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, played and taught piano for many years, and is a co-founder of Mile 54 Fine Art Studio, the parent company of 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 particularly enjoys working in oil paints, and recently 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 has joined our regular staff as lead instructor for several classes & private lessons and she is assisting in curriculum development. Heather is currently a lead choreographer and assistant stage manager for Stage 284 at the Community House helping to produce musicals during their summer and fall programs for kids, and she teaches classes in ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater at BoSoma School of Dance, both located in Hamilton, MA. (Portfolio)

Joan is the founder of Scents for Cents, creating hand-made 100% soy candles and gifts. Scents for Cents is a mother-daughter company which began with a simple idea of using sustainable products to create quality, customizable products and unique candle-making experiences. Joan and her daughter, Meaghan, brought their candle-making expertise to Total Arts! In December of 2021 to help us launch our Adult Class workshop program and the evening was a resounding success for all who attended. We were thrilled to have them return for another candle pouring event in 2022 and look forward to having Scents for Cents back again at Total Arts! in the future for more creative candle pouring excitement.

Linda has close to fifty years experience as a dedicated advocate, creative arts therapist, teacher, and program director. She earned her BS in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College with a minor in Theater, and her MA in Creative Arts Therapy from Lesley University. She spent several years as program director for preschool and daycare programs, followed by ten years teaching drama in a performing arts magnet middle school. She has also performed in many professional and community theater productions. After years of working as a founder and director of a group home for latency aged children. Linda started her own eco-art therapy workshops for children. She is a multimedia artist that uses paint, collage, broken china, old costume jewelry, and natural and found objects to create inspired and unique artwork. We are thrilled to have Linda join us at Total Arts  to share her wealth of experience with children and adults.

Trinity is pursing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology 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 are thrilled that she joined us as a summer intern to help us run our creative arts programs where she brought her experience working with children to our setting. Trinity has joined our party & event staff following the completion of her summer internship.

Meghan is a senior at Mount Holyoke College, double majoring in Architectural Studies and Dance. She recently 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. She was our summer 2022 intern helping plan and lead programs for kids entering K-5th grade. 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.

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.

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.

Joli is a busy local plein air artist with a new gallery/studio location in Beverly's artistic community. Her work was recently accepted in the prestigious Rockport Art Association's annual show. Joli enjoys working both in the studio and out of doors on location, and the rugged New England coastline is a frequent source of inspiration. Joli also enjoys sharing her artistic passion with others through private lessons and group classes, and she has been an internship mentor to local college art students. We are thrilled that Joli is bringing her love of art and teaching to our workshops where she will be sharing her skills in oil painting as part of our program for adults and teens. View Joli's website HERE. to learn more about her and to view samples of her artwork.