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At the start of each academic year, LEAF Schools & Streets works to match available Artist in Residence, Resident & Easel Rider Teaching Artists with community centers and after-school programs for year-round programming. Teaching Artists work with youth, teaching them their performing art through rich, hands-on learning experiences that culminate with an opportunity for youth to perform on-stage at LEAF, or complete a final visual arts project, as well as other performance and workshop opportunities throughout their individual communities.
At the start of each academic year, LEAF Schools & Streets works to match available Artist in Residence, Resident & Easel Rider Teaching Artists with community centers and after-school programs for year-round programming. Teaching Artists work with youth, teaching them their performing art through rich, hands-on learning experiences that culminate with an opportunity for youth to perform on-stage at LEAF, or complete a final visual arts project, as well as other performance and workshop opportunities throughout their individual communities.
Former LEAF Schools & Streets Resident Teaching Artists
Amy Hamilton, Artimus Pyle, Asheville Urban Arts Institute, Ben Gradison, Bobby Fish, Christine Garvin, Dave Hamilton, DJ Kutzu, Dominique Scales, Edward Link, Edwin Salas, Erinn Hartley, Ersel “Garfield” BoganGary Bradley, Graham Hackett with Catalyst Poetix, Hunab-Kru, Imhotep, Ingrid Johnson, James Nave’, Jeanette Zwieg, Jeff Knorr, Jess Wharton, Jonathan Santos, Jon Cooley, Katie Oaks, Kelly Hanson, Kenya Webster, Kuumba Zuwena, Larissa Lopez, Lisa Abeling, Lola York, Lyric, Melanie MacNeil, Melina Palumbo, Michael Hayes, Nadirah Rahman, Nina Ruffini, Teren Gaskin, Ryulee Park, Skyler Goff, Kylie Irvin, Robyn Josephs, Cynde Allen, Christina Ruiz, Cristal Rose-Fox, Vanessa Guerro, James Love, Jenny Pickens, Otto Vazquez, Joe Carroll, Katrina McConnell, Marsha Almodovar, Lisa Smith
LEAF Schools & Streets has a long legacy of talented teaching artists who have helped shaped who we are, where we’ve been, and have helped pave the way for where we may go. We are forever grateful for their contributions and we honor them as an integral part of our organization.
Adama Dembele is a master djembefola (djembe player) from the Ivory Coast, West Africa. Born into a family of musicians, he has toured several continents with various major acts such as Oumou Sangare, Salif Keita, Affou Keita, Sogona Djata and many others. Adama has played in several drum and dance companies such as Yelembad’abidjan, Ensemble Koteba, Congoba and many more. In 2002, in collaboration with Siriki Sanogo, Adama founded Djembeso CI Drum and Dance Ensemble. “Djembeso” in the West African dialect Bambara means “the house of djembe.” Adama chose that name because his family has been playing the djembe for 33 generations and his native home was known as the house where the djembe is played. In 2005, Adama moved to the U.S. to perform and teach the sacred art of West African drumming. Since then he has played in major cities all over the United States. Currently, Adama resides in Asheville, NC, where he frequently performs and teaches authentic rhythms from Ivory Coast, Mali, and Guinea, West Africa.
Melissa McKinney is a music educator, songwriter, and event curator, with a passion for connection and building community. Her mission is to give a platform for youths to share their voices and to help them grow their confidence so they can stand up for what they believe in and make a difference in the world around them.
Agustín is the co-director of music and PreK-12th music teacher at the Odyssey School in Asheville. He is a lifetime member of the IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) union, Asheville chapter #278. Agustin is a national and international musical artist born in San Jose, Costa Rica. He earned a degree in Music & Social Behavioral Sciences from the University of Central Florida (UCF), and later attended Florida State University for Jazz Studies. He has been a Qualified Professional in North Carolina and has over 20 years of experience working with the IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) community.
As a drummer and percussionist he performs, tours, and is a recording artist with his bands. Agustin is currently featured in the original rock band ExciterBox, who have a newly released album. He plays with Zabumba, a Brazilian drumline and dance troupe based in Asheville, NC. Some past ensembles include the 1995 Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps and Walt Disney World (3 ensembles). He has also played in several orchestras/symphonies, concert bands, percussion ensembles, steel drum bands, jazz bands, marching bands, percussion for theater productions and many pop/rock bands.
