One of the greatest strengths to the success of Mariposa’s Art are our classroom Facilitators. Because of the small class size and year-long involvement, our facilitators provide our youth with role models, close mentor relationships, and a caring adult that they look forward to seeing all week long. Each facilitator is an accomplished artist, dancer, or musician with a strong classroom teaching background, amazing skills of patience and humor, and love of teaching youth. Rebecca Picker Program Manager and Girls’ Program Facilitator Rebecca is an accomplished visual artist and she attained her BA in Art from U.C. Santa Cruz. At the University, Rebecca’s focus was printmaking, but her passions include painting, mixed media, bookbinding, textile arts, costuming, and dance. While interning at the Walnut Avenue Women’s Center, Rebecca received training and certification to counsel children living in homes with domestic violence. She is a part of two performance groups, Hipnautica Dance Company and Nocturnal Sunshine Fire Performance. Rebecca has taught with Mariposa’s Art the past four years. Michael Semas Art Teach Coordinator and Facilitator Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts in Language Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz. He speaks Spanish, German, Catalan, and Italian and is passionate about the art of language and communication. He has studied art and enjoys creating textural crafts such as knitting, junk sculpture, and beadwork. He has been a guide and instructor at the Children’s Discovery Museum and taught English to adults. Michael is the Coordinator for the Art Teach Program and has taught with Mariposa’s Art for two years. Niralli D’Costa Middle School Coordinator and Facilitator Niralli earned a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA’s school of Arts and Architecture in World Arts and Cultures. Niralli has studied dance and movement therapy from India, West Africa, the Middle East, and Brazil. She has also studied yoga, fine art, and video production. During the past five years, Niralli has facilitated movement healing workshops privately and through Young Women Encircle. Niralli is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Somatic Psychology at John F. Kennedy University and has taught with Mariposa’s Art the past year. Linda Koffman Guitar Teach Coordinator and Facilitator Linda Koffman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from UCLA. Linda is an accomplished musician and composer; she plays guitar, piano and is a talented singer songwriter. Linda has performed all over the world including California, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, and her music has been featured in foreign films and surf soundtracks. She has taught in Italy and in California for two years. Linda is the Guitar Teach Program Coordinator for Mariposa’s Art. Amanda Triplett Supply Coordinator and Girls’ Program Facilitator Amanda graduated with a Bachelors of Art in Fine Art from Sarah Lawrence College. Amanda has studied dance, theater, voice, art history, and fine art. Amanda grew up in Egypt and Taiwan and her art has been exhibited on both the United States’ East and West Coasts. She has taught art and theater to young people over the past five years and is passionate about after-school programs and art education. She has taught with Mariposa’s Art the past year and looks forward to teaching many more. Nathan Dennen Supply Coordinator and Art Teach Facilitator Nathan Dennen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz. His musical abilities include playing the piano, guitar, mandolin, and hand drums. He has received awards for his songwriting. Nathan’s other talents include making mosaics, cooking, gardening, and working with youth. His experience includes teaching as a summer camp counselor and as a one-on-one autism intervention aide. Pearl Chaiyarat Art Teach and Girls’ Program Facilitator Pearl earned her Bachelors of Arts from UCSC and her Masters in Psychology, specializing in Holistic Studies, from John F. Kennedy University. Pearl has studied music theory, violin, and voice training for ten years, and art therapy the past several years. For the past sixteen years, she has studied and professionally performed dance including traditional Thai dance, jazz, belly dance, salsa, samba, and folk dances from the world over. Pearl has taught art, creative writing, and worked with students and adults with learning disabilities and mental illnesses. She currently works as a mental-health counselor in public schools and has taught with Mariposa’s Art the past two years. Kevin Dorn Guitar Facilitator Kevin earned an Associate Arts degree from Cabrillo College. Kevin has taught elementary school music and directed Rhythm Intensive workshops for UC Berkeley Extension. He has lead community percussion workshops and taught private percussion classes for eleven years. Kevin has studied Latin, Brazilian, and African percussion for sixteen years and bass and guitar for nine years. Kevin is currently a member of SambaDa and Burn bands. Kevin has taught with Mariposa’s Art for four years. Tisina Parker Art Teach and Girls’ Program Facilitator Tisina graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Community Studies with an emphasis in Art Education from U.C. Santa Cruz. Tisina helped create and develop a community grass roots art education program for elementary school students in Havana, Cuba. She was the Recreation Leader for the City of Santa Cruz Step Program and the Program Coordinator for the Teen Center. She has performed with Nocturnal Sunshine Fire Performance Troop the past five years. Tisina currently studies Fashion Design and creates a vast array of art, from costumes, clothing, paintings, to silk-screen prints. Tisina has taught with Mariposa’s Art the past two years. Adrian Torres Art Teach and Abraxis Facilitator Adrian has studied Theater Art at Cabrillo College and under the masterful instruction of the Valdez brothers at El Teatro Campesino. Adrian has become an integral part of El Teatro Campesino in training youth in theater arts, co-directing plays, and entertaining audiences in leading roles. Adrian has also studied dance, fine art, and cartoon animation drawing. He has taught with Mariposa’s Art the past year. Rose Schweig Girls Program Facilitator Rose Schweig earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees, Painting and Latin American Studies, from UC Santa Cruz. She has also studied printmaking, photography, and digital graphics. Rose is an art group Facilitator and the Santa Cruz Regional Director of Drawbridge: An Arts Program for Homeless Children. She also teaches at Mission Hill Middle School as a bilingual Aide. Brandon Morales Guitar Teach Facilitator Brandon Morales is a highly accomplished self-taught musician. Brandon is multi-instrumental with mastery of guitar, bass, and drums. He has taught guitar privately and at the Teatro Campesino the past ten years. Brandon has opened for such well known artists as Steppenwolf, Los Lobos, John Lee Hooker, and others! Brandon currently plays in a band ensemble for El Teatro Campesino of San Juan Bautista. Brandon is passionate about teaching students of all ages and sharing his love for music. Laurel Marvin Girls Program Facilitator Laurel Marvin has planned events that combine art, music, and dance for the last nine years. Her creative repertoire includes African dance and drumming, theatre, modern dance, ceramics, and woodworking. Laurel has worked as a caregiver for developmentally challenged adults and is inspired by helping others. Her hobbies include sewing, gardening, and jewelry design. Drew Clowser Abraxis Facilitator Drew Clowser earned an AA and AS degree in Graphic Design at Cabrillo College. He is a self-taught musician and has studied studio and fine arts since childhood. Drew has shown his work at the Santa Cruz Art League. He has six years of experience counseling youth and adults and has been the Jr. Youth Pastor and Children’s Assembly Director with his church for the last two years. Shashi Martinez Art Teach Facilitator Shashi Martinez is currently pursuing her Associative of Arts degree at Cabrillo College. She is a teacher and choreographer of Latin Dance. She began teaching in 2003 and established the Ladies Latin Cabaret group in 2004. Shashi is also a talented visual artist who has studied drawing and painting since early childhood. Her other areas of interest include Spanish language and culture, costume and fashion design, horses, nature, and photography.