MELISSA BERMAN

Melissa Berman brings over 20 years of experience as a performing arts instructor and professional performer. Melissa's background includes performing arts specialist in-residence for the Smithsonian Institution as well as various programs throughout Los Angeles, Orange County and Pasadena. Melissa's work includes serving at-risk and special needs communities including the Very Special Arts Festival and most recently the Hollywood Arts Council's Project SOAR. An award-winning critically-acclaimed performer, Melissa's credits include The Center Theatre (LA), Don't Tell Mama (NYC), and The Kennedy Center (D.C.). Melissa Berman holds a BFA (honors) in Dramatic Art and Speech as well as Graduate Work in EducationalTheatre from Virginia Commonwealth University.

MICAH COVER

Micah Cover is a full-time magician, juggler, actor and teacher. He has taught magic and juggling workshops for both kids and adults at Raleigh Little Theatre, Burning Coal Theatre, Party Pleasers Entertainment, Write Act Theatre in Hollywood and the Mathemagic after school program. Micah is a Board Member of Ring 21, the Hollywood chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He is a street performer for Universal Studios and is a performer, member and tour guide at the world-famous Magic Castle. You can learn about Micah's performance background at www.micahsmagic.com.

Micah is also a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, having been his master's first student in the United States to achieve that rank. He was Master KS Lee's Demonstration Team Leader, a North Carolina Olympics Tae Kwon Do referee, and an instructor for six different Tae Kwon Do schools.

Sara "Ms. Mighty" Fenton

Sara Fenton aka Ms. Mighty grew up in Toronto, Canada performing and competing in Rhythmic Gymnastics. Her love of dance prompted her to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a professional dancer. She has since performed with artists such as Nelly Furtado, the Beastie Boys and le tigre and with companies like Diavolo Dance Theater, shebang! B-girl (breakdance) Crew, and Lux Aeterna Acrobatic Dance Company. In addition to teaching with Diavolo, Sara currently teaches at Nikki's Gymnastics and Gymnastics World.

ROSANNE FEILD

Chef Rosanne Feild runs the Freeway Gourmet, a personal chef service. Her clients range from busy career couples to large families to new moms. Through her years of traveling for both work and pleasure, Rosanne has visited every continent in the world except Antarctica. Her travels have allowed her to experience a wide range of foods and learn unique ways of putting together flavors.

SHARON KIM

Sharon Kim has worked in various art studios in the Los Angeles area for more than a decade and has taught private lessons to children ages four and older. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Most recently, she worked in the Education Department at LACMA's children's arts program. In her free time, she enjoys painting and works in a variety of mediums, including oil, watercolor, and her favorite- acrylics. This will be Sharon's third year working with the Children's Arts Institute.

LYNN LEATART

A painter since the age of 9, Lynn took her first class in oil painting at a North Hollywood art school. A graduate of Chouinard Art School, the precursor to CalArts, she has been making jewelry for many years, and became serious several years ago, when she learned to solder. Her work is in shops in Los Angeles, Venice and Santa Monica. She still works as a painter, when not making jewelry. Her work with young people includes classes for Crestview Elementary School, Otis Evening and Summer School, Crossroads Elementary, and the Junior Art Center at Barnsdall Art Park.

JESSE MACKEY

Jesse Mackey is a professional actor with credits in film, television and commercial work. A member of the Liquid Radio Players improvisational theatre company, he also directs the Re-creating Radio workshops for young people at The Paley Center for Media.

MICHAEL PEDZIWATR

Michael Pedziwatr received a bachelor's degree from Ball State University and taught High School in Gary, Indiana before relocating to Boulder, Colorado where he studied photography and drawing. He studied drawing at The Art Student's League in New York City and apprenticed with master painter John David Rigsby.

Returning to Denver Michael opened a studio and began to translate his drawings into wooden sculpture. He later exhibited these sculptures in Santa Fe, N.M. with a solo show at Shidoni Contemporary Gallery and numerous shows in Colorado, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. He obtained his Masters Degree in art at the University of Denver and studied with esteemed public sculptor Lawrence Argent.

After moving to Ventura, CA in 1997, his work was exhibited in numerous galleries in So. CA. His work with young people includes teaching drawing and sculpture to children in Santa Barbara,Westlake Village, and at the Boys and Girls Club in Carpinteria, CA.

JANET PLANET

Janet Planet is a drummer, artist, writer, filmmaker, music and arts educator, and ethnomusicologist with a degree in Communications/Speech-Theater who enjoys bringing people together in playful, creative ways through rhythm, writing, and art. Janet has studied West African drumming, dance, and drum circle facilitation extensively, including training in Senegal, West Africa. She is a founding member of the Los Angeles Women's Drum Core and the World Music ensemble, The Luna Party! Janet has also founded the program, Write On!, which introduces and explores the many ways one can express themselves through writing. Most recently Janet has been honored to receive a Professional Designation in Arts Education from the Los Angeles County Arts Education Training Program through the Music Center Education Division. For info about Janet Planet and Drummin' Fun, please visit www.drumminfun.com.

ANTHONY POWELL

Anthony Powell is a graduate of Chapman University where he received his BFA in Theatre/Dance with an emphasis in film production. He has worked professionally in dance, theatre, film, television, commercials, and music videos. He is a founding member of the Son of Semele Theatre Ensemble based in Silver Lake, CA. He currently works at Pierce College and other studios throughout LA teaching African dance and Hip Hop.

KATHLEEN REDMOND

Kathleen Redmond graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a focus in Environmental Education. She currently spends half her time working in the After -School program at Children's Community School and the other half building vegetable gardens with her business Heart Beet Gardening. She has planted gardens with children from Ohio to the San Fernando Valley and hopes to inspire many more young gardeners. She has also been spinning fleece into yarn and dyeing it with natural dyes since high school.

MARK SILVERMAN

Mark Silverman was born in Los Angeles and instantly found a love for drawing. As a kid, Mark practiced his cartooning everyday and brought a pen everywhere. Mark has the self proclaimed distinction of drawing more gorillas than any human being that has ever lived! He specializes in drawing animals and dinosaurs and has used these characters in his own line of greeting cards. Mark also does voices for Walt Disney Studios and his voice can be heard in Disney theme parks around the world!

SANDY STEAD

A classroom teacher for 30 years, Sandy Stead received her teaching degree from Durham University, England. She integrated art into studies of Ancient Greece and Medieval Europe at Westland School, where she worked as the Group Six teacher for 27 years. Sandy is currently working as the Art Specialist at Children’s Community School with 1st through 6th graders, using many different sources as catalysts for art, for example: music, drama, nature, the immediate environment, and works of recognized artists.

JENNIE WARREN

Jennie Warren received her BFA with honors in Photography from Art Center College of Design. Before attending Art Center, she went to Long Beach City College and took every photo class they had-twice! She has over 3 years experience working with kids, and taught photo classes to 2nd and 3rd graders. With over 12 years of photography experience, Jennie freelances and shoots portraits, editorial and commercial jobs.