Meet Our Staff
info@integralsteps.org
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Emma Shubin, MM, BM, BA, Dalcroze License & Certificate,
Executive Director & Co-Founder, Integral Steps Flutist, Suzuki, & Dalcroze Educator emma@integralsteps.org Passionate about music, holistic & integrative education, Emma has been joyfully making music all of her life. Both conservatory and life-trained, she has performed and taught internationally as a flutist and Dalcroze Eurhythmics instructor, an approach of teaching music through movement. Her love of ecology led her to a degree in the field and she seeks to make science not only accessible for her students, but to also deepen their awareness of the natural world around them. Emma strives to creatively combine and share her love of music, movement, improvisation, and biology with students of all ages. www.emmashubin.com |
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Alejandra O. Hudon, MS, MFT
Co-Founder, Integral Steps alejandra@integralsteps.org Alejandra specializes in early childhood development and infant mental health with a focus on attachment and early childhood trauma. Originally from Venezuela, Alejandra has been a licensed Clinical Psychologist in her country since 2006, and holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology here in the US. Her early childhood specialization came after training at UCSF Child Trauma Research Program in 2009 and at University of Colorado School of Medicine Harris Infant Mental Health Program. While living in Colorado she worked as a full-time child & family therapist at Aurora Mental Health Center and served as a member at the Colorado Preschool Programs (CPP) Advisory Board. She also became part of the Fussy Baby Network and completed a certification as an Infant Massage Instructor. Alejandra's practice is defined by her diverse background. Growing up as a martial arts pupil of Grand Master Su Yu Chang, she also studied music and was exposed to different mindfulness practices and the benefits of alternative medicine from a very young age. These experiences have led her to strongly believe in the need for an integrative focus to her work, promoting inner-growth through a balanced approach to life. |
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Weronika Balewski, Dalcroze Certificate, MM, BFA
Instructor and Director of Development weronika@integralsteps.org Weronika believes the Arts have the power to build connection, relationships, and community. This idea is central to her work as a flutist and music educator. A co-founder of Marvento Duo, Weronika performs on modern and Baroque flutes and loves inviting audiences into the magic of music. She is passionate about building a joyful learning environment for her students based on the principles of Dalcroze and Integrative Education. In addition to teaching summer camps and workshops at Integral Steps, she teaches private flute and piano lessons in her studio, and general music at Epstein Hillel School on the North Shore of Boston. Born in Poland, Weronika brings a lifelong interest in science, history, and foreign languages. She is a graduate of the Integrative Education Fellowship program at Integral Steps. |
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Cora Crisman, MA, BM
Instructor and Scholarship Coordinator cora@integralsteps.org A dedicated flutist and music educator, Cora believes that the importance of this work is to uplift and bring diverse communities together. Cora combines a foundation of professional performance with a flexible and creative approach to teaching and community building through musical experiences. Through her work with outreach programs such as the Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s Very Young Composers and the Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestra Outreach Program, Cora strives to use music as a jumping off point for exploration, conversation, and collaboration. In addition to outreach work in public schools and summer programs, she has worked with youth orchestras, coached chamber music ensembles, and taught privately for almost a decade with the goal of connection to music and to each other. In addition to her teaching artist work Cora performs frequently with such groups as the Colorado Symphony, the Colorado Ballet, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. It is her lifelong dream to integrate music performance, music education, and community in a way that serves the community’s needs most effectively. Cora received her BM from Ithaca College and her MA in Flute Performance at the Royal Academy of Music. |
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Danielle Forte, MS, BFA
Summer Instructor danielle@integralsteps.org Danielle’s curiosity was piqued by the melodic flute being played by her neighbor Emma Shubin, and was compelled to learn more about what was happening next door. An instant connection was made, and Danielle became involved in planning and facilitating several community events with Integral Steps, before stepping into her current role. Danielle holds a Master of Science in Museum and Field Studies (where her love for six and eight-legged creatures was born), a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and an Associate’s degree in Interactive Computer Design. Her concurrent experience as the Creative Project Manager for a children’s museum exhibit design firm continues to ignite her passion for alternative and accessible forms of learning and engagement. Danielle is delighted to work with Integral Steps to convey their ideas, mission, and vision in a clear, compelling, and meaningful way. |
