Arnold, Jennifer, Jennifer has a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from CMU. She works for the Dow Corning Corporation as a chemical engineer. Jennifer has studied meditation and Zen practices with Andy Rapp at Creative Spirit Center and has been leading group meditation sessions for over a year now. She is actively involved in the community and in personal spiritual growth; striving to continuously improve body, mind and spirit.

Berlin, Roz, holds two masters degrees - one in arts from Michigan State University and one in counseling from Central Michigan University. She works in the medium of fiber sculpture, and her woven sculpture forest has been featured throughout Michigan.

Bacigalupo, Lindsay Breann. Lindsay has been involved in the performing arts for the past 15 years. She has had classical vocal and theatre training, as well as 15 years of intensive dance training. She has been involved in multiple theatrical productions, her favorite was being the lead role in the musical, "Annie". She is also a member of the nationally ranked Michigan State University Dance Team, "Motion". She is the current Miss Auburn-Midland Area in the Miss America Organization and will be competing for the title of Miss Michigan in June.

Carter, Wilma (Wil), Instructor Wilma (Wil) Carter has experienced the benefits of yoga through personal practice the past several years and has received her teacher’s training through “Yoga Fit.” She is a resident of Midland and, although now retired, was a Midland business owner for thirty years.

Cirihal, Stephanie, As a certified personal coach, Stephanie works with people of all ages and from all walks of life on ways to live with more vitality. With her own can-do-attitude and accomplishments earned through a successful 17-year career at Dow Chemical, Stephanie offers classes, one-on-one and group coaching sessions, and retreats for people interested in discovering and living the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of a passionate life. 1. When Stephanie isn't coaching or supporting "students of life" in such classes as “Your Life as Art” and “the NIA fitness experience”, she enjoys her own quest to live life more passionately through practicing Chi Running, yoga, and questioning her own stressful beliefs.

Collins, Kevin, Kevin Collins is a respected percussionist who shares his love of African music through lively, participatory performances. He brings with him an impressive collection of traditional percussion instruments from Africa . Children and adults will find his performances entertaining and educational as they learn what a “Djembe” is used for and get the opportunity to play it! In addition to his professional work performing with big bands and his own jazz band, Collins works extensively with children. He directs an ongoing African Drum and Dance Troupe Kuungana. He has presented many concerts and participated in arts education programs in Flint and throughout Michigan . His experience and enthusiasm combine to provide a unique musical experience.

Cole, Dianna, Since 1999, Dianna has taught clay and ceramic classes and loves sharing the creative process with children of all ages. In 1995 she decided that her brain needed to be balanced and made whole by something creative and playful.She enrolled in two classes: a Tai Chi exercise class and an evening sculpture class. Both classes turned out to have a profound impact on her life, and in 1999, she retired from a 35 year career in the healing arts to pursue a full-time education in the fine arts.

Cook, Julie, has an associates of art degree from Delta College, is a certified massage therapist, and has worked for ten years as a graphic artist and photographer.

Durda, Kate, M.A. , is a Developmental Psychologist and Shamanic Practitioner. She worked in mental health and public health areas for over 20 years. She has been involved in peace education work, assault prevention, development of a domestic assault shelter, and with various spirituality programs. She and her partner, Stephanie Tighe, MSW, are co-founders of SpiritWeavers, an organization devoted to providing experiential training in Shamanism, shamanic healing and counseling. For more info: www.SpritWeavers.net

Edgar, Rosemary, Rosemary is a singer and community artist who works in the Education Department at Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson , MI . In New York City she studied dance for nine years and performed with Kathy Duncan. Rosemary has also performed with Happendance in Lansing , Michigan.

Fromhold, Jan, Jan, ACSW is a psychotherapist in private practice in Midland. Previously she was a clinician and a supervisor in a hospital setting and on the Faculty at Smith College Continuing Education Program. Her interest in Tai Ji goes back a long way finding her drawn to the parks in early morning visits to China a decade ago. She has studied with Chungliang Al Huang, Dr. Paul Lam and Sifer Tony Ha. Jan is also a certified instructor for Tai Ji for Arthritis.

Gallegos, Alejandra, Alejandra (Alex) has been in Midland for three years now, having moved with her family from Argentina. She will be offering Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga classes, Tango lessons, and contemporary dance classes.

