< Meet Our Team >

Our passionate educators bring creativity, expertise, and heart to everything they do. Get to know the amazing team that makes GAK a special place to learn and grow.

Administration

Gabriel Miles

Founder

Gabriel founded GAK in 2012 with a vision to make high-quality arts education accessible to all children. WA State certified K-12 with Visual Arts endorsement. Read More

Gabriel Miles grew up in Westchester County, NY, and received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in NYC and an MS in Art Education from Syracuse University. She is WA State certified, K-12 with an endorsement in Visual Arts. Gabriel has taught students ranging from preschool through adults in both public and private school settings, as well as at community centers, nonprofit organizations, and museums. She has also provided art education to children aged 7–18 with Down Syndrome and other special needs. Her teaching repertoire includes a diverse range of techniques such as 2-D mixed media, watercolor, acrylics, pastels, colored pencils, charcoal, and printmaking, as well as 3-D techniques like bookbinding, clay, plaster, and mixed media sculptures using recycled materials. Gabriel moved to Bellingham in 2003 with her husband, Joe, and their two dogs. They welcomed their first child in March 2008, who is now in middle school. In 2010, she created a toddler art program offered at the Family Interactive Gallery (FIG), part of the Whatcom Museum at the Lightcatcher building. In 2012, Gabriel opened Gabriel's Art Kids and has been passionately dedicated to it ever since. She loves her school, her students and their families, and most of all her teachers, all of whom help to make Gabriel's Art Kids what it is. Read Less

Arts Integration • Educational Leadership • Community Building • Visual Arts • Mixed Media • Special Needs Education

Trinn Murray

Assistant Director

Legacy Leading for Excellence. Trinn brings specializations in elementary education and K-12 special education, with significant experience in school and district leadership. Read More

Legacy Leading for Excellence
Trinn's educational adventures began in Brooklyn, New York, at the knees of her grandmothers, Anna Murray and Naomi Gottlieb. Their early influence inspired her to pursue specializations in elementary education and K-12 special education, leading to significant roles in school and district leadership before her arrival at GAK/RWSAS to serve as our new assistant director. Trinn obtained her B.Ed from the University of Hawaii, focusing on early literacy with a minor in dance. She taught 5th grade and led an arts-integrated preK-6 program on Oahu before pursuing graduate-level studies. Trinn holds an M.Ed from Chaminade University of Honolulu and both resident teaching and principal certificates from Washington State. A lifelong passion for cultivating creative thinking and excellence in arts and education remains her guiding light. Trinn eagerly anticipates the learning journeys ahead with the staff, students and families of GAK/RWSAS and the ASAP; she is excited to meet everyone and co-create a legacy of possibilities together. Read Less

Educational Leadership • Elementary Education • Special Education • Arts Integration • Early Literacy • Dance

Kira Sleveland

Assistant to Gabriel & Enrollment Coordinator

Born and raised in Whatcom County, Kira brings 7+ years of dedication to GAK. She loves working with families and cherishing classroom moments with the kids. Read More

Born and raised in Whatcom County, Kira enjoys spending time with her family. She has previously worked as a community activist, promoting safety in her local area, and has also served as a dedicated dog foster mom. With a passion for helping others and a strong sense of community, Kira is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those around her. Celebrating five years in June, Kira loves working with families and cherishes the opportunity to assist in the classroom with the kids. Reading stories to the preschool children is her favorite activity, even if she doesn't get to do it very often. Read Less

Family Relations • Community Outreach • Administrative Support • Preschool Assistance • Enrollment Services

Anna Beth Harman

Event Coordinator

Events coordinator with background in human development and psychology. Has worked with children and families as a parent coach and educator for over a decade. Read More

Anna Beth is an events coordinator with a background in human development and psychology. Alongside events, she has worked with children and families as a parent coach and educator for over a decade - supporting children with big behaviors, neurodiverse families, and families impacted by trauma. She lives in Birch Bay with her two kiddos, a giant old English sheepdog, six cats, three bunnies, five ducks, and seven chickens. Some of her favorite art mediums include wildlife photography, heritage crafts, and watercolors. When she's not crafting events with GAK, you can find her with an audiobook playing, a good cup of tea, and an adventure in the works. Read Less

