State Arts Council for her work with the Artists-in-Education program, and she was the recipient of an Individual Artist’s Award in 2001. Recently she received an Art and Community Visual Arts Residency Grant from the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art/National Endowment for the Arts. Her work has been reviewed in Art Papers, The Washington Post, Fiberarts magazine, and Surface Design. Anasazi holds a BFA in Graphic Design from California College of the Arts and an MA from the Creative Arts Department of San Francisco State University, California. She also received a certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy from JFK School of Psychology, in Orinda, California.

Art Baxter: Art Baxter: is a Philadelphia based cartoonist, illustrator and graphic designer. He has a BA in Graphic Design/Illustration from the Tyler School of Art. His work has appeared in many local and national publications over the past 25 years. In 1995 he received a grant from the XERIC Foundation to publish his comic book, SPUD. He is the organizer of the PHILLY COMIX JAM, a local cartoonist group. Currently he is working on a graphic novel.

Frances Bradley: a Flint, MI native Frances began her training under the guidance of her father, Bruce Bradley, at Creative Expressions Dance Studio. She served as an instructor and choreographer for the Bradley~Rs Flintstone Hoofers. Frances graduated in 2006 from Philadelphia's University of the Arts with a BFA in Illustration. She worked recently for the world renowned Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia. In 2007, Frances began a company member of Philadelphia's own Illstyle and Peace Productions, as a featured hoofer in the show. Other notable performances would include: "Tap Masters Honorarium" in Oklahoma City, Savion Glover's "Footnotes" in Detroit, MI, The 2000 National Tap Dance Day "Tap Extravaganza" in New York City, George Faison's"Bubblin' Brown Sugar" featuring Dianne Carrol in Atlanta GA and the West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival in Philadelphia. Frances is a co-director of "Tapology Tap Festival For Youth~T in Flint MI along with her sisters and father.

Elise Bromberg: s an ESL teacher/tutor with many years of experience teaching English to foreign adult students from various countries. She developed Philadelphia Cultural ESL out of her recognition of many students' need for a more concrete understanding of the new world in which they live.

Work by Yasha Butler

Yasha Butler: Born to a Turkish mother and an American father she spent my childhood in Istanbul on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. After getting a design degree in the States in 2001, she returned to Istanbul to work full time. By 2002 she had made my way to Oakland, California where she began to study ceramics, paying the bills by working at a small bakery. With her throwing technique improved along with her oatmeal raisin cookie recipe, she returned to Istanbul to collaborate with her parents in the restoration of an Ottoman alcohol factory. Three years later, in the spring of 2005, the factory was reopened as Sumahan On The Water, a small hotel directly facing Europe. It was about this time that she opened her own studio in Istanbul, which led to her return to the States in 2006. She currently work as a studio technician assistant at The Clay Studio where she produces her porcelain objects and jewelry. In 2006 she began a collaboration with Colleen Connolly. Please visit her blog, http://www.yashabasha.blogspot.com/ and online store, http://www.yashabutler.etsy.com/.

Leah Caesar, aka 'Keturah' and 'KrazzyK': A passionate dancer who cares about culture and community building. Currently enrolled in the Community College of Philadelphia majoring in Theatre. Studies dance at Philadanco, Philadelphia Freedom Theatre and Kumquat Studio and is a member of VERSATILE dance group.

Carolyn Chernoff: MSEd, of the Girls' DJ Collective (http://www.girlsdj.com/), (AKA Miss Meow) is an education consultant (K-12/college/adult), PhD candidate and DJ. In addition to her work as a teacher and program director in the areas of expressive arts and violence-prevention, Carolyn has taught DJ skills at WAMH, 89.3 FM in Amherst MA, and radio journalism techniques in Chicago alternative high schools, worked as a broadcast specials producer at WBEZ 91.5 FM (Chicago's NPR affiliate), and spins a mix of punk/garage/rocksteady/old school hip hop at Philadelphia rock clubs such as The Khyber http://www.thekhyber.com/ and Tritone http://www.tritonebar.com/ . She is the co-founder of the Girls' DJ Collective.

