Our Staff

Most of our talented staff comes year after year. Many are professionals in their field who are taking a vacation from their daily lives to share their passions with our campers. Please find a sampling of our wonderful staff below!

Alice Silverman – Non-violent Communication Instructor - Alice is a mother, daughter, wife, friend, student, teacher, singer, activist, nature and animal lover, vegetarian, and psychiatrist who has been studying, practicing and sharing NVC for the past 6 years. She is particularly interested in how NVC can be used as a tool for deepening empathic connection to oneself and others, resolving conflicts, parenting compassionately and working for social change and justice.

Betsy Alexander - Singing Instructor - Betsy Alexander is a lifelong singer who believes that everyone can sing!  She is a self-taught choral conductor, soloist and choir member, businesswoman, grandmother, and all-round encourager.  She's looking forward to singing with experienced, intermediate, beginning, or hopeful camp singers.

Courtney Reckord (above) - Yoga Instructor - Courtney is a treasure trove of information on yoga, massage, herbs, soap, candles, felting and just about anything.

Dan Wells - Nature Exploration - Dan is a naturalist and nature photographer who teaches in the Environmental Studies Program at UVM. He has an interest in almost any aspect of the natural world and is happy to answer questions, share knowledge or take a walk anywhere on the property.

David Kano (left) - Youth Leader - David is a former world-class boardsailing competitor and loves to share his interests with sports with his online magazine "Cooperative Sports" (look for it on the web at www.coopsports.com). He is the father of two, and a software engineer at Dartmouth College.  

David Kirsch (below)– Youth Leader - Serious yet amusing, mysterious yet sincere, David Kirsch is a magical soap bubble master with a secret musical power. He is the friend of most children and animals. He is also a culinary alchemist, electronics wizard, and loves the smell of rain.

Dew B. Wilde – School Age Staff & Drumming Instructor - Dew is a musical educator with 19 years of experience leading groups of all ages in hand drumming, performance and song. She lives with her family in Williston, VT and works with kids full time at the School House. Dew has been a part of Camp Common Ground since its birth.

Francis Goodman (below)– Volunteers for Peace Project Leader & Construction Instructor – Francis is a fourth-generation mid-western organic dairy farmer. He is active in farm organizing and works locally with several organizations, like the national Family Farm Coalition and The national Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture. He is committed to preserving family farms and providing a safe and affordable food supply for consumers. You can buy cheese from him at www.cedargrovecheese.com.

Joan Balistrieri - Youth Leader - Joan has been entertaining her own children with arts & crafts projects for 19 years. She's been coming to Common Ground for the past three years and is looking forward to sharing her projects ideas and getting messy with kids!

Justin Bouvier - Waterfront Coordinator - Justin was born and raised in beautiful surroundings of Bristol, VT. Justin obtained his life guarding, first responder and aqua therapy certificates from St. Michael's college in Burlington, VT. Justin is currently attending Castleton State College to becoming a Math teacher/Principal when he grows up. This is Justin's second summer at Camp Common Ground, where he met some friends for life last summer!
 
Kate Hartley - Art - Kate has been painting (and teaching) in watercolors for over twenty years. Her own artwork centers on still life, though she enjoys all aspects of realistic depiction; especially capturing the beauty of nature… the gesture of a leaf, a recumbent hill, or a misty morning at the forest’s edge. Light (and pears!) fill her paintings, which have won many awards over the years. See them online at www.LARAC.org. In teaching, Kate strives to connect on a one-to-one basis, establishing a student’s needs in their own creative endeavors. “My role as a teacher is to help students progress toward their own goals as artists, developing their unique styles and statements.” Kate encourages students to experiment with a variety of drawing materials in combination with watercolors. She stresses color mixing, perspective, contour, shading and artists’ “tricks” for creating the illusion of depth on paper.

Kim Dunkley – Youth/Teen Leader, Lifeguard, Jill-of-all-trades - After a long history in outdoor ed/rec with many ages, Kim has settled down as a pre-school educator in Morrisville, VT. She still make time for the important stuff like traveling, skiing and standing on her head. She's looking forward to sharing some of her silliness and playing with folks at this summer in Starksboro.

Lisa Stevens-Goodnight (right) - Youth Leader - Lisa has been attending camp for twelve years both as a camper and as a part of the Kidville staff! In real life she has recently graduated from UVM with a BA in economics and history. She is moving to Boston in the fall.

