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Our Leadership Team

Mike Taylor
Executive Director
Mike Taylor teaches spoken word to kids of all ages. He has performed on stages from San Francisco to London and he's led national poetry teams in competition. He founded the SPARC Poetry organization and continues to create workshops that connect to the youth from all walks of life.
Mike Taylor teaches spoken word to kids of all ages. He has performed on stages from San Francisco to London and he's led national poetry teams in competition. He founded the SPARC Poetry organization and continues to create workshops that connect to the youth from all walks of life.

Patrick Ohslund
Deputy Director
Patrick Ohslund has been a teaching artist and professional spoken word poet for over ten years. He has toured across the nation as well as internationally and has opened for renowned musical groups such as The Wailers. Patrick currently leads spoken word workshops for students ages five to 25, and is a lecturer at San Francisco State University.
Patrick Ohslund has been a teaching artist and professional spoken word poet for over ten years. He has toured across the nation as well as internationally and has opened for renowned musical groups such as The Wailers. Patrick currently leads spoken word workshops for students ages five to 25, and is a lecturer at San Francisco State University.

Jenna Robinson
Revisions Program Director

Bri Blue
Poetry Program Coordinator
Brianni “Bri” Blue is a published author, spoken word artist and motivational speaker from Berkeley, CA. Bri’s passionate and emotionally-charged performances allow her to connect with audiences through empathy, relatability and inspiration. She was the Founder and Host of the weekly “Speak Easy” open mic series, and created the 'Unapologetically You' Awareness Campaign with a mission to uplift and empower women.
Brianni “Bri” Blue is a published author, spoken word artist and motivational speaker from Berkeley, CA. Bri’s passionate and emotionally-charged performances allow her to connect with audiences through empathy, relatability and inspiration. She was the Founder and Host of the weekly “Speak Easy” open mic series, and created the 'Unapologetically You' Awareness Campaign with a mission to uplift and empower women.

Tim McClain
Dance Program Coordinator

Briana Leung
Pacifica Poetry Coordinator
Briana Victoria Leung is a 19 y/o Bay Area based queer non-binary Afro Asian Latinx storyteller and healer who has been writing, performing and competing in the local slam poetry scene for the last eight years. They are an artist and activist who often integrates these two identities into one as an “artivist” when exploring political and social issues through writing. Briana represented the Bay Area on an all BIPOC femme team during the 2018 Brave New Voice National Poetry Competition in Houston,Texas. Today they can be found working as a poet mentor teaching youth poetry workshops with Bay Area Creative's SPARC Poetry program, which is the same program that initially introduced Briana to poetry in elementary school.
Briana Victoria Leung is a 19 y/o Bay Area based queer non-binary Afro Asian Latinx storyteller and healer who has been writing, performing and competing in the local slam poetry scene for the last eight years. They are an artist and activist who often integrates these two identities into one as an “artivist” when exploring political and social issues through writing. Briana represented the Bay Area on an all BIPOC femme team during the 2018 Brave New Voice National Poetry Competition in Houston,Texas. Today they can be found working as a poet mentor teaching youth poetry workshops with Bay Area Creative's SPARC Poetry program, which is the same program that initially introduced Briana to poetry in elementary school.
Our Board
Poetry & Theater Teaching Artists

Camila Aguilar
Teaching Artist Bio
Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar is a Xicana womxn, warrior, student, educator, and poet. Camila has slammed since the age of fourteen and competed in the 2017 National Poetry Slam on Team Oakland. For over a decade, she has workshopped performance poetry with underserved youth As a bisexual womxn of color, Camila explores the intersections of power and poetry. Camila currently teaches spoken word workshops in the East Bay
Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar is a Xicana womxn, warrior, student, educator, and poet. Camila has slammed since the age of fourteen and competed in the 2017 National Poetry Slam on Team Oakland. For over a decade, she has workshopped performance poetry with underserved youth As a bisexual womxn of color, Camila explores the intersections of power and poetry. Camila currently teaches spoken word workshops in the East Bay

Elle Fardella

Isabel Sept
Teaching Artist Bio...
Isabel is a performing artist raised all over the Bay Area. An actress, Spoken word Poet, dancer, singer/songwriter, and live performer.
Isabelle is A vibrant creator using her varied artistic abilities to tell stories and evoke passion to viewers.
Building creatively free spaces for women and youth is a driving passion for Isabelle. In all versions of her art she aims to inspire change, growth, healing and spiritual freedom.
Isabel is a performing artist raised all over the Bay Area. An actress, Spoken word Poet, dancer, singer/songwriter, and live performer.
Isabelle is A vibrant creator using her varied artistic abilities to tell stories and evoke passion to viewers.
Building creatively free spaces for women and youth is a driving passion for Isabelle. In all versions of her art she aims to inspire change, growth, healing and spiritual freedom.

