Kim Lesak, Visual Arts

Kim Lesak is a Ceramic Artist who works and resides in South Pasadena.  As a hand builder, Kim has embraced a self cultivated technique of blending different clay bodies into collage slabs that are then fashioned into various
types functional and decorative pieces.

Kim Lesak works in mid range, high fire, and raku clays, always trying to evoke a sincere admiration and respect of the natural world.  Trees, rocks, water and sky are constant influences. 

Hal Banfield, Photography

Hal Banfield is an award-winning Photographer, Author and Journalist originally from Toronto, Canada, currently residing in Los Angeles. 

Hal’s first published book I Am Dance: Words & Images of the Black Dancer brought together his love for photography and storytelling. I Am Dance would go on to win the 2020 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Debut Author. Some of Hal’s photography has also been published digitally in People Magazine and the L.A. Times online. 

Hal is a proud and active member of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Photographic Artists, the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) where he holds credentials as a Certified Professional Photographer as well as NPS (Nikon Professional Services).

Sarah Kovatch, Literature

Sarah Kovatch has an MFA in creative writing from Oregon State University. She has over a decade of experience writing fiction and non-fiction books for educational publishers as well as health articles for print and web. These days, Sarah works as a Marriage and Family Therapist and is writing a collection of personal essays. Sarah loves reading and is always up for a great story.  

Maria Taylor, Music

I’m a singer/songwriter originally from Birmingham, Alabama and the mother of 2 boys. (Miles is in Mrs. Johnson’s 3rd grade class and August in Mrs. Martinez’ kindergarten class) I play guitar, piano, drums and used to tour around the world 8 months a year before having kids. Between my solo work and my band "Azure Ray,” I’ve released 13+ albums over the last 20 years. My songs have appeared in movies and TVs shows including “This is Us,” “Devil Wears Prada,” “Greys Anatomy,” “Parenthood" and more. I’ve also recorded or toured with Bright Eyes, Michael Stipe, Adam Duritz, Daniel Johnston, Joshua Radin, Moby and more. Now that I have a family and have fallen in love with South Pasadena, it’s hard to get me to travel more than 2 miles from home;) But, I still play some shows around the US and Europe every year or so and when I do, it’s now a family affair. 

Alison Smith, Dance

Alison has been a professional dancer and actress for 25 years here in Southern California. She has been in numerous plays, musicals, television productions, industrials and has been lucky enough to travel the world with her talents. She grew up on the stage dancing and her love for dance and choreography has continued even as she has settled down in South Pasadena to raise her 3 young children. She continues to teach dance at local studios , audition commercially and is involved in the South Pasadena School district as choreographer for the 5th grade musical, the Middle and High School choirs including the new Glee program and has also implemented an 8 week dance program within the elementary schools.  In addition, she shares her talents as a Teaching Artist for Disney Musicals in Schools and Upstage Musical Theater Programs as well.    Alison feels at her best when she is inspiring kids and people through dance and expression and is thrilled to be part of the South Pasadena community.