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Valeria DeCastro

Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Dance, Music, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Crafts, Film, Media and Visual Communications, Mixed Media, Performance Art, Performers and Writers; artistic director

Education INDIANA UNIVERSITY – Department of French and Italian May 1999 Earned a Masters degree in Italian language and literature. Overall GPA: 3.78 INDIANA UNIVERSITY – Department of French and Italian December 1996 Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Italian Language FUND. UNIVERSIDADE DE BRASILIA – Department of Music, Brasilia, BRAZIL 1982-1987 Studied Composition and Music Education Pedagogy UNIVERSIDADE DE GOIAS – School of Music Goias, BRAZIL 1980 – 1981 Studied Music Education for Children Summary of Skills and Qualifications Cross-disciplinary training with strong holistic pedagogical approach to teaching at professional and college level. Well trained in psychophysical methodologies from around the world. Extensive professional experience as a teacher, performer and artistic director in several countries. Strong background in music, theatre, contemporary dance, Italian literature, Commedia dell’Arte, film studies and videography, with training in mask and clown techniques, mosaic and yoga. Large understanding in means of promoting culture and working with diversity with lifelong experience teaching children and adults. Creative, detail-oriented and flexible. Committed collaborator capable of multi-tasking in a team environment. Reliable, able to perform tasks independently and maintain a high level of productivity on a time-sensitive schedule. Languages: Portuguese – native; Spanish – fluent; English – fluent; Italian – fluent; Art related: singing, guitar playing, composing, theater directing and acting, mosaic techniques, filmmaking, screen writing, contemporary dance, live performance, happening technique Teaching and Teaching Arts (see under: Other experience in interactive artistic and educational activities) Experience with Children: my own children, Music Together, public and private schools, as well as daycare institutions Performing: (see under: Performances and concerts) Props and Stage designer: Mac – Musical Arts Center – Opera Department at Indiana University Outreach: member of the Executive Committee for the Brazilian Association at IU – BAIU – -1994 – 2009 Management: Century 21 – 2003-2005 – Handled contracts, negotiations, and closing processes. Worked with buyers in determining their needs, gathering information and finding suitable properties. Coordinated inspections. Advised sellers with negotiation and provided current market information. Prepared comparative market analysis and designed exclusive strategy to market property. Experience in Education 2005-Present Program Director and Music Teacher Bloomington Music Together LLC Bloomington, IN www.bloomingtonmusictogether.com Teaches classes and also perform classroom teaching duties. Assists instructors in preparation and presentation of classes. Communicate with parents regarding facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures. Confers with teaching staff regarding child’s behavioral or learning problems, and recommends methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences. Purchases instructional materials and serves as an account and office manager. Prepares informational materials for publicity or distribution to class members and to promote institution programs. Speaks before schools and community groups and coordinates promotional and educational events. Reviews and evaluates facility activities, interviews, hires and trains new teachers. Outreach programs: Minority Hispanic communities at St Paul Christian Center – Bloomington, IN Mathers Museum Sing along monthly program – Bloomington, IN Meet the Instruments and pre-school programs at the Wonderlab – Bloomington, IN 2015 Rogers Elementary school Bloomington, IN Inclusion Aid 2014 – current Substitute Teacher for the MCCSC Bloomington, IN Holds a valid Indiana Substitute Teacher Permit. Substitutes for schools in Monroe County ages K-12. Works with inclusion and assistant need students 2013 – January – April Music and Movement Teacher in bilingual context La Paz Community School Guanacaste, Costa Rica Developed and introduced a bilingual music and movement program at the school. Trained classroom teachers. Helped organizing a music performance for the end of the semester. Thought classes and performed classroom teaching duties for children age 3-8. 2012 Music and Movement Teacher in bilingual context Centro de Aprendizaje Educarte by St. Joseph School Guanacaste, Costa Rica Developed and introduced a bilingual music and movement program at the school. Trained classroom teachers. Helped organizing a music performance for the end of the semester. Thought classes and performed classroom teaching duties for children age 1,5 – 3. 2011 Program Developer and Director of Children’s Musical – “Wild Things” Maple Bear Canadian School Brasilia, Brazil Directed the children’s musical program for children age 8 – 12 at the Maple Bear Canadian School of Brasilia. Developed curriculum integrated program based on a story of Maurice Sendak “Where the Wild Things Are”. Worked In conjunction with teachers and volunteer parents to coordinate students work and create the “Wild Things” musical. The students were divided in areas of their interest and participated actively of the process writing the script, creating the scenery, lights, costumes, make up, dancing and acting, playing instruments, creating the music, making posters to advertise and creating a design for the represent of the show. Students were also responsible for doing interviews, documentation and press release for the musical. Created a musical community inside the school involving school staff, teachers, parents and students. 