Welcome to Explore! - Art courses, Music courses, Technology courses, Summer Camps

Originally from Louisiana, Amanda always knew that from a very young age she was meant to be an artist. Enrolled in art classes from the age of five, Amanda went on to attend LSU where she received a BFA in Ceramics. Her interest in product design brought her to Raleigh. When she was accepted into the Industrial Design Master's Program at NC State, she moved to North Carolina without looking back. Newly married, Amanda creates amazing sculptures of her own as a ceramic designer with a studio at Antfarm Studios in downtown Raleigh. She is a beloved art and clay teacher in our North Raleigh studio.

Angela teaches private lessons in clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet and voice, as well as outbound music classes for Explore. Currently pursuing an M.A. in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University, she received a M.M. in clarinet from Ohio University in 2003. In 2001 she graduated as a Yeager Scholar from Marshall University with a B.F.A. in clarinet performance. Her performance and teaching experience includes orchestra, chamber music, free improvisation, experimental music, musical theater, music theory, marching band, and world music including West African drumming, Indonesian gamelan, klezmer, rock, country and Appalachian traditional music. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, quilting, and bowling. Angela looks forward to Fall 2007 and some great music-making.

Brenda Byrd Powell grew up in Burlington, NC where her first studies were in piano and choral music. She played handbells, sang in every school, church and community choir possible and performed in the Walter M. Williams, UNC-Greensboro and Fayetteville Symphony Orchestras. She earned Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music Education from UNC-Greensboro and East Carolina. For Explore!, Brenda teaches piano, violin and voice. Brenda's love is choral music and she has conducted All-County Choruses, community and church choirs and public school choral music and string orchestra. She has sung with Richard Cox at UNC-G, Robert Shaw, John Rutter, Rodney Wynkoop (Choral Society of Durham) and Lukas Foss.
Brenda continued handbells by playing with The Raleigh Ringers for six years. With her sister and niece she has performed as "ByrdSong." One of their notable performances was a benefit concert for the American Red Cross to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. Brenda also has a strong background in theater as director, actor, band member and costumer. Her family and her husband, Bill's family are all musicians, actors and artists, so someone is always dashing off somewhere!

Caitlin Shaw graduated with honors from UNC with a major in Biology and minors in Chemistry and French. She has been working as a research coordinator in the Division of Advanced Laparoscopy and Pelvic Pain in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UNC Medical School for almost 3 years and plans to continue clinical research in years to come. She is an active tutor for all ages in math, French, science, and standardized tests. Also, Caitlin has been teaching summer workshops for middle and high school students with Virginia Beach City Public Schools for more than 4 years. This is her second year teaching the Pre-med camp with Explore.

Clarissa moved to the Raleigh area in the spring of 2005 and started teaching piano for Explore that August. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in piano from Cedarville University in Ohio. Her favorite genres of music are classical and sacred. She is very involved in the music program at her church, where she accompanies the choir and soloists as well as plays solo sacred selections.
In high school Clarissa received the Sempre Fidelas award in music as well as the Director's Award for her high school choir. In college she was a member of the symphonic band, where she played the French Horn. She also was an accompanist for the Women's Choir for a year. She has been on five music tours, four of which encompassed several U.S. States and one which covered 6 European countries. Clarissa has accompanied several junior and senior recitals as well as a college production of Broadway musical selections. Clarissa is an active member of CAPTA, the Cary-Apex Piano Teachers Association. She has been involved with their theory test committee. Several of her students have participated in various recital opportunities through CAPTA as well.
She enjoys teaching her students who range from beginner to advanced levels. Along with playing the piano and French Horn, Clarissa also plays the flute and has had opportunities to play several other instruments as well. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband Phillip, whom she married in March 2008.

Born in Durham, North Carolina, Ebony Jenkins grew up in Kaiserslautern Germany where her mother was a music teacher for the US Department of Defense. She was performing by the age of three and began studying piano at the age of eight. At the University of North Carolina, she performed with the Classical Vocal Repertoire and even traveled with the Carolina Choir. After bouncing around for several years, including a brief stint recording backup vocals at BMG music, Ebony finally settled in to study music full time at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. There she had the great fortune to study with Charles Ellison, a jazz trumpetist who has performed with everyone from the Marsalis brothers, to Ike and Tina! She studied voice with Juno Award winning Jazz singer, Jeri Brown. Ms. Brown even had a student, Gary Beals, come in second at the first Canadian Idol! Ebony graduated from Concordia with her Bachelor's in Jazz Performance and looks forward to sharing music at every opportunity.

Edward attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Studio/Fine Arts. After graduation, he worked as an illustrator for a prominant Pennsylvania sports apparel designer and for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. After moving to North Carolina in 2006, Edward became an architectural illustrator and after-school teacher. He teaches several levels of art at our Impact Athletics location on the weekends. His amazing "Super Sci-Fi" class is out of this world!