Art Cohen: Has been working with clay since 1978; learned to throw on the wheel at Brooklyn Museum Art School; studied Art & Ceramics at Brooklyn College, CUNY.

Work by Zoe Cohen

Zoe Cohen: is a visual artist who works conceptually in a wide range of materials and modalities. Born and raised in the Boston area, Zoe received her BA in Fine Arts from Haverford College and her MFA from Brooklyn College, where she developed both the studio and public art modalities in which she works today. Zoe has taught art to all ages at The University of The Arts, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Main Line Art Center, and with the Mural Arts Program and Spiral Q. She has been in residence at The Vermont Studio Center, and Philadelphia's 40th Street AIR program, and she is currently the Artist-in-Residence at the Philadelphia Cathedral, and the Art Program Manager and Assistant Curator at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. Her work has been exhibited in Philadelphia, New York, and Berlin. Visit http://www.zoecohen.com/ to see Zoe's work.

Colleen Connolly: Has taught jewelry making at UCAL for the past two years. She produces her funky line of jewelry in her Fishtown studio. Colleen (a jewelry artist) and Yasha Butler (a ceramic artist) have been working together since 2006. Both of their works can be found at a number of regional shows and galleries. At the 2007 UCAL Holiday Craft Fair they decided to forge their crafty knowledge into a class that combines both their areas of expertise.

Ann de Forest: Lives and writes in University City. Her short stories have appeared in Timber Creek Review, Open City, and Pif, and been performed at Interact Theatre's short fiction showcase Writing Aloud. She has also written extensively for magazines and newspapers, including the Philadelphia Inquirer and USAirways inflight magazine. In addition to running the Creative Writing Club at Penn Alexander for the past 5 years, she teaches narrative techniques in the graphic design department at the University of the Arts. She has recently completed a novel, the first volume in The World Writers trilogy for middle-grade readers.

Sharon Doerner: Michigan State University, B.A; studied at Moore College of Art; has worked as a photographer's representative & freelance; exhibits locally; won Perkins award.

Work by Tom Droppelmann

Tom Droppelmann: Has been a potter for 27 years and is mostly self-taught but has apprenticed with three professional potters. He has taught at the Garrison Art Center. His actual degree is in Greek and Latin.

Ronald Dukes, Jr: Trained in Capoeira regional & Angola for 10 years; also, comprehensive training in Tae Kwondo, Kenpo Karate & Kick Boxing Certified fitness & aerobic instructor. Ron is the newly hired Fitness Coordinator for Temple University.

Work by Emily Erb

Emily Erb: Originally a native of Richmond, VA, Emily Erb is a silk painter living and working in west Philadelphia. After graduation from Tyler School of Art in 2005, she went to Madagascar in order to broaden her horizons and came back with knowledge of several types of fabric painting. Her main focus is silk painting, a process traced back to India in the second century A.D. It involves a process of applying a rubber-based resist to act as a drawing material and enclosure for the silk dyes. While in Madagascar, Emily had the opportunity to teach art to children ages K-12 at the American School of Antananarivo. She hopes to take what she learned from her many travels and pass it on to her own neighborhood.

Kirsten Erwin: Has studied T'ai chi since 1982 and is currently a senior student of Sibok Robert Kassof. Related areas of training include long and short Yang T'ai Chi forms, Qigong, Reiki, Kung Fu and meditation. Certified instructor of T'ai Chi for arthritis. In addition to UCAL, she teaches regularly in Upper Darby and for Mt. Airy Learning Tree.

Work by Patrick Esmonde

Patrick Esmonde: A multi-talented and multi-lingual artist who works in a number of mediums, but primarily pursues photography and ceramics. Patrick attended Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, FL, a top-ranking Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School, Penland School of Crafts, and the Kansas City Art Institute. Patrick also has a degree in Spanish from Drexel University, which included homestays and private language classes in Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Spain. Currently he teaches ceramics and Spanish at UCAL and is promoting his photography business with exhibitions and his online portfolio, which can be viewed at http://www.esmondephotography.com/. Patrick is a self-described "opportunistic artist" who thrives on new experiences, forms, techniques and processes.

