Masani (she/her) is born and raised in Mohkinstis (Calgary, AB). She immersed into learning about her ancestral roots through dance at the tender age of three, specializing in West African and Carribean dance. Upon the introduction to dance, Masani found passion for the West African traditions, culture and style. Through training under Michèle Moss-Johnston at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, she was able to build her foundation. Still working very closely with Michèle Moss-Johnston and various other artists from Guinea, West Africa, she finds every opportunity to take master classes from artists from various regions of Africa, including Congo, Uganda, Ghana, Mali, Guinea and Zimbabwe. Throughout the years, Masani has worked with various studios and professional groups across Canada. It is her mission to keep the art and culture alive from soul to sole!

MLE (they/them)  is a character artist based in Mohkinstis, Treaty 7 Territory (Calgary), Alberta, Canada. They have practiced art since they could hold a pencil which has so far led to the self-published graphic novel series, The Face King Chronicles, characters designed for commission, and consultations on independent films. MLE. finds joy in sharing the arts by instructing animation and illustration with the Quickdraw Animation Society, with the Alberta University of the Arts, as well as freelance tutoring. They will keep making art until they can no longer hold a pencil. 

Thomas Trofimuk is a writer of poetry and fiction. He’s published and reviewed in literary magazines across Canada, and on CBC radio. His novel, The 52nd Poem, won the George Bugnet Novel of the Year Award and the City of Edmonton Book Prize, and Doubting Yourself to the Bone was named as one of the Globe and Mail’s top 100 must-read books. Waiting for Columbus, published in the US, Canada, UK, Serbia, Poland, Brazil, China and Quebec (in translation), won the City of Edmonton Book Prize, was a nominee for the 2011 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, was optioned for film, and was a UK Richard and Judy Book Club pick as one of the best 100 Books of the Decade. This is All a Lie was published in 2017 to critical acclaim, and his most recent novel, The Elephant on Karlův Bridge, is set to be published in translation in China and Serbia. Thomas is currently working on The Alien Wife, a science-fictiony tall tale set in Edmonton and on the planet Nyx. He is a long time teacher with YouthWrite and continues to be an active board member who does Gail's bidding. 

Spyder Yardley-Jones (he/him) is an internationally recognized cartoonist, painter and sculptor. He has been teaching at YouthWrite since its inception. Spyder's artwork has been on exhibition in the US and Canada including The Art Gallery of Alberta. He has illustrated an award-winning graphic novel and created the artwork for Theatre Network's production of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. Spyder illustrated the forthcoming graphic comic, THE LOFTS, written by Rylan Kafara, which will be published in both digital and hardcopy!