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Deb Lombard

Deb Lombard has been bringing arts integration and dance programs into Sarasota County Schools for over two decades. One of her greatest joys is instilling the love of dance to students of all ages. And, for 30 years, she's been doing just that. Her career began at Syracuse University, where she taught dance and movement for Actors at the College of Visual and Performing Arts. After moving to Florida, Deb worked as a teaching artist and conducted Arts Integration workshops for The Van Wezel, The Sarasota Ballet, The Sarasota County Arts Alliance and others. Deb spent eight years at Gocio Elementary teaching dance, and helped develop a comprehensive and award-winning arts program: In 2008, Gocio was awarded the National School of Distinction in Arts Education, and was named an Arts Achieve Model School by the Florida Alliance for Arts Education. Deb then went on to create a similar program at Southside Elementary School. Deb holds a Bachelors of Science in Dance Education from the State University of New York, trained with the Lincoln Center Institute for the Arts, is certified in K-12 Dance, Physical Education, Health, Creative Dramatics/Creative Learning (2008) and recently completed a master's level diploma in Arts Management.

Kuniko Yamamoto

A native of Japan, Kuniko Yamamoto received her Bachelor of Psychology from Otani University of Kyoto, Japan in 1983, then started performing professionally in her hometown of Osaka where she grew up studying traditional dance, music and theater. In 1985, she received national exposure performing Japanese Storytelling at the Silk Road International Exposition and on Kansai National TV. The following year, Kuniko traveled to the United States to study with Tony Montanaro, a highly respected mime and actor. Three years later, she toured with Leland Faulkner Light Theater where she helped present lavish stage illusions and brought ancient tales to life with shadows and magic. For the next five years she performed in theaters, schools, colleges, and festivals across the country. In 1992, Kuniko left the Faulkner Light Theater troupe to move to Florida. She married Jon LeClair, a world-renowned magician whose books appear in magic shops worldwide. This helped her add subtle magic and mystery to her unique act. Kuniko has performed in numerous venues of note such as: The Kennedy Center (Washington DC) Disney Epcot Japanese Pavilion Seattle's International Festival International Children's Festival in Canada National Storytelling Festival Over the last two decades she has presented her programs throughout the United States. Her work has been recognized by the Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina State Arts Council since 2000.

Laura Courter, Teaching Artist

Laura Courter has been a Teaching Artist for 25 years. Her degrees in Theatre Arts and English Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have led her into developing innovative children's educational programming and curriculum design throughout her career. Laura has received Teaching Artist training through the Kennedy Center, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Arts and Science Council of Charlotte in the Art Start program, the South Carolina Arts Commission and Fulton County Arts Council in Atlanta. Since moving to Sarasota, Laura is the Education Coordinator for Players Theatre, a Teaching Artist with the Ed Explore program sponsored by the Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Sarasota County Schools. She is a Van Wezel and an Orlando Repertory Teaching Artist. She has taught classes for Venice Theatre and worked as a Visiting Artist in the Lee County School System.

Stephanie Daige, Teaching Artist, MM, BM

Stephanie Daige earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Stetson University and her Master of Music degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Purchase, where she studied oboe with Bert Lucarelli. She performs professionally on oboe, English horn, and saxophone in various orchestras and churches. Currently a member of the Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota, she has also performed in groups such as the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra (AMICCO) and Venice Symphony. Stephanie is an adjunct faculty member of State College of Florida, teaching applied oboe. She also teaches private lessons on oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, and piano, and has worked with students in various schools throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties. During the summer, Stephanie has brought her 'Carnival of the Animals' and 'Peter and the Wolf' explorations to Sarasota County Libraries and to various Sarasota County Title 1 Schools. For 12 years, she participated in the Venice Symphony in the Schools program in which she demonstrated woodwind instruments for third grade classes in Sarasota County. She has also taught at the Sarasota Orchestra Summer Music Camp and the Venice Symphony Summer Music Camp. Stephanie loves to inspire kids to get excited about music, to learn to express themselves through music, and to explore their worlds and other learning areas through music.