Arts Corps' faculty of teaching artists brings an exceptionally rare breadth and depth of experience as working artists and as educators. We value our teaching artists in their indispensable role as facilitators of a creative journey for young people, and honor them as artists whom we hire in the diverse art forms listed below. Read more about them by clicking on their names.
Growing up in Austin, Texas, Shannon gained early exposure to many artistic mediums through her participation in an experimental arts education program in elementary school. She attributes her... more
Jeromeskee started break dancing in 1996 and has been performing in b-boy events and competitions ever since. Jerome is a member of several competitive, successful b-boy dance groups: World champion... more
Roberto connects with students via universal narratives that span through a wide range of subjects: first kisses, defying racism, love for family and … cans of Spam. He teaches that poetry must be... more
Lauren Atkinson is a visual and mixed media fiber artist who shows her work throughout the Northwest and nationally. She has 15 years of experience working as a teaching artist and has taught with... more
Vicky Edmonds is a poet and teacher who uses the art & practice of writing to bring the deepest and most authentic parts of ourselves to the page and to the world. Over the last 22 years she has... more
Florentino began working with out-of-school programs in 2000. Most of his experience comes from his involvement with school age and middle school children. He enhances programs by implementing what... more
Geoff Garza is a visual artist who has exhibited regionally and nationally for 20 years. As an actor, he's had the opportunity to work with luminaries like Oliver Stone and Tom Cruise, among others.... more
Stephany Koch Hazelrigg is an engaging and empowering creative director, facilitator, cultural worker, and social artist living deeply & directly from her belief in the power of art to create space,... more
I am Maxie "Mystique" Jamal. While possessing a slew of hidden talents I have mostly aspired to become a Choreographer/ Artistic Director, dancer, and an educator for the arts. Arts education is... more
Piece has graced the stage with some of the forefathers and mothers of spoken word: Gill Scott Heron, The Last Poets, Saul Williams and Gwendolyn Brooks. As far as hip hop goes, she’s wrecked shop... more
In addition to being Education Director, Tina LaPadula is a theatre teaching artist and founding member of Arts Corps. Her commitment to emergent curriculum, art for social change and... more
David Lasky was born in 1967 in Washington,D.C. He grew up in Northern Virginia and attended The College of William & Mary. He began drawing mini-comics in 1991, while living in the Bay Area. He... more
Darren Lay is artistic director of the nationally recognized Young Shakespeare Workshop. Since 1998, he has directed for the workshop’s “Love's Labour's Lost,” “As You Like It,”... more
Brent McDonald was born in Missouri in 1966 and relocated to Washington state in 1972. In the late-‘80s, Brent attended drawing classes at the School of Visual Concepts. He began experimenting with... more
Inspired by a Poppin' Battle in Seattle's Central District, Fever One had become influenced by the spiritual aspect and competitiveness of the dance by the age of 10. Soon after, he identified with... more
Eduardo Mendonça — multi-talented musician, producer and composer — is a native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Mendonça received his masters in arts education from the Music Institute of the... more
Erica Merritt began singing and performing at 5. In middle school, she was featured in a band called “Starlighters,” which consisted of three student vocalists and a few members of the faculty.... more
Carla Moreno is a world music explorer, writer, and DJ. Trekking solo across the globe, Carla’s fascination with world cultures goes beyond curiosity. Her experience as a musician, teacher, and... more
Darwin is an accomplished visual artist whose work includes drawings, paintings and sculpture that reflect his fascination with nature.
