Courses & Workshops Instructor Bios
Lausanne Allen plays and teaches whistle and fiddle and calls for contradances throughout Vermont and New England.
Jim Andrews is a Research Scholar in Herpetology at Middlebury College, Director of the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, and Chairman of the Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Committee.
James Blair was a staff photographer for the National Geographic Magazine for 37 years where he had over 47 stories published and 2000 pictures printed in the magazine. He has also done freelance work for Time and Life magazines and has authored several books.
Joanne DellaSalla is a Research Associate with LCMM’s Maritime Research Institute, and has been in the archaeology field since 1998 working in Vermont, Colorado, the Caribbean and South America.
Geoff Kerr does business as Two Daughters Boatworks in Westford building new boats, repairing and restoring boats writing, and teaching. Geoff has been affiliated with Chesapeake Light Craft since the company’s infancy and is an experienced and licensed builder of their many designs.
Jen Kristel is an art therapist with a passion for printmaking who lives, works, prints, and plays in Burlington. Her work is shown in area galleries.
Jesse Larocque is a master basketmaker of the St. Francis Sokoki Band of the Mississquoi Abenaki who specializes in hand-made black ash baskets.
Jen Labie received her B.A. in Studio Art from the University of Vermont. She studied pottery, batik and silk painting in Florence, Italy. Her studio is in Ferrisburgh, she teaches both batik and pottery, and her work is exhibited in galleries throughout Vermont.
Sharon Lewis began sewing when she was about 12, by making Barbie clothes. She’s been a re-enactor for over 20 years, has done extensive research into 18th-century clothing and is member of the Costume Society of America.
Jeff Meyers is LCMM Associate Director, former Executive Director of Vermont River Conservancy, Staff Scientist for the Lake Champlain Committee and a member in good standing of the Fishcakes Rowing Team.
Bryan Pfeiffer is an author, photographer, nature guide, consulting biologist, chief field staff for the Vermont Butterfly Survey, editor and publisher of a newsletter on VT dragonflies (“The Boghaunter”). You'll find some of Bryan’s dragonfly images at www.wingsphotography.com.
Warren Rinehart inspired LCMM’s new Blacksmith Arts Center. Blacksmithing has been Warren Rinehart’s passion since 1974. He has trained under many outstanding blacksmiths in the USA, Czechoslovakia, Israel and Mexico.
Kevin Rose founded the Lake Champlain Kayak Club and Lake Champlain Paddlers Trail, is an accomplished sailor, and American Canoe Association certified Sea Kayak Instructor, and owns Paddleways, Inc.
Roger Longtoe Sheehan, Rose Hartwell, and Vera Longtoe Sheehan
Roger, Rose, and Vera are members of the El-Nu Abenaki tribe. They devote their time to the historical or living history aspects of Wabanaki culture and are dedicated to studying, teaching, and passing their knowledge of traditional Wabanaki skills on to the next generation.
Rob Thompson owns and operates Windfall Woodworks in Huntington where he builds boats and casts his own bronze works. Rob participated in the construction of the Lois McClure, the refurbishing of Churchill and has taught at the museum as well as the Arques School in California.
Simon Watts is an internationally recognized builder of boats and furniture, a teacher of boatbuilding and furniture making, and an author and editor of numerous articles and books on both subjects.
Peter Wells began blacksmithing in 1968 in New Mexico and has taught the basics of the craft to numerous students for decades. He operates Green Mountain Forge at his home in East Calais, VT. From 1991 to 1998 he was the Working Exhibits Manager at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne.
Matt Witten is LCMM's Water Ecology Program Director, has worked with students on various vessels on the Atlantic Ocean, Hudson River, Lake Champlain, and many other rivers and lakes since 1986. Matt is also an accomplished musician and LCMM’s Champlain Troubador.