Dustin Boutwell believes a great painting is a well-crafted story. It is the product of style, taste, practice, and observation. It’s not clever, arty, or systematic. On the contrary a great painting is derived from an acute sensitivity to the relative visual reality that we experience every time we open our eyes. The only mechanical aspect lies in preparing a sound surface upon which to paint, and in cleaning the palette and brushes at the end of the day.

Dustin attended the Art Students League in NYC on a Merit Scholarship. While there he studied the human form, portraiture, and still life with renowned artists Ron Sherr, David Leffel, and Gregg Kreutz. After returning to the Corning area, he was invited to paint with Thomas Buechner in his studio. Dustin has exhibited and received awards across the US and his work is in many private collections.

2015 recipient of 171’s Bob Kinner Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

Danielle is a creative writer and hoop dancer living in Western NY. She has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and is currently in pursuit of her master’s degree in alternative medicine. She enjoys dancing and creating tangible objects with her hands. Her passion is to inspire the lives of others.

Amanda Warren is 171’s Ceramic Technician and Instructor. Amanda started teaching at 171 in 2013 and became the full-time Ceramic Technician in 2014. Amanda is a graduate of Alfred University where she received her BFA in Ceramics and Art Education. Amanda then earned her M.S. Ed. in Art Education from Syracuse University in 2012. Amanda is also certified through NYS as a K-12 Visual Arts teacher.

While her main form of art making is based in ceramics, she has practiced in glass blowing, printmaking, and drawing. Originally from Schenectady New York, Amanda now lives in Hornell with her husband Matt and their precocious kitties Hazel and Willow. Amanda is happiest when in the studio and classroom making art with her students and passing on her love for all things art. When she isn’t in the studio, you can find her at the movies, outside enjoying nature, or out and about on an adventure. Her favorite color is periwinkle.

Steve Wilson is a professional member of the United States Fencing Associations and a member of the the U.S. Fencing Coaches Associations with the title of Moniteur d’Escrime in Foil, Epee, and Saber. He is the co-founder and principal instructor of the Elmira-Corning Fencers Club, and has taught both adult and children’s classes in foil, epee, saber, and historical weaponry.

The practice of Tai Chi, which is sometimes called “moving meditation,” fosters a calm, tranquil mind. It is a gentle way to fight stress, improve balance, and enhance wellness. Mary Gill-Scott has studied Qi Gong and Yang style Tai Chi since 2006. She received her training from Master Lawrence Childs, 5th degree Black Belt, at Three Treasures Martial Arts in Corning, and Grandmaster Kenny Kuek, 8th degree Black Belt, at USA Masters Academy in Canandaigua. She earned the certification of Black Belt and began instructing in 2012. She has traveled to Malaysia for training as part of an International Martial Arts Exchange. Mary has competed in martial arts tournaments, medaling in both silver and gold, as well as participating in numerous local demonstrations. She has also been the recipient of several awards, including Tai Chi Student of the Year, and Instructor of the Year. In 2013, she began teaching Tai Chi Wellness at 171 Cedar.

“I practice Tai Chi for its health benefits, such as rejuvenation, wellness—both body and mind—and stress management. It has improved my balance greatly, and aided in my recovery from a neck injury.” In today’s fast-paced world, Mary believes everyone can benefit from Tai Chi.

Chrissy Kaufmann is originally from Allentown, PA where she first took classes at a local dance studio and university. Chrissy went on to Bucknell University and majored in Chemical Engineering and minored in Dance. During her time at Bucknell, Chrissy danced in showcases every semester and choreographed several dances.

Chrissy works at Corning Incorporated as a Process Engineer by day and teaches Hip Hop, Swing, and Ballroom in the evenings. She’s taken opportunities to dance with Disney and several competitions, including NYCDA. She has also choreographed and performed in many musicals and has been more involved with the Story Ballet production. She enjoys taking part in the Summer Dance Showcase and choreographing new material.