2011 Music and Movement Teacher in Bilingual context Maple Bear Canadian School Brasilia, Brazil Developed and introduced a bilingual music and movement program at the school. Trained classroom teachers. Helped organizing a music performance for the end of the semester. Thought classes and performed classroom teaching duties for preschool, K- 4th grade 2010 Program Director and Music Teacher Music Together do Cerrado Goiania/ Brasilia, Brazil Opened a new Music Together center in Brazil. Directed the center and thought music classes for mixed age children 0 – 5 years old. 2009 Unionville Elementary School – Teacher AID Class Size Monroe County Community School Corporation Bloomington, IN Assisted a third grade teacher in a classroom. Responsible for grading and helping students with their assignments and projects. Worked with small group of special need children (more than 10 % of them are identified as such) to enhance their skills in spelling, math and language as well with their ability of inclusion in the classroom. 1997-2003 Italian Language, Assistant Instructor Department of French and Italian, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN Taught college level Italian language. Developed syllabus. Prepared and reviewed quizzes and exams, Tutored grammar and conversation for students in Italian. 1995 – 97, 2002 Portuguese Language Instructor Kelly Business School, Indiana University Bloomington, IN Taught and tutored Portuguese for college level students. Developed syllabus, quizzes and exams. 1995 – 97, 2002 Portuguese Language Instructor Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Indiana University Bloomington, IN Tutored Portuguese for college level students. 1996 – 98, 2001 Portuguese Language Instructor Center of Global Change, Indiana University Bloomington, IN Taught Portuguese language via interactive video technology. 1996-98, 2001 Multilingual language Interpreter and Translator Bureau of Translation, Indianapolis, IN Translated documents, instruction manuals, texts and audiotapes from English to Italian. Worked as an interpreter for Italian and Portuguese in congresses and conferences Interdisciplinary educational activities: 2016 – Teatro Vida – Directed the musical “Os Saltimbancos” for the Portuguese department at IU. 2015 – Teatro Vida – Co-directed the play “O alto da compadecida” for the Portuguese department at IU 2014 – Teatro Vida – Co-directed the play “A farsa de Ines Pereira” for the Portuguese department at IU 2011 – Wild Things – Directed the children’s musical program for children age 8 – 12 at the Maple Bear Canadian School of Brasilia. Developed curriculum interdisciplinary program based on a story of Maurice Sendak “Where the Wild Things Are”. Worked In conjunction with other subject teachers and volunteer parents to coordinate students work and create the “Wild Things” musical at the Maple Bear Canadian School of Brasilia, Brazil 2008 – co-directed a presentation for the Learning Festival at University Elementary School on the Brazilian “Caipira” dance. 1997-2003 – used film as a Final Oral Exam project for foreign language students – Department of French and Italian, Bloomington IN (VCR format) 1995 -Taught music workshop for fifth grade students at the Elba Ramalho Public School – Trancoso, Brazil 1993 – Co-taught a summer course for children on Mosaic Techniques at the School of Education at IU 1988 – Taught dance for senior citizens at the Centro Cultural Galpaozinho – Brasilia – Brazil 1986 – Joined the Performance Group – Weather Report directed by Maura Baiocchi – Brasilia – Brazil 1985 – Joined the Performance Group – Weird Body directed by Maura Baiocchi – Brasilia – Brazil 1979 Directed the Children’s Musical Os Saltimbancos – (musical adaptation of the “Musicians of Bremen” by Chico Buarque) – Teatro Galpaozinho – Brasilia, Brazil 1978 – O Museu da Emilia – (children’s play written by Monteiro Lobato) – Directed the play – Teatro Galpaozinho – Brasilia, Brazil Director Workshops and Seminars 2015 – Yoga & guided meditation 500 hours certificate – “Institute of Holistic Yoga – Satyananda Ashram” in Miami, FL. 2010- Taanteatro residency workshop in theater and dance with Maura Baiocchi and Wolfgan Paneck– SP, Brazil. 2008 – Directors weekend – Music Together Directors Seminar, Princeton, NJ 2008 – Working with babies in a mixed age class, Chicago, IL 2007 – Teaching Music Together in preschools, Chicago, IL 2006 – Movement and rhythm for Children, Chicago, IL 2006 – Planning a Music Together class, Chicago IL 2005 – Introducing Music Together: How Children Grow Musically and How You Can Help, Princeton, NJ 2005 – Teaching Music Together: Understanding and Enhancing the Young Child’s Music Development, Princeton, NJ 1989 – Italian Diction for Theater – Centro Teatro Attivo – Milan, Italy 1988 – El mondo della Commedia – Centro Teatro Attivo – Milan, Italy 1990 – Workshop in Modern Mosaic with Cinzia Prestigiacomo, Milan – Italy Honors and Awards High Scholastic Achievement at Indiana University during the year preceding Founders Day 1997; Certificate of Merit for outstanding submission for the Indiana University Student Essay Contest Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Fulbright Program 1996 Certificate of Appreciation in promoting international awareness via interactive video technology On behalf of Indiana University, 2000-2001 Graduate Minority Fellowship for graduate study at Indiana University 2001

