Camp Co-Director, Session 1. Jeff is a long time member of the Caz community, and is excited to be teaching at Caz NW again. He is a graduate of the Creative Writing program at Stanford University, and writes a regular column for Seattle's Child magazine. He is the author of Catch a Fish, Throw a Ball, Fly a Kite, a book that teaches classic kid skills to parents and children, and True Blue, a middle grade fantasy novel. He has taught writing, photography and puppetry at Stagebridge Performing Arts Institute, The Northwest Writers' Weekend, Caz California and Caz Northwest. He and his family have been coming to Caz for many years.

Camp Co-Director, Session 1. Jessica is a multimedia artist who started out in linocut and intaglio printmaking, working at Sev Shoon Print Studio in Seattle. She studied oil portraiture at Gage Academy in Seattle and Studio Escalier in France, and more recently letterpress and bookbinding at the San Francisco Center for the Book. She also completed the scientific illustration certificate program at the University of Washington, where she has taught art to elementary and middle school through the Robinson Center for Young Scholars. She particularly loves doing collaborative art projects with kids, which you can see on her website at artworkbyjessicastanton.weebly.com, and is excited to be coming back for her seventh year at Caz.

Camp Director, Session 2. Avery Hill has been teaching music for over 10 years. Her 'ukulele and songwriting classes, workshops and jams have become a staple of the Portland (OR) music community. She has instructed at regional events like the Menucha Ukulele Band Camp, the Reno 'Ukulele Festival and the Songwriter Soirée Retreat. Whatever the classroom, Avery strives to educate everyone’s inner musician, to elevate their self-knowledge and confidence, and to enchant them with insight, presence, and a handful of good jokes. Avery is also a performing singer-songwriter, and storyteller. Her latest album is The One Who Remembers (2024). Learn more at www.averyhill.studio.

Assistant Camp Director. Willa has been attending Cazadero camps her entire life, starting at California Sonoma when she was 9 months old and then adventuring to Caz NW back in 2019. Outside of camp, she is looking forward to graduating this spring from UC Davis. When she isn't conducting research in lab or studying, Willa enjoys playing the mandolin, rock climbing, good music, and watching all kinds of sports. She is super excited to be back at camp this year and cultivate another week of creativity with everyone!

Workshop Coordinator. Carin has been attending Caz NW with her family since the first summer.  Outside of camp, she runs a middle school library, sings a cappella and enjoys time with family and friends.  Previously serving as a Board member and Communications Director for Caz NW, she's excited to focus her energy on supporting the Community Workshops for the coming summer. 

Camp Nurse, Session 1. Outside of Caz, Diana works for the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative and as a Nurse Midwife in Portland. She is the mother of two Caz Campers and loves to make art, music, and nature. This is her 6th year as Caz NW Camp Nurse.

Camp Nurse, Session 2. New to the team, Diana joins us as camp nurse for Caz NW Session 2! By day, she’s a diligent Nurse Case Manager in Santa Rosa, CA; by night, she’s a creative powerhouse. Whether she’s knitting while camping, hunting for mushrooms, or dancing in the supermarket aisles, Diana is always game for a creative adventure. With 15 years of experience teaching African-based movement, she’s ready to help everyone find their rhythm.

Chef. Chef Joan began her career with the USDA, working as a nutritionist at the Human Nutritional Research Center.  She attended California Culinary Academy and did an internship in Alsace, France. Returning to her roots in the Bay Area, she worked in restaurants, hotels, Microsoft's corporate cafeteria, and was the catering director for NASA. ​When an opportunity became available in the Berkeley Unified School District & Edible Schoolyard, she jumped at the chance. For five years, Joan ran the production kitchen for Berkeley Unified, producing 3,000 meals every day.  ​She gave "What's on Your Plate" presentations for the Edible Schoolyard, where she was able to share her passion for preparing and savoring food with kids, and linking it to culture and curriculum.  Nothing thrills her more than seeing a child's culinary world expand.

Emerging Artist, Session 1. Guy Gibson has played the bass guitar and upright bass since 2019, first doing so at Caz family camps, which he has attended his whole life. He has travelled internationally with the acclaimed El Cerrito High School band program. He is currently a freshman studying history at UC San Diego, where he continues to participate in the jazz program. He enjoys music, reading, and baseball, and is looking forward to attending camp once again!

Emerging Artist, Session 2. I graduate from Lakeside High School in Seattle spring 2026, and will be starting at Wellesley College in Massachusetts in the fall! While at Lakeside, I did extensive work in acrylic painting, focusing on surrealism, something I plan to continue to pursue in college. My hobbies include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, running, reading, and over-exaggerated interpretive dance.

Board President. Jonathan’s family first attended Caz Sonoma in 2016. He loved everything except the long drive from Seattle to Cazadero, so … Caz Northwest!

Board Secretary. Alex first attended CazNW with her youngest child in 2023 - they loved clowning, making papier-mache monsters, telling jokes, singing, taiko drumming and dancing so much that they brought the whole family plus friends back in 2024 and are already excited to think about what next year will bring. Alex is grateful for all of the instructors, staff and volunteers who make CazNW such a welcoming environment to try new things.

Board Treasurer. Erik has been a Caz NW camper since its inaugural year and can’t imagine a better place to exercise his love of music, art, theater, and...Star Trek? The forest, the Puget Sound, local flora and fauna, and amazing people form a safe, immersive environment where anything feels possible. Welcome to the Real World. 

Board Member. Gavin’s journey to Cazadero started as a newborn at the Sonoma camp in 2001 and with few exceptions, the family performing arts camp has been a key part of his summer routine. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he is motivated to continue bringing that same magic to the PNW!

Board Member. Yael (phonetically: “yah-EL”) and her family experienced the magic of Caz Northwest for the first time in the summer of 2026. She was amazed by how quickly and warmly they were welcomed into the community and is excited to continue contributing to CAZ while finding opportunities to express her creativity. She loves to dance, write, and spend time among the trees. She is especially looking forward to sharing some of her guitar skills next summer and perhaps even an original song!

Executive Director. Suzanne has been a camper at Caz for the last five years, and has been a board member for the last three   She recently exited the corporate workforce and is enjoying more time for art and connection!   At home, Suzanne focuses on writing these days, with a true crime memoir in works, but compliments that with painting, textile art, and singing with her community choir.

Operations Director. Amanda is excited to join the Caz NW team! She has decades of experience in education, working with youth and event planning. She is a lover of the outdoors, reading and knitting. She is originally from the Midwest, but has spent half her life on the West Coast- the Bay Area and Seattle.