Counselors

Acting

Kylee Harzman

Acting Liaison
Alva, OK

Kylee Harzman is a recent graduate of Northwestern Oklahoma State University and had the privilege of attending OSAI in 2018 for Creative Writing, and in 2019 and 2020 for Acting. She enjoys writing poetry and prose, spending time with her family, and being involved in her university's theatre program, performing in eight productions since her freshman year. Kylee lives in a renovated school bus with her rescue dog, Kenai, and is looking forward to beginning her master's degree in forensic psychology this fall. 

"I'm so excited to meet all of this summer's incredibly talented students and watch them grow in their art. There is no place more inspiring for a creative soul than OSAI!"

Chorus

Sydney Anderson

Chorus Liaison
Edmond, OK

Sydney Anderson is a second-year graduate student studying choral conducting at Oklahoma City University. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education from Oklahoma State University. Anderson serves as the Graduate Assistant for Canterbury Voices and performs with Canterbury Chamber Voices. During her free time, Anderson loves spending time with her husband and two rescue dogs! 

"I’m so excited to spend my first summer at Quartz Mountain! I look forward to being surrounded by people who embrace and nurture their art."

Taylor Rodgers

Chorus Liaison
Arvada, CO

Taylor Rodgers is the Director of Choral Activities at Arvada West High School in Arvada, Colorado. This year, his choirs performed in the Southwestern ACDA Conference with Ola Gjeilo and in London with Voces8. When Taylor isn't making music, you can find him hiking, running, skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, or just napping with his cat Leonardo di Catrio.   

"The Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute feels like my home away from home. I can't wait to be back to create, collaborate, and experience the Quartz magic with all of you."

Creative Writing

P.K. Kaya

Creative Writing Liaison
Kingfisher, OK

Prairie "P.K." Kaya is a dramaturg, poet, performer, and writing consultant from Kingfisher, OK. A current student at The University of Oklahoma, P.K. enjoys helping hone stories and poetic language into their most meaningful, effective forms. A history buff and certified word-nerd, P.K. loves to study classical text, dramatic structures, and French grammar. When not engaging in production and new-play dramaturgy, P.K. loves to paint, try out new recipes, make miniatures, and play Dungeons and Dragons with their friends. P.K. is also a proud alum of both the Creative Writing and Acting disciplines offered at Quartz Mountain.

"OSAI is a unique place of artistic epiphanies and creative growth—there's no other community quite like it. This summer, I'm incredibly excited to not only continue my artistic learning as an adult, but to help facilitate the innovative, dream-catching ideas of the newest OSAI artists."

Dance

John Hackett

Dance Liaison
Owasso, OK

Johnny Hackett, a native of Owasso, Oklahoma, began his dance journey at a young age. At twelve years old, he joined South Tulsa Dance Company where he fell in love with dance, and then later attended the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education to further his dance studies. Johnny was a student at OSAI for five summers being in both the Ballet and Modern Dance disciplines from 2013-2017. After high school, Johnny attended The Juilliard School in New York City and graduated in the class of 2021 with a B.F.A. Throughout his training, Johnny has performed works with choreographers such as Bryan Arias, Andrea Miller, Gregory Dawson, Alejandro Cerrudo, Ohad Naharin, Martha Graham, José Limón, Donald McKale, and Mats Ek. In August 2021, Johnny moved to Lisbon, Portugal to join Quorum Ballet, and in September he will be moving to Germany to join Staatsballett Nürnberg for the 24/25 season. He is excited to be back at Quartz Mountain this summer and to meet the artists!

"I am most excited about getting to meet all the young artists of Oklahoma and to help mentor them throughout the weeks, as well as be inspired by the wonderful art that will be created."

Drawing & Painting

Mercedes Smith

Drawing & Painting Liaison
McLoud, OK

Mercedes is an amazing ball of sunshine that enjoys painting, print making, and drawing mini comics. She is a middle school art teacher during the year and loves helping students with their confidence to take risks with their art and just be amazing people. 

"I'm excited for OSAI because the experience is like no other! It's a home away from home, and the only way to be surrounded by the arts for two weeks. It is infectious."

Film & Video

Lily Tucker

Film & Video Liaison
Oklahoma City, OK

Lily Tucker is a recent graduate of Oklahoma City University where she earned her BFA in Film Production. This past April her documentary played at the BisonBison Film Festival and in May she screened her senior capstone film. Lily is a fun loving sorority girl, a Sagittarius, and life-long learner who cannot wait to share the magic of filmmaking with her students.

"I am so excited to see what new passions the students discover and how their love of their art will grow. I cannot wait to be back in the Film & Video classroom feeling the magic of filmmaking!"

