Our Staff
Yoga Instructors | Yoga - Substitute Teachers | Acupuncture Practitioners | Massage Therapists |
Herbal Medicine Practitioners |
Front Desk Staff | Volunteer Staff
| Yoga Instructors « Return to Yoga Main Page | |
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| Donna first took yoga 15 years ago in Mexico and fell in love with its beauty, precision and spirituality. After years of studying Iyengar and vinyasa flow yoga, Donna trained with Yogafit and taught mixed-level flow yoga for three years at White Oak Sport & Health. Because she thinks everyone should find joy in yoga, Donna infuses her classes with adventure, spirit and compassion and reaches out to students at every level. Beginners will feel challenged but most find that they advance quickly. A member of the International Association of Black Yoga Instructors, Donna is on leave from her column at The Washington Post while she writes her memoirs. | |
| Abby has engaged with the practice of yoga as a way to align with creativity and inspiration. She has completed certification with YogaFit and has studied with many teachers in her home town of Iowa City, Iowa. She is a certified holistic life therapist and has taught yoga as a part of an integrative recovery program in addictions. Abby moved to this area to work with the homeless population and brings a wealth of inspiration and courage to her practice and to her classes. | |
| Elizabeth is a graduate of WSYC YTT and AYTT, as well as an Affiliated Anusara Teacher. She began her studies in Raja and Hatha Yoga in 1974. Her energetic and playful nature embrace Anusara Yoga's unique style and therapeutic quality. Sacred poetry, music and artistic expressions of mudras, asanas and chanting create an imaginative journey into the art of yoga. | |
| Linda is certified in Itsy Bitsy Yoga, Childrens' Radiant Yoga Level 1 and 2, and Infant Massage Education through Infant Massage USA. Her 32 years experience in Early Childhood Education, and training in brain development enhances what she offers in classes for infants and parents, children and preteens. Linda believes that a good teacher must be a lifelong learner and that children are the embodiment of possibility. | |
| Josh began lifting weights in college and continues to enjoy an athletic lifestyle. He found Kettlebells as an alternative to weightlifting and began his Kettlebell training in 2005. After his first 6 week session, Josh noticed a dramatic change in his body and reached a new level strength and fitness. Josh received his Registered Kettlebell Certification in June 2007 and is excited to introduce Kettlebells to the Blue Heron Community. | |
| Katalin received her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification at Hot Yoga USA. She also studied at Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville, and continued her training with Lauren Peterson, Micheline Berry, Annie Carpenter, Shiva Rea, Rod Stryker, Sarah Powers, Gary “Gopal” Bello and Seane Corn. Katalin originally found yoga while looking for a "workout" and over the past five years her life has been transformed by the process. Her vinyasa style hatha yoga class incorporates elements of yin yoga with a focus on detoxification while building alignment, strength and flexibility. During the class she guides the practitioners in deepening their awareness and helps to remove the blockages that the mind created in their body. Katalin moved to the States 18 years ago from Budapest, Hungary where she was a television producer. | |
| Lisa is certified in the Anusara Tradition through Willow Street Yoga, and is currently pursuing her advanced training with Rod Stryker in the Pure Yoga style. Lisa combines the teachings of Anusara and Pure Yoga with her deep love of Yoga, her compassionate heart and joyful spirit in creatively sequenced classes designed to help students align with the true meaning of Yoga: where body, mind and spirit are joined as one. | |
Daniel is a nationally certified yoga instructor-educator at the 500-hour level with the Yoga Alliance and is a faculty member at the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica where he co-teaches the Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher Trainings. He leads workshops and weeklong retreats on the inner dimensions of yoga throughout the Americas and in Tibet. He is originally from Washington, D. C. where he instructs at the Department of Justice, the White House Athletic Center and the Military Advanced Training Center in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He is the author of the DVD series Yoga Beginnings: Awareness which is made for every body and mind. In his past life, Daniel performed for several years as an artist-educator in the theaters of the Barns of Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA, BAPA's Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and The Smithsonian Institution's Discovery Theater in Washington, D. C. He also danced with Maru Montero's Mexican Folkloric Company, Tony Powell/Music and Movement and attended clown school in Guanajuato, Mexico with Sigfrido Aguilar at El Estudio Busqueda de Pantomia Teatro. When he is not facilitating yogic seminars somewhere around the world, you'll find Daniel high above the earth uniting with nature while rock climbing. His other pastimes include Chinese martial arts, writing and drinking tea. For more go to: www.silkroadyoga.com |
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| Debbie is a Registered Yoga Teacher 500 hours with Yoga Alliance (RYT500), member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, and graduate of the Yoga Center of Columbia’s Teacher Training program. As a former Registered Nurse, she began teaching a gentle yoga class in 1999 for Breast Cancer Survivors that is still in session. Debbie focuses her years of training on how yoga can heal the body through a therapeutic approach to injuries and chronic illnesses. She supports the development of her student's own awakening of body/mind awareness through poses, breath, meditation, and relaxation. Debbie has been teaching pre-natal yoga classes since 2001 and is a senior teacher and trainer at the Yoga Center of Columbia. | |
