Creation Station Teachers

Kirsten Raven Asturi – Costumes/Sets/Props

Kirsten Raven Asturi began her journey in the arts as a ballet dancer. Classically trained, Kirsten began teaching at the age of 18 under the mentorship of Jane Vann Bryan in Merced, CA. Kirsten honed her craft of teaching students of all ages at Juline School of Dance in Modesto, where she taught ballet for over 15 years.

As the former director of Outreach for The Juline Foundation for Children, she provided dance experiences to children in public schools throughout Stanislaus County, working primarily with students aged K-6, including students with ranges of abilities. She directed numerous performances combining these public school dancers with mentors from Juline Regional Youth Ballet, with magical results.

In 2002, Kirsten created and implemented a performing arts program within the structure of The Enrichment Center, an art program for adults with different abilities in Merced, CA. This inspired a devotion to inclusion that positively influences her teaching style.

Kirsten’s love of sewing and creating started early. She began to formally design and create costumes in 2003, and this has since led to her creating costumes for Kim T Davis Dance, Central West Ballet, Juline Regional Youth Ballet, San Jose State University, sjDANCEco, Nickerson-Rossi Dance, and Sacramento State University, among others under the design label Raven On Stage.

Kirsten lives in Pacific Grove, with her husband Ira, and sons Owen and Leo. Where she now teaches dance at The Dance Center in Carmel, CA.

Joy Kerr-Owens - Theater

Joy Kerr-Owens is an elementary educator with over fifteen years of teaching experience in the performing arts. She earned her B.A. in English Literature from CSU San Bernardino and her multiple subject teaching credential from CSU Stanislaus. Joy taught dance to students of all ages at Juline School of Dance before directing middle and high school theater at Modesto Christian School. Joy has collaborated with many local organizations, including Central Valley High School, SRT Jr., and The Juline Regional Youth Ballet, and currently teaches 6th grade at Great Valley Academy in Modesto.

Randi Linee' - Music

Randi Linee' began her vocal training with Erik Buck Townsend, Founding General Director of Opera Modesto (formally Townsend Opera Players) in Modesto in 1993. She has been performing professionally (regional, national and international) since she was 14 years old. Mrs. Linee’ has also served as the Founding General Director/Music Director/Choreographer for several local youth performance groups including the Turlock Youth Performing Arts, the Starmites youth performance group of Denair, and the Aspire Stars. Most recently she has served as the Education Director for Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora, Vocal Coach for Gregori High School and Modesto Christian School, and has served as the Chorus Teacher for Fairview, Fremont, Summit Charter Academy and Everett Elementary school in years past. She currently serves as Program Director for Kids Works (Educational Puppet Theater) of Modesto Performing Arts and teaches Music at Aspire University Charter School. Mrs. Linee' runs a private vocal studio in Modesto, CA. She has a firm belief that all youth should have an opportunity to be trained and express themselves artistically and is looking forward to continuing the Gallo Center's rich history of enriching the lives of young performers through the arts, introducing youth to the stage!

Coleen Patterson - Dance

Coleen trained and performed with Oakland Ballet before moving to Southern California where she attended UC Irvine. After graduating, she spent a number of years in southern California teaching and performing in both ballet and jazz companies. During that time, Coleen dabbled a bit in “extra” work in both commercials and movies, and enjoyed spending two months in Japan dancing with a touring show. Coleen returned to UC Irvine and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance Education. While in school, Coleen had the privilege of studying with such teachers as Jilana, Edward Villella, and Chet Walker. She also studied choreography and dance with Alonso King and Donald McKayle, and had the great privilege of performing in original works by both artists. Coleen worked for Bravo! Repertory Dance Theatre/Central West Ballet for nearly ten years, serving in many capacities including Ballet Mistress and Artistic Director. Coleen has been an instructor at Center for Urban Performance and Service in Turlock, and she taught at Juline School of Dance for twenty-one years. She has been on the faculty at UOP, CSU Stanislaus, and has been a faculty member at Modesto Junior College for nearly twenty years. In addition to teaching dance, Coleen is a certified Yoga instructor. She has also been a part of Memorial Hospital's Complementary Therapy Program for the past fifteen years, teaching movement classes for people whose lives have been touched by cancer.