Jackson Mcbrayer
Teaching Artist Bio

Leslie Waggoner
Theater Teaching Artist Bio
Leslie has been an active member of the Bay Area theatre community for over 20 years. She has performed, directed, choreographed and/or taught for the following companies: American Conservatory Theatre, AMTSJ, SF Playhouse, San Jose Stage, Magic Theatre, Ray of Light, Oasis, Hillbarn, ODC, 42nd St Moon, Pop Culture Immersives, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, SF Shakespeare, Bay Area Musicals, Berkeley Playhouse, Diablo Theatre, YMTC, Custom Made Theatre, and Killing My Lobster. She is a TBA, BATCC and Dean Goodman Award recipient, a Barbara Whitman Directing Award finalist, and a proud union member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).
Leslie has been an active member of the Bay Area theatre community for over 20 years. She has performed, directed, choreographed and/or taught for the following companies: American Conservatory Theatre, AMTSJ, SF Playhouse, San Jose Stage, Magic Theatre, Ray of Light, Oasis, Hillbarn, ODC, 42nd St Moon, Pop Culture Immersives, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, SF Shakespeare, Bay Area Musicals, Berkeley Playhouse, Diablo Theatre, YMTC, Custom Made Theatre, and Killing My Lobster. She is a TBA, BATCC and Dean Goodman Award recipient, a Barbara Whitman Directing Award finalist, and a proud union member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).

Mike McGee
Teaching Artist Bio...
Mighty Mike McGee stands as a distinctive voice in the world of spoken word poetry, weaving together humor, storytelling, and education with the threads of his rich life experiences. Born in the vibrant city of San José, California, Mike entered the world facing the challenges of Spina bifida, a neural tube defect that has undeniably shaped his life’s trajectory. This condition, far from slowing him down, has propelled him into becoming an ardent advocate for pursuing passions fervently and without delay.
McGee’s journey through the realms of poetry and performance began to gather significant momentum in the early 2000s, marked by his groundbreaking victories in the competitive poetry slam scene. In 2003, he clinched the National Poetry Slam Individual Grand Championship, a feat he complemented with the Individual World Poetry Slam Grand Championship in 2006, making him the first ever to hold both titles. These victories were not just personal triumphs but milestones that placed him firmly on the global poetry map.
Beyond the competitive stage, McGee has been a relentless traveler, sharing his unique blend of poetry and humor across the United States, Canada, and Europe. His performances, characterized by their heartfelt sincerity and infectious laughter, have spanned several hundred thousand miles since 2002. McGee’s talents have been showcased on prestigious platforms such as HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, CBC Radio and Television, and NPR’s Snap Judgment, underlining his appeal to a broad audience. His historical performance at the University of Paris, la Sorbonne, in 2005 marked him as one of the first Americans to bring spoken word to the iconic institution, further cementing his role as a pioneer in the field.
McGee’s literary contributions are encapsulated in his first collection of humor and poetry, “In Search of Midnight,” published by Write Bloody Publishing. His involvement with Poetry Center San José since 2016, including a stint on its board of directors, showcases his commitment to nurturing the poetic community in his hometown.
Appointed as the Poet Laureate of Santa Clara County for the years 2018 and 2019, McGee has not only celebrated but also significantly influenced the cultural landscape of his region. His passion for creating and curating spaces for art and expression has led him to produce, perform, and host an array of variety entertainment events throughout San José and Santa Clara County. These include the Oversocial Mofo Revue, San José Poetry Slam, Go Go Gone Show, and Live Lit Writers Open, as well as his leadership role as the San José Poetry Festival Director since 2021.
Mighty Mike McGee’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and community. His work transcends the boundaries of poetry and humor, serving as a beacon for those eager to find and follow their own paths. Through his art and his actions, McGee continues to inspire individuals to embrace their passions with urgency and joy, making an indelible mark on the world one word at a time.
Mighty Mike McGee stands as a distinctive voice in the world of spoken word poetry, weaving together humor, storytelling, and education with the threads of his rich life experiences. Born in the vibrant city of San José, California, Mike entered the world facing the challenges of Spina bifida, a neural tube defect that has undeniably shaped his life’s trajectory. This condition, far from slowing him down, has propelled him into becoming an ardent advocate for pursuing passions fervently and without delay.
McGee’s journey through the realms of poetry and performance began to gather significant momentum in the early 2000s, marked by his groundbreaking victories in the competitive poetry slam scene. In 2003, he clinched the National Poetry Slam Individual Grand Championship, a feat he complemented with the Individual World Poetry Slam Grand Championship in 2006, making him the first ever to hold both titles. These victories were not just personal triumphs but milestones that placed him firmly on the global poetry map.
Beyond the competitive stage, McGee has been a relentless traveler, sharing his unique blend of poetry and humor across the United States, Canada, and Europe. His performances, characterized by their heartfelt sincerity and infectious laughter, have spanned several hundred thousand miles since 2002. McGee’s talents have been showcased on prestigious platforms such as HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, CBC Radio and Television, and NPR’s Snap Judgment, underlining his appeal to a broad audience. His historical performance at the University of Paris, la Sorbonne, in 2005 marked him as one of the first Americans to bring spoken word to the iconic institution, further cementing his role as a pioneer in the field.
McGee’s literary contributions are encapsulated in his first collection of humor and poetry, “In Search of Midnight,” published by Write Bloody Publishing. His involvement with Poetry Center San José since 2016, including a stint on its board of directors, showcases his commitment to nurturing the poetic community in his hometown.
Appointed as the Poet Laureate of Santa Clara County for the years 2018 and 2019, McGee has not only celebrated but also significantly influenced the cultural landscape of his region. His passion for creating and curating spaces for art and expression has led him to produce, perform, and host an array of variety entertainment events throughout San José and Santa Clara County. These include the Oversocial Mofo Revue, San José Poetry Slam, Go Go Gone Show, and Live Lit Writers Open, as well as his leadership role as the San José Poetry Festival Director since 2021.
Mighty Mike McGee’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and community. His work transcends the boundaries of poetry and humor, serving as a beacon for those eager to find and follow their own paths. Through his art and his actions, McGee continues to inspire individuals to embrace their passions with urgency and joy, making an indelible mark on the world one word at a time.

