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 has over 20 years of in-home childcare experience and ran the childcare program for the Studio 13 fitness classes at BoSoma School of Dance. 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 where her work received awards and recognition during her time on campus. Her "Figures in Dance" oil painting series was recently featured in a public showing in Beverly, MA. 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. This summer she will once again be the lead choreographer for Stage 284 at the Community House in Hamilton, MA helping to produce musicals during their intensive summer programs for kids. She has been a substitute teacher at BoSoma School of Dance for several years and will be joining their faculty part-time this coming Fall, teaching Tiny Tots and Level classes in ballet, tap, & jazz. (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.

Debra, founder of the PRESENT to PROSPER® Studio and blue-haired goddess of Unconditional Friendliness, has built a reputation for developing cutting-edge, time-tested and actionable speaking strategies, methods and techniques for decades. A speaking expert, master storyteller, and certified life coach, Debra is also the creator of the TED Talk Blueprint for Successful Speeches Training Program® where she turns individuals, authors, coaches, therapists, experts and entrepreneurs into unforgettable and sought-after speakers. Debra was nominated best media & acting coach in the US by the National Digital Film Academy. She brings over 10,000 hours of experience to her practice with more than 30 years of skill as a professional speaker, instructor, producer and writer. She has helped many individuals successfully break into the acting industry and just as many entrepreneurs conquer the public speaking stage. We are thrilled to be partnering with Debra to bring her outstanding workshops to the local community!

Meghan is studying at Mount Holyoke College, double majoring in Architecture and Dance. She graduated from the Senior Advanced Youth Company intensive program at BoSoma School of Dance where she studied a wide range of dance styles. She has also been an assistant teacher at BSD for several years. Meghan is a freelance artist for Mile 54 Fine Art Studio, particularly for ink & watercolor or impressionistic paintings. She lends her talents to Total Arts! throughout the year in planning, acting as copy editor, and assisting in our videos and workshops and leading art and/or dance classes when she is in town. She co-led the Irish Celebration event along with fellow BYC alum, Taryn Moquin, and she was the summer 2022 intern for Total Arts helping plan and lead programs for all ages.

Taryn is a dancer and a singer, pursuing a double major in dance and exercise science at Dean College. She graduated from the Senior Advanced Youth Company intensive program at BoSoma School of Dance, studying every style offered at the studio! She joined Heather MacBeath as a co-choreographer for the summer "Mary Poppins" production at Stage 284 in Hamilton, MA. Taryn lends a hand to Total Arts! throughout the year when called upon to share her skills. She co-led the Irish Celebration community event along with fellow BYC alum, Meghan MacBeath, and she led the dance instruction during our February Vacation programs held in Hamilton, MA. She also jumps in to help with community events and birthday parties 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.

Madison is pursuing her BFA in Studio Art at Endicott College in Beverly, MA. She joined Total Arts in the summer of 2023 as part of Endicott's internship program where she helped plan, organize, and run our summer programs for K-5th grade students. Madison is part of the National Art Honors Society and her work in high school earned several awards and recognitions at her school and in local art shows. While in high school she worked as a teacher's assistant for art classes. Following her internship with Total Arts she will bejoining the party & event team to help provide creative arts experiences for birthdays and community event.

Joli is a busy local plein air artist with a gallery/studio location in Rockport's vibrant 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.