| Tamara is certified in the Amrit Tradition through the Amrit Yoga Institute. She is a registered yoga teacher at the 200 hours level (RYT 200) with the Yoga Alliance. As a practitioner of yoga for twenty years, she began teaching classes and offering yoga workshops four years ago. She finds yoga to be a healthy way to remain balanced and she enjoys sharing the joy of yoga with children and adults. Through yoga, she is able to connect with her students in a uniquely enriching experience. In addition to yoga, she also trained as an African dancer with Ballet Saba in Oakland, California. She particularly enjoys the experience of yoga as a path to connect with the natural world. With this blend of skills and training, she offers a deeply relaxing and energizing mix of yoga to her teaching style. | |
| Blue Heron Wellness Director of Yoga, Ashley embarked on her study of yoga ten years ago and began teaching at the University of North Carolina - Asheville in 1998. Her love of travel has taken her to classes throughout the United States and she has studied and taught yoga in Australia and Costa Rica. In 2003 Ashley received her first certification with Yoga Alliance as a 200-hour registered teacher in Integrative yoga. She went on to complete a 200-hour Kundalini teacher training program with a focus on breath work and meditation. Her background style is a combination of Iyengar, Anusara, playful flow and Kundalini. Her classes inspire a deep sense of community and provide a warm and welcoming environment for students to explore yoga and enjoy their bodies. In addition to teaching yoga, Ashley also works in the community a clinical herbalist and as an educator in nutrition and health. | |
| Carol, Anusara-inspired, RYT 500, is a graduate of the Willow Street Yoga Teacher Training Program and continues to study with senior Anusara teachers as well as Pure Yoga founder Rod Stryker. Her classes incorporate compassion and alignment principles to inspire a sense of well-being and empowerment. Carol is the mother of two daughters in their early twenties and works full time in information technology. She sees yoga as a way to focus and stay connected to what's important. | |
| Peter has been teaching movement and meditation in the Washington, DC area since 1972. He is certified in deep muscle and polarity therapy, and has a Masters degree in Social Work with many years in mental health work. He developed Nature Therapy to utilize the gifts of the natural world for healing and personal growth. Since the early 90's he has been studying, practicing and teaching Qigong and mindfulness meditation. | |
| Claudia is a Certified Anusara Yoga teacher, the culmination of a lifelong devotion to achieving excellence in yoga. She has over 21 years of formal yoga training, starting in Santa Monica, California, in 1984, where she became the first person to offer yoga at the YMCA. While at USC completing a Masters Degree in Social Work, she taught yoga to students and faculty. She integrates her knowledge of yoga with her skill as a social worker, developing corporate stress reduction programs, working with oncology patients at Children's Hospital, and teaching yoga to artists and performers. She has trained with noteworthy teachers of Ashtanga and Iyengar Yoga including Rod Stryker, and assisting Erich Shiffman. In 1993, faced with possibly losing the use of her left arm as a result of a debilitating car accident, she began studying Pilates and therapeutic yoga. This led her to John Friend, creator of Anusara Yoga, with whom she now studies | |
Janet is committed to helping individuals stay active, healthy, and participating in life. Janet has been teaching Pilates in the area for over two years and brings her experience as a personal trainer and fitness coach into her classes. She received her certification from the Pilates Institute of America and has continued her studies of Pilates through workshops and seminars. Her background in working with physical and occupational therapists has deepened her understanding of safe and effective movement therapies. Janet is also certified in older adult fitness and teaches Pilates and fitness in facilities in the area. |
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| Amy Scribner, BSN, has been a practicing registered nurse since 1994. After many years of long distant running and racing, she discovered the powerful and restorative effects yoga has on the body and the mind. Yoga quickly replaced running for Amy and she has been committed to her practice for the past 8 years. Since becoming a mother, Amy discovered the wonderful effect yoga can have on children as well. Amy trained at Budding Yogis and was certified as a children’s yoga instructor in 2007. She brings an open heart and an infectious enthusiasm as she strives to share her joy with each of her young yoga students. | |
| Sara has been teaching Yoga since 1999 and specializes in working with women and couples throughout their childbearing years. She found that yoga gave her relief from the accumulated stress of multiple miscarriages that occurred before the birth of her son, and has remained a devoted student ever since. Sara has a background in Dance Movement Therapy, and sees yoga as a form of self healing and personal growth. | |
| Rebecca “Kalpana” Snyder is a dance performer and teacher. For the past 6 years, belly dance has been the focus of her movement studies. She also has a strong background in Tai Chi and Chi Gong. Rebecca serves as a founding member of Shivani/Tsang Yang, Baltimore’s first Tribal Belly Dance troupe, and performs around across the region. As a teacher, Rebecca promotes an experience of integration: heart and mind, body and soul. | |