Glazier, Gene, Gene resides in Essexville Michigan learned his craft at an early age. Creating comic strips at 11 yrs old and winning cover art competitions in school. He completed a 2 yr course at the Bay Arenac skill Center earning him a certification in graphic arts and design. Focusing on caricatures you can find him teaching this art to students of all ages. His easy to follow teaching method makes learning to draw comic portraits fun for everyone.

Griffor, Mariela, Mariela is the author of Exiliana (Luna Publications) and House (Mayapple Press). She was born in the city of Concepción in southern Chile . She attended the University of Santiago and the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. She left Chile for an involuntary exile in Sweden in 1985. She and her American husband returned to the United States in 1998 with their two daughters. They live in Grosse Pointe Park , Michigan . She is founder of The Institute for Creative Writers at Wayne State University and Publisher of Marick Press. Her work has appeared in periodicals across Latin America and the United States . Mariela holds a B.A in Journalism and a M.A. in Media Studies from Wayne State University . She is Consul Honorary of Chile in Michigan .

Hallberg, Thad, Thad was educated as an Industrial Designer at Kendall College of Art & Design. His design career has taken many turns; from the contract furniture industry to museum & trade show exhibits. Now as the principal of a Midland based design studio, Thad wears even more hats.

Handler, Mark, Mark Handler, MA, retired as associate director of the Midland-Gladwin Community Mental Health. He has taught at CMU, MSU, Northwood University and Delta College. He serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Michigan Board of Chiropractic and received a special tribute by the Michigan Legislature in 2001. He is self-employed as a consultant, a private harmonic overtone vocal teacher, a composer, a seminar leader and provider of personal overtoning and Tibetan bowl experiences.

Hartzler, Lois, In 1996 at 58 years of age, Lois finally decided to take her music seriously. Mary Kiesgen, vocal faculty at Central Michigan University, was her first teacher and taught her to sing out. “If you’re going to make music, you can’t be discreet,” she was told. For the past two years she has studied with Sunny Wilkinson, vocal faculty at Michigan State University. Sunny introduced Lois to jazz and showed her the possibilities. For more info: www.loishartzler.com

Keefe, Cynthia, Cynthia is a local artist who holds BA and MFA degrees from Vermont College in Montpelier, Vermont. She has taught art and art history for the past twenty-five years. Ms. Keefe currently serves as Artist in Residence, Director of Arts Outreach Programs, Curator of the International Costume Collection and Curator of the International Costume Collection and Curator of the University's Fine Art Collection at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. She is the co-founder of Creative Spirit Center.

Kressler, Jeff, Jeff has been an active jazz pianist and arranger for many years. He received his B.M. and M.M. from Michigan State University , and has contributed dozens of arrangements to the libraries of both the Spartan Marching Band and the Jazz Ensemble. He has also written arrangements for bands & orchestras at several other universities and high schools throughout the nation. In addition, he has several original compositions and arrangements published by Watchdog Music. He has also performed with many of the top jazz artists in Michigan , and has played with both the Woody Herman and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras. Jeff is a retired high school band director of DeWitt Public Schools, former director of the Alma College Jazz Ensemble, and is currently the Jazz Keyboard instructor at Central Michigan University.

Kerman, Judith, Judith has published eight books or chapbooks of poetry, most recently Galvanic Response (March Street Press, 2005) and the bilingual collection, Plane Surfaces/Plano de Incidencia (Santo Domingo: CCLEH, 2002), with Spanish translations by Johnny Durán.

Her book of translations, A Woman in Her Garden: Selected Poems of Dulce María Loynaz (Cuban; Cervantes Prize laureate, 1992) was published by White Pine Press in 2002. Her prose-poem book, Mothering (Allegany Mountain Press, 1978), received Honorable Mention in the 1978 Great Lakes Colleges New Writers Award competition and was reissued in 1996 in print as Mothering & Dream of Rain by Ridgeway Press and as a hypertext in Eastgate Quarterly Review of Hypertext 2:2.

Kerman was a Fulbright Senior Scholar to the Dominican Republic in 2002, translating the poetry and fiction of contemporary Dominican women. She runs Mayapple Press (1980-present) and was founding editor of Earth's Daughters (1971 to present). A Jewish Buddhist Quaker Feminist Clown in passionate pursuit of the Cheshire Cat called "Truth," she is halfway through a phased transition out of university administration and teaching.

Leff, Rachel, Rachel has a B.S. in Education and has been teaching young children for 9 years. She is certified in Radiant Child Yoga Level 1 and has been practicing yoga for 2 years.

