Y-Arts is comprised of a team of Artist Educators, professionals who are as committed to our community as they are their art.

GILLIAN EATON—VP Arts and Humanities

Award winning actress and director Gillian Eaton has led the YArts program since April 2007.  A native of Wales, she has worked in London’s West End theatres, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theatres in Los Angeles and many regional theatres.  She was honored with the Michigan Artist prize from ArtServe Michigan and the Detroit Free Press Award for conribution and. She has also created arts education outreach programs at the Detroit Historical Museum, the Roeper School and The University Musical Society. She was the McAndless Fellow at Eastern Michigan University and has directed and taught Shakespeare in performance at U of M and WSU.

TONY HEPP—Director of Multimedia Development/Interim Director of Arts and Humanities

Multimedia designer Tony Hepp manages the Media Arts Lab for YArts and teaches a variety of computer and media classes.  A filmmaker and Web technologist, Tony studied Theatre at the University of Wyoming and Media And Theatre Arts from Montana State University.

TIM MCGOREY—Music Program Coordinator

Former arts and humanities program coordinator for Monroe County Library System, Tim McGorey oversees the Music Outreach Program which includes performances by Robert Jones and Matt Watroba and the Deep River Choir.  Tim is an adjunct instructor for Siena Heights University, Adrian, a community arts organizer and freelance writer.

STEVIE ‘SOUL’ ANSARA – Musician and Designer

Stevie Soul’s shows are filled with more “oohs” and “ahhs” than you can expect to hear at any Las Vegas magic show. His unique and dynamic vocal performance always draws audiences to the edges of their chairs, no matter where he performs. Maybe that’s what happens when you mix live percussion, scat singing, blues, and soul all into the same vocal box. Stevie’s records are equally impressive. Stevie holds a degree in Fine Arts from the International Academy of Design. His music and designs have featured and been published in reputable media outlets such as Fox News, Channel 955, Detroit News, Metro Times and more.

Stevie also teaches Music & Movement for the YArts Outreach Program; witch was designed for K – 12 and encompasses experiments in rhythm, sound, movement and dance, body instruments and voice.
www.steviesoul.com

DAVID BLAIR—Singer/Songwriter and Poet

Detroit singer/songwriter David Blair is well known for his urban folk style, “a type of acoustic guitar-based music inspired by the past and headed toward the future.” Blair founded the Urban Folk Collective in 2000 and tours throughout southeast Michigan as well as abroad. He is considered one of the top performance poets in the area competing with the Detroit Poetry Slam Team.

STEVE COY – Videographer/design

Steve received an MFA from University of Hawaii in 2007.  His recent work has been included in exhibitions in Beijing, Melbourne and Sydney.  He currently lives and works in Detroit.  His work is inspired by commercialism, corporatism, fashion, pop-culture and even daily life.  Coy works in many mediums ranging from video, installation, performance, design, and photography, often in combination. Current projects include hygienic dress league, a conceptual piece which parodies corporate culture.  He is also co-director, co-creator of Detroit Projection Project, a video gallery that will project work from contemporary artists on various outdoor locations around Detroit.  DPP will launch in the fall of 2009.

MARGARET EDWARTOWSKI—Actor

Second City actor Margaret Edwartowski teaches improvisation acting and has hosted a weekly improv comedy show at the Boll Theatre.  Margaret received her BFA in Acting from Wayne State University.  She is a founding member of the Improv Colony at Planet Ant Theatre and Comedy Works at the Century Theatre.  She has also produced a two-women show entitled Bottle of Red: Uncorked.

ROD GAILES OBC – Film Maker

Native Detroiter Rod Gailes OBC is a writer/director for the stage and screen whose work has screened at festivals and venues around the world. Spike Lee calls his award winning classic, “Twin Cousins,” recently featured on BET J’s the Best Shorts showcase, “A beautifully photographed, masterfully directed portrait of childhood.” OBC is currently executive producer of the LEAGUE of AWARENESS, a NY based, underground film collective. Look for his upcoming independent feature directing debut, “Camouflage,” a provocative look at coming of age in Harlem.

