Instructors & Collaborators

Richard has been involved with photography in excess of 30 years, including over 20 years of professional experience and skills in a variety of aspects. Despite this strong background, he still believes he is a “work in progress.”

“I have no desire to sit down and rest on my laurels – I now expose more original images consistently, than I ever did with just film, continually exercising and stretching my visual experience. That’s where the fun of this image-making medium is.”   – Richard

Photography remains a strong passion for Richard. He loves pushing his own visual creativity and expanding his own expressiveness further. Richard has been instructing others on the art and craft of the photographic medium since 2009 here at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts.

* Formats – 35mm (30+ years), 6×6 square (25+ years), digital (10+ years), 4×5 (infrequent).

* Experience – photographer, assistant (lighting, sets, logistics, camera), instructor (classroom, field, workshops), writer/editor.

* Styles/Genres – portrait, fashion, and figure (studio & location); landscapes, cityscapes; night imagery, b&w infrared (35mm, 6×6, digital); and expressive interpretations/impressions.

* Please view examples of Richard’s photos here: Richard’s Facebook Profile

As a child, Natasha’s passion for becoming a professional artist filled her dreams with hope and determination. Her innermost aspirations have been to invite others to dive deep into her work, and becoming inspired to create their own works of art. Although originally from San Francisco Bay Area, she currently calls Central California home.

Inspiring others to hone their creative talents, Natasha has instructed drawing lessons for children for the past 13 years throughout the Central Valley. In July 2012 she decided to feed her passion by taking over as Program Director for Young Rembrandts children’s drawing program.

After years of sketching, she decided to let the paint brush express her vision of the world. Her paintings intertwine the richness of texture and color, with music and culture. In her initial public release Natasha tacked still life, landscape, abstract, surreal, contemporary, and modern pieces. Best described as “Urban Chic”, her work is showcased in private homes, businesses, exhibits, and online venues.

Every painting is primed and finished with a varnish gloss. Each creation is a one-of-a-kind with no prints available. Natasha firmly believes that everyone deserves their own original work of art.

Maria’s personal belief is that art comes from the Creator as the source.  Maria explores all mediums and pursue themes of hope, restoration, and encouragement through visual means. Working in oils, acrylics, pastels, pencils and clay. The work she creates is representational, colorful and impressionistic. She especially LOVES the freedom of pour painting.

Maria has an AA in General Ed from Las Positas and has formally studied art under some phenomenal teachers, Engela Wilson, Ozell Hudson Jr., and Linda Ryan focusing on skill building and mastering her craft. 

She is a wife, mom of 2, and grandma of 6, and looks forward to staying creative with her family. Maria is the Director of the art ministry at The Well Christian Community, and is fortunate to be part of a wonderful community of artists.

Branden Cravalho is an expressive and passionate classical guitarist and instructor who has studied and performed a wide range of repertoire from modern 20th century composers to the Renaissance. He started as a self-taught electric guitar player, but expanded his growth as a musician when he began studying classical guitar at the Modesto Junior College in California under Dr. David Chapman’s tutelage. Branden has since achieved three degrees in music including a Master of Music in Guitar Performance from the University of Minnesota. Branden enjoys sharing his talents both in concert halls and in a number of unique and intimate settings. The guitar and his pursuit to share a passion for music has led him to explore a diversity of cultures and places from Louisville, Kentucky to Belgrade, Serbia.

In addition to performing, Branden takes pride as an instructor teaching private lessons and in classrooms. These experiences include as a graduate instructor at the University of Minnesota teaching Guitar I and II classes as well as private lessons, in privately owned music studios, as well as independently. Branden’s students have had success meeting both their individual goals and expectations of specific curriculum.

“Ultimately, I strive to inspire others through music like the many influential figures in my own musical journey have inspired me. Whether that be through performance or instruction, there is no greater gift than to be able to share music, experiences, and knowledge with others.”

-Branden Cravalho

Matt Farnsworth is a local Californian graphic artist whose style is strongly influenced by the great American comic book artists of old. In 2012 Matt’s first published work was released at the first Stockton Con. Matt did the pencils on the comic book “The Amazing Fist”.

Matt began teaching drawing and ceramic classes with the Arts Education Program in 2017.  Matt can’t wait to teach you how to draw dynamic characters and the fundamentals of visual storytelling!

“For me, comics and art combined a love for the dramatic visuals and compelling stories. It’s really just modern mythology.” – Matt

Wendy has been teaching voice for over 20 years and drums for over 12 years.

Prior to teaching, Wendy sang in bands all over California. She played in such places as the Troubadour and the Wiskey a go-go in Hollywood opening for bands: Ratt, Quiet Riot, Dokken, and many more. She was lead vocalist in a rock group that toured Asia in a USO show.

Wendy was fortunate enough to study under an opera coach in 1993, a gospel recording star in 1988, and a professor of music at Harbor College in L.A. for private vocal instruction.

When Wendy is not singing, teaching or playing drums or piano, she likes to read, knit, swim, hike and travel. She also spends as much of her time with her adult son who has become an excellent drummer. A classic example of a pupil surpassing the teacher!

