“The Earth is Her Employer”
Pandora Thomas is a passionate global citizen: a caregiver, teacher, farmer, designer, and speaker. Her work emphasizes the benefits of applying ecological principles to social design and reconnecting humans to our more-than-human kin.
For the last 15 years her earth service has included being a carepartner for her mother(now an ancestor) who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; co-founding the Black Permaculture Network; working with Toyota to design and serve as a coalition member of the Toyota Green Initiative, which supported African Americans in understanding the benefits of adopting sustainable lifestyles; co-designing, teaching with and directing Pathways to Resilience-a permaculture and social entrepreneur training program that worked with men and women returning home after incarceration; and working with the Urban Permaculture Institute in Marin City supporting a People’s Planning Process that helps community members assess and design strategies for their own resilience. Her lifelong commitment to honoring the ancestral legacies of earth stewardship among peoples of African Ancestry culminated in her most recent gift to the planet: founding the Earthseed Farm, the first Afro-Indigenous permaculture center in Sonoma County. Earthseed’s farming and center programming elevate the earth stewardship contributions and legacy of people of African ancestry throughout the Diaspora.
Tarah “Rah” Hines (they/she) is an international facilitator and advocate for holistic wellness, eco-spirituality, food sovereignty, and environmental liberation. Over the last 15 years their work has included serving as an international delegate to Miriam Miranda and Bertita Caceres in Honduras, co-founding the Black Permaculture Network, co-organizing the 2 Defend Black Women March in Washington D.C., and curating healing and rest spaces for conferences and convenings a
Claudia Sandoval
Timothy Hinchliff is a master yarn painter whose work has been part of the artistic and spiritual landscape of Rancho La Puerta for over three decades. Inspired by traditional Huichol art, he is known for his Circle of Angels paintings in the Ranch dining hall and for founding the beloved Prayer Arrow tradition.
Erin Gafill is an award-winning painter, author, and founder of the Big Sur Arts Initiative. Known for her vibrant use of color and community-centered teaching, she inspires artists of all ages to paint boldly and joyfully.
Tom Birmingham is an artist and teacher with a vast experience leading family enrichment programs. As a founding director of the Big Sur Arts Initiative, Tom has provided instruction and enrichment in the creative arts in a variety of mediums. For ten years he led the art department in the summer children’s theater program, StageKids in Big Sur. For over fifteen years Tom has taught photography and drawing at Rancho La Puerta. Along with his wife, Erin Lee Gafill, he’s been a part of The Ranch’s Family Week since its start. Tom was the director of the Big Sur JazzFest, founding member of Big Sur’s Hidden Garden’s Tour, and currently manages Studio One – Big Sur. Tom is the founder of 26Letter Press, a small press dedicated to printed materials celebrating and inspiring creative expression.
Matt Roben spent 25 years as a professional circus artist performing around the world before serving as a Chicago police officer and bagpiper. Now known as the “Kilted Auctioneer,” he continues to entertain and inspire while raising millions for charitable causes.
Jenny McTaggart is a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Coach, TRX & Yoga Instructor who brings serious energy and good vibes to everything she teaches. She leads Bootcamps, Yoga, and TRX at The Bay Club Marin in the San Francisco area, and she’s all about helping people make fitness feel fun.
Mitch Foster is a PPR Pro Level Pickleball Instructor with over 15 years of competitive experience. Mentored from an early age by his mother, a multi-time national champion, he went on to secure several junior national titles. He now serves as resident professional at the JW Marriott in Phoenix, coaching players of all ages and skill levels.
Nicholas McGegan, British born conductor and performer, is now in his sixth decade on the podium. For 34 years he was Music Director of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra in the Bay Area, as well as Principal Guest Conductor of the Pasadena Symphony, Artistic Director of the Göttingen International Handel Festival (1991-2011), Music Director of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and in the 1990’s, Principal Guest conductor of Scottish Opera and the Drottningholm Court Theatre in Sweden. He has recorded over a hundred CDs specializing in music of the Baroque and Classical periods. He has directed orchestras all over the world and at such opera houses as Covent Garden. In addition to performing, he lectures regularly at the Juilliard School of Music and Yale. He has been a visiting scholar at Harvard. In 2010 he was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music abroad.
