FACULTY / CURRENT INSTRUCTORS

Arnold, Jennifer. Jennifer has a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from CMU. She works for the Dow Corning Corporation as a chemical engineer. Jennifer has studied meditation and Zen practices with Andy Rapp at Creative Spirit Center (now Creative 360) and has been leading group meditation sessions for over a year now. She is actively involved in the community and in personal spiritual growth; striving to continuously improve body, mind and spirit.

Ault, Alex, a 2010 Dow High graduate, has been juggling for 9 years.  He is self-taught and believes that ANYONE can learn to juggle.  He has juggled everything from scarves to knives to tiki torches (while lit !!) and is hoping to juggle chain saws someday.   Alex has lived in Midland all his life with his parents, 5 brothers and sisters, and various pets.  He will be attending SVSU in the fall and majoring in Occupational Therapy. 

Bartel, Suellen. Suellen Bartel is a Anat Baniel Method (sm) Practitioner  and Feldenkrais® Practitioner who resides in Bay City Michigan.  She was diagnosed with severe RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis at 16 years of age. Her experiences living with her disability led her to work with people with disabilities in many capacities, as a Disability Resource Consultant, Agency Director, and as a Outreach Coordinator for Mid-Michigan Community Health Center.  In 2001, Suellen was introduced to the ABM and Feldenkrais® Methods and started her amazing recovery process. In 2003, she began her ABM Method Training in San Francisco, became certified as a Feldenkrais Practitioner in 2007 and opened her business, Revitalize Yourself.  Her studio is located in Downtown Bay City, In the Phoenix Bldg. 721 Washington Ave, Suite 305. She offers hands-on private lessons as well as group lessons.   Suellen is living proof how this work can transform your life.  Having miraculously improved her everyday function and mobility, she continues to gain greater possibilities for her life! For more information visit www.revitalizeyourself.net.

Berlin, Roz. Roz  holds two masters degrees - one in arts from Michigan State University and one in counseling from Central Michigan University. She works in the medium of fiber sculpture, and her woven sculpture forest has been featured throughout Michigan.  It will be the featured exhibit in early 2010 at Creative 360.

Brillhart, Christine, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Community Relations, Meta4
Christine earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Science degree in biology from Central Michigan University. She taught science in the Midland Public School system for 13 years as well as designed curriculum and provided professional development for educators. She created and coordinates a math mentoring program (S.M.A.R.T.) with over 50 volunteer community members for 5th and 6th grade students. Currently, she networks and develops partnerships with schools and other educational agencies to re-tool, create and expand existing programs, as well as assist with marketing, grant writing, scheduling and development of summer camps and after school programs.

Carter, Wilma (Wil). Instructor Wilma (Wil) Carter has experienced the benefits of yoga through personal practice the past several years and has received her teacher’s training through “Yoga Fit.” She is a resident of Midland and, although now retired, was a Midland business owner for thirty years.

Cirihal, Stephanie, Stephanie is a Certified Personal Coach, having graduated in 2003 from Coach University, a leading coach training organization. She is available as a coach, facilitator, and workshop presenter.  Stephanie learned to follow her heart and passions when she hired a coach to make a life and career transition to coaching in 1999. Since then, her fascination with powerful conversations led her to becoming certified in Crucial Conversations Mastery, a workshop that teaches people the skills to successfully conduct the conversations they need to have to enhance their lives.  Six years as a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt in innovation and problem-solving as an engineer at Dow Chemical honed her problem-solving skills and added to her toolbox as a facilitator and project leader. Her travels around the world with Dow Chemical expanded her cultural intelligence and appreciation.  As a certified coach, she uses that experience and all her tools to guide her clients in the process of identifying their passions and empowering them to make choices based on what is truly important to them.   She is also a Certified White Belt instructor of the Nia Technique, and is passionate about re-awakening the joy of movement and creativity in others through teaching this intelligent approach to fitness.  Stephanie’s vast experiences as a coach and Nia instructor have made her very aware of the intricate connection between our emotional, mental, and physical health.  She believes that the basis of most illness, dis-ease, and chronic pain are feelings of being stuck, dissatisfied and powerless.  She also believes life should be fun, that we all have choice, and that doing what we love is our responsibility, not a luxury.  Her background in coaching, experience as an instructor, personal spiritual journey, and history of following her own passions makes her a natural to lead others on their paths.

