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 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.

Heather has a BFA in Studio Art: 2D with a minor in Dance from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Choreography & Directing through Wilson College, combining her love of dance and art in an interdisciplinary program. She particularly enjoys working in oil paints, and created several commissioned pieces for the BoSoma Dance Company's 20th anniversary celebration events.. Heather has been part of the Total Arts! guest instructor team since the beginning and we are thrilled that she joined our staff as lead instructor for several classes & private lessons and she is assisting in curriculum development. Heather was a lead choreographer and assistant stage manager for Stage 284 at the Community House for several years, helping to produce musicals during their summer and fall programs for kids. She currently  teaches classes in ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater at BoSoma School of Dance in Hamilton, MA. (Portfolio)

James is pursuing a BFA in Studio Art: 2D with a minor in Creative Writing from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. 

Trinity is pursing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice at Endicott College in Beverly, MA with the goal to work with children following her studies. 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 is returning as staff for our Summer 2025 program.

Meghan is graduating from Mount Holyoke College with a double major in Architectural Studies and Dance. She will be pursuing a M.Arch at Northeastern University this Fall. She completed a study abroad semester in Copenhagen, Denmark, the UNESCO "World Capitol of Architecture" for 2023-2025. She is part of the dance ensemble at Mount Holyoke, performing and creating choreography for and with her fellow students in areas ranging from ballet, to modern, to tap. Meghan lends her talents to Total Arts! throughout the year as a guest instructor, and in planning programs, editing for the website, assisting in our workshops, and leading art and/or dance classes. 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 pursuing a studio art degree... 

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.

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.