General Operations and Office

Juliana Hing

Office & Operations Assistant
Edmond, OK

Juliana Hing is a soon-to-be art teacher who loves the color red, all things cute, and throwing some clay on the wheel! She loves eating fruit, watching anime, playing video games, self-teaching herself how to play the electric guitar, and most of all, collecting stickers to journal and scrapbook. Fun fact about her, she loves foraging and growing mushrooms with her mom!

"As a first-year OSAI counselor, I look forward to meeting the new generation of artists and the creative youth of today, as well as meeting fellow artists and peers."

Kyle Shaw

Office & Operations Assistant
Tulsa, OK

Kyle loves Godzilla, hates "Le Petit Prince," and is probably the only left-handed person in the world (he thinks everyone else is just pretending). He was an orchestra student in '08-'10, during which time he was finally convinced both that modern orchestral music made some points, and that Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" was more than just "romanticism cosplaying as movie music." As a very tired adult, he works as an elementary school speech therapist; as a very tired adult *with hobbies*, he sings with several choirs. This has led to some surprising opportunities, such as dodging pingpong balls while performing, and being forced to navigate an opera stage virtually blind in front of Yannick Nezet-Seguin and thousands of witnesses because glasses would have "ruined the aesthetic." He lives in Denver with his best friends and a spiteful cat who is powerless to act on her resentments.

"I can't wait to see and hear what the students accomplish! As a non-liaison, I don't get to see inside classes very much, so the performances/exhibits are always a huge highlight of OSAI for me."

Orchestra

Gloria Atoyebi

Percussion Liaison
Yukon, OK

Gloria Atoyebi is a percussionist who earned a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree with a minor in computer science at the University of Oklahoma. Based in Edmond, Oklahoma, she has performed in many different groups on a variety of instruments. Gloria was an orchestra student at OSAI in 2018 and 2019.

"Being a counselor for the first time last year was a lot of fun, and I can't wait to help students grow in the arts again this year!"

Katherine Fox

Orchestra Liaison
Amarillo, TX

Katherine attends Oklahoma State University where she studies oboe performance. She loves creating music, playing in ensembles, and spending time making reeds! When not working on oboe, Katherine enjoys hiking, reading, and taking care of her plants.

"I’m excited to get to know so many new faces and create art with them!"

Lynslie Higgs

Orchestra Liaison
Indian Trail, NC

Lynslie Higgs is a flutist and educator from Indian Trail, North Carolina. This will be her second year being a counselor for OSAI! She recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received her bachelor's in music education. Besides her love for music, she loves crocheting, watching reality TV, playing with her cats Penelope and Ponyo, drinking coffee, and spending time with her friends and family. 

"OSAI 2023 was a phenomenal experience and I've thought about it every day since! I'm so excited to further build relationships with all of the students, counselors, and staff and work as an orchestra liaison for the first time!"

Riley Payton

Orchestra Liaison
Stillwater, OK

Originally from Stillwater, Riley is a 27-year old musician and artist who enjoys anything and everything creative. Having finished college in Colorado, he’s had the opportunity to play in bands covering many different genres of music including jazz, R&B, funk, hip-hop and country. Riley currently resides in Oklahoma City where he maintains a private studio of about 25 woodwind students in grades 6-8. When not teaching or playing he can be found painting and watching movies from around the world. A former OSAI student himself playing clarinet in the 2014 orchestra, and a 2023 orchestra liaison and counselor, Riley is excited to come back to Quartz this summer to help make the experience as impactful and educational as it was for him 10 years ago. 

"I’m excited to see what all of the students are going to create this year! It’s always different and always a joy to see what the campers come up with."

Photography

Jenna Dooling

Photography Liaison
Broken Arrow, OK

Jenna is an OSAI alumna and photographer based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was a student in 2019 and 2020 in the photography discipline and is so excited to be serving as the Photography Liaison this year. Jenna graduated from the Tulsa Tech photography program with a certification in photography and Photoshop. She currently works as a freelance photographer and as a staff photographer for the Oklahoma Fashion Alliance, and does editorial work with independent magazines and fashion designers. Her favorite mediums beyond photography include mixed media, painting, and dance. In her free time she enjoys hiking, traveling, going to concerts, and hanging out with her dog, Theo. 

"I’m so excited to be back at OSAI watching everyone grow in their artistic discipline at the most special place in Oklahoma! I’m especially excited to be back in the photo room to help out and be apart of these incredible students journey! The magic is real at Quartz Mountain and I can’t wait to see what this year brings for everyone!"

Public Relations

Ethan Brown

Public Relations Assistant
Edmond, OK

Ethan Brown was born in Edmond, Oklahoma and is currently pursuing a photographic arts degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. He is an alumnus of the OSAI photography program for the years of 2018 and 2021. Ethan plans on making a lifelong career out of the passion he has found in the creation of art. 

"I am excited for OSAI this year because it is the first time I have been back at OSAI in multiple years and also the first time I have been a counselor at OSAI. OSAI did so much for me as a student, and now I get to experience a new facet of what this magical program does for artists while helping to give the experience of OSAI to the next generation."

