Karen Neal
A familiar South Florida presence from performances with Seraphic Fire and the Miami Bach Society, mezzo-soprano Karen Neal enjoys performing consistently with several ensembles throughout South Florida, the San Francisco Bay area, and Alaska. She has performed as guest soloist with the New World Symphony at the 25th Anniversary Gala, the Tropical Baroque Festival, and the Dallas Brass in the United States and including a special performance at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia. Most recently, she was a guest soloist with the Conservatory Symphony of Leganés, Spain. Recordings include the songs of Eric Ewazen for Albany Records and songs of modern Latin American composers with NODUS on the Innova label. She has collaborated with members of the Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Art Basel Miami, and the Concert des Solistes de l’Acadèmie International d’Etè de Nice, France. Karen holds a Vocal Performance degree from the University of Southern California and awarded fellowships in Tanglewood, Nice, Paris, and the Abbè Royaumont in Asniéres-sur-Oise, France.
Hank Moore
Hank Moore is a guitarist who lives in Sitka, Alaska.
Liz Zacher
Liz Zacher is Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Alaska Southeast in Sitka. She has an MFA in Ceramics from Ohio University. Her work is ceramic and mixed-media sculpture that portrays both human and animal forms and is included in several collections, including The Ceramic Research Center at Arizona State University Art Museum in Tempe, Arizona, and The Dianne and Sandy Besser Collection in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her work was featured in an exhibition during the 2011 National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Collection in Tampa, Florida. Liz has been teaching clay to students of all ages for over 10 years.
Richie Schiraldi
Richie Schiraldi is a Chicago-based devised physical theatre maker, specializing in movement, physical comedy/clown, partner acrobatics, and cyr wheel. He has toured internationally with Aura CuriAtlas, as well as his own company Whisper Theatre. Richie has spent the last decade teaching physical theater, circus, and movement in Chicago to all ages, and has been focused on integrating circus into his theater-making. Richie holds a BFA in Physical Theatre from Coastal Carolina University, in conjunction with Accademia del’Arte in Arezzo, Italy, as well as an MFA in Devised Performance Practices from Columbia College Chicago, in conjunction with Arthaus Berlin (formerly LISPA). His latest artistic obsessions are dreams, the mothman, and being authentically odd. In his spare time, he is also a woodworker, cat dad, board game nerd, part-time chicken, and outdoors enthusiast.
Erin Vonder Haar
Erin Vonder Haar is a native of Seattle, Washington. She received a BFA in dance from Southern Methodist University. She has performed in works by Summer Rhatigan, Danny Buraczeski, James Barry, Russall Beattie, Bruce Wood, Joshua Peugh, & Desmond Richardson. Erin is the co-founder of Groundworks Dance Company located in Dallas, Texas. Erin has danced for two professional contemporary companies, founded her own dance company, and now lives in LA where she is performing live, dancing in film, and teaching. Erin was featured in the film, “Backcountry Basin” by Joshua Peugh, commissioned by Dance Now NYC which was featured in Forbes magazine. She also choreographed Sydney Cope’s music video “Think I found My Way”. Erin most recently choreographed and danced in a film for sculpture artist, Daniel Winn and performed in 100 live shows in San Francisco with The Empire Strips Back. You may also catch Erin on season 3 of Physical on Apple TV as a ballet dancer. Erin is a certified reiki healer and has recently began combining reiki with movement exploration. She has a passion for sharing her knowledge of the artform and life with dancers of all ages.
Elizabeth Jean Younce
Elizabeth Jean Younce (b. 1993 Newport, RI) is a visual artist working primarily in Printmaking and Illustration. Specifically, through the mediums of Lithography and Graphite her work functions as a psychological investigation of the flora and fauna inhabiting our world. While primarily (and proudly) a printmaker, Elizabeth has produced her prints in conjunction with installation, sculpture, bookbinding, found object, drawing, and painting. In addition to her Fine Art studio practice, Elizabeth is also the owner of Mustard Beetle where she sells mainly screenprints, relief prints, and giclée prints, on paper and on fabric. Because of Mustard Beetle, Elizabeth is able to simultaneously function as a Fine Artist and a Commercial Illustrator. Elizabeth received her MFA in Printmaking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018 and her BFA in Illustration and Printmaking from the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in 2015. Elizabeth has master-printing experience from Gemini G.E.L. and Tandem Press. Elizabeth currently resides in Los Angeles, CA where she is pursuing her fine art as well as her small business.
For more information visit Elizabeth's website.
For more information visit Elizabeth's website.
Helena Sardinha
From the South coast of Brazil, Helena Sardinha is a creative producer residing in Los Angeles. Under her own international production company, Driven Equation, she has built experience in narrative, documentary, and music videos. Helena's films and tv projects were present in festivals such as Sundance, Aspen, Palm Springs, SeriesFest, and many others. Helena participated in the Latine-focused Warner Media fellowship "TFT" and is a recurring faculty member at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp in Alaska. Her latest short, BEFORE DAWN, KABUL TIME premiered at Tribeca 2022, as part of the Rising Voices initiative created by Lena Waithe and supported by Indeed. Her first feature film, BARRY & JOAN, had its UK theatrical release at Picturehouse Cinemas, in the Spring of 2022. Sardinha is in post production for BEAUTIFUL, FL, a short part of the Disney Launchpad program, and under development for the feature length of HUELLA, in association with 271 Films. Helena Sardinha is a 2022 Sundance Producing Lab fellow.