She is very honored and excited to be a part of the 171 dance faculty.

www.aSwanNamedEmily.com

Emily Swan has been involved in art and dance at 171 for nearly 30 years. She has participated in numerous Patty Ozer Story Ballets, starting in 1996. One of the personal highlights of her time at 171 is creating artwork for the story ballet, something she has been proud to contribute since 2011. She transitioned into teaching in 2009, after having earned her Bachelor of Science in media arts and animation from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She has taught cartooning, anime, cartoonime, lyrical illustration, intro to comics, ballroom, and swing. Emily was excited to add Teen Swing to her roster in 2017, of which she was a founding member in 1997. When she’s not teaching at 171, she can be found working full time as a graphic designer at Kabric’s, a garment decorator in East Corning, and illustrating her own comic books.

http://www.marcrubinassociates.com/

Painter and graphic designer Marc Rubin paints still lifes that invite meaning and evoke story. He captures everyday objects at eye-level and sized in the frame as they are in the world, but he imbues them with a spirit and presence so that, emotionally, they become larger than life. Rubin’s masterfully-painted representational oils are exhibited in galleries throughout the Northeast.

Jenny is a certified high school Mandarin teacher in New York. She was born and raised in southern China and went to college in Beijing, majoring in Chinese language and literature. In 2013, Jenny moved to the U.S for graduate school to study education. She loves teaching Chinese language, culture, history, calligraphy, and arts. She believes that learning a new language and culture can enrich a person’s life in many ways.

Working with children has always been Jenny’s biggest passion as it is the most fun and inspiring experience for her. She is excited to meet many new students at 171 Cedar Arts Center.

If you want to know what other students have to say about Jenny, please go to: gogomandarin.com/student-feedback

New York State Certified Teacher Jacqueline Knitter has been teaching since 1974, and has a special love for teaching French Language. Her extensive experience and training in language education, along with her personal travels, have led to the development of Jackie’s signature teaching style. She incorporates the enthusiastic use of props, toys, videos, and even cooking to impart knowledge of French language and culture to young students through play. Jackie has been teaching French for children at 171 Cedar Arts Center since 2010.

2015 recipient of 171’s Bob Kinner Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

John Manfredi, a graduate of Elmira College, has taught guitar privately since 1975. From 1976-1999, John was an Instructor of Music at Elmira College teaching guitar, electric bass, and music composition. John performs regularly in the local area and has played guitar in eight European countries with a USO tour. He is also owner of MEGA Sound, a full-service recording studio, which produces and records sound and music for musical groups, commercial radio, and television.

For inquiries about lessons, please contact instructor directly.

• phone: 607-732-0913

Emily Ickles Jackson specializes in percussion, piano, and music theory. She holds her M.M. in percussion performance from Ithaca College, and a B.M. in percussion performance from Western Michigan University.

Her most recent teaching experience is from the music department at Ithaca College: teaching percussion method to undergraduate music education majors, conducting the Ithaca College Percussion Ensemble, and giving individual and group percussion lessons to non-majors and undergraduates.

During her undergraduate years, Ms. Ickes took several elective theory classes including two semesters of 500-level counterpoint, composition, and jazz theory. In addition to the required music theory, ethnomusicology, ear training, and sight-singing courses.

In her graduate studies she took courses in orchestration, Schenkerian analysis, post-tonal analysis, and twentieth century music. She has composed several original works for solo marimba and studied composition privately with Gordon Stout.

She has also studied piano privately beginning from the age of eight and has become a proficient player. In her undergraduate years she accompanied several vocal majors for lessons and performances. She also served as the go-to accompanist for the entire percussion studio and continues to offer private piano lessons.

For inquiries about lessons, please contact instructor directly.

• emily.ickes@gmail.com

Dr. Daniel LaBar is a pianist, composer, organist, and choral director. With degrees from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, IL, he went on to receive the Doctor of Musical Arts from American Conservatory of Music in 1979. Dr. LaBar has won awards in composition and has been commissioned to compose for the Texas Boys Choir. He has taught piano and theory at Glenville State College in West Virginia and at SC State College. He has been a 171 faculty member since 2000.

