Exploring the Future of Creative Careers Through Real Stories, Emerging Tech, and Interactive Sessions

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Arielle Lane is an award-winning nature photographer and best-selling author who found her way back to the arts while embarking on her many solo adventures to Iceland. Her determination and resilience were tested as she endured unbelievable conditions to photograph Arctic foxes in their natural habitat. This experience catapulted her passion for wildlife and conservation, and in doing so, revealed her life's purpose: to inspire others to pursue their dreams with unrelenting vigor while using her lens to bridge the gap between humankind and nature. 

Dawn Leas is the author of two chapbooks and two full-length collections, including her newest collection, The Sin of Being Okay (Kinsman Avenue Publishing 2025). Her poetry has appeared in New York Quarterly, The Paterson Literary Review, SWWIM, Redheaded Stepchild, and elsewhere. Her work won an honorable mention in the Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Prize and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She’s a writing coach, teaching artist, and assistant director of the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative at Wilkes University. She’s also a proud back-of-the pack runner (when not injured), newish hiker, salt-water lover, and mom of two grown sons.

Tara Middleton is a two-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, violinist, composer, and teaching artist based in Philadelphia. She is a longtime member of the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra, performing internationally and helping carry forward the ensemble’s legacy of creativity, imagination, and Afrofuturism. Tara is also one half of the duo Jupiter Blue, where she blends voice, poetry, electronics, and improvisation to create original music.

Alongside performing, Tara is a dedicated music educator who works with students in public schools and community arts programs. She teaches jazz vocals, creative music-making, rhythm, listening skills, and self-expression, helping students understand how music connects to history, culture, and their own lives. Her teaching encourages curiosity, confidence, and creative risk-taking.

Tara has received national recognition for her work, including two Grammy nominations, the MTNA Award, a Jazz Journalists Association Award, and the Lebra Award. She regularly collaborates with dancers, visual artists, and musicians across many disciplines. Whether on stage or in the classroom, Tara believes music is a powerful tool for storytelling, community building, and helping young people discover their unique voices.

My name is Sara Rose. I am a cosmetic tattoo artist based in Northeast Pennsylvania, where I own and operate my tattoo studio. I turned my life-long love of drawing and beauty into a career where I create wearable art everyday.

Gabrielle Ruiz is an American actress, philanthropist, producer, activist and champion for the arts known Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Wicked in Concert on PBS, In The Heights the movie, animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, Modern Family, Sesame Street, and Law & Order: SVU. She performed on Broadway in If/Then with Idina Menzel, Evita with Ricky Martin, In The Heights with Lin-Manuel Miranda and in the 1st National Tour of A Chorus Line, as Diana Morales. 

Gabrielle has addressed Members of Congress in support of Arts Education Week, has been the keynote speaker for the Human Rights Campaign Gala, continues to teach, mentor, and choreograph in all over the United States while working as Executive Producer for New York City’s hottest vocal trio, The Randy Andys.