Andrea Conte
Andrea was born in Cordoba, Argentina, and got her B.A. in Studio Art from the Universidad Nacional De Cordoba in 1998 as well as a degree in Graphic Design from the Colegio Nacional de Monserrat. After moving to the U.S. she graduated Summa Cum Laude at CSU Chico with a B.A. in Art Education in 2003. She received her teaching credential and a Master of Arts in Education from Chapman University in Sacramento in 2005. Andrea also taught at NCSA as one of our Artists in Residence from 2004 – 2005 and 2006-2007.
Asia Currie
Asia has studied at the American College in Paris, CSU Fullerton, and Orange Coast College with a focus on fine arts and child development. She began working in school art programs in 1991 and has been a part of NCSA since 1995. Her goal in working with young people is to inspire self-confidence, positive self-expression, and respect for oneself and the world.
Samantha Jones
Samantha has been teaching in California’s public schools for over 20 years. She holds both Art and Multiple Subject teaching credentials, and is a member of the California Arts Educators Association. She became an NCSA parent in 2010, and joined the staff in 2012.
Samantha is an avid sketchbook artist, and especially loves to draw while traveling. She believes that drawing is a wonderful way to understand the world, and that the practice of observing and drawing is an important part of leaning in all subjects. Art making is a powerful way to understand other perspectives and values, and can teach us so much about our shared and diverse human experiences. In the art classroom, Samantha aims to balance technique exploration with skills practice, artist study with personal expression, creative freedom with parameters and deadlines, and community with individualism. Samantha is inspired by the way young children find so much joy in art making, and one of her goals is to help all students hold on to that joy.
Gabriel Clark
Gabriel has been teaching @ NCSA since the 2010-2011 school year and has been teaching in CA public schools for 16 years. Born and raised in upstate NY, Gabriel moved out to California in 2005 after graduating from Ithaca College with a BA in K-12 general music education and instrumental music education. Since his start at NCSA, Gabriel has taught a mixture of main lesson integrative music classes and instrumental music electives classes. Currently, Gabriel teaches T/K – 5th grade main lesson music and also teaches a Beginning Band elective and a Jazz Band elective in 6th-8th grade.
Outside the context of music and NCSA, Gabriel has been an active alternative health care practitioner for over 8 years within the mind-body system of Functional Symmetry.
Ariel May
Ariel’s mission is to empower singers to connect with their authentic voice, strengthen their musicianship, and create joyful connections through music. A California native, Ariel earned her B.M. in Music Education from Chapman University’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music, and K–12 teaching credential and M.A. in Teaching Music from UC Irvine. She is currently the choral conductor for Music in the Mountains and Sierra College. When not teaching, Ariel enjoys baking, camping, and crocheting with her kids.
Julie Banwellund
Drawing inspiration from styles like Pop Surrealism and Art Nouveau, Julie creates everything from jewelry and headpieces to signage and wall art. Julie is always eager to learn new techniques and thrives on a creative challenge. Her husband and two sons serve as her muses and her greatest joy. In her free time, she works on house projects, relaxes by the river, tends her garden, and even creates mermaid bras.
At NCSA, Julie does a little bit of everything. She serves as Elective Coordinator, Art Department Assistant, and Digital Art teacher, supporting teachers, students, and creative instruction. She designed the Raven Springs school sign and is working on new signage designs for around campus. She is currently earning her Career Technical Education (CTE) Teaching Credential.
Chanthou Lam
Chanthou was born in Vietnam and raised in Sacramento, where she earned her B.A. in Dance/Theatre and M.A. in Kinesiology (Movement Studies) from Sacramento State. In 2016, she moved to Grass Valley with her husband, Andy Shepard, to raise their two daughters. A year later, she joined Nevada City School of the Arts and founded con·nec·tion DANCE | PROJECT (CDP)—a performance ensemble focused on cultural expression and social change.
Chanthou has choreographed works for NCSA, local Mardi Gras events, WorldFest, Dance Because, and other organizations across Nevada County. She has also brought West African dance master teachers to NCSA and recently served as choreographer and artistic director for Remember When, a full-length CDP production. In 2024–2025, she was invited to choreograph original work for Nevada Union’s Theatrical Dance program.
Trained in Afro Cuban, Afro Caribbean, Modern/Contemporary, Hip Hop/Funk, and Jazz, Chanthou has performed with Ebo Okokan, Sacramento/Black Art of Dance, and Dangerous Lorraines. Before moving to Nevada County, she taught and directed dance companies at two Sacramento charter schools.