Liz Ritter (left on the right) - Improv - Liz Ritter is an activist housewife in New York City. She’s a hands-on operations person and problem solver, who specializes in behind-the-scenes work to get things done. In her “regular life” she writes, reads, cooks, crochets, takes pictures, prays and sings. She spends a lot of time advocating for parks/open spaces, public education, food justice, cultural affairs and electoral politics in Upper Manhattan. Liz serves on her local Community Board and her synagogue’s board, sings in two choirs and is an elected Democratic State Committeewoman in New York’s 71st AD. She has been studying Improv since 2002, and began teaching it at Camp last summer. Liz has been coming to Common Ground since 2001, and running the Hobart since 2005.

Lori Biamonte (below on the left) - Arts & Crafts, Store manager - Primarily a self-taught artist, Lori takes great joy in finding beauty in unexpected places, creating something from nothing, and helping others discover creativity within themselves. Look for Lori Weeks 1 & 2 leading multi-age arts and crafts programs and Week 3 teaching the morning mosaic class.

Lynne Lisa - Kidville Leader - Lynne is the proud homeschooling mother of Julia, Tommy, Anthony and Jack and the lucky wife of Jeff Lisa. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Family/Child studies and is a certified teacher in New Jersey, where she lives and plays. For fun, she bakes vegan cupcakes, reads, and dreams about all the faraway places she wants to visit someday.

Marc Kornbluh (left) – Glass Instructor – Marc Kornbluh creates one-of-a-kind glass objects of art. He earned a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and traveled overseas for many years, informally studying art and culture. His work is influenced by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern designs, which he incorporates into his own contemporary style. Marc’s artwork is sold in museum shops and galleries and his borosilicate beads are featured in the 2006 Winterglas calendar. Marc attends about 15 juried shows around the US each year. Check out his work at kornbluhdesign.typepad.com.

Mark Adams - Massage & Yoga Instructor - Mark trained in California and England, and practiced holistic massage and acupressure in England. Mark and Niko Preusse operate a massage school in downtown Burlington called Touchstone Healing Arts.

Marko Schmale - Kayak Skills - Marko is a whitewater rafting manager in the Adirondacks, and an enthusiast of all kinds of boating. Marko has been kayaking since "back in the day" when people paddled big boats on wild rivers. He'll be instructing kayaking skills (i.e. rolling, bracing, and even going in a straight line), for both kids and adults in the CCG pond. 

Martha Siegel – Chamber Music (violin & cello) Instructor - Martha teaches strings at the UN International School and at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in NYC. She has been coaching chamber music groups of kids and adults in her home studio for many years. As a cellist, Martha has played with Argentine singer-songwriter Suni Paz since 1976, and performed with Calle Strada Strasse. This is Martha's 16th summer at CCG – many past campers plan their weeks around her camp schedule. Check out her new website at marthasmusicstudio.com

Nicki Marshall (left) - Dance - Nicki has been coming to CCG with her mom and brother since its first year, when she was a teenager. After taking a couple of years off while she was studying at Mount Holyoke College, she came back as a staff person (as well as a happy camper), teaching dance and yoga and working in the youth programs. Nicki has been living in NYC since 2000 as a post-modern and West African dancer, a choreographer, and a singer. As a choreographer, she has performed her work, combining voice and movement, at numerous NYC venues. Nicki has produced three evenings of dance at WOW Café Theater. She is currently dancing for Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance. Nicki is a certified yoga instructor, experienced dance teacher, and a Reiki practitioner. She teaches dance and yoga to 2 year olds - adults through the Brooklyn Arts Exchange, National Dance Institute, and other studios all over NYC.


Peter Hansen - Tennis - Yogi Peter has been a student of Self Realization most of his life; so, besides studying with many yoga masters, he also acquired BA degrees in sociology, psychology, and social work, masters degrees in social work and psychology, a bs in physical therapy and a doctorate in metaphyics. He combines years of self practice and teaching in his ayurvedic methods of healing and yoga therapy. He also has been a serious tennis player, teacher, coach, club developer and writer for most of his live. He makes tennis fun for anyone wishing to get in the Zone and the spirit of play. He loves family and camp and can't wait to share again this summer.

