Music, Art, and Drama Programs
River Guerguerian
Music Director and Teacher
The music teacher for Pre-kindergarten through high school, River brings to Odyssey School his rich and extensive experience as a multi-percussionist, composer, and educator. Born in Montreal, Canada to Armenian-Egyptian parents, he received his Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music Conservatory in 1989. For over 25 years, River has been performing internationally with such groups as the BBC Concert Orchestra, New Music Consort, Grammy and Oscar winning composer Tan Dun, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Tibetan Singing Bowl Ensemble, Talujon Percussion Quartet, Chuck Berry, and Ziggy Marley/Gipsy Kings project. His compositions have been commissioned and performed by chamber ensembles, universities, modern dance companies, and new music festivals throughout the U.S.
River has performed in concert halls in New York, Berlin, Moscow, Tokyo, Rome, Sydney, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, London, and has recorded on over 150 albums and film soundtracks. In 1994, River sold all possessions, left civilization, and lived in a wildlife sanctuary in the Himalaya Mountains. This immersion in nature initiated intense research and experimentation into the physiological effect of sound on brainwave states.
River is the Music Director of the “Creative Technology and Arts Center” in Asheville, NC and conducts rhythm and sound exploration workshops throughout the country. Visit him at www.ShareTheDrum.com.
Lydia Hearne
High School Ceramics Instructor
At Odyssey School, Lydia is also a preschool team teacher. She attended Earlham College, in Indiana, where she received her BA in Fine Art, with a focus in Ceramics. She later completed Haywood Community College’s program in Professional Crafts. “It feels very natural for me to be here at Odyssey School,” says Lydia, “and to be able to feed the two main passions in my life, having the opportunity to work with young children and also to work in clay, offering others the chance to explore such an amazing and captivating medium.”
Jesse Kitt
High School Aesthetic Design Teacher
Jesse grew up in California and has lived in Asheville since 1998. She studied art at UC Berkeley and ultimately graduated with a degree in art (and an emphasis in Photography) from UNCA. For the past decade, Jesse has been using photography as her primary creative tool and started her studio Jesse Kitt Photography, www.photokitt.com.
Jesse loves the adventure that each photo shoot brings and is in love with the creative process. As a lover of poetry, she is drawn to the idea of the “decisive moment” and she regards photography as a kind of visual poetry. In her aesthetic design classes, Jesse explores the elements of design and the passion of expression in a variety of media.
A mother to two young children (7 and 5 years old), Jesse also loves installation art, Latin American/Spanish culture, travel, and seeking out pristine natural landscapes!
Melanie Wester
Drama Instructor
Melanie worked in theater and film for fourteen years before becoming a mom. She has now come out of retirement to teach drama at Odyssey School, where her two middle school children attend. She began to teach acting at Southeastern Louisiana University and taught acting throughout her career in theater and film. She also worked on various films behind the camera in the art department.
Odyssey
News & Events
It will be here before you know it! Odyssey's 16th Annual Festival of Light is an evening filled with joyful, creative and whimsical skits, songs and performances from students pre-k through 12th grade. Thursday, December 14th at 6:30 PM. #theodysseyway #odysseyschoolavl
Here is the link for online donations! Every bit helps Odyssey to the Annual Fund goal and is tax-deductible. Please allow us to make this unique education available to those who can't afford it. Donations also support classroom resources and teacher professional development. https://odysseycommunity.org/donate🍂📚✉💚#givingtuesday
Here is the link to make your tax-deductible donation to Odyssey School's Annual Fund and in the process join a global campaign of generosity! https://odysseycommunity.org/donate/
🌟 It's #GivingTuesday! 🌟 Today, I am asking you to support our school for a purpose bigger than ourselves – to support the bright young minds at Odyssey School Asheville. 📚✨ Our mission to provide innovative, inclusive, and individualized education has never been more vital. With your support, we can ensure that every student has the tools to succeed, explore, and dream. 💡 Here's the impact of your generosity: Increased opportunity for students through scholarships. Access to technology and materials that support learning. Improving our facilities ensures that we maintain a safe and comfortable learning environment. Every contribution, big or small, opens up a world of possibilities for our students. 🌈🌍 🤝 Join us in this movement: Donate via the link on our website Odyssey School Asheville. Share this post and spread the word. Tag us in your stories with #odysseyschoolavl , and tell us why you believe in our School! Let's shape a future filled with curiosity, creativity, and community. 💖 Thank you for being a part of our journey. 🙏 #OdysseySchoolAdventures #odysseyhighavl #OdysseySchool #odysseyschoolavl #greatschools #828isgreat #ashevillenc #givingtuesday #firstchoice #thankyou Dr. Eric "Big E" Howard Head of School
Friendsgiving at Odyssey 🌟 Gratitude for Odyssey School Asheville 🌟 Reflecting on my time at Odyssey School AVL, I am overwhelmed with a profound sense of gratitude. This incredible place has shaped my academic journey and left an indelible mark on my heart and soul. 📚💖 🌿 The teachers at Odyssey are more than educators; they are mentors, guides, and friends. Thank you for igniting my curiosity and for nurturing my thirst for knowledge. 📝🧠 🌎 Odyssey's commitment to experiential learning has broadened my horizons and allowed me to explore the world around me. Every moment has been a learning opportunity, from outdoor adventures to hands-on projects. 🌍🌄 💪 The supportive community at Odyssey has taught me the importance of collaboration, empathy, and resilience. Together, we've overcome challenges and celebrated victories. 🤝❤️ 🎨 The arts have been vital to my journey here, allowing me to express myself creatively and find my unique voice. Thank you for fostering my artistic growth. 🎭🎨 🌞 As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my life, I carry the lessons, friendships, and memories from Odyssey School Asheville. I am truly grateful for this remarkable journey. 🚀🌈 #OdysseySchoolAdventures #odysseyhighavl #OdysseySchool #828isgreat #greatschools #ashevillenc #gratitude #lifelessons #EducationJourney #thanksgiving #thankful #friendsgiving
Empowering educators at A+ Arts professional development with the incredible teachers of Odyssey School Asheville! 🍎🎨 Exciting times ahead as we nurture creativity and excellence in education. #OdysseySchool #ProfessionalDevelopment #EducationJourney #ashevillenc #828isgreat #A+ #greatschools #odysseyschoolavl