Creative Trails Team
This page is dedicated to our incredible and inspiring Direct Support Professionals, who show their commitment daily!
Director/Founder: Scott Miller, has his BS from The University of Utah in Program Planning, with an emphasis on special populations paralleling outdoor programing and art. He is also a National Outdoor Leadership Alumni and was a senior therapeutic wilderness instructor for AYA. Scott is the co-founder of the Stir Art Collective and has served as a Maine Arts accessibility committee member. Scott has 25 years of experience working with individuals with intellectual uniqueness, including a year on a nationally recognized clinical team. He is also a John Rosser recipient for outstanding social achievement and lectures internationally. Outside human services, Scott c0-owned Washington Ave Art Studios, Vu-Master Gallery and Wicked Pulp Juice Bar and cafe. When Scott is not working or spending time with his wife and two boys, he enjoys good friends, traveling, surfing, tele skiing, and art."He allowed me to be who I wanted to be. He is smart, cool under pressure and is bodaciously awesome!" ~Nicholas S.
Music Program Coordinator: Eric Schwan has his BA from Alfred University with an emphasis in language, art, and culture. Eric has interned at the Highland Nature Sanctuary in Ohio & The Birch Creek Arts and Ecology Center in Oregon, while also spending five seasons on the Pomona Harvesters apple harvesting crew in VT and NH. Since moving to Maine he has worked as an Ed Tech substitute in the Maine School District and performed and recorded in bands around Portland playing guitar, drums, piano, banjo, and bass. His inspiration for music and working with folks with intellectual uniqueness led to the development of the Listen Up! Music Program in 2012. When Eric is not working he enjoys playing music with friends in his songwriting project The Orchards, hiking, biking, swimming, social justice, reading, and writing. "Eric is supportive. He is someone to turn to when I need help. He tries his hardest to be honest.” ~Katie O.
South Portland Foundation Program Direct Support Professional: Lorien Hansford (she/her) is a visual artist. She received a BFA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her MFA from The Glasgow School of Art. Lorien has exhibited her work throughout New England and participated in artist residencies abroad, from Costa Rica to Italy. She enjoys rock climbing, hiking, reading, snowboarding and swimming in the ocean. Lorien is a firm believer that sharing the joy of art and nature with others is where magic lives! Portland Foundation Program Direct Support Professional. “Lorien is sweet, funny and really cool. I like to do fun things with her.”~ Nicole G.
Art Program Coordinator: Lianne Lewin-Grover graduated cum laude from the University of Southern Maine with her BFA in Art Education and concentration in Painting. Lianne has had a passion for art and teaching from an early age. As part of the USM art education program she has taught in many art workshops for local elementary students, curated opening receptions to exhibit their work, and helped launch the ArtLab Summer Camp workshop series. Lianne is also one half of Lewin-Grover Studio, where she binds journals and creates artistic stationery. When she is not teaching or making art, she enjoys exploring the Maine coast, reading, or relaxing with her three cats. “She’s wonderful! She’s wonderful staff; I like her and the way she does art. I give her an AAA+!” ~David M
South Portland Foundation Program Direct Support Professional: Andrew Jackson, received his BFA in photography from Maine College of Art. While in school he was involved with an art collective that had an independent showing in the ICA and was able to tour the project they had worked on to a new media festival in Santa Fe, NM. He’s had photographs included in the Bakery Photo Collectives annual “Photo a go-go” show for a few years, he has also had works in online galleries and other publications. He currently is in a band alongside other Creative Trails staff, playing the drums in the group. The band was able to do a tour to Nashville in the summer and hopes to do more after the release of the album they are currently working on. When Andrew isn’t at Creative Trails, he’s working on something band related, taking photographs, cooking, or hanging out with his friends. “Andrew is nice, good at art, and he wears good hats.” ~ Zihoa H
South Portland Foundation Program Manager: Terra Brazier (they/them) graduated from Hampshire College with a BA in Art Education in 2019. During their time at Hampshire, Terra worked at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, where they got the opportunity to interact with guests of all different ages and abilities in the art studio. Since graduating, Terra has lived in Portland, and began at Creative Trails in January 2022. When they aren’t at CT, Terra can be found experimenting in their art studio, knitting on their couch or hanging out with their cat, Bandit.
South Portland Foundation Program Direct Support Professional: Nina holds a BA in Ecology from Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California, and has studied Art History at l’Université Grenoble Alpes in Grenoble, France. After college, Nina worked with the land through farming while traveling and continuing to explore her artistic practice. Nina returned to Maine at the start of the pandemic and has found a home and creative community in Portland. When she’s not tinkering over needle felted sculptures or playing with watercolors, Nina enjoys reading and thinking in quiet places, drawing portraits of her friends, and swing dancing to live music. “Nina is resilient, smart and outgoing.” ~ Libby G
Composition Studio Program Manager: Tyler Heydolph has been an active performing musician in New England for the past 15+ years. Following private double bass study in NYC and his native VT he began performing regularly in the areas Jazz and improvised music scene as well as holding positions in the Keene Chamber Orchestra (NH) & Windham Orchestra (VT). Tyler currently performs regularly with Mark Tipton’s Les Sorcier Perdus, improvised “Doom-prov” trio Earbus and Snaex. Tyler worked at Listen Up! For 3 years prior to starting the Composition Studio in the beginning of 2017. When not at the Composition Studio Tyler enjoys playing/listening to music, reading, thinking and being outside. "Tyler is an good musician, very helpful and kind". - Michael O.