Jody grew up in Montreal and began playing recorder at her desk along with her classmates in Grade 1 and hasn’t stopped since. She played euphonium in the high school concert band. Like us all, she has been singing since birth!

Jody graduated from The Dawson Institute of Photography in Montreal with a degree in commercial photography and moved to New York where she worked professionally in the advertising photography field as Anthony Edgeworth’s first assistant/studio manager producing ad campaigns, magazine editorials and a book for Doubleday on the United States Marine Corp.

Jody discovered Music Together right after moving to Pleasanton CA with her husband and three daughters. She is a Registered Music Together teacher in her 18th year of teaching the Music Together program. Jody has earned the prestigious Certification level 1 qualification from Princeton’s Music Together Center for Music and Young Children for outstanding achievement in teaching and articulating of the program.

Jody is specially trained not only in teaching mixed-age classes but also in the infants under 8 months course, Rhythm KIDS, as well as Music Together Guitar classes for Adults. She plays piano, guitar and recorder in her classes and brings energy and exuberance to toddlers and parents in the delight of songs, rhythm and dance. Jody teaches Music Together in Pleasanton and is the director of Music Together of Tracy offering classes in Livermore & Tracy.

For more information about Music Together ® of Tracy, please visit www.mttracy.com

Clyde Higaki is an optioned screenwriter and short story writer who has had assignments to adapt true stories. He has studied screenwriting at Sherwood Oaks Experimental College in Hollywood, CA, and participated in Eva Peel’s Pitch Sessions in Glendale, CA. His screenplays have gained interest from Hollywood production companies, agents, and directors, as well as Anonymous Content, and ICM agency. He was featured in Tracy Press, In the Spotlight, on Nov. 26, 2008.

Clyde offers Screenwriting classes for adults at the Grand.

Jennifer believes that making art is a transformative experience and having a regular creative outlet empowers all aspects of our lives. Her creative outlet is painting in acrylics and teaching art to all ages and stages.

For over a decade, Jennifer has been showing, selling, and teaching art.  Her creative journey led her to study art at the college level, under dynamic professional artists, and as self-guided practice.

With a Masters of Education in Instructional Design, she skillfully crafts each of her lessons to allow the time and space for learners to explore their creativity, practice techniques, and learn how to properly use and care for their art materials.

For students to feel empowered and supported is her ultimate objective. Jennifer’s students inspire her to keep making art as she hopes to inspire them to do the same.

Clay has been a Tracy resident since 1982. He retired from the telephone company after a 30 year career.

After retirement, Clay became a Docent at the Haggin Museum in Stockton and a volunteer instructor at the Stockton Institute for Continued Learning at Delta College. In addition to printmaking, he enjoys travel, playing the guitar, wine making, gourd art, and stained glass.

Clay received a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco and a Master’s degree in Multimedia from Cal State Hayward.

Dan is a avid salsa dancer with over 20 years of dancing experience. Dan has been teaching both Salsa and Rueda de Casino classes for adults for 15 years, primarily in the Stockton area. He is excited to offer Rueda de Casino dance classes at the Grand.

Jenny Kini Taloa is an accomplished award winning Tahitian dancer with over 20 years experience in Polynesian performing arts. She has traveled within the islands of the pacific and beyond performing for cruise ships, NFL charities, corporate and celebrity events.

Jenny’s main focus is to bring the Polynesian culture to the community for children 5 years old and up through dance art expression.

Amanda Trask is a local artist who has received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a focus in Mixed Media and minor in Art History from California State University, Stanislaus. Amanda creates work using different media such as sculpture, painting, digital (computer), and film. Her work has been seen within various galleries in Stanislaus County and she is a published artist.

Amanda’s goal through her courses is to bring, not only the joy of creating art, but also the tools to allow individuals to learn about the medium, its uses, and how to create/expand on projects even after completing the course.  Through her educational background and self-taught explorations with art, Amanda hopes that every person that comes through her class is able to gain a foundation for exploring the medium themselves and ways to bring out their creativity using various methods and techniques.

Amanda enjoys working with children and has taking several Child Development courses when she was pursuing her Associate Degree. She is also a mother to a teenage son who is on the autism spectrum and encourages anyone, regardless of their abilities, to take her courses! She would be more than happy to adapt the coursework towards the needs of any individual. The courses she will be instructing for children are designed to be fun, informative, and create a foundation to help students continue to discover art.

Amanda started teaching classes with the Arts Education Program at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts in 2017.  She has taught a variety of classes throughout the years including but not limited to ceramic, fused glass, drawing, painting, sensory art classes, and Paint Night events.

Maria started dancing folklorico when she was 11 years old. At the age of 19 she decided it was time to start her own group. She started it with only 7 students and slowly it started growing. Currently she has over 50 students, and 3 student teachers with 6 different classes offered in Stockton and in Tracy. She is also a teacher for one of the largest Folklorico Dance Workshop known as Danzantes Unidos Festival that happens for one weekend, once a year; this year they had over 1500 students’ patriciate in the workshops.  Aside from teaching Mexican Folklorico classes, she also works a full time job as the Registrar and soccer coach for a Charter School in Stockton CA. During her spare time she likes to spend time with her family, get involved with her church, play soccer, and travel.

