Spring 2025
Section 4719 of LL505
Discussion Group -- : Jan 15 - May 21 2025
Class focuses on Improv for Everyone. Contrary to popular belief, Improv has nothing to do with comic or acting ability. In this class we will learn the joy of building community through non-threatening Improv exercises. It’s all about being playful, having fun and making new friends. This class is not about performing!
Section 5799 of LL501
Creative Arts for Older Adults -- : Jan 13 - May 19 2025
Class focuses on Expressive Arts. In this class we will explore a realm of possibilities for art-making. We will experience the enjoyment of many different creative and art-making techniques, including painting, movement and writing. Creative / Expressive Arts focus on both the process and the product. In the beginning of each class, there will be a discussion on that week’s artistic exercise, followed by creative art-making and sharing. Let us enjoy our creative selves! Our possibilities are endless.
Fall 2024
Section 2206 of LL505
Discussion Group -- : Aug 21 - Dec 18 2024
Class focuses on Improv for Everyone. Contrary to popular belief, Improv has nothing to do with comic or acting ability. In this class we will learn the joy of building community through non-threatening Improv exercises. It’s all about being playful, having fun and making new friends. This class is not about performing!
Section 2272 of LL501
Creative Arts for Older Adults -- : Aug 19 - Dec 16 2024
Class focuses on Expressive Arts. In this class we will explore a realm of possibilities for art-making. We will experience the enjoyment of many different creative and art-making techniques, including painting, movement and writing. Creative / Expressive Arts focus on both the process and the product. In the beginning of each class, there will be a discussion on that week’s artistic exercise, followed by creative art-making and sharing. Let us enjoy our creative selves! Our possibilities are endless.
B.A. Psychology, University of California at Santa Cruz
B.A. Aesthetic Studies, University of California at Santa Cruz
M.A. Dance/Movement Therapy, Antioch/New England Graduate School
M.A. Counseling, Sonoma State University
CAGS Advanced Post-Graduate Degree in Expressive Arts Therapy, Consulting, Education and Social Change, European Graduate School
Ph.D. in Expressive Arts, European Graduate School, Switzerland
2023 - current: Adjunct Faculty member of Older Adults Program
2012 - 2019: Support Services Specialist for Disability Resources
2011 - 2013: Co-Director of Embodied Art and Soul
2006 - 2012: Program Coordinator for MESA Schools Program
2006 - 2011: Director and Choreographer of the Kutups Senior Citizen Performing Arts Group
1997 - 2005: Executive Director of the Napa Valley AIDS Project
1995 - 1997: Case Manager / Social Worker for People with HIV/AIDS
1987 - 1995: Program Director of Turning Point Residential Drug Treatment Program
2008 - 2019: Steward, SEIU Local 1021 Classified Executive Council
Expressive Arts Therapies
Dance
Choreography
Creative Expression
Improvisational Theater and Dance
- Member and Actor, Leela Improv Theater Company (2013 - 2017)
- Member, AIN - Applied Improvisational Network (2012 - present)
- Applied Improvisation Professional Practitioner (2018 - present)
- Volunteer, The Open Table, Church of the Incarnation (2012 - 2020)
- Member, ADTA - American Dance Therapy Association (1985 - current)
- Member, Board of Directors of The California Chapter of American Dance Therapy Association (2011 - 2015)
- Member and Presenter, IEATA - International Expressive Arts Therapies Association (2011 - present)
- Member, IACAET - International Association for Creative Arts in Education and Therapy (2022 - present)
- Director and Choreographer for the Rohnert Park Kutups, a non-profit agency for senior citizens (2006 - 2011)
- President, Board of Directors for Diabetes Society of Sonoma County (2003-2006)
- Co-Chair Sonoma County HIV Prevention Planning Group (2002-2005)
- Chair of Napa County HIV Prevention Planning Group (2004)
- Community College Instructor Credential in Psychology, valid for life
- Adult Education Teaching Credential, valid for life
- Registered Dance/Movement Therapist, #R-DTR-225
- Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #APCC8890 (2020 - 2022)
August 23, 2023 “Improvisation and the Arts: A Dynamic Combo”
The Idea Lounge, Petaluma Arts Center, Petaluma, CA
July 27, 2023 “Your Brain on Improv -- How the Arts and Improv Transform Us”
Applied Improvisational Network Conference, Vancouver, BC
July 15, 2023 “Utilizing Intermodality in Autobiographical Therapeutic Performance”
2023 IEATA Conference, Hong Kong (via Zoom)
April – June, 2023 “Trust the Process” webinar moderator
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association
April 15, 2023 Presentation of Doctoral Dissertation:
“An Expressive Arts Approach to Autobiographical Therapeutic Performance”
International Expressive Arts Conference, Barcelona, Spain
December 1, 2021 Oral Defense of Doctoral Dissertation:
"Witnessing Trauma and Transformation: An Expressive Arts Approach to Autobiographical Therapeutic Performance"
August 16, 2019 "Introduction to Expressive Arts"
Professional Development Day, Santa Rosa Junior College, CA
February 28, 2019 "Using Improvisational Tools to Enhance Inclusivity"
2019 IEATA Conference, Berkeley, California
October 10, 2017 "Say Yes to Spontaneity – Therapeutic Benefits of Applied Improvisation"
2017 Expressive Arts Summit, New York City, New York
April 17, 2016 "Improv as a Therapeutic Practice"
California Chapter of the American Dance Therapy Association (CCADTA)
Ed Roberts Campus, Berkeley, CA
Feb 12, 2015 * Aug 14, 2015 * Feb 11, 2016 * Feb 14, 2017 * Feb 14, 2019
"Applying Improvisation Skills in the Workplace and Classroom"
Professional Development Day, Santa Rosa Junior College, CA
March 16, 2013 “Playing with Shadow: The Poetics of Movement”
2013 IEATA Conference, Berkeley, CA
February 22, 2013 “Expressive Arts and Its Application to Spiritual Communities”
Church of the Incarnation, Santa Rosa, CA
Feb – June, 2013 Weekly 2-hour Expressive Arts classes
Church of the Incarnation, Santa Rosa, CA
Jan – March, 2012 “Utilizing Expressive Arts to Enhance Creativity”
Weekly 2-hour workshops
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
College Honors, UC Santa Cruz, 1978
Graduate with Honors, Sonoma State University, 1995
Graduate Magma Cum Laude, European Graduate School, 2021