Molly Burt-Westvig
Social Media & Marketing Intern
Social Media & Marketing Intern
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Tera Girón, BA
Spanish Instructor Tera Girón holds a BA in Spanish and an elementary education licensure with linguistic and cultural diversity and K-12 ESL certifications. She was a Dual Language and ESL teacher for 16 years during which she received many recognitions including the Colorado Bilingual Teacher of the Year award. Tera now works on developing curriculum for a variety of public, private, and homeschool organizations including Integral Steps. She is passionate about encouraging bilingualism and biculturalism in young children starting with her own son who has been an Integral Steps student for most of his six years of life! |
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Dr. Amanda Setlik Wilson, DMA, MM, BM
Piano & Suzuki Educator Dr. Amanda Setlik Wilson grew up in Lisle, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She began piano studies at age four at the Wheaton College Community School of the Arts’ Suzuki program with Sarah Williams. At age 15, Amanda began studying with Dr. William Phemister, a professor at Wheaton College. She attended several summer music programs, including the Suzuki Institute at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Interlochen, Indiana University Piano Academy, and the International Institute for Young Musicians in Cincinnati. Dr. Setlik Wilson continued on to study Piano Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with husband-and-wife team Eugene and Elizabeth Pridonoff. During her time at CCM, Dr. Setlik Wilson attended piano master class programs in Belgium and the Czech Republic as well as an opera program in Lucca, Italy. She graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelors degree from CCM and moved to Boulder, Colorado to study at CU with Professor Doris Pridonoff Lehnert, earning both her Masters and DMA in Piano Performance. Dr. Setlik Wilson specializes in new music and, in particular, the music of Emma Lou Diemer. Diemer wrote a solo piano piece for her in 2012, Toccata for Amanda, which she premiered on her final solo DMA recital in 2014. Amanda commissioned a second piece by Diemer in 2017, titled Variations on “Our Triangle,” to perform with violinist Dr. Mei Mey Segura at the 2017 Mu Phi Epsilon convention. Dr. Setlik Wilson performs regularly throughout the Denver area as a soloist and as part of Peak Duo, her performing group with Dr. Segura. Amanda is a trained Suzuki teacher and has taught privately since age 17. She currently lives in Longmont with her husband, Michael, and teaches Suzuki and traditional piano lessons in her home studio. |
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Marci Kalish, BA
Music Together Instructor Marci has been teaching Music Together since 2006. She absolutely loves creating music with children and their families and highly values the community and relationships that evolve in the process of music making. Marci received her BA in Vocal Performance from the College of Music at University of Colorado in Boulder in 1993. In addition to teaching, she currently performs with her trio, Faodail, and larger collaborative, Calliope, an all-women group comprised of local professional musicians. Both groups donate their time and talents performing to raise money for charities and to educate the community on social issues. |
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Maria Mandico, MM, RYT
Summer Instructor After a year of studying and performing in France, Maria Mandico, MM, RYT returned to her hometown of Colorado Springs to train at Cambio Yoga. Upon finishing her 200 hour training, Maria went on to complete multiple internships, which included a 15-week Adjusting Internship, a 15-week Teaching Internship, and a 15-week Kid’s Yoga Internship, all with an E-RYT mentor. While teaching extensively at Cambio, Maria trained as a Reiki II practitioner, co-created the sold-out workshop, How Far is the East from the West (Christianity and Yoga in modern times), and provided weekly live music for Yoga in the Park in the summers. Inspired by both fellow teachers and her personal journey in musician wellness, Maria develops and leads workshops on Yoga for Musicians: Injury Prevention and Management and has presented at the Bel Canto Flute Institute (Golden, CO) and the Integrated Flutist Festival (Steamboat Springs, CO). Maria is currently stationed in Naples, Italy, serving as a flutist in the Naval Forces Europe Band, where she continues to inspire yogis of all ages through weekly classes for her fellow sailors and through the USO. |
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Sarah Hicks
