Lynne Cherry is the author and illustrator of over thirty award-winning books for children. Her best-selling books such as The Great Kapok Tree and A River Ran Wild teach children a respect for the earth, have sold over a million copies and are translated into many languages.
Lynne is also a filmmaker and has produced and directed seven short movies, Young Voices on Climate Change, that tell the stories of young people who have reduced the carbon footprint of their homes, schools, communities and states. Two of these movies screened at The American Museum of Natural History during their climate exhibit and at the UN IPCC Climate Talks (COP15) in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Lynne lectures widely—and passionately--about how children can make a difference: If they feel strongly about something, they can change the world. As 14-year-old Alec Loorz says in her movie Kids-vs-Global-Warming says, "Kids have power!" And 13 year old Shannon McComb says, ‘if you adults won’t do something about global warming, we kids are going to take the reins.” Lynne hopes to empower youth through her books and through the Young Voices on Climate Change Films. Lynne emphasizes to educators how using nature and the environment to integrate curriculum makes a child’s learning relevant. Her books were inspired by her own deep reverence for the natural world.
Lynne is also a filmmaker and has produced and directed seven short movies, Young Voices on Climate Change, that tell the stories of young people who have reduced the carbon footprint of their homes, schools, communities and states. Two of these movies screened at The American Museum of Natural History during their climate exhibit and at the UN IPCC Climate Talks (COP15) in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Lynne lectures widely—and passionately--about how children can make a difference: If they feel strongly about something, they can change the world. As 14-year-old Alec Loorz says in her movie Kids-vs-Global-Warming says, "Kids have power!" And 13 year old Shannon McComb says, ‘if you adults won’t do something about global warming, we kids are going to take the reins.” Lynne hopes to empower youth through her books and through the Young Voices on Climate Change Films. Lynne emphasizes to educators how using nature and the environment to integrate curriculum makes a child’s learning relevant. Her books were inspired by her own deep reverence for the natural world.
Philip Stoddard is an award-winning, multi-dimensional artist. His eclectic body of work is built upon the values of interdisciplinary collaboration, artistic and spiritual risk-taking, and mindful community building. Philip trained at Juilliard in both the music and drama divisions, making him the first artist in school history to attend two different divisions. Recent performing credits include: the title role in Mozart's Don Giovanni and Tommy Albright in Brigadoon at the Chautauqua Institution, Ferdinand in The Tempest with the Oregon Symphony, Jud in Oklahoma! at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont. Other creative projects include: directing and co-writing the world premiere of Echo & Narcissus with Satellite Collective at Brooklyn Academy of Music; curating and directing The Workshop of Broken Faces for the Beyond The Machine festival and The Bach Project with Collaborative Arts Ensemble; and producing The Humanity Project with The Peace Studio and the Mashirika Theater Company in Kigali, Rwanda. Other passions include environmental activism, traveling, volunteering, organic farming and yoga. More information at www.philiptstoddard.com
Steve Stoddard (they/them/their) is a passionate outdoor enthusiast, activist, and educator. Steve resides in Flagstaff, Arizona in a tiny home that they and their partner live in. The two of them have decided to greatly reduce their living space in order to minimize their human impact as much as possible. Steve is a rock climber, skier, mountaineer, and writer. They have summitted both Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Denali, as well as spent over 300 days in wilderness settings. Their passion is to use wilderness environments as transformative classrooms for people of all ages. They are a certified Leave No Trace Master Educator and a Wilderness First Responder. Steve also lives to sing and beatbox and is a lifetime supporter of arts education and performance. If you see them around, stop by and say hi!
Jonathan Michael Avant is an American trumpeter, singer, visual artist, lyricist, Music producer, banker, entrepreneur and community advocate. He is married to Jessica Avant and the father of two daughters Jazz Marie and Juliana Symone Avant. Through a strong religious and musical upbringing, Jonathan has always felt the power of humanity. Consequently, after acquiring 20 years of performance history & over 10 years of banking experience, Jonathan quickly discovered that Art not only has the power to connect but can also build communities and strengthen businesses. Known for his energetic, conscious and charismatic performances, Jonathan now blends a community centered message with hip hop and a soulful jazz foundation to deliver an experience that crowds all over the world can recycle into their own lives. In order to put his music into action, Jonathan currently serves on several local boards including the Montgomery Public art commission, Clefworks, M.E.O.W., Valiant Cross Academy and most notably holds the position as the President of Montgomery’s Downtown Business Association. A born and raised native of Montgomery, AL, Jonathan is regarded as one of city’s youngest African American business leaders.
Calliope Pettis is a classically trained vocalist and self-taught instrumentalist. Her passion for performing arts was ignited the first time she stepped on stage as a toddler in Panama City, Florida. Her early experiences in musicals and theatrical improvisation troupes lend themselves to her presentation of original music- as she whimsically moves about the stage, it's plain to see that her inner child is alive and well.
From guitar and mandolin to ukulele and a simple Looper pedal; Calliope's style is as imaginatively enigmatic as a child left alone with a pot of coffee, a 120 pack of crayons and a notion that there is no right or wrong way to create. She plays well with others and wants the whole world to know that "if you can speak you can sing, and if singing brings you joy, you should sing daily!"
From guitar and mandolin to ukulele and a simple Looper pedal; Calliope's style is as imaginatively enigmatic as a child left alone with a pot of coffee, a 120 pack of crayons and a notion that there is no right or wrong way to create. She plays well with others and wants the whole world to know that "if you can speak you can sing, and if singing brings you joy, you should sing daily!"