Event Coordination • Human Development • Psychology • Parent Coaching • Trauma Support • Wildlife Photography • Heritage Crafts • Watercolors

Early Childhood Education

Amanda Engels

ECE Assistant Director

Amanda began her journey at GAK in 2023 as a lead teacher and is currently serving as the ECE Assistant Director. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education with Special Education endorsement. Read More

Amanda began her journey at GAK in 2023 as a lead teacher in the Expressionists (pre-k) class and is currently serving as the ECE Assistant Director. She was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, and moved to Bellingham in 2017 to attend Western Washington University, where she studied at the Woodring College of Education. She received a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, dual-endorsed with Special Education. Amanda has 8 years of experience in early childhood education and is currently enrolled at Western Governors University, pursuing her Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. Read Less

Early Childhood Education • Special Education • Pre-K Leadership • Curriculum Development • Master's in Curriculum & Instruction • Woodring College of Education

Sophia Camaya

Lead Preschool

Sophia is thrilled to join Gabriel’s Art Kids as a preschool lead teacher. She has always had a love for art, from water coloring at home to visiting art museums, and she can’t wait to share that passion with her students. Read More

Sophia brings her enthusiasm for creativity and play to the preschool classroom. A lifelong art lover, she enjoys exploring watercolors, visiting museums, and encouraging children to express themselves through hands-on projects. At home, Sophia cares for what she affectionately calls her “personal zoo,” which includes three dogs, one cat, a leopard gecko, and a horse. She looks forward to making each day at Gabriel’s Art Kids fun, inspiring, and full of imagination. Read Less

Preschool Education • Early Childhood Development • Watercolor • Creative Play • Animal Care • Museum Arts

Lisa Melia

Montessori Children's House Guide (AMI)

Lisa Melia has been an AMI-trained Montessori Children's House guide since 2009. She enjoys watching preschoolers develop and gain confidence and appreciates their honesty and curiosity. Read More

Lisa has been an AMI-trained Montessori Children's House guide since 2009. She enjoys watching preschoolers develop and gain confidence and appreciates their honesty and curiosity. Lisa is a parent of two teen boys and enjoys hiking, cooking, and reading.

Favorite medium: Clay. Read Less

Montessori (AMI) • Early Childhood Education • Confidence Building • Clay • Child Development

Brandon Valnes

Preschool Teacher

As a teacher, Brandon brings a calm, compassionate, and patient presence to the classroom each and every day. Working to help the kiddos learn, laugh, and grow is the most fulfilling job on the planet. Read More

Brandon takes pride in bringing a calm, compassionate, and patient presence to the classroom each day. Helping children learn, laugh, and grow is the most fulfilling job on the planet. Outside the classroom, Brandon enjoys being outdoors, drawing, writing, spending time with younger siblings, and relaxing with a cat named Murphy.

Favorite medium: 3D/Sculpture. Read Less

Preschool Education • Creative Expression • 3D/Sculpture • Drawing • Writing • Outdoor Learning

Yanira Cardona

Assistant Preschool Teacher

Yanira, known as Teacher Yani, is excited to be working with everyone at GAK for the first time this year. With four years of experience working professionally with children, this is the first time Yani is able to bring art into the mix. Read More

Yanira, known as Teacher Yani, is thrilled to be working with everyone at GAK for the first time this year. Yani has a strong love for animals, spooky things, and of course, art. This is Yani’s fourth year working professionally with children and the first time bringing art into the mix.

Favorite medium: Ink. Read Less

Early Childhood Education • Creative Arts • Classroom Engagement • Animal Appreciation • Ink

Madelyn Hodges

Assistant Preschool Teacher

Madelyn (Mady) Hodges was born and raised in Whatcom County. She took her first art class at 18 months old at the FIG and has loved creating ever since. Read More

Madelyn (Mady) Hodges was born and raised in Whatcom County. She took her first art class at 18 months old at the Family Interactive Gallery (FIG). In the early stages of her artistic exploration, she perfected the recipe for slime and has since enjoyed pour painting, jewelry making, and multimedia projects. Mady loves animals and is a caretaker for a parakeet, cat, dog, leopard gecko, and a ball python.