Darwin’s 25-year career as a teaching artist is centered... more
Tomas Oliva was born in Havana, Cuba in 1958. He studied at San Alejandro Academy, perfected his training at the Instituto Superior de Arte, and traveled to Ukraine to pursue his masters in fine arts... more
Dora’s career as a professional dancer began in 1976 when she joined renowned Brazilian folkloric dance troupe, Exaltacao A Bahia. Ms. Oliveira has a repertoire that ranges from Afro-Brazilian... more
Water for roots. Love of reggae. Fire for rock. This is not only the essence of Seattle reggae band, Kore Ionz, but the philosophy behind band front man and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Damian Pak. ... more
Luc's work is driven by the fundamental belief that we all have endless capabilities as long as we do not limit or judge ourselves. After two years studying theater and cinema at the University of... more
Coming from a musically infused childhood, the ever-versatile Arturo Rodriguez shares his passion for percussion with the Pacific Northwest and beyond. An accomplished musician, author, and teacher,... more
Greg Stump has been teaching comics and cartooning to students of all ages for more than a decade. His comics and illustrations have appeared regularly in the Seattle paper, The Stranger, since 2000,... more
After graduating from the University of Washington with a bachelor of fine arts in painting, Lana moved to New York City to begin her career as an artist and a teacher. After five years of teaching... more
Aaron Walker-Loud is a composer, drummer and director of many music collaborations and services, including The Flood (1999-2003), Big World Breaks (2000-present) and One Family, Inc. (2004-present).... more
Hollis Wong-Wear is a poet, musician and performance artist originally from the Bay Area. In 2005, Hollis was on San Francisco’s Youth Slam Team and competed in the Youth National Slams. In high... more
Jeromeskee started break dancing in 1996 and has been performing in b-boy events and competitions ever since. Jerome is a member of several competitive, successful b-boy dance groups: World champion... more
Florentino began working with out-of-school programs in 2000. Most of his experience comes from his involvement with school age and middle school children. He enhances programs by implementing what... more
I am Maxie "Mystique" Jamal. While possessing a slew of hidden talents I have mostly aspired to become a Choreographer/ Artistic Director, dancer, and an educator for the arts. Arts education is... more
Inspired by a Poppin' Battle in Seattle's Central District, Fever One had become influenced by the spiritual aspect and competitiveness of the dance by the age of 10. Soon after, he identified with... more
Carla Moreno is a world music explorer, writer, and DJ. Trekking solo across the globe, Carla’s fascination with world cultures goes beyond curiosity. Her experience as a musician, teacher, and... more
Dora’s career as a professional dancer began in 1976 when she joined renowned Brazilian folkloric dance troupe, Exaltacao A Bahia. Ms. Oliveira has a repertoire that ranges from Afro-Brazilian... more
Eduardo Mendonça — multi-talented musician, producer and composer — is a native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Mendonça received his masters in arts education from the Music Institute of the... more
Erica Merritt began singing and performing at 5. In middle school, she was featured in a band called “Starlighters,” which consisted of three student vocalists and a few members of the faculty.... more
Carla Moreno is a world music explorer, writer, and DJ. Trekking solo across the globe, Carla’s fascination with world cultures goes beyond curiosity. Her experience as a musician, teacher, and... more
Water for roots. Love of reggae. Fire for rock. This is not only the essence of Seattle reggae band, Kore Ionz, but the philosophy behind band front man and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Damian Pak. ... more
Luc's work is driven by the fundamental belief that we all have endless capabilities as long as we do not limit or judge ourselves. After two years studying theater and cinema at the University of... more
Coming from a musically infused childhood, the ever-versatile Arturo Rodriguez shares his passion for percussion with the Pacific Northwest and beyond. An accomplished musician, author, and teacher,... more
Aaron Walker-Loud is a composer, drummer and director of many music collaborations and services, including The Flood (1999-2003), Big World Breaks (2000-present) and One Family, Inc. (2004-present).... more
Roberto connects with students via universal narratives that span through a wide range of subjects: first kisses, defying racism, love for family and … cans of Spam. He teaches that poetry must be... more
