Instructors

Kristy Baker
Art

Kristy Baker has worked as a social worker for the last 12 years. From developing and managing a domestic violence shelter to case-managing adjudicated teens, Kristy has extensive experience working with vulnerable populations. Kristy currently assists Recreative Art Center in connecting with nonprofit organizations that serve at-risk teenagers. She is also the director of programs with Phoenix Youth at Risk, an organization that helps youth to see their potential through mentoring.  She holds a master’s of science degree in social administration from Case Western Reserve University and is a licensed social worker in Arizona.

Kristy is also an artist who works in paper arts and mixed media collage. She has taught workshops for youth through Free Arts of Arizona and throughout the community at a variety of locations. Kristy structures workshops in a way that provides a fun and safe environment for teenagers to express themselves creatively.

Mario Barela
Drumming

Mario Barela has worked in the music industry over the past ten years as a professional musician (percussionist and keyboardist), producer, recording engineer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and band manager. He has also previously worked as a teacher for five years at a local charter high school, where he developed several different courses that introduced youth to the art of music.

Music is Mario’s passion, and has played a huge role in the greater part of his life. Mario understands the importance that music can play and the difference it can make in peoples lives and he strives to expose its power and value to youth of all ages. Mario has introduced hundreds of children to music over the past several years working as a teacher and teaching artist.

In March 2011, Mario and his partner Esther Molina began our partner program Buckets of Fun, a new enrichment program that introduces children to music and rhythm through colorful trash cans, buckets, and other simple household items. This program is designed to increase self confidence, promote self growth, expand creativity, explore self expression, build teamwork skills, and display discipline and respect. Buckets of Fun is a visually, aurally, physically, mentally, and musically stimulating and educational experience for children. With this program, Mario continues to educate and inspire children with the values of music.

Andy Barkworth
Martial and healing arts

Olukoni/Seifu Andrew Barkworth (3rd rank, 8th degree; first level teacher/master) is a practitioner and student of the martial and healing arts since 1991. Seifu Andy began his training at age 16 after a life long curiosity for the martial arts. His development began with Wing Chun Gong Fu in 1991, which led to the study of Yang-style Tai Ji Quan in 1993. In 1995 he began his training under the guidance and teachings of Seifu Sharif. His studies under Seifu Sharif include: Me’je Oruka / 7 Circles Southern/Northern Shaolin Gong Fu, Fire Flower Qigong, Da Mo Qigong, 18 Mudras Qigong, 7 Animals Qigong, and Yang-style Tai Ji Quan (Short and Long Forms). While continuing his training, Seifu Andy has become a beginner level teacher. This is a part of the life-long process of mastery.

Seifu Andy also teaches privately through On Path Martial & Healing Arts.

Carol Brecker
Ikebana

Carol Brecker holds the third teaching diploma from the Sogetsu school of ikebana. The Sogetsu school is a modern approach to ikebana that promotes flower arranging by anyone in any place using any materials.

Sensei Carol has studied ikebana since 2000 and is a regular exhibitor at the Phoenix Art Museum Ikebana Exhibit and Arts and Flowers. Her teaching encourages free expression, joy, discovery, and union with nature.

She believes that ikebana is a healing art that can calm the soul, focus the mind, connect the spirit with nature, and create an avenue for personal expression. Her classes are taught free of charge and her students are encouraged to participate in programs that benefit the community.

Sensei Carol is a founder and officer of the Sonoran Desert Sogetsu Study Group and a long time member and officer of Ikebana of Arizona. She is a Master Gardener and takes her students into her extensive gardens to learn about growing, preserving, and arranging materials that can be cultivated in the desert climate.

Lee Chivers
Chamber Music

Lee Ann Chivers is an active flute performer and music teacher and is a doctoral candidate in flute performance at Arizona State University. She has toured as a soloist and taught master classes across the Southwest. She is experienced in both chamber and orchestral settings.