Martha Aarons’ professional career began with her appointment as principal flute of the North Carolina Symphony. Subsequently she played with the Cleveland Orchestra for 25 years. After becoming a freelancer, she performed often with the Philadelphia Orchestra. During this time, she appeared as guest principal flute with the Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Mostly Mozart Festival. Ms. Aarons served as Artist Faculty with the Aspen Music Festival for 19 years. Her teaching credits include the Cleveland Institute of Music, Duke University, University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill, Oberlin College, Skidmore College, Shanghai Conservatory and Eastman School of Music. She has been soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and with the Aspen Festival Chamber and Festival orchestras. Her first solo CD, The History of the Tango, is recorded on the Azica label and additionally features pianist Frances Renzi and Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux. Her newest release is the CD Last Silence with violinist Lev Polyakin and pianist Frances Renzi. Martha is also an avid runner and has qualified for her fifth consecutive Boston Marathon in April 2025.’
Lev Polyakin was appointed co-concertmaster of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra at age 21. In that position he was regularly featured as soloist. In the U.S. he served as assistant concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra, as well as concertmaster of the American Academy of Conducting in Aspen Music Festival. Lev has won several prizes in international violin competitions, including the Beethoven Prize in Carl Flesch in London, and Gold Medal and Special Prize in Brescia, Italy. In addition to solo performances with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, he has appeared as soloist with the London Mozart Players, Royal Philharmonic, and Cleveland Orchestra. Recording credits include Melodia, BBC, National Public Radio, and Decca. He is prominently featured on an album entitled Cafe Music comprising chamber music by Paul Schoenfield, which was nominated for a Grammy. Lev has a special interest in jazz and has recorded three CDs, entitled Russian Blue, The Other Side of the Road, and Christmas Kaleidoscope. He is also featured in the recent release by Azica Records entitled Last Silence, with flutist Martha Aarons and pianist Frances Renzi.
Cellist Joanna Morrison completed her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees at Boston University. In 2007 Ms. Morrison won a position in the Honolulu Symphony and served as principal cello of the Hawaii Symphony from 2012 to 2015. Concert tours have taken Ms. Morrison to Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea as well as much of Europe and the United States performing under conductors including Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, David Zinman and Manfred Honeck. Joanna was an acting member of the San Diego Symphony from 2016-2020. An avid chamber player, Ms. Morrison has collaborated with various artists and has studied under members of the Guarneri and Juilliard Quartets. She has received fellowships to summer festivals around the world including Verbier Festival where she served as principal cellist for the world tour with Charles Dutoit and Martha Argerich.
Sharon Holly is a Certified Yoga Therapist, Certified TRE® (Trauma/Tension Release Exercises) and Resilience Toolkit Provider as well as a y4c Oncology Trained Yoga Teacher. She graduated from the Loyola Marymount University Yoga Therapy program after her personal experience with breast cancer and is passionate about sharing the gifts she received on her own journey. Sharon is based in Los Angeles and in addition to teaching weekly in-person plus online yoga and meditation classes, she has been teaching at psychological trauma/treatment centers, physical therapy offices, cancer centers and schools for more than a decade, specializing in nervous system regulation, oncology yoga and bone health yoga. She leads retreats for women going through cancer and has written numerous articles about yoga therapy for The American Institute for Cancer Research and is a contributing writer for the book “Yoga Therapy Across the Cancer Continuum.” Her goal is to empower individuals in their own ability to transform and heal. Her students range from ages 2-92.
Originally from the Midwest, Jaime Russell was introduced to the Pilates method at age 13 as a complement to her classical ballet training. After relocating to San Francisco to join Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet Training Program, Pilates became an essential tool for maintaining both physical resilience and mental clarity in and beyond the studio.
