Meet Our Instructors

Cindy Bokser

MACRAME INSTRUCTOR

Cindy Bokser is a fiber artist specializing in macramé and frame loom weaving.

She has created macramé art pieces for private homes, restaurants, photographers, salons, and other retail businesses. In addition to her own practice, she has taught macramé and weaving workshops in NYC, and all throughout New Jersey. In 2015, Cindy founded Niroma Studio, an online fiber supply shop focused on providing high quality, eco-friendly and recycled fibers to other fiber artisans and enthusiasts.

Cindy is the creator and host of The Fiber Artist Podcast, where artists, makers and creatives who work with fiber share their stories.

Cindy’s fiber art pieces have been featured in Fiber Art Now, The Fold Mag, Design*Sponge, The Jungalow, C Magazine, Houzz and Koel Magazine. Her art was included in the exhibition, “Unbound: Contemporary Rope Art” at Highfield Hall and Gardens, July-October, 2019, curated by Marcia Young.

You can find Cindy on Facebook and Instagram @niromastudio and through her website: www.niromastudio.com

Kirsten Lynn Butler

VOCAL INSTRUCTOR

Kirsten Lynn is a New York City based dynamic performer with a diverse background in musical theater, gospel, and classical music. A classically trained mezzo soprano, Kirsten’s passion for music began in her childhood, when she was immersed in the rich harmonies of gospel music and later developed a deep love for the dramatic storytelling of musical theater.

A graduate of the voice program at William Paterson University with years of choral, small ensemble and solo experience, Kirsten has performed in numerous productions, singing anything ranging from gospel classics to contemporary musicals, impressing audiences with her powerful voice and emotional range. Despite facing a continuous battle with crippling stage fright, Kirsten has learned to not only navigate her fears but also embrace them, turning her vulnerability into a source of strength. This journey toward self-acceptance and confidence led her to create her TikTok series, Rehearsal Fails with Kirst.

In this candid and relatable series, she shares humorous behind-the-scenes moments and the inevitable missteps that come with preparing for performances—offering a refreshing take on the reality of being an artist. Kirsten hopes her openness about her struggles with fear of failure has inspired followers to confront their own insecurities and embrace imperfections. Through her work, Kirsten continues to break barriers, demonstrating that it’s not the mistakes that define us, but the courage to keep going. Whether belting out a soaring ballad or sharing a hilarious rehearsal fail, Kirsten’s authenticity, humor, and talent shine through in everything she does.

Tim Hegadorn

RELIEF PRINTMAKING INSTRUCTOR

Tim Hegadorn started life in Edgewater NJ, and has circled back to Passaic County, after training as an artist, and working as a Journeyman in many trades to raise a family, while seeing the world. Mr. Hegadorn has a BFA in Art from Carnegie Mellon University. Tim is now able to focus on his own art, and on passing along the skills and knowledge of the crafts that were taught to him, as a younger artist.

“Relief printmaking is a skill which always comes back to me. Drawing has always been there, but anytime there has been a lull in my career, like the pandemic, or a job change, relief printing has always called me back. You can draw hundreds of drawings. You can draw every day. But, when you choose what to carve into a block, it’s very clarifying. It becomes very important. And you have to learn carving skills…you have to learn to live with mistakes, and that mistakes are inevitable. ‘Like reductive sculpture. Even if it’s just a little 5 by 7 linoleum block.

Lastly, there is this most awesome thing about relief printmaking: No matter how smeared and muddy your pencil sketch lines and shading were on the block, when you pull that first paper print off the carved, inked block, it always exceeds your expectations…It’s always awesome! The contrast between inked areas and paper always blows me away.” Mr. Hegadorn is also an active Photographer and Sculptor, in wood, stone, metals and other materials.

Taeko Lay

PIANO INSTRUCTOR

Taeko Lay is an experienced piano teacher providing lessons for more than twenty years to students of all ages and abilities. While guiding a student at their level and in what they wish to learn, I assess and identify the student’s strengths and weaknesses to develop a personalized lesson plan to help enhance their musical skills and foster creativity. I create a nurturing environment to inspire the student to explore their musical potential and develop a lasting appreciation for art.

I studied and explored many methods for teaching piano and developed an integrated teaching method that I found to be more effective. My method includes the study of technical skills, music theory and literacy, music mind games, a combination of private and group lessons while cultivating a caring relationship with my students and students’ parents.

I am passionate about teaching piano and very patient, supporting each student on their own musical journey. My teaching method encourages the student to be open to the essence of music, the awareness that music originates in the universe, the vibration of the different musical notes, and that their body can be a conduit for the vibration of music to flow.

Haydee Espinal

My name is Haydee Espinal, a certified yoga teacher and healing arts facilitator. My yoga journey began during the pandemic when I turned to the practice for grounding and healing. What started as a personal exploration quickly grew into a passion for sharing the benefits of yoga with others, especially within underserved and diverse communities. I currently lead yoga classes in the Middletown Parks Department, where I facilitate family and adult yoga, creating spaces where people of all ages can feel supported, breathe deeply, and reconnect. In addition to that, I work as a yoga facilitator with Maggie’s Mindful Playground, an organization that brings yoga and mindfulness into children’s lives through playful, inclusive, and trauma-informed classes. We bring yoga directly into homes and schools, making it accessible and fun for children of all needs and abilities. I’m also a proud co-creator of Lajaras Blissful Journey, a growing community focused on healing through retreats, breathwork, mindful events, and yoga. We create safe and nurturing experiences to help people feel seen, grounded, and connected.