MEET THE ARTISTS

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Amie is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator with over 20 years of experience in the marketing industry. Her clientele ranges from large global corporations to small beachside boutiques. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Long Beach, Amie entered her career in the digital arts. She has worked on many projects over the years which include advertising campaigns, logos, social media ads, invitations, websites, packaging design, large signage, book covers and more. In addition, she occasionally works as a commissioned painter. Amie is truly grateful everyday that she gets to call her lifelong passion and hobby of creating art a “job”. Currently, Amie resides in P.V. with her husband and two daughters who are both Dapplegray graduates.

FASHION DESIGN

Juan was born and raised in Puerto Rico in 1964. He got his BFA in Illustration at Pratt Institute, in New York. Then he worked for many years at Seventeen Magazine, focusing his sketching and graphics within the fashion and beauty industries.

Once In Los Angeles, he has pre visualized commercials, television, costumes and music videos, having his drawings and storyboards serve as concept art for numerous famous campaigns for around the world, such as for L’OREAL.

Juan has resided in the South Bay of Los Angeles since 1995 as a sketch artist, and presently teaches at the Fashion Institute, as well as with Parker Anderson, with elementary school’s fashion art and design programs.

He is currently developing his own collection, books and inventions, and is available for live fashion sketch portraits at private parties, as well as custom surfboard and skateboard fashion sketch designs.

SURFBOARD SHAPING

Whether in the classroom or out in the waves, Chris Pekich brings passion, dedication, and creativity to everything he does. Now in his third year at Palos Verdes High School, Chris serves as the ceramics teacher, surfboard shaping instructor, and head coach of the PVHS Surf Team. Known for his supportive, hands-on approach, Chris has made a lasting impact on countless Sea Kings. With a deep connection to both the ocean and the arts, Chris Pekich continues to shape the lives of young creatives and athletes alike—one wave and one piece of clay at a time.

ARCHITECTURE

JEWELRY MAKING

MARTIAL ARTS

Master Brent is the owner and instructor at American Legacy Karate Academy located in the Promenade on the Peninsula. He has been teaching martial arts in the South Bay for over 20 years. American Legacy Karate focuses on teaching practical and safe self defense based martial arts. The schools curriculum is designed to help deal with bullying and the character and discipline needed to know how to assert oneself.

DANCE

Choreo Company is the highest level of technical dance offered at PVPHS. They train in jazz, contemporary and hip hop and perform at a variety of venues. Choreo Company performs at pep rallies, Homecoming, produces a full-scale concert called Momentum in April, and The Last Chance To Dance Showcase at the end of the year. In addition to performing, students have an opportunity to explore their own self expression and do their own choreography.

SHAKESPEARE

Michael Taber is a graduate of San Diego State’s Theater B.A. and BADA's Shakespeare program.  As a working actor, director, writer, 500 RYT yogi, singer/dancer, writer, and teacher, Michael combines his talents to teach an interactive and eclectic approach to writing, movement and telling stories through the ancient practice of theater, poetry and art.  He has had the pleasure of teaching kids and adults for over 15 years and is a Teaching Artist with Segerstrom’s Arts Teach, Laguna Playhouse and AstroTaber’s Arts in Schools.  Life is all about being present to the process of discovery and the stories we share along the way.  In his Kid’s Quest for Shakespeare program, students will engage in movement, paper art and Shakespeare to create a living story.  For more information visit astrotaber.com/education-arts-in-schools.  Michael is currently directing and acting in Tea with Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice at the Bembridge House May 2nd and 9th in Long Beach, visit thebembridgehouse.org/events.  Additionally, he will be teaching an 8-week summer kid’s acting and teen scriptwriting program starting in June at childrenstheatreoflongbeach.org.  See you on the Quest for Shakespeare soon! 

LIGHTS UP: THEATER GAMES & MOVEMENT

Melissa McCloud is a performer and choreographer dedicated to storytelling that centers community, accessibility, and bold creative expression. She has an associates in Theatre and liberal arts is currently attending Cal State Long Beach University in a Bachelor’s for Theatre Arts Performance and Education and minors in both Dance and American Sign Language. Melissa loves to create work that amplifies diverse voices on and off stage and has even had the privilege of working with all sorts of people from Northern and Southern California including ACT in SF and Berkeley Rep in Berkeley.

COMEDY SPORTZ

Kristie Creighton

Audrey Turner

BROADCAST JOUNALISM

MOVIE MAGIC

AN ADVENTURE THROUGH ROCK!

Juan Croucier is a professional musician / singer-songwriter / solo artist.  He is best known for his work with the multi-platinum selling band RATT.  He has sold over twenty-million records throughout his career and toured the world extensively.  He is also a long-time record producer / engineer, recording numerous bands from his studio known as The Cellar.

MUSIC MAYHEM

Akshay Govind is a lifelong multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer. He believes everyone can express their thoughts through song. He uses musical composition as a way to process and package life experiences and to share them with others. He grew up in Palos Verdes and is very excited to share his love for creativity with the students at Arts Alive. He lives in Oakland with his wife Carly, son Kaleo (11), and daughter Sequoia (4). He enjoys cooking, coaching soccer, and practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery. 

DRUM CIRCLE

CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR

Celinda (CC) Rechsteiner, born with a physical disability (Cerebral Palsy), has experienced rejection due to being different. She also has experienced being accepted by others once they understand that her disability is no big deal and she is just like them. Therefore, through her story “Apollo With His Friends In Colorland,” she wants to share both of her experiences with young children - that is, how everyone is special the way they are. Despite CC’s experience of rejection, she has a great group of friends, graduated from a University with a BA degree and from Trinity Law School, ran the L. A. marathon and the Disney one-half marathon, is a Deaconess at her Church, and works for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Apollo’s website:

www.ccrechsteiner.com

JOURNALISM

CREATIVE WRITING

Geanna Culbertson is PV's favorite local, award-winning author who, since graduating from USC, has built a literary universe of soon-to-be 16 fantasy and adventure novels known for their action, humor, heart, and empowering themes like self-acceptance and taking fate into your own hands. Her journey began with The Crisanta Knight Series—a nine-book series told from the perspective of Cinderella's daughter, set in a magical world where fairytale kids train to become the next generation of storybook heroes, earning the nickname "Harry Potter for Princesses." After her 11th book, Geanna launched her own publishing house, Culbertson Kingdom, dedicated to bringing readers "the finest fiction in all the realm."

JUNIOR CHEF ACADEMY

COOKIE DECORATING

COOKING