Clayton, Denyse, Director of Theatre Programming Meta 4
Denyse is a graduate of Northwood University in Midland where she earned degrees in business, marketing and advertising. She has been teaching children's theatre classes for 10 years, primarily in Midland and Bay City. She has also directed dozens of shows at Midland Center for the Arts including Peanut Gallery, Theatre Guild and Music Society productions, as well as in many venues in the Detroit area. She is a past board member of Peanut Gallery, was the drama coach at Jefferson Middle School in Midland, and is currently the drama coach at St. Brigid Catholic School in Midland.

Collins, Kevin. Kevin Collins is a respected percussionist who shares his love of African music through lively, participatory performances. He brings with him an impressive collection of traditional percussion instruments from Africa . Children and adults will find his performances entertaining and educational as they learn what a “Djembe” is used for and get the opportunity to play it! In addition to his professional work performing with big bands and his own jazz band, Collins works extensively with children. He directs an ongoing African Drum and Dance Troupe Kuungana. He has presented many concerts and participated in arts education programs in Flint and throughout Michigan . His experience and enthusiasm combine to provide a unique musical experience.

Cook, Julie. has an Associate of Arts degree from Delta College, is a certified massage therapist, and has worked for ten years as a graphic artist and photographer.

Cyr, Darlene. Darlene was born in Welland, Ontario Cananda. Darlene's daughter, Morgan introduced her to henna. When Morgan passed away from Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Darlene decided to continue to share the world of henna as a legacy to her. 

Durda, Kate, M.A. Kate  is a Developmental Psychologist and Shamanic Practitioner. She worked in mental health and public health areas for over 20 years. She has been involved in peace education work, assault prevention, development of a domestic assault shelter, and with various spirituality programs. She and her partner, Stephanie Tighe, MSW, are co-founders of SpiritWeavers, an organization devoted to providing experiential training in Shamanism, shamanic healing and counseling. For more info: www.SpritWeavers.net

Edgar, Rosemary.  Rosemary is a singer and community artist who works in the Education Department at Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson , MI . In New York City she studied dance for nine years and performed with Kathy Duncan. Rosemary has also performed with Happendance in Lansing , Michigan.

Fromhold, Jan, ACSW.  Jan is a psychotherapist in private practice in Midland. Previously she was a clinician and a supervisor in a hospital setting and on the Faculty at Smith College Continuing Education Program. Her interest in Tai Ji goes back a long way finding her drawn to the parks in early morning visits to China a decade ago. She has studied with Chungliang Al Huang, Dr. Paul Lam and Sifer Tony Ha. Jan is also a certified instructor for Tai Ji for Arthritis.

Gallegos, Alejandra. Alejandra (Alex) has been in Midland for three years now, having moved with her family from Argentina. She will be offering Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga classes, Tango lessons, and contemporary dance classes.

Glazier, Gene. Gene resides in Essexville Michigan learned his craft at an early age. Creating comic strips at 11 yrs old and winning cover art competitions in school. He completed a 2 yr course at the Bay Arenac skill Center earning him a certification in graphic arts and design. Focusing on caricatures you can find him teaching this art to students of all ages. His easy to follow teaching method makes learning to draw comic portraits fun for everyone.

Hallberg, Thad. Thad was educated as an Industrial Designer at Kendall College of Art & Design. His design career has taken many turns; from the contract furniture industry to museum & trade show exhibits. Now as the principal of a Midland based design studio, Thad wears even more hats.

Hartzler, Lois. Discovering the joys of jazz at age 58 in the 1990’s after seeing Lena Horne in New York in her one woman show, Lois Hartzler, returned to her farm home in Lake, Michigan, quit her twenty-four year job as Executive Director of a non profit organization, Mid-State Substance Abuse Services Agency, and began to devote her life to singing jazz. Lois took music lessons from Mary Kiesgen, Central MichiganUniversity and Sunny Wilkinson, Michigan state University. In the following years, She built up a following in the Mid Michigan area singing at the Brass Café in Mt. Pleasant, Schubergs Bar in Big Rapids, Soaring Eagle Casino, and other venues. Lois Taught music to children and their parents at several schools as a Wheatland Community Artist. She also taught at the Saginaw Chippewa Academy, Day Cares, and Barryton and Remus Head Start. in 2001 she produced a CD with local artists John Nichol, Robert Lindahl, Jeff Kressler, Ed Fedewa, Larry Ochiltree, Randy Groves Earl Haynes, and Bernie Meltsner singing tunes from the 1920’s to the present and one self-penned song written for her father. 

