Artful Connections classes are led by professional teaching artists who brings not only technical expertise, but a deep commitment to nurturing creativity in others. The instructors are accomplished makers, performers and creators in their own disciplines—people who actively practice their craft and understand the transformative power of the arts. They blend professional insight with compassionate, approachable teaching, creating welcoming spaces where learners feel encouraged to take risks, explore new ideas and discover what inspires them.

Rooted in real-world artistic experience, each teaching artist brings a unique perspective, style and energy to their classes. Some specialize in traditional techniques, others in contemporary approaches—but all share a passion for guiding students through meaningful, hands-on discovery. Whether participants are picking up a brush for the first time or honing skills they’ve carried for decades, our artists meet them where they are, helping them grow with confidence curiosity, and joy.

Scroll down for bios on Artful Connections Professional Teaching Artists for the 2026 season!

Tyler Canonico-Dilley

One of the east coast’s finest and dynamic concert organists and inspiring church musicians, Tyler A. Canonico-Dilley is the Minister of Music and Organist at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he leads an expansive music program. The program includes the Market Square Ringers, the Sanctuary Choir, a Choral Scholars Program and the Market Square Singers (a touring choir comprised of volunteers, both amateur and professional, from the church and greater Central Pennsylvania community), and he is the Artistic Director for Arts on the Square.

Tyler is also an Adjunct Instructor of Music at Lebanon Valley College where he conducts the seventy-plus member College Choir, teaches Class Piano and is the Vocal Director for the opera program. At Cornwall Manor, he leads the Cornwall Manor Sings! ensemble of more than 40 residents who bring their voices together in harmony for community performances, including a spring and Christmastime concert. Under his direction, Cornwall Manor Sings! continues to grow as a welcoming, joyful and community-centered musical experience for all.

Christy Kam

Christy Kam began her dance career as a ballerina, training and performing with the Columbia City Ballet and the Royal Academy of Dance school. After moving to Philadelphia in 2000, she transitioned into partner dancing, winning multiple national titles with Pan Thomakos, including USA Dance Adult Championship Rhythm and the Adult 9 Dance Championship.

She later competed professionally in rhythm, smooth, 9‑dance, salsa, and bachata with partners Cedric Jacobsen and Henri Velandia, qualifying for the World Salsa Championships. Christy also achieved major wins with Jameson Kilburn—most notably first place at the Open Professional World Hustle Championships in 2014.

With Clive Stevens, she earned top placements at Worlds, including 1st in showcase, 2nd in classic, and multiple World Games medals. She also won both advanced line dance divisions, qualifying for the Superstars category. Today, she competes in Masters and Superstars and serves as a journeyman judge on the UCWDC circuit.

Known for her expertise, versatility, and sense of humor, Christy teaches throughout the Hershey area. Known for her deep technical knowledge, wide-ranging dance experience, and sense of humor Christy teaches throughout the Hershey area and at Cornwall Manor will be teaching Social Dance through the Artful Connections program.

Jude Hawkins

As a child near Detroit, Jude Hawkins waws always coloring and cutting things up. This constant curiosity and desire to make things led me to earning my BFA from the University of Michigan in 1973.

For a time, she settled in Baltimore, Maryland where she participated in several group and solo exhibitions. In the 1980’s I embraced motherhood, moved to Pennsylvania, built a house with her husband and started a picture framing business. By 1991, she returned to painting and exhibiting.

A fascination with pattern and negative space has always been at the heart of Jude’s work in paint. She will distort, disguise or delete the narrative portion of my paintings and allow myself to obsess completely on color, repetition and the shapes that occur between objects.

Most of her current paintings are the results of visual puzzles she invented for herself. These brain teasers are concerned with reflection and reiteration of the positive shapes and negative spaces of the final images and those in the underpainting.

For many years she loosely designed paintings and then completed them. Jude has reached a point where she knew how my painting would look before I finished it. This stole the adventure from her and she has become more immediate and perilous in the act of painting.

