Facilitators

Teresa created her first major art installation at age five: a self-commissioned, large-scale wall mural inspired by the book Harold & The Purple Crayon, which she had hoped to climb into. Undaunted by the less than stellar reviews she received from her parents, she went on to explore her creativity and playfulness as an artist and arts educator. She taught art, creative writing and drama in California, Minnesota, and New Mexico before settling in Vermont where she founded Davis Studio in 2003. Throughout her 37 year teaching career, she has found joy in witnessing the freedom both children and adults experience through the arts. For the past 6 years she has taught, “Art for Pain Management” through UVM Medical’s Comprehensive Pain Program. She finds beauty in the mundane and believes that a lighthearted approach is essential for living fully, which is why she sometimes wears a sparkly tiara when cleaning her house. Teresa’s primary play personalities include: Explorer, Collector and Storyteller.

When Adrienne was a child, she spend a lot of time dancing in her living room and not much has changed. As a communications consultant with more than 20 years of experience, Adrienne has worked in PR for Aveda, been a ghost-writer for Tommy Hilfiger and hosted press events for French lingerie brands. When she’s not being fabulous, you can find her wrangling her three sons, having deep conversations with random people, dancing when no one is home, advocating for PANDAS/PANS awareness, or just “being French.” She is a certified life coach, passionate about seeing the best in people and helping them step into it. Adrienne dreams of a world where adults don’t age out of potty humor, people smile for no reason at all, and joy grows on trees. Her primary play personalities include: Joker, Kinesthete, Artist/Creator and Storyteller.

As a child, Maria could be found collecting sea shells on the Jersey shore and treasures in the forests of Vermont as she played with fairies and friends visible only to her. Through the years Maria discovered her gifts as a deep listener and space holder. She studied Ceramics and Fiber Arts at Alfred University and eventually found herself teaching art in Central America. While living in Costa Rica, Maria was initiated into deep Earth ceremony by a Medicine Woman from Ecuador. Through the years she has completed trainings in Yoga, Reiki 2 & 3, Hawaiian Lomi massage, Herbalism, Craniosacral therapy, Breathwork & more. Maria opened her practice, Fire Bird Healing in 2016. She crafts sessions that are healing ceremonies – weaving together all of her skills to create vibrant experiences that delight the senses and help others hear their very own soul-songs. Maria’s main play personalities are Artist/Creator, Collector, Explorer and Director.

Even since childhood, Alana never met a stranger that she didn’t try to turn into a friend. She craves adventure, goofy banter, deep human connection, cuddles with her dog, and warm meals. Alana loves connecting with nature and recently returned from hiking the Long Trail. Art-making holds a very special place in her heart and creating has been a lifelong source of joy. Alana is curious and driven, spurred by the stream of tempting and crafty ideas her active brain thinks up. She holds a degree in Art Education from UVM and has experience working in a variety of art-related settings with social and leadership roles. She focuses on creating open, safe and accepting spaces and encourages group conversations and collaborations. Her play personalities include: Director, Kinesthete and Explorer. 

Jonathan’s favorite way to learn has always been through play. He loves all kinds of games – so much so – that he invented over fifty original board games before age twelve. He still plays games nearly daily. His game-life ranges from ice hockey, to ultimate frisbee and pickleball to Spirit Island, Catan, and Fishbowl. He taught a game design summer camp for several years. He founded the Ultimate Frisbee Club team Sugar Shack and the Hockey team The Mighty Shucks. Jonathan also loves to play with his food. Cooking is his lifelong passion and a creative outlet. He sees food as an artistic medium, a sensory experience and importantly as a foundation of culture and community. For the past 14 years, Chef Jonathan has worked in numerous Vermont restaurants. He owned and operated the Starving Artist Cafe from 2016 – 2020. He is currently the sous chef at Kitchen Table in Richmond. In the summer you might find Jonathan doing acro-yoga by the waterfront and in the winter he’ll be skating down the Missisquoi river. His play personalities include: Kinesthete, Story Teller and Explorer.  

From an early age, you could find Sarah on her bright red Huffy, always seeking adventure. Fast forward five decades, and that adventurous spirit is still alive and well. These days, you might catch her cold plunging in Lake Champlain, grooving to live music, or running, biking, and swimming her way through life. Her career has been just as thrilling, from recruiting top talent for major finance firms to embracing entrepreneurship and empowering women to lead intentional, conscious lives. She loves that her two teenage daughters think she’s “extra” and hopes they’ll earn that prestigious title one day! Her primary play personalities are Kinesthete and Competitor, with dreams of embracing her inner Joker.

Growing up on a farm in rural upstate New York, Roxanne had many opportunities to do what she loves best – run wild and free! You could find her up in a treehouse or swinging energetically across the monkey bars. Her vibrancy and love of dance is contagious and she’s always willing to bring others along in the fun experiences she creates.  As a mindfulness and meditation teacher she loves settling into the environment of the NOW, felt through the senses while spreading joy with the engagement of others. Continuing to embrace the art of play, she is often found leading group adventures at her retreat space Villa Playa Maria on the shores of Rincon, Puerto Rico. Whether catching waves on her longboard, wandering and wondering on the beach or choreographing her favorite tunes to dance moves, she continues to inspire herself and others to live life to the fullest. Roxanne’s play personalities include: Kinesthete, Explorer, and Director.