Brandon Douthitt

Performing Arts: Music

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana at the age of 11, Brandon Douthitt picked up a saxophone for the first time, beginning his musical journey. Now based in Queens, NY, Brandon has performed at festivals and venues throughout the United States such as the Indy Jazz Fest, CUNY Jazz Festival, AFROPUNK, Radio City Music Hall, City Winery NYC, The Jazz Kitchen, the Vogue, the Chatterbox, National Sawdust, Groove NYC, Silvana, Shrine, Highline Ballroom, and Williamsburg Music Center. He has been able to share the stage with musical talents like Jeff Coffin, Solange Knowles, Bill Cunliffe, Melvin Rhyne, and Michael Philip Mossman. A recent graduate of Queens College with a Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance, Brandon studied under the tutelage of Antonio Hart and Tim Armacost. He also had the pleasure of learning from Michael Mossman, David Berkman, Jeb Patton, and Dennis Mackrel. While at Queens College, he collaborated with a considerable amount of his colleagues in different configurations and situations. Upon his graduation, Brandon was awarded the prestigious Jimmy Heath Award. He began his undergraduate studies at Butler University in 2011, where he studied saxophone with Dr. Matt Pivec and Nick Brightman. Brandon also studied clarinet with Shawn Goodman and piano with Gary Walters. He performed with the Clifford Ratliff Big Band, Butler Saxophone Quartet, Wind Ensemble and served as lead alto saxophone of the Butler Jazz Ensemble. Brandon was also selected to be a “Music and More” student ambassador. During his final year he was honored with an Indianapolis Jazz Foundation scholarship. In 2015, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. Following his graduation, he matriculated to Queens College to further his studies. As a high school senior, Brandon was selected as the lead alto saxophone for the Indiana All State Big Band and received the Frank “Tooth” Mantooth Outstanding Musician award at the Larry McWilliams Dimensions in Jazz Festival at Ball State University. In addition to performing, Brandon currently maintains a studio of students at Keiko Studios and has been teaching at the Butler University Summer Jazz Camp since 2011.