Since 2021, he has been the music teacher at the Odyssey School in Asheville NC for pre-kindergarten through high school students. He is a resident teaching artist at LEAF Global Arts (Schools & Streets program) in Asheville, NC. His music pedagogy work has included Winter Park and Trinity high schools in Florida, The Austin Waldorf School in Texas, and as a percussion master class clinician at festivals and conventions. He arranged and composed for Appalachian State University, UCF, Wake Forest, and high schools.
Agustín is also a live event producer and a sound mixing engineer whose Front of House/Monitor A1 work can be heard with XL Live Media USA, IATSE, local production companies and independently. Some of his past crews in Austin, TX include the Bass Concert Hall, Erwin Center, and numerous events (Broadway Across America with The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Mama Mia!, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, George Strait, John Meyer, Neil Young, George Clinton & The Parliament Funkadelic, SXSW, Austin City Limits, Santana, Willie Nelson, Blueman Group, Tom Petty, and Deadmau5). In New York City his credits include work at Studio Instrument Rentals (SIR), Rocket Studios, and more (Fiona Apple, Beyonce, Trey Anastasio, LL Cool J, My Chemical Romance, Burning Spear and The Foo Fighters).
McKinney is a bass player, singer, songwriter, and empowerment speaker living in Asheville, N.C. She got her start performing at an early age. Growing up in West Virginia, in a music school owned by her mother, she was immersed in music and joined her first band at age 7 with her best friend and drummer, Ary’an Graham. The all-girl band started playing professionally when they were just 11 years old. As teenagers, the band made the decision that they wanted to make a change in the world with their music. They started touring the East Coast with an empowerment message aimed at their peers in middle and high school. They were on a mission to connect people and to send out a message that “There is Hope.” They aimed to destigmatize mental health issues and let kids and other young adults know that they were not alone.
Ary’an Graham
Ary’an Graham is a drummer and guitar player. Originally from West Virginia, Ary’an grew up touring the East Coast with The One Voice Project. She also tours with Create Your State, a multimedia tour that visits rural areas and teaches residents how to transform their communities through music. Ary’an continues to play drums with her best friend and bass player of 16 years, McKinney. Ary’an has been teaching drums for 10 years and enjoys all genres of music.
Kelsey Moseley
Kelsey Moseley first learned to draw from their Makua Hānai and, long after leaving the community, went on to study design and illustration at the Atlanta Art Institute. They have an extensive background in floral design, conversational works, printing, and prop making. Kelsey considers themself to be a holistic student of the world and brings art as a bridge to their students in aspects of connecting lessons, each other, and emotions.
The incomparable and uber-talented Chinobay is a Ugandan musician and Educator who has led workshops, camps, and residencies worldwide. He is the founder and producer of Dance of Hope, Africa’s leading youth-based arts education program that allows youth from vulnerable communities to lead music and dance workshops, extended residencies, while connecting with global communities through cross-cultural experiences. While his music may at first seem foreign, Chinobay illustrates the shared roots of global musical styles with those of his native Uganda and its surrounding regions of Africa, highlighting the history and connection Africa has with the rest of the world. He has visited hundreds of schools, colleges, and learning institutions to introduce Africa’s history, music, and culture to students in classroom settings.
Monika Guerra
Monika Guerra, a vibrant and passionate professional bellydancer and Latin dancer, hails from Miami, FL. With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years, Monika has captivated audiences both nationally and internationally with her mesmerizing dance performances.
Monika’s love for dance and desire to share her expertise led her to Asheville, NC, where she currently resides and teaches at Uphora Dance and Fitness and Leaf Global Arts.
Her skillful and enchanting dance style infuses traditional bellydance techniques with a contemporary flair, captivating students of all levels. As an experienced international dancer, Monika has traveled extensively, performing at prestigious events and cultural festivals worldwide. Her dynamic performances have earned her accolades and admiration from fellow dancers and enthusiasts alike. In addition to her mastery in bellydancing, Monika is a devoted teacher who possesses an innate ability to inspire and guide her students. At Uphora Dance and Fitness, And Leaf Global Arts she strives to create an inclusive and empowering environment where individuals can explore their own rhythmic expression and harness the transformative power of dance.
