Faculty

Evan Andrae (Support Musician and Language Artist) earned his master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He has taught seventh grade language arts at Meadville Area Middle School for the past seven years. In his free time he enjoys playing music, reading, and tinkering with technology.

Brynya Bowden will be a 2014 graduate of Allegheny College where she is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Dance and Movement Studies. This is her second year working with the Summer Landscapes "Food for Thought" program. She is passionate about taking a holistic approach to nutrition.

Michael Cain (PM Players Co-Coordinator) is an author, artist, mathematician, and an award winning educator with 27 years of experience. He brings a dynamic approach to art and education that is engaging and inspiring.

Richard Freysinger (Players Vocal Music Instructor and Apprentice Co-Coordinator) holds a BA in Math and Music Education from the University of Michigan and a M.M. in Music education from Duquesne University. Richard currently teaches math at Linesville High School. He performs in NW Pennsylvania music venues.

Debbie Gifford (Pre-Kindergarten Program Coordinator) is the Program Coordinator at PENNCREST Thurston House. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Preschool, Family and Consumer Sciences. Debbie and Pete first initiated, then coordinated, the Pre-Kindergarten program for 17 years.

Janace Gifford (Pre-Kindergarten Movement Co-Coordinator) is a 2011 graduate of MASH. As a college sophomore she is pursuing a major in neuroscience. Janace coordinates the movement for Pre-K along with Grace Mennell.

Pete Gifford (Pre-Kindergarten Program Co-Coordinator) is the Systems Manager in Administrative Computing Services at Allegheny College. He plays the guitar and piano and enjoys reading and writing local history.

Jan Hyatt MFA, Ed.D. (Landscapes Program Coordinator): is a recipient of the Ohio Governor's Award for Arts Education and the Julian Ross Prize for Excellence in Teaching from Allegheny College where she conceived and co-ordinated the Dance Studies Program from 1982-2004.

Jill Hyatt '99 M.E.D. is in her 12th year with Creating Landscapes. She has taught science and movement at all levels of the program. She is the secondary gifted support teacher at Crawford Central School District.

John Hyatt (Program Co-Coordinator, Players coordinator, Landscapes Original Music CD Producer) is a social studies teacher in the Crawford Central School District. John also teaches guitar and performs throughout Northwest Pennsylvania and in 2005 was named to Who's Who in American Teachers.

Joyce Klasen (Novice coordinator) has a B.S. in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. As a recently retired school teacher, she is dedicated to the arts, education and building community through her work as Education Director of Creating Landscapes for Families. Her favorite times are spent playing with her three wonderful grandchildren.

Shari Karn Mastalski M.S. (Apprentice Dance and PM Player movement support) practices sustainable systems, landscape design, creative dance and other active arts for life. Shari tells stories through words and movement and offers an innovative approach to engage everyone in transformation.

Bob Shields (Players and Apprentice Math Instructor) has a BA Mathematics, an M.A. in Ceramics and is certified to teach in both disciplines. Currently he is a STEM instructional math coach employed by Intermediate Unit #5.

Betsy Sumerfield (Players Co-Coordinator and rhythm and dance instructor) graduated with a B. A. in Communication Arts/Theatre from Allegheny College. She has a Masters Degree for Theatre and Dance from American University in Washington DC. Betsy teaches dance at Allegheny College.

Brenna Thummler (Creating Landscapes Book Editor & Photographer) is a fourteen year veteran of the Creating Landscapes Program, having entered the Pre-K Program in 1998. She is currently pursuing a degree in illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Brian Thummler (Players and Apprentice art instructor, and Creating Landscapes Website Designer and Manager) is a visual artist and puppeteer. He holds a BFA in drawing, BA in Psychology from Edinboro University of PA. He is a teaching artist in the Allegheny College Middle and High Schools Gifted/Talented Programs.

Amber Potts Van Dusen (Novice Art Instructor) hold a BFA in sculpture from Edinboro University of PA. She is a teaching artist at the Creating Landscapes Learning Center K-4 School.

Eleanor Weisman Ph.D (Allegheny Student Intern Coordinator) directs the Allegheny College Dance and Movement Studies Program. She has worked with students of all ages in dance and movement for more than thirty years.

Dan Winston(Novice Program Instructor) has a BS in Psychology from Allegheny College and a M.A. for Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dan, who has been a part of the Creating Landscapes summer program since 2000, is now a teacher at the Creating Landscapes Learning Center K-4 Independent School.

Dana Hunter Yeager (Novice Program Coordinator) M.Ed, is the Educational Director and a teacher at The Creating Landscapes Learning Center. She founded the Novice program 22 years ago.

Nate Youngblood (French and Afro-Caribbean Language and Culture Instructor) has a B. A. in French from Allegheny College and two Certificates of the French Language from the Sorbonne, Paris, France. Nathan is a French teacher at Saegertown and Maplewood High Schools in the PENNCREST School District.

Lora Zill (Players and Apprentice Writing Instructor) MA, Gannon University, Allegheny '78 is a Teaching Artist with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and an adjunct instructor at Gannon. She teaches creative writing in Allegheny's Gifted/Talented program and poetry to students who are challenged. Her work has been published in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.