Meet Our Teaching Artists
Every day CCE Teaching Artists are in classrooms fulfilling our mission of “Transforming teaching and learning through creativity and the arts...”
CCE teams with local, professional Teaching Artists to implement its programming at The Foundations School and in schools and afterschool sites throughout Palm Beach County. Our dedicated, talented artists work in classrooms from West Palm to Belle Glade and from Boca Raton to Jupiter.
Our Teaching Artists are partners to the educators we collaborate with and mentors and role models to the students we serve. Their mission is to help children gain a new perspective and develop skills by exploring their own creativity in a variety of artistic media.
CCE Teaching Artists have extensive expertise in their respective fields and are developed and monitored by our staff to ensure quality teaching standards. Their skills range from theater to puppetry, dance, cartooning, painting, music, video production and so much more!
Teaching Artist
Milena Arango
Milena Arango is a dynamic and passionate teaching artist who has been inspiring young artists since 2021. She was born in Cali, Colombia and due to her mother's studies, she grew up traveling extensively in her childhood. As an adult, she decided that traveling and moving was going to be the key to unlocking her creativity.
Milena graduated with a degree in Visual Arts from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in 2001. After graduation, she spent several years exploring the world of theater before focusing on her art practice. She is always finding new ways to keep her work dynamic and motivated, and she is constantly investigating and taking different art residencies around the world. Her dedication to her craft has led her to participate in art residencies such as the TASARA INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP 2014 in Calicut, India, and the RESIDENCIA DE ARTE - B&B MUSEO DE ARTE CONTEMPORANEA in Collinas, Sardegna, Italia - Workshop – Evolución Creativa in 2011.
Milena has found that teaching kids keeps her motivation high and her spirit young. She believes that inspiring young artists is priceless and feels privileged to be able to share her passion for art with them.
Teaching Artist
Steve Brouse
A CCE Teaching Artist since 2005, Steve brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the classroom. His educational background includes a B.A. in Art Education from Buffalo State College in Buffalo, NY, as well as a Graphic Design Degree from the Community College of Finger Lakes. His expertise in the visual arts spans across various mediums such as oil and acrylic painting, illustration, muralism, and printmaking. Steve enjoys teaching and sharing his love of the arts with students.
Teaching Artist
Cecelia Daratany
Cece Daratany is an actress, costume designer, radio announcer, arts administrator, and educator whose multi-faceted career has taken her from Florida to Georgia, New York, New Jersey and back again. She has worked with several local theatre companies, including Florida Stage, BRITT, Palm Beach Dramaworks, and The Kravis Center. She earned her B.F.A. degree in Theatre from Florida State University and, more recently, teacher certification from Palm Beach State College, becoming a drama teacher in 2013. She has been a CCE teaching artist since 2021.
Teaching Artist
Kori Epps
Kori Epps holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin and Bachelors of Arts in Dance and Communication from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She performed as a dancer in the Demetrius Klein Dance Company - Palm Beach County’s first modern dance company - for over fifteen years, also serving as Associate Artistic Director and Marketing Maven. Her technical foundations are ballet, modern dance, and dance improvisation. She specializes in creative dance, along with dance integration - using movement and dance to teach academic concepts. Since 2010 she has taught in Palm Beach Public Elementary Schools and preschools. Kori attributes her creativity to growing up internationally (Brazil, the Caribbean, and Canada), thus experiencing various forms of education, and being influenced by artistic DIYers, two of which were her parents.
Teaching Artist
Aaliyah Franklin
Aaliyah Franklin is a multi-modal artist specializing in vocal music. They have worked as a creative professional for over a decade, assisting individuals and organizations in creating life-changing artistic experiences. Aaliyah is a graduate of Bak MSOA and A.W. Dreyfoos School of Arts, and was a Music Education student at Florida A&M University before embarking on a journey of non-conventional study of the human instrument through their own pedagogy and practice. Being so deeply immersed in art as a way of living informs their current work as a Vocal Coach and Creative Coach, where they empower others to find the art in their human experience and create lives they love. Along with 12 years of classical voice training, 20 years of performance experience, a 13-year career as a recording artist, and a lifelong interest in psychology, Aaliyah also brings an intuitive newness to art education. Beyond teaching, they also enjoy providing services such as Music Production, Songwriting, Voiceover Artistry, Design and Creative Direction. As a “serial learner”, they are always continuing their artistic education through personal research and study.
