Our Programs

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 

Jason Abide is incredibly passionate about natural clay as an artistic medium. He has been working in clay since about 2002 and sharing this passion with others through his teaching for over 17 years. His journey with clay began in the pottery studio at Delta State University where he first saw, and began making, functional pottery on the potter’s wheel, but soon his passion grew to include clay sculpture and clay tile mosaics. He has taught clay scultpture to adults and children in a multitude of settings, and has taught the potter’s wheel / wheelthrowing at the Carrboro ArtsCenter for over 16 years. Along with his pottery classes he teaches week long residencies where large groups of students create large scale tile mosaics that are then installed at the schools. Examples of his pottery and tile work can be found at his website: www.reallyprettycardinals.com

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. 

Tamla Boone is a versatile artist who channels her creativity through a myriad of mediums to craft captivating visual art. Her artistic endeavors span a diverse range of materials, including natural compounds, ceramics, paint, wood, metal, and glass. As an Art Educator, Tamla imparts her knowledge and passion to students of all ages across various settings.
<div>
</div><div>Her extensive experience includes fruitful collaborations with educational institutions, Science Centers, Historical Sites, Arts and History Centers. Tamla’s adventurous spirit has led her to extraordinary experiences such as traveling by horse and buggy, residing in Civil War Forts, orchestrating controlled explosions, and even daring feats like setting herself on fire – all in pursuing her artistic passions.
</div><div>Driven by a deep love for teaching, craftsmanship, history, and exploration, Tamla serves as a resident artist with esteemed organizations like Granville County Schools, Durham Arts Council, Carrboro Arts, Asheville Taapas, and Odyssey Clayworks. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from UNC Chapel Hill, a Master of Arts in Teaching in Art from UNC Pembroke, and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics at ECU. Tamla Boone’s dedication to artistry and education shines brightly through her adventurous spirit and unwavering commitment to her craft.

“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.” 

Heather Pike is a lifelong dancer who grew up in North Carolina. Heather received her BFA in Dance Education from East Carolina University, graduating magna cum laude, and was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award in Dance Education. Since then she has taught various levels of ballet and creative dance in several different settings including Arts Together in Raleigh and the American Dance Festival’s Samuel H. Scripps Studio in Durham. She has been an instructor at Barriskill Dance Theatre School for 17 years in pre-ballet and conservatory level ballet. Heather also works as a teaching artist, bringing dance to students in public schools including those with disabilities. She has worked as a teaching artist through the educational outreach program at the Carolina Ballet and currently with the United Arts Council and the Arts Center Artist in Residency program. She is active in the local dance community and continues to train and perform around the region including her past work as director of Blank Slate Dance and performances at the Greensboro Fringe Festival, Richmond Dance Festival, and the NC Dance Festival. Through her work as a teaching artist, she has presented at various conferences for organizations including ArtsR4Life, A+schools, and Arts Access Inc. Heather is currently pursuing her Masters in Dance Education at UNCG. 

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 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 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 Danford has earned both a BFA in Theater Arts from West Virginia University and an MFA in Acting from The School of Arts at Pennsylvania State University. For over 25 years she has lived and worked in New York City and the Triangle area balancing her career as a professional actor, choreographer, director, producer, drama instructor and coach, arts administrator, and social justice artist. She co-founded Broad Horizons Theatre Company in NYC, has worked for UNC, Elon, NC School of Science and Math, Durham School of the Arts, Cary Academy, The Durham Arts Council, and many additional schools and institutions. She has been a part of The ArtsCenter famiy since 2003 and is passionate about arts education and empowering youth. One of her favorite projects was choreographing the musical Oliver for Playmakers Repertory Theatre’s first joint production with The ArtsCenter (TAC) in Carrboro. She is currently the middle and high school theater instructor and director at The Hawbridge School in Saxapahaw, NC. 

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! 

Tarish Pipkins known as Jeghetto, is a self taught master builder and puppeteer.  

His puppets are abstract moving sculptures made of mostly found and recycled materials. He has received two grants from the Jim Henson Foundation for his stage production titled “5P1N0K10” (Spinokio) He has also received a grant from Heather Henson’s Handmade Puppet Dreams film company to adapt 5P1N0K10 into a short film. Now he is a board member of the Jim Henson Foundation. Jeghetto has worked with Missy Elliott, Pharrell Williams, Alec Baldwin and a few other celebrities on music videos, commercials and television.  

You can find out more about him at jeghetto.com