Teaching Artists/Specialists

Melanie Daniels is the founder and Director Emerita of Taproots School of the Arts. She is a papermaker, printmaker, and book artist. During her 23 years as a professional artist, she studied at the Bellas Ates in Mexico and completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Memphis College of Art. Ms. Daniels currently teaches workshops locally and throughout the United States while working on her Masters of Leadership in Social Artistry.

Kwabena Dinizulu is a critically acclaimed internationally known performance artist, poet, and griot. For over a decade, he has captivated and educated audiences of all ages. He has been featured at venues nationwide including: Florida’s Zora Neale Hurston Festival, The National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, and Disney World of Orlando. Kwabena has performed in concert with such artists as singing sensations K–Ci & Jojo, gospel legend Shirly Caesar, and the world renowned Last Poets. He has also been a radio announcer, programmer, and producer for more than 20 years. Kwabena hosts a popular weekly spoken work and slo’ jam program for Community Radio WMNF in Tampa.

Using her flute, Ann Dolan animates the bird character in The Opus Ensemble’s “Peter and the Wolf.” Ann is a graduate of St. Elizabeth Academy and The University of Missouri, St. Louis. She teaches instrumental music at Our Lady of Sorrows and maintains a full private teaching schedule. Ann is very active as a free–lance musician and frequently performs with the Muny Opera Orchestra and the Fox Theatre Orchestra. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Trio (flute, oboe, and cello), a group much in demand because of its varied repertoire, including music for formal concerts, weddings, and parties.

Joanne Drew is a graduate student in the MFA program at University of Missouri–St. Louis. She also teaches fiction writing in University of Missouri–St. Louis’ continuing education program. Joanne has been a member of River Styx editorial review board.

Tom Dykas received his bachelor of fine arts in ceramics from Webster University. He teaches clay at South City Open Studio and Gallery for Children (SCOSAG), Krueger Pottery, Clayton Academy, and Loyola Academy. His ceramic work ranges from simple coffee mugs to elaborate clay sculpture, as well as handsome ceramic board games. Tom is also the resident kiln technician at Krueger Pottery.