Instructors

EMPOWERING CREATIVES TO BREAK THROUGH BOUNDARIES BY PROVIDING SPACE TO CULTIVATE AN INCLUSIVE AND NONJUDGMENTAL COMMUNITY

Mikal Benion

Guitar: Electric/Acoustic/Bass, Ukulele

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Kal is a multi-talented musician who graduated from Phoenix College and likes to get out of his comfort zone and make different genres of music ranging from indie, RnB, rock, jazz, and more! He plays with his band The Color 8 that fuses all those genres together. He has done both North American and European tours.

  • Chess

  • Boxing

  • Hiking

  • Basketball

Lindsay Hanson

Illustration, Sewing

I have been a designer for 15+ years, with most of my creative background in apparel design and illustration. I started my company, Lindseliz Design that transpired out of a desire to create art from my heart; pieces that represented more of what I wanted to see in the world: colorful imperfection. All of the pieces I create are meant to spark joy and inspire creative in all who encounter my brand. Through art prints, greeting cards and stickers, a little bit of youthful fun is shared with my customers. Beyond the art pieces, I’ve extended my love for design and sustainability to upcycled, hand-stamped items like tea towels, apparel and hair scrunchies.

As my own love for design and drawing started as a kid, I’ve always wanted to find a way to help others foster a love for creating art. Being able to each others illustration has been a wonderful way to give the gift of art to my students and connect with them through the language of art and creativity.

  • I’m from Michigan originally, but lived in Chicago and Charlotte before moving to Phoenix.

  • My favorite food is carrots. Specifically, carrots and hummus.

  • I recently got into puzzles; I find it’s similar to creating pattern repeats since you have to find the right place for each piece.

  • I have a cat named Kevin who acts more like a dog and a toddler child than a cat.

Cassidy Brooke Peterson

Voice, Songwriting, Saxophone & Piano

Cassidy is a senior at ASU studying music. She is classically trained and teaches classical voice, contemporary voice, songwriting, saxophone, and basic/intermediate piano. She focuses on building the basic fundamentals of healthy techniques when playing or singing to have a good foundation to explore all kinds of music. She loves working with all ages and exploring creativity!

Brooke Leinbaugh

Voice & Piano

Brooke Leinbaugh is a 23-year-old soprano from Kalamazoo, Michigan. In December of 2023, Brooke graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Michigan University with two bachelor’s degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Music Education. During her time at Western, Brooke performed multiple roles, including Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and Susanna in Il segreto di Susanna. She was also an avid member of the college’s top choral ensemble, University Chorale, with whom she performed multiple solos and large choral works. Some of these included the mezzo soprano solo in Stravinsky’s Mass with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and a soprano solo in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. In the spring of 2022, Brooke was the winner of the Western Michigan University Concerto Competition, naming her as one of the top three musicians in attendance at Western’s Fine Arts college. In the summer of 2023, Brooke attended the American Institute of Musical Studies summer program in Graz, Austria. While there, Brooke studied with multiple teachers and was cast to perform in a variety of piano/orchestral concerts. She currently spends her time performing, teaching lessons, conducting choral works, and studying as she navigates her master’s degree in Voice Performance from Arizona State University.

Hobbies:

  • My favorite dish is sushi.

  • I love the Twilight series and have rewatched it a plethora of times. It’s my fall go-to.

  • I am ambidextrous

  • I love reading more than life itself, especially fantasy.