Originally from Maryland, Erin came to the great state of North Carolina to attend Elon University. She graduated in 2007 with a degree in studio art with concentrations in painting and fiber arts as well as a minor in Psychology. Erin teaches a variety of art classes to many ages and loves to do track-out and summer camps. When she is not teaching at Explore, Erin is working in her photography studio in downtown Raleigh or creating fibers installations all over the triangle.

Erin Moon-Kelly began studying flute when she was eight years old and began teaching flute when she was fourteen years old. Her mother Joyce and twin sister Ryan are successful flutists and flute teachers in Summerville, SC. Ms. Moon-Kelly holds a bachelors degree in music education from Winthrop University (sumna cum laude) and a masters degree in flute performance from Converse College. Ms. Moon-Kelly has experienced as a substitute musician with the Greater Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also performed with the Calvary Church Orchestra in Charlotte, NC. During her career at Converse College, she performed with several local chamber music groups as well as the Converse Wind Ensemble, the Converse Symphony Orchestra, and the Converse Opera Orchestra. She also taught flute and piccolo at the Allia Lawson Pre-College Program at Converse College.
Currently, Ms. Moon-Kelly is working as a professional musician and flute/piccolo/recorder teacher in Lancaster, York, Mecklenburg (Charlotte, NC), and Union (Monroe, NC) counties. She and her husband live in the Claremont subdivision in Indian Land, SC. She is currently a member of the Charlotte Concert Band and participates in the music ministry as a soloist and chamber musician at Saint Mathew's Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC. She had judged music competitions in North and South Carolina and is an active studio musician in the Charlotte area. In 2006, Ms. Moon-Kelly was accepted to the South Carolina Arts Commission's Roster for Approved Artists. She is also an active member of the Lancaster County Council for the Arts and has performed in, organized, and produced solo and chamber music recitals for the organization. In addition, she has given flute masterclasses to several upstate schools and was part of the wind faculty at the Indian Land High School Band Camp in Indian Land, SC. Ms. Moon-Kelly is also part of the music faculty at Explore Beyond School in Matthews, NC.

Halley attended Northwest School of the Arts for middle and high school, where she excelled in drawing, sculpture, painting, music, fashion design, dance and drama. She went on to earn her Bachelors of Art from UNC Chapel Hill and will be entering graduate school there in the fall. Halley has nearly a decade of experience working in summer camps and has the distinction of being the only teacher to enjoy instructing at both Explore's Charlotte and Raleigh area locations.

Colorado native Jason Campbell began his life of music at the age of eight when he started taking piano lessons. His love of all things musical followed him throughout middle school where he played percussion in the band, in high school where he continued in band and sang in the choir, and college where he added jazz piano, solo singing, composition and a bit of guitar to his growing musical abilities. Jason earned his Bachelor's degree in vocal music education from Harding University in 2007, teaching lessons to local students all the way. To sum it up, he quotes his favorite composer, Maurice Ravel: "It is a good thing I am able to create music, for it is quite possible I am good for little else."

Jeff received a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education from Penn State University, and went on to teach elementary age students near Washington DC. It was shortly after the sixth year of teaching that he earned a Master's Degree in Art History from George Mason University. Currently, he teaches high school students AP Art History, Ceramics, and Graphic Design in Chapel Hill. When he isn't playing with his puppy, infant daughter, and wife, he is visiting museums, drawing, and throwing pottery. Jeff says, "I really enjoy sharing my love of pottery with new and experienced learners at Explore!"

Having grown up on Cape Cod, Jeny's neighbor was an artist who began giving her lessons when she was three years old. From that point on Jeny knew she wanted to be an artist. Jeny went on to get a degree in Fine Art at Skidmore College in 1983. Her initial passion was painting, however, as time went on Jeny's art became more experimental, and personal, including a variety of mixed media. She also enjoys making wearable, jewelry, art. Jeny's career as an artist has always been in the field of education beginning with young adults at the Museum School in Boston to the California College of Art & Crafts in San Francisco. In 1993 Jeny returned to school to get an MEd. In Montessori Education from Xavier University in Ohio. This approach to education enabled Jeny to reach a broader, and younger, group of children where art could be applied across the curriculum. Jeny has taught art with children as young as 12 months and as old as 15. When Jeny is not teaching art at Explore she is teaching art to special needs children in the Wake County Public School System. She is also a mother of five children, a dog and a cat.