| Gia started teaching yoga in 2004 after completing her teacher training at DC Yoga. Her enthusiasm for sharing this ancient form of dance/movement/meditation is apparent in the way she instructs her classes. She deeply believes that yoga should be available to everyone and this embracing attitude creates and open and welcoming environment for her students. Through her study of various yoga traditions including Sivananda, anusara, tantra and kundalini, Gia embodies what is at the heart of all these traditions; joy, compassion, and lightness of spirit. | |
| Elyse is a local clinical herbalist and an instructor of SynergyDance. As a graduate of the Tai Sophia Institute with a M.S in Herbal Medicine, and through her work in SynergyDance, Elyse works with people to increase their sense of individuality and joy. Elyse obtained her training in SynergyDance with creator and founder, Charmaine Lee and continues to study under her guidance. Currently, Elyse sees clients and teaches in the Washington, DC area. | |
| Yoga - Substitute Teachers « Return to Yoga Main Page | |
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| Matsimela has been a disciplined practitioner of body science for over a decade. Studying various martial arts from Bagua, to Xing Yi Quan, to Tai chi Quan, Matsimela incorporates the breathing and movement techniques from these martial arts into his yoga classes, maximizing overall health. He is also a dedicated student and teacher of Yoga, receiving his teachers training in the Sivananda tradition. Combining elements from his various practices Matsimela provides a holistic approach to Yoga, creating a powerful and synergistic connection between mind body and soul. | |
| Acupuncture Practitioners « Return to Acupuncture Main Page | |
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| Susan is licensed by the state of Maryland in both acupuncture and clinical social work. As a couples, family, and individual therapist for twenty years, she has applied her skills in promoting and building relationships with and among people as a practitioner of Traditional Five Element Acupuncture. Her current healing work is based on traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean theories of the several thousand-year-old practice of acupuncture that works with people interested in a holistic approach to balancing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual facets of wellness and health. She holds graduate degrees from the George Washington University in counseling, from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute, (now called the Tai Sophia Institute for the Healing Arts) where she also teaches classes in diagnostic interaction and is a clinical supervisor in the student clinic. She is a member of the Maryland Acupuncture Society and the National Alliance of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Sue has specialized in working with clients in the areas of addiction, sexual and physical abuse and bereavement. She is also a clinical hypnotherapist. | |
| Brendan is a Nationally Board Certified Acupuncturist, licensed in Maryland. He is also currently finishing his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He has experience working with all types of patients including those with musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain and various chronic conditions. Brendan holds a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Massage Therapy Certification from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. He has clinical training from Chengdu and Shanghai Universities of Traditional Chinese Medicine in acupuncture and Tui Na (a Chinese version of Shiatsu). Brendan incorporates Tui Na manual therapy and lymphatic drainage with acupuncture to provide a unique treatment experience. His interests include Tai Chi Chuan exercise and Qi Gong meditation. | |
| Susan is a licensed Acupuncturist and certified Chinese Herbalist. Born and raised in Bethesda, MD, Susan graduated cum laude from both the Sidwell Friends School and Yale University. She earned her Masters of Acupuncture degree from the Tai Sophia Institute, and completed an additional two year training program in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Using the powerful twin modalities of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs, Susan addresses concerns ranging from a general sense that life could be better to difficult physical issues including chronic pain, infertility and cancer treatment support. Because Chinese medicine is a truly holistic approach to wellness, clients find that as they work with Susan to resolve the concern that brought them in the door, seemingly unrelated positive physical, emotional and even spiritual changes often occur. As clients become more harmonious on all levels, symptoms tend to resolve, while whole new possibilities open up for vitality, satisfaction and peace of mind. | |
| Stephanie is a nationally board certified acupuncturist. She received her B.S. in Nursing from Seton Hall University and has more than 25 years of clinical experience in many facets of Western health care. After a personal illness caused her to seek alternative care she was inspired to pursue a second career in acupuncture and received her Masters of Acupuncture from TAI-Sophia Institute. As a holistic practitioner, Stephanie applies theories of acupuncture to facilitate her patients’ healing process. Stephanie’s goal is to build a partnership with her patients to help them achieve the level of health to which they aspire. She is a member of the Maryland Acupuncture Society and the American Acupuncture Council. | |