Lee founded the Greater Los Angeles Flute Society (GLAFS; 2001–2006), and was instrumental in multiple facets of events held by the Society. In California, Lee taught for several Community Music Schools, the Master’s College, and La Sierra University. She was teaching assistant under Trygve Peterson at ASU.

Lee won the National Flute Association (NFA) Convention Performers Competition in both 2005 (San Diego, performing the Genzmer Second Sonata for Flute Alone) and 2002 (Washington, D.C., performing 4 of the 10 Etudes for Solo Flute by Gary Schocker). She was a semi-finalist in the Young Artist Competition in 1992. Lee has been active with the National Flute Association; performing at conventions, serving as Convention Exhibits Coordinator and working at the NFA Executive office.

Sarah “Saza” Dimmick
Dance

Sarah “Saza” Dimmick received her BFA in dance education from Arizona State University, and has taught on the dance faculties of Arizona State University, Glendale Community College, Dobson High School, and Willow Canyon High School. Currently, Saza is the marketing director of Studio 3 Performing Arts Academy, a “triple threat” studio in Gilbert.

In addition to her passion for teaching, Saza loves to choreograph, has been a guest artist/choreographer for University of South Carolina dance department, and has created pieces for several NBA and WNBA teams and hip-hop and R&B artists.

Saza is the artistic director for our partner, EPIK Dance Company.

Nick Flores
Dance

Nick Flores received a BIS from Arizona State University. Originally from Placerville, Calif., Nick found his way into dancing “by accident.” Specializing in hip-hop dance, he has been with EPIK Dance Company since 2008.

Myrlin Hepworth
Spoken Word

Myrlin Hepworth has spent the last three years writing and performing poetry across the United States while attending Arizona State University. He competed on three National Poetry Slam Teams alongside many esteemed authors. In 2009, In 2010, he became the first undergraduate to teach for the Young Writers Program at ASU. In addition to visiting nearly thirty high schools each year, Myrlin makes a living by performing and teaching at universities, youth centers, group homes, museums, and theatres, while finishing his degree. Myrlin possesses a natural teaching style that allows him to relate and connect to youth easily. Because of the connection youth feel with Myrlin, they are willing to take more risks and bravely share their stories with others.

Myrlin is also the artistic and youth development director for our partner organization, Phonetic Spit.

Liz Hewitt
Dance

Liz Hewitt combined a major in criminal justice emphasizing counter-terrorism with a minor in dance. She discovered her love of choreography while studying gymnastics, and it was this that led her to dance; her favorite genre is the street-dance style known as “whaacking.” A Houston native, Liz has been with EPIK Dance Company since 2010.

Alex Morones
Stepping

Alex Morones is a student at Phoenix College, working toward a degree in music education. He is a graduate of Camelback High School, where he was a member of the Step Team and continued to volunteer with the team after graduation, choreographing routines and running practice. His leadership led to the team placing 4th in the state in 2010, and 2nd in the state in 2011. Alex has a deep passion for music, singing, dancing, and stepping. He is dedicated to education and giving young people opportunities to explore dance and music.

Stefanie Neuberger
Yoga

Stefanie Neuberger teaches Hatha Yoga classes that have been influenced by Anusara Yoga and Life Force Yoga. Her greatest hope is for her students to be able to dance through life with joy and self-confidence.

Stefanie practiced yoga with her grandfather from the early age of five. Some of the poses stayed with her until she was formally introduced to yoga in 1997, looking for a way to work through panic attacks and anxiety. Immediately drawn to the strengthening, balancing and calming experiences, she completed the Desert Song Teacher Training in 2007. She continues her personal and professional education with a focus on safety and emotional effects of yoga. In class, Stefanie creates a safe container, where students are encouraged to find their own practice through poses, breath, meditation and self-inquiry. Stefanie is a Life Force Yoga I Practitioner.

Stefanie also teaches for our partner, Desert Song Yoga.