The Art Certificate Team Leader: Heather Wechsler received her Associates Degree in Behavioral Health and Human Services from Southern Maine Community College with a detour in Printmaking. Heather has worked in the photography industry as a printer and a shooter, in addition to avariety of other random jobs until finding her passion in community art education. When she is not at The Art Certificate Program you are likely to find her curled up in a comfy chair playing with yarn and other fiberous treasures, collecting rocks and sea glass on the beach with her teenage daughter or at apunk rock show with her husband feeling like the oldest people there!
“She’s a very good listener to what we have to say about stuff.” –Adam B
Creative Trails Float: Jamison York graduated cum laude from the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts concentration in Sculpture in 2001. Jamison uses his contractor and blacksmithing background to fabricate found art steel sculptures. Jamison creates commercial and residential art commissions and exhibits nationally from coast to coast. Besides staying active to the New England School of Metalworks, Jamison is an avid skier and physical fitness and wellness coach. His passion for teaching art and fitness has allowed multiple students to metal place in recent Special Olympics in Maine. “You are a Great Artist, Person, and Coach… How is that all possible?” –Abby O.
The Art Certificate Direct Support Professional: Kerrie holds a BFA from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film. She has worked in the entertainment industry both as an actor and production artist in lighting in theatrical set design between NY and LA for the past 25 years.
Kerrie is a member of SAG-AFTRA & AEA, and has worked on Broadway, countless regional theaters, and acted in such TV shows as Law & Order, and NCIS: LA. In 2018, Kerrie directed a one man play that went to the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland that raised £1300 for the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic. Kerrie loves to utilize the resources around her in creating her multi media visual art, such as plastic bags and other recyclable things. Her art has sold in LA, and is currently for sale at the Full Circle Artisans Gallery in Cornish, ME. Outside of work, Kerrie loves being in nature, and enjoying solitude on the water in the ocean or on the lake she lives on with her little dachshund Prim. “Kerrie is awesome! She always helps me, and is the nicest person ever!” Lisa
Listen UP Direct Support Professional: Michael Townsend is a graduate of Rutgers College (New Brunswick, NJ) with a degree in Human Communication, Michael had a long career as an Advertising/Marketing Communications copywriter in New York, New Jersey and Portland, ME. His claim to fame: coining the state slogan “Maine, The Way Life Should Be’” for the office of Tourism in 1987. Before leaving the business in 2015, Michael served as Director of Creative Services for the firm of Perry & Banks in Portland, where he was employed for 19 years. Michael has also been a musician, playing guitar, bass and keyboards for various bands and projects throughout much of his life. In addition, he has been a volunteer producer and programmer for Portland community radio station WMPG since 1986, and continues to contribute there to this day. In November, 2016, Michael was certified a DSP and joined the staff of Listen Up Music for this simple reason: “I love being able to help people in their pursuit of the joys of music – be it listening, writing, recording or performing!" "Michael is awesome he helps us out with making music". -Michael O
Listen Up Direct Support Professional: Jon Gaither is a musician and recording engineer with a BA in political science from George Washington University. A lifelong Mainer, Jon returned home after college and quickly started a punk-blues band that helped re-ignite his love for noisy joyful music and his fascination with recording. A passion for civil rights and social justice led Jon to the ACLU of Maine, where he spent four years leading a statewide program educating young people about their constitutional rights. He has also worked for three years at the Jay School District and for one year at the Portland Conservatory of Music. When he isn't rocking out with the musicians at Listen Up, he is likely working on a new album or trying to teach himself a new skill he can use in the recording studio.
"Jon is very kind and helps me make music". -John G
The Art Department Program Manager: Amanda Schulman Brokaw has a degree in art history from Bard College and has taught everything from cooking, to creative writing, to video production. Helping people explore the world through creativity is a passion. She is a mother of two and a recent transplant to Portland from NYC. She loves to spend her time cooking, reading, creating messy multimedia pieces, and exploring Maine with her family. “Amanda is super kind, and always makes everything positive. That’s what I like about her!” – Adam B
Listen Up Direct Support Professional: Zohar Azoulay is a musician who's found his home in Portland, Maine, after detours across the world. And the Northeast. And the Midwest. In addition to his work at Listen Up, Zohar has been employed at the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine in a variety of capacities since 2016, most recently spearheading its new music program. Outside of work, he enjoys watching and re-watching the Sopranos, reading, and playing guitar with the Creative Trails mega-band, Sequela.
Art Certificate Program Direct Support Professional. Molly Picone is a musician and artist who has studied public health, art history, and anthropology at McGill University and the University of Southern Maine, with a Bachelors of Public Health degree from the latter. Molly has been making art and music for as long as they can remember, primarily working in fiber arts and playing cello and piano. Molly moved to Portland in early 2019 and soon after began working as a float staff for Creative Trails. Their previous work teaching multimedia art and music lent itself well to their work as a float with Creative Trails, where they’ve been able to experience and help out at all of the organization’s various programs. Molly is currently in the world famous mega-band Sequela with several other Creative Trails staff members. During Molly’s down time, they enjoy swimming in Maine’s cold waters, writing haiku, and singing with their siblings. ~“Molly is the BEST. STAFF. EVER!!!!!” – Alex
The Art Department and Art Certificate Program Direct Support Professional: Emma Wolfsohn graduated from Maine College of Art (before it was called MECAD) with a BFA in Printmaking. She is interested in at-home printmaking processes and sketching, as well as fiber arts, painting, and small-scale sculpture. Born and raised in NYC, she enjoys a pumpernickel bagel with a schmear, and will never turn down a game of Uno or Super Fight.
“Emma is very helpful, and she’s a wonderful artist too!” -Bob S