Tuan is an acupuncturist and herbalist, licensed in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and California. He comes from a family with generations of practitioners of Traditional Oriental Medicine and received his earliest training in childhood from his grandfather and other master practitioners in South Viet Nam. Tuan was also formally trained at The Institute of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Sai Gon, Viet Nam. After moving to United States in 1992, he continued his studies at South Baylo University in Anaheim, California and earned his Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine there in 1997. He is also nationally certified as a diplomate in Acupuncture and Chinese herbs through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Tuan has been living and practicing on the East Coast since 1998. |
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| Jennifer received her B.A from University of Maryland Baltimore Campus in Psychology and her M.A from the Tai Sophia Institute. She is also an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist and a Registered Yoga Teacher. Jen has also completed her certification in Chinese Herbal Medicine at Tai Sophia Institute. She is excited to offer the power of relationship-centered healing to her clients. Through her experience as both patient and practitioner, she understands the transformational power and benefits of acupuncture treatment. Respect and compassion for her clients is the foundation for her work. | |
| Massage Therapists « Return to Massage Main Page | |
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| Rachel is a graduate of Baltimore School of Massage. She specializes in Myofascial, Deep Tissue and Swedish massage. Rachel feels that compassionate, mindful presence is the most important part of any therapeutic work. | |
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| Glenda graduated from the Potomac Massage Training Institute and became certified in 2004. She is also a Reiki Master. Glenda brings a varied approach to her work with clients, incorporating energetics into her therapeutic massages, as requested by her clients. She originally comes to this area from her home in Texas. Glenda has a clinical background with a degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. | |
| Angela graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage and became nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in 2000. She has been giving massages to friends and family her whole life and credits them with her success in the professional world of Therapeutic Massage. She enjoys many modalities of massage, especially myofascial release and tending to tired aching feet. | |
| Adele brings to Blue Heron over thirty years of studies in the mind-body connection. Her range of education includes biofeedback, yoga, AcuYoga, massage, core Zero Balancing® , Living in a Body®, acupuncture, Reiki, Sotai, fibromyalgia and cellulite treatment, nutrition and essential oils therapy. A former fitness instructor, Adele recommends exercises for specific conditions, and nutritional and lifestyle adjustments to promote wellness. She may also suggest clinically-validated homeopathic remedies, herbs and nutritional supplements as required. Adele combines creative, intuitive problem-solving with healing sensibility to help clients shift perspectives, and develop habits to optimize overall wellness. | |
| Rachel is a graduate of Baltimore School of Massage and has an Associates Degree in Business Administration. Before changing careers and pursuing massage, Rachel worked for 16 years in the corporate sector and understands the impact on the body of the daily stress in the corporate world. Rachel is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork by the NCBTMB and a Professional Member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Her work integrates myofascial, deep tissue, Swedish and trigger point therapies. She is also specializing and continuing her education in medical massage techniques to treat specific medical conditions. | |
| Leslie is a graduate of the University of Maryland and the Baltimore School of Massage. She has been certified nationally and by Maryland state since 2000. She was originally drawn to massage therapy as a client for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. After her recovery, she decided to make a career of helping others achieve wellness through massage. Leslie’s training in Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, and stretching exercises has provided relief to clients in pain. Her work with Swedish massage, Reflexology, Essential Oils, Hot Stone Therapy and Reiki provides deeply relaxing and soothing treatments for clients who would like to reduce the effects of stress in their lives. She is a member of the Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals. Leslie is currently an instructor at the Baltimore School of Massage. | |
| Morrie is a massage therapist, teacher, and trainer. A graduate of Potomac Massage Therapy Institute in Washington, DC, his practice includes hotel, spa, and corporate wellness masage. He incorporates stretching techniques with therapeutic and clinical massage modalities. Currently, Morrie is continuing his training in geriatric and neuromuscular methods. He is an active member of several professional associations including American Massage Therapy Association, Touch Pro, and Day-break Massage Institutes. | |
| Marie graduated from the Baltimore
School of Massage. Several years after college, she developed a deep appreciation for receiving massages and wanted to share that with others. She believes that the relaxation that massage can offer assists in all modalities of healing. She is happy to be with a healing center where the teachers and practitioners share an appreciation of the healing arts. |
