Instructor Bios
Sarah Bania-Dobyns & Melanie Ferstman
Sarah Bania-Dobyns and Melanie Ferstman started Little Nosh Productions when they began work on a documentary on the history and culture of Russian tea biscuits in Cleveland and beyond. They are interviewing bakery owners, home bakers, and Russian tea biscuit eaters along with conducting archival research. They both grew up in Shaker Heights
Websites: littlenoshproductions.com Email: russianteabiscuits@gmail.com
Alice Blumenfeld
Alice Blumenfeld is a dancer, teaching artist and choreographer, and the artistic director of ABREPASO flamenco. She most recently received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for Choreography FY20 and she is listed on the Ohio Arts Council Teaching Artist Roster. From Albuquerque, NM, she grew up immersed in flamenco culture and loves sharing the form with others.
Websites: abrepaso.org aliceblumenfeld.com Email: aliceblumenfeld@gmail.com
Sirwilliam Cofield
After studying mindfulness since 2015, Sirwilliam founded Ras Chi and became certified by FIU and Harvard medical school. Sirwilliam has conducted school programs, summer programs and multiple lectures in greater Cleveland and is ready to continue to help those who like knowledge and want to enhance their personal health.
Email: raschimeditations@gmail.com
Sharon Dundee
Sharon Dundee (BFA - Youngstown State University) has been creating art and teaching art-related courses for many years. Her most recent works are focused on the mandala and its con nection to the "inner self" as a form of abstract expressionism. Her artwork has been accepted and awarded at various juried shows, and her skills in graphic and publicat ion design have been recognized throughout her career in marketing.
Email: sdundee4143@gmail.com
Steven Gutierrez
Steven Gutierrez is an artist, engineer, and educator interested in the intersection of art, technology and the environment. His work uses electronics, programming, and sculpture as needed to address these topics.
Cassandra Harner
Cassandra Harner is an illustrator and performer in Cleveland, Ohio. She drew portraits with Kaman's Art Shoppes
as a lead portrait artist in 2018-2019 training new artists in chalk pastel portraits. She's taught figure drawing at CMA, Video Art at CIA, and also works as a figure model. She continues to freelance in portraiture, design, and multimedia.
Website: charnerart.com Email: charnerart@gmail.com
Ben Hauser
Ben Hauser has studied photography for the past 20 years. He is an educator at The Cleveland Museum of Art and a lifelong resident of Shaker Heights. As an artist his work has ranged from traditional darkroom techniques, to experimental approaches of his design.
Website: www.benhauserphotography.com Email:
Brandi Rae Hicks
With more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, Brandi is a grant writer and nonprofit consultant securing $1 Billion+ in grant funding. Brandi is the Founder and Professor at Serve University (SERV-U) providing training resources for nonprofit leaders who want to learn how to serve in their communities more abundantly.
Website: www.BrandiRaeHicks.com Email: info@BrandiRaeHicks.com
Lee Kay
Lee Kay, MSSA, LISW-S, CZT-33 grew up in Shaker Heights and now works with Moreland neighbors doing community network building. Zentangle is one way she relaxes, creates, and connects with people. She is a Certified Zentangle Teacher and professional facilitator who loves to gather people to create and appreciate art together.
Email: lee@kaycoaching.com
Karen Koch
Karen Koch creates mixed media art inspired by her love of nature and memories of days gone by. Her favorite materials – paper, books, maps, paint – appear in almost every artwork. She has been selling her artwork on Etsy since 2008. She is a full-time artist with a studio and gallery on historic Main Street in Hudson, Ohio.
Website: lifeneedsart.com Email: lifeneedsart@gmail.com
Sally Levine
Sally Levine is an architect, artist and academic. Her architecture firm Levine Architecture & Design, Ltd. is located in Shaker, and she teaches the architecture studios at Case Western Reserve University. She has been incorporating shoes into her artwork for over 20 years.
Website: levinea-d.com Email: sally@levinea-d.com
Erin Pennebaker & Julia Dillard
Erin Pennebaker is a modern dancer, having danced professionally with Inlet Dance Theatre for 8 years. She received her BFA in dance from Belhaven University. Julia Dillard is a dancer, teacher, and Dance/Movement Therapist. She has trained in ballet and modern dance, including Hawkins technique and Gaga Movement Language.
Email: erinpennebaker@gmail.com dillard.julia@gmail.com.
Alex Piepenbrink
Alex Piepenbrink is a piano instructor and free lance oboist based in Richfield, Ohio. She maintains a large private studio and plays professionally throughout Northeast Ohio. Alex’s students receive a well rounded music education rich in various styles/genres of music that encompass a wide sampling of composers. Alex emphasizes a strong understanding of musical concepts/music theory that translate well into long term piano instruction and/or instruction on another musical instrument. Students will explore these many styles and gain a strong musical foundation through songs, games and various activities.
