Our Knowledgeable, Dedicated & Creative Educators

Viva Vinson is an accomplished arts educator, performer, and creative director with over 20 years of experience inspiring students through the transformative power of the arts. Specializing in Voice, Vocal Performance, Studio Recording Technique, Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre, Scene Study, Dance, Adaptive Movement, General Music, Vocal Ensemble, and Choir, Viva brings a dynamic and interdisciplinary approach to arts education that blends performance training with creativity, confidence-building, and personal expression.

Viva has taught drama, music, voice, musical theatre, and visual arts for a wide range of schools and community organizations including the Therapeutic Living Center for the Blind, ISANA Academies, LaSalle College of the Arts in Singapore, Las Virgenes Unified School District, and the Special Needs Network. Her work is distinguished by a strong commitment to inclusive arts education, designing programs that successfully engage both neurotypical and neurodivergent learners while integrating the arts into academic environments.

As an artist and arts education specialist who has traveled, performed, and taught throughout the United States and Asia, Viva brings a global perspective to the classroom. Their teaching philosophy emphasizes collaboration, storytelling, and creative exploration, empowering students to discover their voices both on stage and beyond.

Viva holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, a Master’s Degree in Music Education, and a Career Technical Education Teaching Credential. Passionate about cultivating the next generation of artists and creative thinkers, Viva is dedicated to providing meaningful artistic experiences on stage, on screen, and in the classroom, helping students develop confidence, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Andy Najera is a world-renowned educator, musician, composer, arranger, and visual artist who brings exceptional creativity, insight, and mastery to students of all ages. With a dynamic career spanning both the visual and performing arts, Andy is known for inspiring students to develop their artistic voice while building strong technical foundations across multiple disciplines.

An accomplished artist and educator, Andy combines real-world artistic experience with innovative teaching methods that make learning both engaging and transformative. His work bridges music and visual arts, empowering students to explore creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking through the arts.

Andy Najera holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education, and is a fully credentialed and licensed teacher in the State of California. His commitment to arts education and student development continues to influence emerging artists and performers in classrooms and creative communities alike.

**KEN BECKSTEAD**
**Ken** Beckstead is a master ceramic artist with more than four decades of experience in **wheel-throwing and hand-building**, bringing a deep understanding of clay, craftsmanship, and creative expression to students of all ages. His journey in ceramics began in **1979 at Clay Works in Canoga Park**, where he first discovered his passion for the medium. Since then, Ken has dedicated his life to the art of ceramics, continuously working and refining his craft on his own pottery wheel.
Over the years, Ken has shared his expertise through ceramics programs with the **Escondido and Vista Recreation Departments**, guiding students from beginners to experienced makers. Known for his calm, patient, and encouraging teaching style, he creates a supportive studio environment where students feel comfortable experimenting, developing technical skills, and discovering their own artistic voice.
Ken’s teaching emphasizes the joy of the creative process, helping students build **confidence, craftsmanship, and a lasting connection to the art of clay**. Now based in **Los Angeles**, he is excited to continue sharing his knowledge, passion, and decades of experience with students and communities throughout the **greater Southern California region**.

Ana Robles is an international recording artist, songwriter, guitarist, educator, ABA behaviorist, and Spanish language specialist who brings a dynamic and culturally rich approach to teaching and performance. With extensive experience working with both neurotypical and neurodivergent learners, Ana has developed a reputation for creating inclusive learning environments where students of all abilities can thrive.

Blending her passion for music, language, and behavioral science, Ana created the innovative teaching method “Música Feliz,” a joyful and immersive approach that teaches Spanish through song, rhythm, and movement. This unique method helps students develop language skills naturally while building confidence, creativity, and cultural appreciation.

Through her work as both a performing artist and educator, Ana Robles empowers students to connect with language and music in meaningful ways, making learning engaging, accessible, and memorable for diverse communities of learners.