Learn from Great Arts Teachers

Hi! I’m Sophie Laffey, a UK-qualified educator with over 10 years of experience working with children aged 5 to 10 across both mainstream and alternative learning environments. I hold a BA (Hons) in Learning and Teaching from the University of Northampton (2016–2017), and a Foundation Degree in Learning and Teaching (2014–2016).

Welcome! I’m Sara, a professional vocalist with over 15 years of performance experience across multiple genres including Rock, Americana, Pop, and Ballads. I’ve performed in bands, as a solo artist, and in musical theater productions, giving me a well-rounded perspective on both vocal technique and live performance.

From Warren, Rhode Island, award-winning musician, vocalist, writer, public radio commentator, and dancer, Aubrey Atwater presents captivating programs of folk music, dance, and spoken word. Aubrey is in great demand for performances and classes and has performed throughout the United States as well as England, Ireland, and Canada.

Kathy Grace is a captivating watercolor, oil, and acrylic painter, teacher, and gallery curator who ignites the creative spark in hundreds of students. Many of her students have achieved the remarkable milestone of selling their original paintings in galleries.

GAIL CLEMENT is a dedicated Sashiko teacher with a lifelong passion for stitching, mending, and the rich textile traditions of cultures around the world. With years of experience in hand-sewing techniques, Gail specializes in the art of Sashiko, blending its deep-rooted Japanese heritage with contemporary approaches to mindful repair and design.

Amy Shelton is a fiber artist, instructor, and crochet designer. For the last eight years, she has owned SPARKLE Studio, a working and teaching fiber arts studio and local yarn shop located at the historic Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment in Huntsville, AL. She is an expert crocheter who has been crocheting since the age of 9.

KATE ATHERLEY is an internationally known knitting author, teacher, and editor. Her latest book, Custom-Fit Hats is her ninth, and the fourth in a series on customizing projects for perfect fit and style; it joins works on shawls, socks, and mittens.

Hi, I’m David Katz, an artisan baker and teacher from Israel. I ran my own bakery for over ten years, where I baked daily and trained new bakers in the craft of naturally leavened bread. My lessons are relaxed and hands-on, focused on helping you understand how dough works — not just follow steps.

Growing up in Connecticut, Kelsey received her classical ballet training at the Connecticut Ballet Company and Greenwich Ballet Academy. She attended the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theater & Dance before transferring to the Juilliard School’s Dance Division, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, where she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Angela Schneider is a weaver, spinner, knitter, and enthusiast for all textile structures from the common to the esoteric. She has degrees in engineering, math, and art, and a Master Spinner certificate from Olds College, Alberta. Angela worked in the tech industry as a programmer, network engineer, and trainer, and is now the Project Editor for Long Thread Media.