Play It Forward Intern From an early age, Sarah has found comfort and inspiration in the power of music and strives to share that power with everyone she encounters. Sarah is currently a student at the University of Alabama studying Instrumental Music Education. Her primary instrument is the French horn, which she has been studying for 8 years now. Sarah is an alumni of the Play It Forward Scholarship Program. Her love for the beauty of music and for serving those around her has led her to pursue opportunities that will help her grow as a person, as a teacher, and as a musician. She is currently teaching as a consultant for the Denmark Danes High School Marching Band and interning for Integral Steps as an ambassador for the past, present, and future of the Play It Forward Scholarship Program. She hopes to one day pursue a career as a band director, utilizing the ideologies of integrative education in the classroom on a daily basis. |
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Nicole Thomas
Program & Communications Manager nicole@integralsteps.org Individualistically minded, Nicole loves to support children and adults one-by-one. From developing content that is easily accessible to relaying focused information, she thrives on the harmony produced. Her belief in community has often translated to passionate involvement in local non-profits. In addition, she often heads outdoors to bike with her husband, run marathons with her daughter, and climb 14ers with her son. |
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Melissa Overbury-Howland , MEd, BA
Instructor and Website & Registration Coordinator melissa@integralsteps.org Born in England, Melissa grew up in Greece and experienced a truly international education, becoming a TEFL teacher at the age of 18. Melissa went on to graduate from the University of Cambridge with a Masters in Education and was an English and Drama teacher for 6 years before transitioning to the tech and admin world. Some of her accolades include working with the BBC to create a documentary focusing on classroom engagement and also setting up a teaching program in India promoting non-didactic teaching methods. A strong supporter of alternative and innovative education, she is very happy to be partnering with Integral Steps to ensure multimodal programs reach those in need. |
Meet our Board of Directors
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Brett Nickerson, B.A.
President of the Board of Directors As a long time resident of Louisville, Brett brings his theater, teaching and corporate business experience to his role as President of the Board of Directors. Having served on the Louisville Cultural Council along with Emma Shubin and currently on the Louisville Recreation Advisory Board, he is intimately familiar with the vibrant and creative local community and is honored to be able to support Integral Steps with their strategy and growth for the future. Brett has performed in local theater for the last 20 years and is proud to watch his own daughter, who has also been a student at Integral Steps, catch the bug for hitting the stage too. He was fortunate to spend 9 years teaching skiing throughout his career in Colorado, Vermont and New York so he has a keen appreciation for experiential learning and helping people overcome fear and frustration to achieve their goal. He is currently a Strategic Alliance Manager at Tech Data and has held marketing and technical positions at GE, NetApp, Arrow Electronics, and Sun Microsystems; bringing his large company experience to support a small/local creative business is a very satisfying way to merge two worlds together and support the Arts. Brett holds a B.A. in Communications and Human Relations from Western Connecticut State University |
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Tamara Darnow, CFA, PMP, CAMS-Audit
Treasurer of Integral Steps Tamara’s childhood volunteering at a local non-profit triggered a connection to the aspirations of nonprofits that lives on today. With a lifelong passion for academics and appreciation for the impactful powers of music and arts, Tamara ardently believes in Integral Steps’ unique integrative education mission and partnership in the community. Throughout her financial services oriented professional career, leveraging a MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an economics degree from Northwestern University, Tamara has actively pursued responsibilities with a risk management theme. Her current role focuses on enterprise, compliance, and operational risk areas within KeyBank wherein she also serves as the Corporate Bank Code of Ethics Officer. Never one to stand still, Tamara holds the Chartered Financial Analyst ® designation, among other risk-oriented designations, and is an active season passholder at Copper Mountain in Summit County, CO. |
Kate Ricklin - Secretary of Integral Steps
Some of our wonderful partners, funders and sponsors
For more information, please visit our partnership page
Integral Steps receives funding from:
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We thank our generous sponsors!
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