Monika’s dedication to her craft, coupled with her infectious energy, have made her a beloved figure within the dance community. Whether on stage or in the studio, Monika Guerra continues to inspire and empower dancers, reminding us all of the joy and beauty that can be found through the art of bellydance and Latin Dance.
Irvegg is from Azcapotzalco, México City. His godfather from Senegal was an influence for him to learn and explore West African culture while keeping the roots and traditions from México. Irvegg is a djembe player and also a breakdancer with more than two decades of experience.
Derian Blane
Derian Blane is a singer/songwriter who plays guitar. Soulful and heavily influenced by R&B, this spunky young woman is creating her first album. With a passion for inspiring youths, Derian grew up playing music with her friends, touring to share a message of unity and empathy. She recently moved to Asheville and is immersing herself in the creative community there. She aims to make her whole life filled with music, creativity, and community.
André Lassalle
Accomplished guitarist André Lassalle has played with greats such as the legendary Miles Davis, Robert Irving III, John Schofield, Huey Lewis, Melvin Sparks, Dee-Lite (Power Of Love Guitar Mix), Michael Hampton from George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic band, Vernon Reid from the group Living Colour, and he most recently performed onstage at the Beacon Theater in N.Y. with Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin (guitarist with Howlin’ Wolf), Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones), and Robert Randolph (Family Band). André is proud to be a part of the Queen Esther Marrow and The Harlem Gospel Singers band. He considers it an honor to work with a woman who has helped set the path for American music as we know it today and takes the responsibility very seriously. A host of styles are in André’s arsenal, from rock and reggae to rhythm and blues.
Heena Patel
Heena was a child of Indian immigrants in Canada and she grew up immersed in South Asian culture within her community, but she didn’t see it reflected in the mainstream. Her professional career has focused on amplifying South Asian arts and culture in the dominant performing arts sector. The founder and CEO of MELA Arts Connect, her mission is to nurture the ecosystem around South Asian performing arts and community in thoughtful and context-driven ways. Over the years and through MELA, Heena has done this as a producer, agent-manager, mentor, artist, consultant, curator, producer, and diversity and equity advocate.
Edwin Salas
Edwin is a Mexican puppeteer, raised in Costa Rica, whose international acclaim in the art form has led him all over the world, allowing him to reach larger audiences and bridge seemingly greater divides. He is recognized as a performance artist in dance and theater as well as a mixed-media visual artist, specializing in sculpting of puppets using wood, plastic, paper, cardboard, and more. His themes range from social activism to cultural storytelling, folklore, mental illness, and beyond. Edwin is also passionate about working with people of all ages to illuminate their self-expression through puppetry. In his programs, Edwin teaches different puppetry techniques, material manipulation, and the process of story craft to assist youths in sharing their authentic selves, highlighting the significance of each child’s presence and unique perspective in this wide world.
Tarah Singh
Tarah Singh is a visionary, working in any media to communicate with the world around her. She relies on brushstrokes, color, and textures in paintings or sculptures to initiate emotional conversations with her audience. She is a multifaceted artist who also is creating and exploring as a lighting designer, fashion/hairstylist, business consultant, set designer, chef, welder, painter, and mother. She strongly believes artists serve the roles of historians and inventors who bring solutions into existence. Tarah has created paintings, sculptures, murals, floor plans, events, community, gardens, businesses, relationships, and life. Her daughters Alexandra and Sydney Stilber are part of her life’s work; she encourages them to experience new forms of expression and sustainability at every turn.
Madison Link
Madison Link is an Asheville native who loves spending time in nature, exploring with her daughter Bella, and photographing their experiences and environment along the way. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development in 2010. Madison worked as an early childhood teacher for two years. She started working with LEAF Global Arts as a volunteer at the first LEAF Downtown in the summer of 2015. Madison joined the Easel Rider team in 2016.