Abel Ryan
Abel Ryan was born in Ketchikan, Alaska in 1978. He was raised in Metlakatla on the Annette Island Reserve in Southeast Alaska. Abel is half Tsimshian, a member of the Metlakatla Indian Community, and a member of the Laxgiboo Clan. In May of 2006 Abel graduated from Sheldon Jackson College with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and a minor in Art. In May of 2009 he graduated from University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Native Arts Studio and Printmaking. Abel studied traditional Tsimshian art under master carver Jack Hudson of Metlakatla. He has carved in Metlakatla, Sitka, Juneau, and Fairbanks for over 30 years. Working in the medium of wood and metals, Abel produces masks, bowls, spoons, pipes, ladles, plaques, combs, bracelets, rings, pendants, drums and other hand carved items. He is also proficient in two-dimensional graphic design using Northwest Coast formline art. In June 2013 Abel was invited to an international carving competition in Beijing, China. Abel has taught classes at Sheldon Jackson College and the University of Alaska in Sitka, Juneau, and Fairbanks, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and the Alaska Native Heritage Foundation in Anchorage as well as done artist demonstrations at the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka, Museum of the North in Fairbanks, Washington DC, and the Alaska State Museum in Juneau, AK. Abel’s work is sold in galleries in Juneau, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, and Sitka. He also has work in private collections.
Cassidy Russell
Cassidy Russell (she/her) has been improvising since middle school (cool!). She performs, teaches, and directs all over Chicago—at Second City, the Annoyance Theatre, the Revival Theater, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago. She has acted in plays, movies, TV shows, and commercials, has been featured at theater festivals internationally, and been interviewed about comedy in print publications and on NPR. Additionally, she has an MFA in Printmaking from Savannah College of Art & Design and maintains an active studio art practice. Her teaching philosophy focuses on bringing emotion and vulnerability to the stage, whether you’re doing drama or comedy. Cassidy won a lot of high school theater awards, so she knows what she’s talking about.
For more information visit Cassidy's website.
For more information visit Cassidy's website.
Brian Neal
As a member of the internationally-celebrated Dallas Brass, Brian Neal has been displaying his talent on the trumpet for decades. His career has taken him to Russia, Europe and across the US, where he has performed at diverse venues—from the grand concert halls of LA and New York to school gymnasiums in small towns across the nation. Known for a singing quality on the trumpet, Neal has shared the stage with members of such prestigious groups as the Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and San Francisco Symphony and has served as principal trumpet for the Miami City Ballet. Mr. Neal received his training at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City and the University of Miami. During summers, he was a fellow at many of the major music festivals such as Tanglewood, Waterloo, Fountainbleau Conservatory in France, and Norfolk Chamber Music Festival performing with the Meridian Arts Ensemble. He has performed with Charles Dutoit, Yoel Levi, John Nelson, Seiji Ozawa, Simon Rattle, Stanislav Skorbachevsky, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Leon Fleischer. Brian Neal has performed as a soloist with orchestras around the country from the Monterey Ensemble and the California Symphony to the Florida Philharmonic, Orchestra Miami, Miami Wind Symphony, and the Miami Symphony. Recently, Mr. Neal was invited to perform his composition, “Concertante #1” in Carnegie Hall and with the Escuela-Conservatorio Orquesta Manuel Rodriquez Sales de Leganes, Spain. Mr. Neal and organist, Mr. Thomas Schuster released "Reflections," a solo trumpet and organ CD. The collaboration continues with the newly formed ensemble, “Ethos”, with the addition of voice, cello, and percussion performing his original works and arrangements of ancient and world music. He is an active international clinician and serves as Director of Instrumental Studies and Professor of Trumpet at the Kendall campus of Miami Dade College.
Brendan Jones
Raised in Philadelphia, Brendan Jones attended Columbia and Oxford Universities, and teaches creative writing at University of Alaska, Irkutsk Technical University in Russia, and Stanford University, where he was a 2013-15 Wallace Stegner Fellow. He has published work in The New York Times, The Guardian, Washington Post, GQ, Smithsonian, Patagonia, Ploughshares, Fine Woodworking, National Fisherman, Adventure Journal, Narratively, The Seattle Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Narrative Magazine, and recorded commentaries for NPR. His novel The Alaskan Laundry, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, won the 2017 Alaskana prize, was recognized by Oprah was nominated for the Center of Fiction debut prize. He recently returned from Siberia, where he spent a year with his family as a Fulbright Scholar. His novel Whispering Alaska, published with Penguin/Random House in October 2021, received a starred review from Booklist, and won the 2022 Green Earth Book Award for Young Adult Eco-lit. He lives in Sitka, with his wife and three daughters, one dog, and six chickens.