Lindahl, Robert, Robert, CMU Professor of trombone, has performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Harry James Orchestra, Midland Symphony, Usual Suspects Jazz Band, the Lansing Symphony Big Band, After hours Jazz, NightSound, the Bijou Orchestra of Bay City and the CMU Faculty Jazz Ensemble. In the past five years he has appeared with Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Kansas , the Saginaw Bay Orchestra, the Travers City Symphony and the Brass Quintet of Mt. Pleasant. His discography includes the recently released “CMU Jazz Faculty plays the music of Rob Smith.” And NightSound with Lois Hartzler and Friends.

List, Jan, BA, is an artist whose background was in the field of substance abuse and mental health as educator, counselor, assessment and referral. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education with an art minor.

Love, Janet All my life I have been involved with some type of movement of the body. I began dance from an early age, which led to studying at a University with a professional dance company. I then found myself embarking on a career as a personal trainer with the hope of helping people improve the quality of their life through exercise and diet. When I found yoga the movement and process had a completeness that I had never before experienced with any other form. It is a sacred journey bringing you home to yourself. I became a certified instructor at the Kripalu Institute in May of 2007. With the love and support from my wonderful teachers, Devarshi Steven Hartmana and Sudha Carolyn Lundeen, I am honored to share my teachings with you.

MacDonald, John, John has been studying dance for the past 6 years. He is an avid collector of dance photographs and reviews, from which he draws much inspiration. He has performed with S’Moves since 2005. John is a practicing physician in St. Johns , MI .

Martinka, David, David's journey with the Native American Flute began 14yrs. ago when he received a flute as a gift. His current CD, Legends of Time, is a 2006 Indian Summer Music Awards Nominee. David brings many years of experience as an Outdoor Educator, Native American Flute Player and Crafter, for a fun and enlightening workshop where anyone can learn to play the Native Flute.

McGeehan-Woodard, Anne, Anne’s degree is in Elementary Education, with an Early Childhood Development major. She has taught Women’s' Awareness Journaling and co-taught Not Just Vanilla with Linda Smith for three years. She is currently co-facilitating Journaling for Seniors: telling your story at Riverside Place with Linda Smith. Anne is a board member at Creative Spirit Center and an active volunteer. She retired from Dow Corning after a 25 year career as an executive assistant and paralegal in the Legal Department. Anne is an avid gardener and loves children. She lives in Midland with her husband John and has 4 grown artistic children and 7 grandchildren.

Mashue, Don, Don is the father of three grown children, partnered with a great lady for 47 years and a printer by trade. He was a week-end cook until he and his wife started their own business; that prompted Don to take over the cooking while his wife did the household chores. He loves it when his grandchildren bring their friends to eat his cooking. His chili has won multiple awards in the Midland Chili Taste Off.

McGeehan-Woodard, Anne, B.A. in Elementary Education - SVSU (Early Childhood Development) Dow Corning 25 year career in administration while raising my artistic family. Now retired am filling my time with substitute teaching and exploring new fun fields of endeavor. CSAC Board member, volunteer, co-chair CSAC Holiday Gallery, co-teacher of summer camp NJV with Linda Smith, facilitator of Women's Awareness Journaling.

Meisel, Ken. Ken is a poet & psychotherapist. His work appears in over 60 journals. He has authored three books of poetry. The chapbook version of his book Just Listening won the 2006 Swan Duckling contest. Meisel also received honorable mention in the 2006 Rattle poetry contest and his work was included in Rattle's 2006 "Best Of" collection. The summer 2007 edition of River Oak Review contains a comprehensive review of his first three poetry collections.

Metcalf, John, John is principal of Good Design Group, has been designing educational exhibits for more than 12 years. John has a BS in Industrial Design from the University of Cincinnati . He lived and worked in Japan as a product designer for two and a half years before moving to Midland . John is on the board of the Midland Chapter of People to People International.

Meyer, Dr. Paul MD, Paul has been leading the Dances of Universal Peace since 1992. He is a family practice physician who practices Holistic Medicine in Saginaw.

Montague-Bauer, Breaha. Breaha Graduated from GVSU with a BA in Communications and is a Junior Account Executive at Princing & Ewend, public relations and advertising in Saginaw . Breaha has always had a combined passion for creative movement and children. With 10 years training in Modern dance, seven years as a competitive figure skater and coach, experience in yoga Tai Chi and Pilates, she is highly qualified in movement theory and creative expression. Combined with six years experience as a nanny for infants and toddlers, and four years as a tutor, Breaha is sure to provide a safe and engaging movement experience for young children. She loves sharing the joy of movement!

