Instructors
Lara Adrienne
Lara Adrienne has studied Classic Egyptian, Turkish, and fusion styles of oriental (belly) dance. She has studied intensively with and attended workshops of many reputable instructors, including Noor Jihan, Zahra, Antonia, Lotus Niraja, and Sema Yildiz. Living in Istanbul, Turkey for two years deepened her appreciation for and understanding of Turkish music and dance. She has performed in stage shows, at restaurants, nightclubs, and other venues in and around Washington, DC, in Lisbon, Portugal, and in Istanbul, Turkey. She has been teaching belly dance since 2006, and her approach to the dance is graceful, fluid, and unique. In addition to oriental dance, Lara has studied and continues to study other types of dance including: modern, ballet, jazz, Indian and Polynesian since she was five years old. Lara Adrienne receives immense joy from dancing and aims to share the physical, mental and emotional benefits of this dance with her students.
Gayla April
Ms. April has been in the field of dance both as a performer and teacher for 40 years. Her training includes study with the Washington School of Ballet, The National Ballet , Erika Thimey Dance Theatre , Pola de La Tourand Evelyn Davis and Charles Weidman. She also holds a B.A. in English Literature from George Washington University.
Shara Banisadr
Is a multi-disciplined experimental painter with a studio in Kensington and exhibits nationally and internationally. She studied in Iran, Montreal, Paris and the US, and focuses on mixed media abstract painting. Shara was born and raised in Tehran, Iran into an artistic family of art collectors, musicians, painters, poets, politicians and writers. She currently teaches at the Maryland School of Art and Design and Montgomery College.
Laurence Galvin
Is a rated Tournament Director for the American Contract Bridge League for 30 + years. He has also served as a National Director for the American Bridge Association and is a life master in both organizations.
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez has over ten years experience working in clay. He earned a degree in anthropology and continued his studies at Corcoran College of Art and Design. He lives in Washington D.C. where he has made a career working in the collection and publishing departments of Washington's museums.
Maria Gomez
Maria Gomez was born in Madrid where she graduated from Veterinarian School. She workedat NIH and while teaching some Spanish classes, she discovered how much she really enjoyed it and has been an instructor at the Guy mason and Chevy Chase Centers for at least 10 years.Ms. Gomez is also on the faculty of American University where she received a PHD in 2004.
Neil Joffe
An artist from South Africa who graduated from the University of South Africa at Johannesburg, Neil Joffe has exhibited works there and in Capetown. He was invited to exhibit his paintings locally by the International Monetary Fund and ended up residing in this area in 1993. His work is influenced by his life in South Africa as well as his connection to the InternationalArts movements of the 20th century. In the last few years, Mr. Joffe has been teaching glazing techniques layering one glaze on the other to produce a luminous textured surface. His teaching approach is to help students create different color and composition solutions which will result in more personal and satisfying artwork as opposed to them slavishly copying from photographs or books.
Sariane Leigh
Sariane Leigh is a fitness instructor from Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from University of Maryland-College Park with a B.A in Communication and the George Washington University with an M.A. in Women’s' Studies. Ms. Leigh has taught aerobics, yoga and Pilates to youth, seniors, health care workers, runners and cyclists. Her love for international outreach has taken her to Belize, Honduras and Panama where she coordinated Fitness Beach Retreats for teenage mothers. Ms. Leigh currently balances her time between Anacostia teaching yoga classes and Foggy Bottom working as an educational coordinator at George Washington University
Alexandra Tydings Luzzatto
Alexandra is a native of DC, where she began dancing as a young child. She performed at the Kennedy Center with the Royal Ballet of London and represented the United States in step dancing at the World Championships in England and Ireland. After moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career as an actress, she appeared in numerous television series and feature films, including six years on Xena Warrior Princess. During this time, she fell in love with yoga and was able to study in California, New Zealand and Bali. A registered yoga teacher, Alexandra has been practicing for twelve years, has taught all over DC, including the CIA and the White House Athletic Center. She continues to study with master teachers Rod Stryker and Shiva Rea and feels honored to share her love of yoga. Ms. Luzzatto has a BAfrom Brown University.
Laurent Macarie
Click to view web sitePaula M. Miller
A potter since 1984, Paula Millerstudied under Mexican potter, Alfredo Hijar,Japanese potter, Kyoko Hull and American potters, Debra Vardon and Sara Bailey.She has been affiliated with Guy Mason Center's pottery studio since 1996, initially as an assistant and beginning in 2004, as an instructor. In addition to ceramics, she teaches polymer clay techniques. Ms Miller is a graduate of Catholic University and owner of Dagoba Designs and Intact Artifact.
Mimi Morse
A graduate of American University with a major in French and minor in Art History, Mrs. Morse taught French to adults in Boston for two years, before traveling, getting married and starting a family. In the late 80’s, she returned to teaching French at varying levels from high school, middle school and finally elementary school. During those years, she led student groups to France and Canada. Last year she began teaching adults again and says, " I am pleased to see a reemergence of interest in this great international language.”
Patti Papworth
Patti Papworth holds a BA degree in Vocal Performance from Utah State University and is an accomplished classical and jazz musician, who frequently performs in musical theater. She has been teaching Music Together classes since 1999 and enjoys working with young children. In addition to teaching, Ms Papworth maintains a private piano and voice studio.
James Phillips
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Phillips was raised on a farm in Virginia. He attended the Philadelphia College of Art before returning to New York in the 60’s. In the 60-70’s he was associated with Weusi and Afri-Cobra groups and was inspired by contacts such as John Coltrane and such artists as Romare Bearden. Jazz and African cultural influences are strongly evident in his work. Phillips was an artist-in-resident at the Studio Museum in Harlem and has won CAPS and National Endowment for the Arts Awards.
Linda Posell
Has been teaching since 1989. In 2002, she earned her certification to teach group fitness with the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and in 2003, received certification as an Older Adult Fitness Instructor with the American Institute Of Fitness Educators. In addition to being a Fitness Educator, Ms Posell is a writer and has managed and supervised marketing and public relations projects. She received a BA in Literature/History from UCLA and a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University.
Amber Robles-Gordon
Amber Robles-Gordon is a mother of one, a visual artist, college student, teacher, advocate and leader. Ms. Robles-Gordon earned her undergrad degree in Business Administration at Trinity University, Washington, DC, and she is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Fine Arts at Howard University, Washington, DC.
Ms. Robles-Gordon is has been teaching yoga for five years and Pilates for two years. In addition, she has maintained her personal practice for six and half years. Ms. Robles-Gordon is also a member of the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America and has participated in both Practical Pilates Instructor Training and Practical Yoga Instructor Training Program.
Ms. Robles-Gordon has taught workshops, private sessions and group classes with DC Yoga and other entities throughout the Washington Metropolitan area for five years.Her ultimate goals in life are to continue to create, prosper and infuse her personal and professional life interaction with the healing power of art and yoga.
Donna Sturm
Certified Integral Yoga Instructor and Teacher of Transcendental Meditation. She has practiced, taught and studied meditation and yoga for over 25 years in the U.S., Canada, India, Nepal, Kenya, and several European countries.
Maria Luisa Sylos-Labini
Born in Tolmezzo, Italy and has a Masters in Italian Literature from the University of Treiste. Mrs. Sylos-Labini has been a member of the Northern, Va. Porcelain Arts Club since 1989. She is also a member of the Potomac China PaintingAssociation, the Va. World Organization of China Painters and IPAT, an international porcelain painters association.She has attended numerous seminars from artists such as Alfredo Toledano, Ann Zitterkopf, Camille Miller, Mary Ashcroft and Joyce Taylor.
