Prior to founding a live music venue in Brooklyn in 2020, I was a teaching artist for 10 years with a strong focus on educating youth from marginalized and impoverished communities.  After my business was acquired in 2022, I returned to my first passion, which is to help others access creativity, self-discovery and artistic expression as an arts educator.  By way of example, I am currently working at Bedford Hill prison teaching incarcerated women important life skills using comedy/improv and public speaking. I am a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on film.  I am experienced in curriculum design, a skill that enables me to adapt different artistic mediums to fit students' needs.  The scope of projects I've designed and implemented with students range from creating documentary films with high school students, to making collage art with senior citizens, to teaching screenwriting in Sing Sing prison. I am skilled at using the arts  to help people of all ages, social and economic backgrounds and circumstances,  process social, environmental and interpersonal issues in fun, engaging and collaborative ways.

Teaching art to older adults in community settings is incredibly fulfilling for several reasons. Having taught all ages in my life, I have found I have it most rewarding to work with older adults. I have found that the more life experience one has, there's often times a much deeper well to create from. It's incredible to help provide the tools to allow that self discovery to flourish.

Secondly, it fosters creativity and self-expression, which are essential aspects of maintaining mental and emotional well-being, especially as we age. Art offers a medium through which individuals can explore their thoughts, memories, and emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

Moreover, teaching art in community settings provides a platform for social interaction and connection among older adults. It creates opportunities for them to form friendships, share experiences, and build a sense of community, which is vital for combating loneliness and isolation that can sometimes accompany aging. 

Overall, delivering art instruction to older adults in community settings is a meaningful way to enrich their lives, promote well-being, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of community engagement and cultural expression.