Hip Hop & Bellydancer of the Universe- she is LEAF-tastic to learn to dance with! Lisa is a powerful and dynamic performer and an engaging and disciplined instructor specializing in bellydance, urban fusion and Indian dance. As an in demand workshop instructor, Lisa travels around the country and teaches international workshops in southern France. Lisa is based in Asheville where she owns Evolve Dance and Studio Zahiya, a studio dedicated to empowering dancers to find their voice in dance.  Lisa works with children and women with body issues, using dance as a tool for self-discovery and healing. Lisa has been a resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets since 2008. She earned the title of “Tribal Fusion Bellydancer of the Universe” in 2008, winning a competition in Long Beach, CA and won the Alternative Category at Wiggles of the West 2009. www.lisazahiya.com

Bobby Fish | Taiko Drumming

Bobby Fish has been a professional percussion performer and educator since 1995.  In his hometown of Houston, TX, Bobby performed under world-renowned orchestra conductors, gave premiere performances of new music compositions, and acted as principal timpanist and principal percussionist on a Grammy®-semifinalist recording.  He has directed various scholastic percussion programs over the years—including the nationally-recognized High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Houston, TX) and Bands of America standout West Johnston High School (Benson, NC).  Bobby completed coursework for the Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance at Appalachian State University, where he was a Chancellor’s Fellow and winner of the ASU Concerto Competition.  Perhaps his most important work has been as founder and director of Davidson River Taiko—a Japanese-style drumming ensemble for high-risk youth in Brevard, NC—and he is completing an additional Master’s research thesis on American Taiko.  Bobby is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society and the Association for Experiential Education, and he is an Educational Artist for Remo drum heads and world percussion, Paiste Cymbals, and ProMark sticks and mallets.

Kenya Webster | African Drumming
Montford Center ~ supported by Montford Neighborhood Association
Woodridge Learning Center ~ supported by LEAF Membership/Asheville Area Arts Council & Children First/Communities in Schools

African Drumming! Kenya also known as Goundo Diabate is an educator, musician, teacher, performer and lecturer.  Kenya serves as the director for the Shiloh Community Center and was the previous Future Vision Director for the YWCA of Asheville’s Teen Programs. Kenya looks after/coordinates a team providing opportunities for all voices to be heard, especially the voices of the arts. Kenya’s approach is often times seen as holistic, therapeutic and inclusive. Kenya’s degree is in Music from Brevard College and has continued to incorporate her love for music and the arts in every aspect of her life. Kenya is very passionate about African Drumming and the collaboration of the arts international.  She had the pleasure of residing in Mali, West Africa and has hopes of returning “home again” soon as she prepares to lead others aboard for the experience of a lifetime Join Kenya in discovering the past, the present and the future of a people through the sounds of music- dynamic, so powerful, so engaging yet so foreign so that our youth of tomorrow might shine on the forefront of society through the realm of music. Kenya has been a resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets since 2008.

Imhotep | New Orleans Drum Line
Klondyke Housing Community ~ supported by Downtown After 5 – Asheville Downtown Association
Pisgah View Learning Center ~ supported by West Riverside Operation Weed & Seed & Children First/Communities in Schools

Imhotep is a Mardi Gras Indian from New Orleans, LA that relocated to Asheville.  He teaches song and drumming to local youth out of his passion for carrying on the musical traditions of his New Orleans culture.  Currently, Imhotep is a drummer for a number of bands, including the “Absurdist Gypsy Folk Funk Punk” band Sirius.B, and for Rising Appalachia.  When Imhotep is not teaching, rehearsing or performing he does work for Alternative Roots, a group that provides support to artists by helping them find gigs and venues, and Red Zebra, a company that creates drumming exercises for corporate team building.  His up and coming projects include producing a new band in Asheville and appearing in a local movie called Wanderlust. Imhotep has been a resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets since 2005.

Gary Bradley | Jazz
Delta House at Asheville Middle School~ supported by The Dan Lucas Memorial Fund

Gary hails from the New England area where he began his music education and saxophone studies. He studied at Housatonic College and played R&B, Top 40, and Jazz in the New EngIand area. Gary continued his education at LACC and in private study in Los Angeles. He has played with Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, James Ingram, and has done Film and TV recording, including associations with Pepsi, Levi Corp., Nike Corp., George Forman, and others. Gary also teaches at Asheville Music School since 1999. Gary is a new resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets hired in January 2011.