JASON HALL—Videographer

Channel 4 News director and cameraman Jason Hall produces documentary materials and provides technical assistance on special events.  Jason is a graduate of the Specs-Howard College of Broadcasting and an avid collector of sneaker shoes.

REV. ROBERT B. JONES—Musician and Educator

Detroit’s best known acoustic blues and gospel artist Rev. Robert Jones is part of the YArts Music Outreach Program.  Robert and folk artist Matt Watroba provide music education to metro Detroit schools, libraries and community groups. He also helped to organize the YMCA’s Deep River Choir and is an active member in the group.  Named Blues Educator of the Year in 2007 by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN, Robert has been a music program host playing blues and gospel on WDET-FM for over twenty years.

AIREA “DEE” MATTHEWS – Poet, Writer

Airea “Dee” Matthews is a highly acclaimed performance poet and writer who placed on the National Detroit Poetry Slam Team in 2004 and won the 2008 Detroit Grand Slam Champion title besting some of the top performance poets in the city.  In May 2008, she won the Midwest Regional Rustbelt Individual Slam Championship.  She has featured at the Bowery Poetry Club (NY), The Max Fisher Theatre, Music Hall, The Fillmore Theatre and other select international venues, wowing audiences with her deeply moving performance collections.  Her work combines her abiding love for 17th century verse with a modern voice and keen eye on current events. Her style, by turns, has been described as aching, chilling and fierce.

She has been widely anthologized and published in e-zines and is the author of the limited-released chapbook, Venus Disrobed, and a forthcoming performance DVD of the same name. She graduated in 1994 with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and in 2004 with an M.P.A. with a concentration in social policy from the University of Michigan where she received a full fellowship.  Airea lives in Detroit with her three young sons and husband.

RANDY MAUCK—Theatre Technician

Veteran technical director Randy Mauck brings 30 years of experience to the operation of the Boll Theatre.  He has served as technical director at the Fox Theater and Detroit Opera House.  In addition to handling sound and lighting for theatre productions, Randy designs creative lighting for art exhibits in the Boll lobby.

BRENDAN MCMAHON – Theatre Artist                                                                                                         Brendan is an international, Detroit-based theatre and film artist. As an actor, director, playwright, theatre teacher, stage-combat choreographer and puppeteer, he has lived and worked all over the world. In New York City, he worked as an actor, playwright and director at theatres such as La Mama, PS 122, and HERE, and for companies such as EST, Mabou Mines, and New Georges, as well as many others. He has taught acting, mime, movement, puppetry, stage combat and collaborative theatre creation to all ages in institutions as diverse as public and private schools in New York City and Michigan, and from a variety of professional theatres, prisons and juvenile detention centers throughout the US. Brendan is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Theatre Program in Ann Arbor, and recently received his Master’s of Fine Arts from the prestigious Ecole Lassaad International School of Theatre in Brussels, Belgium.

NATHANIEL MULLEN – photography

Nathaniel attended the School of Art and Design at the University of Michigan. Admitted on a photography portfolio, his studies evolved to include a wide array of media and subject matter, ranging from utility-focused ceramics and social events to printmaking and gender dynamics. After finishing his BFA at the University, Nathaniel enrolled in the Michigan AmeriCorps Partnership (MAP) placed in the Visual Arts Department of the Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Teen Center. He spent the year redeveloping the digital arts program, expanding the exhibitions program, and broadening community outreach. Two of the largest projects included a week-long service-learning project in Detroit and an exhibition titled Frame of Mind, which collaborated with the Depression Center at the University of Michigan to bring light on issues surrounding youth mental health

WOODY MILLER—Independent Project Director

Publisher, producer and promoter, Woody Miller manages thedetroiter.com, an online arts magazine operated by the YMCA.  His company Woody Miller & Associates, Inc. has provided hands-on solutions for public relations, marketing and communications challenges for both non-profit and profit corporations since 1976.  He has been involved with the Detroit Repertory Theatre, Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, and numerous other arts organizations.

