Kayla Desroches is an artist and journalist based in Billings, Montana. She writes about science, culture and Indigenous issues for local and nationwide outlets. Community is a common denominator across her work in writing, audio production and visual art.
Desroches grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Barnard College in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing. Convinced she would be a car-free New Yorker for life, she took a reporting job in Alaska to explore the world outside her bubble. She ended up with a driver’s license, a career in journalism and a love for the U.S. West.
Desroches is using her time as a fellow to develop a workshop based on her personal experience with art and grief.
Kayla Fuentes was born in Comayaguela, Honduras but currently resides in Meridian, Mississippi. She is a mezzo-soprano, vocal pedagogue, and quirky theatre teacher from Starkville, Mississippi, where her passion for music and singing found its roots. She joined the Meridian Symphony Orchestra as the Director of Education and Community Engagement as she returns for her “reprise” role in Mississippi from a nine-year stint in NYC. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Mississippi College (2014) under the guidance of Meridian native, Dr. Kristen Johnson-Gunn. She then went on to graduate from Manhattan School of Music with a Master of Music: Classical Vocal Performance (2016), under the tutelage of Mignon Dunn. While in New York, Kayla found herself called to inspire, motivate, and entertain. Upon graduation, she invested her musical talent and passion back into the community while working for Opera America’s outreach program as their Education Assistant. She taught voice and piano privately and at Larchmont Music Academy for 5 years working with students of all ages. She thrived as an acting coach, and voice instructor for Manhattan School of Music summer program for 6 years and had the honor of performing on many great stages in NYC. She has joyfully spent the majority of her 9 years in New York combining performance, educational outreach, and diversity to re-energize the allure of the musical arts. Kayla looks forward to continuing her passion for education, performing, and music at MSA. She wishes to excite young minds, pique the interest of the musical weary, and maintain a current and diverse future audience of music appreciators for years to come.
Kaylene J. Big Knife, a member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe from Rocky Boy’s Reservation in Montana, is a graphic designer and digital illustrator dedicated to design education, museums, Indigenous languages and community engagement. She serves as marketing associate director at the Intertribal Agriculture Council, bringing more than a decade of professional experience.
Big Knife holds degrees in interactive graphic design, Native American studies and Native languages and linguistics. She is based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she continues her creative and educational work.
Her clients include Xbox, PBS, Nike N7, and the C.M. Russell Museum. Her art is recognized for bold linework, vibrant color palettes and contemporary floral designs.
Kelly Jung is the Assistant Director for Haverford College’s John B. Hurford ’60 Center for the Arts and Humanities. Her work focuses on building inclusive communities in higher education settings by advocating for the arts and supporting students. As a first generation Korean immigrant, creating a sense of belonging is at the core of her work. In her current role, she is focused on bridging the gap between the institution, community partners, alumni network and students by launching new programs such as the Philadelphia artist-in-residency, Arts and Culture Mentorship, VCAM club-in-residence program and more. Previously, Kelly worked as a middle school English teacher, and still continues her passion in teaching by volunteering at organizations such as the Welcoming Center and the Asian Arts Initiative.
Kendell Newman Sadiik is a writer, educator and community organizer based in Fairbanks, Alaska. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she is now the associate director of transformative teaching at the Center for Teaching and Learning. In this role, she helps seed innovation and inclusive practices across the university’s systems, partnerships and learning opportunities.
A co-founder and collaborator in the Learning Inside Out Network, or LION, Sadiik has spent the past decade expanding education and art-making opportunities for justice-impacted Alaskans. As a member of LION, she has helped publish work by incarcerated writers, facilitated courses inside carceral facilities and is currently co-designing “Lil’ Windows,” a video game that simulates an experience of incarceration in which thriving is built through literacy and social connection.
Sadiik’s essays and short stories have appeared in Grist, Iron Horse Literary Review and Jabberwock Review, among other publications. The driving question of her creative work is: What else is possible?
Kerri-Noelle, works as an independent Teaching Artist in Huntsville and Birmingham metro public schools and as the Director of Programming for the Alabama Dance Council. She holds notable recognitions, including a 2022 Arts Educator Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the title of 2019-2020 Academy for Academics and Arts Middle School Teacher of the Year.
In 2021, she founded the Evalyn Washington Humphrey Foundation for Arts and Education, showcasing her dedication to advancing arts in education. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Kerri-Noelle collaborated with local arts organizations to launch a transformative dance outreach program that reached nearly 2,000 underserved K-3 students during regular school hours. This initiative demonstrated her ability to address educational disparities and aligned with the foundation’s mission.
Kerri-Noelle’s research, “Dancing the Diaspora…,” listed on esteemed platforms such as Dancemagazine.com and DanceTeacher.com, was the catalyst for the annual Dance Africa festival in Huntsville, AL. Serving as the festival’s visionary and founder, Kerri-Noelle passionately champions inclusivity and cultural representation. This free community dance festival doubles as an educational platform, elucidating the profound connection between West African dance and African American dance forms for students. Her academic achievements include a BS in Mathematics from Howard University, an MBA from Barry University, and an MA in Dance Education from UNCO Greeley, which seamlessly integrates her diverse education into the arts and culture sector. Possessing an Alabama Professional Educator Certificate in Dance (P-12), she skillfully combines her academic background with her role as a dedicated educator in the dance community.
Born and raised in Iowa, she completed a BFA in painting at the University of Iowa before earning an MFA in painting from Hunter College.
Her artwork is included in the collections of The Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, The Amistad Center for Art and Culture, The University of Iowa Women’s Center, The En Foco Photography Collection, and The Museum of Modern Art-Franklin Furnace Artist Book Collection
In addition to her studio practice Kesha serves on the board of Tessera Art Collective, a non-profit organization that supports and elevates the work and practices of BIPOC women artists working in abstraction.
Kesha is also co-founder of Black Girl Basel – the only event during Miami Art Week intentionally created for Black women artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, activists, and cultural change-makers.
I am a biracial artist and educator from VT with a lifelong passion for social justice and equity, and helping others. I use visual and literary arts to express, advocate and educate (for) myself and others.
Kiana Del (she/they) is a vocalist, radio host, and educator hailing from the valleys of Carrollton, KY. She uses music to tell the story of our complex humanity, and to foster a safe space for others to create freely without the barrier of judgment. She is the Engagement Manager for Music Education and 90.5 WUOL afternoon host at Louisville Public Media by day and can be found performing her own music with her band Kiana & the Sun Kings by night. She demonstrates her activism by dedicating her time to local arts non-profits who she believes are stirring up good trouble… This includes sitting on multiple boards including the Fund for the Arts, as the Director of Communications for the Louisville Jazz Initiative, and as the current Hadley Creatives Program Coordinator. Kiana strives to continue weaving the importance of community and connection into her music-making.