Justin Womble was raised in East Durham, NC, and has been playing guitar since the age of six. Studying music closely since then, he has developed skill in all styles of guitar, ranging from hard rock to blues, jazz to country. After studying music theory in high school, he moved on to Vance-Granville Community College where he is currently pursuing an Associate's degree in the arts. In his free time, Justin also fronts the Raleigh-based rock band Modena, and enjoys sports and reading.

Kat is dedicated to helping children explore their own creativity through art as Explore's Art and Camp Director. She holds a BA in Visual Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and also attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studied both Theatre and Filmmaking. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Semans Foundation for Foreign Art Studies and The Lumiere Award for Best Comedic Performance. Kat created our popular American Girl Doll camp, due to her love and memories of her own doll, which is now older than the girls she teaches! Kat currently teaches art to all ages, from 5 to 18, in several of our locations, while also working to bring teachers all around the Triangle as our Outbound Programming Coordinator. She serves on the Wake Med Wishing Well committee, which enables Explore artists as well as other children throughout our community to have a public show of their very own at a local hospital, complete with a fancy reception. She and her husband live with their two dogs in Durham, and in her spare time she works as an artist and graphic designer. They are expecting their first child in November 2008. Kat hopes to share her love of art with your children and bring out the inner artist in each one of them!

Kristin studied at Meredith College majoring in fashion design with an art minor. She lived in Paris, France for six months studying under several established designers at the Paris American Academy and worked behind the scenes of many runway shows. It all started at age 5 sketching out entire outfits, accessories and all, for her mother and herself. (Matching of course!) Little did she know that her gift for art and unique creativity would turn into a profession and lifetime passion. Kristin has taken all that she has learned and started her own online company, Tyger Alexis, where she designs clothing, makes unique artwork, and customizes vintage handbags and luggage. She enjoys inspiring and educating the next generation of young aspiring designers with her positive influence and motivational teaching style.

Laurie received a BFA in painting with a drawing minor from East Carolina University, and went on to a successful career in advertising. Currently, she does a variety of work including fine art and animal portraiture along with teaching art enrichment programs. Her accomplishments include: several covers for The Chronicle of the Horse, poster artist for the Blowing Rock Horse Show and others, artwork in several AAEA exhibitions at the International Museum of the Horse, 15 years of animal portrait commissions, among other accomplishments.

Originally from New Hampshire, Maggie relocated to the Raleigh area in May of 2008 and has loved being part of Explore's summer camps. She enjoys and is active in both the performing arts as well as the visual arts. She has been giving private music instruction in piano and flute for several years and was very involved in the visual arts department of her high school. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and a minor in Italian. She went on to Plymouth State University in New Hampshire where she received a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Art Education with an emphasis on the integrated arts. She looks forward to passing on her love of the arts to children as an art and music teacher at Explore in the fall!

Mataya was 17 when an elderly woman gave her a Christmas gift that would alter the course of her life. As she explains, "I unwrapped the gift and discovered a small set of acrylic paints and brushes and a piece of cardboard on which I began a painting. That night, I began a life long journey that continues to this day, discovering not only my creative path, but the ability to inspire others to find theirs."
She has two online galleries, at www.yessy.com/Mataya13 , her Traditional Realism & my Wild Child Expressionism art! Although she paints a variety of subjects and enjoy both art styles, She is most inspired by Nature, The Blue Ridge Mountains and Animals. Her traditional images are in acrylic, but mimic oil and she find tremendous peace and serenity while creating them. She lovingly refer to my Expressionism Art as my Wild Child images. They are usually acrylic mixed media with various papers, jewelry and found objects ’in the mix’. She says "These painting allow me to ’get down’, ’get crazy’ and ’rock n’ roll’ !"

Michael graduated from UNC Wilmington, where he earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Film Studies and English Literature. Since graduation he has lived in New Zealand as a punter, giving tours of Christchurch's Botanic Gardens. Upon his return to the states, Michael has taught in the ESL (English as a Second Language) department at Millbrook High School. He has also followed his love of film and has worked as an Assistant Editor with New Century Digital Media and The Discovery Channel, a Videographer and Editor with The Center for Human Science, and a Locations Assistant for CW's One Tree Hill and Pritzker's Productions "BOLDEN!" Michael has led camps through Raleigh Parks and Recreation for six years and enjoys sharing his love of knowledge with Explore's campers. In the Fall Michael is returning to school to begin work on his Master's in Film and Television Production from Savannah College of Art and Design.

Michelle Davis Petelinz holds a B.A. degree in Art History from Wellesley College, with extensive coursework in writing and fine art. Her career has included work in textbook publishing design, home school teaching and fine art. While in textbook publishing, she developed and expanded upon her skills in educating children through outstanding visual media. These skills were put to great use while home schooling her son in kindergarten and first grade. Michelle continues to be active in her son's education by volunteering in his high school art programs. In addition to her Explore! teaching responsibilities, Michelle is a mixed media artist. She creates hand crafted wall hangings, clocks, shadow boxes, mirrors and home furnishings inspired by African tribal colors, symbols and motifs.