Leila Falcon: Came to UCAL's Art & Pottery classes as a young child. She then attended the High School for Creative and Performing Arts. These were the inspirations for her to become very serious about her love for art and would determine that she one day be a professional artist and teacher. In May 2007 she graduated from Tyler School of Art with a major in painting and art education. Leila has taught in a variety of schools through internships, summer programs, part time teaching positions, and student teaching. She has managed and taught many large scale projects that include: a three story high mural based on the Harlem Renaissance (painted in the style of William H. Johnson); a five foot fabric collage (based on her student's Frankford neighborhood and artist Romare Bearden); and a freedom quilt dedicated to civil rights leaders and freedom fighters who continue the fight today. Through her experiences Leila has learned that creativity and respect for individual diversity encourage powerful minds that will continue to learn and grow throughout a lifetime. Leila continues to grow, learn, respect, and appreciate what her students are teaching her. Teaching art has been exciting, challenging, and inspiring and she looks forward to the challenges and energy that future students will bring.

Dave Fowler: was born in a small town in New Hampshire in 1957. He always liked "Playin in the Mud" and has not stopped. Dave took his first pottery class in 1974 at the League of New Hampshire Craftsman in Exeter. His instructor was Lorraine Dilmore. He learned very quickly and developed skills that enable him to teach others the basics in wheel throwing; which he did at the Market Basket in Portsmouth N. H. In 1977, David moved to Atlanta Georgia and continued throwing at Callenwolde Fine Arts Center in the Midtown area. Over the next 30+ years, he was busy getting married, driving a truck and watching 2 kids grow up way too fast (Daniel & Emily). In January 2008 he re-entered the World of the Potter. Dave has since moved here in Philly, (right around the corner!), landed here at UCAL and is in charge of overseeing the operation of the kilns and the firing. Check out his work and other info at http://www.fatmanspottery.com/

Beth Fox: Studied music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she learned to play the piano and guitar. She was lead teacher of the infant room at Mulberry childcare in Gulph Mills, then assistant teacher and substitute teacher at Penn Children's Center. She is currently a nanny and sings in Anna Crusis women's choir and teaches music classes at PIC and Ardsley daycare. Beth is happy to be combining her two life long passions, children and music, to bring you this class!

Work by Colette Fu

Colette Fu: Colette Fu received her MFA in Fine Art Photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2003. She has bachelor¹s degrees in photography from Virginia Commonwealth University, and in French Language and Literature from the University of Virginia. In 2008 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to create a photographic pop-up book of the 25 ethnic minorities of her mother¹s hometown of Yunnan Province, China. Since 2003, she has attended artist residencies, working on making pop-up books from her photography. She has been a resident fellow at the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center Fellow, the Visual Studies Workshop, and the Alden B. Dow Center for Creativity to name a few. Colette was a Fleisher Challenge recipient in 2007, where she exhibited enormous 2x3 feet pop-up books all created from digital photographs. She has also received awards from the Sovereign Foundation, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, Constance Saltonstall Foundation, The Butler Institute of Art, En Foco, the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, Photographer's Forum, Nikon, the Puffin Foundation, and the Society for Photographic Education. Colette finds creating to be a healing process that she wishes to share. Visit www.fusansan.com to see her work.

Nanci George: Is a Certified YogaKids Teacher (CYKT) and a Yogakids Trainer (YKT) and founder of NlightN Yoga. Her professional career has included over 25 years in health care, specializing in behavioral and physical challenges with children and adolescents. Nanci has integrated the "lessons for a lifetime" component to encourage children of all ages to become happier and healthier individuals.

Dolores Luis Gmitter: MEd, Temple U. Teaches at Swarthmore College, Bryn Mawr College & School District of Philadelphia; School coordinator/dance artist at the Institute for the Arts in Education. Dancer with Flamenco Ole Dance Co.