Favorite medium: Paint pens. Read Less

Early Childhood Art • Pour Painting • Jewelry Making • Multimedia • Animal Care • Paint Pens

Ava Mott

Assistant Preschool Teacher

Ava brings fresh energy and a love of learning to early childhood education. With a background in elementary education and a passion for art, she believes in nurturing creativity through hands-on exploration. Read More

Ava is a dedicated educator who combines her love of teaching with artistic exploration. She holds a degree in elementary education and enjoys working with young learners in creative environments. Ava has a particular passion for natural materials and mixed media art, finding joy in helping children discover their own creative voices. She believes in a process-focused approach that celebrates experimentation and builds confidence. Read Less

Early Childhood Education • Natural Materials • Mixed Media • Creative Exploration • Process-Focused Learning

After School Program (ASAP)

Meredith Patten

ASAP Assistant Director

Lifelong artist with background in graphic design and art business. Entrepreneur in creative direction, marketing, and commercial production. Read More

Meredith is a lifelong artist with a background in graphic design and art business, bringing creativity and leadership to every project she takes on. She is an entrepreneur in creative direction, marketing, and commercial production, blending artistic vision with strategic execution. With a strong foundation in summer camp programming, she is able to merge her passion for creativity, youth engagement, and program development to create enriching experiences for children. Outside of work, she finds inspiration in nature, gardening, and supporting the vibrant arts community in Whatcom County. Read Less

Graphic Design • Creative Direction • Marketing • Commercial Production • Summer Camp Programming • Youth Engagement

Lael Tate

Lead ASAP Teacher

Lael (she/her) is a Diné (Navajo) bead artist from Portland, Oregon. Newly settled in Bellingham, she loves living close to the water and brings her creativity to the classroom every day. Read More

Lael creates beaded jewelry and home décor and enjoys exploring many different art forms. She’s excited to share Indigenous art practices, hands-on making, and a love of color and pattern with GAK students. Outside of work, you’ll find her sketching new designs, walking the waterfront, and connecting with the local arts community. See more of her work on Instagram at @laelbeads. Read Less

Beadwork • Jewelry Design • Indigenous Arts • Youth Mentorship • Mixed Media • Community Engagement

Claire Barrow

Lead ASAP Teacher

Claire brings incredible energy and creativity to the ASAP program. With her background in both fine arts and education, she loves helping students discover their unique artistic voice. Read More

Claire Barrow is a passionate educator who combines her fine arts background with her love of teaching to create inspiring learning experiences for ASAP students. Her approach focuses on helping each child discover their unique artistic voice while building confidence in their creative abilities. Claire believes that art is a powerful tool for self-expression and personal growth, and she brings this philosophy to every class she teaches. Her enthusiasm for watercolor and mixed media shines through in her teaching, as she guides students through various techniques and encourages experimentation. Claire's warm, encouraging presence helps create a safe space where students feel comfortable taking creative risks and exploring new artistic possibilities. Read Less

Watercolor • Mixed Media • Fine Arts Education • Creative Confidence Building • Student Mentorship • Artistic Voice Development

Jeana Esser

ASAP Teacher

Jeana migrated from Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2022 with nearly 16 years of art teaching experience and a BFA from LSU. She brings her passion for art mixed with her brand of silliness to young minds. Read More

Jeana migrated from the Deep South (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) in 2022 along with her husband and 2 fur babies. Her daughter and her family joined them not too long after, and she feels blessed to call Bellingham home! She shares her passion of art and teaching mixed with her brand of silliness with the young fresh minds at GAK. Jeana graduated from LSU (go Tigers!) with a BFA degree and brings close to 16 years of art teaching experience plus many more years as a working artist. Besides making art, she spends the rest of her time hanging with her dogs, enjoying nature, spoiling her granddaughter and loving her new paddle board! Le Bon Temps Roule! Read Less

Art Education • BFA Fine Arts • Louisiana Culture • Working Artist • Nature Enthusiast • Paddleboarding • Grandparent Mentorship