MARIO MOORE-Artist

Currently a senior at the College for Creative Studies in the cultural center area of Detroit, Mario’s artwork deals with the issues and hopes of the young urban community. Having recently returned from a four month study in Italy, he strives to start his own art gallery and shoe store in Detroit. Mario is also an instructor at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

BYRON NEMELA—Pottery Artist

A graduate of the University of Michigan Fine Arts Program, Byron Nemela has established a ceramics program in YArts for all ages. He has studied at the New York State College of Ceramics, trained in Germany, and researched Southwest Native American pottery. Byron is also an instructor at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

JOYE OPOKU OFEI—Visual Artist

A native of Ghana, West Africa, Joye Opoku Ofei teaches multi media arts to the YArts after school program students as well as West African clothing design to adults.  His works are on display at the Charles H. Wright  Museum, Detroit, and at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

JOHN OPIO – Artist and Musician

A native of Uganda, John has been a fine artist and macramé specialist all his life. He is a trained Screen Printer and plays African music. John decorated the tables in the lobby of the BOLL family YMCA and is an honorary member of Y Arts.

VIVIAN A. SANDERS – Animation

With more than two decades of systems design, computer curriculum development and applications training experience, Ms. Sanders has developed a digital technology curriculum specifically for the learning challenged. As Systems Engineer, she has quickly built her own successful digital technologies business, after leaving the University of Michigan School of Social Work were she was a Research Associate.  While at the University of Michigan, she designed and developed on-line and e-learning systems to be used in Detroit based communities. Ms. Sanders continues to empathetically instruct inner city youth in after school programs that teach digital technologies as a potential job skill. Ms. Sanders has worked with over 1,000 Detroit youth in after school resource programs that teach activities like Animation, Web Design, Graphics Design, Digital Photography, Mobile Application Development and Game Design.  Her clients have ranged from youth resource centers like YouthVille Detroit, Don Bosco Hall-St. Suzzanne Community Resource Center to small community programs like RightRoad community program located in Oak Park Michigan.

SULTAN SHARRIEF – Filmmaker

Sultan didn’t waste any time getting his filmmaking career started. At 19 he started producing The Spiral Project (a 35mm feature film nominated for an MTV Movie Award). Later he started a filmmaking program entitled EFEX: Encouraging the Filmmaking EXperience. He then wrote and directed his next feature, Bilal’s Stand, a 16mm film. He is currently in development for another feature, The Bottom Line, to shoot in summer 2010. In addition to these films, Sharrief was the filmmaker of Mural (a feature documentary), the producer of Fulfill a Hankering (a 25 minute 16mm film); The Executive Producer for the 2008 EFEX 16mm short film Taffy & Cigarettes; in addition to several shorts and video project. Sharrief continues to work as the Director of the Student EFEX program at the University of Michigan. He was awarded a Fellowship from the National Center for Institutional Diversity for his work with High School youth. He also continues to do work with the Michigan Ice Carving Team, which he founded in 2002.

LOTTIE SPADY – Environmental Justice Media

Ms. Spady utilizes a framework rooted in popular education, social justice, and social entrepreneurship to help develop relevant 21st century skills that community residents can translate into community and economic development in underserved and underrepresented urban areas. For the few years, she has been focusing on the creation of an immersive community-based transformational environmental justice media program, “ReMedia”.  The ReMedia program integrates environmental education, art, multi-media production, media literacy, green technologies, popular culture, social networking, civic engagement and social consciousness as a means to trigger systemic change on individual and social levels.  The program is being deployed in SE Michigan to address environmental justice issues and help make disenfranchised communities visible and vocal.

BOBBI THOMPSON—Musician and Deep River Choir Director

A longtime singer and musician on the Detroit scene, Bobbi Thompson leads the 35 member YMCA Deep River Choir. She has recorded with many of Detroit’s finest musicians and performs at services in Central United Methodist Church.