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!
William
Bauer
CREATIVE WRITING
William is a poet, actor, dancer, and musician from Saint Paul, Minnesota. An Arts Camp alum from the 2000's, he believes that the arts are a medium to connect people at their most foundational level. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 2018 with a degree in Elementary Education, and has worked with students of all ages.
He wrote his first poem at the age of 8 in Jack "Wordman" Kreitzer's classroom, and simply never stopped. It was here that he learned poetry is not only an art form, it is also a form of meditation, can ease stress, and helps to center oneself.
Whether your student is a new writer or a seasoned wordsmith, William brings an energetic and positive approach to writing that is suitable for all learners.
