Class Instructors

I am an artist, teacher, auntie, dancer, social worker, and lover of dogs, hot tubs and snacks especially. I'm committed to practicing embodied expression, playfulness and joy in all my classes and beyond. I have had the privilege of getting trained as a kid’s art teacher, in multimedia art-making, in vinyasa yoga, trauma-informed yoga, yoga for addiction, restorative yoga, various wisdom traditions exploring mindfulness and meditation, expressive-arts therapy, social work, restorative justice practices, harm reduction, facilitation work, and trauma therapy. 

These days, I dance every chance I get! On almost every day of the week, you can find me with a big ol’ smile on my face dancing either Raqs Sharqi - aka belly dance - at Bright Star Studio, ecstatic dance with Portland Community Dance and others, line dance with the Merrymeeting Dance Alinement, DanceAbility format with Spark Dance Program, or most recently, Body Language at the Electric Cottage. I love it all! I love a free -form improvisational format as much as I love a fun choreo and the magic of syncing up with a group. I love that dance, in all its forms, fosters community and connection. I love that dance and movement benefit all, no matter your experience or ability.

Let’s listen to some joyful music, discover what movements feel good in our bodies, connect with each other, express ourselves through movement, have FUN, laugh it up, and werk it out!

Sarah (they/them) is an artist and writer working in Cumberland.  When they aren't making zines, collages, or writing poems, they are probably marveling at flowers, creating still-lives in their house, making weirdly specific playlists, or hanging out with other people's dogs. 

Sarah sees teaching yoga and movement practices as a thrilling opportunity to accompany students of all shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities in exploration and evolution.  Sarah wants to encourage your autonomy both on your mat and in your life. Classes with them are metaphorical, light-hearted, and full of references to how nature can show us everything we need to know about living life. They believe in the radical potential of rest.

Sarah has been studying and practicing yoga and meditation in one way or another for over 10 years.  They have completed their 200 hour yoga teacher training and taken 100 hours of Yin teacher training at Portland Yoga Collective, and hold a certificate in Social Justice Chaplaincy from the School of Global Citizenry.  They studied visual arts, writing, and philosophy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Joanna (she/her) LOVES to sweat her stress away on the dance floor and will always aim to bring laughter into the studio through high energy jams and funky tunes. You’ll probably hear at least one Big Freedia song during class. Her goal is to create a space to meet you where you are, offering diverse movement options for all bodies and energy levels.   

Joanna first started coming to Electric Cottage Collective during a particularly challenging time in her life and immediately knew she had found a new home.  The joyful movement and the sense of community she found at ECC turned into a key part of healing and self discovery, and she wants her classes to be a space for others to find the same. 

When not at ECC, Joanna is probably on a hike, in the ocean, drinking a beer, taking a nap, running a Town meeting, or hanging out with her sweet husband and their 3 pets - cats Phife and Nelson, and Blueberry the Dog

I am an environmental scientist, a backpacker, and a lover of all things movement! I teach yoga, barre, and dance movement, and am likely to be found in a deep squat or forward fold at my desk during the work day. I am thrilled to be part of the ECC community. 

Kate is an Upholsterer and lifelong maker who believes sewing is equal parts practical skill and creative superpower. With over 20 years of experience, she brings real-world techniques, insider tips, and a designer’s eye for detail to every class.

Kate loves helping students feel confident at the sewing machine, breaking projects into clear, approachable steps and demystifying the tools of the trade. Whether you’re brand new or brushing up your skills, she’s excited to help you create something beautiful with your own two hands.

When she’s not in the workshop, you’ll find her recharging by the wood stove with her creatures, cooking up something delicious, wandering in nature, or dreaming up her next home reno project.

Ella is a passionate environmental advocate whose journey has taken her from the North Shore of Massachusetts to the Florida Keys and from Brooklyn to Los Angeles and back east to Maine. She’s been on the frontlines with water protectors at Standing Rock, fought against neighborhood oil drilling in Los Angeles, and stood in solidarity with the Porter Ranch community after the So Cal Gas methane leak.

In 2020, Ella and her husband, a proud Mainer, made the move from LA to Portland, and they settled in Brunswick in 2021. When she’s not working, Ella is a dedicated volunteer with the Wabanaki Alliance and serves on the Board of Directors for JustME for JustUS, an organization focused on rural youth climate organizing. She’s also involved with Maine DSA and Jewish Voice for Peace. Additionally, Ella volunteers with Midcoast Humane.

In her downtime, you’ll often find Ella playing (or attempting to play) the ukulele at home with her dog, Addie, and cat, Olive. Her skills may be a work in progress, but her love for music is real. Ella is excited to bring her activist spirit and passion for community to ECC and looks forward to connecting with others who are committed to building a better future for all.