Johnson, Emma.  Emma Johnson grew up in Houghton, Michigan. She holds a BFA in painting and photography from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a BA in English (emphasis in poetry) from the University of Minnesota. She has also participated in semester and year-long exchange programs at Parsons Paris School of Art and Design and Rutgers Universityrespectively; her work has been exhibited internationally. She approaches art with an interdisciplinary background and currently interactive and graphic design are her media of choice. Her teaching experience ranges from kindergarten through college. In her spare time, she plays the bells in the Joyful Bells at First United Methodist Church and the violin in the Midland Community Orchestra.

Keefe, Cynthia. Cynthia is a local artist who holds BA and MFA degrees from Vermont College in Montpelier, Vermont. She has taught art and art history for the past twenty-five years. Ms. Keefe currently serves as Artist in Residence, Director of Arts Outreach Programs, Curator of the International Costume Collection and Curator of the International Costume Collection and Curator of the University's Fine Art Collection at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. She is the co-founder of Creative Spirit Center (now Creative 360).

Kempsell, Alex, is a student at Grand Valley State University majoring in Theatre and minoring in Music. He’s been in at least 30 shows, the majority of them before even leaving high school. Intent on studying all forms of the art of comedy, he participates in improv groups, maintains a blog, does stand-up shows, and even writes his own sitcom! Alex’s first goal of his career is to work at Second City.

Kressler, Jeff.  Jeff has been an active jazz pianist and arranger for many years. He received his B.M. and M.M. from Michigan State University , and has contributed dozens of arrangements to the libraries of both the Spartan Marching Band and the Jazz Ensemble. He has also written arrangements for bands & orchestras at several other universities and high schools throughout the nation. In addition, he has several original compositions and arrangements published by Watchdog Music. He has also performed with many of the top jazz artists in Michigan , and has played with both the Woody Herman and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras. Jeff is a retired high school band director of DeWitt Public Schools, former director of the Alma College Jazz Ensemble, and is currently the Jazz Keyboard instructor at Central Michigan University.

Kerman, Judith.  Judith has published eight books or chapbooks of poetry, most recently Galvanic Response (March Street Press, 2005) and the bilingual collection, Plane Surfaces/Plano de Incidencia (Santo Domingo: CCLEH, 2002), with Spanish translations by Johnny Durán.  Her book of translations, A Woman in Her Garden: Selected Poems of Dulce María Loynaz (Cuban; Cervantes Prize laureate, 1992) was published by White Pine Press in 2002. Her prose-poem book, Mothering (Allegany Mountain Press, 1978), received Honorable Mention in the 1978 Great Lakes Colleges New Writers Award competition and was reissued in 1996 in print as Mothering & Dream of Rain by Ridgeway Press and as a hypertext in Eastgate Quarterly Review of Hypertext 2:2.  Kerman was a Fulbright Senior Scholar to the Dominican Republic in 2002, translating the poetry and fiction of contemporary Dominican women. She runs Mayapple Press (1980-present) and was founding editor of Earth's Daughters (1971 to present). A Jewish Buddhist Quaker Feminist Clown in passionate pursuit of the Cheshire Cat called "Truth," she is halfway through a phased transition out of university administration and teaching.

Lindahl, Robert. Robert, CMU Professor of trombone, has performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Harry James Orchestra, Midland Symphony, Usual Suspects Jazz Band, the Lansing Symphony Big Band, After hours Jazz, NightSound, the Bijou Orchestra of Bay City and the CMU Faculty Jazz Ensemble. In the past five years he has appeared with Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Kansas , the Saginaw Bay Orchestra, the Travers City Symphony and the Brass Quintet of Mt. Pleasant. His discography includes the recently released “CMU Jazz Faculty plays the music of Rob Smith.” And NightSound with Lois Hartzler and Friends.

List, Jan, BA.  Jan is an artist whose background was in the field of substance abuse and mental health as educator, counselor, assessment and referral. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education with an art minor.

Love, Janet. All my life I have been involved with some type of movement of the body. I began dance from an early age, which led to studying at a University with a professional dance company. I then found myself embarking on a career as a personal trainer with the hope of helping people improve the quality of their life through exercise and diet. When I found yoga the movement and process had a completeness that I had never before experienced with any other form. It is a sacred journey bringing you home to yourself. I became a certified instructor at the Kripalu Institute in May of 2007. With the love and support from my wonderful teachers, Devarshi Steven Hartmana and Sudha Carolyn Lundeen, I am honored to share my teachings with you.

MacDonald, John. John has been studying dance for the past 6 years. He is an avid collector of dance photographs and reviews, from which he draws much inspiration. He has performed with S’Moves since 2005. John is a practicing physician in St. Johns , MI .