MOLLY GRAVES
Molly Graves is a long-time member of Anam Cara Theatre Company’s experimental theater ensemble Accordion Time Machine, based on the work — and sharing many of the tenets — of The Neo-Futurists of Chicago and New York. While experimental and devised work is her true theater love, Molly has also studied traditional theater, as well as improv, Shakespeare, and Lucid Body for performing artists, and has taught script analysis and scene study classes. She is also a film and television actor, with experience in both regional and national projects.
Nicholas Hope
Nicholas Hope is known as a humble musician with a deep respect for his craft. Nik was born in High Point, NC, in a home filled with jazz, soul, and more genres originating from Black music styles. With this influence and a natural musical talent, he was drawn to finding his instrument. He was known to have a hyper energy often too intense for others. He considered other instruments, but when he picked up drumsticks, a spark radiated and a lifelong expression
began. He attended and played in the marching band for TW Andrews High School.
While in high school, he earned a scholarship to the Greensboro Music Academy where his talents were nurtured, and he was able to grow as a percussionist and drummer. He was the first recipient of the John Coltrane scholarship, which allowed him to study music at Appalachian State University. There, he was a member of the percussion and jazz ensembles, and was the drum kit player for the university’s steel pan band. After graduating college, he focused on developing as a professional drummer for a number of touring bands. For the past 26 years, Nik has toured across the United States and internationally from Caribbean Islands to Western Europe and to Japan to perform for a USO program.
Nik lives in Asheville, where he continues to play with several local and touring acts and with his primary band, Empire Strikes Brass. He enjoys teaching and giving drum clinics for youths and adults. Sharing his talents and helping others develop their skills is a deep passion for Nik. He is thrilled to join LEAF Global Arts to spread the medicine of music and culture, and to broaden drumming
opportunities for local youths.
Nani Orsillo
Nani’s journey in the world of hula began at the tender age of four, deeply rooted in her native Hawaiian heritage from the island of Oʻahu. Her love for her culture, language, and dance has only grown stronger over the years, and her dedication to preserving and sharing the beauty of her traditions is evident in her performances at festivals. An accomplished performer, Nani is also a passionate teacher. She dedicates her time to instructing hula in her community, ensuring that the art form continues to thrive among new generations. As a professional hula and Polynesian entertainer, Nani brings the spirit of Hawaii to audiences far and wide, captivating them with her graceful movements and profound connection to her roots.
Arturo Chavez
Meet Arturo Chavez, bachata instructor from Mexico City, and a lover of Latin rhythms and dance history. He’s dedicated to elevating bachata in Asheville and connecting dancers through movement. Let’s dance together!
Paul Gladstone
Paul Gladstone is a multi-instrumentalist and producer. His primary instruments are drums and guitar, but he also dabbles in piano, xylophones, sitar, mandolin, or anything else that makes noise. With an insatiable hunger for anything musical, he is always expanding his horizons and absorbing new genres and musical languages. In 2013, he learned to play the balafon (xylophone) while studying abroad in Ghana. After graduating with a B.A. in Music Performance from Skidmore College, he spent several years in NYC’s world-class jazz scene, surrounding himself with veterans of the culture and honing his craft.
Tiffany Saini
Tiffany Saini a consummate artisan, holds a B.S. in fashion and textiles , and her creative journey has seen her design and showcase garments at prestigious events such as Charleston Fashion Week. Originating from the corporate fashion hub of New York City , Tiffany brings with her a wealth of experience when she returned to Asheville. Beyond fashion, her artistic repertoire includes floral design, macramé, crocheting, paper crafts, and fabric dying and printing. She also has a background in dance and currently teaches Indian dance classes at Uphora dance + fitness studio in Asheville.
We appreciate your interest & passion to be a LEAF Teaching Artist!
If you would like to be Resident Teaching Artist, please CLICK HERE!
If you would like to be an Easel Rider Teaching Artist, please CLICK HERE!
If you’d like more information on being a LEAF Teaching Artist in general, please CLICK HERE!
Mayani is a Maasai boy from longido Arusha. He went to boarding school at 6 years old and lost his Maasai language and tradition. Since joining the LEAF program, he has learned to sing Maasai songs, practiced the ‘jump’ tradition and wear Maasai shukas (traditional clothing). Mayani is extremely happy and is currently teaching other youth the culture.
