Our Teaching Artists
Our creative writing workshops are taught by an all-star group of teachers ranging from poets to illustrators, filmmakers, novelists, performers, clothing designers, and comedians – many of whom hold several of these titles!
Above all, they are experienced classroom practitioners. Uptown Stories teachers write terrific curricula, are dynamic and engaging in the classroom, can tailor their lessons to different age groups and abilities, and most importantly, are passionate about the craft and art of writing.
To top it off, most of our teaching artists are residents of upper Manhattan. Discover more about the fantastic Uptown Stories teachers below!
Daemond Arrindell is a multi-genre writer, filmmaker, educator, and performer interested in found poems, visual poetics, persona, experimentation and exploring what legacy means.
His work has appeared in City Arts, Specter, Crosscut, Poetry NorthWest, Seattle Review of Books and The Pitkin Review.
In a previous life I was a life guard at Jones Beach!
Gal Cohen is an artist and educator based in Washington Heights, NYC. Her work explores the intersections of memory, identity, and place, often drawing on personal narrative and urban environments.
As an educator, she is committed to creating inclusive, imaginative learning spaces where students of all ages can experiment, reflect, and grow.
I am an art and urban tour guide, leading urbanic tours at the High Line, and gallery tours in Chelsea. Also, my studio space is in the Cornerstone Center, right above Uptown Stories!
.webp)
Stacy shares her expertise in creative writing and musical theater with kids of all ages, drawing from experience as a performer and published author.
With a rich catalogue of plays, musicals, and award-winning children’s books like Chance to Fly, she's acclaimed for her Camp Rolling Hills series.
Stacy once sang the National Anthem solo for a NY Jets game! She was 16 at the time.
Nelson Diaz-Marcano is a Puerto Rican NYC-based theater maker, advocate, community leader, and educator.
His plays have been produced and developed by The Road Theatre Company, Pipeline Theatre Company, Clubbed Thumb, The Lark, Vision Latino Theater Company, The Orchard Project, Classical Theatre of Harlem, and The Parsnip Ship among others.
The first time I ever came up with a story was because I was afraid of a pig!
With an MS in Education from City College, Geeta has worked in schools teaching literacy and after school programs and doing hunger relief work as a volunteer.
Geeta has dedicated most of her professional life to volunteerism in agriculture, food, and the environment but has found intersections in peace movements, the arts, activism, and education.
Geeta lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and daughter where she weaves, knits, crochets, and plays with her cat Tito!
Gina Goico is an artist, educator, and PhD candidate in Performing & Media Arts at Cornell University. They hold an AFA in Illustration from Altos de Chavon, a BFA from Parsons The New School for Design, and an MA in Arts Politics from NYU.
Gina's multidisciplinary work examines the construction of Dominican identity, gender, and rebellions in the Dominican Republic and its NYC diaspora.
I love climbing trees and dancing. I also play some bass guitar!
.jpg)
After earning her MFA in writing for young adults from The New School, Molly has taught creative writing at schools across NYC, including NYU, Fordham, FIT, and SVA.
Molly is the author of young adult novels "Epically Earnest" and "Thanks for Listening" (named a Kirkus Best YA books of '24), as well as picture book "I Have Seven Dogs". Her play "The Patron Saint of Other Women" won the Georgia College Arts and Letters Drama Prize in 2021.
My middle school superlative was most likely to save the turtles!
Miss is a published author and illustrator of celebrated graphic novels and comic books. She specializes in teaching comic writing and illustration.
Her graphic novels such as Henni and Escape From “Special” have made top book lists, The New Yorker’s Daily Shouts, and been nominated for awards.
Miss once played a zombie in a low-budget horror movie.
.webp)
Jane - poet, performance artist, and educator - publishes student work and teaches writing, literature, and performance across all age groups.
Jane's published poetry book Names is part of the award-winning ABC Chapbook Series. One of her poems has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
Jane fronts the band The Icebergs and was a part of Sister Spit, the famed west coast women’s poetry troupe!