Martinka, David. David's journey with the Native American Flute began 14yrs. ago when he received a flute as a gift. His CD, Legends of Time, is a 2006 Indian Summer Music Awards Nominee. David brings many years of experience as an Outdoor Educator, Native American Flute Player and Crafter, for a fun and enlightening workshop where anyone can learn to play the Native Flute.

McGeehan-Woodard, Anne.  Anne’s degree is in Elementary Education, with an Early Childhood Development major. She has taught Women’s' Awareness Journaling and co-taught Not Just Vanilla with Linda Smith for three years. She is currently co-facilitating Journaling for Seniors: telling your story at Riverside Place with Linda Smith. Anne is a past board member at Creative Spirit Center and an active volunteer. She retired from Dow Corning after a 25 year career as an executive assistant and paralegal in the Legal Department. Anne is an avid gardener and loves children. She lives in Midland with her husband John and has 4 grown artistic children and 7 grandchildren.

McMahon, Darcy, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Education Strategy, Meta4
Darcy has over 16 years of teaching and administration expertise in education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in science in education and a master’s degree in middle level education, both from Central Michigan University, and was an adjunct professor of education there for six years. As an entrepreneur, through TMB Consultants, she has developed and published curriculum and conducted professional development programs. She taught science and English at Jefferson Middle School in Midland for five years and served and chaired many committees for Midland Public Schools. Most recently, Darcy was the Director of Education and Volunteers at Midland Center for the Arts and continues to serve on the School of Distinction Committee at St. Brigid Catholic School.

Meisel, Ken. Ken is a poet & psychotherapist. His work appears in over 60 journals. He has authored three books of poetry. The chapbook version of his book Just Listening won the 2006 Swan Duckling contest. Meisel also received honorable mention in the 2006 Rattle poetry contest and his work was included in Rattle's 2006 "Best Of" collection. The summer 2007 edition of River Oak Review contains a comprehensive review of his first three poetry collections.

Metcalf, John. John is principal of Good Design Group, has been designing educational exhibits for more than 12 years. John has a BS in Industrial Design from the University of Cincinnati . He lived and worked in Japan as a product designer for two and a half years before moving to Midland . John is on the board of the Midland Chapter of People to People International.

Notestein, Annie. Annie Notestein is a certified life coach with a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She currently teaches Creating An Extraordinary Life Coaching Program which teaches life skills for greater success, self-esteem and happiness. She specializes in working with people who want to utilize more of their talents and skills. For more information, visit her website: www.AnnieNotestein.com

Otten, Roberta. Roberta is an adjunct instructor for the Theatre/Dance department at LCC; where she teaches Modern Dance and Movement for Actors. Her career includes sharing dance with many community and educatonal organizations, and mentally and physically challenged students. She has choreographed for Happendance, Sunsets with Shakespeare and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp opera productions. Roberta is a Lansing “City Pulse” Pulsar Choreography Award-winner for her work in “The Many Deaths of Shakespeare” at LCC in 2006.

Palka, Kim N.D. When 20 years of symptoms, unrelieved by conventional medicine, disappeared within two weeks of a self-researched dietary experiment, a whole new world opened for Dr. Palka. She left a demanding position in corporate health care and began her journey toward better health. This eventually led to her study of naturopathic medicine. Dr. Palka graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ.  She holds her Naturopathic Physician License from the State of Washington Department of Health. She has further training in BioCranial Therapy, Reiki, therapeutic massage and yoga. Dr. Palka’s mission is to support people in their individual quests for their own optimal health.  WellSpring Naturopathic Medicine serves adults in this way through education, cooperative planning, and natural therapeutics. http://www.wellspringnaturopathic.com/

Pilnik, Kristiina,Chief Operations Officer and Director of Arts and Marketing Meta4
Kristiina earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Alcantara Machado University in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has travelled the world extensively and is fluent in six languages. She has designed and taught English language courses for children and adults; designed and coordinated after school arts programs; been a foreign correspondent for television; written as a freelance journalist for newspapers and magazines; and won awards as public relations account executive for Ogilvy & Mather in Brazil. In addition, Kristiina has been involved in children’s theatre in Midland for almost 10 years, co-directing Peanut Gallery productions at Midland Center for the Arts with Denyse Clayton and teaching children’s theatre classes and summer camps.