For inquiries about lessons, please contact instructor directly.

• email: dlabar001@yahoo.com
• phone: 607-846-8411

Dino Losito began studying the piano at age four. He attended William Patterson University in Wayne, NJ, where he studied jazz performance. Since then he has performed throughout the US and abroad, including such notable venues as Birdland, Bluenote, Dizzys at Lincoln Center, and the NBC Rainbow Room (NYC). Mr. Losito has also been featured on over a dozen recordings, and his debut CD Like That, has received critical acclaim. Mr. Losito has also been an active teacher for over 20 years, teaching students of all ages, beginner’s to advanced in traditional piano, reading, theory, or pop/jazz piano. Instruction is custom tailored to the age, skill level, needs, and goals of each individual student. Faculty member at 171 since 1996.

Please visit dinolosito.com for more information.

Dino is accepting new students. For inquiries about lessons, please contact instructor directly.

• email: dinolosito@gmail.com
• phone: 607-738-1380

Frances McLaren received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in piano performance from Carnegie-Mellon University. Winner of Carnegie Awards Festival and Pittsburgh Concert Society auditions, she has given many solo recitals and has accompanied many professional musicians. Ms. McLaren has taught piano to students of all ages and skill level from beginning through very advanced. Many of her students have won first place in piano competitions, and have gone on to major in music and piano in college. She presently is an accompanist of the Cantata Singers and the Common Time Choral Group in Elmira. She was the pianist for the Elmira Symphony and Chorale Society for four years. She studied and teaches church organ, and is the organist-music director at St. Casimir and St. Charles Borromeo Churches in Elmira. She has been a 171 faculty member since 1985.

For inquiries about lessons, please contact instructor directly.

• email: orrmclaren@gmail.com
• phone: 607-732-2503

Claire is not accepting new students at this time.

Claire Gonta-Smock is a magna cum laude graduate of Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, with a dual degree in piano performance and music education. She completed her degree at the Ithaca College London Center where she studied with pianist Martino Tirimo. Her Master in Education was completed at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education in teaching, curriculum, and learning environments. In 1996 she became a faculty member of the International Suzuki Institute in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, teaching Music for Your Baby, Music and Movement, as well as private piano. Ms. Smock is a teacher in the Corning–Painted Post School District. She has been a 171 faculty member since 1980.

2015 recipient of 171’s Bob Kinner Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

www.craftfarm.co

Allison Duncan has always had a strong interest in art and science, with a great love of the outdoors. Allison studied photography, metals, printmaking, and ceramics, and received a B.F.A. in glass from Southern Illinois University. She also earned a B.A. in art history, with a focus on theories of craftsmanship. Allison moved to Corning, New York in 2008, for employment as a glassmaking instructor. Since moving to the area, she has become enamored with the upstate New York landscape, leading to hobbies in hiking and nature photography. Inspired by all types of making, she continues to explore techniques of craftsmanship, from bread baking to woodworking. With growing concerns in environmental conservation, Allison turned to gardening and experiments in sustainability in 2013. She is the owner of Craft Farm LLC, an exploration of creative and sustainable living. Craft Farm is a multifaceted and evolving business, currently offering chemical-free vegetables, handmade natural bath products, and workshop classes.

Michael Volino grew up in an Italian-American household in Campbell, NY. Michael went on to obtain an associate degree from CCC and a bachelor’s in political science from SUNY Geneseo, where he took the opportunity to study abroad in Rome and Siena. After working 6 years in the bakery business, Michael decided to continue his education at Middlebury College where he studied in Florence and received a master’s degree in Italian studies. He’s currently pursuing a PHD in Italian Studies through Indiana University. Michael’s goal is to dispel common Italian stereotypes and share his love for Italy, its culture, and language.