Christine Martell is a visual arts instructor at Cape Cod Village Center, specializing in creating accessible art experiences. With a BFA in Textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Master’s in Education from Portland State University, her educational background is complemented by extensive experience in community engagement and arts education. Christine has a deep passion for inclusivity in the arts, demonstrated through her work with diverse learners, including ongoing projects for individuals with autism. At Cape Cod Village, she employs a compassionate, adaptive teaching style that emphasizes the therapeutic and expressive power of art, making her classes a vital part of the community’s creative landscape.

Andre is passionate about Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art form that incorporates elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. He is eager to bring this program to our Cape Cod community. The purpose of introducing Capoeira is to promote inclusion and mental health amongst students. Andre believes that this dynamic and engaging activity can provide not only physical exercise but also emotional and social support, fostering a positive environment.

Rebecca R Burrill, EdD is an ecocentric dancer, artistic director, and movement-based child developmentalist-educator. Her work focuses on the aesthetics of first perceptions—movement-sound—as primary language, the language of human kinship with Nature. She engages people of all ages in the experience of these deep psycho-biological processes, culminating in community ceremonial site-specific dance performance.

Liis has 3 decades of experience, study, and teaching West African, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban drum rhythms. She studied with Master Djembe Drummer Issa Coulibali, and African Dance Teacher Tara Murphy. In singing and playing rhythms together and in moving rhythmically she offers participants an experience of being in community in a way that is special and beneficial to overall well-being. Songs are chosen that are uplifting in their measure. The words sung affirm positive values and feelings, and encourage connection with self and one another in an open-hearted manner. Liis uses the tools of movement, song and rhythm to help participants arrive at a more calm, joyful state of being.

Jennifer Stratton is an artist, musician, and expressive/creative arts educator. She earned her expressive arts facilitation training at the Expressive Arts Institute of Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. For the past twenty years she has been teaching and hosting art groups for people from ages 2-92 at venues such as the Brewster Council on Aging, Brewster Recreation, Fair Acres Camp, Cape Cod Can!@ Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cape Cod Museum of Art and was the Art Director for the Cape Cod Boys and Girls Club. She also works on creating her own art and has had shows throughout Cape Cod and beyond.

Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from Berklee College of Music as well as a Certification from Remo Health Rhythms. Since 2009, he has been on the teaching faculty of Cotuit Center for the Arts. Through his organization Drum Strategies for Healing, Sam brings therapeutic drumming to several neurodiverse communities. Drum Strategies for Healing currently serves Autistic Adults and Children, Memory Impaired individuals, At-Risk Teens involved in the Juvenile Justice System, PTSD Vets, and individuals living with Traumatic Brain Injuries. More detailed information can be found at https://samholmstockdrumming.com.

Deirdre deer Sullivan served as a Counselor/Advocate for Independence House, supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including people with developmental disabilities. She was part of creating and facilitating Healthy Relationship and Body Safety programs and training for local disability service providers, residents and clients. She worked for 23 years in Unitarian Universalist congregations and brings skills of community building, volunteer recruitment, conflict resolution, mindfulness and program development. Deirdre uses a process not product approach to help participants improve mental and physical wellbeing through various creative and mindful exercises and activities.

Jane Costello works as a special education teacher at Barnstable High School. Since 2015, she has been working as a Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor and children’s yoga instructor (ERYT-500, RCYT) with certifications in Yoga 4 Classrooms, Yoga for Autism, Trauma Based Yoga and CLIR (clinically informed restorative yoga). She specializes in creating adaptive sequences to meet the needs of all students, and is thrilled to be offering yoga to the residents of Cape Cod Village.

Heather is a board certified music therapist with experience in pediatric and psychiatric settings. She received neurologic music therapy training from Colorado State University and specializes in using music to affect change in the brain. Heather enjoys helping people of all ages and abilities through music and believes everyone deserves access to quality care. In addition to her work at The Center, she leads after school music programming at Wellfleet Preservation Hall and performs locally with her band Fortunate Daughter.

Andrea Higgins is an outdoor mindfulness educator and lover of beautiful Cape Cod. She wholeheartedly enjoys teaching the wonders of the vernal pools, marshes, Horseshoe Crabs and everything related to the diverse ecosystems of Cape Cod and Barnstable Harbor to students of all ages. Andrea feels deeply appreciative for the opportunity and gift of sharing her passionate enthusiasm for Cape Cod and the environment.

David Iannitelli is an improvisation and movement researcher and performer living in Brewster since 2015. He taught creative process and related courses for 20 years at the Dance School of the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil. He holds a MA degree in Dance (Temple University). Currently, David co-directs the Movimento Project with Leda Muhana, aiding and abetting willing local dance-making enthusiasts of any level in contemporary dance-making and working to create original performances.

Leda Muhana is a Brazilian choreographer and university professor living in Brewster since 2015. She has retired from 35 years of teaching at the Dance School of the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil. She holds a MS degree in Dance Kinesiology (University of Utah) and an EdD in the Teaching of Choreography (Temple University). She has choreographed for professional dance groups, including her own, since 1980. She currently directs the Movimento Project locally, working with Cape Cod and Brazilian movement artists to offer contemporary dance-making workshops and to create original performances.

Group Facilitators