Leonard Gontarek: The author of St.Genevieve Watching Over Paris, Van Morrison Can't Find His Feet, Zen For Beginners and Deja vu Diner (Autumn House Press, 2006). He is the editor of This is Forever The Room and The Balloonists Are Coming Back From the Clouds, anthologies of children's poetry. His poetry has appeared in numerous anthologies such as American Poetry Review, New England Review, Mudfish, The Best American Poetry 2005 among others. His poetry has been awarded prizes by the Atlanta Review, Poet's Attic, Mad Poet's Review and Mudfish Magazine. He was twice nominated for Pushcart Prizes and twice received poetry fellowships from the PA. Council on the Arts. http://www.leafscape.org/LeonardGontarek/

Gabriele Guma: Is a well known musician and former leading dancer with Philadanco, Joffrey II The Dancers, Takashi Watanabe (Japan) as well as international instructor and currently ballet master at the Rock School for Dance Education.

Oliver Hannah: Born and raised in West Philadelphia, PA. R&B and Hip Hop were the primary musical influences in his life until he reached the age of sixteen. It was then that he was befriended by a Puerto Rican family who taught him how to dance Salsa. There the seed was planted. Oliver quickly developed a love for the dance. This made him a fanatic of the music and the dance the same. Oliver quickly learned that the best way to apply what he learned was to use his own style which was rooted in Hip Hop. Oliver encourages all of his students to learn the basics and then develop their own style. Style without the restriction of ballroom rules; thus, the term Street Salsa. Oliver has been teaching this style of dance for three years to adults and children the same. His unorthodox style of teaching makes for an awesome learning experience.

Vinson Houston

Vinson Houston: Visual Artist, Art Educator Certificate in the Fine Arts 2006, Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts (PafA). Vinson’s interest in the arts has led him from personal expression to creative educating. A goal of his is to communicate to others the need of community’s creativity for constructive advancement. Fleisher Art Memorial is where his artist career began in August 2000. With this grounding, he began his studies at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PafA) in the fall of 2002. He was awarded the Stimson Award for figurative sculpture in 2004 and began independent studio work in 2005. Though PafA emphasis was on traditional art practices, he was exposed to post-modern concepts. The influx of post-modern ideas and media informed new ways of working with his environment. Through drawing and recounting of past memories he assembled an artist group performance. This became an award winning theatre presentation. Vinson was granted the convened Cresson Travel Scholarship from PafA. His work continued in theatre when he joined the Spring School of the Arts in September of 2006. As an art and science teacher, Vinson encouraged children to constructively use their imagination. This progress lead him to the goal of informing others to creatively construct with their community’s advancement. Spring School of the Arts has complimented his contributions with the Jay-Loft Lyn Award for visionary art and ideas.

Catherine Jackson-Muhammad: Born and raised in West Philadelphia and now resides in the Wynnefield section of the city. Catherine has been sewing for over 30 years, which lead to forming "NIA" to expand her work from sewing for family to providing work to varied clientele. Her range is from home decor to special occasion outfits, to proms, choir apparel and bride and bridal party apparel.

Claire McConnell Jerram

Claire McConnell Jerram: Claire McConnell Jerram teaches Creative Speech and Drama to adults and children and offers individual lessons and workshops. Claire graduated from Artemis School of Speech and Drama. She is a Certified Waldorf Teacher and has a BFA in painting from Smith College. For four years she taught in Waldorf School settings and in summer camps. She has acted and directed in dozens of poetry, storytelling and play productions, and is currently writing her first novel. Her previous writing includes two plays and hundreds of poems. In her Creative Speech class she teaches the art of speaking which, like music, can be practiced and perfected. The sounds and rhythms of creative speech carry as much weight as the meaning. Check out her organization, Creative Speech Philadelphia, at http://publicspeaking.meetup.com/46/.

Richard McConnell Jerram

Richard McConnell Jerram: After working for years in Architecture, Richard discovered the 5Rhythms in 1996 and trained as a teacher 2000-01. In London he taught open classes and workshops, as well as groups of seniors and sufferers from chronic fatigue. He has also taught on Buddhist & Quaker retreats, and in Lisbon & Melbourne, before moving to Philadelphia in 2008. He teaches a weekly drop-in class in Spring Garden, and is also a singer-songwriter. Richard's approach weaves demos, excercises and great music into a rich field of movement that emphasises each student's unique experience. For much more about the 5Rhythms(R), see http://www.meetup.com/dance-5Rhythms/

