Kyle Vasquez
Director/Instructor
she/her
Kyle is the proud owner and director of Seven Directions! Kyle has been working with children for over twenty years in a wide variety of formats including: Art teacher, preschool teacher, nature educator, youth theater director, dance instructor and mindfulness instructor. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education with specialization certificates in Anti-Bias Education, Literacy Development, Working with Children with Special Needs & Curriculum Development. She is also an artist and a muralist, a professional makeup artist, a Certified Meditation Instructor and has led workshops and presented at conferences around the central coast on the subjects of mindfulness, children's literature, peace education, social justice and conflict resolution.
Haylee Trowbridge
Instructor
they/she
Haylee is a Santa Cruz born and raised local. She grew up with alternative education through independent studies and being involved with the Santa Cruz community through art and theatre.They hold an Associate Degrees in Studio Art and Liberal Arts from Cabrillo College. Haylee held the position of Demo Arts Coordinator, Lead Artist and head Painting Instructor at Palace Art and Office Supply for five years and has thoroughly enjoyed working multiple summers at Seven Directions. Haylee has traveled to twelve different countries in the last two years including living in Australia for three months and also traveling all over Europe and South America. They are an artist with a special love for illustration, animal and fantasy art, as well as storytelling, music, and really anything creative they can get their hands on. She has held private classes for both youth and adults and is passionate in the pursuit of bringing out creative spark in all their students.
Kira Wampler
Instructor
she/her
Kira began teaching at age 18 in Israel during a gap year, teaching English to middle school students. In college, she discovered a deep love of Environmental Studies, which eventually became her major at Miami University. After graduating, she discovered the world of Environmental Education, where her passion for ecology and environmental stewardship was able to combine with her love for teaching. Kira has now taught at four different science camps and environmental education organizations throughout California spanning 16 years. Before becoming a mom 6 years ago, she started exploring other interests and got certified as a yoga instructor, Master Practitioner of NLP and Life Coach. In recent years, she has developed transformational hikes for adults and preteens, focusing on mindfulness, connection to nature and gratitude.
Ana Bogren
Studio Manager/Production Manager
she/her
Ana is so excited to be joining Seven Directions as Office Manager! Ana grew up in Santa Cruz doing local theatre and choir. She has been involved with theatre her entire life and performed/worked for theatre companies all over Santa Cruz. She is an actor and social media manager for Mountain Community Theatre in Ben Lomond. Ana has assisted and taught kids of all ages in theatre, art, and sports. Her favorite age group to teach is teens as they are incredibly creative and goofy. Ana's passions lie in the theatre, science, traveling, and animals. While not Studio managing, Ana is a student majoring in Anthropology. In her free time, you can find her outdoors soaking up the sunshine and spending time with her cat, Charlie.
Spike Murphy-Rose
Game Master
he/him
Spike has been gaming since his dad introduced him to computer games in the early 80's, and not long after he discovered TTRPGs and was immediately hooked for life. He has run thousands of sessions across a variety of editions and game systems. He works as a professional therapeutic gamemaster with a focus on higher needs children and has contributed to a number of third party 5E Dungeons & Dragons publications. His clients include tech companies (Google, Facebook, others), schools, the Wounded Warrior Project, and parents hosting private therapeutic games for their children. Spike brings a passion and depth of knowledge for RPGs that is enriching and infectious, helping players to learn how to play as they become immersed in the game experience.
Kara Dorsey
Mental Health Consultant
she/her
Kara is currently a registered and practicing associate therapist, but prior to that spent nearly a decade working with/teaching children and teens in various capacities. She taught theatre for 8 years, working on all aspects from directing, stage managing, makeup/costumes, and vocal coaching. She performed in her early childhood all the way up until the collegiate level, stopping to continue pursuing her masters in Clinical Counseling. Kara is thrilled to be involved with Seven Directions' wonderful staff and the incredible community that has been created.
