Eric is widely referred to as one of the nation’s best teachers of creativity, and the father of the teaching artist profession. He is CEL's co-founder and Engagement Director. In 2015 he was awarded the nation's highest honor for an arts educator (the Arts Education Leadership Award by Americans For The Arts), and was named one of the 25 most important people in the U.S. arts. In arts learning, he has taught at Juilliard (13 years), Stanford University, NYU, Tanglewood and Lincoln Center Institute (35 years), and The Kennedy Center (12 years). He is the founder and co-designer of the International Teaching Artist Conferences, the recipient of the first honorary doctorate in teaching artistry (New England Conservatory), and was the keynote speaker at UNESCO's first world arts education conference. More about Eric.

Ashley is a teaching artist, dance educator and choreographer whose work investigates how movement creates a more aware, engaged, and connected community. She has received multiple grants for her work in public schools and community sites and is a Juried Teaching Artist through the Vermont Arts Council. Projects include teacher trainings, school residencies, dance in libraries, restorative justice and correctional facilities programs as well as community-inspired and inclusive original productions. She received her Ed.M from Harvard Graduate School of Education and teaches at the Dance Factory in Springfield, Vermont.

As a Drama Therapist Lowry will invite you to use art, movement, drama, metaphor and play so you can process and explore even the things that are most difficult to talk about. She is trained in Somatic Experiencing, which is an approach that works directly with how trauma and resilience are stored in the body. As a white, Jewish, queer counselor, she utilizes a systems approach in her work exploring how individual and family histories, current family dynamics, culture, peer networks, and larger societal systems all impact our health and wellbeing. She also holds a deep awareness for how oppression and discrimination may impact the individual and our communities. Lowry has particular interest and experience in supporting LGBQ, transgender and gender non-conforming youth, individuals and family systems that have experienced trauma. She also has interest and experience in working with the physical symptoms that may be present as a result of trauma. 

Gowri is a visual-teaching artist, whose practice includes sculpture, illustration, and writing. Born in England, she moved to the US in 2007. Savoor has been a practicing teaching artist for over 20 years, with experience in arts integration and community building. Gowri is the instigator of A River of Light, a movement committed to bringing art to the community through participatory art events, installations, and lantern parades. She is also the co-founder of Teaching Artists Connect, an organization providing creative and inspiring professional development workshops for teaching artists and educators in North Carolina and beyond.