Teaching art is a journey—a welcoming space where freedom, balance, and connection invite us to heal, express, and truly understand our shared humanity. It is deeply rooted in the fabric of our culture: the vibrant colors, the styles we wear, the flavors we savor, and the languages we speak. For me, art comes alive through mime, masks, puppetry, and animation. These creative tools are at the heart of my everyday practice, inspiring me to draw, dance, and mimic the world around me. Even a lone dance in nature—a quiet moment among rainforests, lava fields, and ancient trees—can ripple beautiful energy into the world, bringing peace or soothing the soul. Art is never meant to be a solitary pursuit. It creates a stage for storytelling and connection, transforming and healing while reminding us of our common human spirit. Working with Hawaii’s youth feels especially meaningful. They are like blank canvases, full of curiosity and possibility. Together, we explore an ever-changing creative space, overcoming challenges and celebrating every spark of inspiration.
The Artistic Teaching Partners (ATP) Roster is an adjudicated directory of Hawai‘i professional teaching artists qualified to conduct in-depth residencies in educational settings. Each artist or arts organization has a page in the directory with contact information, a short bio, and an artist statement. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts draws from this roster for arts education programs including Artists in the Schools.