Otten-Mason, Roberta. Roberta is an adjunct instructor for the Theatre/Dance department at LCC; where she teaches Modern Dance and Movement for Actors. Her career includes sharing dance with many community and educatonal organizations, and mentally and physically challenged students. She has choreographed for Happendance, Sunsets with Shakespeare and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp opera productions. Roberta is a Lansing “City Pulse” Pulsar Choreography Award-winner for her work in “The Many Deaths of Shakespeare” at LCC in 2006.

Powers, Judy, Graduated with a Masters of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Northeastern University and a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education from CMU. As manager of a $1.5 million hospital-based wellness center, she was responsible for wellness programming, account management, and sales and fitness programming. She is certified as a Physical Education Teacher for the State of Michigan, is an Health/Fitness Instructor for the American College of Sports Medicine, Pilates Mat Instructor and Reformer Training in Scott Conditioning, and a Certified Yoga Instructor for Fitness Resource Associates, Inc.

Romatz, Wilma, Wilma Romatz PhD has researched the connections between drawing and writing for several years, combining her love for writing, literature, and art in the classes she teaches at Mott Community College and she has explored their connections in her own poetry and art. Music is another major interest, particularly keyboard and drumming. She is interested in ways participating in these healing arts can improve our lives.

Sarantis-Rodriguez, Megan, Megan is the founder/artistic director/instructor of Michigan 's Premiere Bellydance Troupe the Belly Dance Divas™. She began bellydancing in 1985 with the Habibi Dancers of Lansing, MI. The lack of bellydance opportunities, in the Tri-Cities, prompted her to create the highly successful Hip Hop Bellydance™ program in 2002. From one small class Hip Hop Bellydance™ has grown to over 200 women taking weekly classes plus Michigan 's largest bellydance troupe the 'Belly Dance Divas™'. Due to this huge growth Certified Instructor's have been trained to present Megan's newest creation Bellydance Booty Camp™, a low-impact, high cardio workout with bellydance technique. The Divas believe that no matter what your shape, size, or age you TOO can dance like a diva while getting fit in the process. For more info: go to the DIVA'S website - www.thebellydancedivas.com.

Smith, Linda Z, Linda Z is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. She holds majors in art, dance and theater. She is a founding member and first president of the Michigan Dance Association, a USA representative at the International Conference on Children’s Dance.

Sovereen, Barbara, Barbara continues to astound us at Creative Spirit Center with her wisdom, humor and incredible ability to teach. She has worked professionally as a writer, teacher and public relations director, has a degree in education, a master’s in literature and is certified in psycho synthesis and spiritual direction.

Spence, Nan, holds a degree in nursing, counseling and theology, which enables her to present a holistic perspective in her classes. She recently studied imagery with John Schneider, Ph.D., professor emeritus at Michigan State University College of Medicine.

Spindler, Silvana, Silvana was born in Argentina where she received her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. She came to the US to continue her studies. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Physical Education from Central Michigan University . At CMU she worked as a graduate assistant and as a researcher. She has been working with senior students, osteoporosis, and arthritis patients for more than 8 years.

Tarte, Bob, Bob and his wife Linda live on the edge of a shoe-sucking swamp near the West Michigan village of Lowell . When not fending off mosquitoes during temperate months and chipping ice out of plastic wading pools in the frigid winter, Bob writes the Technobeat world music column for The Beat magazine. He has also written for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Miami New Times, the Whole Earth Review, Fortean Times, Monitoring Times, and other publications. An abridged version of the first chapter of Enslaved By Ducks was published in The Reader's Digest in American, Canadian, British, South African, and foreign language editions. Bob and Linda currently serve the whims of parrots, ducks, geese, parakeets, rabbits, doves, cats, hens, and one turkey. They also raise and release orphan songbirds for the Wildlife Rehab Center Ltd

Vande Zande, Jeff, Jeff teaches at Delta College . His poetry and short stories have appeared in over seventy-five small press periodicals. Two of his poems were nominated for the 1999 Pushcart Prize, and he was again nominated in 2003. In 2006, poet laureate Ted Kooser chose Vande Zande's work to appear in American Life in Poetry. Vande Zande's most recent work, the novel Into the Desperate Country, was nominated for a Michigan Notable Book Award.