Alda is the Artistic Director and co-founder of “Mexico beyond Mariachi” and co-founder of “Rhythm of the Arts.” The company performs Arts in Education Residencies, Lecture demonstrations as well as full-scale productions bringing an appreciation of folklore, culture, and traditions of the world to thousands of young students and audiences of all ages.While my artistic background is rooted in traditional music and dance forms, I believe that as an artist it behooves me to understand past traditions, but not treat them as though they are an unmovable museum piece. It is important for me to stay present and available to new ideas and new ways of seeing and experiencing artistic expression. I embrace the fact that cultures are in a constant state and I am excited at the prospect of new ideas mixing with the old.My work is well known among prominent Arts-in-Education Organizations. As a dance educator and performer, I am currently part of the roster of Arts Connection, Ballet Hispanico, Midori & Friends, Young Audiences New Jersey, Young Audiences New York, Global Arts, Community Works, and many others. Close

Anne--a member of the Actors Studio, trained at London Academy of the Dramatic Arts and New York University--is an actress and playwright committed to performing, creating, and discovering theatrical works of universal merit for students ages K-12 across the curriculum. Inspired by the greatest of storytellers from Shakespeare to her grandmother, Ms. Pasquale has a passion for a well-told tale. She has been a proud member of the Young Audiences New York roster for 10 years. Close

Having the opportunity to affect change in youth is extremely meaningful to me. To change the trajectory of a life, not by telling them what to do, but by facilitating the creation of a new consciousness and self-awareness that allows them to choose a path that is accurate to who they are and who they want to be. This year, I have access to a mac lab that will allow me to show all sides of the production process to my class. Close

I am a performing artist, educator and facilitator. I have been with YANY for 3 years as a Literature to Life^® actor for If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin, and as a teaching artist in theatre. I treasure the interactive and engaging nature of theatre as it lifts our stories from our hearts and imagination, and from this we devise our theatre. I am inspired by my family, the sun, water, and the love that aims to thrive and heal. Close

Donna Maria  has worked city-wide as a Young Audiences Teaching Artist in a variety of media since 1998.  She finds teaching and making art equally joyful and life-affirming. She loves to read and make funky, hand-crafted books.  Her mixed-media works have been exhibited at multiple venues including Central Booking, The Center for Book Arts, and Proteus Gowanus in NYC, Jersey City University, Fairleigh Dickenson University, PS 1 Museum, The Barcelona Book Fair and Minnesota Center for Book Arts.  Ms. De Creeft’s works are in the permanent collections of the University of Southern Maine, Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, The Center for Book Arts, and the library collections of the Brooklyn Museum, Bryn Mawr College and Rutgers University.  As a teaching artist who has been with Young Audiences New York for 20 years, I value my students' creativity and artistic process, and try to let them know that they are engaged in deep work even when it seems like play. I want them to experience art making as an intrinsic part of their being that they can call on throughout their lives. Close

Fabian has been a teaching artist with Young Audiences New York’s Literature to Life® program since 2015. As a community-based Hip Hop artist, educator and agent of change, FARBEON works to develop pedagogy that moves beyond high-stakes testing and bridges the gap between the arts, academics and social youth development. He has taught Poetry, Performance, Song-Writing, Digital Media, Photography & Hip-Hop History and Culture at high schools, universities and community centers throughout the United States and abroad. Whether in the studio, on stage, behind the lens of a camera or in a classroom, FARBEON is dedicated to leveraging artistic craft and process to bring about dialogue, peace, understanding and to pave the way for the next generation of young ARTivists. Close

This year, I am excited to be focusing on building my voice over experience. It’s a whole new creative world to me. I am constantly learning from the students I work with. Their perspectives on the art brings out news of thinking and creating for me. Close

Kaaron is a theater artist. She performs, directs, and writes. Kaaron has been with YANY for the past three years. She believes in collaboration when it comes to working with her students. In her practice, Kaaron is often inspired by history and great works of visual art. Close

Ling has been a teaching artist with YANY since 2013. “Arts speak a magical universal language,” Ling believes working with children is a mutual learning experience, which inspires her to explore a diverse community and re-connect to her cultural heritage. Born and raised in Wuhan, China, she came to the U.S. in 2002, and has performed professionally at numerous venues and festivals including President Obama's Inauguration in 2013. She currently teaches Chinese dance at K-12 schools, universities and community centers. Her teaching credits also include New York University, Dance St. Louis, and Washington Performing Arts. Ling holds an M.A. in arts administration from Columbia University, a B.A. in dance and intercultural performing arts from the University of Maryland, and Teachers College Teaching Artist Certificate. Close

Mel is a NYC-based actress, activist, filmmaker and comic, with a Master's Degree in Applied Drama from the University of Exeter, UK. For nearly two decades, Mel has been sharing her passion for storytelling and nurturing young artists, while working on projects in the UK, Bali, South Africa, Beijing and throughout the U.S. She joined YANY's team four years ago, as a member of the national Literature to Life Program, and has since been leading theatre-arts residencies in her Bronx neighborhood. She is a member of the Actors Center Company, where she continues to be inspired by and grow her craft with Master teachers and leading professionals. Close

Navida is an award-winning storyteller, actress, musician, writer and teaching artist. She’s worked Off-Broadway & regionally doing new plays, musicals & Shakespeare. Her one woman show URBAN ZEN won a 2012 United Solo Festival award. Navida tells stories from around the world in many places including NY Public Libraries, Hans Christian Anderson statue in Central Park & many schools. She’s narrated Peter and the Wolf and Carnival of the Animals with several NYC orchestras including The Chelsea Symphony. Navida’s a recipient of a 2014 Lower Manhattan Cultural Council grant and been a teaching artist for Young Audiences New York since 1986. Whether working with young people or professionally, Navida's motto is CONNECT and CREATE. She believes in the power of the arts to educate, inspire and heal. Close

Ricky, at age seven, a native of the Bronx, began his dance training as a scholarship student at Ballet Hispanico of New York. Later, as an undergraduate at SUNY Purchase, he received dance scholarships with The Alvin Ailey School, and Dance Theater Of Harlem. Ricky has had a very diverse performance career, performing locally, nationally and internationally with many dance companies and productions such as Franco Zeffirelli's productions of Carmen and La Traviata at The Metropolitan Opera and Don Giovanni at Washington Opera, as well as with Ballet Hispanico of New York, Nicholas Rodriguez & Dance Compass, New York Ballroom Company, Bailes Ferrer, Sol y Sombra, Randy James Dance Works, Flamenco Vivo, Edwin Aparicio's Selected Works, and most recently in Omayra Amaya's repertory performance group and Andanza Flamenco. He’s been a dance educator for 25 years and is currently working with Children's Arts & Science Workshops, Lotus Music & Dance, American Academy of Ballet and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana. This is his Eighth year with Young Audiences New York. During the process of learning a dance style, Mr. Santiago incorporates students’ own creations. This instills a sense of ownership and pride in their work. To Ricky Seeing children work intensely to hone their craft and exploring a new way to express themselves is incredibly inspiring. Close