In 2015, Michele helped develop and lead an arts sampler program for young children as part of a broader sports & arts summer day camp. This initial program, dedicated to helping children explore different areas of the arts, planted the seeds for what is now Total Arts! Michele has a BA in Psychology and an MA in Speech-Language Pathology. She has worked as an SLP with children and adults in a variety of settings, taught piano, home-educated her children for 13 years, and created and taught a high school child development course. She is a supporter of the arts in the community and is a co-founder of Mile 54 Fine Art Studio, the parent company that launched Total Arts! Michele is excited to share her love of the arts with the community and facilitate artistic exploration through Total Arts! workshops and events.

Amy works as a para-professional in the Peabody Public Schools and has over 20 years of in-home childcare experience having run a home daycare program for many years. An accomplished vocalist, Amy can be heard singing in local venues, contests, and fundraisers across the North Shore. She has competed in local competitions and high-profile events such as Stars Over Boston, Community Auditions, and the Talent Quest TV show. Her love for the performing arts goes beyond the microphone, as she serves on the executive board of the BoSoma Dance Company, a professional modern dance ensemble dedicated to promoting dance and dance education. Always excited to see different areas of the arts work together, Amy is thrilled to be part of bringing Total Arts! to the community.

James is pursuing a BFA in Studio Art: 2D with a particular interest in illustration and drawing. He is committed to discovering new techniques and methods that will elevate his artwork and craftsmanship. James is also a writer and adds a minor in Creative Writing to his academic pursuits. James joined us for the summer of 2025 to complete one of his 3 internship requirements for his program at Endicott. We were thrilled to have him as part of our summer team. 

Jocelyn is a Massachusetts-based artist, writer, and mom. She creates vibrant and expressive mixed media paintings with a focus on abstraction and modern coastal landscapes inspired by her surroundings in New England, as well as time spent living in Southern California, and Normandy, France. She has participated in numerous exhibitions, was an Artist-in-Residence at Chateau d’Orquevaux, and is a member of the Cape Cod Art Center, Cambridge Art Association, and the National Association of Women Artists. We are thrilled that she is joining our Total Arts! team this Fall to teach classes for our adult students. Find out more about Jocelyn on her website: Jocelyn Elizabeth Studio LLC

​Kerry has been a supporter of Total Arts! since the very beginning, lending a hand wherever necessary, signing up her daughters for our original workshops, and spreading the word as we first established roots in Peabody, MA. She officially joined our party staff in 2023 and brings her enthusiasm to each party she works, helping guests feel comfortable as they create their art projects, and making sure the event runs smoothly. Kerry is currently the office manager at BoSoma School of Dance in Hamilton, MA and is a member of the board of directors for the BoSoma Dance Company. She is an avid supporter of the arts in the local community and we are thrilled to have her as part of our party & event team.

​

Trinity is pursing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice at Endicott College in Beverly, MA. She has worked in a daycare setting, has volunteered for community events heading up arts & crafts activities, and she completed an internship at Windrush Farms where she helped students with their therapeutic riding lessons. Trinity is also a dancer having studied a wide range of styles. We were thrilled that she joined us as a summer intern in 2024 to help us run our creative arts programs where she brought her experience working with children to our setting. Trinity joined our party & event staff following the completion of that summer internship, and returned as staff for our Summer 2025 program.

Heather is a local artist, dancer, and choreographer currently pursuing an MFA in Choreography & Directing through Wilson College, combining her love of dance and art in an interdisciplinary program. She has a BFA in Studio Art: 2D with a minor in Dance from Endicott College in Beverly, MA and particularly enjoys working in oil paints. She has created commissioned pieces for individuals and organizations., and is also skilled in watercolors and drawing. In addition to teaching classes for children, teens, and adults at Total Arts! she also helps run our parties and events. Heather teaches ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater at BoSoma School of Dance in Hamilton, MA and was a lead choreographer and assistant stage manager for Stage 284 at the Community House for several years. You can view Heather's portfolio here: Heather MacBeath

