Arts Education

Em Christie: Christie is a writer and theatre artist. They host free rock painting events for all ages as part of a group that paints and hides rocks to spread art and joy. They host free, public rock painting events; and teaches rock painting through community education programs. In addition, Christie is a lifelong lover of theater holding many positions including acting, directing, adapting, and tech jobs. ; Rebecca Froehlich: Froehlich serves as the development and communications manager for the Minnesota Urban Debate League. She received her BFA in painting from the University of South Dakota and recently earned her master's in education at Augsburg University. She has been trained as an artist in healthcare within rural and urban settings at the University of South Dakota and the University of Florida. Most recently, she led telehealth arts programming in rural Minnesota. She also has experience as a high school and college speech coach.; Dayna Martinez: Martinez is the new executive director of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival and most recently comes from the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts where she worked for 25 years, serving in various capacities starting in development and the box office, spending many years as contract manager, and most recently vice president of programming and education. She holds a BA in music from Avila University and an MA in performing arts management from Columbia College ? Chicago. Martinez currently sits on the boards of the St. Paul Festival Association, Minnesota Presenters Network, and TaikoArts Midwest. She is actively involved in the National Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP).; Michael Speck: Speck is an actor, administrator, and fight director based in southeast Minnesota. He is a certified teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors and an adjunct instructor in stage combat for Viterbo University (La Crosse, WI); he received adjunct of the year recognition for the 2022-23 academic year.; Edward Valverde: Valverde is the director of development and operations with Border CrosSing. Valverde was formerly a tenured associate professor of music and project director for a U. S. Department of Education Title V grant at Adams State University (Alamosa, CO), where he also served as the university's lead ADEI coordinator. He is an accomplished tenor and a champion of Spanish language art song. Valverde was awarded a doctor of musical arts degree and a master of music degree in vocal performance from the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY), and holds degrees in music, biology, and choral conducting from Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX).; Deborah VanderEyk: Vander Eyk is an active community volunteer and licensed foster care provider in Minnesota. She holds a bachelor's degree in social research and art education from the University of Wisconsin. She has worked as an art instructor and currently works in foster care.