Stephan Betz, Ph.D., MT-BC, teaches Music. Dr. Betz holds a master’s degree in arts education and a Ph.D. in Community Education. He has performed onstage and on the radio in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, France and Australia. Stephan is a Board Certified Music Therapist who has provided services to people with disabilities for 38 years for which he received awards for professional excellence as well as Honorary Recognitions by the U.S. Congress and California Senate/Assembly. He helped situate 350 people with severe disabilities in the community, and created a Trauma-Informed Education Community in Vallejo for 14,500 students. Stephan teaches at “Step Up Music”, Vallejo and Walnut Creek Center for Community Arts. Stephan’s passion is to find and unleash children’s talents to set them on the pass to extraordinary success as adults.
Gene Buban, aka Geneus1, teaches hip-hop/breakdancing and graffiti style writing/experimental typography. He is a founding member of the Rock Force Crew, which now spans 4 generations of breakdancers, with the newest generation leading Team USA to introduce the sport of breakdancing to the 2024 Olympics. Unlike most graffiti artists, Geneus1 specializes in digital graffiti used as a spiritual practice. He has a BA in Computers in Art, Research & Education with a minor in Psychology from San Jose State University, and more recently has been certified in computer programming. Mr. Gene’s background encompasses a diversity of industries, but has always had an educational component – from writing software manuals and creating training videos for videographers worldwide, to inventing a mortgage loan training simulator, to improving an entire college website, and creating a 3D painting class in virtual reality. Mr, Gene seeks to use experimental digital technologies to enhance creative visualization and thinking to inspire the next generation.
Katie Cornell is an Arts journalism and digital storytelling instructor, holding a Bachelor’s degree in journalism with a focus on magazines from the University of Oregon. In today’s content-driven world, she serves as an editor and digital strategist, guiding individuals in presenting their stories online in meaningful and genuine ways. Throughout her career, Ms. Katie has managed global editorial teams for travel brands, worked as a behind-the-scenes fact checker, and contributed to both print and digital publications. (Fun fact: Her inaugural cover story reported on a cat show for an alternative weekly publication.) Despite the transformations in her journey, Ms. Katie’s commitment to teaching responsible and ethical reporting remains steadfast. Currently, she collaborates with fellow Vallejo Teaching Artists to empower students in finding their voices on digital platforms.
Izzy Drumgoole is a visual arts instructor from and based in Northern California. Ms. Izzy’s multicultural upbringing and love of art organically woke her thirst for visual storytelling. She is self-taught and has been interested in art since she was a young child. Art was her form of self-expression. Using mixed media as a tool to educate, engage, unify, honor, and celebrate, Ms. Izzy engages in a variety of creative forms of art activism as a catalyst for change. Her creative repertoire includes graphic design, and custom paintings in acrylic, watercolor, and oil. She also designs, installs, and trains at-promise youth in the art of mural making through the organization she founded in 2008, OnePeopleTribe.org (OPT). Ms. Izzy has collaborated on several murals around the SF Bay Area as well as one in West Africa. She has also developed multiple opportunities for community art exposure including public face painting at the farmers market and festivals, public and private (for hire) paint party facilitation, Free-the-Art (mobile, free, painting events for youth and families), and in-school creative services. Her future projects include marrying art and technology via augmented reality.
Jacalyn Evone is a writer, photographer and film maker. She has produced and directed an impressive range of projects, from captivating short films to thought-provoking feature-length documentaries and independent films, creating well over 300 projects that showcase her ability to tell compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Her work has been honored with a prestigious WAVE Award, recognizing her excellence and dedication to the art of filmmaking. Jacalyn’s journey with photography began when she had the opportunity to photograph renowned figures such as the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and acclaimed actor Brock Peters, in their respective homes. A graduate of the Academy of Art University in Motion Pictures & Television, Ms. Evone shares her expertise to guide the next generation of young talents through her non-profit organization, KidsNFilm Multimedia, imparting knowledge both in front of and behind the camera.
Kathleen Herrmann, a retired elementary educator, writes about small moments with big messages. Her poems have appeared in anthologies published by B Cubed Press, Ice Floe Press, Pure Slush, Moonstone Press, Napa Valley Writers, and Benicia Literary Arts. She has also been a regular contributor to the Going The Distance column in the Benicia Herald. She was awarded Best in Show at the Solano County Fair in 2022 and 2023. She reads her work on OZCAT radio’s Poetry Hour and hosts literary interviews. She is writing a collection of stories about refugees to America to be published as a poetry book, entitled I Was There, Now I’m Here.