She has served on the board of Color Me Human and is passionate about building inclusive community partnerships. Chanthou is excited to return to NCSA this season, continue leading CDP, collaborate with Chinese American Theatre of the Sierra (CATS) on their production of Rashomon, and deepen her community connections.
David Endacott-Hicks
David is the Artistic Director and the President of the Board for Lyric Rose Theatre Company. As Artistic Director, David has been able to give performing arts opportunities to adults and hundreds of children throughout Nevada County and beyond through enrichment and outreach.
He is an Alumni of NUHS where he was very active in Theatre Arts and the Baggett Choir Program. He completed a Bachelor’s of Music from UOP, Conservatory of Music and then went on to do his graduate training at the New England Conservatory of Music, as a Vocal Performance major.
He has been a Professional Principal Performer on and off Broadway, in East and West Coast National Tours and several Opera companies. In Summer of 2023, David was contracted by the Festival of Italian Opera, to play the role of “Don Ramiro” in La Cenerentola for 6 weeks in Northern Italy. Most recently, he has been a soloist with Music in the Mountains, “Prince Charming” and the “Wolf” in Into The Woods, “Jamie Wellerstein” in The Last Five Years, “Dracula” in Dracula, the Untold Story, with Off Broad Street Theatre, “Roger” in RENT, and “Bruce” in the Musical Fun Home at the Nevada Theatre.
Nate Vallejo
Nate is a Nevada City-based guitarist, singer, music producer, and DJ. With a dynamic career that spans live performance, recording, and event production, Nate brings a wide range of musical experience to his work and to his students.
He lives in Nevada City with his wife, Ariana, and their son, Arjuna. Passionate about both music and community, Nate hopes to inspire the next generation by showing students that it is possible to build a creative and fulfilling career in the local music industry.
Whether he’s on stage, in the studio, or mentoring young artists, Nate brings heart, skill, and a deep love for the power of music.
Laksmi Greenberg
Photography has been the lens through which Laksmi has explored the world since high school. After studying at UCLA, she traveled the globe with her camera, capturing stories for magazines and book publishers. One of the highlights of her journey was having images of India published in National Geographic.
Today, Laksmi teaches photography and runs her own business, Eye of Laksmi Photography, specializing in creating natural, authentic, and sacred images of love and life. From intimate weddings to soulful family portraits, her work is rooted in connection, presence, and beauty. Her work is available to view on her website: www.eyeoflaksmi.com
Pancho Tomaselli
Bass and Music
Pancho is a talented bassist and music teacher – a true bass ninja. He has played with famous bands like War and Tower of Power, and worked with artists such as Janet Jackson and Lenny Kravitz. In addition to his performance career, Tomaselli is passionate about music education. He has taught electric bass at institutions like the Community Music School of Springfield and has developed an Electric Bass Program, focusing on technique, attitude, and knowledge across various styles. He also has his own signature bass guitar made to match his playing style. Whether performing or teaching, Pancho inspires others with his skills and passion for music.
Ananda Vaughan
Guitar
Rob McKay
Farm Elective
Rob began his college journey at Feather River College, studying Forestry and Recreation, until he got distracted by the flashing lights of a local ambulance. Dreaming of the heroic cape that came with being a paramedic, he shifted gears and earned his license from Butte College. Rob went on to work as a paramedic for 17 years in San Francisco and Sonoma County, eventually realizing… there was no cape.
After the birth of his first daughter, Tuta, Rob left his secure job to become a stay-at-home dad and launched Drifter Pizza Co., catering wood-fired pizzas from a vintage trailer. That adventure lasted three years, during which he kept wondering what would come next.
“Next” came slowly – and after the birth of his second daughter, Stella, Rob discovered regenerative agriculture while researching ways to improve the family garden. Once again inspired by the promise of a cape (this time in the form of healing the planet), he never looked back. Through Sierra Harvest, Rob worked at local farms like Stones Throw and Harmony Valley Farm, learning from mentors Deb and Leo Chapman.
Now in his fifth year of farming, Rob and his family run Heart & Soil Farmstead, just minutes from NCSA. Passionate about the next generation of eaters, farmers, and decision-makers, Rob believes education is key to farming in harmony with nature.
Erik Skoog
Mountain Bike and Trail Building Elective
Erik Skoog is a former wildland firefighter and competitive cyclist with a deep-rooted love for the outdoors. In the winters, he traded fire gear for snow gear, working as a snowboard instructor at Sugar Bowl. Erik also played a key role in launching the Nevada Union High School cross country mountain bike team, helping coach them to two state championship titles in their early years.
