Meet the Teachers!
Phyllis
Briscoe
MUSIC
Phyllis Briscoe is excited to join our Arts Camp Team! She is a versatile musician, known for her soulful performances and diverse musical stylings. With a background in general and vocal music, Gospel, Jazz, and Classical genres, she has captivated audiences with her unique blend of musical influences. Phyllis earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with an emphasis in Vocal and Choral Music (K-12 certified), degree from Augsburg University, where she honed her skills as a choral conductor.
Phyllis and Katie Kreitzer work together at Mississippi Creative Arts School in St. Paul, MN where she teaches Vocal and General Music for grades PreK - 5th grade. Whether she is leading a choir, coaching aspiring vocalists and instrumentalist, leading music educators in culturally relevant teaching, or singing on stage, Phyllis Briscoe's musical talents shine through, leaving an indelible mark on all who have the pleasure of experiencing music with her.
Gabriel
Blackburn
DANCE
Gabriel Blackburn attended Arts Camp as a youngster and is now in his seventh year as our Dance Teacher. Gabriel is a Twin Cities native, and a lifelong student of movement, dedicating his life to the study of dance and parallel disciplines. Gabriel got his BFA in Dance from the University of MN, and is currently a choreographer and company member for Shapeshift.
Alongside Shapeshift, he has performed on historic stages such as the Kennedy Center in DC, the Lincoln Center in NY, the O'Shaughnessy Theater in MN, and many more. He is a part of the Timberwolves 612 Crew, and as a freelance dancer he’s performed with companies such as STRONGMovement and RatHaus, among others.
Katie
Howie
VISUAL ARTS
When Katie was a little girl her dream was to grow up and be a mom and artist. That dream came true - she is a working artist who does both portrait photography and home styling while raising her two kids. She is happiest when seeing and/ or making Art with her darling husband Chris and her rad daughters Nora and Annie.
Katie is excited to explore the medium of collage with Arts Campers and help them tell their own, beautiful stories.
For a look at Katie's work you can visit katiehowie.com and follow her on Instagram at @_katiehowie
Katie
Kreitzer
FOUNDER &
DRAMA
Katie Kreitzer is the founder of Arts Camp and the teacher of our DRAMA class. After teaching and directing Theater Arts and administrating CDH Arts Camp for twenty-five years at Cretin-Derham Hall High School, Katie became an Arts Integration Specialist for St. Paul Public Schools at Mississippi Creative Arts School. Her new role allows her to work with all forms of the arts, and witness the power of arts to increase learning, build community and create positive change.
Katie’s many years as an educator have yielded a multitude of collaborations and connections with former students and colleagues including all the teachers at Arts Camp! Get Ready for another evolution of Arts Camp with these amazing leaders in the Arts – and that includes YOU, campers!
Louis
Kunesch
WRITER IN
RESIDENCE
Louis Kunesch will serve as our new Writer in Residence. After graduating from Cretin-Derham Hall with an interest in social justice and art, Louis completed three years of national service through the AmeriCorps programs. In 2015, he graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris with a Bachelor in English. Louis currently works as a Special Education teacher, caregiver, retail merchandizer, and an assistant machine operator.
Louis is a poet and an avid reader of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, with special interests in poetic forms, voice and presentation. He is excited to mentor with his former teacher, Jack Kreitzer, the Wordman, and become part of our Arts Camp community.
