Biography coming shortly.

Judith was born in Germany to German parents, but grew up among tribal communities in Nepal and Papua New Guinea. Her interest in creating art began at a very early age and is profoundly influenced by her multicultural upbringing. After attending Art College in Germany she moved to the US to continue her studies in art and psychology. Judith works as an artist and teacher with special interest in global women’s issues, multiculturalism, and anthropology. She has taught in many places around the world and is excited to explore and expand her teaching repertoire as the lead teacher at Roots. Judith brings a rich life tapestry to Roots and we are thrilled to have her on our team! 

Eric was born and raised in Durham, NC and was always curious about how things were made and why they worked. He loved to be outdoors and didn’t have a desire to hit the books to find answers to his questions. As a jet engine mechanic in the Marines, he realized that if he could understand the concept of how something worked through experience, the math and science languages made more sense and suddenly did not seem so far out of reach.

Eric has a degree in mechanical engineeering and work experience testing, designing, and managing electromechanical products. Over the years, and through various mentoring and teaching opportunities in his job, in the Marines, and as an Eagle Scout, Eric realized his true passion is helping to create that “ah-ha” moment for others - when something formerly wondrous and mysterious suddenly makes sense. These skills and passion are what led to the creation of Outdoor STEM Adventures (OSA).

Outdoor STEM Adventures provides the same type of experiences that Eric had in the Marine Corps and in scouting - adventures in which the whole body participates in learning. We go outdoors because every kid has access to the engineering lab we call nature. We focus on STEM because no matter what you want to be when you grow up, understanding how to solve problems, challenge your assumptions, and see wonder in everyday activities is a game changer. Eric’s skills in bringing fun, curiosity, and enrichment to the world of Nature and STEM make him an incredible addition to the Roots Team.

Jessica earned a BA in Theatre from East Carolina Univeristy and has 20+ years of experience as an actor, director, and producer. Jessica has performed locally and in NYC in theater, film, and television. She ran a theater company for three years, taught children's theater for five years ,and has worked as a life coach and public speaker for over 10 years. Jessica loves to create unique performance pieces and is passionate about catharsis - emotional transformation in an audience through witnessing performance.

Jessica uses pantomime, theater games, and exercises to build confidence and community. Her main intentions in working with children through theater are for them to:

• know how to be seen and heard when they have something to say

• know how to work with a group to communicate a message

• develop emotional intelligence - awareness of emotions in themselves and those around them

• have a space to express, expand, and process emotions and character

Jessica’s skills and experience in theater create a safe, fun, and enriching space for children to explore expressing themselves and their characters. She is a homeschool mom to two boys and we are thrilled to have her as a part of the Roots Team.

Rebecca Drake-Pelli was first introduced to meditation as a child and to yoga during high school. This initiated her deep curiosity and life-long exploration into the practices of self-inquiry through movement, stillness, and breath. Rebecca began teaching yoga in 2000, and continues to teach locally and across the U.S. in studios, classrooms, and for corporate events.

As a somatic based movement artist and teacher, Rebecca is deeply invested in creating and shaping spaces for people to experience, investigate, and respond to themselves and their experience of life through the mind-body movement portal. She draws on her training in modern dance, improvisation, and axis syllabus universal motion principles to create a space where children can explore their intrinsic desire to move. Rebecca’s classes are kind and supportive, challenging in unexpected ways, and inspired by her appreciation of community, relationships, nature, and art. She is passionate and excited to witness children finding comfort in their bodies and in expressing themselves through movement.

Rebecca is a homeschool mom who lives with her husband and twin boys outside of Chapel Hill. Along with teaching creative movement and yoga, she is a Functional Nutritional Therapist and mindfulness teacher.

Gabriel Pelli is a lifelong musician whose interests span across genres, from jazz to old-time; rock and roll to classical. He has played with groups such as Squirrel Nut Zippers, Onyx Club Boys, The Old Ceremony, and Grand Shores, which have taken him across the U.S. and the world. 

Gabe lives outside Chapel Hill with his wife and twin boys. He brings music enrichment to Roots with passion and joy.