Meet our Teaching Artists
Our current roster features over 150 artists and presents 165 programs in creative writing, dance, drama, music, and the visual arts. These programs include performances, workshops, and professional development seminars for teachers.
Interested in becoming a KCYA teaching artist? Learn more here.
Miana Abramson was born and raised in Los Angeles California where she studied commercial and classical dance for 12 years
Miana Abramson
Paige Ahlenius holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Scene Design from the University of Virginia and has been investing in the Kansas City arts community since 1999...
Paige Ahlenius
Erika Lynnette Baker is a local teacher, actress and puppeteer...
Erika Lynnette Baker
Kelsey Bowers, a Kansas City native, attended Northwest Missouri State University and received a degree in speech/theatre education.
Kelsey Bowers
Born and Raised in Brazil, Luis Felipe Ninja Pinto moved to the US in January 2000...
Brasicultura
Lindsay Cardwell began her life with ballet at age 3, and continued through her upbringing, studying at the Kansas City Ballet while also competing with a local studio.
Lindsay Cardwell
Adrianne Clayton is a product of the KCPS school system, graduating from Paseo Academy in 1996...
Adrianne Clayton
A native Kansan, Jean Cook grew up on the family farm helping with harvests and caring for the family cows, sheep and horses. Her artwork is inspired by her real-life experiences...
Jean Cook
The artist, know locally as Day, has spent her life painting, sculpting,and creating, bringing the arts and puppets to the Kansas City Metro area...DaLene DePriest
Natasha Ria El-Scari is a poet, performer, writer, Cave Canem alum, Ragdale Residency recipient and educator for over a decade...
Natasha Ria El-Scari
Karen Engebretson, a Kansas City native, holds a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance and has spent over 40 years as a director of music, organist, pianist, vocalist and accompanist...
Karen Engebretson
Alex Espy is the Education Director at Mesner Puppet Theater, specializing in the Social/Emotional growth of young people through the power of puppetry.
Alex Espy
Bobbi Foudree started dancing at the age of 16 and soon thereafter wished to pursue a career both in professional dance and as a dance teacher.
Bobbi Foudree
Since 1987, Vanessa Gibbs has taught West African dance. Working with Bird Fleming, she helped found The Traditional Music Society...
Vanessa & Rodney Gibbs
Born and raised in Kansas City, Holly Hangauer has been a teaching artist since 2012...
Holly Hangauer
Dazzling and dynamic, Lisa Henry represents the best of Kansas City’s current Jazz era...
Lisa Henry
LaTeesha McDonald Jackson performs throughout the region in musical theater, cabaret and opera...
LaTeesha Jackson
Kevin “Church” Johnson is a midwestern mix plate of old school soul music with a millennial twist of spicy and sweet BBQ.
Kevin Johnson
The Kansas Settlers Band consists of Diane Bulan, Franci Witte, Chris Hudson, and Sam Wright...
Kansas Settlers Band
Amanda has been drawing, painting, and creating since she could hold a pencil.
Amanda Lea
Ziggy Livnat is an independent, multiple international award winning filmmaker, presenter, conservationist and educator...
Ziggy Livnat
G. Leayn Losh is presently the Director of Choral & Debate at Rosedale MS...
Leayn Losh
Lucas Lowry is a Kansas City based actor, singer, dancer, and dreamer. He recently obtained a double major in Vocal Music Education and Musical Theatre from Wichita State University.
Lucas Lowry
I spent 15 great years working in the commercial photography and production industry when I realized my heart was leading me in a new direction...
Jaime Lyon
Committed to the authentic performance practice and spirit of the marimba heard throughout Mesoamerica...
Marimba Sol de Chiapas
Michelle Meade is an Author/Illustrator with a MFA in Writing and Illustrating Children’s Literature from Hollins University and a Certification in Art Instruction.
Michelle Meade
Austin Meyer is a theatre educator, acting coach, director, and actor from Michigan. He received his BA in Drama from the University of Michigan...
Austin Meyer
Myrna Minnis has been inspiring children through classes in clay...
Myrna Minnis
Leigh Murray, an Atlanta, GA native, received her BFA in Dance from Arizona State University in 2009.
Leigh Murray
New World Connections is a trio made up of: Tom Aber, Gregg Briggs, Mark Cohick, Ron Hathorn, and Pat Conway...
New World Connnections
Whether he's counting monsters, fixing spaceships or swimming in peanut butter, Dino's interactive songs and tall tales engage curiosity and inspire the imagination...
Dinosaur O'Dell
Christopher J. Peacock was born in Thomaston, Georgia and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. While in the first grade, he discovered a passion for the art of dance
Christopher J. Peacock
Cynthia Pederson is an experienced writer, researcher, and teacher. She takes great joy in passing along knowledge through the many workshops and presentations she leads
Cynthia Pederson
Roger Pitts is a native Kansan, attending school in the greater Kansas City area...
Roger Pitts
Kim Ratliff has been a performer and educator for over 14 years...
Kim Ratliff
Katie Schilling is a graduate of UMKC with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and a former Kansas City Ballet student apprentice and faculty member...
Katie Schilling
I began performing as an artist in residence in public schools in 1985...
Lem Sheppard
Franci Talamantez-Witte is originally from Wichita, where she was fortunate to perform with theatre companies such as The Crown Uptown and Music Theatre Wichita.
Franci Talamantez-Witte
Bethany Vermillion is a playwright, actress, director, costume designer, and teacher.
Bethany Vermillion
Pippa White turned to solo performing in 1994. Previously she had an extensive career in theatre and television on the West Coast...
Pippa White
Demarco Williams was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. He has been dancing practically his entire life.
Demarco Williams
On Christmas Day, 1979, Mike received a copy of How To Draw Comics the Marvel Way...
Mike Worley