Vicky Edmonds is a poet and teacher who uses the art & practice of writing to bring the deepest and most authentic parts of ourselves to the page and to the world. Over the last 22 years she has... more
Stephany Koch Hazelrigg is an engaging and empowering creative director, facilitator, cultural worker, and social artist living deeply & directly from her belief in the power of art to create space,... more
Piece has graced the stage with some of the forefathers and mothers of spoken word: Gill Scott Heron, The Last Poets, Saul Williams and Gwendolyn Brooks. As far as hip hop goes, she’s wrecked shop... more
Carla Moreno is a world music explorer, writer, and DJ. Trekking solo across the globe, Carla’s fascination with world cultures goes beyond curiosity. Her experience as a musician, teacher, and... more
Hollis Wong-Wear is a poet, musician and performance artist originally from the Bay Area. In 2005, Hollis was on San Francisco’s Youth Slam Team and competed in the Youth National Slams. In high... more
Stephany Koch Hazelrigg is an engaging and empowering creative director, facilitator, cultural worker, and social artist living deeply & directly from her belief in the power of art to create space,... more
In addition to being Education Director, Tina LaPadula is a theatre teaching artist and founding member of Arts Corps. Her commitment to emergent curriculum, art for social change and... more
Darren Lay is artistic director of the nationally recognized Young Shakespeare Workshop. Since 1998, he has directed for the workshop’s “Love's Labour's Lost,” “As You Like It,”... more
Growing up in Austin, Texas, Shannon gained early exposure to many artistic mediums through her participation in an experimental arts education program in elementary school. She attributes her... more
Lauren Atkinson is a visual and mixed media fiber artist who shows her work throughout the Northwest and nationally. She has 15 years of experience working as a teaching artist and has taught with... more
Geoff Garza is a visual artist who has exhibited regionally and nationally for 20 years. As an actor, he's had the opportunity to work with luminaries like Oliver Stone and Tom Cruise, among others.... more
Stephany Koch Hazelrigg is an engaging and empowering creative director, facilitator, cultural worker, and social artist living deeply & directly from her belief in the power of art to create space,... more
David Lasky was born in 1967 in Washington,D.C. He grew up in Northern Virginia and attended The College of William & Mary. He began drawing mini-comics in 1991, while living in the Bay Area. He... more
Brent McDonald was born in Missouri in 1966 and relocated to Washington state in 1972. In the late-‘80s, Brent attended drawing classes at the School of Visual Concepts. He began experimenting with... more
Darwin is an accomplished visual artist whose work includes drawings, paintings and sculpture that reflect his fascination with nature.
Darwin’s 25-year career as a teaching artist is centered... more
Tomas Oliva was born in Havana, Cuba in 1958. He studied at San Alejandro Academy, perfected his training at the Instituto Superior de Arte, and traveled to Ukraine to pursue his masters in fine arts... more
Greg Stump has been teaching comics and cartooning to students of all ages for more than a decade. His comics and illustrations have appeared regularly in the Seattle paper, The Stranger, since 2000,... more
After graduating from the University of Washington with a bachelor of fine arts in painting, Lana moved to New York City to begin her career as an artist and a teacher. After five years of teaching... more
Growing up in Austin, Texas, Shannon gained early exposure to many artistic mediums through her participation in an experimental arts education program in elementary school. She attributes her... 
Jeromeskee started break dancing in 1996 and has been performing in b-boy events and competitions ever since. Jerome is a member of several competitive, successful b-boy dance groups: World champion... 
Roberto connects with students via universal narratives that span through a wide range of subjects: first kisses, defying racism, love for family and … cans of Spam. He teaches that poetry must be... 
Lauren Atkinson is a visual and mixed media fiber artist who shows her work throughout the Northwest and nationally. She has 15 years of experience working as a teaching artist and has taught with... 
Vicky Edmonds is a poet and teacher who uses the art & practice of writing to bring the deepest and most authentic parts of ourselves to the page and to the world. Over the last 22 years she has... 
Florentino began working with out-of-school programs in 2000. Most of his experience comes from his involvement with school age and middle school children. He enhances programs by implementing what... 
