World Class Artist-Educators

This amazing group of working artists provide unique and totally unexpected art experiences for both youth and adult programs. These are some of Detroit's finest artists -- all dedicated to strengthening our community through art.

GILLIAN EATON—VP Arts and Humanities

Award winning actress and director Gillian Eaton has led the Y-Arts program since April 2007. A native of Wales, she has worked in London’s West End theatres, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theatres in Los Angeles and many regional theatres. She was honored with Michigan Artist prizes from the Detroit Free Press and Artserve Michigan. She has also created arts education outreach programs at the Detroit Historical Museum, the Roeper School and The University Musical Society. She was the McAndless Fellow at Eastern Michigan University and has directed and taught Shakespeare in performance at U of M and WSU.

ANTHONY HEPP—Director of Multimedia Development

Multimedia artist Anthony Hepp joined the team in late October of 2007. After graduating from Montana State University's Media and Theatre Arts program, he went to work for Oakland Community College as Technical Coordinator, designing technology training and multimedia for the Professional Development and Training Center. In 2005, he joined the Michigan Credit Union League as Instructional Designer and Manager of the Online Learning Center, the League's distance learning and online training system. All the while, he has worked as a freelance Web and graphic designer and a story and editing consultant on local film projects.

DONALD CALLOWAY—Visual Artist

Multi-media artist Donald Calloway teaches drawing and arranges exhibits in the Boll Family YMCA lobby. Donald studied at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies. He produces displays and sells his work in a Greektown studio in downtown Detroit, as well as exhibiting throughout the U.S. and in Europe.

AIMEE COX—Dancer

A former member of the internationally acclaimed Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe, Aimee Cox, Ph.D., teaches ballet to all ages. Aimee is a research fellow and program coordinator for the University of Michigan’s Center for the Education of Women.

MARGARET EDWARTOWSKI—Actor

Second City actor Margaret Edwartowski teaches improvisation acting and will begin hosting a weekly improv comedy show at the Boll Family YMCA in March. Margaret received her BFA in Acting from Wayne State University. She is a founding member of the Improv Colony at Planet Ant Theatre and Comedy Works at the Century Theatre. Her two-women show Bottle of Red: Uncorked will play at the Boll Family YMCA in April.

ROD GAILES OBC–FILM MAKER

Native Detroiter, Rod Gailes OBC is a writer/director for the stage and screen whose work has screened at festivals and venues around the world. Spike Lee calls his award winning classic, "Twin Cousins", recently featured on BET J's the Best Shorts showcase, "A beautifully photographed, masterfully directed portrait of childhood." OBC is currently executive producer of the LEAGUE of AWARENESS, a NY based, underground film collective. Look for his upcoming independent feature directing debut, "Camouflage," a provocative look at coming of age in Harlem.

CAROLETTE GOODMAN—Youth Acting and Movement

A graduate of Mosaic Youth Theatre, Carolette Goodman has worked in New York as a dancer and actress. She is a teacher and performer for Mosaic Youth theatre of Detroit.

JASON HALL—Videographer

Channel 4 News director and cameraman Jason Hall produces documentary materials and provides technical assistance on special events. Jason is a graduate of the Specs-Howard College of Broadcasting and an avid collector of sneaker shoes.

REV. ROBERT B. JONES—Musician and Educator

Detroit’s best known acoustic blues and gospel artist, Rev. Robert Jones is part of the Y-Arts Music Outreach Program. Robert and Matt Watroba provide music education to metro Detroit schools, libraries and community groups. He also helped to organize and is an active member of the YMCA’s Deep River Choir. Named Blues Educator of the Year in 2007 by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN, Robert has been a music program host for blues and gospel on WDET-FM for over twenty years.

AIREA “DEE” MATTHEWS – Poet, Writer

Airea "Dee" Matthews is a highly acclaimed performance poet and writer who placed on the National Detroit Poetry Slam Team in 2004 and won the 2008 Detroit Grand Slam Champion title besting some of the top performance poets in the city. In May 2008, she won the Midwest Regional Rustbelt Individual Slam Championship. She has featured at the Bowery Poetry Club (NY), The Max Fischer Theatre, Music Hall, The Fillmore Theatre and other select international venues, wowing audiences with her deeply moving performance collections. Her work combines her abiding love for 17th century verse with a modern voice and keen eye on current events. Her style, by turns, has been described as aching, chilling and fierce.

She has been widely anthologized and published in e-zines and is the author of the limited-released chapbook, Venus Disrobed, and a forthcoming performance DVD of the same name. She graduated in 1994 with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and in 2004 with an M.P.A. with a concentration in social policy from the University of Michigan where she received a full fellowship. Airea lives in Detroit with her three young sons and husband.

RANDY MAUCK—Theatre Technician

Veteran technical director Randy Mauck brings 30 years of experience to the operation of the Boll Theatre. He has served as technical director at the Fox Theater and Detroit Opera House. In addition to handling sound and lighting for theatre productions, Randy designs creative lighting for art exhibits in the Boll lobby.

TIM MCGOREY—Music Program Coordinator

Former arts and humanities program coordinator for Monroe County Library System, Tim McGorey oversees the Music Outreach Program including performances by Robert Jones and Matt Watroba and the Deep River Choir. Tim is an adjunct instructor for Siena Heights University, Adrian, a community arts organizer and freelance writer.

WOODY MILLER—Independent Project Director

Publisher, producer and promoter, Woody Miller is exploring the operation of The Detroiter.com, an online arts magazine. His company Woody Miller & Associates, Inc. has provided hands-on solutions for public relations, marketing and communications challenges for both non-profit and profit corporations since 1976. He has been involved with the Detroit Repertory Theatre, Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, an numerous other arts organizations.

MARIO MOORE-Artist

Currently a senior at the College for Creative Studies in the cultural center area of Detroit, Mario’s artwork deals with the issues and hopes of the young urban community. Upon his arrifrom a four month study in Italy he strives to start his own art gallery and shoe store in Detroit. Mario is also an instructor at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

BYRON NEMELA—Pottery Artist

A graduate of the University of Michigan Fine Arts Program, Byron Nemela has established a ceramics program for all ages. He has studied at the new York State College of Ceramics, trained in Germany, and researched Southwest Native American pottery. Byron is also an instructor at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

BRANDON WALLEY— Film Maker

Brandon is a Detroit based filmmaker and multimedia artist. He makes 16mm, Super 8 and video short films that have screened at film festivals and art galleries around the world. Brandon won the "Best Michigan Filmmaker" award at the 2007 Ann Arbor Film Festival.
Brandon has taught a variety of film, video and motion graphic classes at YArts, the Detroit Film Center, high school and primary school programs for El Arte in Southwest Detroit, and the College for Creative Studies

JOYE OPOKU OFEI—Visual Artist

A native of Ghana, West Africa, Joye Opoku Ofei teaches multi media arts to the after school program students as well as West African clothing design to adults. His works are on display at the Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit, and at the Palace of Auburn Hills

CHARLES SAADIQ—Writer and Instructor

Writer Charles Saadiq has worked extensively with teen writers in the Young Writers Institute Program, a literary initiative of the Metro Youth Collaboration and Y-Arts.

MATT WATROBA—Musician and Educator

Longtime voice of the folk music community in Michigan, Matt Watroba joins Robert Jones in the Music Outreach Program in schools. Matt also helped to form the Deep River Choir and participates as a member. The host of Detroit Public Radio’s “Folks Like Us,” Matt maintains a deep connection to the national folk music scene.