Teaching Artist
Niki Fridh
Niki Fridh is a professional actor, arts educator, and culinary aficionado originally from Chicago, Illinois but who has lived in South Florida for most of her life. What began at a very young age as multifaceted performances for her friends and family, turned into a lifelong passion for the performing arts. Niki is a graduate from FAU and an award-winning actor who has graced stages across the state of Florida and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. In addition to performing live theatre, Niki also has 20 years experience as a teaching artist at institutions in the south florida community; Gulf Stream School, The Kravis Center’s Annual Arts Camp, DeGeorge Academy, Boynton Beach School of Dance, Music & Drama, Arts Garage, Fantasy Theatre Factory, Blue Planet Writer’s Room and The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.
Teaching Artist
Gabby Gomez
Gabby is a passionate and dedicated teaching artist who joined CCE in 2022. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, she moved to Florida at the age of 10. Gabby earned an associate degree in Fine Arts from Palm Beach State College and is currently pursuing a degree in Architecture at Florida State University. Gabby's teaching experience includes positions at the Norton Museum of Art and various non-profit organizations, such as the Children's Services Council. She firmly believes in prioritizing the creative process and experience over the final product, and she provides each student with the necessary guidance to help them develop their unique artistic abilities. With a desire to make a positive impact on the world, Gabby plans to use her skills in architecture to build non-profit organizations or even start one of her own in the future.
Teaching Artist
Gaynelle Gosselin
Gaynelle Gosselin is a movement specialist with a keen interest in how mind and body interact in communication. She co-founded See Change Dance, a group dedicated to creative process and dance improvisation. The group builds improvisation scores for performance, creates community based activist dance performances, and hosts meet ups for anyone who wishes to explore the creative impulse through dance improvisation. In addition to her work with CCE, Ms. Gosselin teaches in both the Theatre and Dance Departments at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU). She was a teaching artist for the School District of Palm Beach County from 2009-2014. Gaynelle is a certified teaching member of Alexander Technique International (ATI). Since 2006, she has been using Alexander Technique and other mind/body education methods to help performing artists, aspiring artists, educators, and others learn to maximize presence, minimize performance anxiety, and enhance creativity and presentation skills. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre and has performed with companies throughout South Florida. In addition to her work with See Change Dance, Ms. Gosselin performs with the Demetrius Klein Dance Company, Palm Beach County’s oldest modern dance company.
Teaching Artist
Buckley Griffis
Nature has always been the greatest inspiration and teacher for Buckley, whose musical sensibility is a result of years of extensive world travel and immersion in various cultures. He has provided programs and played in a diverse range of venues, including schools, art centers, hospitals, nursing homes, juvenile detention centers, churches, temples, healing centers, festivals, private parties, and concert venues for almost 50 years, showcasing his expertise in playing drums and percussion instruments.
Teaching Artist
Kianga Jinaki
Kianga Jinaki is a fiber artist who creates quilts, dolls and mixed-media works that honor Black life and culture. Her works have been exhibited both nationally and internationally since 1991. Ms. Jinaki is a 2022 recipient of the Artist Innovation Fellowship presented by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. As a teaching artist, Kianga has worked with The Norton Museum, Spady Museum, the African American Resource Library & Cultural Center, and Palm Beach and Broward County library systems providing artistic/cultural programs for the communities they serve.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Kianga holds a B.S. in Community Mental Health from Morgan State University. She has been a licensed massage therapist for 22 years and a yoga teacher for 11 years. She is the mother of four adult children, and has been a resident of South Florida for more than 30 years. One of her greatest joys as an artist is working with community members to tap into their own creative rhythm.