Geoff Garza is a visual artist who has exhibited regionally and nationally for 20 years. As an actor, he's had the opportunity to work with luminaries like Oliver Stone and Tom Cruise, among others.... 
Stephany Koch Hazelrigg is an engaging and empowering creative director, facilitator, cultural worker, and social artist living deeply & directly from her belief in the power of art to create space,... 
I am Maxie "Mystique" Jamal. While possessing a slew of hidden talents I have mostly aspired to become a Choreographer/ Artistic Director, dancer, and an educator for the arts. Arts education is... 
Piece has graced the stage with some of the forefathers and mothers of spoken word: Gill Scott Heron, The Last Poets, Saul Williams and Gwendolyn Brooks. As far as hip hop goes, she’s wrecked shop... 
In addition to being Education Director, Tina LaPadula is a theatre teaching artist and founding member of Arts Corps. Her commitment to emergent curriculum, art for social change and... 
David Lasky was born in 1967 in Washington,D.C. He grew up in Northern Virginia and attended The College of William & Mary. He began drawing mini-comics in 1991, while living in the Bay Area. He... 
Darren Lay is artistic director of the nationally recognized Young Shakespeare Workshop. Since 1998, he has directed for the workshop’s “Love's Labour's Lost,” “As You Like It,”... 
Brent McDonald was born in Missouri in 1966 and relocated to Washington state in 1972. In the late-‘80s, Brent attended drawing classes at the School of Visual Concepts. He began experimenting with... 
Inspired by a Poppin' Battle in Seattle's Central District, Fever One had become influenced by the spiritual aspect and competitiveness of the dance by the age of 10. Soon after, he identified with... 
Eduardo Mendonça — multi-talented musician, producer and composer — is a native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Mendonça received his masters in arts education from the Music Institute of the... 
Erica Merritt began singing and performing at 5. In middle school, she was featured in a band called “Starlighters,” which consisted of three student vocalists and a few members of the faculty.... 
Carla Moreno is a world music explorer, writer, and DJ. Trekking solo across the globe, Carla’s fascination with world cultures goes beyond curiosity. Her experience as a musician, teacher, and... 
Darwin is an accomplished visual artist whose work includes drawings, paintings and sculpture that reflect his fascination with nature.
Darwin’s 25-year career as a teaching artist is centered... 
Tomas Oliva was born in Havana, Cuba in 1958. He studied at San Alejandro Academy, perfected his training at the Instituto Superior de Arte, and traveled to Ukraine to pursue his masters in fine arts... 
Dora’s career as a professional dancer began in 1976 when she joined renowned Brazilian folkloric dance troupe, Exaltacao A Bahia. Ms. Oliveira has a repertoire that ranges from Afro-Brazilian... 
Water for roots. Love of reggae. Fire for rock. This is not only the essence of Seattle reggae band, Kore Ionz, but the philosophy behind band front man and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Damian Pak. ... 
Luc's work is driven by the fundamental belief that we all have endless capabilities as long as we do not limit or judge ourselves. After two years studying theater and cinema at the University of... 
Coming from a musically infused childhood, the ever-versatile Arturo Rodriguez shares his passion for percussion with the Pacific Northwest and beyond. An accomplished musician, author, and teacher,... 
Greg Stump has been teaching comics and cartooning to students of all ages for more than a decade. His comics and illustrations have appeared regularly in the Seattle paper, The Stranger, since 2000,... 
After graduating from the University of Washington with a bachelor of fine arts in painting, Lana moved to New York City to begin her career as an artist and a teacher. After five years of teaching... 
Aaron Walker-Loud is a composer, drummer and director of many music collaborations and services, including The Flood (1999-2003), Big World Breaks (2000-present) and One Family, Inc. (2004-present).... 
Hollis Wong-Wear is a poet, musician and performance artist originally from the Bay Area. In 2005, Hollis was on San Francisco’s Youth Slam Team and competed in the Youth National Slams. In high...