About
I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, with diversity right on my front stoop. With the freedom to explore on my own at a young age, my map of “normal” and everyday life expanded significantly. Religious, cultural, and socio-economic differences were woven into my understanding of the world through games of tag and meals at my neighbors’ houses. When I was eight years-old, my parents took my family to a spiritual center in India where I witnessed both the intense poverty and breathtaking beauty of a world that felt completely different from my own. My eyes opened and my heart filled. Throughout my adventures in childhood and then into adulthood my perspective continued to grow, and it became clear to me that creativity was a universal language. Whether it was food, art, movement, music or games- creativity and play provided a meeting point for every body and every voice. Becoming an artist and Expressive Arts teacher was not only a continuation of my personal love of art, but also a continuation of my hunt for these meeting points, these middle grounds where it is safe and celebrated to show up and share your story.
I received my Masters in Art Education at Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. I have since been inspired by children and families all across the country: from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, where I designed and taught museum-based workshops; to a therapeutic high school in Massachusetts, where I created art curricula to connect my students to art, community and a deeper sense of personal strength. After becoming a mother, I began teaching parent-toddler and preschool art classes in Northern California where I fell in love with art-making all over again. My young students’ fearless creativity rekindled my passion and dedication to the creative process and left me asking the questions, "where does this effortless creativity go as we age, and how can we access it again?" I have been determined ever since to create openings for my students to access their inner creators, courageously playing with art once again.
As my teaching career continued, whether I was in a museum with families or a wellness center with teens, I was dedicated to finding ways to support my students’ wellness. Mindfulness was a consistent thread throughout my teaching as I expanded from Art Education to Expressive Arts. During the Pandemic, I earned my certification in Social Emotional Arts through UCLA’s online program, re-fueling my natural inclination toward art as therapy. Training to offer self-care tools for managing stress responses deepened my motivation to connect art and mindfulness practices, and I soon began offering expressive arts sessions over zoom to support my community. It has been a privilege leading mindful art workshops and trainings here in Massachusetts, guiding participants through breath, sound and movement tools combined with mindful mark-making and process-oriented art.
My Teaching Style and Philosophy
My goal as an art educator and Expressive Arts teacher is to facilitate nonjudgmental experiences that foster self- discovery, self-reflection and ultimately self-care. Social Emotional Arts Education is founded on the belief that artistic expression serves as a medium for nonverbal communication, offering pathways for emotional exploration and connection. Actively engaging in artistic practices stimulates the brain, strengthening emotional regulation and resilience while promoting positive emotions. Through creative experiences, my students are empowered to express themselves authentically, growing a sense of agency and connection.
With over twenty years of teaching, I have filled my apron pockets with a rich collection of experiences and tools. I carefully prepare classes and workshops, mindfully choosing themes and materials specific to my students’ needs, hopes and dreams. My classes and workshops incorporate nature, movement, writing and storytelling. I create alongside my students, making “mistakes” and discoveries along the way, introducing numerous and untraditional tools to keep the process fun and surprising. I am dedicated to breaking the rules of how art “should” be made and pushing the boundary of what art “should” look like.