Rhoen Pruesse-Adams (right) - Rhoen Pruesse-Adams is a freshman in college at NYUsenior. He enjoys learning about economics and mandarin Chinese. He runs a daily television show at school and edits video for CGC and other clients. He loves meeting new people, making new friends, and eating vegetarian food.

Russ Mitkowski - Russ is a musician and producer. He'll lead a course where participants learn the secrets of reggae through song analysis. You will eat sleep and breathe reggae for a week, ending the week with a performance at the big show. Participants will learn about the universality of reggae and how reggae can make the world a better place. Every'ting is irie mon.

Sam Silverman – Non-violent Communication - Sam is a mental health and substance abuse counselor with 41 years experience as a social worker in institutional and community settings. He is currently working as a counselor at Lyndon State College and leads NVC workshops and support groups in the community. Sam has been a political activist since the 1960's and an active participant in mens' support groups. Both Sam and Alice Silverman have taken a workshop with Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of Nonviolent Communication. They have been in a NVC support group for the past 3 years where they have fine tuned their skills and begun to work towards applying NVC for social change.


Sandra Griffith - She studied handwork at Waldorf-inspired Sunbridge College. She learned to knit at her grandmother’s knee at the age of 7 and loves to share her skill with people of all ages. She also spins, weaves, and dyes (yarns and fabrics). And she can play a mean game of Rummikub or Boggle!

Sequana Skye - Nurse and Special Activities - Sequana Skye, RN, BA, has had the opportunity to move in many wondrous ways thus far on this planet: she's worked as an nurse, expressive arts therapist with diverse groups, facilitated dream workshops and taught classes from Yoga for Seniors to LaMaze for pregnant couples. She's currently a Story-teller, sharing her own as well as others' stories in word, song, movement and theatre.

Sophie Bell - Writing Instructor - Sophie teaches college composition at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. Her students come from all over New York City and beyond, and she spends her time trying to help them tell their stories. She loves this work and the community it builds around writing on a large, urban, commuter campus. Before teaching college, Sophie taught English and history in several middle and high schools in three states. Some of her own favorite writing experiences have taken place in the Connecticut Writing Project Summer Institutes for teachers. She lives with her husband Joseph and daughters Miriam, 9, and Rachel, 5, in Brooklyn, NY.

Steve Blane (left) - Music Instructor - Steve majored in voice and obtained a B.A. in Music Education from Jersey City University. Following college, he performed as a singer/actor off and on Broadway. In 1986, he co-founded Blane & DeRosa Productions, an audiobook and children's audio production company. They have produced thousands of audio recordings for major publishers. Steve was ordained as Rabbi in June 2001 at Rabbinical Seminary International after completing a course of study with Rabbi Joseph Gelberman in New York City. He is our lovely Camp Director’s husband and has been a fun loving member of the community for several years. He plays guitar, ukulele, and piano and loves to sing Jazz Standards. Come find him and play some music!

Taylor Cannizzaro (right) - Youth Leader - Taylor has been a member of camp common ground for three years now, but she feels like she's been a part of the community her whole life. Participating in many of the activities in camp, Taylor specializes in cello playing, high energy, and care for common ground's smallest members! You can be sure to see her around bringing smiles, laughter, and most importantly fun to everyone!

Tyler Balistrieri - Archery Instructor - Tyler is a certified archery instructor through the National Field Archery Association and coaches for the Junior Olympic Archery Development program in New Jersey. He has been shooting for 10 years and was the 2006 NJ outdoor state champion. He enjoys building catapults in his spare time.

Vanessa Anton (front and center below)– Camp Nurse & Youth/Teen Leader & Capoeira– Vanessa is a full-time student and mother studying life and searching for the ultimate career. She loves chocolate, travel, her convertible and her laugh is contagious. She is trained as an EMT, is American Red Cross certified, a BLS (Basic Life Saving) instructor, a Farm certified mid-wife assistant, an Interfaith Minister and a holistic health counselor in NY state. She worked with teens last year and will again. She loves them because she thinks she is still one.

Veronica Gadbois – Breakfast Chef - Veronica, long-time member of the CCG community, received her Master's Degree in Education in 1999. Her undergraduate degrees are in Fine Art and French, which she teaches to middle school children. Veronica is also a Tong Ren therapist, a technique she used to survive cancer.


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