Instructors
Eric G. Müller was born in Durban, South Africa, and double majored in literature and history at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He attended Emerson College in Sussex, England, where he completed the Foundation Year, with emphasis on drama and creative writing. He studied Waldorf pedagogy at the Waldorf Institute in Witten-Annen, Germany, where he specialized in music education. Currently, he teaches English and Drama at Hawthorne Valley High School. He has written two novels, Rites of Rock (Adonis Press, 2005) and Meet Me at the Met (Plain View Press, 2010), as well as a collection of poetry, Coffee on the Piano for You (Adonis Press, 2008). His poetry, articles, and short stories have appeared in many journals, anthologies and magazines. www.ericgmuller.com
Martina Angela Müller studied English and Art at Ruhruniveritaet in Bochum, Germany, received a certificate in English proficiency from Cambridge University, and studied Art at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Her Waldorf training includes Foundation Year at Emerson College, England and training as a High School Art Teacher at Institut fuer Waldorfpaedagogik in Witten, Germany. She currently teaches art at Hawthorne Valley High School and is a core member of the Alkion Center faculty. She is a published children’s book illustrator, an exhibiting artist, and a graphic designer focused on Anthroposophical Institutions. www.martinaangelamuller.org
Stephen Keith Sagarin, PhD, has taught high school history, among other subjects, for more than 25 years, including at the Great Barrington Waldorf High School, MA, and at the Waldorf School of Garden City, NY. He also teaches at Sunbridge Institute, where he has advised more than 100 masters’ theses. He has a BA in art history from Princeton University and a PhD in history from Columbia University.
Karen Sipe has taught high school mathematics and fiber arts at Hawthorne Valley School for the past seven years. She has also been a class teacher as well as a kindergarten teacher so brings a unique and well-rounded perspective to child development and education. She received her B.A. in mathematics from Skidmore College and a M.S. in education from Antioch University as part of the Waldorf Teacher Training program. She is married and has four children.
Lynne Blankenship Stolfo, B.S. in Education, Diploma - Eurythmy, Diploma - Therapeutic Eurythmy, is a performing, pedagogical and therapeutic eurythmist. Besides having an extensive background in dance, choreography, physical education, early childhood education, and yoga, she has enjoyed teaching color eurythmy for painting courses, high school students in Waldorf Schools, and therapeutic eurythmy at Triform.
Patrick Stolfo, B.F.A., M.A., is an educator and practicing artist. He studied fine arts at Wayne State University in Detroit and at Emerson College in England and education at the Waldorf Institute / Mercy College of Detroit. He has taught students at the middle school, high school, and adult levels since 1978 in clay sculpture, ceramics, woodcarving, stone carving, drawing, the history of art and architecture, philosophy, anthroposophy, and Waldorf pedagogy. He has taught courses in numerous Waldorf Teacher Training programs across North America, is currently a core faculty member at the Alkion Center at Hawthorne Valley, and is an adjunct instructor at Antioch University, New England, and the Center for Anthroposophy in New Hampshire.
Lawre Stone is an artist and educator who after 17 years of living in Brooklyn, NY, followed her children to Hawthorne Valley and Waldorf education. She has a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from Bard College, and received her Certificate in Waldorf Teacher Training at the Alkion Center. She has taught Fine Arts, Art History and Social Studies in public and private schools. Currently, she is a high school humanities teacher at Hawthorne Valley School where she teaches history, English, stained glass and bookbinding. Her paintings have been exhibited internationally and her work has been published in notable art journals and magazines. She lives with her two children and husband on a sheep farm in Columbia County, NY.
Andree T. Ward, B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Texas and M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Columbia University, has been a Waldorf Early Childhood educator since 1982 at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School. She has taught Kindergarten, Nursery, and Parent-Child classes. Her other professional responsibilities include mentoring and evaluating Waldorf Early Childhood teachers and evaluating developing member schools for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN). She is a member of WECAN, the Anthroposophical Society, First Class, and Pedagogical Section. Andree is a core member of the Alkion Center faculty since its inception and teaches in the two year Foundation Studies program and the annual Summer Intensive. She directs the courses in the Early Childhood Specialization of the Waldorf Teacher Training Program.