Meet the teachers
Ms. Sophie
I grew up in the country surrounding Duluth, MN where my parents ran a pottery business, so I grew up around a lot of art and nature! I earned a B.F.A from the University of Minnesota in Art Education with a minor in Art History in 2008. I have over 15 years of experience teaching in Minnesota, Vietnam and Arizona. I currently hold a Arizona Art Teaching License for PreK-12, as well as a Pima County Fingerprint Card. My husband Colin and I have 3 rambunctious boys, and we enjoy traveling, camping, swimming, biking, wrestling (the boys do) and going to the park.
I decided to open an art school because there is a need for art education in Sahuarita at the elementary age. I really enjoy sharing my passion for art with kiddos and enjoy seeing them develop their love for art too!
Mr. Kruse
My name is Kruse Fillerup. I am a freelance artist, beginning art teacher, and inspiring muralist. I started my art career by watching cartoons and was inspired by the shows that I watched. Over the years I developed my own style and started to draw for people. Now I plan to spread the joy of art to all artists out there.
Ms. Kate
I hold a degree in Studio Art from the U of A and a teacher certificate from the AZ Dept of Ed. I have over 15 years of experience teaching art to children, teens, and adults. I currently work as the Visual Art teacher for Holladay Fine Art magnet school in Tucson, where I teach art to students and teach classroom teachers how to integrate art into their curriculum.
Ms. Cathy
Music - creating music, listening to music, feeling music, experiencing music, making music; this is the passion I share with my students. Growing up in a musical family inspired me to pursue my B.A. in Voice Performance and lead me to teaching others to discover and develop their own enjoyment of music.
My relocation to Tucson, AZ from east Tennessee opened many doors locally; from teaching general music, choir, and drama classes in a private school, to being hired as the first musical director for Christian Youth Theatre (CYT) in Tucson. Teaching flute, choir, and directing musicals for 8 years with Tucson Youth Music (TYM), participating in select musical groups and theater productions has kept me active in the music and theater community.
Performing, teaching music, and theater continues to feed my soul. Currently, I am teaching General Music for AZ Learning Communities in Green Valley, AZ. I teach private voice lessons, flute lessons, and am a Drama and Vocal Coach. 42 years of marriage, 4 children and 4 grandchildren keep me on my toes. My hobbies include painting, learning multiple art mediums, crafting, and cheering for my grandchildrenin sporting events, musical performances, and life.