Teaching Artist
Lisa Lohman
Lisa has been a Teaching Artist with CCE since 2022. Her certificates include a B.A. in Elementary Education and Fine Arts, and an M.A. in Reading Education as a Reading Specialist from Kean University in New Jersey. As an experienced teacher, Lisa has taught Grades K-8 as both a classroom teacher and a Reading Specialist. Her areas of expertise include acrylic painting, mural painting, and group paint parties for adults and children. Lisa enjoys her time spent with students as a Teaching Artist, and strongly supports CCE's philosophy where students can explore their creativity while making a meaningful connection to subject areas.
Teaching Artist
Lisa MacNamara
Lisa MacNamara is a successful fine artist and certified color consultant who has worked on various high-end commercial and residential projects in New York City and Florida. She completed dual majors in painting and sculpture at Arizona State University, is currently completing a Master of Fine Arts degree, and teaches art to K-12 students and adults in Phoenix and West Palm Beach. Lisa believes that imagination is a crucial aspect of life, as it has the power to encircle the world, in the words of Albert Einstein.
Teaching Artist
Erick Marquez
Erick Adrian Marquez is a published comic book artist, sculptor, and muralist, with a style that’s bold and unique. He is a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute. His professional experience began with an internship at Warner Bros./DC Comics in New York City and has created for a wide array of clients, ranging from AT&T/Verizon to Conan O’Brien’s comic book biography. Aside from being a full time freelance artist, Erick teaches visual art and music, locally, in workshops and studios.
Teaching Artist
Madelyn Perara
Madelyn Perera is an energetic, creative artist who strongly focuses on mental wellness. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Studio Art from Florida State University. Madelyn’s background is rooted in connecting art with the mind. She has several years of experience serving children with varying levels of neurodiversity and socioeconomic backgrounds in therapy settings. Following in her passion, Madelyn teaches about connecting with yourself, expressing how you feel, and moving through the different waves of life. She connects these concepts at developmentally appropriate rates that honor our students' pacing in development. Outside of teaching, Madelyn is pursuing her Master of Arts degree in Art Therapy through Antioch University and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Teaching Artist
Christina Schwartz
Christina has her B.A. in Elementary Education from Cedarville University. She has been an educator for almost 25 years, 17 of those years in art education. Because of her background in elementary education, she brings a broad knowledge base to integrating art into many subject areas. Currently she runs her own mobile art studio, Cre8 Studios, LLC. She has taught art lessons to students from ages 2- 98 years old. She is passionate about helping all of her students find their creativity, no matter their age. She has been working as a teaching artist with CCE since 2022. She loves working in acrylics for her own art practices.
Teaching Artist
Haydee Ullfig
Haydee has been a teaching artist within various CCE programs since 2016. She holds a BBA from the University of Miami and an AA in Visual Arts from William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, IL and was awarded a scholarship for studies at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2008, Haydee received the opportunity to teach visual arts to children at the Coral Springs Museum of Art. Teaching at the museum was an epiphany for Haydee, as she realized the positive impact that art can have on a child’s development of life skills such as self-esteem, multisensory and communication skills, problem solving and empathy.
Teaching Artist
Geraldo Vieira
Geraldo Vieira is an experienced CCE Teaching Artist who has been with the program since 2003. He holds a B.S. in Art Education from the University of the State of Minas Gerais in Brazil and has earned double M. Ed. degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership from the American College of Education in Indianapolis, IN. Currently, Geraldo is an art teacher for the School District of Palm Beach County and has served as the Fine Arts Department Chair. He has played an integral role in developing an art-integrated curriculum that meets academic educational standards and enhances the learning experience for all students.
Teaching Artist
Shannon Walker
Shannon Walker is a visual artist trained in a wide array of artistic mediums and specializing in painting, drawing and printmaking. Her education includes a BA in fine arts from Florida State University, an MA in writing from University College Dublin and extensive continued studies in painting and drawing at The Arts Student League, New York, National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, and with various independent artists in Europe and the U.S. She was born and raised in Palm Beach County and upon graduating from college, spent many years living outside of Florida, in New York, Dublin and Berlin. She worked as an independent artist and taught art and storytelling workshops to people of diverse ages and backgrounds. She is delighted to be back home and teaching with CCE.