Website: Ppiepenbrinkpianowoodwinds.mymusicstaff.com Email:Alpoepenbrink@aol.com
Abdul Rashid
A native from Flint, MI and residing in Shaker Hts. I am a trained illistrative and fine artist via the Interlochen Arts Camp and published works thru MARVEL Comics.
Margaret Reardon
A resident of Shaker Heights, Margaret has a degree in English from John Carroll University, a Masters in Library Science from Syracuse University and an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management from University of Notre Dame. She has over twenty years of experience presenting literacy programs and leading book clubs. Books and art have been lifelong interests. Furthering the missions of nonprofits who support these interests is a passion as well, and she is excited to have these all come together in support of the wonderful work of SHAC.
Website: margaretreardonmarketing.com Email: margaret@margaretreardonmarketing.com
Ellen Rooney
Rooney’s doctoral research at BGSU—studying the neuroscience of human memory and emotion to develop modern acting exercises—is the foundation for on-going seminars, educational curriculum, and the publication of Memory Acting. She has taught at Tri-C, University of Akron, and currently at Baldwin Wallace, Conservatory of Music.
Website: memoryacting.com Email:memoryacting@gmail.com
Graham Rosen
Raised in Portland, Oregon, Graham Rosen’s love for music began at a young age, immersing himself into music studies during his early school years. Now as an established educator, Rosen enjoys sharing his passion for rhythm with young musical minds. Outside of the teaching world, Graham also works as audio recording engineer, producing and mixing some Cleveland’s most exciting concerts.
Website: grahamrosen.site Email: graham.rosen@cim.edu
Cody Swanson
Cody Swanson is a professional actor, stage manager, fight choreographer and teaching artist. Cody has taught at The Academy for the Performing Arts in Chagrin Falls, Ohio for the last five years. He has also taught at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Beachwood Theatre Camp, and teaches acting technique and voice & speech privately.
Email:codyaswanson@gmail.com
Amanda Terman
Amanda Terman is a voice actor specializing in commercials, e-learning, animation, and more! From her home studio in Cleveland, Ohio, she produces audio for clients ranging from multinational Fortune 500 companies to local indie filmmakers. Education: B.A. Music/Voice, OSU; M.A. Social Psychology, UCSB.
Website: AmandaTerman.com
Sarah Bania-Dobyns and Melanie Ferstman started Little Nosh Productions when they began work on a documentary on the history and culture of Russian tea biscuits in Cleveland and beyond. They are interviewing bakery owners, home bakers, and Russian tea biscuit eaters along with conducting archival research. They both grew up in Shaker Heights
Websites: littlenoshproductions.com Email: russianteabiscuits@gmail.com
Alice Blumenfeld
Alice Blumenfeld is a dancer, teaching artist and choreographer, and the artistic director of ABREPASO flamenco. She most recently received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for Choreography FY20 and she is listed on the Ohio Arts Council Teaching Artist Roster. From Albuquerque, NM, she grew up immersed in flamenco culture and loves sharing the form with others.
Websites: abrepaso.org aliceblumenfeld.com Email: aliceblumenfeld@gmail.com
Sirwilliam Cofield
After studying mindfulness since 2015, Sirwilliam founded Ras Chi and became certified by FIU and Harvard medical school. Sirwilliam has conducted school programs, summer programs and multiple lectures in greater Cleveland and is ready to continue to help those who like knowledge and want to enhance their personal health.
Email: raschimeditations@gmail.com
Sharon Dundee
Sharon Dundee (BFA - Youngstown State University) has been creating art and teaching art-related courses for many years. Her most recent works are focused on the mandala and its con nection to the "inner self" as a form of abstract expressionism. Her artwork has been accepted and awarded at various juried shows, and her skills in graphic and publicat ion design have been recognized throughout her career in marketing.
Email: sdundee4143@gmail.com
Steven Gutierrez
Steven Gutierrez is an artist, engineer, and educator interested in the intersection of art, technology and the environment. His work uses electronics, programming, and sculpture as needed to address these topics.
Cassandra Harner
Cassandra Harner is an illustrator and performer in Cleveland, Ohio. She drew portraits with Kaman's Art Shoppes
as a lead portrait artist in 2018-2019 training new artists in chalk pastel portraits. She's taught figure drawing at CMA, Video Art at CIA, and also works as a figure model. She continues to freelance in portraiture, design, and multimedia.
Website: charnerart.com Email: charnerart@gmail.com
Ben Hauser
Ben Hauser has studied photography for the past 20 years. He is an educator at The Cleveland Museum of Art and a lifelong resident of Shaker Heights. As an artist his work has ranged from traditional darkroom techniques, to experimental approaches of his design.