Yvette Jiggetts: A 19 year resident of University City, Philadelphia is a master in the art of crochet and a charter member of Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). She is currently the president of the West Philly chapter of CGOA, a three year participant in the Philadelphia Knit out Crochet sponsored by Craft Yarn Council of America and was one of the feature artists in the "Stitches that Heal" exhibition in the Pittsburgh museum of art. Yvette is also an instructor at the Penn Alexander Community School in fiber arts as well as crochet; an instructor of Independence Blue Cross employees through the "Pink Power Program". Yvette is active in many other fiber arts clubs spreading the love of crochet throughout the city of Philadelphia and continuing the crochet class here at UCAL for her former teacher, mentor & friend Carol Moore, whom is oopening her own store in Bridgeton, NJ..

Lindo Jones: has mentored under Michelle Myers, of the poetry duo "Yellow Rage" He works closely with the Germantown Poetry Festival and is the Poet in Residence for CAP Literary Magazine at Community College of Philadelphia. Lindo has been on the panel of many academic conferences such as TYCA addressing the processes of Creative Writing and Spoken Word.

David Krevolin: is been creating art most of his life. Graduated with a BA in sculpture from the Lyme Academy College of Fine Art with the excellence in sculpture award. A year later he moved to Philadelphia where he has been working on his 2D work. David's work had been mainly about the figure but while in Philly he began to be inspired by the beautiful city he calls home. He begun to explore the urban landscape in combination with his study of the figure. Along the way he has been teaching private lessons to kids from 8-13 years old and has taught figure sculpture at the Gilford Hand Crafted Center to people who range from ages 17-75.

Olena Kucheruk: Native Russian/Ukrainian speaker and self-directed enthusiastic educator with a passionate commitment to student development. Holds Specialist degree in Linguistics and experienced in working with students of various ages and students with special needs, as well as in curriculum design and development, differentiated instruction and interactive learning. Welcomes everyone to challenge themselves with a tongue-twisting Russian language and get familiar with some aspects of Russian traditions and culture.

Aubrey Levinthal

Aubrey Levinthal: Has a BA in Drawing and Painting, Pennsylvania State University, studied at Studio Art Centre International in Florence, Italy. She has worked in the Philadelphia area while completing her degree, leading children’s activities at Abington Art Center and assisting curatorial staff at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Working and exhibiting artist.

Hui-Wen Liang: Native to China, Hui-Wen now is a second year Master student at the University of Pennsylvania and serves as Penn TELL’s leader in Graduate School of Education (GSE). She majored in Early Child Education and minored in Elementary School Education in College in Taiwan. She earned both teaching certificates after graduation. Before she came to the United States, she taught Chinese, English, Math, Social Science, PE and Art for four years from second to fifth grade in an elementary school. She also tutored English for elementary students, junior high students, and adults. The experience of teaching English in Taiwan built up her second language teaching skills. She utilizes pictures, songs, body movements, games, tasks, drama and art activities to facilitate student learning and knows how to adjust and integrate diverse activities to adapt to different age groups. In America, she taught Chinese at International House for adults. Recently, she has become an instructor of Chinese Mandarin for the Arts League and the Delaware Valley Chinese School.

Lisa Love: was born in Philly and raised both here and in NewYork. She graduated from Fallsburg High School and got a Scholarship to play women's basketball for Clarion University. She attended Clarion from '84-'88 and graduated with a BA in Sociology/Psychology. She started DJing in 1984 and continued throughout her four years at college. When Lisa graduated from Clarion University, she got 3 jobs (Social Worker in Nursing Home, Head Women's Basketball Coach at Sullivan County Community College, and Resident DJ at Joe's Bar in South Fallsburg, NY). Lisa is involved with Girl's DJ, a community based program where they teach females how to actually DJ. She is a volunteer instructor. Kenny Johnson gave the recommendation for her and she was called and the rest is history. Then finally in 2007, Lisa started teaching Private DJ Lessons. Although she thought it would be a slow process, it has taken off uncontrollably!

Trina Mansfield: is a Philadelphia artist who has been showing her work in many shows exhibitions throughout the city and region for more than 20 years. Specializing in glasswork, stained glass and mosaics, she has designed, built or restored countless stained glass windows and mosaics for many churches, institutions and homes in Philadelphia and its suburbs.

