Dylan believes strongly in the inherent value of each person’s interests, talents, stories and ideas. His goal as a teaching artist is to support and inspire students to express themselves creatively, both on their own and in collaboration with each other. In his work, he invites connections between people and communities through story, music, poetry [...]
Home • Youth • Middle School (6–8) •
DJ Kool Akiem
DJ Kool believes that within Hip-Hop culture is an often misunderstood form of creativity, ingenuity, and originality which can be applied to any path in life. As a teaching artist DJ Kool attempts to communicate these practical lessons he has learned throughout his career in an inspirational, thought provoking and ‘cool’ exploration of history and [...]
Desdamona
Desdamona is an internationally recognized, award-winning poet, Hip Hop artist, and teaching artist whose work combines performance, youth development, and community engagement. Since beginning her performance career in Minneapolis/Saint Paul in 1996, she has used poetry, storytelling, and Hip Hop as tools for self-expression, connection, and personal transformation. For nearly three decades, Desdamona has facilitated [...]
Deacon Warner
Deacon Warner has taught filmmaking to youth in the Twin Cities since 2007. As Youth Programs Director at FilmNorth in Saint Paul he led after school programming, summer camps, in-school residencies and professional opportunities. Before leading the youth program at FilmNorth, Deacon was a social studies teacher at North High in Minneapolis and the co-founder [...]
Danielle Daniel
Connecting Through Stories Danielle Daniel is a magical storyteller. She takes audiences on an exciting journey filled with adventure, suspense, and drama. Her voice and dramatization captivate and transport you to a variety of places and times. She weaves folktales, fairy tales and stories full of adventure and imagination that impart positive messages of courage, [...]
Christopher Lutter-Gardella
For three decades Chris has been working to inspire and facilitate original thinking in the realms of theatrical, educational and public-art design. Chris received a 2006 Bush Artist Fellowship, a 2008 Public Art Saint Paul Sustainable Practices Fellowship and a 2012 McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship. In 2016 Chris founded Big Animal Productions LLC, a public [...]
Chiaki O’Brien
Originally from Japan, Chiaki brings weaving to participants ranging from small children to older adults. Chiaki creates an environment in which participants can relax, explore, have fun, and be inspired by each other. She encourages exploration – to have the freedom to choose colors and textures while creating, and much more! She wants you to [...]
Charlie Maguire
Photo credit Linda Koutsky Charlie is completely self-taught on guitar and various other folk instruments. He grew up in New York and at the age of 13 started his guitar “lessons” when he purchased a how-to book in a drugstore. After college, he was mentored by Pete Seeger, Lee Hays (“If I had a Hammer”) [...]