Website: www.benhauserphotography.com Email:
Brandi Rae Hicks
With more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, Brandi is a grant writer and nonprofit consultant securing $1 Billion+ in grant funding. Brandi is the Founder and Professor at Serve University (SERV-U) providing training resources for nonprofit leaders who want to learn how to serve in their communities more abundantly.
Website: www.BrandiRaeHicks.com Email: info@BrandiRaeHicks.com
Lee Kay
Lee Kay, MSSA, LISW-S, CZT-33 grew up in Shaker Heights and now works with Moreland neighbors doing community network building. Zentangle is one way she relaxes, creates, and connects with people. She is a Certified Zentangle Teacher and professional facilitator who loves to gather people to create and appreciate art together.
Email: lee@kaycoaching.com
Karen Koch
Karen Koch creates mixed media art inspired by her love of nature and memories of days gone by. Her favorite materials – paper, books, maps, paint – appear in almost every artwork. She has been selling her artwork on Etsy since 2008. She is a full-time artist with a studio and gallery on historic Main Street in Hudson, Ohio.
Website: lifeneedsart.com Email: lifeneedsart@gmail.com
Sally Levine
Sally Levine is an architect, artist and academic. Her architecture firm Levine Architecture & Design, Ltd. is located in Shaker, and she teaches the architecture studios at Case Western Reserve University. She has been incorporating shoes into her artwork for over 20 years.
Website: levinea-d.com Email: sally@levinea-d.com
Erin Pennebaker & Julia Dillard
Erin Pennebaker is a modern dancer, having danced professionally with Inlet Dance Theatre for 8 years. She received her BFA in dance from Belhaven University. Julia Dillard is a dancer, teacher, and Dance/Movement Therapist. She has trained in ballet and modern dance, including Hawkins technique and Gaga Movement Language.
Email: erinpennebaker@gmail.com dillard.julia@gmail.com.
Alex Piepenbrink
Alex Piepenbrink is a piano instructor and free lance oboist based in Richfield, Ohio. She maintains a large private studio and plays professionally throughout Northeast Ohio. Alex’s students receive a well rounded music education rich in various styles/genres of music that encompass a wide sampling of composers. Alex emphasizes a strong understanding of musical concepts/music theory that translate well into long term piano instruction and/or instruction on another musical instrument. Students will explore these many styles and gain a strong musical foundation through songs, games and various activities.
Website: Ppiepenbrinkpianowoodwinds.mymusicstaff.com Email:Alpoepenbrink@aol.com
Abdul Rashid
A native from Flint, MI and residing in Shaker Hts. I am a trained illistrative and fine artist via the Interlochen Arts Camp and published works thru MARVEL Comics.
Margaret Reardon
A resident of Shaker Heights, Margaret has a degree in English from John Carroll University, a Masters in Library Science from Syracuse University and an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management from University of Notre Dame. She has over twenty years of experience presenting literacy programs and leading book clubs. Books and art have been lifelong interests. Furthering the missions of nonprofits who support these interests is a passion as well, and she is excited to have these all come together in support of the wonderful work of SHAC.
Website: margaretreardonmarketing.com Email: margaret@margaretreardonmarketing.com
Ellen Rooney
Rooney’s doctoral research at BGSU—studying the neuroscience of human memory and emotion to develop modern acting exercises—is the foundation for on-going seminars, educational curriculum, and the publication of Memory Acting. She has taught at Tri-C, University of Akron, and currently at Baldwin Wallace, Conservatory of Music.
Website: memoryacting.com Email:memoryacting@gmail.com
Graham Rosen
Raised in Portland, Oregon, Graham Rosen’s love for music began at a young age, immersing himself into music studies during his early school years. Now as an established educator, Rosen enjoys sharing his passion for rhythm with young musical minds. Outside of the teaching world, Graham also works as audio recording engineer, producing and mixing some Cleveland’s most exciting concerts.
Website: grahamrosen.site Email: graham.rosen@cim.edu
Cody Swanson
Cody Swanson is a professional actor, stage manager, fight choreographer and teaching artist. Cody has taught at The Academy for the Performing Arts in Chagrin Falls, Ohio for the last five years. He has also taught at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Beachwood Theatre Camp, and teaches acting technique and voice & speech privately.
Email:codyaswanson@gmail.com
Amanda Terman
Amanda Terman is a voice actor specializing in commercials, e-learning, animation, and more! From her home studio in Cleveland, Ohio, she produces audio for clients ranging from multinational Fortune 500 companies to local indie filmmakers. Education: B.A. Music/Voice, OSU; M.A. Social Psychology, UCSB.
Website: AmandaTerman.com