PG Williams

Raimone "Ghost"

"Sixfootah The Poet"
Teaching Artist Bio
“Sixfootah ThePoet” Turner is an African American Oakland, CA native, and a lifelong Bay Area resident. Tasha’s poetry is a blend of passion, resilience and bold wordsmithing. On stage she aspires to use her talent and personal story to inspire young girls in her community to embrace their uniqueness and ignore negativity; reminding them that they are not alone in the world.
“Sixfootah ThePoet” Turner is an African American Oakland, CA native, and a lifelong Bay Area resident. Tasha’s poetry is a blend of passion, resilience and bold wordsmithing. On stage she aspires to use her talent and personal story to inspire young girls in her community to embrace their uniqueness and ignore negativity; reminding them that they are not alone in the world.

Jaz Sufi
Teaching Artist Bio... Jaz Sufi (she/hers) is a queer Iranian-American poet and arts educator. She is a National Poetry Slam finalist and has received fellowships from Kundiman, the Watering Hole, and New York University, where she received her MFA. Her work has been published or is upcoming in the Adroit Journal, AGNI, Black Warrior Review, Colorado Review, Muzzle, and elsewhere. She lives between the Bay Area and Brooklyn with her dog, Apollo

Tino Vazquez
Teaching Artist Bio
Tino V. H. Jr. is a Mexican-American spoken word poet and organizer born and raised in Oakland, CA. He has performed with the UCSC CUPSI slam team and the Legendary Collective in Santa Cruz. His work explores im/migration, indigeneity, the hood, queerness, feminism, and decolonial frameworks. Tino makes a huge impact in the classroom working with k-12 students teaching spoken word.
Tino V. H. Jr. is a Mexican-American spoken word poet and organizer born and raised in Oakland, CA. He has performed with the UCSC CUPSI slam team and the Legendary Collective in Santa Cruz. His work explores im/migration, indigeneity, the hood, queerness, feminism, and decolonial frameworks. Tino makes a huge impact in the classroom working with k-12 students teaching spoken word.

Vialsy "Esperanza"
Teaching Artist Bio
Esperanza Cabrales is a Xicana poet from the 209 that is proud to put the B in LGBT. She fell in love with poetry in 2013 and has been writing it ever since. Her work has been published in the 2021 edition of Havik: The Las Positas Journal of Arts and Literature and The Aesthetic Digital Magazine (where she was a former editor). She has a chapbook called "Can You See Her?" coming soon. Esperanza has performed throughout California from Stockton and Manteca to the bay and LA. She has featured at Las Positas College in Livermore and in Stockton at Hatch Workshop, a makerspace for local artists. Currently, she teaches spoken word to k-12 students in Bay Area Creative’s SPARC Poetry program.
Esperanza Cabrales is a Xicana poet from the 209 that is proud to put the B in LGBT. She fell in love with poetry in 2013 and has been writing it ever since. Her work has been published in the 2021 edition of Havik: The Las Positas Journal of Arts and Literature and The Aesthetic Digital Magazine (where she was a former editor). She has a chapbook called "Can You See Her?" coming soon. Esperanza has performed throughout California from Stockton and Manteca to the bay and LA. She has featured at Las Positas College in Livermore and in Stockton at Hatch Workshop, a makerspace for local artists. Currently, she teaches spoken word to k-12 students in Bay Area Creative’s SPARC Poetry program.
Our Dance Teaching Artists