Johanna Marshall: Is a fiber artist and longtime knitter whose work meshes practicality, beauty, and visual humor. A graduate of Evergreen State College, Johanna has researched and documented the history of knitting and craft in isolated cultures, as well as refining her studio skills at the Penland School of Crafts. She welcomes you to the revolution of stylish self-sufficiency!

Dan McGlaughlin: is an actor, musician and writer. He currently works for the Big Picture Alliance, Dobbins AVT, and is a founding member of the Philadelphia Eagle¹s Hard Rock band ³Talons of the Eagle². He is also a regular contributor to the online publications ³The Roxboro Lyric Poetry Association² and ³Parts of Speech². Dan was born in Philadelphia and attended Saint Joseph's Preparatory School, a Jesuit Prep school in Philadelphia, well-known for its excellent theater program and has a B.A. in Theater/History from Temple University. Dan has appeared on several network television shows and has worked extensively in Philadelphia and New York.

Vicki Mehl: Has been studying tai chi for 12 years. A member of the tai chi "family" of Professor Cheng Man Ching. She has received instruction from Benjamin Lo, William Chen and Andrew Heckert and is currently studying with Maggie Newman. A special education teacher by day, she finds that tai chi principals are useful in all parts of her life.

Karen Meier: is a cellist and chamber music player. In addition to freelancing she teaches cello at UCAL, Temple Music Preparatory. Suburban Music School and is a College House Teaching Fellow at University of Pennsylvania. Karen is the Orchestra Teacher at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia in Mount Airy. Karen is also a chamber music teacher at UCAL and is a member of the Westwoods Ensemble.

Lesley Mitchell: Cert. Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art; 25 years study & performance in social dance forms, Balkan folk, Polish national, ballroom, swing & Argentine tango. Board member ofPhiladelphia Swing Dance Society. Has had extensive Tango study in Argentina. http://www.dancephiladelphia.com/

Martha JG McKinney: MS , University Buenos Aires, Faculty Exact Sciences & Engineering, Chemist, Buenos Aires foreign & national manufacturing companies; Buenos Aires High School teacher Math & Spanish foreign students. Philadelphia, PA: Scientific Translator (Sp/Fr/It/Russ); Simultaneous translator (Sp); Spanish Instructor; web pages editor (Sp); Transfer Credits Evaluator (national & foreign) for Community College of Philadelphia. Institute for Scientific Information, Institute for the Development Human Potential, Information Ventures Inc. (NIH,CCD), Inlingua School of Languages (Cigna, Wharton, & private students).

Anne-Marie Mulgrew: MFA, Temple University; artistic director, Anne-Marie Mulgrew & Dancers Co. Served as adjunct faculty at Temple, Penn State and College of NJ; Education Director for Dance Affiliates/ Dance Celebration; Roster artist for NJ and PA Council on the Arts in Ed program; choreographer/dancer for the stage, festivals, specific sites & film/TV. PR person for UCAL. Visit her Web site at http://www.annemariemulgrewdancersco.org/.

Julia Naftulin: Has a masters in Dance/Movement Therapy from Hahnemann Hospital/Drexel University. With a lifelong history of dance and movement, Julia was certified to teach classical Pilates at The Pilates Studio in Ny and Bryn Mawr and has trained with master teachers from the Physical Mind Institute. Has been teaching classes and private sessions on mat and equipment in the Philadelphia area since 2003 and is currently working at Studio 34.

Melanie Oudkerk: received her B.A in French Literature in May 2002 from Brown University and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology in December 2007 from Temple University. Melanie has extensive experience in teaching language and linguistic studies and works with adults and children. She has also worked at diagnosing and treating functional voice disorders. She currently works as a Speech Language Pathologist at the Easter Seals. Melanie is fluent in both French and Spanish.

Peter N. Psyrris: has 15 years experience and is highly trained in many forms of not only the physical aspects of the martial arts but the philosophical aspects as well. Peter Grew up in Downingtown Pennsylvania and currently lives in the Philadelphia area while attending Drexel University in hopes of a Law Degree. Peter has instructed numerous students of all ages at the Golden Fist Martial Arts Studio in Gap Pennsylvania and the Family Martial Arts Studio in Downingtown Pennsylvania, as well as private one on one lessons to students out of his home in Downingtown.

