Erica Alexander, Director  

• Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, Class of 2021.

• Koru Mindfulness Lead Teacher Trainer, training mindfulness teachers on college campuses around the world. Study and supervision with Duke University faculty, Holly Rogers, MD, cofounder of Koru Mindfulness, and Libby Webb, MSW. 

• Certified Koru Mindfulness Instructor. Conducted highly successful classes at Durham Arts Council, Durham Academy, Moogfest, Duke University, and in corporate and healthcare settings. Erica’s classes have served a wide range of clientele including corporate officers and managers, physicians, educators, psychotherapists, physical therapists, medical and veterinary students.

• Workshop leader for new and experienced musicians, using meditation and native flutes. Workshops guide musicians to a deeper source of musical creation.    

• Owner, professional flute studio, Houston, TX and Durham, NC serving up to 40 students each week. Students performed regularly and were consistently awarded honors in regional contests.

• Instrumental Music Director, Texas public schools, working with students in middle school and high school band programs.

• Performer as soloist and in ensembles on European silver flute and Native American style flute (http://cvnc.org/reviews/2007/122007/Cantari.html)

• Adjudicator, Houston Flute Society Young Artist Competition and University of Texas Interscholastic League (UIL) contests.

• Flutist, Lewisville Lake Symphony Orchestra and Katy First Baptist Church Orchestra

• University of Houston, post-graduate work, MBA program. Coauthored, Promoting Partnerships: Successful Corporate Practices for Mentoring Women Business Owners.
• Master of Music Education and all-level certification to teach music in the public schools, University of North Texas, College of Music.
• Bachelor of Arts, French Literature, Wesleyan University. Performance with the Wesleyan Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Choir, and in theater productions.

Koru Mindfulness Instructors:

Bibi Gnagno

Bibi Gnagno is an educator, wellness advocate and a certified Koru Mindfulness instructor.  Her work explores telling stories through film using a social justice lens.  While completing a law degree, she embraced mindfulness at a deeper level to cope with the daily stress of school.  Bibi has taught mindfulness classes at the university level and infuses mindfulness in her interactions with students but also in her daily life.  Currently as the Coordinator for Student Development at Duke University’s Women’s Center, she focuses on gender equity through the creation of experiential programming and training that emphasizes community building, empowerment, men’s engagement, activism and civic engagement.  She also leads workshops on wellness through reflection, movement, and healing foods.  Find out more at Bibignagno.com.

Myra Jean Smith, MA Ed., CYT

Contemplative Artist & Educator • Founder, Mindful High School • Licensed NC K-12 Art Educator