Los Flores

Public Relations & Photography Assistant
Edmond, OK

Los Flores is an Oklahoma City-based photographer from the Philippines. His goal is to photograph athletes who aim to make it to the next step in their career and most importantly, make life-long memories through his camera. Los became a photographer in hopes of intertwining his love for basketball and the artistic side behind it.

"I'm excited to be a part of OSAI once again this summer because of the energy and passion for the arts that is isolated at Quartz Mountain. It is a place to self-discover, create lifelong friends, let creativity run loose...and spot a wild Hedgey!"

Maisy Rainey

Public Relations Assistant
Hammon, OK

Maisy is a current graduate student at Campbell University in North Carolina, pursuing a Master's of Science in Public Health degree. She majored in health communication for her undergraduate studies and fell in love with communication studies. She grew up going on hikes at Quartz Mountain State Park, and Maisy's younger sister attended OSAI in 2022 for chorus and that is where she was able to witness the talent at OSAI. In her free time, Maisy loves to go to local coffee shops, read, and go for runs. 

"I am excited to be around all of the talented young artists in my home state of Oklahoma this summer and to spend time at the incredible Quartz Mountain facilities! I am looking forward to being back in my home area of southwestern Oklahoma and helping to create an amazing experience for all of the OSAI students."

Danny Valdez

Danny Valdez

Community Lab Liaison/Public Relations Assistant
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Danny is an Elementary General Music Teacher in Norman. He passionate about singing and was an OSAI Student for Chorus back in 2012. In his free time, Valdez loves playing board games and D&D.

"I am always jumping at the bit every year to come out and help facilitate another amazing year of OSAI. Nothing excites me more than getting another chance to work with the highly talented students and experience the passion of the amazing instructors."

Site/Stage Crew

Julia Huckaby

Site & Stage Crew
Tulsa, OK

Julia is an OSAI orchestra (violin) alumna who is excited to be returning to Quartz Mountain this summer. She recently graduated from Tufts University in Boston with a degree in mechanical and music engineering (ask her about the violin she built!). In her free time, she enjoys playing in orchestral ensembles, hammocking, traveling, and learning to embroider. 

Quartz Mountain is my favorite place, and I am so excited to return for a summer of magic. From the early morning hikes to the late night dance parties and everything in between, OSAI is truly an unforgettable experience. 

ZaQue Hutchings

Site & Stage Crew
Tulsa, OK
 
ZaQue Hutchings is currently teaching his second year at Cascia Hall in Tulsa and taught music at The School of Saint Mary for 10 years prior. Since 2010, ZaQue has accompanied dance classes at The Tulsa Ballet and has taught private guitar and piano lessons from the age of 16. Hutchings is a freelance musician who studied music composition at The University of Tulsa. He graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2017 with a master's degree in elementary education. Throughout college, ZaQue spent Summers in the beautiful city of Gallup, New Mexico accompanying and studying opera at numerous summer arts institutes. Having studied music composition for his undergraduate studies, Hutchings still enjoys utilizing his skills in pop/rock bands and various ensembles found in the Tulsa music scene. 

"I'm very excited to experience the artistic atmosphere and the opportunity to help students immerse themselves in the experience as much as possible as I did in high school."

Aubrey Miller

Site & Stage Crew/Front of House Manager
Edmond, OK

Aubrey is a student at The University of Oklahoma pursuing a BFA in Acting with a minor in Health & Exercise Science. She was an acting student at OSAI in 2018 and served as the acting liaison last summer. In her free time, she loves baking, writing poetry, and exercising. She received a pilates certification this spring so she can share the joy of movement with those in her community.

"I am excited to help provide the technical support that ensures an environment where students can learn and grow."

Emma Mowry

Site & Stage Crew
Edmond, OK

Emma is a proud four-year OSAI alumna from Edmond, Oklahoma. While she was a student, she participated soprano in the chorus for three years and one year playing oboe in the orchestra. As well as playing the oboe, she also love teaching it in her free time. She also loves singing karaoke, playing all the saxophones, and making reeds. Outside of OSAI, she makes craft cocktails at The Jones Assembly and is studying oboe at university. She is super excited to be apart of this camp again!

"I’m so excited to watch the students talents grow during the two weeks they are here. It is truly amazing to watch them take home tips and tricks from this camp."

Alisabeth Westfall

Site & Stage Crew
Tulsa, OK

Alisabeth Westfall is a senior at Oklahoma City University studying stage management. She grew up dancing, singing, and acting at Theatre Arts in Broken Arrow. When she is not working, she is hanging out with family and taking care of her nieces and nephews.

"I am super excited to see all the amazing talent at OSAI and to see the growth of not just the students, but of everyone throughout our time together!"

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