Meghan is currently pursuing a M.Arch at Northeastern University and is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College having completed a double major in Architectural Studies and Dance. At Holyoke, Meghan performed with and created choreography for her fellow students in areas ranging from ballet, to modern, to tap, earning awards & recognition for her work. Meghan lends her talents to Total Arts! throughout the year as a guest instructor for children and adults, and in planning programs, editing for the website, assisting in our workshops, and leading art and/or dance classes. She is part of our regular summer staff for 2025 and was instrumental in preparing the curriculum for the program. We are thrilled to have her join us at Total Arts! when she is available, as she shares her many talents with students of all ages.

Shalyn is a local muralist, illustrator, and designer pursuing a BFA in illustration with a minor in painting from Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. She has created several murals in and around the North Shore community as well as in the Savannah area. This past spring she was a substitute teacher at the Burke School in Peabody, MA. Shalyn joined our summer staff for 2025 and we were thrilled to have her as part of our team.

Taryn is a dancer and a singer, pursuing a major in dance and a minor in exercise science at Dean College. On campus she participates in many of the dance ensembles specializing in tap and modern dance. She was a co-choreographer for the summer "Mary Poppins" production at Stage 284 in Hamilton, MA and lends a hand to Total Arts! throughout the year when called upon to share her skills. She often leads the dance instruction during our school vacation programs, birthday parties, and other community events. Taryn jumps in to help throughout the year when she is home from college.

Marissa is pursuing a major in Art Therapy and a minor in Ceramics at Endicott College in Beverly, MA having transferred from Salve Regina in Newport, RI. Her ceramics artwork was recently featured at a student table exhibit at Beverly's Art Fest where she was thrilled to sell some of her pieces. She has been a studio assistant at Art Haven in Gloucester where she helped lead students in art classes. She joined Total Arts! as a summer intern in 2025 to complete one of 3 required placements for Endicott's programs and we were excited to have her as part of our team..

John "Jape" Payette has been acting for over thirty-five years in voice-overs, commercials, television, film, radio, and theatre. He also directs plays, teaches, and serves as an acting coach. Jape is an accomplished singer and songwriter, and has produced an album called "Songs for YoungSTARS!" He has also published an adventure series of children's picture books entitled, "Jape the Grape Ape From Outer Space". We are excited to partner with Jape as he brings his "Acting For YoungStars" classes to Total Arts! Jape teaches a series of age appropriate theatre games, stage techniques, improvisation, character development, scenes, & monologues that ends with a final performance on the last day. You can find out more about Jape's programs by visiting his website HERE.

Brenda is a visual artist, graphic designer, and creative mentor with a gift for making art approachable and fun for everyone. A graduate of Salem State university with a BA in Graphic Design, Brenda brings over three decades of experience in the visual arts, running a graphic design business, and mentoring young students in a wide range of artistic mediums. Brenda is was a long-term Visual Arts substitute teacher at Peabody High School with primary responsibilities teaching graphic design, photography, digital media, and film making. She will be joining Total Arts! this Fall to teach several classes for children, teens, and adults including a section of our Creative Arts Sampler 1 class, Creative Construction, and an Illustration class. She will also be joining our Party & Event staff helping run our birthday parties and community events throughout the year. We are excited to have her join our team! 

​​

More about Danielle is coming soon!

Joli is a local artist in Boston's North Shore area with a passion to bring art into her local community. Whether it is painting what inspires her, or teaching and demonstrating her painting techniques, she enjoys helping those around her discover the healing and therapeutic qualities of making art. Joli works primarily in oils on many different surfaces, and enjoys painting out of doors, and from life, most of all. She loves sharing her painting process in public painting demonstrations, as well as private instruction. In addition to creating, Joli enjoys organizing art events for fellow artists, connecting them within their own communities. We are thrilled to have Joli back at Total Arts! to share her passion and skills with students in our adult oil painting class. You can view her website HERE.