Grace Seesemann

ASAP Teacher

Grace is going into her 4th year as an Art Education major at Western Washington University. She aspires to be a high school art teacher and has loved art since she was a kid. Read More

Grace is going into her 4th year as an Art Education major at Western Washington University! She aspires to be a high school art teacher and is so excited to be working at GAK. She has loved art since she was a kid, mainly focusing on painting. Grace has grown to love more mediums such as charcoal drawing, printmaking, and mixed media work. She loves nature and the outdoors, and is always down to lay in the sun. Grace is a big plant girl as well, her house is filled with them! She's looking forward to a great year here at GAK! Read Less

Art Education • Painting • Charcoal Drawing • Printmaking • Mixed Media • Nature & Outdoors • Plants

Madeline Tate

ASAP Teacher

Madeline is currently attending WWU as a part of the Secondary Education program with endorsements in English and Multilingual Education. Read More

Madeline is currently attending WWU as a part of the Secondary Education program with endorsements in English and Multilingual Education. In their off time they enjoy crocheting stuffed animals for their loved ones and reading! Read Less

Secondary Education • English • Multilingual Education • Crocheting • Reading

Isabella Sleveland

ASAP Teacher

Isabella was born and raised in Whatcom County. She started her artistic journey at a very young age when she began creating culinary magic with "spice soups." Read More

Isabella was born and raised here in Whatcom County. She started her artistic journey at a very young age when she began creating culinary magic with "spice soups." She has continued to explore all mediums but has a special connection to painting and clay work. Isabella loves pesto noodles, reading, crocheting, game nights with friends and spending time with her dog Toby Blue at the Nooksack River. Read Less

Painting • Clay Work • Culinary Arts • Reading • Crocheting • Local Connection • Pet Care

Kate

ASAP Teacher

Kate is in her last year at WWU, majoring in English Literature with an education endorsement. She loves animals, especially dogs, listening to music, and thrifting. Read More

Kate is in her last year at WWU, majoring in English Literature with an education endorsement. She loves animals, especially dogs, listening to music, and thrifting. She also enjoys going to new coffee shops and restaurants and trying out their menu. Kate studied abroad in Finland for 5 months taking classes and learning about the Finnish education system and then spent some time volunteering in the Netherlands over the summer. She plans on returning to Europe soon as she didn't get to visit as many countries as she had hoped and she loves traveling. Kate loves working with kids and is so excited to be a new assistant teacher at GAK! Read Less

English Literature • Education • International Experience • Finnish Education System • Travel • Animal Care • Music

Specialty Programs

Julie Lewis

Performing Arts Specialist

Julie Lewis has been a Bellingham resident for several years with 20+ years teaching music, voice, piano, guitar, theater, art and dance. AEA member and AOSA Orff Level 3 certified. Read More

Julie Lewis has been a Bellingham resident for several years. She has previously been teaching at independent studios, afterschool programs, and private locations for music, voice, piano, guitar, theater, art and dance in the LA area. She is a well rounded performer and educator and a proud member of AEA - the theater actor's union, AOSA – Orff Level 3 and CMN – the children's music network. She has been a teacher for over 20 years, in a variety of settings. Her experience with children spans years of full-time pre-school and pre-kindergarten programs, after school programs for ages 6-12, full time integrated classroom for grades K-2, youth outreach visiting artist in schools and theater programs, party clowning and special needs education with children on the spectrums. Julie traveled the world at a young age, as a military offspring. She began singing and performing in stage productions at the age of 11. After attending high school in North Pole, Alaska, she moved to Seattle, where she continued to reside on and off for more than a decade. She traveled gradually down the California coast in search of warmer weather, finally landing in LA. She has also lived in NYC and Japan following her performing work. Performing, she has been in numerous regional plays and musicals, was a member of improv group - Playback Theater Northwest for three years, has sung in many bands, choirs and an acapella group (featured on NPR in November 2008) and for various recordings of up and coming musicals. Most recently she has finished her first children's album, "Shhh" a lullaby collection and looks forward to making more. With so many adventures possible, it's always hard to choose, but Julie is grateful for the many opportunities that her work and travels in the arts has brought her and highly values each community and every family she encounters. Read Less