Shane Bullis has been playing guitar and bass for guitar for 17 years and he has played professionally since 1995. He has played in a variety of groups and acoustic acts and recorded several albums. His past musical projects have included various styles of rock and also folk, jazz, and bluegrass based styles. He has opened for many national acts including Vasser Clements, Leftover Salmon, Donna The Buffalo, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Duhks, The John Cowan Band, Ekoostic Hookah, Tim O Brian, Norman Blake, The Wallflowers, & Grand Funk Railroad, Shane is able to teach students everything from theory and note reading to technique, and improvisation. His years of experience teaching make him very effective at making a connection with the students and helping them reach their musical goals.

Sharon developed her artistic skills early in life by beginning art lessons at the age of 7. She graduated from Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts/Crafts and a concentration in ceramics. While at college she had the amazing opportunity to study a semester in England, ceramics and glass. Post college she apprenticed with a master ceramic artist and assisted teaching his students. She decided she wanted to go back to school to get certified in Art Education to be a teacher. Looking for a teaching job brought her to Raleigh area where she was fortunate to begin working for Explore in September 2007. She is also currently teaching Visual Art at Holly Springs High School.

Staci began her dancing career at age 9 and has been teaching dance for over 11 years. She has performed with professional choreographers such as Jerry Rose, Al Bee, Barry Youngblood, Chris Smith, Tommie Walsh, Laurie Roseau and more. In 2000, she attended Louisburg College on a dance scholarship, where she later graduated receiving and A.A. Degree in Dance Performance. Staci has a huge following and is well known around the triangle for her energetic teaching methods and creative and unique choreography. Staci is a highly respected choreographer amongst her peers in the dancing community. She has won numerous awards for outstanding choreography and was named 'Top Teacher' in 2004. Staci has worked in several studios in the triangle and has taught master classes as well as judged competitions and auditions throughout Ohio and North Carolina. She most recently worked with a record label choreographing concerts and music videos for new up and coming artists. Aside from dance, Staci's other accomplishments includes her many personal vocal awards such as 'Top Female Vocalist' which she received in NY, NY. Staci believes that teaching students the passion behind dancing will instill not only a lifelong love and respect for the arts, but for themselves as well. We at Explore! are proud to have Staci onboard as Director of Dance as we venture into our first year of dance!

Stephanie Carter is a Salisbury, North Carolina Native who began studying music at the age of 8. By the age of 13, she was assisting with the children's music program in her local church, and by the age of 17, she was asked to assist in coordinating the adult music program, training choir and solo vocalists and providing accompaniment for Sunday services. In 1997, Stephanie accepted a position at another local church as Minister of Music where she continued to develop an existing music program and introduced a drama program which worked in conjunction with the music program. In 1998, Stephanie accepted an internship at Europaisches Bibelseminar, a private international institution in Rudersberg, Germany, where she spent a semester serving as the sole instructor for the school's music studies. Stephanie focused much of her internship in the areas of vocal performance, piano performance, choral arranging and conducting, as well as music theory and the development, administration and organization of church music programs. In 1999, under the instruction of Eddy Wilson and Mari Zuvich, Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Church Music, with concentrations in piano accompaniment and vocal performance from Lee University - Charlotte (formerly East Coast Bible College). During her 4 years of study, Stephanie also participated in international mission trips where she was able to utilize her skills as a musician in such places as France, Bulgaria, and Haiti. In 2001, Stephanie moved to Raleigh to pursue a new career avenue as a Paralegal, although she couldn't stay away from music very long. In 2004, Stephanie accepted a position as Worship Leader with First United Methodist Church in Cary where she was instrumental in developing and coordinating their newly-launched contemporary worship service. Stephanie not only led the congregation in worship through song, but also provided piano accompaniment when needed, vocal training to both an ensemble and choir, as well as direction to the accompaniment band. In August, 2006, Stephanie accepted a teaching position teaching with Explore and is enjoying it immensely!

Tom Hutchison is a 1991 BFA graduate of the University of New York at Buffalo. An award-winning freelance illustrator, he has worked professionally since 1990 for publications such as Boston Globe Magazine, Texas Monthly, The Buffalo News, Chicago Bar Association, Raleigh News and Observer and countless other magazines and newspapers. Tom has also worked as a professional musician since the age of 17 and has recorded and performed with the jazz-fusion band Stratus. After performing at the closing ceremonies of the World University Games in 1993, he toured with the rock band Anarchy-X until 2001. He is currently is the Director of Music at Explore's Impact studio in Cary, NC teaching all levels of keyboard, from beginner to advanced.