For more information visit Brendan's website.
For more information visit Brendan's website.
Alexis Joy Hagestad
Alexis Joy Hagestad (she/her) was born and raised in Missoula, Montana whereas a child; she thought she lived on half of the earth because the sky was so large. Her heart truly lies in the untouched prairie lands and the snowy peaks of mountains. She frequently finds herself dreaming of the western landscape, a landscape she has spent many years traveling through, photographing its beauty. Alexis' work often reflects on childhood memories, nostalgia, and her connection to the landscape. She holds a B.F.A in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design where she graduated with honors in 2016. She currently lives and works in Missoula, Montana (traditional Salish & Kootenai lands) as a photographer and Wildland firefighter.
For more information visit Alexis's website.
For more information visit Alexis's website.
Hannah Gossett
Hannah Gossett, has set up bases in dance communities all over the country including Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Seattle and New York City. She began her training in all styles at age 10 and has been creating her own art since age 15. As a commercial dancer and choreographer, her credits include, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Ricky Martin, Kimberly Cole, Herb Alpert, Beacon, T Mobile, Sonos Speakers and Amazon, to name a few. In 2015, she created her own training company, The Westsiders, based in Seattle, Washington. The Westsiders has recently expanded, now holding weekend intensives throughout the country known as The Westsiders Camp. Gossett is a dedicated faculty member for the national dance convention, Artists Simply Human and continues to freelance at studios, camps and intensives all around the country.
Franz Felkl
Franz Felkl was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska. He started his violin studies with Guo Hua Xia at age four and continued his studies in high school with Mrs. Linda Rosenthal. Upon his acceptance into the University Alaska of Fairbanks he continued his studies with Dr. Kathleen Butler-Hopkins. Mr. Felkl received a Bachelors in Violin Performance and a Bachelors of Music Education K-12 from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Mr. Felkl collaborated extensively with faculty members of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in both chamber music and recitals. He played with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, retained a position as Principal Second Violinist and guest Concertmaster of the Juneau Symphony Orchestra during his undergraduate studies, Principal Second Violin for the Opera Fairbanks Orchestra, and many other ensembles in Alaska. In 2012 he won the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition and had the opportunity to play the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the orchestra. As an educator he has worked as a coach in a chamber music setting for young artists, taught at music camps for young musicians, and worked with the Fairbanks Youth Symphony Orchestras. In the fall of 2013 Mr. Felkl worked as a student teaching intern with the Fairbanks Northstar School District as part of his music education studies. He worked with cooperating teachers in the elementary and middle school programs. The following spring he continued to teach within the district as a substitute teacher, primarily focusing on the music classrooms. In the spring of 2016 Mr. Felkl received his Masters of Music in Violin Performance from Lynn University Conservatory of Music where he studied with Mr. Elmar Oliveira. During his time at Lynn he acted as Concertmaster of the Lynn Philharmonia and participated in many different chamber music groups. Recently he has held positions in Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, and the Palm Beach Symphony as well as played in numerous other groups in the South Florida area. From 2016-2019 Mr. Felkl was the Second Violinist in the Amernet String Quartet, Ensemble-in-Residence at Florida International University. During his tenure with the quartet he traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, and Middle East. While in the quartet he collaborated with musicians such as Joseph Kalichstein, Cynthia Phelps, Roberto Diaz, and Guillermo Figueroa. At FIU he taught courses as an adjunct faculty and most recently as visiting professor. In addition to his concertizing, Mr. Felkl maintained a full studio at the Palm Beach Suzuki School of Music. Mr. Felkl now lives in Juneau where he is the Concertmaster of the Juneau Symphony, has a studio of private students, is the director of the Juneau Symphony Prelude Orchestra, and is a lead teacher and site coordinator for Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM). JAMM is an El Sistema inspired afterschool program that uses the power and social experience of music for youth to reach their fullest potential and create active and engaged community members. In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors, fishing, and is an avid runner.
Jillian Blackwell
Jillian Blackwell was born in Texas, and her life and artistic career have taken her to many places across the country from San Francisco to Denver to Detroit, where she currently resides. In 2012, Blackwell graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, earning a BA in Fine Arts with a Concentration in Ceramics. She practiced as a potter for many years. She was a Work Exchange Participant at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia and an Artist-in-Residence at Cobb Mountain Art and Ecology Project. She worked as the Head Ceramics Technician and Facilities Manager at the Art Academy University in San Francisco. Her practice has transitioned from ceramics to painting in the last few years, as she explores ideas of ephemera and memory, how art reifies life. Though shed of function, her making is still informed by attention to material. With the eye of a potter, she crafts her paintings as objects not portals. Blackwell has also worked in art education, as an art teacher at Montessori Academy of Colorado in Denver, and as an instructor at the Grunewald Guild in Leavenworth, WA. She writes and works as an Editorial Coordinator for DARIA (Denver Art Review Inquiry & Analysis) Magazine. Currently, she is an MFA student in Painting at Cranbrook Academy of Art.