Vandi Enzor

Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Dance, Music, Radio/Television, Storytelling, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Crafts, Film, Performance Art, Performers and Writers, Photography

Vandi Enzor recently moved to the Indianapolis area after graduating with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from The University of Akron. Prior to pursuing a graduate degree with a focus on opera, Vandi attended Shorter College and graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater and minored in theater and piano. Vandi has performed professionally as a classically trained opera singer, in church and sacred music, as a jazz musician, in musical theater and straight theater, and as a stage combatant. She has done some film, and hopes to continue exploring film more in the future. Vandi has narrated over 40 audiobooks and currently teaches private voice and piano lessons at Meridian Music School in Carmel, Indiana. Vandi enjoys working with sound, lighting, hair and makeup design, in PR, stage managing, and many other technical aspects of live theater. She has been Artistic Director for M3 Theater Camp for the past two years and has written 3 plays. Some of Vandi’s favorite roles have been Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel, Bastienne in Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne, Gaby in Romberg and Eysler’s The Blue Paradise, Jill in Bradshaw’s The Worst One Ever, and Penelope in the short film Penelope’s Revenge. Vandi also greatly enjoyed performing at the Vianden International Music Festival in Luxembourg in 2016, at the Crittenden Opera Workshop in Washington DC in 2017, and singing in the world premier of the ballet Snow White and the Magic Mirror. Vandi hopes to continue growing as an artist and performer in the future; her greatest passion is a collaboration of all aspects of the arts and sharing something with the world that connects with people and creates a lasting impact.

Rick and Holly Garrett

Performing Arts: Music, Storytelling, Vocal

Rick and Holly Garrett, Patchwork, are an acoustic duo based out of Indianapolis. Both sing, Rick plays guitar, hammer dulcimer and mountain dulcimer, Holly, fiddle, and mandolin. Our music includes bluegrass, traditional Celtic, traditional and contemporary folk, singer/songwriter, and old timey.

Hot Horns

Performing Arts: Music

Hot Horns – “New Orleans” inspired Horn Band is a vibrant, award winning, internationally acclaimed, professional touring ensemble. Hot Horns regularly travels the United States presenting concerts, interactive educational concerts and master-classes in concert halls, theatres, and at primary and secondary schools, and universities. Led by trumpeter, Glen Johnson, Hot Horns is the premiere educational ensemble of its kind. Unique to Hot Horns is its all-inclusive instrumentation and its burnin’ arrangements. Hot Horns incorporates its trademark combinations of various brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments, all performed by six friendly, enthusiastic musicians with backgrounds in education. The group performs various genres of music from classical to jazz, rock to pop and more, thanks to the talents of various arrangers. Hot Horns is launching into a new and exciting musical journey, forging an innovative, entertaining way to perform all music. Hot Horns is raising the bar to a superior level by performing brass quintet music ranging from “Bach to Rock” with the addition of non-traditional brass quintet instruments. Hot Horns ambition is to change “Sound” through instrumentation so the audience will have a unique and different from the normal aural experience, while preserving the quality, complexity, and excitement of all music. Hot Horns is affiliated with many different Arts Councils from coast to coast. Hot Horns in keeping with the traditional brass quintet format, can now take the student / teacher educational interactive experience to a higher level. Hot Horns can now utilize and demonstrate to the student’s woodwind instruments and how they are used in conjunction with the brass instruments, and percussion. These new elements when joined together enable Hot Horns to extend their reach to additional students and expand their teaching capabilities through master classes and educational performances. Hot Horns mission, is to preserve and perform to the highest level, all varieties of music ranging from “Bach to Rock.” Hot Horns professionalism, musicianship, technical virtuosity, entertainment, integrity, and education are unmatched and unchallenged. Hot Horns performances will leave you astonished and amazed, keeping Hot Horns a formidable force in the music world. The ensemble was originally founded in 1995. Since that time, Hot Horns has toured all lower 48 states and has toured Korea (1999), received first prize at the New York Brass Conference – International Brass Quintet Competition (2003).

The Magic Comic- Jamahl Keyes

Performing Arts: Music, Storytelling, Theatre; Visual Arts: Performance Art; Magician, Comedian

By combining his improvisational comical skills, audience participation mix with his out-the-box magic tricks he turns a magic show into a Magical Family Friendly Fun event. A TRULY FAMILY, FRIENDLY FUN MAGIC SHOW! Through audience participation, live music, clean comedy and Mind Boggling Magic Tricks for private engagements, special events and theaters. The Magic Comic- Jamahl Keyes theatrical performance weaves his fast pace energy, improvisational talents and comedic wit to ensure a tailor-made magical experience for your specific event entertainment needs.