Ausean "Say" Wakefield

Arthur
Teaching Artist Bio
At a young age, you would always find him street showing in downtown SF but it was when his friend brought him into a dance crew that things changed forever. That dance group was Giggiology, now called UNKNOWN. The group sparked him to get more serious into dancing and he started battling and winning all styles jams and dance tournaments. He initially paid his own way to travel and battle across the US and Canada - Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Boston, Vancouver, etc. Over time, he built his career and started branching into the entertainment industry, working with Mikey Disco from Knuckle Neck Tribe. He worked with Sony, Men’s Warehouse, Trademark Inc, Soul’s of Mischief and, more recently, E-40, Kanye West, Schoolboy Q, and H.E.R. Dopey Fresh’s most iconic moment was being on YG’s “Big Bank” video where you’ll see him shaking his hair with a smile at the very beginning! Though, his greatest accomplishment was back in his hometown when he was the first Black Turf dancer to be featured on a billboard in SF.
You can find him today throwing dance battles as CEO of UNKNOWN CHAMBERS and with his dance group UNKNOWN. He is still teaching and has the fire of Turf dancing to keep him going.
At a young age, you would always find him street showing in downtown SF but it was when his friend brought him into a dance crew that things changed forever. That dance group was Giggiology, now called UNKNOWN. The group sparked him to get more serious into dancing and he started battling and winning all styles jams and dance tournaments. He initially paid his own way to travel and battle across the US and Canada - Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Boston, Vancouver, etc. Over time, he built his career and started branching into the entertainment industry, working with Mikey Disco from Knuckle Neck Tribe. He worked with Sony, Men’s Warehouse, Trademark Inc, Soul’s of Mischief and, more recently, E-40, Kanye West, Schoolboy Q, and H.E.R. Dopey Fresh’s most iconic moment was being on YG’s “Big Bank” video where you’ll see him shaking his hair with a smile at the very beginning! Though, his greatest accomplishment was back in his hometown when he was the first Black Turf dancer to be featured on a billboard in SF.
You can find him today throwing dance battles as CEO of UNKNOWN CHAMBERS and with his dance group UNKNOWN. He is still teaching and has the fire of Turf dancing to keep him going.

Aziza Thomas

Denzel Koozi

Erik Wright

Jamar "Jammer"

Jarell Boyd

Katana Pop
Teaching Artist Bio
Katana is a Chicago born dance performance artist, battle dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist now residing in the Bay Area. Throughout her career, Katana has trained in all different styles from studio styles and then transitioning to street dance in her professional career. Although she has explored many styles in dance, she is heavily rooted in the style of popping, Egyptian bang tutting, and waving. Katana has battled in all over the country and has been in major competitions such as Redbull BC One, and Redbull Dance Your Style, qualifying and competing in the national finals in 2023. Since moving to the Bay Area, Katana has been heavily influenced by Turf dancing and culture (Bay Area created street dance style). She is a part of the Bay Area dance team called; It’s THEM which have been featured in music videos, stage performances, etc. Katana strives to share her deep knowledge of current hip hop dance culture and popping techniques with her students to help them grow their confidence and celebrate their own movement.
Katana is a Chicago born dance performance artist, battle dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist now residing in the Bay Area. Throughout her career, Katana has trained in all different styles from studio styles and then transitioning to street dance in her professional career. Although she has explored many styles in dance, she is heavily rooted in the style of popping, Egyptian bang tutting, and waving. Katana has battled in all over the country and has been in major competitions such as Redbull BC One, and Redbull Dance Your Style, qualifying and competing in the national finals in 2023. Since moving to the Bay Area, Katana has been heavily influenced by Turf dancing and culture (Bay Area created street dance style). She is a part of the Bay Area dance team called; It’s THEM which have been featured in music videos, stage performances, etc. Katana strives to share her deep knowledge of current hip hop dance culture and popping techniques with her students to help them grow their confidence and celebrate their own movement.

Naliyah Williams

Shaka Perdue

Algerion "Krow" Bryant
Our Visual Arts Teachers

Jamie DeWolf

Johnathan Kennedy

DJ Ignacia
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