Tess Michaelson is a writer, interdisciplinary artist, and educator with an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University.
Tess’ articles have been published by The Chicago Review, independent online magazine The Rumpus, The Brooklyn Rail, and more.
Tess has an identical twin!
.jpg)
Our deputy director, Dorkys currently educates students of all ages in writing and art across Washington Heights and Inwood.
Her bilingual works have appeared in Time Out NY Kids, BET, Parents Latina, Syracuse Post-Standard, and the Manhattan Times.
Dorkys keeps the gears of Uptown Stories turning, but when she's not at US she spends her time painting and illustrating!
.webp)
Kate, a dedicated educator, taught middle and high school humanities in both public and private schools for over 25 years before founding Uptown Stories.
Her own fiction has appeared in The Madison Review, Brain Child, Salamander, and The Ledge!
Kate is a lifelong New Yorker and has lived in Washington Heights since 2003 with her two kids. Thank you Kate for the gift of Uptown Stories!
Joel is an educator who is passionate about helping kids find their voices through creative expression.
He has experience working in education and community programs that inspire confidence and curiosity. He is excited to continue this work with Uptown Stories at Amistad Dual Language School.
I have watched every Marvel movie, I love storytelling in all forms (video games, movies, and books), and I am always up for a riddle or puzzle game.
Kristilyn is a writer, artist, educator, and emerging development professional. Comics are her favorite medium!
She's currently working on a graphic novel that may be her life's work.
I once accidentally locked myself and a raccoon together in an apartment.
An academic, dramatic writer, critic, tutor, actor, vocalist/lyricist, and DJ, Michael believes the spirit of improvisation is a building block for the most fully-realized, incendiary storytelling.
Michael did his undergraduate study at WashU, earning a B.A. in English. He recently completed a master’s degree with a Creative Writing concentration, in an interdisciplinary liberal arts program at Dartmouth College.
I am the co-captain of an annual high school reunion football game known as the "Wiener Bowl".
Kai Naima Williams is a multidisciplinary writer, performing artist, and educator. She is passionate about telling stories across different mediums - from the page to the stage and on screen.
The author of two poetry chapbooks and children's picture book "The Bridges Yuri Built," Kai's work has been honored by the Asian American Arts Alliance, the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival and the NYT.
I am fascinated by fortune-telling and enjoy giving my friends I Ching readings!
Annie
Parent
Nina
Parent
Kayla
Student
Lori
Parent
Gerry
Parent
Anna
Student
Elias
Alumnus
Xanthe
Student
Ready to Join a Workshop?
Do you want to be wild and break out of the limitations that are always being set? Poetry is the answer. We’re strapping on our shoes, grabbing our pens, and meeting at the P.S. 187 school yard to go on a poet’s adventure! Poetry is a way of seeing things outside the boxes they are always being put in. We'll be rejuvenated by the nature of Ft. Tryon park and emboldened by our resilient neighborhood. We'll explore the wilds of language out in the world, allowing a stream of poetry to flow from the river of possibility.
If you can’t wait to turn the page, the writer has succeeded in telling you a great story. What does it take to develop characters, settings, dialogue, and plot elements that have you on the edge of your seat? This workshop answers those questions and more! We’ll breakdown the parts of fiction writing each week and test out what we’ve learned with some on-the-spot writing. You’ll work with your peers, too — giving advice and feedback, while hearing what they have to say about your work.
Not only does this workshop make you a better writer, but when you understand the process, it makes you appreciate your favorite writers even more. Don’t leave us on the edge of our seats — register now for this workshop!
We welcome you to Snobby Poetry, should you be up for the challenge. We’re a self-motivated, uber-supportive band of misfits who read, write, and share poems. We love words, rhyme (only when used sparely, thank you), observation, and Walt Whitman (obviously). Poetry is an illogical measuring device, filled with seemingly impossible comparisons and instructions; that is why we are called to write it. We are the liars who tell the truth. If this sounds like you, or if you’ve already taken a class with Jane LeCroy and want more, Snobby Poetry is the workshop for you.