Mark Martin, MFA, is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and arts administrator. Born in Wisconsin and based in Vallejo. His diverse portfolio spans objects, installations, ceramic sculpture, paintings, and murals. His vibrant aesthetic draws viewers in, weaving mixed media into captivating narratives with a focus on social justice and environmental concerns. Noteworthy is his ongoing Mexican Revolution series and explorations of laborers’ roles in society. His work is placed in private and public regional museum collections. As an administrator, Mr. Martin served as the Student Activities Director with the Maryland Institute College and sat on the leadership committee of A-Salon Limited, the largest artist cooperative in Washington D.C. with 140 artists and 40,000 square feet of studio space. As an instructor, he has lectured at San Antonio Community College and taught at-risk youth in San Antonio. His studio is anchored at Mare Island Art Studios.
Holly Morrow began her dance training at age 5 and has extensively studied ballet, tap and modern dance. Her professional career began with the Cleveland San Jose Ballet where she danced for nine seasons, eventually becoming a soloist/principal performer. In the off season, she danced for the Chatauqua Ballet Company and the Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels. She relocated to the Bay Area and began a seven year partnership with Moving Arts Dance as a principal dancer where she later assumed the role as Associate Artistic Director. She simultaneously danced for several prominent Bay Area choreographers including Mark Foeringher, Charles Moulton, and Micheal Lowe among others. Holly became passionate about teaching dance early in her career and now teaches and choreographs ballet, pointe and modern dance to dancers of all levels and ages. Her love of dance and the energy she receives from her students inspires her to learn and grow.
Treva Nervis, M.A. teaches dance and creative writing. Ms. Nervis has Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from Dominican University of CA in Humanities: Ethnic and Cultural Studies, and is working on her MA Education/Teaching Credential in Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Education, Touro University. She has been inspiring VCS students with her love and teaching of dance since the school opened in 2007 where she taught ELA/Social Studies for over 5 years. Ms. Treva is an Afro-Modern and Afro-Haitian dancer, but is fluent in most Pan-African dances. She taught dance at the Peace, Pride, Poise Camp in the Bronx, NY., and then became Rehearsal Director for Dance Theater of the Gospel. In the Bay Area, she danced for Blanche Brown’s La Petite Corp and Dance Theater of the Gospel. In recent years, Treva has transitioned to choreographer and poet.
Darcie O’Brien has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, painting and photography major, and has been working as a freelance graphic artist for 17 years. In 2009, she began teaching art to youth from her home studio, a project called “The Art Garage,” where neighborhood kids could come and work on projects in a mode of self-discovery and collaboration. As an offshoot of the Art Garage project, she offered art workshops for youth and families in the city of Vallejo, CA. which led her to teach Art, Photography, and Graphic Design at Vallejo middle schools. In 2012, she began teaching art classes for Art With Elders, and has continued to work with them in many roles over the years, including managing the Annual Show and Traveling Exhibits Program in addition to providing web and graphic design support. You can learn more about her work at: darcieobrien.com.
Amy Owen is a Bay Area curator and arts administrator with over two decades of curatorial and leadership experience. She was most recently Executive Director at the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art in Novato. Prior to that, she served as Exhibitions and Public Programs Manager at McEvoy Foundation for the Arts (San Francisco). She previously held posts as Curator at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art (Napa), Senior Exhibitions Manager at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco), and Director of Exhibitions at Artists Space (New York). She currently writes content for the artist-run gallery Personal Space (Vallejo) and has a forthcoming exhibition opening in 2024 for Real Time and Space (Oakland). Her recent curatorial projects include Jean Conner: Inner Garden and The Potential of Objects. Owen holds an MA in Curatorial Studies from Bard College and a BA in Art History from Southern Methodist University.
Meja Pannell-Tyehimba is originally from New York City where she began her theatrical career at the famed “New Lafayette Theatre” in Harlem. Her theatrical experience/work includes the full spectrum of theatre from hanging lights, building sets to directing and performance. She has taught theatre arts to youth in New York, Washington D.C., New Mexico, and California. She is a published author, “Real”-Scenes and Monologues for Urban Youth Limelight Editions and is a Mentor with the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project’s “Film & Freedom” Academy. Most recently, Ms. Tyehimba is a 3GirlsTheatre Brady Fellow. Her creative thrust has always been to tell the stories that are seldom told. She believes that Theatre is a tool for change, a sounding board for the underrepresented and an experience where discussion is provoked.
