Carlie Howell (she/her/they/them)
I am a musician, composer, media artist and educator. I compose both lyric and instrumental music, and create accompanying visuals such as video art, graphic novel, choreography or interactive installations. As a performer, I love working with composers and singer-songwriters to interpret their music, and I enjoy touring internationally and the new artists I get to meet and cultures I get to experience. As an educator, I strive to provide frameworks within which my students’ thoughts, emotions and personalities can shine. From individual video poems to group soundscapes and animations to multi-class compositions and recordings, I never cease to be amazed at what they come up with! In all that I do, I seek to create physical and emotionally safe spaces where all can learn with ease and thrive creatively.
Ben Lee (he/him)
I have worked as a music and creative arts educator for the past 8 years, developing projects with a wide variety of participants including people in marginalized communities and people with special needs. Puppetry, stage performance, and music are all areas of my training and craft and in each of those disciplines; I am most passionate about improvisation! When working with participants, I love drawing from people’s stories and experiences, developing art that is personal to each individual and giving participants full agency over how they express themselves. In the classroom, fun and spontaneity play a huge role in engaging with students and whether it’s music, visual art, or theatre, I have found playfulness to be the best catalyst for bringing out the best in students. Growing up, I watched far too many cartoons and the Muppets taught me everything I know about life.
Michael O’Connell (he/they)
For the past 20 years, I have collaborated and innovated as an Artist Educator in classrooms and among communities of young people living on the margins. I love to co-create brave spaces that explore Identity, Anti-Oppression, and STEAM curriculums through music, movement and videography. Equipped with an ever evolving repertoire of upbeat and inclusive activities, I work to center the voices and leadership of young people in the creative process. I also tour and release music internationally under the artist name, Culture Reject.
Abby Zotz (she/her)
I’ve been creating with and learning from kids and young adults for 25 years. I approach each project in the spirit of collaboration with beginner’s mind. As a songwriter and choir leader, my joy is finding harmony – literally and figuratively – between each contributing member, because each has a voice and gift to share. As an actor my passion is story-telling and emotion exploration. Whether we are writing songs, exploring soundscapes or finding new meaning in an old tale or tune, my work focuses on building the self through the community. I love working with other artists, teachers and community organizers to deepen the meaning-making that is at the heart of artistic experiences for me. When i’m not performing or teaching, i help my partner to steward 10 acres of off-the-grid, eco-friendly farmland in Northumberland County where we keep chickens, geese and bees.