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Sally has been practicing massage for over 10 years. She is a graduate of Applied Kinesiology Studies, in Herndon , VA. and has been a member of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and the Maryland Board since 2001. After teaching massage for over 3 years, Sally has decided to come back to practice massage full-time. Her specialties include Swedish, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, Active Isolated Stretching, Foot Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Healing Stones, Healing Touch and Manual Lymph Drainage for lymphedema. |
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| Michelle holds a BS in Psychology from Towson University and is a full time nursing student at Howard Community College. She specializes in the neck and back. Her objective for every client is to address and relieve their tension, aches, and pains using Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Myofascial techniques. Clearing the mind while alleviating the effects of stress on the body, helps to promote physical and psychological health and wellness. This is the ultimate goal that she hopes to help all of her clients achieve and maintain. | |
| Diane has been practicing reflexology for several years, using the original Ingham Method. She received her training through the International Institute of Reflexology. Diane believes that while an effective healing technique is crucial for a positive outcome, she also believes that just as critical to the healing process is her ability to convey empathy and warmth and to develop a sense of mutual trust with her clients. She enjoys working with her clients in helping them on their path to well being of body, mind and spirit. | |
Dori has over 14 years of experience in a wide variety of massage therapy techniques, including Swedish, myofascial release, reiki (level 3, master), reflexology, and facial massage. She specializes in deep tissue and myofascial release for the neck and shoulders, as well as full-body therapeutic massage. Dori is a graduate of the Potomac Massage Training Institute (PMTI, 1994). She also has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Goddard College in Vermont, and is a published author. |
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Sherry has been a practicing massage therapist for over ten years. She is a graduate of The Baltimore School of Massage. She has experience working in a variety of settings. She has worked extensively with seniors, worked with parents and caregivers teaching infant massage, in corporate offices, health fairs, and wellness retreats doing seated massage. Her toolbox includes techniques from Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial and Thai massage. Sherry believes that massage and yoga belong together, and are two of the best things you can do for yourself! She considers herself blessed to be doing what she loves! |
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| Herbal Medicine Practitioners « Return to Herbal Medicine Main Page | |
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Ashley began her lifelong study of herbs and nutrition as a child. Her personal experience with severe allergies and asthma brought her to alternative medicine when conventional methods failed. She began her training in herbal medicine in 1997 while studying environmental science at the University of North Carolina, Asheville. Inspired by the relationship between people and plants, she traveled to Australia, studying traditional Aboriginal plant-spirit medicine. In 2003 she completed her B.A. in Integrative Health Studies from UMBC with an emphasis on the intersection of modern and traditional medicines. After spending time in the jungles of Costa Rica working on a biodynamic farm in 2004, she returned to complete a three year Masters of Science in Herbal Medicine program from the Tai Sophia Institute. Ashley currently teaches yoga, leads retreats, designs herbal products and practices clinical herbal medicine in the Maryland and DC area. |
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| Charlene is a Clinical Herbalist, whose practice is predicated on her personal use of plants, giving her hands-on relationship and knowledge of the successes and challenges that herbal remedies can provide. Charlene is also a certified childbirth Doula through the International Childbirth Education Association. She has assisted women in birth at local hospitals around the Washington DC and Baltimore Metropolitan area. A graduate of Cornell University, Charlene holds a Master’s Degree in Herbal Medicine at the Tai Sophia Institute for the Healing Arts. | |
| Robyn is a Clinical Herbalist who holds a Master of Science Degree in Herbal Medicine from Tai Sophia Institute and is currently the Associate Director of the Institute’s Herbal Medicine program. She holds B.S degree from the University of Washington in Nutritional Sciences. Robyn is a certified practitioner with the American Organization of Body Therapies of Asia as a reflexologist and acupressurist. Her practice at Blue Heron Wellness focuses on the therapeutic use of plants and nutrition. | |
| Front Desk Staff | |
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 Danica Han |
Danica Han, Sisley Chung, Sarah Rosner and Ashley Valoris - our fabulous front desk team - will be happy to greet you, give you a tour of Blue Heron, schedule appointments and help make your experience welcoming and memorable. We are grateful to all of them for their dedication and skill at smoothing your way as you join our wellness community. |
 Sisley Chung |
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 Sarah Rosner |
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 Ashley Valoris |
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| Volunteer Staff | |
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Positions open, call for details!. |
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