For more information about Ballet Folklorico Raices Mexicanas de Maria Valdovinos, please visit www.bf-rm.org!

Carrie is a member of the Tracy Art League and an active ceramic and fused glass artist who is excited to offer fused glass workshops at the Grand!

Vince Walsh was born and raised in Oakland, California and resided in Tracy, California for over 30 years. Vince has been painting for over 35 years, mostly outdoors and in the studio. His style of painting is a blend of realism and impressionism with a preference to paint still life and landscapes in oil and acrylic. His goal is to express a realistic and painterly approach that allows the viewer to participate in the painting.

Vince was fortunate to have studied with Van Waldron, who encouraged him to develop his own style. He also studied with Delores DePharr and E John Robinson. Vince is a member of “The Valley Sun Catchers”, “Friday Painters” and “Da Group” a group of Plein Air Painters. He is also a member and past president of the Tracy art League. Vince has been offering introduction and intermediate painting classes with the Arts Education Program at the Grand since it opened in 2007.

Lekha Writing Center is committed to developing a generation of children who think beyond the book! We do this by teaching them to write creatively, using a blend of time-tested and newly-developed methods that stir one’s imagination.

All of our instructors are trained in the Lekha Way, a method of writing instruction that is different than traditional writing instruction. In traditional models of writing instruction, the student is viewed as an empty vessel into which the instructor pours knowledge. This model of instruction is product-oriented, which places the value of instruction solely on “measurable” improvements in writing. Students are taught the different modes of writing, as well as the standard writing conventions. Students, then, demonstrate that they have learned this new knowledge through their writing products (creative pieces or essays), and instructors evaluate the writing to determine if the student has effectively learned to write correctly.

Consequently, this focus on “correctness” in writing often develops the “internal critic” in some students and causes them to develop a negative relationship to writing—hating, fearing, or being indifferent to writing—which hinders or stops the writing process. These students will often view writing as a tedious chore, as a test that they have been set-up to fail, or simply as something unimportant. As a result, student will try to avoid writing, will write as little as possible, or will develop writer’s block.

At Lekha, we seek to encourage a student’s relationship to writing to be one that is positive. Our model of instruction is based on Expressivist and Process pedagogies which emphasize student-oriented and process-oriented teaching. As opposed to the tradition model of writing instruction, we believe that the creative work or essay already exists in the students. What this means is that the students’ writing finds root in the students’ own experiences, education, and tacit knowledge of writing. The instructor’s role, then, is to facilitate the expression of the student’s writing, guiding the students as they work and rework a story, a poem, a play, an essay, or a journalistic piece.

The methods we use in our writing instruction are designed to free students from the internal critic. We utilize visualization and verbalization techniques, creative play, illustration, and other low stakes writing activities that help students overcome writer’s block or any fears about writing. We use these methods to guide students through the different steps of the writing process—generating ideas, pre-writing strategies, drafting, and revising. And while we do not emphasize “correctness” in writing, we do help students to address structural or grammatical issues in the writing, but only after the students have written enough to begin the revision process. At Lekha, we focus on encouraging students to write as much as they can by providing a fun and nonthreatening learning and writing environment.

To learn more about Lekha, please visit their website at www.lekhawriting.com!

Our mission at Such A Voice is to provide you with the framework necessary to thrive as a successful and profitable voice-over professional.

As one of the first voice-over training & demo production companies in the business, and with 30+ years of experience, we at Such A Voice are extremely proud of our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and the many positive reviews that you’ll find about us on Facebook, our website, and throughout the web. We feel that we’re rated so highly because of our deep focus on you, our customer, and our devotion to constant and never-ending improvement.

In order to fulfill on our mission, we have created what we feel is the most comprehensive voice-over training & demo production program in the industry. Over the past few years specifically, our program has evolved and improved by leaps and bounds.

Learn more about Such A Voice and their instructors at: www.suchavoice.com

Founded in 1988 by Bette Fetter, Young Rembrandts has become a recognized leader in art education. What began as one person, working with children in her home, has developed into an international franchise business with franchisees who teach drawing to thousands of students every week.

Fetter applied her fine arts education and background in child development to create an original, step-by-step method to teach children drawing, the fundamental skill of all visual arts.

Research and education experts say what Young Rembrandts has always delivered: there is a significant correlation between involvement in the arts and achievement in the classroom. Children who learn to draw using the Young Rembrandts method develop spatial reasoning and fine motor skills, order and sequencing abilities, visualization, and self-discipline as well as fundamental art skills. Our original curriculum introduces concrete ideas and techniques that enlarge their visual vocabularies, enrich their imaginations and their minds.

Today, Young Rembrandts franchisees partner with preschools, elementary schools and community centers to either augment or supply their art education programs. The Young Rembrandts franchise network has a solid reputation for offering well-organized classes and teaching original, high-quality curriculum in a positive environment.

To learn more about Young Rembrandts, please visit their website at www.youngrembrandts.com/centralvalley.