Ellen Silberlicht

As a lifelong artist and educator, Ellen Silberlicht explores the intersection of clay, nature and textile art. Her creative journey has taken her from early work in raku and wheel‑thrown vessels to sculptural forms that blend hand building with influences from my travels and the natural world. After more than 15 years as a high school art teacher, she continued expanding her practice through workshops across the country, where challenges often sparked new directions—such as integrating African and marine‑inspired forms into her pottery. A parallel passion for textiles led to my discovery of wet felting, which ultimately merged with my ceramic work during my recovery from breast cancer in 2015, deepening my belief in art as healing. Since retiring from teaching in 2016, She has fully devoted herself to creating vessels and sculptural pieces that celebrate the beauty, complexity and resilience of the natural world.

This year marks Ellen’s first time teaching in Artful Connections, where she will lead a class in wet felting.

Lee Flanick

Lee Flanick, who joined Cornwall Manor in 2004, has long contributed his talent and creativity to the community through his roles as Executive Chef and Director of Food Service. His path into woodworking began when his oldest daughter asked for a puppet playhouse; after seeing the cost of store‑bought versions, he purchased a few tools from Sears and built one himself. Completely self‑taught, Lee continued to build his skills over the years, creating everything from kitchens and decks to tables, plant stands and custom stars and trees. In 2025, he began sharing his craft with residents through Artful Connections, teaching participants how to create wooden trees illuminated with LED light strings. In 2026, he will expand his instruction to include wooden stars. Whether in the kitchen or the workshop, Lee finds joy in the creative process of transforming raw, unfinished materials into something beautiful—an ability that shines through in both his food and his carpentry.

Dani Fiore

Dani Fiore is a multi-instrumentalist with a passion for drums, percussion, and bringing people together to make music! They got started performing and teaching in the Asbury Park area of New Jersey before relocating to Central PA in 2007. Here, Dani thrives in collaboration with other musicians, bringing versatility and enthusiasm to every experience. Dani has worked with some of the area’s most talented artists and bands, (on stage and in the studio), across a variety of genres. Dani created “Life in Rhythm” – a program of hands-on, educational, connective group hand drumming experiences designed to benefit ALL people regardless of musical ability. In 2023, Dani founded Empowered Music LLC, the first-ever proudly LGBTQ inclusive music school in Central PA.

We’re delighted to welcome Dani back to Cornwall Manor as a professional artist, teaching Social Drumming in Artful Connections.

Carrie Feidt

Carrie Feidt is a freelance artist and art instructor who is based out of central Pennsylvania. She has been sharing her passion for art with the community for over fifteen years, and earned a degree in art in 2018. Carrie spends much of her time painting commissions of all sizes and subject matters. Some of her favorite things to paint are watercolor pet portraits and tranquil acrylic scenes. She also enjoys participating in both group and solo art shows and events.

In addition to painting, Carrie also offers both group and solo art instruction. She has taught children as well as adults in many spaces across central Pennsylvania.

Artful Connections Teaching Artists Professional Work

Watercolor by Carrie Feidt

Tranquil Acrylic Scenes by Carrie Feidt

Watercolor by Carrie Feidt

Watercolor Pet Portraits by Carrie Feidt

Day to Day, 30″ x 20″ canvas mosaic by Jude Hawkins

Pathway, 39″ x 61″ oil on canvas by Jude Hawkins

Feathers, 14″ x 17″ oil on canvas by Jude Hawkins

Day to Day (2), 40″ x 30″ canvas mosaic by Jude Hawkins

Reflecting the Sun by Ellen Siberlicht. Raku fired one-of-a-kind vessel is adorned with wet felted wood sculptural top.

Wild Spores by Ellen Siberlicht. Glass beads are hand sewn to give it just the right sparkle. Copper wire prickles the senses.

Mardi Gras by Ellen Silberlicht. The raku vessel is created first and then wool fibers are chosen to compliment the magical colors of the raku firing.

As Our World Turns by Ellen Silberlicht. Raku fired one-of-a-kind vessel is adorned with wet felted wood sculptural top.

Have a question? How can we help you?

Choosing the right retirement community is a big decision with multiple factors. We're here to answer ANY questions you might have and help you discover how wonderful retirement living can be