Biographies

In order to provide children with the highest quality educational experience, Kids Creative Studio ensures that our instructors are talented professionals with a strong background in digital media, animation, and filmmaking. Our instructors collaborate to refine and expand our underlying curriculum and they engage with students in a project based learning environment.

Dave Gilley  (Kids Creative Studio - Founder)
Dave has over 25 years of sales, marketing and system development for the telecommunications and wireless industries. His hobbies include many years in Columbus bands playing, creating and writing a vast variety of musical styles, inspiration is his son that thrives to be the next Stephen Spielberg or Tim Burton.


Israel Najera, III  (Kids Creative Studio - Founder)
Israel is an award winning producer of K- 12 instructional technology products. His awards include Best Educational Total Comprehensive Solution – McGraw-Hill Learning Network and most recently Best K-12 LMS – Networks: A Social Studies Learning System. Prior to his work at McGraw-Hill, Israel developed technology programs for underprivileged children at the Columbus Urban League. During this time he worked closely with the Boston Computer Museum and the MIT Media Lab to establish Ohio’s first Intel Computer Clubhouse. 


Jerome M. Scott  (Kids Creative Studio - Founder)
Jerome M. Scott attended University of Cincinnati College of Design Art Architecture and received a Bachelor's and Master's in Architecture from The Ohio State University. Interning with Eisenman Architects in New York City, he worked on the Columbus Convention Center, DAAP, and the Wexner Center for Art. Jerome has worked with Spanish artist Javier Mariscal and also with Arata Isozaki on the Center of Science and Industry (COSI).  Jerome M. Scott Architects was formed in 1998 and recent projects include Gubei Shang Hai Mixed Use Development, Wan Shan Golf Resort, and Children’s Discovery Zone Dhahram Saudi Arabia. The firm has received design awards and distinction in numerous International Design Competitions.


Denise Bayless (Instructor)
Denise has been working with school age children for the last 8 years providing them with both creative and academic opportunities in the after school environment. She is a freelance artist who works with local, small businesses creating product advertising signs and displays. She also works as a professional face painter.  Denise attended CCAD for illustration and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh for animation.  She has a certificate in early childhood education. She has a passion for painting, video editing, and providing a positive environment for children to learn and create.


Alan Becker (Instructor)
Alan Becker is a CCAD graduate and now works as a freelance animator. He is best known for making the viral video "Animator vs. Animation" as a junior in high school. He went viral a second time after making the world of Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" in Minecraft over the course of 3 years. He enjoys teaching how to breathe life into the most simple stick figures through animation, and how to construct dynamic environments in the world of Minecraft.


Steven Bonahoom (Instructor)
Steven is a graduate of Ohio University School of Media Arts & Studies where he focused on Special Effects, Gaming, and Animation. He is Final Cut Pro Apple Certified and has edited several video projects. Steven has also worked on video game development as a staff artist and texture creator. Steven’s enthusiasm for digital media is recognized by the children in his classes and they respond with fantastic creations of their own. He is motivated to stimulate and shape creative young minds. 


Jonathan Pezzatta (Instructor)
Jonathan is a 3D Lighter who primarily works in Autodesk Maya 2013 and Adobe AfterEffects CS6. He recently completed his work on the film "Lumin" during the Fall of 2012 that will premier at the Sehsüchte Film Festival in 2013. Lumin also received a Telly Award in the spring of 2013. Jonathan has also published "Dances With Lines" on the Blurb publication website and has been recognized by the National Honors Society for academic excellence. Jonathan is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD)  where he was recognized for academic excellence and was awarded both the Dean's and President's List  every semester enrolled.


Jackie Theibert (Instructor)
Coming from a large fun-loving, creative and supportive family, Jackie finds it very natural to help provide positive and enriching environments for children.  After high-school she first worked in early childhood education and became Montessori Certified.  Then she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Columbus College of Arts and Design majoring in animation and minoring in art therapy where she dedicated her senior thesis to writing, illustrating and animating the children’s book “Aneeka and Juanito.”  Most recently she became a Registered Yoga Teacher, and continues to further her education when she finds workshops of various sorts that inspire her.  Jackie also loves to travel, cook, bake, listen to music and see live shows.