Nina Ruffini | Circus Arts
Asheville Middle School – In Real Life (IRL) After-School Program ~ supported by LEAF Membership

Art, Puppetry & Movement. Nina is a master of art and a theatre She is a puppeteer with P. O'Connor Puppetry. Her hand printed clothing and original artwork have been available in stores in downtown Asheville. She has co-written and performed her own works of puppetry from Maine to NC. She is currently a member of the Asheville-based Runaway Circus that has performed in Guatemala, Canada, and most of the United States. Nina also has her artwork displayed on city buses in Asheville - with the Art in Transit project. Nina has been a resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets since 2008.

Erinn Huntley | Theater
Asheville Middle School – In Real Life (IRL) After-School Program ~ supported by LEAF Membership

Creative Theatre! Erinn founded Anam Cara Theatre Company (ACTC), with the mission of creating socially progressive theatre in her community. Most recently, she directed and performed in a production of The Vagina Monologues for ACTC, raising funds for a local women's resource center. In addition to serving as an artistic director, Erinn works at the YWCA of Asheville in the After-School and Summer Camp programs, where she develops drama programs. Erinn has her MFA in design and technology for theatre. She worked in the Twin Cities for several years as a freelance designer and scenic artist and has taught various workshops in the theatrical arts to people of many different ages and abilities. Erinn has been a resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets since 2008.


Amy Hamilton | Creative Movement/Dance
Enka Middle School ~ supported by 21st Century Community Learning Center with the YMCA/Buncombe County Schools

Creative Movement Dance! Amy is a second generation dancer who grew up both backstage and onstage and has worked with internationally known choreographers Vera Mantero, Doug Elkins, Ronald K. Brown and Micheal Jahoda. She has taught, performed and choreographed in New York, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Peru. She has presented her original choreography at Dixon Place, the Angel Orensanz Center, El Centro Cultural de Espana de Lima, and the Asheville Fringe Festival, where she recently performed with her daughter as part of the Pipsissewa Movement Project. She teaches locally at Vance Elementary School and the Asheville Culture Project. Amy is a LEAF in Schools & Streets Resident Teaching Artist with the 21st Century program at Enka Middle School with the YMCA of Western NC and Buncombe County Schools.  Amy has been a resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets since 2010.


Ben Gradison | Hip Hop Music Production
Randolph Learning Center* – In Real Life (IRL) After-School Program ~ supported by 21st Century Community Learning Center with the City of Asheville * Asheville Middle School students can also participate in this program

Ben Gradison has been a player of many forms, a student and teacher of many different things, as well as a student and teacher of very different people. A substitute pre-K-12 in all subjects then a Teaching Assistant in a K-1-2 classroom, studied political science and wants to “create things that are positive, powerful and authentic" in his work with young people. Ben is a new resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets hired in January 2011.


Lola York | Hip Hop Dance
Asheville Middle School* – In Real Life (IRL) After-School Program ~ supported by 21st Century Community Learning Center with the City of Asheville *Randolph Learning Center can also participate in this program

Lola York was born deep in the Appalachian mountains of Southwestern Virginia. She is the daughter of an ex-coal miner and inventor (father), and of an opera singer and wine list author (mother). She is a visual and performing artist, having exhibited her paintings throughout the Southeast, choreographed and produced numerous dances for both stage and film, and performed the work of over 18 choreographers across the United States. Lola York has taught classical ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, creative movement, and world dance forms since 2003. As an educator, she has written sample curricula for dance as arts education in public school systems and designed immersive summer dance programs for children in private studio settings. Outside of the studio, Lola can be found chanting, drinking tea, having long talks, playing dress up, camping, and publicly displaying her affection for musician Danny Tetrault. Lola holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Dance with high honors from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA, and is an IYKTA certified Kundalini Yoga teacher. She is a member of Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre and teaches throughout Western North Carolina. Lola is a new resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets hired in January 2011.