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.

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.

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.

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

Oregon native, Michael Hankins has just relocated to Corning after several years as trumpeter, teacher, and music director for Celebrity Cruise Line. He brings with him many years of experience as a member of numerous symphony orchestras including the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Eugene Symphony, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Columbia Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Astoria Music Festival, and more, as well as countless engagements as a soloist or with his brass trio and various brass quintets throughout the Northwest. His playing has also taken him all over the world from opera in Salzburg, Austria to Mahler symphonies in Wales.

When not on the symphony stage Michael can be heard playing lead trumpet in many big bands, Latin, or top 40 bands as well as his own jazz quintet, quartet and trio. He is also been an active studio musician appearing on more recordings than he can recall. Michael has run his own trumpet studio for many years and has enjoyed seeing so many wonderful students grow into amazing musicians. Working closely with the Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra, colleges, high schools, and middle schools all over the Portland area has brought out a passion to pass on his experiences.

When Michael puts down the trumpet he follows his passion for travel and has even spent time living in art capitals such as Budapest and Amsterdam. For him, the great thing about living in Corning has been the amazing and friendly people.

For inquiries about lessons, please contact instructor directly.

• email: hankinsmdmusic@gmail.com
• phone: 808-425-6960

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 Middlebury College. Michael’s goal is to dispel common Italian stereotypes and share his love for Italy, its culture, and language.

Taylor Keister is 24 years old. She hails from Horseheads, NY. Currently, she is a first year graduate student at Alfred University in their Painting program, which spans the course of two years, half of which is spent in Dusseldorf, Germany. She also attended Alfred University for undergrad, where she received a BFA in both painting and graphic design. Growing up in a small town, Taylor had little access to an abstract point of view when it came to art. She was trained classically and traditionally in terms of education, but going away to school and traveling completely broadened her idea of art, especially painting. Taylor has spent the majority of her time in school working outside of the traditional boundaries of painting and exploring the abstract idea of installation. She is interested in the fluid relationship between painting and installation and how they can come together. Her work circulates around our chemical and physical responses to color and light, pattern, the coming together of meeting points and horizon lines, the passage or lineage from one painting to the other, multiples, series, etc. All of these variables make their way into her practice.  Learn more about Taylor, her work and intention as an artist on her website at www.taylorkeister.com.

www.wilsonong.com

Wilson Ong grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and went to Brigham Young University, receiving a B.F.A. in painting and drawing. He furthered his studies at the Arts Students’ League in New York City, studying with nationally renowned figurative artists, Ted Seth Jacobs and Harvey Dinnerstein. He has sold his work professionally as an artist and illustrator since 1983. In addition to his professional art, Wilson was a full-time art instructor and department chair for nine years at the Waterford School in Sandy, UT. During that time he was named the State Art Educator of the Year as his students garnered numerous national and in-state awards. He continues teaching and strives to inspire each student to realize their artistic potential. “The process of art has always been a challenging and rewarding experience. As a teacher it is my purpose to guide students through these challenges so that they too can feel the rewards of creating beauty.”

Kirk has been a Ceramic Artist for 25 years.  He has a Bachelor of Art: in Art, Theater, and Recreation, with a focus on Ceramic and Print Making from Northwestern Collage, Orange City, IA. He was a ceramics instructor at Orange Street Pottery, Wilmington, NC, and is currently teaching at 171 Cedar Arts Center, Corning, NY. He has taken classes at both locations, as well as at John C. Campbell Folk Arts School, Brasstown, NC, Over the years he has also attended many other ceramic workshops and Talks.  He currently works in a small pottery studio at home, with a focus on wheel thrown functional wear.  He also enjoys helping out with his wife’s basket making, brewing beer with friends, cooking, and woodworking  projects.

The focus of Kirk’s work is to make beauty that supports the joy found in the everyday.  For Kirk pottery is a personal journey of self-exploration and problem solving.  In clay we can find where we come from and who we are.  The potter can dig clay from the ground, form it into a vessel, fire it with discarded brush, then add fresh vegetables from the garden and you have a meal to enjoy with friends.

Katie Peterson is holistic chef specializing in plant-based cooking and a yoga instructor focusing on mind/body nourishment. Though cooking has always come naturally to her, it has taken her years of experience in fields beyond the culinary realm to develop and nurture her own unique (and extraordinarily simple) healthy eating and lifestyle habits.

Katie achieved a Bachelors in Applied Science of Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu, as well as certifications in nutrition, integrative wellness, life coaching. She completed a 200 hour certification as a registered yoga instructor. She has combined her years of education, industry, and life experience to offer simple and approachable tools to help lessen the overwhelming nature of healthy eating.