Infinite possibility is present at the core of each human heart and mind. In a supportive and encouraging environment, explorers will make unexpected and amazing discoveries that have the power to touch, move, heal, and inspire. As facilitators, we honor our youth in their unique and perfect expression and support them in embracing themselves and others with love, compassion, encouragement, and respect.
©2009 Amala Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
Michael Carberry lives by the poetic advice of Rumi, "Let the beauty we love be what we do." Michael loves the beauty of music, dance and the arts in their myriad forms, and through practicing and teaching these arts he works persistently to spread an understanding of other cultures and bring the global community closer together. The desire to share his passion is what has led Michael to the field of alternative education, where his contagious inspiration can help others to listen to and follow their own hearts in life. Mr. Michael (as he's commonly known) currently works with ages 2 - 13 teaching Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art/dance, World Music, Art, PE/games, and Native American studies at the Austin EcoSchool, The Springs Enrichment Academy and the Greenwood School. He has also coordinated the Austin Waldorf School's extended care program and taught there as a substitute teacher from 2007 - 2009. During the summers Michael teaches at Camp Indigo, The Global Youth Peace Summit and Waldorf's Camp Roadrunner. Michael is truly dedicated to creating a fun and inspiring environment where our youth can grow as confident individuals and create a community where they can authentically "be the change they want to see in the world." As Yeats declared, "Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire." Michael Carberry is here to start a fire in the hearts and minds of our youth, and light a brighter way to the future!
Andrea Broussard is an assistant teacher at a local Montessori school who has dedicated 4 years of loving service to the children of Amala's Camp Indigo. She has also served as a cabin counselor at the Global Youth Peace Summit, a 9-day overnight peace conference serving youth ages 11-18 from all over the world. A lover of learning, her endeavors have included archaeology, professional photography, massage therapy, dancing, portrait-drawing, acrobatic yoga, Kundalini yoga, and traveling. It is her joy and honor to be with your children, to share with them, to learn from them, and to encourage the fulfillment of their deepest potential.
"Children carry the seed of an enlightened and loving future, one in which the people of the world utilize their higher intellect and faculty for collective wisdom to uplift, inspire, motivate, and co-create. It is to this end that I choose to reach children through love, respect, honesty, communication, and authenticity. No matter the destiny of our global family, we must recognize possibility and move ever toward it."
-Andrea Broussard
Jean-Pierre Verdijo has been asking questions and making art since age 5. His inquiry into life's mysteries has moved him to a life of studying children, art and psychology. He began serving at the Amala Foundation in 2006, and has facilitated art programs at Camp Indigo and The Global Youth Peace Summit. Currently he is working on a degree at Austin Community College, and plans to transfer to an art therapy program with a focus on family health. He is father of Abeja, age five, who is the apple of his eye. His art work is on display at the Amala Foundation's gift shop, as well as the Maranda Pleasant Gallery on East 6th street.
Alexa Jackson is a macrobiotic chef, nutritional counselor, massage therapist, musician, healer and mother. Currently working as a designer for Nomon Architectural Arts Studio. She has been working with the Amala Foundation for the past nine years, involved in the creation of Camp Indigo, worked in Camp Indigo and Global Youth Peace Summit, was a student in the healing school for three years, and has participated in healing retreats, sittings and many community events over the years. Alexa has a passion for service with children and young people. She has worked as a nanny, camp counselor, facilitator, tutor, and life coach. Her mission in life is to provide a loving space of compassion, understanding, inspiration, empowerment and leadership for all people. She spends her free time sewing, knitting, dancing, gardening, making art and jewelry, wood working, practicing and studying self realization, spirituality, nutrition, holistic healing, and sustainable living. Her greatest joy is creating harmony, community, creativity, and freedom.
Lauren Checchio attended the Ali Akbar College of Music in California, and has studied with some of the best percussionists in the world, including Swapan haudhuri, Zakir Hussain, Anindo Chatterjee, Glen Velez, and Ty Burhoe. Lauren traveled to the Middle East to study the art of the doumbek, and to Hawaii to study tabla under Daniel Paul, one of the world’s few tabla tarang players.
Lauren is the director of percussion of the UT Middle Eastern Ensemble. She has played and recorded with 1001 Nights Orchestra, Oliver Rajamani, The Gypsies, Teye & Viva Flamenco, Govinda, Anta Jung, Ojala, among others in Austin, Texas. Lauren is also in demand as a teacher of percussion, giving both private lessons and group workshops.
