""Photo of children in group performance on a stage in colorful costumes

About our Artist in
Residency Program

The Artist in Residence (AIR) Program is made possible through a collaboration with The ArtsCenter and the Orange County School district. This program brings two arts initiatives to nearly 2,000 students across five Title 1 focus schools in Orange County: Central Elementary, Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary, Grady Brown Elementary, New Hope Elementary, and Pathways Elementary.

AIR Program Goals
• Increase arts education access in local school districts.
• Integrate arts education into classroom curriculum to inspire artistic creativity and enrich student learning.
• Collaborate with grade level teachers, school administration, and district leaders to offer programming that best responds to the needs of the district community.
• Offer professional arts experiences and performances for district students. 

This program has been generously supported by Orange County Arts Commission, North Carolina Arts Council, and Duke Health. 

What our teachers say

“I admire Mrs. Willa's work, with her charm and way of teaching. For the first time I saw all my students attentive throughout the entire time. As a teacher, I also learned from her how songs help my students remember the instructions.” 
“A few students in particular who may not normally participate when discussing academic things were incredibly engaged and participating while Mr. Jason was here. It was really cool to see many students light up and/or challenge themselves in new ways.” 
“I have one student that is really quiet and laid back. With all the musical fun, art, and instruments, this student came out of his shell and happily participated with the group.” 

Meet Our Teachers

Micky Hickey

(AIR Program Coordinator)

Micky Hickey (they/them) is a teaching artist and facilitator who values increasing access to arts as a mechanism for creative expression. An artist themselves, Micky is passionate about the intersections of community building, education, arts expression, and advocacy. With an MBA in Sustainable Leadership and a BA in Regenerative Ecological Development, they often solve problems from a holistic systems point of view. In addition to working at the ArtsCenter, Micky currently teaches violin and viola in Durham, NC.

Braima Moiwai

Braima Moiwai studied History and Geography at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone in 1983 and taught high school for five years before migrating to the United States in 1986. He has been a CAPS (Creative Arts in Public and Private Schools) Artist since 1987.

He has conducted workshops and performances at the Stone Mountains-Ga, Stagville Plantation-NC, Tryon Palace-NC, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Charleston-SC, Somerset Place, Caswell, NC and performed in numerous schools and Museums in southeastern United States. He’s written as well as featured in many articles in the News and Observer, Indy week, and The Walter Magazine 2017. Braima was portrayed as a Gullah musician in the Hollywood movie, The Patriot, with Mel Gibson. Photo credit: Natalia Weedy, 2020

Charles Pettee

Charles Petee (www.charlespetee.com), guitar and mandolin-wielding songwriter from Asheville, NC, loves sharing not only the catchy rhythms of NC Bluegrass and Folk music, but also the segregation-defying stories behind this culturally diverse tapestry of sounds. Transitioning from fronting Chapel Hill, NC’s world-traveling Bluegrass band The Shady Grove Band for over 25 years, Mr. Petee has become an accomplished teaching artist and music educator whose programs and residencies are in high demand throughout North and South Carolina. Petee offers several age-adjusted presentations that align with NC Essential Standards for both Music and Social Studies for grades preK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, as well as adults. He performs at festivals and special events with many of NC’s finest acoustic musicians, and with his son, guitar player Jackson Petee, under the name “Slippery Hill.” Petee has logged over 6,000 performances over the course of his career, and has recently begun work on his 14th CD/album.

Jason Abide

has been making pottery and ceramic art since 2002. He endeavors to share his enthusiasm for his craft through the work he makes and the classes he teaches. Jason builds ceramic murals with his students to create community projects that are permanently installed in the focus schools.

Jason Mullinax

Jason is a songwriter, percussionist, videographer, educator and music enthusiast with over 30 years of drumming and performance experience. He’s written soundtracks for documentaries and films and has considerable experience recording, producing and releasing original material on his own record label and YouTube channel.
Jason teaches drum set and electronic music production to adults and children and facilitates music workshops that emphasize creativity, instrument building and demystifying the music-making process. He’s a recent transplant from the DC metro region and is excited to be a member of the Carrboro community.

Matt Sandbank

Matt Sandbank has toured nationally with his shadow puppetry programs since 2009. As a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville’s creative writing program and a former middle school teacher, Matt brings his love of literature and his knack for vivid storytelling to each of his performances. Some performances of note include the 2015 San Antonio International Children’s Puppetry Festival, the 2019 Puppeteers of America National Festival, and the 2021 DLECTRICITY Exhibition of Light and Art. Matt’s show, “Still Life” was awarded support from the Puppeteers of America Rose Endowment Grant Fund.

Rosendo Peña

Rosendo Peña is a highly accomplished percussionist and dedicated teacher, recognized for his exceptional skills and passion for music. With a career spanning over three decades, Rosendo has established himself as a versatile performer, proficient in various percussion instruments and genres. His captivating performances have enthralled audiences in some countries, showcasing his technical prowess and expressive artistry. Alongside his performing career, Rosendo is deeply committed to music education, inspiring and nurturing the next generation of musician in El Sistema Venezuela and in El Sistema USA. Through his engaging teaching style and mentorship, he instills a love for music and encourages students to explore their creative potential. Rosendo Peña’s profound musicality and commitment to education make him a respected figure in the percussion community.

Taari Felice

Taari felice is an artivist looking to find truth through the way love expresses itself on Earth; creating whatever they can to tell the stories that seek them, find them, trust them. They spend a lot of time thinking about the ways that individualism, exceptionalism, and many of the other -isms of the world have jaded love and actively work to keep us separated from both each other and the earth itself. Taari does a lot of work with the youth, believing that all of those -isms that have closed many of us off found us quietly in childhood and kept us from recognizing our true creative potential, the connection we have and respect we owe the Earth and each other. They create to express and release some of the deep pain felt from the ways so many of us are systematically deprioritized; how decisions made about us, without us, are never for us. They create, seeking connection with those who know that a better world is possible and are ready to build it. Taari currently lives in Durham.

Virginia Queen

Virginia is an arts educator, administrator, actor, choreographer, director and social justice artist. She has worked in these fields for over 25 years and has been a part of The ArtsCenter family teaching a variety of programs for close to 20 years. When teaching residencies for the AIR program, she integrates drama, poetry, performance, dance, movement and writing into K-12 curriculums. She is a founder of the AIR program, the AIR coordinator for 8 years, and continues to serve as a teaching artist mentor for the program.

Willa Brigham

Willa Brigham, is an avid writer of short stories, poetry and songs. She is the host and TV personality of the Emmy winning television show, “Smart Start Kids” produced by WRAL-TV and a nationally recognized inspirational speaker. Willa uses her many talents and contagious energy to stimulate audiences of all ages to join her on a quest for excitement, adventure, and a joyous tour of your creative imagination. Her goal is to empower children and adults via the spoken word to believe in themselves. Presentations are educational, motivational, inspirational and downright entertaining. Willa will inspire you to laugh and ponder her message. Each program is designed with your specific needs in mind. Willa has a passion for entertaining and bringing laughter to audiences of all ages. A morning, afternoon, or evening with Willa will simply make you, and everyone around you, feel good!

Gallery

Learn more about us