Teaching Artists/Specialists

Kim Madden received her formal training in storytelling from Springboard to Learning & Young Audiences of St. Louis master storytellers, Marion Cohen and Sharon Thompson. She also attended workshops taught by Annette Harrison and Brian Fox Ellis.

Moacyr Marchini is a native of Brazil. As percussionist for over 30 years, Moacyr specializes in playing the cavaquinho, a Brazilian guitar, and other traditional Brazilian hand instruments. He is the founder and director of the Chicago Samba School, a non–profit organization promoting Brazilian culture. For several years, Moacyr has taught percussion classes and workshops for elementary and secondary schools and university and community groups in Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. He frequently performs in Chicago, Minneapolis, and St. Louis, and returns often to Brazil, where he studies with Samba schools and collects Brazilian recordings and instruments.

Kristina Martinez was born in St. Louis and is of Colombian descent. At age six she started her dance training with Carmen Tucheri in Madrid, Spain. In the US, she has studied under Maria Alba, Daniel de Cordoba and Maria Benitez. Kristina has been featured in numerous Flamenco dance company productions and has won first place in various dance competitions. She has performed as a special guest artist with Ronald Radford since 1991.

Jacqueline Masei recently moved to St. Louis from Phoenix, Arizona where she was and actress and Associate Artistic Director of the nationally recognized Playback Theatre Company, Essential Theatre. Jackie directed homeless and abused teens for Free Arts of AZ in 2002–2003. Since relocating to Missouri Jackie teaches in Theatre for Social Change techniques, Playback Theatre, traditional acting technique and improvisation for Girl Scouts of St. Louis, Prison Performing Arts, The Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma, St. Louis ARC (Adult Retarded Citizens), The Center for Women in Transition, and Metro Theater Companies Young Voices Summer theatre program for teens, and ongoing after school programs serving youth in St. Louis city schools. Jacqueline is a fellow of the 2005 Regional Arts Commission’s Community Arts Training Institute.

Donna McCall holds a bachelor’s degree in biology, and is an osteopathic family physician. She has been a Boy Scout leader for 12 years, teaching children about nature, conservation, and Missouri wildlife.

Ginny McDonald has studied many different areas of biology, concentrating on human physiology and microbiology. She has a master’s degree from the University of California at Davis, where her focus was Neurophysiology. Ginny has worked for several years in the Infectious Disease Division of Washington University School of Medicine. For the past 24 years she has taught Human Anatomy and Physiology and General Microbiology at St. Louis Community College.

Malcolm McDuffee is a graduate of Ithaca College and Indiana University and is currently an adjunct professor at Webster University. He began his professional career playing the trumpet with the New Orleans Philharmonic and later was a member of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Malcolm also performs in “The Arch Brass.”

Kim Miller received her bachelor of arts in art and art history from the University of Iowa. She has been teaching all levels of Tap dancing since 1989 and continues to study with many of today’s master instructors in the field of tap. Kim is an “International Tap Association” member and former representative for the state of Missouri. She is also a member of the St. Louis Juggling Club and the “International Juggling Association.” She has performed with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company in their production, “The Last Supper at Uncle Tom’s Cabin/The Promised Land.” Since moving to St. Louis in 1991, she has enjoyed teaching tap classes and workshops throughout the area. She currently teaches at Washington University, DaySpring School of the Arts, The Studio, Inc. and Charmette Academy of Dance, Beutell Dance Center and the YMCA of Webster Groves. Kim can also be seen performing at City Museum.

Modern America Dance Company (MADCO), founded by Ross Winter and Alcine Wiltz and incorporated in 1976, was the first independent modern dance company in the St. Louis area. The company has received national recognition and is known for their sense of humor and accessibility. Currently under the direction of Stacy West, the company has been associated with Young Audiences of St. Louis since its premiere season. In 1998 the company began a partnership with the Lindenwood University Fine and Performing Arts Department. Through this collaboration students are exposed to a wide array of choreography from both organizations.

Yoshie Montgomery teaches kindergarten at the Japanese Language School and has taught Japanese languages courses for Berlitz and at the St. Louis Community Colleges. She has studied Japanese calligraphy for thirteen years and is a fully certified instructor of calligraphy with the rank of “Professor.” Yoshie is certified by dance masters in Japan to instruct in the Tohzan Ryu style of dance.

Mary Morgan brings a strong and varied background to her storytelling. She has a master’s degree in early childhood special education and several years of experience working with children with disabilities. She has been a summer camp counselor and director. Because Mary spent several years in volunteer management, her stories are about people helping others.

Dianne Moran is an award winning folklorist who has taught audiences professionally for 37 years as a Folklorist/Naturalist (23 years at the St. Louis Zoo). She lives deep in an Ozark forest where she is free to enjoy nature at its best. Her programs reflect her passion of history and include Mountain Dulcimer, relic displays, and live animals which serve as metaphors for her historic tales. Dianne tours the country with her living history programs and as a Chautauqua Scholar. She has produced numerous CD’s, tapes, and videos.

Kunama Mtendaji is a multi–talented instrumentalist who plays percussion, flute, banjo and harmonica. After specializing in the audio/visual production of cultural art and African–American performing arts, he received a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Kunama is the co–director of TAIFA–AFI–AMA Folkloric Productions and incorporates storytelling, music, and dance into his workshops and performances.