Music Education • Voice • Piano • Guitar • Theater • Dance • Orff Method • Special Needs • Children's Albums

Zannie DeMarco

Arts Curriculum Coordinator/Art Teacher

Zannie has been inspiring students through arts education for over 20 years, from Malibu, CA to all five boroughs in New York — even embarking on a teaching adventure in Haiti. Read More

Zannie has been inspiring students through arts education for over 20 years, from Malibu, CA to all five boroughs in New York — even embarking on a teaching adventure in Haiti. Now based in Bellingham, she brings her vibrant style to several programs at GAK. Her experience spans toddlers to adults with a passion for special education. She loves all mediums, incorporating negative space, 3D explorations, to achieve a student's "Ah-Ha moment."

Favorite Art Medium: Getting Messy Read Less

Arts Curriculum • Visual Arts • Special Education • 3D Exploration • Negative Space • Mixed Media • Multi-Age Teaching

Melina Scott

Private Music Lessons

Melina is a music educator and performer with over 12 years of choir and ensemble experience, holding a degree in Education with a minor in Music Performance from the University of Montana. Read More

Graduating from the University of Montana in 2019, Melina earned a degree in Education with a minor in Music Performance. Well-versed in many genres of music, she has been part of choirs and ensembles for over 12 years. While completing her undergraduate degree, she studied music theory, aural perception, piano, and a wide range of vocal styles including opera, contemporary, classical, musical theater, and choral.

During her time with UM’s Chamber Chorale, Melina participated in an international tour for Vox Anima London’s performance of *Tuvayhun: Beatitudes for a Wounded World* by Kim André Arnesen, and competed in Saarbrücken, Germany’s International Chamber Choir Competition Martoberdorf. Currently, she sings with the Bellingham Chamber Chorale and the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus, both led by Dr. Frederick Mabalot.

Outside of music, Melina is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing and enjoys reading, writing, travelling, exploring local music, and spending time with loved ones. She is excited to guide students of all ages on their musical journey. Read Less

Vocal Performance • Music Theory • Piano • Choir & Ensemble • Opera • Musical Theater • Creative Writing

Ryleigh Stover

Private Lesson & Toddler Music Teacher

Ryleigh is a Snohomish County native who moved to Bellingham in 2020 to pursue a Bachelor's in Psychology at Western, with a career goal in elementary school counseling. Read More

Ryleigh is a Snohomish County gal who moved north in 2020 to pursue a Bachelor's in Psychology at Western with a career in elementary school counseling as her goal. Since moving, she has taken many opportunities to work with youth through nannying, mentoring in multiple classrooms at Mary Purcell Elementary, and teaching at summer camps. During these golden chances to work with youth both in the home and the classroom, a strong appreciation for creative teaching that prioritizes expressing delight in the individual child solidified! It's a joy to have that framework continued at Gabriel's with the additional opportunities to integrate her love of art. When away from the classroom, Ryleigh loves to cook, read, and indulge in films from Hollywood's golden era with rotating craft in hand. Read Less

Psychology • Elementary Counseling • Toddler Music • Private Lessons • Creative Teaching • Mentorship • Classic Cinema • Culinary Arts

Will Brady

Ceramics & Sculpture Specialist

Interdisciplinary visual artist from Berkeley, CA with 8+ years in childhood education. Currently pursuing MFA at Goddard College. Read More

Meet Will Brady, an interdisciplinary visual artist originally from Berkeley, CA. With over 8 years of experience in teaching and working in childhood education, Will has taught every level of education from preschool to high school. Currently, Will is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at Goddard College, aiming to teach adults in the future as well. Will's interests and passions cover a wide range of topics, including food, nature, animals, art, sustainability, architecture, and teaching. Committed to making the world a better place for everyone, Will is eager to share their knowledge and passion with others. For a glimpse of Will's artistic flair, don't miss out on visiting Will-Brady-Art's online shop. You'll find a curated selection of unique artwork featured on a variety of high-quality products. Visit Will's Redbubble Shop Read Less

Visual Arts • Ceramics • Sustainability • Architecture • Multi-Level Education • Interdisciplinary Arts • MFA Studies