Susan Applegate is a visual artist who graduated from the UO with a focus in painting. Susan continues to work in her studio throughout the year as her schedule allows. She graduated with a degree in Art Education and with a teaching credential in K-12 art. (Photo courtesy John Waller of Fox Imaging.)
Science Labs: Kevin Kurtz is the author of the children's nature books A Day in the Salt Marsh, published in 2007, and A Day on the Mountain, to be published in 2010. He holds degrees in English literature and elementary education and started his professional career working in a marine biology laboratory. For over a decade, Kevin has combined all of these experiences by working as an environmental educator. He has also been an environmental science curriculum writer who has written activities and background essays for organizations such as the South Carolina Aquarium, the Center for Birds of Prey in South Carolina, the College of Charleston's COASTeam project and NOAA. Kevin is currently the Education Director of The Science Factory.
Music in Action: Rich Glauber is a prolific songwriter/music educator who has performed hundreds of shows in schools and libraries throughout Oregon. His upbeat style and engaging personality have won him legions of fans, both young and old. For YEA Days, he will offer Music in Action, a highly interactive workshop in music and movement, based on the particular day's theme.
Artist Workshops: Mari Livie is wild about creating with clay and cloth. She is slightly more composed yet still very enthusiastic about creating with almost any other imaginable material. She's been an artist since back when she was eating crayons and decorating herself with her baby food. To view Mari's online shop go to: http://tonguetied.etsy.com. Mari also provides literature-inspired art projects for the YWA Glitterary Word Festival on the last Saturday of April.
Judy Volem helped create Family School, an alternative magnet public school, in Eugene and taught there for many years, developing project based curriculum for multi-aged classrooms. Now retired, she paints and delights in exploring color. She still works with children of all ages and her focus continues to be encouraging children to make connections between their interests and the world, using visual arts to express themselves.
Word Adventures: Yvonne Young is a retired elementary teacher and a professional storyteller extraordinaire. Her love of language and writing will inspire your child to tell and write stories. Yvonne's DVD Two Goats on a Bridge: Stories to Promote Peace and Protect the Planet recently won a Storytelling World Honor Award. Yvonne also works with YWA's In-School Programs and teaches through Lane Arts Council and Umpqua Valley Arts Association.
Kelly Terwilliger, poet and storyteller, inspires and intrigues kids throughout Eugene and beyond. Gaze upon her hats and be amazed. Listen to her tales and be transported. Kelly is a professional teller and writer of stories. She has been telling stories in classrooms and libraries and at community events for the past eight years, and is a member of the National Storytelling Network. She holds a Master's degree in English Literature and is a published poet and children's writer. One of her stories has been made into a picture book and a second is due to be published soon. Other stories have appeared in Spider Magazine, and her poems have appeared in many literary magazines. She has also recently published a collection of poems, and meets regularly with local poets to work on new ones. Kelly also works with YWA's In-School Programs and WILCS and teaches through Lane Arts Council.
Robert Rubinstein is a nationally-known storyteller with four recordings, the author of CURTAINS UP! THEATRE GAMES & STORYTELLING, HINTS FOR TEACHING SUCCESS, and two young adult novels: WHO WANTS TO BE A HERO! (made into a movie for Showtime TV) and WHEN SIRENS SCREAM. In addition, his stories have appeared in anthologies, and his articles in national and regional publications. As a middle school teacher with 32 years of experience, he created and directed the nationally-known Troupe of Tellers from Roosevelt Middle School, which performed for 24 years. He now produces and directs Eugene's Multi-Cultural Storytelling Festival. His newest book is ZISHE THE STRONGMAN.
Chico Schwall: Multi-instrumentalist, songpoet and traditional roots musician, Chico believes there IS enough to go around and we CAN figure it out. Chico has released two CDs of original music, designed music for theatre and is involved in a raft of Celtic and Roots music projects.
Frank Sprouse received his Masters degree from the University of Oregon in Curriculum and Instruction and currently teaches 6th grade at Hamlin Middle School. Frank has also taught in YWA’s Lively Lit Camps with his wife Louisa since 1992. He is an upbeat, energetic teacher who involves students in interactive learning.
Louisa Lindsay-Sprouse, the founding director of Young Writers Association, shares literature based curricula developed for YWA programs. Called a visionary in arts education, she has received numerous awards for significant contributions to the cultural life of the community. Louisa has provided literary arts explorations, as both leisure time enrichment and vital learning in classrooms, for teacher groups and intergenerational groups, as well as to teachers-in-training at the University of Oregon. Experienced in addressing educational standards, Louisa has aligned curriculum to benchmarks in Oregon’s arts standards for Oregon Public Education Network and for Lane Education Service District. She also publishes youth, and produces a poetry spot of mixed age writers for public radio. Louisa is a storyteller/poet who simply finds pleasure in sharing her love for words, imagination and the adventure of learning. Louisa has also taught in YWA’s After-School Writing Workshops and Lively Lit Camps with her husband Frank and for Umpqua Valley Arts Association.