Gage Herendeen
Assistant Teacher
he/she/they
Gage moved to Santa Cruz from New York when they were seven years old, and always took solace in arts and literature. Often seen with their nose in a book, (sketchbook or otherwise) Gage has always been an advocate of the importance of creative expression. A former introvert, Gage went to Scotts Valley High school, where he discovered a love for theatre. A love so strong evidently that it became her college major! In their free time, Gage enjoys drawing, D&D, reading, writing, acting, and a good cup of what could barely be considered coffee.
Nicole Lockwood
Instructor
she/her
Nicole grew up in Santa Cruz and now lives in Berkeley Nicole Lockwood where she teaches elementary science at Black Pine Circle School, and UC Berkeley's Academic Talent Development Program. She received her credential and master's degree in teaching from City University of Seattle in 2008. For over 20 years she has taught in traditional and non-traditional educational environments in Washington state and the Bay Area. A highlight was the two years she spent teaching about ecosystems, watersheds, sustainability, and stewardship to hundreds of students from diverse school populations at Islandwood, a 250-acre outdoor learning center on Bainbridge Island. Nicole holds a B.A. in theater arts from Southern Oregon University, and founded a company called Artattack Theater Ensemble, which she managed from 2001-2005. She looks forward to bringing her passion and experience in hands-on, minds-on learning to Seven Directions this summer.
Scottie Tsubota
Instructor
he/him
Scottie is an actor and educator born and raised in the East Bay Area with experience in both for over a decade. He began his involvement in theater in middle school as a squirrel in Willy Wonka Jr and hasn't looked back since. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from Southern Oregon University and a Master of Arts in Theater from UC Santa Cruz. His area of study includes: Musical Theater, Children's Theater, Shakespeare, and conservatory-based Acting, Voice, and Movement. Scottie is currently a one-to-one behavioral and medical aide at Westlake Elementary School, passionate about working with students of all ages.
Moss Giommi
Instructor
they/he
Moss Giommi is a full time artist hailing from Portland, Oregon. His primary work consists of fiber art, costume work, and both digital and traditional illustration. He is academically and professionally trained in character design. Artwork is their passion, their hobby and their livelihood. His other hobbies include collecting vintage toys and exploring nature and the city with friends.
Zina Urquhart
Vocal Instructor
she/her
Zina has over 20 years experience teaching and coaching kids aged 9-17 in a variety of educational settings and specializes in working with children, teens, and women of all ages. Her goal is to provide students with a supportive and safe container to explore and discover their authentic singing voice, to help them develop confidence, build healthy vocal habits and solid foundational technique that will support singing in any style, and to provide resources and coaching on healthy lifestyle habits that promote vocal and overall health. Zina likes to create a fun, encouraging and relaxed atmosphere where singing is ful experience.
Gabe Petersen
Instructor
he/him
Gabe Petersen is a passionate educator motivated to making learning fun and engaging for students. Gabe has a B.A. in mathematics and sociology from Northwestern University. He has taught students at the elementary through college level in a variety of subjects, from leading science and engineering experiments at a Boys & Girls Club and through his university’s Engineers Without Borders student chapter to teaching undergraduate math and physics classes. Most recently, Gabe has been a summer camp counselor and outdoor educator in San Mateo County.
Jessalynn Levine
Vocal Instructor
Jessalynn is a vocal performer and choral music educator from Houston, TX. She received her bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Houston in 2015 where she performed roles in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Menotti's The Consul, and Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman. Jessalynn served as a choir director for five years at Spring High School in Spring, TX, where she was the music director for the school's annual musicals. In 2022, Jessalynn received her masters degree in choral conducting from San José State University, after which she conducted the choirs and the vocal jazz ensemble at Las Positas College in Livermore. She is now serving as the choir director at Aptos High School and Aptos Junior High School. Jessalynn also co-directs the New Voices Bay Area TIGQ (Trans, Intersex, and Genderqueer) Chorus in San Francisco and sings in 21V, a treble choir of professional singers.