Kelly Ray: BA, U. of CA. Extensive study & experience in ballroom, Argentine tango, Latin club dance & swing dance, as well as international folk dance. Performs with Janosik Polish Dance Ensemble. Has had extensive tango study in Argentina. http://www.dancephiladelphia.com/

Eva Sasdi: Has a B.A. in Education and studied American Culture at Yale University. She was born in Hungary and lived in Germany and France before coming to the U.S. She has been taking pottery class for some time now and enjoys all kinds of creative activities. She can't wait to do some fun projects with her little son!

Claudia Naila Schulte: Ed.D. taught poetry to her ESOL students in Philadelphia high schools for 20 years. Now retired, she lives in Overbrook Park where she gives poetry workshops at the local library. She has given professional development workshops, and has had two poems published in the Mad Poets Review. Also a singer/songwriter, she has also performed widely at open mics and benefits in the Philadelphia area.

Alba Seda: Was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Graduated from a Sports Specialized School in 1997, with a specialty in Taekwondo. Sixteen years of practicing and ten years of teaching kids and adults this martial art and Olympic Sport. Second Dan (degree) black belt, National Champion from 1995 to 2002 when retired from competition. Assistant Coach of the Puerto Rico Junior National Team 2003 to 2004. Now in Philadelphia attending Temple University Graduate School finishing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree.

Priscilla Sepe: Has a BS, Cornell University. Current student at Jefferson Medical College, student of ceramic arts and sculpture for the past five years. Has attended workshops on Japanese pottery, tool-making, use of local clay bodies, altered shapes, painting and figure sculpting. Taught Ceramics classes and workshops at Cornell Ceramics Studio for three years, from 2004 to 2006. See some of her work at http://www.myspace.com/alligator28.

Patti Siegrist: The Birth Center nurse Patty Siegrist is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, available for special breastfeeding needs or problems. Patty is a resource for questions that come up in getting breastfeeding established.

Marcus Smith: Trained with Shuji Maruyama from 1973 to 1983; has taught the four arts of aikido since 1979 in Phila & Haverford, PA. Is personally grateful to aikido for its physical & mental challenges.

Janine Spruill: Is the founder and head instructor of the Lil' Filmmakers program. In 1999, Janine graduated from Temple University with a BA in Communications and Theater. Shortly after graduation she began Lil' Filmmakers. Janine wanted to offer young people the chance to learn about the film industry and use video arts as a creative outlet. As the program began to grow, Janine brought aboard her mother Ruby Beckett, a 25 year business management veteran, as the program's director and marketing manager. To date, Lil' Filmmakers has worked with hundred of young people across the Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Jennifer Sweda: Jennifer Erica Sweda MS., LIS (Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign); MLA (UPenn), has been making jewelry for over 10 years and selling it locally, under the name Jericas Jewelry, since 2003. She has taken jewelry-making courses in both Illinois and Philadelphia, and focuses on simple but eye-catching designs in a wide variety of materials. http://www.jericasjewelry.etsy.com/

Rodney Thoms: Is is a visual artist working in a variety of media while retaining the immediacy of drawing. In addition to making and teaching art, his other wage-earning activities have included scenic art, museum display, and finish carpentry. He received his MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and his BFA in Drawing from Southern Illinois University. He has recently exhibited at PAFA and here at the Arts League. He has maintained an etching studio since 1994. http://www.rodneythoms.com/

Syd Torchio: Recently seen in the July 2004 issue of Philadelphia Magazine, for painting of WYSP air personality cousin Ed's pet. Also appeared in Philadelphia Style magazine. Has recently won numerous first and second place awards for life drawing, sketch drawing, and small animal drawing at both the Phila. Plastic Club and the Phila. Sketch Club. Sid has a painting featured in the upcoming M. Night Shamalyan film 'Lady in the Water', to be released later this fall.

