HELLO SUMMER! ENJOY $30 OFF ALL STEM, ROBOTICS & TECH CAMPS WITH CODE HELLOSUMMER30 (SOUTH WHIDBEY ONLY). UNTIL JUNE 14 ONLY. CHECK OUT HERE>>>
SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL SUMMER CAMPS! MORE SCHOLARSHIP INFO
Our teachers and collaborators
Summer 2026
Keegan Harshman, Music Instructor
Keegan Harshman grew up on Whidbey Island participating in the music programs of Chris Harshman (his father and South Whidbey High School’s band director). As a young child, Keegan was encouraged and supported to pursue any musical direction that caught his interest, which is something he plans to pass on to his son, Jazper (currently a WIWS student). Keegan began playing instruments in kindergarten and played several different ones before settling on the bass. He was part of the South Whidbey High School Jazz Band—participating there in exclusive festivals. After high school, Keegan moved to San Luis Obispo, California to attend Cuesta College’s Music and Audio Technology programs, and has gone on to perform and tour with many bands and groups locally and internationally.
Keegan moved back to Whidbey Island in 2016, and is now wearing many hats in the local community: a musician and music teacher/tutor, the owner of Blue Sound music store, and the organizer of Little Big Fest – a grassroot summer music festival on Whidbey Island.
Joelle Berry, Music Instructor
Joelle brings dynamic energy and extensive professional experience to our music summer camp. As a versatile professional vocalist since 1997, she has lent her talents to movie scores, commercials, video games, and live concert events, including performances with professional choirs Choral Arts NW and Esoterics. She is also a soloist for the Rainier Symphony and numerous private events throughout the Pacific Northwest.
With over two decades as an independent vocal and piano theory instructor, Joelle excels at customizing music curriculum for students of all ages and skill levels. Her teaching experience includes preparing students for college music program auditions and facilitating collaborative music workshops specifically designed for tweens and teens. Her thoughtful approach to music education was further honed during her time as Music Artist in Residence at Lawton Elementary, where she created diverse curriculum introducing students to rhythm, notation, vocal technique, and songwriting.
Joelle's ongoing musical projects showcase her versatility across genres—from the folk/Americana harmonies of her band "Townies" to classical performances of Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater." A University of Washington graduate with a BA in Vocal Performance, Joelle continues her musical education through programs like The Rhapsody Project's yearlong study of Black American Music history.
Knight Arndt, Art Instructor
Knight is currently a senior at Western Washington University, graduating in Winter of 2026 with a P–12 Art Teaching Certification and a minor in Design. She has worked with students from kindergarten through high school and loves helping young artists grow through creativity and confidence. With hands-on classroom experience and a background in customer service, she brings patience, flexibility, and a passion for imaginative learning to every lesson!
Mia Bui Toles, Coding, Robotics & Tech Instructor
Mia Bui Toles graduated from Federal Way Public Academy in 2023 and is currently a student at Highline College pursuing her degree in cybersecurity investigation. Mia grew up attending LEGO and coding clubs; she is now fluent in many programming languages including Python, JavaScript, and C++. An aviation enthusiast, she has logged over 60 flight hours and has experience instructing children and young adults in aviation fundamentals at her local flying club. Since November 2025, she has also been teaching robotics using Edison Robots and game creation through MakeCode Arcade at WILASC, expanding her experience in STEM education.
A tech enthusiast and young entrepreneur, Mia also founded and operates her own phone repair business, where she specializes in troubleshooting and repairing mobile devices. She currently works part-time as an Investigative Aide with the Liquor and Cannabis Board, where she helps ensure compliance with federal laws around age-restricted products.
Katie Phillips, STEAM Instructor
Katelyn Phillips is a dedicated Special Education Teacher at Crescent Harbor Elementary with a Master's degree in Special Education and Bachelor's certification in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. With dual endorsements in Special Education K-12 and ELA K-12, Katelyn brings hands-on expertise in differentiated instruction, curriculum design, and classroom leadership. In her current role, she creates inclusive, dynamic learning experiences for diverse learners, managing individualized education plans, implementing data-driven instruction, and leading a team of paraprofessionals. Her background in special education and commitment to accessible, student-centered learning make her an invaluable contributor to STEAM education, where she helps all students engage meaningfully with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts.
Em Ritchie - Art & Outdoor Instructor
Em Ritchie is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary artist working across music, visual art, theater, creative writing, and environmental design as a freelance artist. For over 15 years, they have worked internationally and domestically as both an artist and educator, working with thousands of young artists through arts and nature-based education. Career highlights include working with a theater company in the Netherlands, touring Germany with a band and opening for Duran Duran in Berlin, helping create one of San Francisco’s first green infrastructure learning gardens, creating and performing art in Berlin for several years, and working for a decade as a theater scenic charge and set painter in the Bay Area of California.
Udie Chima, Music Instructor
Udie Chima is the founder of Sound Dialect and an experienced music producer who came up through the Seattle hip-hop scene. His work includes collaborations with Grammy Award-winner Macklemore. He now leads monthly collaborative meetups for Whidbey Island musicians, creating welcoming spaces where artists can connect, experiment, and grow together. He believes self-expression through sound is more than just making noise—it’s how we find our voice. It brings people together, strengthens courage, and opens up unexpected paths.