Instructors

Program(s): Creative Arts; Art in 3D

Ms. Laura Casey has been a Creative Arts Instructor for Orange County Parks and Recreation for over two years where she not only teaches an on-going monthly Creative Arts Class she conducts a very popular Creative Arts Camp in the summer.  Ms. Casey is also the art teacher at Cameron Park Elementary School.  She states her personal goal is to inspire children to believe in themselves and their ability to create art.  This is evidenced in her weekly classes that inspire children to experiment with all types of art mediums to create original works.  Ms. Casey received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Atlanta College of Art in Atlanta, Georgia and then gained her Art Education Licensure for K-12 from North Carolina Central University.  Her Favorite Quote is from Pablo Picasso: "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

Program(s): Youth Instructional Volleyball

Coach Heverly has coached high school volleyball for the past 23 years; leading 12 teams (two different schools) to the state playoffs.  He was named coach of the year for the conference 11 years.  Wade founded D.O.V.E. Volleyball in 1999 with the vision to provide local girls with a club that teaches excellent volleyball techniques, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, while building character and promoting leadership.  He has partnered with the Orange County Rec Dept to provide volleyball clinics for elementary aged children for the past several years.  Coach Heverly is currently the head coach at the Trinity School of Durham and Chapen HIll.

Class taught: Basketball Clinic

JW Athletics Foundation is a nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organization based in Efland, NC. and founded by Jacob Wood to help educate young athletes and provide an environment for them to achieve physical and mental growth. The Foundation strives to challenge young athletes to increase their abilities to compete, with a focus on hard work and a never give up attitude. We want to show our kids a path to be the best that they can be and build the confidence they will need to be leaders instead of followers.

Program(s): Chess

Ed Larson is an active tournament chess player currently rated in the 1700-1800 (USCF) range.  He has taught chess with Orange County Recreation since Spring 2017.  

Program(s): Tai Chi

Nina Maier has been studying Tai Chi and Qigong since 1994 and teaching since 1998.  She practices and teaches Chen Style and Wu/Hao Style Tai Chi Quan and Shiba Luohan Gong qigong as well as other qigong sets.  She is dedicated to the preservation of these ancient arts and to sharing them with others to increase self-knowledge, health, and well-being.

Program(s): Piano Lessons

Elena Marinina is a Classical Voice and Piano Instructor who graduated from Odessa Music School of Arts in Ukraine as a pianist, choir director, piano teacher, and a teacher of music theory. She received two Master of Arts degrees from Odessa Conservatory; one as a Choir Conductor and another as a Classical Singer. Her musical career includes being a vocal soloist, an opera singer, and a piano and voice instructor for private lessons as well as in a classroom setting.

Program(s): Engineering

Play-well TEKnologies specializes in introducing kids to the fundamental principles of engineering and physics through LEGO-based play.  

At Play-Well TEKnologies we strive to:

• Build problem-solving skills
• Provide an opportunity for creative expression
• Foster a greater appreciation of how things work
• Encourage the qualities of inquisitiveness, self reliance, and self confidence in children

Kids dive into our classes and exercise their innate gift for building. They come away understanding fundamental principles of engineering and physics. The experience boosts their confidence, creativity and ability to collaborate.

Program(s): Martial Arts

Mr. Nishith Tirvedi began his martial arts training at the age of 8. He possesses a 4th degree black belt in PaSaRyu, a mixed martial arts that combines Karate, Kung-Fu, and Taekwondo, and black belts in several other styles including ATA (American Taekwondo Association), Aikido, and Jujitsu.

Mr. Trivedi has over 15 years of teaching experience under the leadership of Kang Rhee, Dave Pryga, and Darren Yancy. He has also trained with Rob Crowell, Anthony Slayton, and Gastavo Guillermoni.

Mr. Trivedi’s program focuses on two very important things: physical technique and life skills one needs to be a true martial artist. He believes that the most valuable lesson in all martial arts is that essential qualities like self-respect, self-discipline, and being ambitious while remaining humble are equally important as self-defense and breaking boards.