Frank Walsh an active and even proactive member of the ULA since late 2002 Frank Walsh (aka, The Masked Perfesser) has been a self proclaimed radical poet, reading, performing, publishing, organizing along socialistic propensities, and work shopping (with the working class elderly, fellow poets, and the emotionally- mentally handicapped, never with MFAers and their ilk), pissing off the literary special interests and challenging the neo-liberal academic establishment in Philadelphia since the early 1970's on in more ways than he would care to say - cause it would bore him.

Tamara Weiss has been sewing since the age of 12, when she uncovered her mother’s sewing machine and started figuring out how to make herself clothing. Self-taught, she is a firm believer in the “make it up as you go along” method and allows the process of creation to direct the outcome of her work. She has studied traditional embroidery in China and batik fabric dying in Indonesia, as well as costume design. Tamara collects textiles from around the world and likes to allow a piece of fabric to inspire the design it will become. She also uses sewing as a method of recycling, using old cloths to make news. She enjoys teaching many forms of art in various contexts, and is committed to using art as a tool for social justice.

Emily Wexler is an independent dance maker, performer, teacher, writer, thinker, and friend. Most recently she presented work at the American Dance Festival, WUK in Vienna, Austria and the Il Faut Bruler Pour Briller festival in Paris, France. She has been fortunate to present works in such venues as Judson Church, Dixon Place, Chez Bushwick, Galapagos, The Field's Far Space series, AUNTS, and the Paul Robeson House, among others. She has worked with many artists including Asubtout, Ann Liv Young, Sam Kim, Kim Brandt, Jen Mcginn, and Lyndsey Karr. She is also an active member of the Get Up and Go Collective with visual artists Lizzy Sise and Aimee Burg. Emily received her MFA and BA in Dance from Hollins Univeristy.

Mikaela Joy Kala'iikapo Willis

Mikaela Joy Kala'iikapo Willis: Hawaiian Dance Instructor. For the past 24 years, Mikaela has performed Hawaiian dance professionally all over the country, including competing twice a soloist in Hawaii (capturing 2nd place overall and 1st place in Hawaiian language) and three times with her halau (dance group). Living in Chicago, and loving the culture of an island thousands of miles away, Mikaela found it very difficult to feel the deep connection to Hawaii she'd always longed for. So in 2003, after receiving a personal invite from one of the most accomplished Kumu Hula (Hula Masters) in Hawaii to join his classes, she decided to take some time away from work, away from family and life in Chicago, to spend 6 months living, learning and dancing in Hawaii. During that time, the intensive studies provided Mikaela with the opportunity to soak up the Hawaiian culture from two of hula’s most well-known teachers. As an added honor, her Kumu Hula of the past 14 years bestowed a Hawaiian name on her before her trip was over. Upon her return, she took on the role of instructor in her Chicago group, sharing what she had learned with students from age 7 through adult. She’s taken her knowledge with her, and shared it in Brooklyn, Indianapolis and Naperville, IL and is looking forward to sharing some of the beautiful culture of Hawaii in Philadelphia.

Djuna Wojton

Djuna Wojton: Studied belly dancing in Egypt with renowned Middle Eastern dancers; appeared on 20/20 TV series, "Oriental Dance As An Art Form"; performs in galleries, restaurants, conferences, parties, Painted Bride & Group Motion. Dubbed "Philadelphia's Reigning New Age Goddess" by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Djuna Wojton's career spans two decades as certified hypnotherapist, spiritual cancelor and reiki master. She has: produced three meditation tapes, hosted a new age radio show, wrote a daily column for AOL and is the author of Karmic Healing. Visit her site http://www.djunaverse.com/.

Pei-Ying Wu: Native Chinese, recently graduated from University of Pennsylvania, where she received her second Master’s degree in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum. Before she came to America, she has worked in several teaching position in Taiwan where she enjoyed to meeting and working with children. Her past teaching experience at Fresh Seed Children’s art Center/School and elsewhere in Taiwan has given her a critical perspective on how young children learn and how to motivate them. Currently, she is teaching American children Chinese in Philadelphia. She is a creative, enthusiastic, and highly motivated teacher, who uses art activities, songs, dramatic play and body movement to facilitate children’s Chinese learning. Through this participation, children enjoy the whole learning process as well as increase their Chinese listening and oral skill.