Powers, Judy.  Judy graduated with a Masters of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Northeastern University and a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education from CMU. As manager of a $1.5 million hospital-based wellness center, she was responsible for wellness programming, account management, and sales and fitness programming. She is certified as a Physical Education Teacher for the State of Michigan, is an Health/Fitness Instructor for the American College of Sports Medicine, Pilates Mat Instructor and Reformer Training in Scott Conditioning, and a Certified Yoga Instructor for Fitness Resource Associates, Inc.

Romatz, Wilma, Ph.D. Wilma has researched the connections between drawing and writing for several years, combining her love for writing, literature, and art in the classes she teaches at Mott Community College and she has explored their connections in her own poetry and art. Music is another major interest, particularly keyboard and drumming. She is interested in ways participating in these healing arts can improve our lives.

Tempas, Ryan, is a senior at Dow High School. He is active in the Dow High Drama Club as well, and is a senior drum major for the marching band. Making movies has been a hobby of his since middle school. He also singing and playing the saxophone.

Sarantis-Rodriguez, Megan. Megan is the founder/artistic director/instructor of Michigan 's Premiere Bellydance Troupe the Belly Dance Divas™. She began bellydancing in 1985 with the Habibi Dancers of Lansing, MI. The lack of bellydance opportunities, in the Tri-Cities, prompted her to create the highly successful Hip Hop Bellydance™ program in 2002. From one small class Hip Hop Bellydance™ has grown to over 200 women taking weekly classes plus Michigan 's largest bellydance troupe the 'Belly Dance Divas™'. Due to this huge growth Certified Instructor's have been trained to present Megan's newest creation Bellydance Booty Camp™, a low-impact, high cardio workout with bellydance technique. The Divas believe that no matter what your shape, size, or age you TOO can dance like a diva while getting fit in the process. For more info: go to the DIVA'S website - www.thebellydancedivas.com.

Seaver, Esther. Esther’s mission, on behalf of the Midland Volunteers For Recycling, is to educate the public on the benefits of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. She has been the Director of MVFR for nearly 20 years. Esther has repurposed many materials considered as waste into arts and crafts. MVFR and Creative360 collaborated on the “Hand Sculpture” constructed from recyclable materials that is located at the recycling center, just inside the gates of the Midland Landfill. She is also active in other community organizations such as the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce and Zonta. Zonta is a service Club dedicated to advancing the status of women world- wide. www.midlandrecyclers.org.

Smith, Linda Z. Linda Z is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. She holds majors in art, dance and theater. She is a founding member and first president of the Michigan Dance Association, and a USA representative at the International Conference on Children’s Dance.  She co-founded Creative Spirit Center (now Creative 360) and in 2007 was named a Martha Stewart Living "Dreamer into Doer" for her efforts in founding and leading Creative Spirit Center for 13 years.

Spence, Nan, holds a degree in nursing, counseling and theology, which enables her to present a holistic perspective in her classes. She recently studied imagery with John Schneider, Ph.D., professor emeritus at Michigan State University College of Medicine.

Stewart,Cathie, Director of Communications, Meta4
Cathie earned a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from the University of Toronto and has completed graduate work in multimedia and communications at Saginaw Valley State University. In addition to doing freelance writing and editing, she has worked in a variety of organizations as a writer, editor and web and publications designer, including small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, municipal government agencies and other non-profits. Cathie will coordinate and implement grant writing, marketing, public relations and other communications initiatives. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Mid-Michigan chapter.

Tarte, Bob. Bob and his wife Linda live on the edge of a shoe-sucking swamp near the West Michigan village of Lowell . When not fending off mosquitoes during temperate months and chipping ice out of plastic wading pools in the frigid winter, Bob writes the Technobeat world music column for The Beat magazine. He has also written for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Miami New Times, the Whole Earth Review, Fortean Times, Monitoring Times, and other publications. An abridged version of the first chapter of Enslaved By Ducks was published in The Reader's Digest in American, Canadian, British, South African, and foreign language editions. Bob and Linda currently serve the whims of parrots, ducks, geese, parakeets, rabbits, doves, cats, hens, and one turkey. They also raise and release orphan songbirds for the Wildlife Rehab Center Ltd

Vande Zande, Jeff.  Jeff teaches at Delta College . His poetry and short stories have appeared in over seventy-five small press periodicals. Two of his poems were nominated for the 1999 Pushcart Prize, and he was again nominated in 2003. In 2006, poet laureate Ted Kooser chose Vande Zande's work to appear in American Life in Poetry. Vande Zande's novel Into the Desperate Country, was nominated for a Michigan Notable Book Award.  In 2009, Bottom Dog Press published his novel Landscape with Fragmented Figures.