Instructors & Collaborators

Abraham Alvarez is a local artist with five years of experience in ceramics, having received his Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from UC Davis, he has a desire to teach and further his knowledge in ceramics. In his art practice he explores self-discovery and themes of the human condition through techniques that become a meditative process for him. Abraham believes that an important part of the creative process is allowing yourself to make mistakes and exploring where those mistakes can take you.

Abraham is the current Ceramic Technician with the Arts Education Program at the Grand who oversees the ceramic and fused glass program.

To learn more about Abraham’s classes, or the ceramic & fused glass program, please contact him at abraham.alvarez@cityoftracy.org or (209) 831-6273.

Richard has been involved with photography in excess of 40 years, including over 25 years of professional experience and skills in a variety of aspects, with 20+ years teaching, throughout in the 1980s in Livermore and at the Grand for 12+ years. Despite this strong background, he still believes he is a “work in progress.”

“I have no desire to simply sit down and rest on my laurels – I now expose more original images with both a digital camera and with smartphones 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 (20 years), 4×5 view camera (infrequent).

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

* Styles/Genres – portrait (incl fashion, figure, photojournalistic ‘environmental portraits’ – in studio & on location); landscapes, cityscapes; night imagery, b&w infrared; and abstract/expressive interpretations and photo-impressions.

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

You may contact Richard at rbphoto54@gmail.com for more information about his photography classes!

Natasha always dreamed of being a professional artist, but the harsh realities of life have a way of pushing childhood dreams aside. Leaving her artistic aspirations behind, Natasha found herself working in a corporate profession. Looking for a change, she started teaching art and she loved it. Pushing aside her self-doubts, Natasha spent 15 years helping others discover their creative side. Her confidence in herself and her abilities grew.

Natasha also experienced the therapeutic benefits of art through teaching her students. With her childhood passion rekindled, she was ready to begin a transformative journey. Sketching had been her medium of choice for years. But it became too comfortable, too easy. She wanted to challenge herself. Could she paint? She’d never painted before. Now the paintbrush would express her passion, her vision.
As a self-taught artist, Natasha was determined to find her own way, her own voice. “Mistakes” and “happy accidents” were part of that journey. Now she wants to guide others to help them boost their confidence, take pleasure and heal through painting.

As an art coach and the founder of H-ART Therapy, Natasha believes that “creativity takes courage” and that everyone is an artist and has something to share. Discover the creative passion in you. Whether you’re just starting to paint, been painting for a little while or have been painting for years. We invite you to join the fun in a safe, judgment-free environment.

See you in art class!

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.

After studying Art at Weber State College in Utah, Michelle began teaching young children in all types of Art. She has taught Art at different public and private schools over the years. Each year she enters up to 150 pieces of artwork from her students into The Haggin Museum for Annual McKee Art Exhibit.

Teaching the youth has been rewarding for Michelle, and she believes her enthusiasm for creativity will allow her to continue teaching for a lifetime.

Michelle also teaches adults of every age. She has been teaching at different locations in Folsom, Sacramento, and San Joaquin County for the past 10 years. The Grand Theatre Center for the Arts is another piece of her heart as she has been part of the Art Education Programs since 2016.

Michelle lives on a river where she finds her piece of mind, inspiration, and relaxation. Fishing, swimming, hiking, kayaking, and painting by the water is a part of her daily routine.

Jason Del Rosario is a local artist with a focus on digital drawing. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts Degree from the University of the Pacific. Growing up, Jason was inspired by a myriad of video games, animals, and concept art giving him a penchant for creature creation and character design.

You may contact Jason at jason.delrosario@cityoftracy.org or (209) 831-6276 for more information about his classes!

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!

You may contact Wendy at wendygmusic@hotmail.com for more information about her classes!

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

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.

You may contact Dan at salsaocampo@comcast.net for more information about his classes!

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.

You may contact Jenny at sivapolynesia@yahoo.com for more information about her dance classes!

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!

You may also contact Maria at Dance@bf-rm.org.

Luis, a native of Cuba, studied ballet, modern dance, and Latin percussion from an early age. Since he completed his formal education at the National School of Art Instructors in Havana, Cuba, Luis has taught music and dance, performed, and choreographed extensively throughout Cuba for 20 years.

Luis has enjoyed teaching music and dance to people of all ages, but he especially loved the years spent teaching dance and percussion to deaf children in Guantanamo. His teaching experience in Cuba includes being a dance professor at the Casa de Cultura (Cultural Center) and the Escuela de Arte (Art School) in Guantanamo. He also taught dance music at the Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Guantánamo (Medical University of Guantánamo) and was a choreographer for several dance companies.

Since relocating to California in 2001, Luis has directed and taught Salsa and Afro-Cuban dance workshops throughout the Tri-Valley and Bay Area in various dance studios. He has also taught Salsa and percussion classes in many local schools, such as Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, Livermore High School, California High School in San Ramon, Acalanes High School in Lafayette, etc.

Since 2007, Luis has been an instructor at Las Positas College, teaching Salsa, Zumba, Hip Hop, and Ballroom dances.
In addition to teaching dance, Luis also plays the congas, bongos, and other Latin percussion instruments and performs in many venues throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

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! Carrie has been creating with both clay and glass for over 10 years. While most of her items are created as personal gifts, she has had pieces featured in art shows and the Grand Gallery.

You may contact Carrie at carrie.vandeboom@gmail.com for more information about her classes!

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!

Pierre Voter is the founder of indie-entertainment studio, Sprawling Pictures. Based in Tracy, CA, Sprawling is focused on making educational and entertainment products from a Gen-Z perspective. Sprawling has worked with notable social media creators like Erik Griffin and Matthew Espinosa’s Gen2Gen podcast.

Pierre has trained through Aaron Blaise’s apprenticeship, a Disney-trained animator. Influenced by cartoon channels like Nickelodeon and film studios like A24, Sprawling is excited to bring stories from the Central Valley to new audiences.

To learn more about Sprawling Pictures’ Animation Program please visit their website at www.sprawling.co.

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