DiAE Teaching Artists

Hi, I’m Ish, an independent film maker, music producer, and content creator from Philadelphia.  I have a passion for creating art that inspires and have been doing so for the past decade and a half.  I began as a musician and pursued a career as a professional guitarist.  In that pursuit, I was led to shift my focus to music production, then audio engineering, and eventually film.  Currently, I work with artists to help them create music from concept to...

Melissa Berman brings over 25 years of experience as an innovative, critically-acclaimed award-winning teaching artist and performer in theatre, dance and music. Ms. Berman holds a BFA (honors) in Dramatic Art and Speech and Graduate Work in Educational Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University. Melissa’s diverse background focuses on students ages 2- 1/2 years to Adult including a strong emphasis with the at-risk, underserved and special needs populations. Melissa has been a teaching artist with the Los Angeles Arts Group serving the at-risk community for the Mountain View...

I am a local artist born and raised in Wilmington, DE. I began painting in 2015 while studying advertising design at Delaware Technical and Community College in Dover, DE. I’ve participated in solo and group exhibitions for Wilmington Art Loop. In 2017, I worked with Westside Grows’ Utility Box Project. I was also commissioned by the Delaware Children’s Museum to install my artwork as well as a mural. Most recently I was the Teaching Artist and Curator in Residence for...

Born and raised in Wilmington DE, Chris Devany began studying drumming and martial arts at the age of 7. After graduating from University of Delaware with a BAS in Spanish Foreign Language and Literature, Chris began performing with bands of distinct musical genres from punk to hip-hop

Happiest on stage and in the classroom, Ms. Mary strives to make high-quality arts education accessible to all students, regardless of race or socioeconomic background. Ms. Mary is currently working as a Teaching Artist and the creator of Write Now Music and Movement. Write Now Music & Movement arts programming is designed to give students personal enrichment and catharsis opportunities, using original songwriting, choreography, and performance coaching. WNMM further empowers students to be world changers through courses in artistic activism....

Gina Degnars-Graves is a Musician and Board Certified Coach who has been teaching, coaching, and performing for over 30 years. From earning a BA in Piano Performance at the University of the Arts to enjoying a thriving and successful career as a singer/songwriter, producer, band leader, music director, private instructor, and recording artist, her background in music is extensive. Gina’s work as a Teaching Artist with the Delaware Institute for Arts in Education gave her immersive experience in the field...

Jason is a freelance performer, educator, and small business owner living in Newark, DE. Being involved with music and the marching arts for over fifteen years, he has worked with over a dozen percussion programs throughout Delaware and surrounding states. Among them are high schools, colleges and independent organizations, including the Baltimore Ravens, Shepherd University, Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps, Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, and United Percussion. His musical career has taken him all around the country as well as internationally to countries...

My name is Constanza Madariaga, also known as Cony Madariaga, Delaware-based Artist, Born in Santiago Chile. I Have been in love with Art since I was a child.  Creating has been my therapy, and safe space to express myself throughout my lifetime. Being able to have access to art classes in middle school and high school allowed me to explore different mediums and techniques.  Although I did not continue my education in the Arts, I have always gravitated...

Charlese Annette Phillips is a Delaware based artist whose work is focused around color, texture and identity. She explores her creativity through many artistic mediums including fiber, painting, photography and more, utilizing formal training and self-taught skills. In constructing each work, she hopes to connect with and inspire viewers. She also creates digital marketing materials for businesses, designs and creates murals, and both functional and decorative art. As a Maryland native, she graduated from Salisbury University with a BA in...