For the past five years, Erik has brought that same energy and expertise to NCSA, where he teaches the Mountain Bike and trail building elective with Scott Young, holds after-school club rides, and coaches the racing team.
These days, Erik is passionate about introducing kids and families to the world of mountain biking. He believes in the powerful physical and mental health benefits that come from being outside, exploring nature, and simply having fun on two wheels with friends.
Scott Young
Mountain Bike and Trail Building Elective
Scott is a Nevada City educator with a passion for craftsmanship, adventure, and hands-on learning. He teaches both Woodworking and Mountain Biking electives, as well as Mountain Bike Club, he loves combining technical skills with creativity and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.
Scott is dedicated to helping students build confidence—whether they’re shaping a piece of wood in the shop or navigating singletrack on the trail. His approach emphasizes patience, problem-solving, and learning by doing.
With a steady presence and years of experience, Scott creates a space where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow. Whether on two wheels or with two hands, he’s all about helping young people develop practical skills that last a lifetime.
Itzia Luna
Strength & Conditioning
Itzia Luna, known to most students as Coach Luna, has been part of the NCSA community for over 15 years, taking on a variety of roles throughout that time. Her favorite role by far has been teaching Strength & Conditioning. Fitness has always been an important part of her life, and she’s passionate about sharing that with students. In her class, the focus is on building strength, confidence, and healthy habits that last a lifetime. She encourages students to push beyond both physical and mental limits, reminding them that strength isn’t just about muscles, it’s about mindset, too.
Kerin Mertz Fegley
Studio Art
Kerin has been teaching Art electives at NCSA for 5 years and currently teaches Studio Art. Kerin received her BA in Art/Art Education from Chico State and is a local freelance photographer. She enjoys connecting with kids and helping her students learn how to express themselves through the artistic process.
In Studio Art, students are free to use the studio-along with a wide variety of materials and media-to create their own 2D and 3D projects for their class art shows. The artwork is displayed throughout the year in the Upper Campus Gallery for everyone at NCSA to view and appreciate. During class critiques, students thoughtfully reflect upon their own and each other’s work. Kerin brings both creativity and care to her teaching and support roles on campus.
Anthony Schoensee
Movement
My name is Anthony Schoensee and your kids know me by many titles, but mostly Coach A.
With a degree in Theater Arts I had not intended on becoming an Elementary and Middle School teacher, but the ‘Fates’ magically intervened one bright summer day to transform me from a parent of two NCSA kids into your full time Physical Education HYPE man. For that I am deeply honored and grateful.
I am putting all my heart into this new career path and have found it to bring tremendous joy, belonging, and meaningful connection. Empowered by this new sense of purpose I have taken every step to ensure I can remain in service to this amazing community.
Healthy community is my biggest priority and I’ve developed a simple motto to guide our efforts.
Simply put it’s this… BE R.A.D and Bring the VIBE!
By learning, practicing, and connecting the 3 R.A.D Principles of Respect, Awareness, and Dedication to lessons & activities we can develop a shared sense of responsibility toward shaping community and creating a safe, fun, positive, and inclusive environment to play, take risks, explore, grow, and be our true selves in.
In this supportive environment, our goal is to promote lifelong physical activity and develop well-rounded, healthy students. Aligned with the Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools, our program focuses on helping students become physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical activity.
Key components of our program include:
- Physical fitness: Students will participate in a range of activities designed to build strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall health.
- Teamwork and cooperation: We emphasize collaborative games and team sports to help students develop communication, leadership, and social skills.
- Skill development: Our curriculum supports motor skill development and strategic thinking through a variety of sports and fitness challenges.
Safety, inclusion, and respect are at the heart of our program, ensuring every student feels valued. Our aim is to inspire students to be active, healthy, and confident throughout their lives.
Feel free to reach out with any questions!
COACH ‘A’
Quentin Forest
Movement
Quentin, known throughout the community as “Coach Q,” is a Physical Education teacher at Nevada City School of the Arts, where he leads TK–3 Movement classes and coaches multiple sports teams. With over 14 years of coaching experience in basketball, football, and strength & conditioning, he creates programs that emphasize teamwork, resilience, and healthy growth both on and off the court.
In addition to his work at NCSA, Quentin brings more than 10 years of experience supporting at-risk youth ages 12–26, much of it in collaboration with probation programs. This background has shaped his compassionate, structured, and motivating approach with students, helping them build confidence and life skills that extend far beyond athletics.
A former athlete himself, Quentin also pursues entrepreneurship and photography, and has a strong interest in financial literacy and investing. He strives to model lifelong learning, creativity, and dedication, making him a dynamic presence at NCSA and in the lives of the families he serves.