Jeff Lee, MD is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and the Stanford University creative writing program. He has dedicated his life to the practice of Family Medicine in diverse and underserved communities, and to teaching creative expression through writing, music and photography. He has taught at Stagebridge Institute for Performing Arts, the Cazadero and Caz Northwest Family Arts Camps and The Northwest Writers’ Weekend, and has worked extensively as a life, career and creativity coach. He is the author of Catch a Fish, Throw a Ball, Fly a Kite, a book that helps parents introduce their children to joyful skills in the natural world.
Cheryl Lin Fielding is an inspiring Vocal Coach and Continuing Lecturer at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music and works with Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. She is also the Artistic Director of the Parnassus Society, as well as a distinguished pianist, collaborative artist, and concert producer. Cheryl has performed at renowned venues including Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, and the Tanglewood Music Center — but what she loves most is helping young singers discover their unique voice and step confidently into the spotlight.
Liam Fielding is a highly versatile and passionate volleyball athlete known for his competitive presence, joy on the court, and strong game awareness. He currently competes as an outside hitter and opposite hitter with the Pulse 16-1 team, coached by Silila “Lila” Tucker, and is also an outside hitter on the Beckman High School Boys Junior Varsity team.
Los Angeles-based choreographer and instructor Aakansha Maheshwari created BollyPop with the intention to spread happiness through dance. Growing up in India, Aakansha trained in various Indian dance forms—from ancient classical dance of the temples to gypsy folk dance of the snake charmer community. Aakansha has spent years training with the masters and brings different styles together in her program, BollyPop, which is currently offered in California, Utah, and India. She has choreographed for The Academy Museum, Clippers games, LA Kings games, and was one of the choreographers of Disney’s Freakier Friday. Her business was recently selected as one of the six Asian businesses in Los Angeles to be featured in a Google commercial. Aakansha works with a few non-profit organizations in India and spends time with children in underprivileged communities, teaching dance and music. Her devotion to her art is solely for the purpose of spreading happiness.
Chef Vivian Mercado is a young culinary talent with roots deeply intertwined with the vibrant flavors of her homeland, Baja California. Graduating from the Culinary School at the University of Baja California UABC in Ensenada, Vivian embarked on a culinary journey that began by honing her skills at a wholesome meal prep kitchen. Eager to explore the diverse tapestry of local Baja flavors, she took the role of a young manager at a culinary venture, where she delved into the realms of local wines, specialty coffee and artisanal bread. After three enriching years, Vivian returned to Tecate, where she found her culinary sanctuary at Rancho La Puerta. Starting at Tierra Alegre Juice Bar, Vivian delighted our guests with delicious and nutritious smoothies and cold pressed juice creations; a year later she had the opportunity to join the main Rancho La Puerta kitchen as Sous Chef for three years. Now, at La Cocina que Canta, Head Chef Vivian brings her expertise, creativity, and unwavering passion for culinary excellence to every dish she crafts, to every class she teaches.
Yamel Kuri, Erich Alexis, Carlos Castro, David Marcos & Samira Aguilera
Diane Button has dedicated her life’s work to serving the dying. Her courageous clients are her greatest teachers, revealing what matters most to make a full and meaningful. She is the author of several bestselling books including, 
What happens when you bring your whole self to a conversation? Michele Roden has spent over two decades discovering the answer—guiding thousands of leaders, physicians, and teams through the kind of transformative dialogue that changes not just how we work, but how we show up in the world.
Emiliano Messiez is a 
The Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet is widely acknowledged as one of the most compelling tango ensembles today, moving forward from the giant footsteps of Astor Piazzolla, and continuing to take this musical genre into new territories. With immense respect for its roots and rich musical past, the ensemble effectively serves as an active ambassador of tango and a proponent of its evolution. The quartet’s fervent and virtuosic musical style takes elements from Argentine tango, European classical music, and American jazz, and combines them gracefully and organically, bringing something new and exciting to the form while retaining all the lushness and beauty that characterizes the genre.