Jo Anne Yada (known as Ms. Y. to her students) is an East Bay arts educator who has worked for the Bay Area Music Project after-school program for nearly a decade. She loves telling her kindergarteners stories about David Bowie, Aretha Franklin, Joan Jett, Little Richard, and The Ramones, connecting visual arts with music and pop culture.
Ms. Y. has worked as a substitute teacher since 2001, flourished as a museum educator since 2008, and she has been teaching art camps for kids during school breaks since 2014. Art Camp with Ms. Y. has partnered with Rhythmix Cultural Works, the Alameda Recreation and Parks Dept., Mission HQ, The Pacific Pinball Museum, and more local businesses.
Jo Anne was voted “Best Artist” for 2014 in Alameda Magazine. Her Summer Art Camp was featured as the “Coolest Art Camp for Kids” in Alameda Magazine 2019.
The lessons provided here have been formulated by these years of classroom experience, meeting contemporary artists, trial-and-success, developing all-ages activities, and partnering with others.