Devon Kondaki

Graphic Arts; Literary Arts; Performing Arts: Music, Storytelling

Devon Kondaki is an author/illustrator of picture books.

Peggy Melchior

Performing Arts: Theatre; Puppetry

Melchior builds puppets for both personal and commissioned use. She also designs theater sets for puppetry, is involved in theater management (including marketing and teaching), and performs year-round in local theaters and all over the world. She offers programs for youth on-site and in her facility. Founder of Peewinkle’s Puppet Studio, downtown Indianapolis, IN www.peewinklespuppets.org Founder of Melchior Marionette Theatre, downtown Nashville, IN www.melchiormarionette.com

Cathy Morris

Performing Arts: Music

Electric violinist Cathy Morris is a regular on concert stages where she combines contemporary jazz originals with familiar standards. With five albums under her name, she most recently re-invented her sound in the Brazilian jazz arena. Dedicated to education, Morris conducts youth workshops, performs at convocations, and works as a solo artist with student and community orchestras.

Yuriria Rodriguez

Performing Arts: Music, Vocal

Yuriria Rodríguez Bio Costa Rican soprano Yuriria Rodríguez holds the rare privilege of being able to sing in both classical and popular styles with great professionalism, expression, and accuracy of style. Reviews have praised Ms. Rodríguez as a singer “with a beautiful voice which recalls a force of nature” (Herald Times, Bloomington, IN), and as “The real deal” (Fanfare , November 2011, USA). In 2006, she sang the role of Maria in the tango-operita by A. Piazzolla and H.Ferrer, Maria de Buenos Aires, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, receiving a standing ovation in a sold out performance. In the classical realm, Ms. Rodríguez also successfully performed known roles such as Despina in W.A. Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte (Costa Rica) and Mimí in Puccini’s La Bohème (Costa Rica), as well as new opera roles, such as Chanfalla in G. Diriés Puppeteer’s String, and One of the Three Rosales sisters in Indiana University’s collegiate premiere of Oswaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar, conducted by Carmen Helena Téllez. Ms. Rodríguez holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music from Indiana University—Jacobs School of Music, where she studied with Teresa Kubiak and Carlos Montané and Mary Ann Hart. As a member of El Taller, at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music, she had the opportunity to share the stage with prominent guest musicians and Jacobs School of Music faculty, such as Grammy Award Winners Pablo Ziegler, Pablo Aslan, Michael Spiro, Gonzalo Grau and Sylvia McNair among many others. She has been a winner at the National Society of Arts and Letters voice competition, in Bloomington, Indiana, and a winner of the 9th Annual Competition in the Performance of Music from Spain and Latin America, which allowed her to tour the United States as an artist sponsored by the Embassy of Spain, giving recitals of Zarzuela and Latin American/Spanish Art Song. Among other honors received while in school, she was awarded the Olimpia Barbera scholarship from the Latin American Music Center at IU to pursue studies in voice at the level of Master in Music. Other solo performances include the Mozart’s Requiem conducted by Richard Tang Yuk at Indiana University. She debuted at the Indiana Opera program as Suor Osmina in the 2011 production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and was casted again that summer to sing for the new opera The Tales of Lady Thi Kihn, by P. Q. Phan. In 2011 she sang the Soprano II role in Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor with the Philharmonic of Kalamazoo in the Bach Festival in Kalamazoo, MI, conducted by Prof. James Turner. Recently, Yuriria sang the role of Sombra, in the world premiere and +30 performances of Gabriela Ortiz’s Ana y su Sombra, commissioned by Reimagining Opera for Kids, a local Opera Company that Yuriria is proudly part of, and that performs all year round. Last year, Yuriria was called to be the cover for the role of Mimi in Costa Rica’s National Lyric Opera Production of La Bohème. Currently, Yuriria works as Associate Director of Hispanic Music at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, where she conducts the Coro Latinoamericano and develops a bilingual choral program for early music learners. Occasionally, she can be heard singing as a guest soloist for the Choir of Men and Choristers of Christ Church. Because of her achievements, artistry and work in both Popular and Classical singing in the American Mid-West, last year, the United States granted her the E11 Visa for Individuals of Extraordinary Ability in the Field of the Arts.

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