Liberty Pierson teaches visual art. She has been a professional working artists and graphic designer for nearly 15 years, creating work for clients such as Strong for All Economy, Coit Tower, Lookout! Records, and Vallejo Food and Art Walk. Ms. Pierson obtained her A.S. Degree from Brooks College in 2005 and studied illustration and art education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY from 2009-2012. Since returning to the California in 2014, she has exhibited work across the Bay Area. To pursue her passion for teaching she begun hosting workshops and summer camps for youth and adults. With an eclectic background of studies in the visual arts she is able to help students feel comfortable experimenting with mediums such as screen printing, wood burning, and collage. In her spare time, Liberty Pierson volunteers as the Artist Coordinator for the Vallejo Food and Art Walk. She feels strongly that each child have an opportunity express themselves.
David Richards teaches visual art. He works both as a visual artist in the field of Graphics and Industrial Design and as a Dance Instructor. He received his BFA in Industrial Design from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI. He has used his degree to design displays for American Greetings and toys for Hasbro, Inc. He has been a freelance designer in the Bay Area since 2003 working with such corporate clients as Leapfrog, Hasbro and Wild Planet. Mr. Richards has also been a professional ballet dancer, dancing with Cleveland Ballet and Hartford Ballet. He has been teaching ballet to all ages in the Bay Area for the past 15 years. Mr. Richards lives here in Vallejo with his wife Holly and son Reed. He is a black belt in Kung Fu and his favorite food is Chinese.
Yajaira V. Rubio Machado, founder and dance instructor at Moon Azteca Dance and Art School, is deeply dedicated to sharing the vibrant culture, arts, history, and traditional dances of Mexico with future generations. Hailing from Mocorito, Sinaloa, Mexico, her upbringing was steeped in the rich tapestry of Mexican folklore and music, sparking her lifelong passion for the arts. Recently certified in indigenous pre-Hispanic dance and arts by the Secretary of Public Education (Mexico), her commitment to preserving Mexican heritage is unwavering. Simultaneously pursuing a certification in early childhood education, Yajaira aims to create an enriching environment for young learners, combining her cultural knowledge with an understanding of early childhood development. Through her scholarship program, ‘DANCE AND CREATE WITH MANOS Y PIES,’ she strives to provide artistic opportunities to underprivileged children, fostering their emotional and creative growth. Actively engaged in community and international boards, Yajaira endeavors to promote cultural exchange and understanding, nurturing a spirit of diversity.
Leah Tumerman redirected her painting practice to prioritize art’s accessibility, after completing an MFA with The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2008. Through public art and mural making she continued telling stories while engaging with diverse communities on site-specific and neighborhood projects. Her first public bid with the 49th Ward of Chicago was the beginning of a now fifteen-year career in public art. Leah has recently expanded her practice to include public art curriculum and program development supported by a Bachelor’s degree in Arts Education. She has served as a guest artist and mural facilitator with The Toledo Arts Commission, La Scuola International School in San Francisco, and with Vallejo Teaching Artists and the Vallejo Unified School District. Leah continues to produce large scale public murals of her own design nationally, while maintaining a painting studio practice in Vallejo, California.
Christine Vilar is originally from Southern California. She moved to the Bay Area in 2000 to attend UC Berkeley. After 15 years in San Francisco, she, her husband, and their son relocated to Vallejo during the pandemic in 2020. She is transitioning from a career as a web developer to a music specialist and video storyteller, and is collaborating with Vallejo Together on the “Love Explodes” project, documenting the incredible work of nonprofits serving the Vallejo community. Completing the Parent Leadership Training Institute’s 20-week course offered by Children’s Network of Solano County led her to work with VTA. She feels fortunate for the privilege of piano and violin lessons as a young child. Growing up, her parents were always singing — a tradition she passed to her son, who is also her greatest singing partner. She values the relationship between music, emotion, and empathy, and works to guide children in exploring that connection.
Loba Yates is a self-taught multidisciplinary community-based artist and teacher. Her work is rooted in creativity and engaged living. Her focus is in creating beautiful and functional works of art. She has taught sewing, tie dye, heat transfer and permanent vinyl art with Cricut software, resin art, jewelry making, gardening, bath and body products, meditation and journaling. Ms. Loba is interested in cross generational wellness through the arts. She has taught parents, seniors and young people within her work as a community arts instructor at the Immersive Learning Center, Sherwood Forest 4-H, JFK Library and as a Volunteer & Program Coordinator for the Project K.I.K.S. Ms. Loba is co-founder of the girl’s empowerment and journaling group Manifesting My Destiny. She looks forward to preserving the traditions of home crafting to a new generation of creatives.